All Glory Goes

“Joram brought articles of gold, silver, and bronze with him. King David dedicated these articles to the Lord, along with the silver and gold he had dedicated from all the nations he conquered."

2 Samuel 8:9b-11

I’ve been very slow in finishing the books of Samuel. It’s like I’ve eaten meat and tons of it. I happen to love the life of King David. It’s his heart for God that keeps this man going from one victory to the next. I’m forever saying, “It’s all about the condition of our hearts.”

God showed me several things in this chapter. I feel led to discuss one today. And it’s this verse. God defeated King David’s enemies. I find this particular enemy interesting.

Let me explain.

David was in an ongoing war with Joram’s father, King Toi. But, at this time David wasn’t at war with him. However, when King Toi saw King David was victorious over all the nations, he sent his son to congratulate him. How can I better explain this in today’s terms? It would be like the Iranian leader sending his son to America with gifts for the president. Fat chance right?

However, this is exactly what took place here. Joram comes with lots of expensive gifts for King David. Watch what King David does. He dedicates ALL of it to the Lord. People, this was thousands and thousands of dollars worth of gifts. THOUSANDS! Yet, King David goes and gives it all to God by bringing it to the temple. He just doesn’t bring it but dedicates it. He surrendered it; he gave it all away.

So why would he do that? He recognized what God just did that’s why. When God does something so great in our lives, we must understand it came from His mighty hand. It’s humbling to give back what we received. The nations around him knew only God could have given the victory. King David was a worshipper from the start. No wonder he would worship God in the gifts he had received by dedicating them back to God. In doing so, he was showing Israel, the surrounding nations, friends, and enemies he honored God and would not take the glory and praises for himself. Rather, he would point, by action and deeds, the glory and honor belonged to God. It was all God that gave him the victories in all of the battles.

Friends, we all have had our own battles. Please don’t say you haven’t because that would be untrue. Therefore, what have we done with the battles the Lord has won on our behalf? Have we taken the credit? Do we praise ourselves? Do we take what has been given and turn it into self praise, self honor, self-serving?

Please look at the last part of this verse, “Along with the silver and gold he had dedicated from all the nations he conquered.” King David had a habit. A great habit that brought him victory after victory. He gave every single thing back to God. Because this was his practice, God honored him with victories after victories and God blessed the work of his hands. King David was a very rich King. But his riches didn’t come from taking anyone else’s possessions. Please hear me clearly. God blesses the hands of the people who honor God and who give Him everything. By all rights he could have kept the spoils of war and the gifts given to him. He didn’t do that. He gave every single thing back to God.

Listen, how do we apply this to our lives? First of all the talents, gifts, abilities, and creativity we have all belong to God. We give Him the honor and the praise in all we accomplish for him.How we do it says a lot about us. God isn’t interested in making you poor. He wants us to have the best. Sometimes, I laugh to myself when I hear the “poor mentality” nonsense conversations. Secondly, there are things that totally belong to God. Biggest thing is our very lives. He gives us breath moment by moment. What are you doing for the Kingdom of God with your life? Our possessions can’t come with us when we die. Naked we came naked we leave.

Finally, not every person is our enemy. Even the enemies themselves serve a purpose in our lives. Please catch this, King David was feared by King Toi. Yet, King David wasn’t rude, disrespectful, and mean. He accepted the gifts, and then showed the great respect he had for God and the giver. “Here we go, King Toi, I accept your gifts for God and only God. I thank Him for His victorious battles He gave me in my hands. And I thank God you recognize there’s a God in Israel and your trust in my leadership to protect Israel and our surrounding nations, including your nation: that is if you don’t fight me.”

Listen, be grateful for everyone around you, whether or not they are friend or foe. God has you, and He causes your enemies to shower you with blessings of peace or whatever. The question is what will you do with it? Be a King David, and let us learn from a man who’s heart was after God and His ways. You can’t outgive a God who owns the entire world anyway. Live with an attitude to be a giver, not a taker. Watch where and how God meets all your needs and blesses the work of your hands.

Dr. Teresa Allissa Citro

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You are worthy of all honor and praise. All good things are gifts from You. Help me to always remember that You are the One Who Blesses me and that all glory belongs to You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Linda A. Knowles

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