As I am reading through the Bible yet again, I am currently reading about the reign of David in the book of 2 Samuel. Today I spent quite a bit of time in chapter 15. As I read this chapter, the Holy Spirit immediately spoke to me about the attributes of a heart of a SERVANT.
I quickly realized that I am nearly CLUELESS when it comes to knowing the life or heart of a true SERVANT. As I pondered, I realized that during this time in history a servant was completely at the total mercy of his master. So often in scripture we can read of the foolishness or disobedience of a servant and the dire consequences that follow those selfish choices. EXECUTION often followed. What seem to me, as I read these accounts, to be insignificant or often minor acts of disrespect or lies or disloyalty, are actually very MAJOR indications of a heart that is bent toward insubordination, selfishness and disloyalty, all traits that can not be tolerated or allowed if a person is to be fully under the authority of another.
As a nanny, I often find myself asking my three young charges, "Who's in charge?" My intent is to teach the children respect for authority and to help them learn submission and the need to follow rules. I have learned over the years (of raising my own children and seeing other examples) that if the authority allows the breaking down of respect and obedience, TROUBLE is not far behind.
It is essential to learn to respect and honor authority....as God teaches. The heart of a true SERVANT captures and exemplifies this principle and position of authority and submission. God has not ordered a true Godly authority to be harsh or cruel or unfair, but God's example of authority is JUST along with attributes of mercy, love, compassion, honesty and goodness. Subjection and submission to a Master who reigns and rules like God does should be entered into with great humility, gratitude and thanksgiving, even joy. To be under the leadership and rule of One who cares and loves us more than we can imagine is to be truly FREE. (Odd, that we are looking at the heart of a servant, yet talking about FREEDOM. Paul teaches about this very concept throughout many of his letters in the New Testament.)
Two examples that jumped out at me during today's reading were verse 15 of 2 Samuel 15 and verse 21 of the same chapter.
Verse 15 - "And the king's servants said to the king, "We are your servants, ready to do whatever my lord the king commands."
Verse 21 - "But Ittai answered the king and said, "As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely in whatever place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also your servant will be."
Wow.....talk about the heart of a servant! If my own heart were even CLOSE to this complete devotion to the Lord as the examples in 2 Samuel! I would also be ready at every moment to greet life or death, joy or trials, comfort or hardship with total abandonment and submission and obedience to God's will and ways! That is my prayer....
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