9 I will sing a new song to you, O God; on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you, 10 to the one who gives victory to kings, who delivers his servant David from the deadly sword. 11 Deliver me and rescue me from the hands of foreigners whose mouths are full of lies, whose right hands are deceitful. 12 Then our sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants, and our daughters will be like pillars carved to adorn a palace. 13 Our barns will be filled with every kind of provision. Our sheep will increase by thousands, by tens of thousands in our fields; 14 our oxen will draw heavy loads. There will be no breaching of walls, no going into captivity, no cry of distress in our streets. 15 Blessed are the people of whom this is true; blessed are the people whose God is the LORD.

David is regarded as the greatest king of Israel of all time. He is considered as the great psalmist both because of his musical skills and his ability to write great psalms. He is regarded as an example for us because he was called a man after God’s own heart. He is held up for us as a man of faith. But, if we could interview David for national TV and ask why he was considered so great, what would he tell us? I believe he would tell us that it was not he who was so great; it was God who used him to do great things.

When the apostle Paul returned from a missionary trip to report to the church that had sent him, we are told that he reported how God had used them to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. We don’t ever read of Paul’s report of how much money he raised or how many sermons he had preached or how many people he had converted but how God had used him. Paul said that he planted, Apollos watered (no jealousy there) but God gave the increase.
True faith, commitment and service to God is not about us. It is about God and how we can submit to him and be used by him. This goes against our nature that seeks glory for ourselves and our accomplishments. We can allow God to use us and give him the glory or we can refuse to allow God to use us. When we do this, God will either use us anyway or he will use someone else to accomplish his plan. Either way, God is still in control.

Lord God, creator, sustainer and ruler of all things; help me to humble myself and submit to your will. Use me to accomplish your plan in my life and to give you the glory. Please be with our country and our leaders. Give them knowledge that you are in control and wisdom to turn to you for guidance in all they do. Be with the people of this country that each of us will see our need for you and will submit to your will. Help me to do my part by living for you and sharing your gospel with others. In Jesus name.

May God bless each of us as we humbly and faithfully serve him.