DAILY READING
REFLECTION
Kingdom Expansion
by Elaine Pierce
David was a successful Warrior King. This verse sums up his record: "The Lord gave David victory everywhere he went. (1 Chronicles 18:6b) He conquered kingdom after kingdom, and Israel's boundaries expanded.
In Acts 2, we read about a different kind of kingdom expansion - not by the sword, but by God's spirit. Peter speaks to a crowd of God-fearing Jews who were in Jerusalem for the Festival of Weeks. This festival took place a mere five weeks after Jesus' death and resurrection. He reminded the crowd that "David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said, "'The Lord said to my Lord; "Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet."' (Acts 2:34)
What happened because of his sermon? 3,000 accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, and were baptized. Incredible. This rag-tag group of Jesus' disciples: fishermen, tax collectors, and - heaven forbid - women - were bringing people to Christ just weeks after they huddled in the Upper Room, devastated that their Rabbi had been crucified.
"Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty." (Zechariah 4:6)
King David won impressive battle victories. God is not asking me to go to war (and as I write this, wars are raging across our world - God have mercy on all who serve). But he is asking me to share his word. He will give you what you need. He will not send you into battle unprepared. Thank him for the opportunity to serve, and rejoice when he adds to our number those new in the faith, renewed in the faith, and those willing to follow him.
PRAYER
Lord, so often I hide your light under a bushel. Help me to rejoice when others enter the kingdom and to thank you for the opportunity to bring good news to those who are ready to hear it. Your kingdom will come, on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.
