[deacon blues]

David had it right. God took care of Saul and David did not have a drop of blood on his hands. In fact when the report came to David that Saul was dead, he did not rejoice, rather he wept. "Oh how the mighty have fallen!" David lamented. David understood the principle of submission and authority. That's what made David the greatest king in Israel's history. He certainly had a lot of shortcomings of his own. But when faced with the reality of his sin he fell to the ground and repented. He repented because even as king he was submitted to spiritual authority: to God and to the preacher.

There is really only one King of the Hill. That is the One we call King of Kings. He hung high on a hill on an old rugged cross with a sign above His head that read "This is Jesus, King of the Jews". He was obedient unto death. No man was ever more submitted than Him. Consequently, this one completely surrendered man conquered the entire kingdom of darkness. May we seek to have the same understanding, the same attitude and the same brokenness.

This has been one of the best years of my life. An area of my life that remained unsubmitted to God for years, an area that I justified and rationalized away, has finally come under the Lordship of Jesus Christ in a way like never before. I have witnessed in the past four months greater authority and results in my marriage, home, and ministry than ever before. My relationship with the Lord is more intimate and rich. I see the favor of God more than I have in my life. It has unlocked a door that I had always wanted open but failed to take a hold of the key that would unlock it: submission. As a result, the Lord has revealed other areas in me that remain unsubmitted. I am motivated and challenged to change even more, knowing that the fruit of such means a closer walk with the Lord, the byproducts of which are His blessings and rewards.

We need to examine our lives and repent of any unsubmitted areas that we find. We need to yield any area of our lives that hinder our faith and walk with Jesus. We also need to check our relationships with the authorities around us. Are you submitted to your employer? Are you submitted to your husband? Are you submitted to your parents? How do you treat an officer when you get a ticket? Do we submit ourselves one to another as the Bible declares (this includes husbands to wives)? Are we submitted to our pastors or other church leaders? A wonderful depth of relationship with Jesus awaits you. Glorious blessings are waiting too.