READING: 1 Kings 1, John 3
Honestly, I don’t know if I’d caught the words before, no matter how many times I’ve read 1 Kings. Those words are the words of Benaiah, the captain of the guard for the king, when David reminded the people that Solomon would be the next king: “Just as the Lord was with my lord the king, so may He be with Solomon and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord King David” (1 Kgs 1:37, echoed in 1:47). Surely this request was for an expansion of the military and political power of Israel through Solomon, but it also foreshadows that through David’s continued line would come the Messiah who would ultimately rule as King of Kings.
Moreover, the wording is mindful of Jesus’ own words to His disciples as He prepared to leave them: “I assure you: The one who believes in Me will also do the works that I do. And he will do even greater works than these, because I am going to the Father” (John 14:12). Their works would not be greater miracles than Jesus did, but they would extend His work throughout the world through the power of the Holy Spirit. We’re privileged to be part of that work as well.
In fact, our responsibility is to raise up a next generation who will do greater things than we’ve ever done. It’s our job to invest in others, model Christian living in front of them, challenge them to walk with God, and then send them out to invest in the next generation. We cannot become overbearing, co-dependent, or even jealous if God uses them more than He’s used us; indeed, we should pray for that to happen.
PRAYER: “Lord, grant me the privilege of investing in others who will do even greater things for You.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 1 Kings 2-3, John 4:1-26
