One time back in the corporate world I proposed a really cool project and they agreed to let me lead the team to develop it. Very exciting, but I didn’t realize at the time it was just the beginning of the journey.

The customer really liked my direction, but the IT management put me inside a bigger project and my manager wouldn’t let me use the right technology. Almost a year later, they finally separated us out, but then they put someone else in charge of me. Seven months later, he stepped down and I finally got to implement my idea.

The journey from being assigned the task to having the authority to do it was a year and a half.

King David

David’s 14 year journey before becoming king is spread across several chapters in 1 Samuel and the beginning of 2 Samuel. As a young shepherd, David is anointed by Samuel in Bethlehem. However, Saul is still reigning, and David does not immediately take the throne.

David defeats Goliath, becomes a warrior and serves in Saul’s court, eventually marrying Saul’s daughter Michal. Saul becomes jealous and David flees from him, hiding for years. During this time, he spares Saul’s life twice, demonstrating his refusal to seize the throne by force.

When Saul dies in battle against the Philistines, David is anointed as king of Judah. However, Saul’s son, Ishbosheth, rules over the rest of Israel, leading to a divided kingdom.

After seven and a half years ruling Judah, Ishbosheth is assassinated and the the tribes of Israel unite under David, and he becomes king over the entire nation.

This is the context for our next look at Psalm 110:1 in the New Testament.

King Jesus

“Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. For 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.”’

“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.”

– Acts 2:29-36, including quoting Psalm 110:1

Jesus was announced as King at birth, but it took 33 years before he took the throne. Even then, not all the Israelites that Peter is talking to would admit it. But many did:

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

– Acts 2:37-39

Our King

The same thing happens in our lives. We can declare Jesus as Lord, our only King. But then we need to live it out in every area. Otherwise it’s just a declaration, not a reality. The rival “kings” need to fall. They all need to submit to Jesus.

No longer can we make decisions by checking our calendar or bank balance. Our family doesn’t get the final say. My boss at work is under the True King. Where I live is up to Him. What I do each day doesn’t come from my task list. Seeking comfort is not Seeking the Kingdom. Fear of anything except God doesn’t make sense.

In every situation, we have a King who is over it all. In every struggle with authority, we have a direct connection to their Boss. There is nothing on earth that is not under his Kingship.

He reigns right now, over everything, but it could still take some time before all his enemies are vanquished.

Yahweh said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.” – Psalm 110:1 (from the Hebrew)