Devotion - Monday, September 26

For several weeks, my lectionary has been guiding me through the history of David's rise to power, his stumbles along the way, and how he continues to work out his relationship with God. This morning I started in Kings, I Kings 1.1-31.

By this time David is old, very old. At issue is who will succeed him as King. In 1 & 2 Samuel, we had read of the various sons who made an attempt to take the throne. In I Kings, there is another such attempt, but it is decided by David that Solomon would be the one to sit on his throne.

Overseeing all this is the prophet Nathan. Nathan is the one who confronts David with his sin, regarding Bathsheba. Now, he goes to Bathsheba in order to make sure that her son, Solomon, is the next King of Israel.

Most of us know the story of David. Surely we have also heard of Solomon and his mother. There is genearlly a high level of recognition as we speak of Absolom, the son who challenges David. But how much do we remember of Nathan?

The major characters in the narrative are the ones around whom the action occurs. The headliners carry the show and get the recognition which follows. But those who guide the process are the ones who ensure that God's will is done; that the decisions made by those in authority are consistent with the affirmations made in the Temple.

One of the books my campus pastor brought to our attention is by a Brazilian Bishop. In it, he speaks of those who are in the parade and those who watch the parade. Those along the sidelines are more numerous than those who march. It is these folks, the ones observing, who form the majority. And yet, we only given them passing thoughts when speaking of the parade.

Those in the center of attention are not always the ones through whom God is most active. Sometimes it is the Nathan in our midst who has heard the Word of God and ensures that it is followed.

Try to turn your attention from the front of the stage to its sides. Who is there, guiding and directing? How accurately are the principals listening? Can you hear their voice, and listen to it rather than the chatter of others?

Thank God for the Nathans in the world. Thank goodness for those who search them out and hear what they have to say.