Under-Rowers

“Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed.” (Acts 13:36)

The verse above is part of a “historical retrospective” Paul gave in a synagogue in the city of Pisidian Antioch during his first missionary journey.  The reason for mentioning David was to point out to his listeners that David could not have been Israel’s long-awaited King which God had promised them.  Why not?  Because in Psalm 16:10, God had said His Holy One would not see decay.

It’s an important point in the big picture.  A picture that’s too large for us to cover well in a short devotion.  However, Paul told us something else important about David, other than the fact that he died.  Specifically, we’re told that David served the purposes of God in his generation.

“Served” in the verse is from a compound Greek root word, which literally means “to row under.”  When used properly, the word described a crewman on a boat.  More precisely, it described an “under-rower” – one who mans the oars on a lower deck of a ship.  Figuratively, it was used of any subordinate executing direct, specific, and official orders.

I’ve seen movies of men on such boats.  Their time is all spent below deck.  They take their assigned seat, and they pull their own weight until their shift is over.  Perhaps more important than what they do, is what they don’t do.  Under rowers don’t chart the course of the ship, and they don’t navigate.  In fact, they can’t even see where they’re going.

Let’s also consider that David served God’s purposes during HIS generation and then died.  Paul’s wording reminds us that God carefully chooses where and when He places each of His servants.  God doesn’t make mistakes.  He has placed you exactly where you are, and WHEN you are for His purposes.  Lastly, the wording reminds us that our time to serve God is within our generation only.  It’s limited; therefore, the time to serve Him is NOW.

As we go, let me ask, who is the captain of your ship – you or God?  Are you rowing in His direction or your own?  Remember, your generation is NOW; serve Him while you can. –Dave

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