“And David became greater and greater, for the Lord of hosts was with him.”  (ESV)

If we want to be great, this is how it’s done.  There are other ways to be called great by the world.  Amass enough money and you’ll be called great.  Attain to a certain media status and you’ll have followers.  Acquire sufficient power and your name will be celebrated in the streets.  But that greatness won’t last.  Lose the money, the followers, or the power and you’ll be nothing.  As Coldplay sings in their hit “Viva la Vida,” you’ll sweep the streets you used to own.  

Greatness that lasts comes from setting ourselves in the hands of the one who truly is great.  As we stick close to Him, He begins to share His greatness with us.  Unlike the world’s greatness, though, this greatness shows itself through service, selflessness, and the leveraging of our resources for the sake of those who do not have them.

But wait, wasn’t David the king?  His greatness was the result of his military power and political might.  Not according to the author here.  His greatness came because he was attached to the one who was great.  Indeed, the times when David was flying the highest were not the times of military victories or political conquests.  They were when he sought to serve and advance the power of those who had the least of it.  So shall it be with us.  If you want to be great, stay close to the one who already is.