Headship And Lordship

by F. McCormick | Category: N/a | Jan 1951

It was a memorable day when king David revealed to his people God's choice of his son Solomon to build a house for God, and declared, "the work is great : for the palace is not for man, but for the LORD God " (1 Chronicles 29.1). After telling them of all he had prepared with all his might for the house of God, he says, "Moreover also, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, seeing that I have treasure of mine own of gold and silver, I give it unto the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house" (verse 3). How true are the words! "Example is a living law whose sway, Men, more than all the written laws, obey."

Then follows that stirring appeal, "Who then offereth willingly to consecrate himself (Heb.-to fill his band, R.V.M.) this day unto the LORD ? " (verse 5).

What a response! " Then the princes ... offered willingly and gave gold, silver, brass and precious stones "to the treasure of the house of the LORD." "Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with a perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD : and David the king also rejoiced with great joy. Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be Thou, 0 LORD, the God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. Thine, 0 LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and the earth is Thine; Thine is the kingdom, 0 LORD, and Thou art exalted as Head above all. Both riches and honour come of Thee, and Thou rulest over all, and in Thine hand is power and might; and in Thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all" (1 Chronicles 29.9-12).

Herein is a sublime acknowledgment of the Source of all blessing which is found in "God most high, Possessor of heaven and earth" (see Genesis 14.19). The source of all they were able to give is found m God Himself, hence the words, "All things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given Thee." What a privilege it was (and should be esteemed by all) for the recipients to be allowed to give to the Giver! and how gracious on the part of the Giver to receive from those who were as sojourners and strangers in the earth, whose days were as a shadow, the gifts in which they expressed their attitude of heart toward Him! David said, "I know .... my God, that Thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things " (verse 17).

"0 LORD .... keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of Thy people, and prepare their heart unto Thee" (verse 18). It was David's attitude of heart, his love for God, his appreciation of the great goodness and mercy of God, his deep soul experiences in His presence, which gave him such intimate knowledge of God and His ways. In his conception of the majesty and glory of God he rose to heights attained by few, and this brought a corresponding realization of his own utter nothingness. It was this which drew forth his devotion in life and service, and caused him to give so willingly and abundantly.

Our spiritual condition is largely determined by our knowledge of God and our response to His revealed will, and it is important that God's children, and especially those found within God's house, should have a deep exercise relative to their spiritual condition, for this will govern the measure of their service, and response to His claims. David's words in this remarkable chapter are worthy of much meditation. He views God in the greatness and glory of His majesty, and seems to reach the pinnacle of his thoughts in the words "0 LORD .... Thou art exalted as Head above all." Thou rulest over all."

The apostle prayed that the Colossian saints should increase "in the knowledge of God" (Colossians 1. 9), and we propose to refer briefly to the subject of Headship in its various aspects.

In the above quotation we see Headship in its widest possible application. Headship involves authority, control, rule, direction, and in certain cases responsibility to uphold, sustain and provide for that over which headship exists. In this passage in 1 Chronicles 29. it is headship "above all," the vast universe with all its heavenly and earthly inhabitants.

"The LORD hath established His throne in the heavens; and His kingdom ruleth over all" (Psalm 103.19).

Daniel said-" The Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will" (Daniel 4. 25), while Nebuchadnezzar confessed, "His dominion is an everlasting dominion and all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, What doest Thou?" (Daniel 4.84, 85). God is supreme and absolute in His control and direction. What He purposes and wills will ultimately be accomplished, for "none can stay His hand." True, His purposes may be delayed for a time. He may allow Satan or men to demonstrate their folly in Opposing His will, yet He will finally reveal Himself as "Head above all." David spoke truly when he said

"Thine, 0 LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory" (1 Chronicles 29.11).

Would that we could realize this more clearly; how it would banish any despondency or faint-heartedness; how it would strengthen our confidence and faith as we "war the good warfare" and strengthen our hands, as in weakness we seek to build for God Be assured, ye who serve Him, that victory will be yours. "Wherefore should the nations say, Where is now their God? But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever He pleased " (Psalm 115.2, 3).

The Scriptures reveal the ceaseless activities of the great Adversary seeking to frustrate God's purposes throughout the course of time, and his apparent triumph in leading men against the Lord and against His Anointed (Acts 4.24-27; Psalm 2.1-3).

The book of the Revelation reveals God's final triumph over every foe, through Christ. They who come victorious from the Beast and from his image and from the number of his name sing, saying, "Great and marvellous are Thy works, 0 Lord God, the Almighty; righteous and true are Thy ways, Thou King of the ages. Who shall not fear, 0 Lord, and glorify Thy Name" for Thou only art holy: for all the nations shall come and worship before Thee for Thy righteous acts have been made manifest." (Revelation 15. 2-4)

"After these things I heard as it were a great voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, Hallelujah, salvation, and glory, and power, belong to our God. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunders, saying, Hallelujah: for the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigneth"(Revelation 19.1, 6). And the words of David echo down the centuries again, "0 LORD... Thou art exalted as Head above all," Thou rulest over all," and we would join with the heavenly host and say, "Hallelujah."

F. McCormick | Jan 1951
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