Many passages in the Bible speak to the importance of humility. One example is when James and John, two of Jesus’ disciples, came to him asking if they could be on his right and on his left when he came to power. Their request immediately caused an argument among the other disciples. Jesus was quick to teach them all the great flaw in their thinking. Jesus said, “Whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all” (Mark 10:43—44). 

Yet, the passage in 1 Chronicles reveals King David’s praise of God, whose hand of power is to “make great and to give strength to all” (1 Chronicles 29:12). There is no doubt that God gives some people the power to be great and influential in our world. We should pray to be “great” Christians, knowing that means we are asking to be “great servants” of God.

Our blessings, our gifts, our abilities, and our calling comes from God the Father, who has “all power and might.” God decided how to make each of his children great and strong. We decide to accept God’s blessings or deny them by our choices.

King David had to wait a long time after he was anointed king to become the king and to take the throne. Those years of waiting were spent as a fugitive running from King Saul. Personal greatness also came with great consequences for most of the leaders in the Bible. 

We should pray to be “great” influencers for the gospel, but when we voice that prayer we should also pray for the great strength we will need to handle our personal consequences. 

A great Christian is one who is a committed servant of God. To be first in some circles is to be last in others. Greatness is living for God and using our gifts for his kingdom purpose. 

Riches and honor can come from God. So do servitude and submission. Yielding to God’s wisdom provides the spiritual strength we need to serve him in whatever ways we will be called to be great as we serve our kingdom purpose.