Day 137

1 Chronicles 8–10 | Acts 26 | Psalm 58

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Every crown that isn’t surrendered to God will eventually fall.

That’s the sobering takeaway from 1 Chronicles 10.

Saul’s life doesn’t end in glory. It ends in tragedy.

Not just because he lost a battle—

But because he lost sight of the One he was supposed to follow.

“So Saul died for his breach of faith. He broke faith with the Lord by not keeping the word of the Lord…” (1 Chronicles 10:13)

He didn’t fall because the Philistines were stronger.

He fell because his heart was divided.

Because when it came down to trust or control—

He chose control.

And in the end, the crown slipped from his head… and was handed to David.

What Happens When the Crown Shifts

The final line of 1 Chronicles 10 is a hinge in Israel’s story:

“Then all Israel came together to David… and the Lord made him king.” (see 1 Chronicles 11:1–3)

God’s purposes didn’t falter. They transferred.

His kingdom didn’t die. It shifted.

And sometimes, we need to be reminded:

God doesn’t need our performance to accomplish His plan.

He will raise up the humble.

And He will dethrone the proud.

Not out of vengeance.

But out of holiness.

Out of justice.

Out of His unstoppable redemptive story.

A Testimony that Points Higher

In Acts 26, Paul is on trial again.

But this time, he’s not just defending himself.

He’s proclaiming a better kingdom.

He stands before King Agrippa—not to win favor, but to lift his eyes.

Paul recounts his past with unflinching honesty:

He hunted the church. Approved of death. Lived with zeal, but without truth.

But then—Jesus showed up.

“I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision…” (Acts 26:19)

That’s what marked the turning point:

Not Paul’s strategy, but his surrender.

Not his eloquence, but his obedience.

And now he stands, not with armor or sword—but with scars and a story.

He speaks boldly, but not boastfully.

Because he knows the power isn’t in the man.

It’s in the Messiah who changed him.

Agrippa listens.

And nearly believes.

But almost-belief doesn’t save.

Don’t Wait to Surrender

That’s what ties these passages together.

Saul waited too long to yield—and died with regret.

Paul surrendered early—and lived with purpose.

And if your crown has been slipping—

If your story has been marked more by self-preservation than surrender—

If you’ve tried to lead without first learning to follow—

Then hear this:

The grace of Jesus is still offered.

The kingdom is still advancing.

And you’re not too late to lay your crown down.

Because one day, every crown will fall.

And the only ones that endure are the ones we’ve already cast at His feet.

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Lord, I don’t want to wait until the crown falls. I want to lay it down now. Teach me to lead by surrendering. To speak boldly, but humbly. To walk with scars, not shame—because they point to the grace that rescued me. Help me live for Your glory, not mine. And write my name into the story You are still telling—one of redemption, obedience, and the only crown that never fades.

Amen.