“Perceive You Are King”
There comes a moment in every man’s life when he must perceive he is king.
Not because someone poured oil over his head, not because a crowd applauded, and not because of an outward sign—but because something inside of him shifts.
The Word says in 2 Samuel 5:12, “And David perceived that the Lord had established him king over Israel.”
There was no prophetic announcement this time. No prophet Samuel standing there with a horn of oil. No choir singing. God was ready to establish him—but David had to perceive it.
Some men are waiting for external confirmation when God is waiting on internal revelation.
He’s saying, “You don’t need another prophecy, another word, or another sign. You’ve already gone through the rejection, the wilderness, the betrayal, the heartbreak, and the hiding. You survived Saul’s spears. You outlasted the gossip. Now it’s time to perceive this is your season to take your place.”
David didn’t wait for someone else to tell him who he was—he discerned it.
And some of you, my brothers, are missing your season to be crowned and married because you’ve believed the lies of the enemy. The Word says a wife is a crown to her husband, but how can you wear your crown when you haven’t yet perceived you are king?
When David became king, the first city he conquered was Jerusalem.
2 Samuel 5:6–10 tells us the Jebusites mocked him, saying, “Even the blind and the lame can ward you off.” In other words, “You’re not strong enough. You’re not qualified. You can’t do this.”
And maybe you’ve heard those same words in your own life—mentally, financially, emotionally, or spiritually. Maybe you’ve been in a place where the enemy whispered, “God can’t give you what He promised.”
But here’s the truth: sometimes it’s not the outside enemy that defeats us—it’s the inner one. The fear. The doubt. The memory of failure that keeps replaying in our minds.
David had to conquer Jerusalem without destroying it. That required strategy, patience, and humility.
Pastor Keion Henderson once said, “God wants you to know that in order to conquer your spouse’s heart, you cannot destroy them to gain the respect and love you deserve.”
That hit deep. Because many relationships are in warfare, not from fists or fights, but from words that wound and silences that suffocate. Some hearts are bleeding quietly from emotional warfare.
But David’s men were told, “Whoever goes through the gutter will be captain.”
The gutter—symbolic of humility—represents the dark, low, hidden place that leads to breakthrough.
God is saying, “If you’re willing to go through the gutter—to face uncomfortable truths, to heal the wounds, to humble yourself—you’ll come out promoted.”
So what’s your Jerusalem?
Maybe it’s your marriage, your mind, your ministry, or your manhood. It might feel dark and lonely while you’re crawling through the process, but stay the course—because what once intimidated you, you’re about to conquer.
When David came out of that place, Jerusalem became his stronghold—his safe place.
And when you come out, your relationship, your calling, and your purpose will become your stronghold too.
Proverbs 16:32 says, “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that rules his spirit than he that takes a city.”
So rule your spirit.
Lead with love.
Walk in humility.
You don’t have to destroy it to prove you’re king.
You just have to perceive that you already are.