Month: March 2019

Re:Verse passage – 2 Samuel 5 (day seven)

David seems to hear God’s voice clearer and quicker than we do.  

And the Lord said to David, “Go up, for I will certainly give the Philistines into your hand.” (v.19)

When David inquired of the Lord, He said, “You shall not go directly up; circle around behind them and come at them in front of the balsam trees.  It shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then you shall act promptly, for then the Lord will have gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines.” (v.23-24)

David not only hears God, but God gives him step by step instructions on what to do and where to go. How do we find that level of clarity? Is that level of clarity even possible?

Thankfully we have the gift of the Holy Spirit to fill in the blanks.  In Experiencing God Henry Blackaby notes that the Holy Spirit uses 4 methods to speak clearly into our lives: Scripture, Prayer, Circumstance, and Church.  He argues that through those four God is speaking loud and clear today, if only we would listen.

Re:Verse passage – 2 Samuel 5 (day five) 

vs 19- so David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?” The Lord answered him,   vs 23 so David inquired of the Lord, and he answered,

Does it seem interesting that David the warrior king would pray and ask God for direction about a battle with the Philistines? When the heart’s focus is walking with God and pleasing Him at every turn, it is no surprise at all when David asks the Lord for guidance (and then patiently listens for His response- where I often drop the ball). David didn’t rely on his own skill set to accomplish something for God. He trusted God to guide him even when he could have been quite capable.  Then, when a very similar circumstance arises, David asks again for guidance rather than just continue on with God’s previous instruction.

Every occasion (even if familiar or repeated) is an opportunity to pray and seek the Lord’s guidance and direction.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:6‬

Re:Verse passage – 2 Samuel 5 (day four)

All through the Old Testament, Israel had a long line of kings.  There were both good kings and bad kings…more bad than good it seems.  David was known as a man after God’s own heart.  He was not perfect, but he remained faithful throughout his reign.  David’s commitment to serve only God was the key to his success.

Verse 21 tells us about one of the battles that David fought.  His armies defeated the Philistines and in their haste to escape, the Philistines abandoned their idols and Israel captured them.  If we look at the parallel passage of 1 Chronicles 14, it says David ordered the idols to be burned.  Many of the later kings of Israel, both good and bad, failed to cleanse the land by destroying the high places and idols of their enemies.  David’s focus was on God and he did not allow other gods to be a pitfall for his nation.

Today, we are surrounded by the idols and high places of the enemy.  Our society would have us embrace and follow them freely.  Be like David and keep a singular focus on the Lord.

Re:Verse passage – 2 Samuel 5 (day three)

“And David knew that the Lord had established him as king.”

One can read the Psalms for five minutes and figure out that fear, dread, and terror made frequent appearances in David’s life. In those times, there was more he didn’t know than he did know. That fact can easily upstage everything else. It can be a person’s undoing. It was almost David’s undoing during those difficult seasons. But in the middle of the thickest, most impenetrable times of uncertainty, there was one thing he did know: God had enabled him to exist in that moment—purposefully not randomly, deliberately not capriciously. The breath you draw is evidence that God has not lost track of you. Is that the only thing you know? It is enough.

Re:Verse passage – 2 Samuel 5 (day two)

David became greater and greater, for the Lord God of hosts was with him. vs. 10

This right here. If there is any doubt as to why Saul’s reign ended and David’s did not it is this verse. The Lord was with him. Was it because David was better than Saul? More educated? More highly favored? Or was it a mater of David consistently seeking after the Lord? His walk was not perfect, but when re-directed David knew where to turn for guidance, strength, and correction. No battle is too insignificant. No decision too small. Everything is the Lord’s, so go ahead and lay it before him. Seen God work here before? That should be more reason to trust him again, and not assume he’ll just show up.

Re:Verse passage – 2 Samuel 1; 2:1-7 (day seven)

The men of David said to him, “Behold, this is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold; I am about to give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it seems good to you.’” (1 Samuel 24:4)

Then Abishai said to David, “Today God has delivered your enemy into your hand; now therefore, please let me strike him with the spear to the ground with one stroke, and I will not strike him the second time.” (1 Samuel 26:8)

Twice David had the opportunity to destroy Saul and assume kingship.  Both times the trusted men around David assumed God was giving Saul into his hand believing God was finally solidifying David’s authority as God had promised, but David knew better.  He knew better, because he was near the LORD.  That is the only way to know better.  We only avoid the camouflaged pitfalls of this world by keeping as near as we can to the LORD.

[Being near God David said] The Lord forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the Lord’s anointed; (1 Samuel 26:11a)

Re:Verse passage – 2 Samuel 1; 2:1-7 (day five)

“Then it came about afterwards that David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up to one of the cities of Judah?” And the LORD said to him, “Go up.” So David said, “Where shall I go up?” And He said, “To Hebron.” And David brought up his men who were with him, each with his household; and they lived in the cities of Hebron.” 2 Samuel 2:1,3

Sometimes the biggest struggle we face is when we seem to have power and opportunity given to us by God Himself. David had the first (promise of being King) already clearly communicated to him. The second (opportunity to immediately become King) was literally handed to him by the Amalekite. Wasn’t it time to step into the role and position David was created for? Not Yet. David shows remarkable patience and contentment by his response. He laments and grieves the deaths of Saul and Jonathan. He then asks the Lord for guidance and direction instead of immediately jumping into the position of king. Who does that?  Why wait?  Why not act on the circumstances?  Because David has learned to trust God not only for His word and promises, but also His timing. It’s a supernatural sense of patience, peace, and contentment.  J. I. Packer calls it “comprehensive contentment” and describes it as evidence of knowing God. I wonder if our actions, decisions, and motives reflect this kind of deep relationship with the living God?