SCRIPTURE: 2 Samuel 8
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
So the Lord made David victorious wherever he went…. So David became very famous. [2 Samuel 8:6,13] God works within this sinful world. He directs the outcome of human affairs, using sinful humans – for better or worse – to restore His kingdom. Though David is uniquely God-focused, he is still a man of his times. How he separates the Moabites seems crude and cruel. We could find many flaws and faults in David, but God still honours the direction of his heart, and establishes him as king. David’s success is ultimately because God is with him.
He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.” [John 3:2] Jesus also becomes famous, or at least very well-known. His accomplishments are recognized by many as evidence that God is with Him. The one critical difference between David and Jesus is that Jesus is sinless. He is God in a body, He is what God would be like if God were one of us. Another way to see it is that Jesus is what we ought to be, human reflections (image-bearers) of God in the flesh.
But Jesus miracles and success were not because He was God, but because God was with Him. Remember, He emptied Himself of His God-power, He became just like us, except for sin. He could not perform miracles on His own. He needed God’s help. He relied on God’s strength. He performed miracles because God was with Him… and He was with God.
We no longer live in David’s time. We have seen the full message of God’s love and grace as demonstrated by Jesus. Today we do not live or fight like David did. We do not read this passage as justification for war or some forms of violence. Nor do we blame God for allowing this violence, since it is the result of human sin, not God’s divine plan. We live after Jesus, we follow after Jesus. He has made it plain that through Him, we have entered a new covenant – a new relationship with God and one another – one that is characterized by grace, mercy, peace and love.
And so, though we fulfill our purpose differently from David, like him we depend 100% on God’s presence and power. And like Jesus, we cannot perform great feats ourselves, but with His help, we can! I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. [John 14:12]
PRAYER:
Lord, without You I can do nothing; with You I can do all things! For nothing is impossible with You! May You become famous through me!
LORD, once again You allow David to have such great victory. He is well liked because of these victories and well, one could say that he is pretty much famous for his battle wins. In all of this ‘fame’ and praise from the people, David remains faithful to You. He remains fair and just, he chooses to do what is right for all his people BECAUSE it pleases you.
LORD, how often today do we witness the downfall of Godly success because pride has taken root in a heart and the praise of people wins out and derailment occurs.
LORD, protect our hearts. May I always live to please You first. I long to have a heart so devoted to You that nothing could ever derail my choice to do what is good and pleasing in Your Holy eyes. Thank You LORD for my own personal jourey of freedom from needing the approval others. Thank You LORD that I no longer am held captive by this stronghold. Thank You LORD for Your promise in Phil. 1:6 “Be confident of this that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Thank You LORD that You are not done with me yet. No, I have not achieved it but I focus on this one thing: forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. I press on to reach the end of the race and recieve the heavenly prize for which God through Christ Jesus is calling us (Phil 3:13-14).
To You LORD be all the glory, honour and praise…..
The Lord gave David victory wherever he went. David reigned and did what was right and just for the people. Wow! Once again – Ebenezer – here to the Lord our God has helped us.
How do I see God’s faithfulness in my life? How do I experience God with me from day to day?
TGIF. Each and every day I must make sure I spend time with Him. Good morning, Lord. Today God Is First. He is my Energizer. He gives me the power to do my living for Jesus. He gives me my power for the day. He gives me the ability for me to do my task from day to day. He is my All in all. May others see Him in me as I live this day in His power. I am not my own but belong to Him.
All for Jesus, all for Jesus!
All my being’s ransomed powers:
All my thoughts and words and doings,
All my days and all my hours.
Refrain
All for Jesus! All for Jesus!
All my days and all my hours;
All for Jesus! All for Jesus!
All my days and all my hours.
Let my hands perform His bidding,
Let my feet run in His ways;
Let my eyes see Jesus only,
Let my lips speak forth His praise.
Refrain
Worldlings prize their gems of beauty,
Cling to gilded toys of dust,
Boast of wealth and fame and pleasure;
Only Jesus will I trust.
Refrain
Since my eyes were fixed on Jesus,
I’ve lost sight of all beside;
So enchained my spirit’s vision,
Looking at the Crucified.
Refrain
Oh, what wonder! how amazing!
Jesus, glorious King of kings,
Deigns to call me His belovèd,
Lets me rest beneath His wings.