PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: 2 Samuel 23-24
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“If my house were not right with God, surely he would not have made with me an everlasting covenant.” (2 Samuel 23:5)
What does David mean by being right with God?
He contrasts himself with “evil” (unright?) men (v.6).
Does he think it is because he is a good person?
Maybe he does think that, but that is not why.
It is because God is good that he makes this covenant.
We see in these stories how David also falls short.
These were bloody, violent times, and he was a part of it.
God chooses to embrace David’s house, despite its flaws.
We can say the same for ourselves, how we are right with God.
I’m right with God because of God’s goodness, not mine.
These stories are not morality lessons, to be like David!
These are grace lessons, to be like God – gracious, merciful.
Jesus embraces us as his family and makes us right with God!
PRAYER
Lord, I am right with God because you made me right with God. You are the hero of my songs!
David for his pride in trying to assess the power of his armed forces – and fully trusting in the Lord -gets to choose what consequence for his bad decisions from the Lord. David says: “I am in deep distress. Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is great; but do not let me fall into human hands.” David doesn’t want to be chased by his enemies – their mercy is questionable – but God’s is not – David knows that full well – so he chooses the plague . As the Lord metes out death by the plague -= David is even more remorseful – realizing that is is because of his bad choices that some of his people suffer and die. When the Lord relents and stops the punishment – David builds and altar to the Lord – buys the land and the offering – not wanting in free gifts. Then the scripture reads: “Then the Lord answered his prayer in behalf of the land, and the plague on Israel was stopped.” I too may have to suffer the consequences of my bad and sinful choices – but let me like David fall into the hands of the Lord for He is merciful and gracious!
We are reminded once again to put our trust in God and not in the power or might of our own strength. My trust, my power, my diy living needs to be guided by His Spirit each and every day. Not my way but His wil be done. Have Thine own way Lord. You are in charge and I am Your servant. Your will be done and I need to be in tune with You. God needs to be first in all I do and say in my living for Jesus
.Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side,
The Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth His Name,
From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.