Last time we learned how David
waited more than 20 years for the promise that he will become King
of Israel to come to pass. And during that time he waited with a
good attitude, he acted honorably and followed God in everything
that he did. God also prepared him to be king during that time even
though he didn't even realize it himself. It is such a valuable
lesson for us today, especially if we are in a season of waiting to
receive all that the Lord has promised us.
But the moment David was crowned as
king over Israel, his enemy arose against him, the Philistines. And
true to David's style he first enquired of the Lord whether he
should go and fight against the Philistines. And God told him that
he should and that He will deliver them into his hand. David was
obedient and the Philistines were no match for him. With God's
help, he defeated them. And David gave all glory to God:
"The Lord has broken through my
enemies before me, like a breakthrough of water." 2 Samuel
5:20
Then the Philistines regrouped and
came against David once again. David enquired of the Lord again; he
didn't just assume he should attack as he did the last time. And he
was right, this time God gave him different instructions:
"You shall not go up; circle
around behind them and come upon them in front of the mulberry
trees. And it shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the
tops of the mulberry trees, then you shall advance quickly. For
then the Lord will go out before you to strike the camp of the
Philistines." 2 Samuel 5:23, 24
And David obeyed and he drove back
the Philistines as far as Gezer.
David trusted in God inexplicitly
and followed His commands to the tee. He did everything the way
that God instructed him and it was wonderful to see how God just
manifested Himself in a supernatural way. Wow. Imagine hearing
God's army marching ahead of you to bring the victory for you. That
must have been awe-inspiring. And why did it happen? Because one
man was obedient to the Lord His God and sought Him and His will
above all else. David was now king and that could have gone to his
head, and yet he still humbled himself before God and followed Him
and Him only.
The lesson for me here is that in
the times when all goes well with us and when our dreams have
realized, that we shouldn't turn our backs on God. We should still
honor Him above all else and seek Him and His advice about every
step that we need to take. We should never ever think that we have
arrived and that we know best. I mean in my mind's eye it was quite
obvious that David should attack the Philistines as they were
coming for him. And yet David sought the will of God. So that
serves as a reminder to us as well. Even if we think that the next
step to take for us is quite obvious, we should still enquire of
God and seek Him and Him alone.
Then of course expect opposition
when you are exalted. People get jealous very quickly and want to
drag you down to their level. But don't let it faze you. Be like
David, seek the Lord and watch His army marching ahead fighting for
you! David humbled himself before God and he was victorious because
of it. And the same applies to you. Jesus bought the victory for us
at the cross so that no weapon formed against us can prosper. We
simply need to hold fast to God and trust Him above all else. We
shouldn't try and take matters into our own hands, no, we should
walk as the conquerors that we are through Jesus Christ. Allowing
Him to manifest the victory for us. Getting even and defending
ourselves only serves to exalt the ego. No, God wants us to exalt
Him, to seek Him, to walk with Him and then victory will be ours
without a shadow of a doubt!
Father thank you so much that Jesus
bought victory for us at the cross. Thank you that we are more than
conquerors because You love us. Hallelujah! We want to stay close
to You, always and in all circumstances! Amen