The Obvious Choice

2 Samuel 6:9

"And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?"

Seek God's guidance, take a step. Seek God's guidance, take a step. There is no other way to live. What David did seemed like a complete 'no-brainer'. What he did seemed right... In his own eyes.

This is the first time we hear of David being afraid of the Lord. I believe prior to this David has a proper fear and reverence of the Lord, but this time it was different. David knew something was wrong.

There are times in our life where the next step seems ridiculously obvious. If we keep only our own counsel this will happen more often than not. But God's ways are not our ways.

As James admonished, "Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall beon the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that." (James 4:13-15)

Do I live my life daily, moment by moment asking, does the Lord will?

Define: Success

2 Samuel 5:25

"And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer."

Many people have wondered, and many have guessed at the secret of success. What is that something that allowed some to excel and causes others to flounder? In this short verse we find the simple answer.

David did as the Lord commanded him and he succeeded. When David disobeyed God later on in his life, we saw the harm it caused, not only him, but many around him.

Some may ask, if this is the case, how is it that Jesus said we will have trouble and persecution in this world? Certainly bring persecuted and dragged before judges is not success. The answer hinges on definition. What is success?

If we define success as an easy life with wealth and prosperity then success will not always follow obeying God. However, if we define success as God defines success, being conformed to His image, then we will see that trials and tribulation written toward our best interest when we obey God and trust Him.

What is my definition of success? How will I know when I achieve it? How am I seeking to obtain success?

Define: Success

2 Samuel 5:25

"And David did so, as the LORD had commanded him; and smote the Philistines from Geba until thou come to Gazer."

Many people have wondered, and many have guessed at the secret of success. What is that something that allowed some to excel and causes others to flounder? In this short verse we find the simple answer.

David did as the Lord commanded him and he succeeded. When David disobeyed God later on in his life, we saw the harm it caused, not only him, but many around him.

Some may ask, if this is the case, how is it that Jesus said we will have trouble and persecution in this world? Certainly bring persecuted and dragged before judges is not success. The answer hinges on definition. What is success?

If we define success as an easy life with wealth and prosperity then success will not always follow obeying God. However, if we define success as God defines success, being conformed to His image, then we will see that trials and tribulation written toward our best interest when we obey God and trust Him.

What is my definition of success? How will I know when I achieve it? How am I seeking to obtain success?

Every Single Step

2 Samuel 5:19, 23-24

"And David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand....

And when David enquired of the LORD, he said, Thou shalt not go up; but fetch a compass behind them, and come upon them over against the mulberry trees. And let it be, when thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself: for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines."

We are called to walk by faith. Walking by definition involves one foot in front of the other, one step after another. Taking more than one step at a time doesn't usually end very well.

David here gives a perfect example of walking by faith. He seeks God's will, then take a step. However the next step after that looks exactly the same. The Philistines are there, David has an army, just like before. Except it wasn't. And if David has not walked by faith, there could have been very different results.

Seek God. Take a step. Seek God. Take a step. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.

Have I sought God's direction today? Am I taking each step only after seeking God's will?

Submissive Service

2 Samuel 5:12

"And David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake."

David realized two vital things: God was the ultimate authority, and David's success was not to be for his own benefit.

God is know as the King of kings. Any ruler, authority, or leader holds no sway save what is given by God. David knew this and for the majority of his life was humble and submissive to God's authority in his life as ruler of Israel.

When God blesses us, it is because He loves us. He is giving us an example to follow, a guideline. He loves us to show us how to love. Selfishness will attempt to horde the blessings God bestows, but love for God and others will see that God gave so that we can give.

Do I recognize God's authority in my life? Do I use what He gives for my own benefit, or for the benefit of others?

Closeness

2 Samuel 5:10

"And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him."

What better recommendation could there possibly be? A man on his own is nothing. A man, walking with the Lord of Hosts, is a force to be reckoned with.

Names are important and mean something. The Bible says the Lord God of Hosts was with David. There are many, many names used for God in the Bible, why was this name used here? I think it emphasizes that David, who started as a shepherd boy attacking a giant with a sling and stone was not alone. God is in charge of the hosts, so no matter what came at David, it was not a matter of concern. As long as David walked with God, he had the most powerful ally on his side.

Am I waking with God? In that closeness that brings His praise always to my lips? That closeness that steals away any thought of fear?

Bad Things, New Light

2 Samuel 4:9

"And David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said unto them, As the LORD liveth, who hath redeemed my soul out of all adversity,"

David's praise of God was natural, a way of life. He had seen God work in miraculous and amazing ways in his life, and his response was praise and adoration.

Where else so you find such voluminous and copious praise of the Lord besides the Psalms of David? It is difficult to go one verse without David extolling his God.

He praised God realizing that it was from Him that ALL blessings flow. Any and every good thing is a gift from our loving Heavenly Father. Our automatic response ought to be continual praise.

What have I murmured about today? How can I look at these "bad" things in a different light, recognizing that God is using it for my good and His glory?

Turning Aside

2 Samuel 2:23a

"Howbeit he refused to turn aside..."

Asahel had a goal and nothing was going to stop him from doing all he could to achieve it. Though he failed, his tenacity was a memorial long remembered, "...and it came to pass, that as many as came to the place, where Asahel fell down and died, they stood still."

We have an enemy as Christians. The devil is our adversary, out to destroy those who stand in opposition to him. Now, if Asahel had stayed home and not pursued Abner, he would have lived. Abner told him to turn aside, go chase someone else, go take a trophy of someone else's armor.

"Howbeit he refused to turn aside..."

Christ is our goal and prize. But the devil must be actively fought against. In being like Christ, in fighting the wicked one, let us, like Asahel refuse steadfastly to turn aside.

Belief Shown Through Actions

1 Samuel 30:18-19

"And David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away: and David rescued his two wives. And there was nothing lacking to them, neither small nor great, neither sons nor daughters, neither spoil, nor any thing that they had taken to them: David recovered all."

All was recovered, nothing lacking. God said it, David believed and then acted, and God delivered. Belief must be followed up by action. As James says, "Faith without works is dead."

If Davis had sought the Lord's leading, heard from Him and then taken it easy waiting for God to 'come through', the Amalekites would have gotten away without a problem. But instead David chose to act, decisively and with propose.

There are times where we must wait on God. Often even during times of action we must wait on God as we act. But we must never replace action with belief. We must balance the two with our ears ever attentive to God's leading.

What do I believe? Do I believe enough to risk my life for that belief? Do I demonstrate that with my actions?

Pursue, Overtake and Recover

1 Samuel 30:8

"And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all."

Pursue, overtake, and recover. What has the enemy taken in my life? My confidence? My purity? My love for God or others? Our enemy Satan is a devourer, a thief and a destroyer. Anything good and beautiful becomes his target. What God builds in our lives, Satan seeks to tear down.

God's instruction to David applies to you and me. Pursue, overtake, and recover.

Focus

1 Samuel 30:6

"And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God."

Where is my focus?

"If your eyes are on the storm, you'll wonder if I love you still. But if you eyes are on Me, you'll know I always have and I always will."

David was wept right along side each of his men. His family had been captured just like the other men. He cried until he couldn't cry anymore. A profound grief that consumed his men and drove them to want to kill their own leader.

But David encouraged himself in the Lord his God. Nothing else would do. No pep talk, no "double shot", nothing but drawing closer to God. That is where his courage came from, a trust in the One week

Who is always completely in control.

What is my focus? Do I look for God's hand in everything that happens? Ask, "How is He working?" Instead of "Why me?"

Your Love is Showing

1 Samuel 29:6-7

"Then Achish called David, and said unto him, Surely, as the LORD liveth, thou hast been upright, and thy going out and thy coming in with me in the host is good in my sight: for I have not found evil in thee since the day of thy coming unto me unto this day: nevertheless the lords favour thee not. Wherefore now return, and go in peace, that thou displease not the lords of the Philistines."

Virtue is its own reward. However, every action has consequences, good or bad. David's upright behavior gained him the favor of kings. Just imagine if David had been out of favor with Achish. The malicious whisperings of the Philistines who disliked David would not have fallen on deaf ears.

But instead, because of David's uprightness he is sent away in peace, not pieces. As Christians we are to love at all times. Always love, all the time. There are instances where a loving action (such at discipline) may not appear loving, but God sees the heart. We obey because we love Him, but His blessing for obedience is a strong motivation.

Who are those around me that I can show love to today? Not to gain favor, but to be a reflection of the God who loves them.

The Lord Departed

1 Samuel 28:16

"Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?"

One can almost not help but picture a young child making a request of one parent and then the other until the desired answer is received. Saul realized the desperate situation he was in, not having communication with God. But rather than attempt to fix the break in communication with God, he seems out the "other parent", so to speak.

Truth is truth. Whether Samuel was the one speaking or God. This is why we must always be vigilant to know the truth from God's Word, compare any other "truth" to that Standard, and discard anything that does not line up. But let us never do it blindly, without critical thought. Truth is not truth that cannot withstand a skeptical inquisition.

Where do I get my truth? When presented with a painful truth, what is my reaction? Do I attempt to reconcile the truth to my feelings? Or do I reconcile myself to the truth?

Commit Thy Way Unto the Lord

1 Samuel 23:7

"And it was told Saul that David was come to Keilah. And Saul said, God hath delivered him into mine hand; for he is shut in, by entering into a town that hath gates and bars."

Here we have a startling contrast. David is praying to God every step along the way, seeking guidance and wisdom. Saul is doing his own thing in his own selfish way. Yet despite this difference, both men believe that God is on 'his' side.

Which is right? The answer here is obvious. However, Saul's plain blindness, so apparent to us, is completely hidden from Saul himself.

This is a danger we face as Christians today - falling out of the necessary habit of committing our way to the Lord, daily constantly, moment by moment. The result of failing to do this is that we become complacent in our relationship with God, assuming that we're 'close enough'. God still love us and obviously will take care of us so we allow ourselves to believe that we can do whatever and still have God nearby for when we need Him.

This is such a dangerous and deceptively easy place to come to. Do I commit my way to God every day? Or do I rely on my past commitment to garner enough favor to get me by?

A Break in Communication

1 Samuel 28:6

"And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets."

Is there a more desperate place to be than out of communication with God? His silence must be to is the loudest warning knell. It should alarm us and cause us to seek out the reason.

What did I do to sever the ties of communication? Search me and know me, Lord! See if there is any wicked way in me! Find it, purge it. Purge me.

And if He remains silent? Keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking. Like Jacob wrestling the angel - "I will not let go until you bless me!" How badly do I want that communication to be restored? God wants it even more. But He will never force it on you.

What is blocking my communication with the Lord today? What am I doing to repair the break? What am I willing to sacrifice to restore my relationship with Him?

Time With Him

Luke 5:15-16

"But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities. And he withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed."

There is so much going on in our world, so many distractions. And there is so much we desire to accomplish, for our God, our family and ourselves. There is so little time, life truly is but a vapor, fleeting as a spring flower.

There are so many that must be reached with the Gospel, with the love is God! Our world is on downward slide to Hell, our responsibility is to rescue the perishing. Time slips away, moment by moment.

"And He withdrew Himself into the wilderness, and prayed."

We have a brief record of Jesus' life. We estimate His early ministry time was around three years. Three years! So little time! So many things that had to be done, so many to heal, to feed, to love!

"And He withdrew Himself into the wilderness, and prayed."

If Jesus needed that time alone with His Heavenly Father, how much more do I?

The Ziphites

1 Samuel 26:1

And the Ziphites came unto Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself in the hill of Hachilah, which is before Jeshimon?"

These Ziphites are mentioned only one other time in Scripture:

1 Samuel 23:19

"Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon?"

What a legacy to leave behind. No one likes a tattletale. What do you think their motivation was for ratting out David? Possibly there was some reward from Saul or perhaps they got a status bump when everyone found out that they had been the ones responsible for David capture. It could have been loyalty to Saul as well.

Whatever their reason, we can only speculate. However, history has recorded their actions and they are not looked on with favor. Neither did they leave an example to be followed.

With the billions of people in the history of the world, chances of me or you reaching "Abe Lincoln status" or that of some other famous historical figure is not terribly likely. However we leave behind actions, done and undone, that will have an affect on someone.

Will those actions be a blessing? Or an example of what not to do?

The Legacy of Samuel the Prophet

1 Samuel 25:1

"And Samuel died; and all the Israelites were gathered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house at Ramah. And David arose, and went down to the wilderness of Paran."

In our culture of under here and now, I fear we spend far too small amount of time considering the legacy of our lives. What will my life leave behind?

Samuel's life did not start out very spectacularly. A servant to the High Priest, his father apparently not caring much for him, a loving mother he only saw once a year, in reality it didn't appear he has much going for him. What changed that? When God spoke and called him, he answered, "Here am I, speak Lord, your servant hears."

This willingness to listen to God's voice and obey it is what created such an incredible legacy. What is my response to the voice of God in my life? Whether it comes through His written Word, the still small voice of His Holy Spirit, or Godly counsel, God is speaking to you everyday. Do I listen? Do I obey? What an I willing to sacrifice so my life will mean something?

I want a legacy like Samuel. Do you?

The Judge

1 Samuel 24:15

"The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me and thee, and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand."

Each of us will reach a point in our lives where there is absolutely nothing left but to lay it all down, give it all up to God. As we've seen, He holds us in His hands already, so truly, it is more of an acknowledgment than anything.

David had fled from Saul and remained guiltless. It was the righteousness of his cause and his complete confidence in God's righteous judgment that have him the boldness and confidence to confront Saul.

What is my cause? What am I being unjustly "pursued" over? Is it righteous? How can I remain guiltless? Am I trusting in God's righteous judgment?