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.