RTW April 22
When The Enemy Is Still Around
David led his men to Jerusalem to fight against the Jebusites, the original inhabitants of the land who were living there.
2 Samuel 5:6a
My Takeaways
Something Old
David started his reign at the same age Jesus started His earthly ministry.
Something New
Who or what am I still battling that should have been defeated a long time ago?
It’s not too late.
- Acknowledge the enemy… admit that you have one and should have moved it out.
- Ask God to forgive you.
- Acquire the proper weapons for destruction… verses
- Adjust your life according to the Word.
- Abide with Christ.
Something To Do
Ask the Spirit to search my heart for any lingering enemy presence.
I continue to see the theme of loyalty … David was loyal to Saul throughout his entire life and even after Saul died – and David’s men were loyal to him as well. The NASB says they “helped David with an undivided heart”. Lord, help me be loyal to you and to the others you have called me to love.
David continues to inquire of the Lord – he asks before making a move – and the Lord answers. I’m astounded at the quickness of the Lord’s response to David’s inquiries – but David has a CLOSE and INTIMATE relationships with the Lord. I envision David going throughout his day, just talking to God, asking Him, sharing with Him and even bringing his anger and confusion to Him (as he did when Uzzah was struck dead by the Lord). I want this type of relationship – but to be honest, I don’t seek it enough. I just want it to HAPPEN (being honest and real here). Relationships take work – especially a relationship with the Almighty God!
I wonder who told David the Philistines were coming? GOD?
The Lord blessed David and his kingdom – not for David’s sake, but “for the sake of his people Israel”. I keep looking to God to bless me for MY sake, and while i think He does bless us for our sake at times, He is more concerned with how the blessing ministers to others. So my prayer for Him to give me a new job is changing “Lord, bring me to the place where I can be of maximum benefit to the Kingdom and a blessing to others. And if it is Your will for me to stay where I am, bless me with Your peace that surpasses all understanding so that others around me can know You”
New: I don’t see David inquiring of the Lord with respect to HOW to transport the Ark? He knew the proper way to transport it, I’m sure, but he assumed that since the Philistines carried it on a cart, he could? I do love that David brought his anger (confusion) before the Lord after Uzzah was killed.
To Do: Inquire of the Lord in ALL things!
very good new prayer for the job! I also liked how he addressed the Lord when Uzzah was killed.
Mary, awesome insights! I wrote them down in my journal.
—There was so much I noted in today’s reading that I noted in my journal but my main takeaway has to do with the fact that David became afraid of God after the incident where Uzzah died because he touched the Ark. Disobedience in how the Ark was to be handled was the cause.
—This made me think of important it is to remember that we serve a holy God and how important it is to treat Him with awe and reverence. Jen Wilkin has a great article entitled “Women, Trade Self-Worth for Awe and Wonder in which she states, “Pur primary as Christian women is not that we lack self-worth. It’s that we lack awe.” She then goes on to ask some great questions related to this with answers from Scripture.
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/women-trade-self-worth-for-awe-and-wonder
I enjoyed reading this article. Truly a good spin on a familiar message. It’s indeed all about God. Thanks for sharing.
Yay for it is finally David’s appointed time!
Armed warriors
Brave warriors
Loyal warriors
Highly respected
Leaders
Skilled warriors
Officers
Fully armed, fully prepared
Trained warriors
This is us! God’s people!!
Warrior- A person engaged or experienced in warfare; soldier. A person who shows or has shown great vigor, courage, or aggressiveness.
God speaks. I woke up with the song “Warrior” by Hannah Kerr singing in my head this morning. God is so cool. He is really deepening my understanding of the word and showing me how most all of the christian music I listen to is rooted in the word. Every day He gives me a song and now sometimes even before I read.
I copied those words above from today’s reading that stuck out to me describing warriors. Those aren’t reserved for a certain group, those words are what God is doing in his people. We ALL face spiritual warfare every single day of our lives. We have an enemy, every one of us! And he seeks to steal, kill and destroy us, our lives, our marriages, our families, our friendships, everything! God is training us by his word and our seeking him and abiding in him to fight these daily battles in our lives so that we may join and become his armed warriors! We have to stand up, accept the training and fight! He has armed us with all the necessary weapons we need! We also fight our battles with worship! The enemy cannot be in the presence of Gods word or worship music! God has layed music so deep on my heart and it’s for a reason! Worship is also our weapon!
The Lord God of Heaven’s armies is always with us! 2 Samuel 5:10
Whom Shall I Fear – Chris Tomlin
https://youtu.be/by6no4QTU_g
https://youtu.be/T2LmSDVZdNg
We are warriors! We will survive!