Over the last few weeks, I’ve been looking at ways to apply the word found in 2 Samuel 1-9 and sharing some thoughts that not only can benefit you now but also help the next generation too! The greatest of all possessions one can hand off to future generations are the guiding principles taught by Christ Jesus.
Learned in reading God’s word are leadership qualities like in 2 Samuel 10. David’s men were embarrassed but rather than overreact, he patiently works out a strategy to settle the score in a winning way by trusting that God will make all wrongs right. Let us follow this example and seek ways to put unjust acts or criticisms aside so vengeance does not produce negative consequences.
Reading 2 Samuel 11, noted is how David has lost his sense of purpose for his nation and was not in his place of responsibility. Instead of going off to war like other kings in spring, he stayed at home. Boredom set in and David lost his focus. His attention turned to a beautiful woman named Bathsheba he saw from the top of the palace as she was bathing down below. Aimlessness leads to a lack of discipline which appeals to harmful desires that encourage wrongdoing but having a purpose keeps our thoughts on building a life that matters.
David made bad decisions and one thing led to another with Bathsheba. Then to cover for his sin, David committed more sin. The decisions we make can put us in a hole for the future but God has a way to pull us out of that hole. The Lord initiates action by sending out people to help. Reading in 2 Samuel 12, the Lord sends Nathan to help David.
We live in a broken world that puts us in a hole with inflation, health issues, and other difficulties faced but faithfulness brings recovery and hope. We can faithfully pray and trust in God that things will become forever better because we have access to more power than we could ever imagine. We can be pulled up out of the hole to experience new highs in life with the plan He has for us.
Reading in 2 Samuel 13, we see that judgment is fulfilled as calamity is brought to David’s household. David consoles with a friend or adviser. It can be good to seek advice from friends, but we need to continue to ask questions and seek answers; especially from our true friend Jesus who provides the Holy Spirit to counsel each of us in making decisions and taking the right path.
As explained in 2 Samuel 14, Joab initiates a plan to convince David to unify the broken relationship with his son Absalom. Throughout this passage, we see the lesson of what it takes to make things happen. In the plan of Joab and also the attention getter that Absalom used, we learn that there is a need to be persistent in creating new plans and maybe even go to extreme measures to get things going.
Reading 2 Samuel 15, we note that we can get in trouble by listening to those with ulterior motives who manipulate for personal gain, but success is obtainable for the person that has a life plan that is aligned with God’s plan, is persistent, and keeps praying for help until attainment.
This day with God, we know that the highest position in life is to be a follower of Jesus. Because of Jesus, we have grace like an ever-flowing stream, the Holy Spirit to guide our steps, and the power to finish victoriously.
The journey continues over the next few weeks as I go further into the book of 2 Samuel. Keep up with my spiritual journey over the next few weeks either through following this blog by clicking the follow button on the top right side of this page or by liking the Facebook page I’ve set up at this link: This Day With God – A Spiritual Journey. Let’s share thoughts or ideas about applying our faith as we step ahead along the path to victory.
This Day With God - A Spiritual Journey 