Another Sunday, I like to block out as much worldly noise as I can on Sunday. Prior to Jesus coming into my life, it was a day for football and watching races on TV, or going to the lake in the summer. Now, I start by reading my Bible, write my post and then go to church. I follow that by working on my next book. Family events are the only exception. Otherwise, I remain focused on God all day. This makes Sunday almost a perfect day.
Today we will read 2 Samuel 8-11.
There is a saying in marketing, “sex sells”. It is why we see so many scantily clad young men and women used in ads for just about everything. Therefore, the temptation would be to jump to chapter 11 and discuss David’s dalliance with Bathsheba, but I am going to hold that one for tomorrow.
The fruits of patience
Instead, let’s start with our first five words, “In the course of time” (1 Sam 8:1a)
The Bible lists patience as a fruit of the spirit. This means it is not part of the natural man, but something that God imparts to us when we accept the gift of salvation.
This is one proof I have that God is real, and that I am saved. Before I knew God, I had a temper. It led me into fights and arguments.
Everything needed to be immediate. Instant gratification is a part of our culture. When it wasn’t, I became irritated.
Most Christians I know will tell you never to ask God for patience. He develops that in us by teaching us to wait.
Now, I am always calm and even keeled. This was not always the case. Seeing how God has given me the skills to work with others who might not always accept my instruction and remain under control is miraculous.
Measuring what matters
David measures off the Moabites and slaughters two thirds of them. This made me think of how we measure ourselves.
Is what we weigh, or how tall we are important? Some people obsess about these things. They build our self esteem or destroy it. The problem is we don’t always have control over these factors.
Do we measure ourselves by our bank account balance or by the title next to our name? There are people who achieve great worldly success but will spend eternity in hell. How can we affirm their success? (see Matt 16:26)
Do we measure our children by the grades on their report cards or whether they make the first team?
What matters in this life is that we know Jesus and grow in our relationship with Him. There is more value in leading a friend to Christ than in getting a promotion or a raise.
Acknowledging God’s provision
In the sixth verse we read today, it says, “The Lord gave David victory wherever he went.” (1 Sam 8:6, NIV).
We must acknowledge our success isn’t from our skills, talents, and dogged determination. Those might be characteristics the Lord has blessed us with, which contribute. But all we have, and all we are, comes from God.
That context should humble us. I know I do not give Him back anywhere near what I should. He’s earned every bit of recognition he receives.
Which we see in 2 Sam 8:11, when David dedicates all the nation’s silver and gold to the Lord.
Kindness and God’s grace
People say David was a man after God’s own heart (1 Sam 13:14), but not because he was sinless. We have seen many flaws already and will talk about more tomorrow. It is because he understands that even the king of all Israel is nothing, without God.
We see another display of this when David shows Mephibosheth “God’s kindness” (v9:3). Kindness is another fruit of the Spirit (see Gal 5:22-23).
None of us deserves God’s grace more than Mephibosheth. We all deserve God’s wrath. Following the Spirit enables us to show these characteristics to others. (See Eph 2:3) We claim to see fruit in a Christian when these are present.
Tomorrow we will include chapter 11 in our discussion because this is our sin nature. This is the battle that we all are in. Even a valiant warrior like King David struggles against this foe.
Today, we should just focus on recognizing areas where we can see God in our lives.
If you are not seeing these traits, if following God has not changed you. Pray that He would manifest Himself in your life for others to see.
