READING: 2 Samuel 8-9; 1 Chronicles 18
“The Lord made David victorious wherever he went.”
2 Samuel 8:6
It’s easy to read today’s passage in 2 Samuel and see David as a mighty warrior. In fact, let’s let the text speak for itself:
- “David defeated the Philistines” (2 Sam. 8:1)
- “He also defeated the Moabites” (2 Sam. 8:2)
- “David also defeated Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah” (2 Sam. 8:3)
- “David struck down twenty-two thousand Aramean men” (2 Sam. 8:5)
- “David made a reputation for himself when he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites in Salt Valley” (2 Sam. 8:13)
If David lived in our world, he would likely be on the platforms of denominational meetings. He would be the focus of trending websites and podcasts. Publishers would want his name on the spine of a book, and academic institutions would want him as a student or visiting professor. It would be tough, I suspect, not to struggle with arrogance . . . especially when David “made a reputation for himself” (2 Sam. 8:13b).
David’s victories, though, were not dependent on his military prowess. The same chapter that describes David’s military might makes this point clearly: “The Lord made David victorious wherever he went” (2 Sam. 8:6). Thus, David gave all he had to lead God’s people, but any victory he earned was a gift of the Lord. That’s the case for us, too.
ACTION STEPS:
- Give your best efforts to do the work of God today.
- Give God the glory for any victory you gain.
PRAYER: “Lord, thank You for giving me victory. I praise You.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 2 Samuel 10; 1 Chronicles 19; Psalms 20, 53, 60, 75
