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2 Samuel 5:17–25. David finally succeeds against the
Philistines
- If we look back, we can see that at the end of 1 Samuel, King Saul went
into battle against the Philistines and was defeated by the enemy,
rendering much of Israel open to Philistine invasion and domination.
- David had been King in Judah for seven and a half years, during which
time the Philistines had not been disturbed by David. However, when David
was anointed King over Israel they sought to protect the parts of the
northern kingdom (Israel) that they had dominated since the defeat of
Saul.
- In today’s reading, the Philistines hear of David being anointed
as King over Israel and come searching for him. However, fortunately David
hears that the Philistines are looking for him and he retreats to a
stronghold to enquire of God as to what to do.
- Following his time of prayer and seeking, David follows the Lord into
battle and defeats the enemy, the Philistine army.
- Often Satan, the great enemy, succeeds in his attempts to invade our
own lives and even our churches, be it through instigating fear,
selfishness or division to name a few of his methods. However, just as God
was not going to allow the Philistines to remain and prosper in the land he
had given to his people, neither does God want Satan to remain and prosper
in our lives and churches. Satan will not give up ground easily though, and
each Christian must seek what God has planned. We can learn a great deal
from David, in the area of spiritual warfare.
- Firstly, David retreated to a stronghold, a place of security where he
could enquire and listen to God. We need to give ourselves time and space
to pray and read God’s word so that we can begin to hear God’s
plan for our lives and our churches.
- Secondly, we must obediently respond to God’s instructions and in
doing so, we like David, will be following God into battle to claim back
those parts of our minds, hearts, souls and churches that the enemy has
invaded. When we do that, we will grow, and with God, advance his
kingdom.
- To consider
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- How do you feel about the issue of being in the midst of a spiritual
battle?
- Do you have any examples of where, as Paul describes it, ‘the
flaming arrows of the evil one’, have affected your life and church
life?
- What do you feel is the next step for you as an individual and for us
as a Christian community? Set aside more time with God? Respond to a call
from God to do a particular thing?
- Prayer
- Father, enable us to talk to you in the power of your Holy Spirit, to
read your word and hear from you, and to respond by following your call
upon our lives to live as people of the light, so that you might advance
your kingdom through us; in Jesus name we pray, Amen.
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