Warriors Arise: January 7, 2023
2 Samuel 6:1-2 (NKJV) Again David gathered all the choice men of Israel, thirty thousand. 2 And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale Judah to bring up from there the ark of God, whose name is called by the Name, the Lord of Hosts, who dwells between the cherubim.
In 2 Samuel, David has recently been establish by all of Israel as the king. It took nearly seven years for all of Israel to pronounce him king. David never asked to be king of Israel. God was searching the land for a heart loyal to Himself (2 Chronicles 16:9). He found David, a ruddy-looking youth. He found David tending sheep, feeding his father's sheep, protecting his father's sheep and heard his songs of worship. Jesse, David's father, didn't even have him called in from tending the sheep, when Samuel arrived for the evening sacrifices. After Samuel anointed David, he was sent back out to tend his father's sheep and he went. He served his father faithfully. David served the Lord, as he had served his father.
David didn't ask to be king, but he also didn't reject what Samuel had done. He remained faithful to serve his father, his countrymen and the current anointed king of Israel. He did what he was told to do by the authorities in his life. He honored them and his family. God was the one who selected him and sent Samuel to anoint him to be the next king of Israel. He waited for the people of Israel to agree with God. He was in Hebron, king over Judah for seven years and six months before Israel acknowledged God's anointed one.
2 Samuel 5:1-5 (NKJV) Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and spoke, saying, “Indeed we are your bone and your flesh. 2 Also, in time past, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in; and the Lord said to you, ‘You shall shepherd My people Israel, and be ruler over Israel.’ ” 3 Therefore all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord. And they anointed David king over Israel. 4 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. 5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.
David didn't take his God-given position by force. He could have if God had told him, but a kingdom taken by force rarely results in loyal, faithful, or trusting subjects. David was wise not to force his position even though God had anointed him. He had God's authority but he needed the people to acknowledge God's selection. He had to stand by and watch Israel embrace Saul's son, who was announced as their next king. Abner and Israel's actions were not of God. Therefore, it did not remain. We can reject who God has called and given the position, but it doesn't mean we are correct. It means we are making a different decision a part from God. It is obvious in 2 Samuel 5, all of Israel knew God had chosen David to be the next king, but they didn't want to accept God's decision. They wanted to choose their own.
What a mess! However, we do the same thing today. We reject the call of God upon someone's life. We reject the position God said would be theirs. We resist the timing of the Lord and make things difficult for them to have success. We give our honor and loyalties to someone else knowing they are not God's chosen one. Why do we resist God's chosen time for someone? We each have to answer that question personally. When I have been caught in the same situation as Saul's son it has been because I didn't want change and their position would mean change for me. When I have been in a position like Israel, I didn't know how to approach the Saul's son, in that particular situation, and his decision or I agreed with "the king's son" in that particulate situation, and wanted to be loyal to the former anointing of the Lord instead of the current anointing of the Lord. In all three, I had to align my heart and mind with what the Lord has already decided. I had to allow God to soften my heart and remove the stiffness from neck neck so I can see God and trust His decision.
David didn't ask to be king. However, he wasn't going to deny it just because he was not accepted by the people. He remained faithful to serving the people. He would not force someone to honor God's Word and Samuel's actions. He would wait. In his waiting, he would prepare, plan and protect the people who hadn't yet honored God's selection. He had to make sure he did not take this personally. They weren't rejecting him, they were rejecting the Lord. David had taught his men to honor God and seek Him. They saw him time and again "inquiring of the Lord." Saul did not teach the people this. He had stopped receiving counsel from Samuel. Saul did not seek the Lord's counsel and the people of Israel followed his example. Someone would have to remember God and then honor His word.
Father, You are the One who calls us out and into Your plans for my life. I want to hear You clearly. I want to know it is You speaking to me. The callings You have placed within me, I did not ask for. They were already present within me. My heart is to become who You have called me to be. Even if the people do not agree with Your call upon my life, I want to have courage and walk it out. I desire Your presence. More than Your voice speaking to me, I want Your presence surrounding me, going before me and surrounding me like a hedge. I want Your presence ministering to my body, soul, and spirit. I didn't ask or what You have called me to do but I do want the courage, love and relationship with You to fulfill it. I desire Your presence in Jesus' name amen.
A Warrior in the Lord’s Army,
Veridee Joy Hand
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