(Read 2 Samuel 5:6-12)
This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.” After the elders of all the tribes anointed David as King over a united Israel, his next stop was Jerusalem. David had been reigning from Hebron, but he wanted to move his headquarters to Jerusalem. The problem was, however, that Jerusalem was occupied by the Jebusites and they would not give up the city without a fight. Just like what happened with Canaan many years prior, God had given them the territory, but it would not come without a fight. Although the grace was on them to take possession of Canaan, and in this case Jerusalem, grace did not mean the land would be handed to them on a silver platter.
Not only were the Jebusites ready to fight, but they actually taunted David, saying, “You’ll never get in here! Even the blind and lame could keep you out!” David would make the Jebusites eat those words. David and his men captured the fortress of Zion, which is now called the City of David. David made the fortress his home, and he then extended the city, starting at the supporting terraces and working inward. The Bible says, “David became more and more powerful, because the LORD God of Heaven’s Armies was with him.”
After the battle the Lord gave David favor with King Hiram of Tyre. King Hiram sent messengers to David, along with cedar timber and carpenters and stonemasons, and they built David a palace. After this the Bible says, “David realized that the LORD had confirmed him as king over Israel and had blessed his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. Sometimes things will be handed to you by grace and favor. Once David secured Jerusalem, King Hiram took it upon himself to send cedar timber, carpenters and stonemasons to build David a palace. David did not ask for it and it simply came to him by grace and favor. I love it when things work out this way. I wish this was the ‘default’ way to walk with God, but we all know it is not. But on those occasions when God gives us favor with others and they simply hand us a blessing on a silver platter, it sure is nice. Don’t think it will always come this way and make sure to appreciate it when it does.
2. Sometimes you will have to tap into the grace to fight. Unlike the favor David experienced with Tyre, the Jebusites were not giving up anything to David without a fight. If David wanted Jerusalem he was going to have to fight for it. So he fought and won because the Bible says, “The LORD God of Heaven’s Armies was with him.” The point is that sometimes your blessing will be handed to you and other times you will have to fight for it, but either way, the grace of God is on you for it. In one case God will give you the grace to accept the gift gracefully, without crossing over into pride. In the other case God will give you the grace to fight for what He wants you to have. Either way, grace is in operation. So if the door swings wide open for you, and God graces you to walk through it sweatlessly, then thank Him for it. But if the enemy shuts the door and the Lord leads you to kick it down, then know you have the grace to do that as well, and when you fight (and win), make sure to give God the glory for the victory!
3. It’s bigger than you. The Bible says that David got the point where he realized “The LORD had confirmed him as king over Israel and had blessed his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.” Notice that David was confirmed as King for the sake of the people. David’s purpose in life was to lead Israel. Everything David had been through — Goliath, the cave, life on the run, the fights, the heartaches, the pain, and the victories — was designed to get him to the point where he could serve the people of Israel. David’s life was not just about him and your life is not just about you. David’s purpose was bigger than just himself and your purpose is bigger than you. You are not on the earth to simply breathe in and blow out air for a period of time and then die. No, you are here on purpose and the Father expects you to live with a purpose. His purpose is always bigger than you. Your life is not just about fulfilling your pleasures. Your life is about making the impact you were born to make. Along the way, your life will take you down paths you did not want to go, but remember, it is not just about you. When you have the time to look back you will realize that those paths were designed to help you be a blessing to others. So expand your capacity to believe God, look past you and your family, and trust God to use you to make the impact you were born to make. It won’t always be easy, but it will be worth it.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for the many times where you give me favor with others. You are able to move upon the hearts of others to the point where they willingly use their power, ability and influence to help me in ways I cannot help myself. You bless me beyond measure and when you give me favor with others, the blessings come in a sweatless and effortless manner. I welcome the blessings that come to me freely and I accept them in a graceful manner. I will never think they came because I am so good. I will always acknowledge the fact that they came because You are so good. It’s not about me, it’s all about You! I keep a proper perspective so I can enjoy your best without crossing over into pride. But Father, on those occasions when the blessing does not come without a fight, I know You also give me the grace to fight. If the enemy shuts the door in my face and You lead me to go through it, I kick it down by Your grace and with Your divine power. I am not afraid of the devil, any demon or demonic influence. Neither am I afraid of any man or of human strength. My trust and confidence is in You. If you lead me to fight, I fight for what You desire for me to have, and I fight with bulldog-tenacity. I will never give up, cave in, or quit and I will see the manifestation of Your best in my life. But I don’t pursue Your best for selfish reasons. I know You birthed me for a reason and I am here in the earth for Your divine purpose. I am determined to maximize my purpose and potential while I am in the land of the living. I know You bless me for the purpose of BEING a blessing to others. I declare, by faith, that I will leave the mark on this world You want me to leave. I am here to be a blessing to others and I will. So as I enter this day I declare that I am in Your hands and You are flowing through my heart. You and me, me and You, together we shall make a difference and it will be for Your glory! In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
