(Read 2 Sam 8 – the entire chapter)
This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.” In 2nd Samuel 8 King David—after having prayed a Prayer of Praise and Thanksgiving for what God promised to do in his life and lineage, and a Prayer of Agreement that lined up his will with with what God wanted to do—found himself in all sorts of fights. This was not uncommon at the time. Nations fought against nations on a regular basis and if David was going to be the leader of Israel, he was going to have to lead them in battle.
David led Israel to defeat and subdue the Philistines by conquering Gath, their largest town. David then conquered the land of Moab. After the Philistines and the Moabites, David also destroyed the forces of Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, the King of Zobah, when Hadadezer marched out to strengthen his control along the Euphrates River. When the Arameans from Damascus arrived to help King Hadadezer, David and his men killed 22,000 of them. David then took over Damascus, the Aramean capital, and the Arameans became David’s subjects. The Bible says, “So the LORD made David victorious wherever he went.”
When King Toi of Hamath heard that David had destroyed the entire army of Hadadezer, he sent his son Joram to congratulate King David for his successful campaign. Hadadezer and Toi had been enemies and were often at war. Joram presented David with many gifts of silver, gold, and bronze. King David dedicated all the gifts to the LORD, as he did with the silver and gold from the other nations he had defeated.
David became even more famous when he returned from destroying 18,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. He occupied Edom and the Edomites became David’s subjects as well. Then again the Bible says, “The LORD made David victorious wherever he went.” Towards the end of the chapter the Bible says, “David reigned over all Israel and did what was just and right for all his people.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. Kingdoms expand through conquering. Back then it was natural, today it is spiritual. God wants us to TAKE territory from the enemy. This is a Spiritual fight that is not against flesh and blood.
2. Victories don’t always come without a fight. It won’t always be easy, but God will see you through it.
3. Facing opposition is not an automatic indicator that you are outside of the will of God. David was doing what the Lord was leading him to do, and he still had to fight. You will need to fight as well. Your fight may be for your marriage, your finances, your children, your health, or whatever challenge you may be facing this morning. Like David, face every fight head-on.
4. Whether facing natural or spiritual opposition, never back down, cave in, or quit! When you are in the middle of a faith-fight the enemy loves to crank up the pressure on you, but no matter how high the pressure gets, refuse to succumb to it! If you choose to quit, you will be giving up before the Lord gave you the victory.
5. God will fight WITH you, but He will not always do all the fighting FOR you. There are times when He delivers you FROM the fight and then there are times when He delivers you IN it! So, if you are in a fight this morning, for whatever it may be, know that God is with you and like David, He can make you victorious!
6. Greatness requires resolve. Those who wind up doing great things for God are not those who never faced opposition, but rather those who faced strong opposition and kept going!
7. You have the Grace for it! You can handle it! The mere fact that you are facing the challenge is evidence that you can take it, because the Father would not have allowed you to face it otherwise. So be encouraged, the Father trusts you with it! Now make Him proud by refusing to give up!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for giving me the grace to FIGHT! I know You have deposited greatness down inside of me. I know purpose and destiny are within me, waiting for me to unlock them and walk them out by faith. I declare that I will. I will arrive at Your desired destination for my life. I will become the man/woman You have called, destined, designed and desired me to be. I will die empty, getting out of me everything You have placed in me. But I know it won’t always come without a fight. The enemy will come up against me, because he wants to stop my purpose, but he won’t be able to, because You are with me. The only way I can lose is if I quit, and I refuse to quit. I will never give up, cave in, or quit. No matter how hard the pressure gets, and not matter how high the enemy cranks up the heat on me, I will never succumb to his pressure. Things may not always be easy, and I know I will have to participate in my fair share of faith-fights, but since You are with me, I know I have the grace to experience the victory. If I did not have the grace for it, I would not be facing it. The mere fact that I am facing it is an indicator that You have prepared me for it. You will never allow me to face what I cannot handle and since I am facing it, then it tells me that You trust me with it. I face every challenge head-on, in faith, without wavering, knowing that my God shall bring me the victory! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ Name! Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
