Crises, such as the present one, have a way of refocusing people’s attention on the important stuff, away from the distractions of modern entertainment and amusements. Sometimes that is the only way that God can get our attention. But when He does, He expects us to step up and take advantage of the new opportunity to spread the gospel of hope as widely as possible. A personal witness is a wonderfully way of doing that.
God's People
King David recognized that Israel was a divinely chosen nation. God could easily have spoken to all men everywhere simultaneously when He called Abraham to follow Him. But He didn't. Why didn't He? Abraham found grace in God's eyes like Noah had. God may only select one in a million. He just wants a right heart. Is yours right?
2 Samuel 7:23 - "...what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name?"
David Worships
God pronounced unprecedented blessings on David. "I will set up thy seed after thee, ...I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever. ...I will be his father, and he shall be my son. ...the house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever, ...thy throne shall be established for ever." God's promises overwhelmed David. He went in and sat before the LORD, and worshipped.
2 Samuel 7:26 - "Let thy name be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel: and let the house of thy servant David be established before thee."
Dedicate The Spoils To The LORD
David subdued the nations around Israel - the Philistines, the Moabites, the Syrians, and others. He put garrisons in their cities and collected tribute from them. He collected great spoils of chariots, horses, shields of gold, and of brass, and vessels of gold, silver, and brass. Moses taught that kings of Israel must not take the spoils for themselves, but give them to the LORD (Deuteronomy 7:25; 17:17). Dedicate your victories to the LORD.
2 Samuel 8:11 - "King David did dedicate unto the LORD, ...the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued."
David Becomes A Great King
From the early days, when David was a servant to Saul, David "behaved himself wisely, ...and he was accepted in the sight of all the people." But as the new king of Israel, the anointing was even more evident. David got a name for his greatness. Among other things, he organized the government (Saul never did) and created a powerful cabinet (i.e., Joab - General; Jehoshaphat - Recorder; Zadok and Ahimelech - Priests; Seraiah - Scribe; Benaiah - Overseer; and David's sons - Chief Rulers).
2 Samuel 8:15 - "David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people."
King David recognized that Israel was a divinely chosen nation. God could easily have spoken to all men everywhere simultaneously when He called Abraham to follow Him. But He didn't. Why didn't He? Abraham found grace in God's eyes like Noah had. God may only select one in a million. He just wants a right heart. Is yours right?
2 Samuel 7:23 - "...what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name?"
David Worships
God pronounced unprecedented blessings on David. "I will set up thy seed after thee, ...I will establish the throne of his kingdom for ever. ...I will be his father, and he shall be my son. ...the house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever, ...thy throne shall be established for ever." God's promises overwhelmed David. He went in and sat before the LORD, and worshipped.
2 Samuel 7:26 - "Let thy name be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel: and let the house of thy servant David be established before thee."
Dedicate The Spoils To The LORD
David subdued the nations around Israel - the Philistines, the Moabites, the Syrians, and others. He put garrisons in their cities and collected tribute from them. He collected great spoils of chariots, horses, shields of gold, and of brass, and vessels of gold, silver, and brass. Moses taught that kings of Israel must not take the spoils for themselves, but give them to the LORD (Deuteronomy 7:25; 17:17). Dedicate your victories to the LORD.
2 Samuel 8:11 - "King David did dedicate unto the LORD, ...the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued."
David Becomes A Great King
From the early days, when David was a servant to Saul, David "behaved himself wisely, ...and he was accepted in the sight of all the people." But as the new king of Israel, the anointing was even more evident. David got a name for his greatness. Among other things, he organized the government (Saul never did) and created a powerful cabinet (i.e., Joab - General; Jehoshaphat - Recorder; Zadok and Ahimelech - Priests; Seraiah - Scribe; Benaiah - Overseer; and David's sons - Chief Rulers).
2 Samuel 8:15 - "David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people."
Moving Forward or Slipping Back?
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Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
– Hebrews 2:1
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It's happened to all of us. We get a little of the Word of God under our spiritual belts. We have a few victories. Our lives are going great for the first time in years. Then suddenly we slip and it all falls apart. We find ourselves having to start all over again.
That's what happened to the people the book of Hebrews was written to. They made such great spiritual progress that they got to the place where they should have been teachers. Then they slipped back so much, they needed baby food again. (See Hebrews 5:12.) What caused them to fall so far? They let other things get in the way of their faith. They let the promises of God slip, so they slipped. That's happened to a multitude of believers in the last several years. "Well, Brother A.," they said, "we're tired of that faith stuff." Or, "We just don't have time to spend that much time in the Word." They've turned their attention away from the promises of God. It's not that they didn't believe them anymore. It's just that they directed their attention to other things. They let their Word level drop and since low Word level equals low faith level, they soon began suffering defeat in areas where they once had victory. Don't let that happen to you. When things are going well, don't just ride the tide of God's blessing. Dig deeper into what God has for you. Give more earnest heed to the promises of God. Concentrate on moving ahead, on becoming so strong in the Spirit you can not only get your own needs met, you'll meet others' needs as well! Remember: Low Word Level=Low Faith Level=Slip. Don't get so busy enjoying today's victory that tomorrow ends up in defeat. Look into the things you've learned. Give the Word more of your attention—not less. Keep moving from faith to faith. Instead of trying to trip you up, Satan and his bunch will be crying, "Oh no, that faith man is coming after us again! |
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