Today's Reading - 2 Samuel 8-9, 1 Chronicles 18, Psalm 50, 53
Background
Few books of the Bible are as easily and purposefully outlined as 2 Samuel. In the first ten chapters of the book, David experiences one victory after another. Chapter 8 here recounts several of these. David is walking in obedience to God and under his daily blessing and protection. In chapter 11, David spies Bathsheba and embraces sin. From that point on, 2 Samuel records one struggle after the other in David's life. Even though he repented, the consequences of his sin followed him to the end of his days, especially troubling his family.
Devotional - Victory after Victory
It is indisputable throughout the Old Testament. When God's people were obedient they were victorious. They defeated their enemies, their crops were abundant, the rains fell, their children prospered. When they wandered away from God the skies dried up and their barns emptied out. Their enemies suddenly gained the upper hand and many terrible things happened to their children.
Some want to take this and extrapolate the idea that serving God is a guarantee of victory, of success, of prosperity and health - of all of life's good things. But we know from the New Testament that such is not so. Paul said that he learned to be content whatever the circumstances - when things were going well and when they weren't. The Apostles, like Jesus, suffered loss and hardship in the service of Christ.
Should we ignore these teachings and the example of David and other OT heroes? Of course not, but we must put them in their proper context. Those blessings that for the saints of the OT were temporal and physical are for us eternal and spiritual. Yes, we have victory over our enemies when we walk with Christ, but that doesn't guarantee that life will be a bowl of cherries. It means that we have the strength that we need to resist the devil, control our flesh, and not give into the temptations of the world. We are guaranteed prosperity of the soul regardless of how our checkbook looks.
Yes, our good God often pours out blessings on us, far beyond what we deserve, but our treasures are heavenly and our hope awaits us when we see Jesus face to face. Yes, just like David, we must walk in obedience to see the victories of God. But while David's victories were physical ours are spiritual. His came on earth, ours in heaven.
Father, thank you that our present sufferings are not worth comparing to the glory that will be revealed in us. We thank you for the heavenly treasures that await us when we serve Christ.
Think and Pray
Do you live for and expect God to reward you here on earth for your service to him?
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