During his reign, David built and commanded a mighty fighting force. He defeated all the enemies that would try to rule Israel. David, himself was a mighty warrior. God had raised him up to defeat Goliath as the first of so many that fell before the warrior king.
Still, David knew that every victory he was able to claim came directly from the hand of God. David was not fooled into believing it was his own might or craftiness that led to Israel’s place of prominence. David spent way too many days hidden behind mountains and in caves to think he was the great deliverer.
David gave all the credit for Israel’s might and prominence to God’s mighty hand. Additionally, this king scoffed at leaders that placed their hopes in military might or strategy. David called on God as his leader and followed God into battle in the best and worst moments.
That is why, during David’s reign, that Israel knew peace for the 1st time since the judges ruled Israel.
God calls us to trust Him as David trusted Him. Victory will never come by our might, wealth, or influence. Victory will always follow our humble dependence on God. We must continue in prayer, even when all hope is seemingly lost to experience God’s power and deliverance. David would remind us that God does His best work when we recognize our inability to continue in our own power.
We must treasure and cling to our faith in times of prosperity and in times of extreme need. God has faithfully shown us His ability to deliver from all circumstances; if we will allow Him to lead. Like David, God only asks that we not fall prey to the lie that we have somehow brought victory by our power or our wisdom. That lie leads to false pride and false hope. Both of those will ultimately end in very real defeat and destruction.
God Bless You
The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
he frustrates the plans of the peoples.
11 The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
the plans of his heart to all generations.
12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,
the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!
13 The Lord looks down from heaven;
he sees all the children of man;
14 from where he sits enthroned he looks out
on all the inhabitants of the earth,
15 he who fashions the hearts of them all
and observes all their deeds.
16 The king is not saved by his great army;
a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.
17 The war horse is a false hope for salvation,
and by its great might it cannot rescue.
18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him,
on those who hope in his steadfast love,
19 that he may deliver their soul from death
and keep them alive in famine.
20 Our soul waits for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
21 For our heart is glad in him,
because we trust in his holy name.
22 Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us,
even as we hope in you.
Walking With God 