“In the spring time when Kings went to war…David stayed at home” (2.Samuel.11:1)
It was the annual tradition in the calendar of Kings in times gone by to mark out Spring as the season to go out to war. We read in the passage above that as this yearly war-time season swung round, all the Kings and their armies dusted off their swords and weapons of war and headed out to the battle front, but this one specific time, David, the King of Israel, decided to fore-go the front-line and rather stay passively at home. The implications at the time were disastrous.
Here are a few things we can learn from this act:
WHEN WE ARE OUT OF OUR WAY OF OUR DUTY, WE ARE IN THE WAY OF TEMPTATION
-we were created to conquer, pioneer and take ground. The most dangerous place for a Christ-follower (and especially a leader) is when we kick out from this created-agenda! David stayed at home and his eyes got caught up with lust for another man’s wife.
LOVE OF THE GOOD-LIFE TAKES OVER FROM THE LOVE OF THE GOD-LIFE
-It never starts big. It always begins with a slow drift. 1 degree off this year, 1 degree off the next year…Before we ever can see it we are way off track!
TURN YOUR EYES AWAY FROM TEMPTATION BY TURNING YOUR EYES TO JESUS
-It’s more important what (or who) you say “yes” to than what you say “no” to. Say yes to Jesus ongoingly and the “no’s” become easier! David was in the place where he had to try and say “no” to his lustful desires all because he refused to say “yes” to his kingly duty.
4 IMPERATIVES FOR US IN THIS SEASON:
- GO TO WAR WITH YOUR SIN
-what are you empowering with your passivity?
- RECOGNIZE YOU HAVE AN ENEMY
-Satan came to kill, steal and destroy. He is not passive. There is no off-season to his attempts…that means we cannot kick out of our battling in that regard!
- KNOW THAT GOD PROVIDES ON THE JOURNEY
-The provision of God is accessed when we step out in faith. That same journey is extended when we remain in that same knowledge that HE PROVIDES!
- WE GO TO WAR AS KINGS WITH AUTHORITY
-We have delegated authority from Jesus. Too much of the church is waiting for a “GO NOW!” rather than living in the “GO” we have already been given…” Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” (Matthew 28 v 19)
LET’S GO TO WAR AGAIN!
Mark Van Pletsen
Brilliant read!