Lessons we can glean from
David’s military successes
King David understood the power of a bursting flood when God
swept away his enemies. How did he achieve this phenomenal breakthrough? What
secrets can we learn from him?
We
can learn much from the life of King David because he was a man after God’s own
heart. This story is about how King David achieved a massive breakthrough over
his enemies.
Long ago, the Philistines confronted David just after his coronation (2 Samuel 5:17-25). When the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over Israel, they deployed themselves in the Valley of Rephaim. So David inquired of the Lord: “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?”
Long ago, the Philistines confronted David just after his coronation (2 Samuel 5:17-25). When the Philistines heard that David was anointed king over Israel, they deployed themselves in the Valley of Rephaim. So David inquired of the Lord: “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?”
And
God said to David, “Go up, for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into
your hand.”
So
David went to Baal Perazim, and David defeated them there; and he said, “The
Lord has broken through my enemies before me, like a breakthrough of water.”
Therefore he called the name of that place Baal Perazim (which means "the Lord who bursts through").
King David understood the power of a bursting flood when God swept away his enemies. He achieved a phenomenal breakthrough at Baal perazim where he defeated his enemies..
David was successful in his military exploits
because:
- He made it a point to first enquire from God as to the specific course of action to take.
- He followed whatever God instructed him to do.
- He gave glory to God for his success.
After his initial victory at Baalperazim, the
Philistines returned and confronted him again. Lesser mortals would have rested on their
laurels, overconfident in light of earlier victory. “No sweat; let’s go and
defeat them.” But David was different. He enquired
of the Lord again.
This time, God told him not to go up and face his
enemies. “You shall not
go up; go around to their rear, and come against them opposite the balsam
trees” (2 Samuel 5:23).
David was told to advance only at the appropriate moment as God would fight
for him. “It shall be, when you hear the sound of marching in the
tops of the balsam trees, then you shall act promptly, for then the LORD will
have gone out before you to strike the army of the Philistines” (2 Samuel
5:24).
Described
as a ‘man after God’s own heart’, David frequently
sought God for counsel and direction. He had this inclination to enquire of the Lord whenever he had an
important decision to make. This distinctive
characteristic sets him apart from the other heroes of faith in the Old
Testament.
David had one
consuming desire. He wanted to continually dwell in God’s presence and gaze
upon God’s beauty. His deep intimate
relationship with God underpinned many of his actions and exploits. http://bit.ly/1f0Li3g
“One thing have
I asked of the Lord,
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to inquire in his temple.”
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to inquire in his temple.”
(Psalm 27:4)
Though
he was king, he knew the One who was
responsible for his success. “And David knew that the Lord had established him king over Israel”
(2 Samuel 5:12a). He did not depend on his might, riches or wisdom, knowing deep
down it was God who had raised him from obscurity—from shepherd boy
to royalty.
As a shepherd boy, he knew that God was the One
who delivered him from the lion and the bear who preyed on his sheep (1 Samuel 17:37).
Later,
through a self-esteem built over the years by intimacy
with God, he was unafraid to confront Goliath using just a sling and a few
stones (1 Samuel 17: 45).
It was this same humility and dependence upon
God—whether
he was a shepherd boy or king—which led David to seek God as to how he should confront
his enemies who were preparing to attack just after his coronation as king.
How did David enquire of the Lord? He could have
sought God’s face and prayed and/or consulted the priests who sought for divine
guidance using the Urim and Thummim.
What can we learn from King David?
Just as David did not rely on his own wisdom or
strength, we should seek God through prayer
and studying the Word and allow
the Holy Spirit to show us the path
that He would have us take.
We should cherish times of spiritual intimacy with God for it is through
such times that we get a sense of his counsel and will. We should never take
things into our own hands and move ahead before God’s timing. At times, the answer
may not be clear and that’s when we need to wait. http://bit.ly/HspYqR
At the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus sought the
will of God the Father—whether there was another way, apart from dying
at the cross, by which man could be redeemed. http://bit.ly/14mhRBh
Moses also sought God before leading the Israelites into the
Promised Land. He cherished God’s presence with him—more than blessings—in all his endeavours. If
God’s presence did not go with him, he would not think of possessing the land
flowing with milk and honey (Exodus 33:15).
REFERENCES
Dependence on God for guidance and wisdom
Thus says
the Lord: “Let not
the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might,
let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him
who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in
the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord”
(Jeremiah
9:23-24).
Trust in
the Lord with all
your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
(Proverbs 3:5-6)
You bless
all who depend
on you for their strength
and all who deeply desire
to visit your temple.
on you for their strength
and all who deeply desire
to visit your temple.
(Psalm
84:5)
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your
mouth, but you shall meditate on
it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is
written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will
have good success.
(Joshua 1:8).
For all who are led
by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
(Romans 8:14).
