via TJC
“If my house were not right with God, surely he would not have made with me an everlasting covenant, arranged and secured in every part; surely he would not bring to fruition my salvation and grant me my every desire.” 2 Samuel 23:5
This chapter is titled “The Final Words of David”. These aren’t deathbed words; they are David’s last written words. At the end of a life of tremendous success (and some of the most epic failures by a leader ever). David is praising God for the personal intimate relationship he had with God and the covenant God made with him.
Whether he experienced success or failure, David was more concerned with honoring God than honoring himself. God's promise to David that his sons would rule Israel wasn't because he was a perfect king but because he was a humble king.
David wrote at least 73 of the 150 Psalms and it is here most evident that we see David’s heart of praise and the one whom God would declare “he was a man after my own heart.”
After placing our life in the hands of our IDEAL KING, Jesus, is it possible that we will stumble or struggle? You bet! I have been a follower of Jesus for 47 years, but my life has been wrought with epic failures. Selfishness, pride, and lust have caused missed opportunities with my children, almost destroying my marriage, and struggles with addictive behaviors that are the source of guilt and shame.
Often in our own lives, it’s easy to praise God and be reminded of Him when things are going well. In David’s final days, he reminds us that we should be continually seeking after the Lord, coming to him in our brokenness and praising God for everything he does. For me, when I have been going through difficult situations, my instinct isn’t to run toward God, but to try to do everything on my own. When I’ve tried to do things on my own, I miss out on experiencing how truly loving, gracious, powerful, and all-knowing God is.
Daily Battle Order:
Make it routine to praise God, success or failure. Ask a brother to join you in praising God. Be intentional today to grow closer in your relationship with our IDEAL KING, Jesus. Look for the miracles that prove God’s faithfulness no matter what you are experiencing.
Right where I'm at! I will no longer be a coward or a nice guy. No more excuses! I will seek Divine Inspiration in all that I do! When people ask of me what happened I will tell them of the faithfulness of my Ideal King...Jesus!