Today's treasure: 2 Samuel 21:15
Read 2 Samuel 21:15-22
What did Abishai do for David?
Why did David's men insist he not accompany them to battle anymore?
How many battles with the Philistines are mentioned?
I am so thankful God chose to tell us David knew about exhaustion in battle. The original word for exhausted in Hebrew is uwph which means to "cover, to fly, faint, flee away". It is the desire to run and hide.
Few things make us want to flee more than the prospect of fighting an old battle. The moment that old enemy reappears, we want to run into the nearest forest and never come out. Satan always chooses just the right time to haunt you through that old enemy. Satan is watching for just the right moment to pull the rug out from under us, even that rug is under God's feet. God will never allow Satan to discourage you without a plan to lead you to victory.
One of the most important truths we can apply from David's ongoing battles with the Philistines is that God will always lead us to victory, but He will lead His way.
A second reading is 2 Samuel 23:8-39
How tired did Eleazar become as he stood his ground against the Philistines?
Why wouldn't David drink the water his night men drew for him?
How many might men did David have in all?
God purposely brought victory to David through someone else on many occasions. Consider a few reasons why God might have used this method.
1.. For the sake of the people. Israel did not need David to be like a god to them. He could not deal with being put on that kind of pedestal or subjected to that kind of pressure. He was bound to disappoint them. God will never allow any of us to be the only one through whom He appears to be working mightily.
2..For the sake of King David. Remember what happened when David was so exalted that he became disconnected from his people? Remember how isolated?
God protected David by not always letting him be the hero. God extended David a wonderful gift. He gave David some heroes instead--a few men who commanded his respect. God will teach us dependency. God will allow us to become exhausted and force us to receive help.
3..For the sake of the men he empowered. People can easily be discouraged if they perceive God works mightily through others but never works through them. God does not play favorites. Ministry to the individual is as mighty an act of God as is ministry to the masses.
God has heroes as in Hebrews 11 and you'll find only part of the list, however it keeps getting longer!
Through David and Elezar (whose hand grew tired and froze to the sword) God is reminding us that heroes get tired too. Getting weary is not a shame. The shame comes in refusing to accept the victory through another when God supplies a hero. Our God is faithful!!!!
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