This morning at Calvary Chapel Sydney we finished 2 Samuel 5 during the morning service. One of the points which impacted me was how after God defeated the Philistines who encamped in the valley, those who fled left their idols behind. Their false gods were exposed as the feeble nothings they truly were. The Philistines brought their idols to the field of battle, thinking that by their presence they would gain the victory. In the end, the idols left behind were gathered by David's men and burned.
Two times in the chapter, God fought for His people Israel and defeated the Philistines. The key to their victory was that David first sought the LORD for guidance and walked in obedience to His commands long before the fight was enjoined. There were two battles fought against the same enemy in the same valley, yet God directed David with two very different courses of action. The first time God told David to go up against them directly to fight, and the second time he was to stealthily wait in front of a grove of trees. When he heard the sound of marching in the tops of the trees, he was to attack immediately, for God went before His people to smite the Philistines.
The theme which weighed heavily upon my heart was the fact that David sought counsel of God before he went into battle. Sometimes we treat God like the Philistines treated their idols. We attempt to bring God along into our daily activities and plans, thinking that if we find ourselves in trouble He will deliver us. That is exactly what Hophni and Phinehas tried to do with the Ark of the Covenant. Instead of inquiring of the LORD for direction before going into battle, they brought the Ark thinking by virtue of its presence they would have victory. They perished on the field of battle, and the Ark was taken by the Philistines! As Christians, we have the living presence of God dwelling within us but can treat God like an idol that cannot think, speak, listen, or answer. We don't bother to seek or inquire of Him, so He allows us to stumble in the dark. If we choose this way of dealing with adversity or trouble, we should not expect a better outcome than the beaten Philistines.
When we are attacked or troubled, our first course of action is to take refuge in the stronghold that is Jesus Christ. David was speaking from personal experience when he penned Psalm 18:2: "The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." David sought guidance from God before he responded, and he was obedient to do what God commanded. God's Word contains the answers to questions we have not yet asked! He speaks, guides, instructs, and keeps us. God is the One who gives us the victory. God has provided the Way: may we walk therein!
Two times in the chapter, God fought for His people Israel and defeated the Philistines. The key to their victory was that David first sought the LORD for guidance and walked in obedience to His commands long before the fight was enjoined. There were two battles fought against the same enemy in the same valley, yet God directed David with two very different courses of action. The first time God told David to go up against them directly to fight, and the second time he was to stealthily wait in front of a grove of trees. When he heard the sound of marching in the tops of the trees, he was to attack immediately, for God went before His people to smite the Philistines.
The theme which weighed heavily upon my heart was the fact that David sought counsel of God before he went into battle. Sometimes we treat God like the Philistines treated their idols. We attempt to bring God along into our daily activities and plans, thinking that if we find ourselves in trouble He will deliver us. That is exactly what Hophni and Phinehas tried to do with the Ark of the Covenant. Instead of inquiring of the LORD for direction before going into battle, they brought the Ark thinking by virtue of its presence they would have victory. They perished on the field of battle, and the Ark was taken by the Philistines! As Christians, we have the living presence of God dwelling within us but can treat God like an idol that cannot think, speak, listen, or answer. We don't bother to seek or inquire of Him, so He allows us to stumble in the dark. If we choose this way of dealing with adversity or trouble, we should not expect a better outcome than the beaten Philistines.
When we are attacked or troubled, our first course of action is to take refuge in the stronghold that is Jesus Christ. David was speaking from personal experience when he penned Psalm 18:2: "The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." David sought guidance from God before he responded, and he was obedient to do what God commanded. God's Word contains the answers to questions we have not yet asked! He speaks, guides, instructs, and keeps us. God is the One who gives us the victory. God has provided the Way: may we walk therein!
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