The early years of the anointed David were spent running from King Saul while trying to stay alive. Keeping his spirit sweet was also a big challenge. His top three generals were nephews — all of them loyal to a fault — who could outfight anyone, but their prowess in that made them headstrong.
The first twenty chapters of Samuel record charismatic times. Those early years of the young David were an anvil on which the shepherd boy was hammered by trials that prepared him to rule over the Kingdom of Israel.
But worse times were ahead, as David found out after ascending to the throne of Israel. David “tarried in Jerusalem” in the spring, the time when kings went forth into battle. David sinned against one of his most loyal soldiers and arranged for him to die in battle to cover up David’s adultery with the man’s wife. That evil act brought a threefold curse upon David’s household.
His generals’ answer to resolving bad relationships was to terminate them with sword blades. David shouted: “What have I to do with you, sons of Zeruiah [my sister]?” The three were David’s nephews! King David’s throne — indeed, his life — was later threatened by two of his sons. We know from David’s psalms how these and other tortuous trials affected his heart.
All of which informs us that the battles we endure in attaining our God appointed goals may be less challenging than those we might face after achieving them. First Samuel is inspiring reading, but Second Samuel is a sobering one. Yet aspirations denied are not the worst trials. Worst ones can come after success is achieved.
Years ago, the Lord said in my heart: “The greatest time of temptation can come in the euphoria [that feeling of ‘walking on air’] that is felt in the moment of triumph.” The best thing we can do in that moment is kneel before God and give Him all the glory, lest we sin by seeking to confirm our security by listing our many achievements. David did that when he “numbered Israel”, i.e. when he counted his assets. We do so by listing the things that God has thus far achieved through us.
What if the real reason we have not attained our highest aspirations is that God knew we would not be able to properly handle the power that would accompany the position?
It is good to be thankful for the things God has done for us — while continuing to aspire to the “greater things” that Jesus said that we would do, regardless of personal problems that would reappear from time to time. The default setting of the Lord’s people is not the Cross, where we first met the Lord Jesus, but the Throne, from which he ministers as our High Priest. The greatest battles are fought within us.
Let’s determine that we will go up fighting!