March 31, 2010
SCRIPTURE: 1 Chronicles 20
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, Joab led the Israelite army in successful attacks against the land of the Ammonites. In the process he laid siege to the city of Rabbah. However, David stayed behind in Jerusalem. [1 Chronicles 20:1]
Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!” [Matthew 26:41]
I love the opening line, “in the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war”; it makes it sound so ‘normal’.
Normally David would have gone too, but now he is successful, his armies are strong, his commanders reliable.
So David takes it easy, and this is a dangerous place for him.
The chronicler of David’s life does not ell us everything.
He is making a point that overall David was a strong, godly leader.
But David was also human.
The chronicler does not mention that was the time that David got mixed up in the Bathsheba affair [see 2Sa 11:2-27].
David got too comfortable, too successful, and in his moment of greatest strength, he commits one of his greatest sins.
Yes, his spirit was willing, but His flesh was weak.
The disciples were with Jesus, and were feeling good: they were with the miracle working Messiah, the crowds had welcomed Him to Jerusalem, He had cleaned out the temple, stood up to the Jewish and Roman leaders.
His kingdom was about to come, and they would get positions in His government – things were looking good!!!
“Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation.”
No time for relaxing (sleeping, staying away from battle), this is spiritual warfare and you are weaker than you think
In this holy week, as we remember Jesus’ death and resurrection, let us not become casual or carefree, assuming that everything is OK because Jesus is victorious.
Yes, He is victorious, but this world remains a battle zone, and when we least expect it, when we are at ease in Jerusalem while everyone is out ther fighting, we will face a more dangerous threat.
And whether we believe it or not, our spirit may be willing, but our flesh remains weak.
PRAYER:
Lord, remind me that I am under attack, that I need to be on guard too, lest I be lulled into careless disregard for the danger that I am in.
“Onward Christian soldiers” comes to my mind as I read this passage. David was at war. There was war with the Philistines who others defeated. Not only in the ‘spring time’ is there war, but at all times we need to be on guard for Christ Jesus.
Today I live for Him. I must lift His banner high and I must bring all under His reign. Even in a Christian setting, that is can be very difficult at times because we as Christians also insist upon our own way and not necessarily the right way. Christ’s Way. The Way of the cross!
To be His servant in His kingdom tells me at all times that I must be able to see all things through the eyes of Christ. Do I have my biblical glasses on? For whom am I living? Who is my Master? Whom do I serve? Jesus! And therefor each day anew I am challenged to bring all things under His reign – whether students, or staff, or curriculum or dealing with the volunteers or family or wife or . . . all things. Always on guard. Always serving. Always at ‘war.’
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe;
Forward into battle see His banners go!
Refrain:
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
At the sign of triumph Satan’s host doth flee;
On then, Christian soldiers, on to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver at the shout of praise;
Brothers lift your voices, loud your anthems raise.
Like a mighty army moves the church of God;
Brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we,
One in hope and doctrine, one in charity.
Crowns and thrones may perish, kingdoms rise and wane,
But the church of Jesus constant will remain.
Gates of hell can never ’gainst that church prevail;
We have Christ’s own promise, and that cannot fail.
Onward then, ye people, join our happy throng,
Blend with ours your voices in the triumph song.
Glory, laud, and honor unto Christ the King,
This through countless ages men and angels sing.