Give God The Glory! – Part 2

[S]o David inquired of God:  “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” The LORD answered him, “Go, I will hand them over to you.” So David and his men went up to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them. He said, “As waters break out, God has broken out against my enemies by my hand.” 1 Chronicles 14: 10, 11c, NIV.

Dear God, thank You so much for the privilege of studying Your Word in freedom. Please help us to take advantage of the opportunity that You offer us, to guide us as we study Your Word. We accept this invitation and give You thanks knowing that we will be blessed, in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Today we continue with our topic, Give God The Glory! Yesterday we looked at some of the background information leading to this episode in David’s life. I thought it was important for us to look at the sanctuary and its furniture, again, because before we come to our Scripture for today, there is the story of Uzzah, and his tragic death. I have made mention of this incident at least twice in the past. The devotional of July 21st, 2008 dealt with the incident in detail, so we will not be dealing with it again. The day Uzzah died “. . . David was angry because the LORD’s wrath had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah. David was afraid of God that day and asked, “How can I ever bring the ark of God to me” (1 Chronicles 13: 11, 12, emphasis provided)?

Nevertheless, it did not keep David from consulting with the LORD before going out to battle against the Philistines. We may not always understand why God allows us, or someone close to us, to pass through the things that we do. Some things that seem quite normal and acceptable to us, in the sight of God, are unacceptable. Oftentimes we may not agree with God’s way of dealing with certain situations, but we should never allow anything, or anyone, to separate us from God.  

We could find a few issues with the way David lived his life. Nevertheless, one area that he seemed to have a grip on, was his relationship with God. You see my friends, in a healthy relationship, two people do not have to agree on everything. They only have to make sure that their differences do not estrange them. I do not know how long David may have pouted and fumed, but when it was time to go out to battle, he did not hesitate to go to the only One who could offer him protection against the enemy. He went to his Father in heaven! What should not be overlooked is the fact that David did not go to God because he felt vulnerable. The Bible informs us, “And David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and that his kingdom had been highly exalted for the sake of his people Israel” (14: 2).

What is even more noteworthy is the fact that David never thought that it was because of him that the kingdom was well established and highly exalted. During his reign as king over Israel, it was all about the people, and their well-being, and for the glory of God! When the three valiant men risked their lives to bring David water out of the well of Bethlehem, he would not drink it, but poured it out as a drink offering to the LORD:  “And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD” (2 Samuel 23: 16).

Now David is facing Israel’s perennial enemies, the Philistines. His fame has gone abroad. They heard that God had established him as king over the entire kingdom of Israel, and the Bible says that they came out after David in “full force.” But David knew Who “[had] broken out against [his] enemies by [his] hand.” He knew that it was God who had answered him, and “hand[ed] them over to [him].” They obviously were not aware that it was more than Israel’s army that they were fighting against, so they attacked David again. And once again, David inquired of the LORD. And once again, the LORD answered David. Scripture informs us, “So David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army, all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.  So David’s fame spread throughout every land, and the LORD made all the nations fear him” (1 Chronicles 14: 16, 17).

God honors them that honor Him, so in all things, give Him the glory!

NOTE:  To our darling son Ricardo, on his birthday! Happy birthday my love! We love you! May God continue to bless you abundantly!