2 Samuel 22:30,34-41,44-46-22 God Does Not Work Pass You, He Works Through You
2 Samuel 22:30,34-41,44-46-22
30 In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall. …
34 He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights.
35 He trains my hands for battle; he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow.
36 You have given me your shield of victory; your help has made me great.
37 You have made a wide path for my feet to keep them from slipping.
38 I chased my enemies and destroyed them; I did not stop until they were conquered.
39 I consumed them; I struck them down so they did not get up; they fell beneath my feet.
40 You have armed me with strength for the battle; you have subdued my enemies under my feet.
41 You placed my foot on their necks. I have destroyed all who hated me. …
44 “You gave me victory over my accusers. You preserved me as the ruler over nations; people I don’t even know now serve me.
45 Foreign nations cringe before me; as soon as they hear of me, they submit.
46 They all lose their courage and come trembling from their strongholds.
Background
In this section, David talks about how God brings victory in all his military campaigns. God does not take down the enemy without his active participation. God’s power flows through a willing, well trained and disciplined person.
Observation
In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall – David, filled with the strength of God enables him to crush an army much bigger than his. David’s strength is supernatural, in a sense his goals are not limited by his natural abilities or resources. His mind is accustomed to hearing God’s instructions and take on enemies with no consideration to their size.
He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights – David’s supremacy in battle comes from God’s enablement in being surefooted as a deer; thus enabling him to run with agility and speed on any terrain: stand on mountain heights. In the same vein, his prowess in battle comes from his perseverance and discipline under a strict training regime: He trains my hands for battle. As David disciplines himself in training, God strengthens him beyond his natural ability. A bronze bow is unlike an ordinary bow; it is made of metal and requires supernatural strength to operate it.
Foreign nations cringe before me; as soon as they hear of me, they submit – God is with David and fights alongside with him. God terrorizes the armies of foreign nations causing them to cringe and capitulates to David at the mention of his name. The mere presence of David spreads terror and sends them trembling from their strongholds. The aura of David’s majestic presence is attributed to the presence of the awe of God.
Truth
- God does not take down the enemy without your active participation. Many people pray to God asking Him to overcome their problems while they sit still and do nothing. They prefer to remain as babies seeking the assistance of their parents without any expectation on their part. God however, in no uncertain terms shunt those who are lazy and unmotivated. But He readily empowers those who proactively do what they can. In almost all of David’s exploits, God crushes the enemy while he goes out against them; God fights through David and alongside with David: In your strength I can crush an army. As maturing believers, we must ask God for supernatural capabilities while doing our part in our daily endeavors.
- The more we are trained in wisdom and confidence, the more God can use us to do His work. Training and discipline is a major component of David’s success. Before God can use someone, He puts him through the school of hard knocks. When his soul is sufficiently trained, God assigns him to tasks that he could handle. As he is found faithful in the tasks given, God will entrust greater responsibilities to him. The virtues that emerges out of God’s training are:
– The ability to stand firm against the temptation of power, lust, and greed.
– The ability to reason with divine wisdom and truth.
– The ability to obey God’s instructions even though they may not make sense.
– The ability to wait with patience and perseverance for the next step while being faithful with the tasks of the present.
– The ability to discipline the urges and lethargy of the flesh.
– The ability to rise up from disappointments and setbacks.
– The ability to love despite being abused and betrayed.
– The ability to exercise compassion and to serve the helpless with nothing in return.
– The ability to lay down our lives unreservedly for His kingdom’s work.
– The ability to handle difficult people and motivate them in the right direction.
– The ability to discern the hearts of men.
Application
- Do you put much effort and time in training your soul for the work of God? Or do you indulge yourself in the comfort and the cares of life?
- Spend time in the morning meditating on God’s word while receiving His wisdom and instructions for the day.
- Do you see and appreciate God’s work of training and discipline in your present phase of life?
Dear Lord, I endeavor to discipline my flesh and not be given to its lust and greed. Help me to be single minded and train me for the work of your kingdom. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.