Tracy Dwight

While reading through these chapters I am impressed by David’s diligence in facing so many foes in the many battles he fought. I think of my own life and the many difficulties I faced growing up in a dysfunctional home. My father was an alcoholic and my mother died when I was twelve, leaving me feeling heavily burdened from a young age. It was only through Vacation Bible School at a neighborhood church that I found God and began going to Sunday school. But unlike David I would give up at eighteen years old, believing the lie that God must not love me because I was facing such hardship. David, a poor shepherd boy and the least among his family, never gave up faith in God as shown in this verse:

After the king was settled in his palace and the Lord gave him rest from all his enemies around him, he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.” (2 Samuel 7:1)

Did you notice how David wants to honor God before anything else? He says this even though he is currently surrounded by enemies! Through the many hardships I have faced I often felt alone and abandoned by God. It was not until I was 41 years old that I began to understand that God doesn’t always spare us from hardship. Instead, He makes a way through it for us if we will only follow him instead of our own path. Since I have learned to follow Christ, I have been blessed in many ways. One of the more difficult ways I honor God is by showing God’s kindness to those who have wronged me as shown in this verse:

The King asked, “Is there no one left of the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?” (2 Samuel 9:3)

It is so much easier to practice “an eye for an eye” approach with those who have hurt us but I thank God that He is more forgiving with me and my transgressions. I am learning to show the same forgiveness and kindness to those who have wronged me. After all, they are the same type of flawed vessel I am and following their own path just as I have in the past. It is only through following Christ that I have been redeemed from that sort of life. So, can I pass judgment on them? Shouldn’t I show them the same grace that I have received? When I am following God, He will decide which battles are worthy to fight for His glory as shown in this verse:

“Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The Lord will do what is good in His sight.” (2 Samuel 10:12)

There is a time to fight and for most of us, it is not with spears and swords in a physical battle. Instead, it's standing up for what is right and good often in conversation and our interactions with others. When the gossip starts flowing, I need to remind others that we are all fallible and sometimes act just as poorly.  I need to show everyone the same love and kindness God has shown me. I also need to let them know that it is because of God’s grace that I can do this. Then there are the times that I must stand up for someone who cannot stand up for themselves. At times standing up has been physical, preventing someone from being beaten up, as well as spiritual, preventing them from being verbally abused. When I am following God and in His will, I need not be afraid as shown in these verses:

“Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless. With God, we will gain the victory, and He will trample down our enemies.” (Psalm 60:11-12)

When I am following and honoring God, He will make a way for me and I will be blessed in many ways, but I must ask myself these questions:

1. Am I spiritually prepared to fight a battle for God?
2. Am I keeping my eyes on Christ so that I know which battles to fight? 
3. Am I honoring God in these battles or is it for my glory?
4. Am I aware that victory really belongs to God?

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