Do The Things~

July 27, 2020 – Debbie Graham

2 Samuel 5:11-25; 2 Samuel 6:1-23; 1 Chronicles 13-16

Do The Things

Focus Verses

1 Samuel 5:12 “So David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel, and that He had exalted His kingdom for the sake of His people Israel.”

1 Samuel 5:17-19 “Now when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. And David heard of it and went down to the stronghold. The Philistines also went and deployed themselves in the Valley of Rephaim. So David inquired of the Lord, saying, ‘Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?’ And the Lord said to David, ‘Go up, for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand.’”

There is so much in the four verses I have chosen to focus on today.  David went down to the stronghold.  A stronghold according to the online dictionary is “a place that has been fortified so as to protect it against attack.”  I have always seen myself as a runner.  Danger comes, I get out of dodge!  Looking at David, I might not have it all wrong!  The first action he took upon hearing the Philistines were coming was to get to safety.  An important thing to note is what we read in verse 12, “So David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel, and that He had exalted His kingdom for the sake of His people Israel.”  David knew his calling and purpose.

If we know our calling and purpose and danger comes to threaten or attack, we need to act quickly and get to safety!  God’s purposes cannot be fulfilled in us if we are careless and do not protect what He has established.  David couldn’t have fulfilled his calling if he had been killed.  Another thing to take from this passage is the first thing David did after getting to safety… he inquired of the Lord. 

David sought the Lord for direction and what action he should take.  When we go to our stronghold, we shouldn’t run away terrified.  We should go knowing our calling and seek His next steps.  David expressed his desire in Psalm 27, “One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple.”  I love that David included inquiring in His temple in his desire for the Lord.  He didn’t only inquire though… he listened for an answer.

The following verses talk about listening.  We have to be silent to hear.  Psalm 62:1a says, “Truly my soul silently waits for God; from Him comes my salvation.”  “Be still, and know that I am God;” (Psalm 46:10a).  “A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel” (Proverbs 1:5).  In our being quiet and listening often comes our direction and next action steps.  God told David to go up.  When we hear our answer, we must follow what we have been told.

Verse 20 begins with the words, “So David went.”  The example we have from a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14) is go do the things that He has told us to do.  If God tells us to do something, then He will be the one working through us!  We need to trust Him to do what He says.  I love what Paul shares in these two passages.  “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).  “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13).  Do the things!

Prayer

Father God, thank You for the examples that You give us in Your Word.  Thank You that You choose to work in me.  Help me to follow the steps of David, knowing my purpose, going to safety, inquiring of You, listening to You, and doing the things You say to do.  Help me not live in fear but run to You speedily and confidently knowing that it is You who works in me to will and to do for Your good pleasure.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.