Promises Week 14:
II Samuel 2-22
…delighting in Him and His Word…Psalm 37:4
ll Samuel 2: As we launch into this week’s study, the importance of being in the place where God has positioned you and doing what He has instructed you to do are of the utmost importance. Don’t be out of place, and stay in touch with God.
ll Samuel 6:6 Uzzah stretched out his hand to steady the ark of God and in the following verse was struck dead which grieved and offended David. Uzzah disobeyed God by touching the ark because it had been kept in his father’s house for a long time and had become familiar to him. We must never regard the holy as commonplace, but keep a reverent attitude toward sacred things like God’s Word, prayer, worship, God’s presence and not allow them to become so familiar that we dishonor them.
II Samuel 7:4 to 17 - The Seventh/Davidic Covenant. David was the man after the Lord’s own heart, loved the Lord and was richly blessed. Psalm 89:34 confirms the Lord’s faithfulness to this covenant. After receiving the Lord’s blessing through Nathan David immediately speaks with the Lord and claims His promises. Knowing His promises builds our confidence and reliance in Him and encourages an intentional life of prayer. It is the prayer of our heart that this time of studying His Word and His Promises will build and strengthen your relationship with the Lord.
II Samuel 7:18 to 29 - David’s Prayer. After hearing the Lord’s promises David “went in and sat before the Lord”. David’s prayer is a beautiful testament to the David’s relationship with the Lord and an example for our own prayer life:
i. Who am I…
ii. Sovereign Lord…
iii. How great you are – there is no one like you…
iv. You are the One and Only God…
v. Keep Your promise…so that Your Name will be great … for You
II Samuel 9 - David and Mephibosheth. David keeps his Promise to Jonathan. One of my favorite Sunday School lessons was based on Max Lucado’s chapter from his book Facing Your Giants http://www.sermoncentral.com/sermons/facing-your-giants-tough-promises-max-lucado-sermon-on-hardship-of-life-97337.asp. As King, David wanted to honor his dear friend Jonathan and set out to find any family members. Before long, Mephibosheth was seated at the King’s table. Later in the story we find there is a question of Mephibosheth’s loyalty to David. David does not hold anything against him and continues to honor his pledge to Jonathan. David friendship and pledge to Jonathan was unconditional. Christ love for us is similarly unconditional.
Just as David searched for someone he could be kind to for Jonathan’s sake, God looks for people He can be kind to for Jesus’ sake. God is merciful and kind. He is constantly extending His kindness toward us, but we must be willing to accept it. Make a decision to start receiving what you do not deserve and have not earned. Accomplish that and you will be living in God’s awesome grace.
ll Samuel 11:1 – In the spring, when kings go forth to battle (this was a revelation to some of us as we see springtime as the season to plant seeds and now understand what a battle that can be!)
II Samuel 22 - David’s Song of Praise. Charles Swindoll breaks the song into four components:
i. Verses 2-20 when times are tough, God is our only security
ii. Verses 22-31 when our days are dark, the Lord is our only light
iii. Verses 32-40 when our walk is weak, the Lord is our only strength (He asks us to put our faith in Him and to believe that we can do whatever He asks us to do. He is mighty to uphold us and make us stand. God’s strength is readily available to us, and we receive it through believing the promise He has made to give it to us. If we believe we are weak we will only manifest weakness but the bible says “Let the weak say I am strong” (Joel 3:10) Trust the Lord will be strong in us and we will experience the victory in our lives.
iv. Verses 50-51 when our future is unclear, the Lord is our only hope
Hold on to His promises and be blessed. Let your hands be strengthened and be valiant. May loving kindness and faithfulness be with you.
Week Fifteen: II Samuel 23 to I Kings 12