November 9th

We studied David's dynasty, kindness and conquests - II Samuel 5-7
Wes dealt with the question of what SUCCESS really is - determined by your bank account, retirement plan, house, car, fame, pleasure or power - your children? Can succcess be resolved outside of God's will? Our measure of success is often gauged by secular standards. As believers, we must align our lifework with the will of God and measure it by our obedience to His revealed Word!

The history: Abner was King Saul's cousin and military commander. The relationship between David and Abner began when Abner brought David to Saul after he had killed Goliath. Abner and Saul pursued David for some 10 years during which David humiliated Abner for not protecting the king. After the King's death he set up Saul's son, Ish-boshen, to reign in his father's stead even though David was God's chosen man. During this time Abner killed Asahel one of David's nephews and later killed his brother Joab. who was also David's military commander. Later, Ish-bosheth confronted Abner for going in to one of Saul's concubines. This brough Abner's wrath and caused him to set a treaty between he and David and to use his influence to persuade the other eleven tribes to follow David.

Can our disobedience keep us from God's ultimate will for our llives? Are the blessings of God in direct relationship to our obedience to Him? Can we experience success if we are not aligned with God's will? Can success come before we are ready for it?

All the tribes now come to recognize that David was God's choice. Saul had been the people's choice because they wanted to be like other nations. David was God's choice as he had him anointed by the prophet.

David chose Jerusalem as the capital city. That choice showed David's excellent political savvy, his military savvy and he had the continuing confidence. He had the confidence of a friend - Hiram. He had the confidence in the impression of the Lord. Do you ever pause from the busyness of life to assess God's sovereign direction and circumstances in your life? Can you trace the hand of God from your past to your present? Like David do you perceive that God has established you?

Bernadine shared: David had the challenge of adjusting to God's priority for his life. Anointed MANY years earlier to be king but not being put in that position for many years. When David was called upon to act as king, it was nothing new to him. Even before he was crowned king of all Israel he had served the Lord and the people in kingly ways. He had lived in his character and conduct like a king all through his young life. Are you recognizing that the Lord has you in a training camp for the next step of His will for your life? Your godly responses train for the future!

David thought about the Lord and conferred with Godly counselors in his leisure time! What do you think about? David's training and Godly reactions/responses led him to victory continuously. His life is a caution to us "We must be as watchful after the victory as before the battle!" Andrew Bonar.

Dealing with disappointment came when the Lord revealed to David that he would not get to build the temple for the Lord - his son would. The best thing that David could do for the Lord was to continue shepherding the people and setting a Godly example. We, as David did, must learn to accept the disappointments of life. Diappointment are His appointments." A.T. Pierson

The Davidic Covenant assured David of his house being FOREVER. Even today we celebrate the birth of our precious Savior with the words ringing in our ears - "The Son of David!" The Lord certainly kept His covenant with David.

Also to be noted and studied is the REST 7:10. Began with God's rest when He completed creation, the promised REST in the Israelites' land, and the spiritual REST that believers have in Christ. Matt. 11:28-30, Hebrews 2:10-18, 4:14-16
What blessings may you be missing???