- So David reigned over all Israel. And David administered justice and equity to all his people. 16 Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army, and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder, 17 and Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were priests, and Seraiah was secretary, 18 and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and the Pelethites, and David’s sons were priests. 2 Samuel 8:15-18 – Yes, this is one of those lists of names in the Bible that we struggle to pronounce. What I care about today is not if you can pronounce the names or if you can give me all the details around each of the individuals in the list, all I want you to see is that there was a list. See that David had a team around him helping him bring structure and success to his new kingdom. For one thing you will notice if you rewind in scripture to King Saul’s days, we aren’t given a list like this for his kingdom. We would assume he had others helping him, but with the way his heart turned and the way he lost the kingdom shows he didn’t lean on that help. Saul’s kingdom fell and David’s kingdom stood, why? Because David relied on the Lord and the ones the Lord put in his life and Saul did not. Do not let your pride convince you that you don’t need anyone in this life to support you. God’s design for life is for it to be done with others and with Him. While there are many things in life that our talents and skills will convince us we can do alone, life is bigger than those things and eternal life is far greater. Come to the point of realization that while we may be strong, wise, and gifted, our strength, wisdom, and gifts can’t handle all that’s to come. Thankfully us covering it alone wasn’t the plan anyways. God is with you, and your brothers and sisters in Christ are too. And if you’ve never accepted Christ, know all that is there for you today. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3027
- 2 Samuel 8 Daily DEVO …And the Lord gave victory to David wherever he went. 2 Samuel 8:6 – That’s the outcome of the battles, but from what we’ve seen about David’s life so far, how did he handle everything else about the battles? He sought God’s direction before each battle to know if he should fight and how he should fight. He was willing to show respect to kings and armies that sought peace with him. He also gave God the credit for the victory and gave offerings of thanks to God as well. We see why David had victory. Yes he was good at fighting and had a good crew of fighters with him, but the reason he found victory was because the Lord gave it to him because he was faithful everywhere else too. For us, we to can find ourselves being handed victory in our life by God. That though takes a commitment to walk faithfully in all others parts of our life. This type of victorious life isn’t one that comes when we just run to God when life gets too hard to handle. This life comes when everyday for everything we’re leaning on and trusting in God for help. If you want this victorious life like David had, you need to give your whole life to God like David had. Now will these victories always come in the way you think they should? No, but as we give ourselves over to the plans and guidance of God daily, we’ll see the outcome of our battles and our life seeing the victory that we need and desire. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 439
- After this David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines. 2 Samuel 8:1 – The Philistines were defeated. God brought victory for David in his battle against the Philistines. Now as we read this chapter it’s easy to get caught up in the bloody deaths and battles and miss this first verse and the impact of it. The Philistines had been a serious enemy for Israel for so long. Goliath was a Philistine and David was a young man when he fought him. Now this long term enemy has been defeated and what was taken from them by this enemy has been brought back. This is what God can do in your story. What enemy would you love to claim as defeated this year? Fear, worry, a sickness, worthlessness, depression, addiction? What has it taken from you? Your battle may have been long term with this enemy but God is able to defeat them and bring back what’s been taken from you. Trust His will and understand victory may look different than you currently imagine it. What we can take from this passage is victory, while maybe different in appearance, does comes through God. What a mighty God we serve. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1867
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