DEVOTIONAL

David is back on the throne as King of Israel. This means easy days ahead, right? Almost. Today, the story ends on a high note with David’s song of deliverance, but to get there Israel first faces famine and more battles with giants. Step into the story with me.

In 2 Samuel 21, the opening verse says that Israel is struck with famine. Wow. It feels like the dust just settled on the Absalom affliction and now Israel faces a famine for three years. However, during the famine David seeks the Lord and the Lord tells David the reason for the famine. There is a fracture with Israel and the Gibeonites because of sin from King Saul. How do you restore the fracture? By atonement. This comes in 2 Samuel 21:3-9. Once atonement is made, God responds in verse 14 to the plea David consistently made for Israel. I can picture the land sprouting new growth of olives, barley, and grapes. God made things new right there before the eyes of David and all of Israel. God restored their land immediately. Tucked into this moment for Israel is the reflection of the Greater Story where my sin fractured relationship with God. After atonement was made once and for all by Jesus’ bloodshed on the cross, God responded by raising Jesus from the dead and restored my relationship with Him. This is what it is all about.

Now, the scene shifts quickly away from a restored land to where the Philistines are back at war with Israel. C’mon people, when is it enough? While the war is building, David grows weary according to 2 Samuel 21:15. I did not count, but David has been at war with the Philistines for decades. David is not a young chicken anymore. He is seasoned in years where his muscles weaken with each passing year. We age, it’s natural. David reaches a point to when his physical strength no longer can withstand the battle against giants. He needs help.

Q: Look around you. Who is facing a giant in their life? How can you pray for them, lend support, or give them permission to rest?

(Side note: September 6, 2021, is the day I read this passage and jotted down the question above. And I answered it by writing down two people and committed to pray for God to kill the giant in their lives. Guess what? God answered. I could tell you the faithfulness of God that lifted them to a new life. It’s remarkable to reflect on the past year and see the transformation accredited to God’s hand. When I think about it, I feel that holy fear in God. Everything in me is stilled. God always makes a way!)

You, LORD, are my lamp; the LORD turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall. As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.

2 Samuel 22:29-31

Jumping back to David, his mighty men and faithful brothers, step in to fight the giants when David comes to a physical breaking point. There is reprieve for David. And even better, there is deliverance! David celebrates the best way he knows how and that is through song. With confidence, David testifies to who God was, who He is, and who He remains to be. God is steadfast. God is faithful. The song of deliverance is a place I can camp out for a week or so. With large passages like 2 Samuel 22, my eyes immediately look for a way to group verses based on themes. Today, I want to wrap up sharing the themes that stick out to me. See what you notice as you read the song of deliverance. Maybe we share some similarities.

  • God is protector and deliverer for David (v.1-6).
  • God listens to David (v.7).
  • God shows David His mighty power (v.8-16).
  • God is gentle with David (v.17-20).
  • God remembers David is a man after God’s own heart (v.21-25).
  • God is the source of wisdom for David (v.29-31).
  • God prepares David for each trial as king (v.32-43).
  • God gives favor to David (v.44-46).
  • God brings justice to the enemies of David (v.47-49).
  • God is faithful (v.50-51).

Life from famine to victory leads to the most honest confession from David. Maybe his seasoned age provides wiser perspective. The physical state of David’s body is weakened, but his spirit and faith in God is the strongest it’s ever been. Let’s run the race well.

Q: The psalmist references the saints in 92:14 by saying “they still bear fruit in old age”. Who comes to mind in your life that is further along the road of faith and runs the race well? Give thanks for them. Maybe reach out to let them know how much their life encourages you.

Additional reading: Psalm 5,38,41,42