[One-Verse Meditation]

2 Samuel 5:10 (ESV)

“And David became greater and greater, for the LORD, the God of hosts, was with him.”

(Meditation)

David put to death, in the name of the LORD, the men who had betrayed Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, and brought his head to him. He did not count as merit the evil they had done for their own safety and advantage, but judged it before the justice of God. In this way, even on the way to becoming king, David did not rely on the wicked hands of men. And at last all the tribes gathered at Hebron and anointed David king over Israel. God’s time had come. In this way the Lord keeps His promise.

After that, David and his men went up to Jerusalem and took the city from the Jebusites. The stronghold that had remained for so long finally became the city of David. Jerusalem thus became the city that bound all Israel together, the center of David’s kingdom.

Scripture describes David’s life in this way: “And David became greater and greater.” And it clearly gives the reason: “for the LORD, the God of hosts, was with him.”

This is the greatness Scripture speaks of. David’s greatness was not merely the visible expansion of his power. Beneath the surface was a greatness that was not ruled by the circumstances of the world. It was the greatness of a life held fast by the word of the LORD and lived according to His will. This is the life of the saints.

So it is with us today. No matter how strong the problems before us may appear, like the taunts of the Jebusites, they cannot finally bring us down, because the LORD is with us. The greatness Scripture speaks of is not a life in which nothing difficult happens, but a life that remains unshaken because it is upheld by God in every circumstance. Though we ourselves may tremble, there is no trembling in God’s hold on us. That is the greatness of the believer. Therefore fear can never swallow up the saints.

(Prayer)

Lord, I believe that my strength does not come from me, but from You who are with me. Hold me fast by Your word today, so that I may walk not by what is seen, but by looking to You. Amen.
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(Daily Meditation)

2 Samuel 4:8–5:10