1st Chronicles 14 THE LORD CONFIRMED HIM In every new venture in which we move ahead in faith believing God has opened "a great door and effectual," we are always glad when we know it is the Lord who has confirmed and established the work. How He does that is not always the same in every case. Sometimes it may be because of a singular success in some particular part of the work. Other times it may be evidence of the overall potential that is obvious and we can press on in spite of difficulties knowing that God is working. In the case of David and Hiram, it seems like Hiram who was king of a very small kingdom of very skillful people, took the initiative in building a house for David.
This was no small insignificant task. To make lumber out of the cedars of Lebanon was time consuming and labor intensive. To bring all that was needed of material and workmen was a major undertaking. But Hiram thought that much of his friendship with David, that the objective far outweighed the expense. love for our Lord Jesus Christ and true appreciation for what He has done for us, motivates us to do all we can to further His kingdom. By preaching the Gospel and teaching God's people, we are allowed to be helpers in establishing His kingdom.
For those who had returned from Babylon, it would have been an encouragement to expend their labor and work together in fellowship to build again that of their heritage which had been torn down. Faithful people who love the Lord can be used by Him when they are unified, to accomplish that which He desires. God had established David. He is the same today when He establishes His local testimonies of saints in an area. His people stand out among those who profess, because "they know the Bible" and are committed to a precise presentation of the truth. They do not "beat around the bush" but plainly present what is said in the scripture, and are willing to apply it to themselves and the people around.
David did some things well but when it came to his relationship with women, he did not follow God's word. The consequences were a divided home and unruly children. Those born of one of David's wives were often against those born of another wife. All of us likely have a strong point or two in which we are proficient, but that does not negate our failures in other areas. We need to know ourselves well enough to face our weaknesses and commit ourselves to changing that "Achilles heel" into a controlled part of our lives even though it may not be what we would naturally like. It would have been a good lesson for those returned exiles to separate themselves from those around who had accommodated themselves to the world.
During Saul's reign, he had come to think David was a greater enemy than the Philistines. He hunted David "Like a partridge in the wilderness" and got so sidetracked from his leadership responsibility that he was powerless against his real enemy. Our implacable enemy will never stop his attacks against the people of God. If we yield in one way, he may repeat the same tactics again and against us in an attempt to defeat the purposes of God. If we stand strong and oppose to the extent that we can gain a victory, we should not deceive ourselves into thinking the war is over. He will attack God's people openly, subtly, religiously or secularly, and he will not stop. We must constantly be on our guard and be close enough to our God that we can inquire of Him at any time and know we are heard.
The valley of Rephaim had been a fruitful place for the enemy in the past, so they returned. David had neglected to speak to God about bringing the ark to Jerusalem, but he had learned the lesson. Now he asked God for instructions before taking any action, and he acted on what the Lord told him. He also carried out that which he knew from God's word and burned the idols of those the Israelites had defeated so that none of them would carry home any souvenirs of idols to their families. A different way of meeting the enemy was done the next time under divine guidance. There is a reason behind this. It was not only to confound and defeat the enemy, but was a way of reminding the people of God that "God has gone forth before thee." God was out front in this battle and the victory was because of His power and presence.
When we do "as God commanded," then our efforts are not in vain nor are they a reason for pride because of our success. God must be at the center of our lives. He will only have that place if He is at the center of our thoughts. He can only be at the center of our thoughts if we have no idols in that place. Money, fame, success, pleasure and people all have the potential of being idols to us when they have the priority claim to our time and attention. It is up to us to deliberately remove any things in our lives that take the place of God, and then determine to follow Him with love and devotion.
If and when God is willing to use us to bring some spiritual benefit to others and bring about victory in some way through our efforts, there is a latent danger to us. Our ego will want to rise up and tell us we did really good. After all, look how successful we were in this work God gave us. Look at all we were able to accomplish. When a person becomes famous, they are in great danger of falling because "Pride goeth before the fall." "He that is down need fear no fall. He that is low, no pride. He that is humble shall ever have, God to be his guide."
David's fame produce fear in other people and nations. Israel had become weak under Saul's leadership whole had been sidetracked by envy, jealousy and hatred. When the Philistines attacked Israel under the leadership of David, they found a whole new kind of people who were revitalized under their new leader. Now the Philistines fear those who had once feared them.
When the people of God put unreserved trust in Him and are willing to obey the Lord, that faith and obedience opens doors to an active and full area of service for Him. Those Israelites who were back in the land were reminded of the fact the "If God be for us, who can be against us." Our unity also is dependent upon our obedience and faith to act according to the word of the Lord. We have the legacy of faithful people who went before us to give us guiding principles that work when acted upon. It was the Lord who made the nations to fear David. It is the same Lord who makes our feeble efforts prosper as we serve Him in the place we are called. Respect does not depend on us seeking to be like those around us, but rather on us owning Jesus as Lord in sincerity and truth. He is the One who can control the attitude of those among whom we live.