https://odb.org/MY/2023/04/14/uphill-all-the-way
King David is the second king in Israel prior to its split into Israel, the northern kingdom (with the cities of Sechem, Samaria), and Judah, the southern kingdom (with Jerusalem and the Temple). The split occurred at the reign of Rehoboam, the grandson of David and the son of Solomon. While King Solomon was regarded as the wisest and wealthiest of the kings of Israel and Judah and thus the greatest in the natural – David, Solomon’s father, was regarded as the greatest in the more spiritual sense as he was a man after God’s heart. Even Jesus Christ, our Lord and God incarnate, identified Himself as being from the House of David, meaning that He was from the lineage of the greatest king of Israel. David also has a special place in the heart of Israel as he was a warrior king and had led and won many wars and battles for Israel. The reign of David was thus regarded as the golden age of Israel.
2 Samuel 15:26 I feel perfectly summaries David’s heart. While being pursued by his own son, Absalom, who was out to kill him and undertake a coup d’etat, David, in returning the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem told his people that he will let the LORD do to him whatever is right to Him. He was willing to be at the mercy of the punishment from God, and even as the LORD punished him for his sins, the most notable being his adultery with Bethsheba and the killing of her husband, Uriah, the Hittite general in his army. The LORD punished him with the loss of his first son with Bethsheba and a few of his other sons as well as his other son, Absalom, rebelling against him. Yet, curiously enough, David’s successor was Solomon, from his union with Bethsheba, from whom Jesus Christ was descended from.
David was somewhat like Job. He never rebelled or went against or cursed God in his heart. Verse 25 of 2 Samuel 15 was particularly poignant. David said to Zadok (a Levite), “Bring the Ark back to the city and if I find favour in the LORD, He will bring me back and let me see it and His dwelling place again”. David knew he was being disciplined, but as he had said in Psalm 30, the anger of the LORD is for a moment, but His favour lasts a lifetime. David expressed not just a hope or desire but a fact based on his own experience facing the discipline and wrath of God.
The message this morning is that as much as the Lord may punish or discipline us for our iniquities or indiscretions, let our hearts remain pure towards Him even as we go through those tough times periods. Know that He has not and will not abandon us. His love for us is steadfast and renewed every morning like dew. Be like David, a man always after God’s heart. Since this is the will of God, accept it and move on in our spiritual walk. Don’t fret, complain, or haggle with God. Don’t sulk or curse God. Let Him do with us what is right with Him. Know that there will always be a rainbow at the end of the tunnel, no matter how long and endless it may appear to be!
Ronnie's Thoughts 