Wednesday, January 17, 2007

War! What Is It Good For? P3

War is necessary and unavoidable! David new this probably better than anyone ever did. David is remembered by many things, but the characteristic that he is most known for is that he was a mighty man of war!

His propensity to war is seen even as a shepherd boy protecting his father's sheep. When the lion and the bear came and carried off a sheep, he chased them down and rescued the sheep. He went to war against nature and killed the lion and the bear.

Then came the Philistines with Goliath and we know what happened there!

He repeatedly fought not just the Philistines but the Amalekites, Moabites, Edomites and anyone else that stood in the way of him accomplishing what God had called him and Israelites to do.

There was, however, a time when David failed. Lets look in 2 Samuel 11 & 12 and see what war is good for.

1. David's Downfall
"In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king's men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem" (2 Samuel 11:1).

Do you see his first mistake? Although he was a might man of war, the King of Israel, David neglected to go to war.

Perhaps he got soft and had enough blood shed. Maybe he was enjoying the pleasures and luxuries of kingship. Whatever the reason, the fact of the matter was that he got lazy and lost his priorities.

The King is supposed to lead the battle. The King sets the example. The King was a mighty man of war. He let someone else, do his fighting. He neglected the war.

Ladies and gentlemen, it's war time. This is not a time to get soft, to be distracted by the pleasures of our Christianity (& church), or to be lazy.

Don't send someone else to fight for you.

It's time for war. Not only are you under attack, but your family is under attack. Your friends and loved ones are under attack. Your church and community are under attack.

This war wasn't about David. The war was for Israel to defeat their enemy the Ammonites. It was about the unity of his people, the progress of his kingdom, and freedom for the oppressed.

This war isn't just about you. It's time to stand firm and go to war.

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