QT 3/2/2023 2 Sam 8:1-8, Living a life of thankfulness for God's promises to me

2 Samuel 8:1–8 (NIV84) —

1 In the course of time, David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and he took Metheg Ammah from the control of the Philistines.

2 David also defeated the Moabites. … So the Moabites became subject to David and brought tribute.

3 Moreover, David fought Hadadezer son of Rehob, king of Zobah, …

5 When the Arameans of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck down twenty-two thousand of them. 6 …, and the Arameans became subject to him and brought tribute. The Lord gave David victory wherever he went.

7 David took the gold shields that belonged to the officers of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. 8 From Tebah and Berothai, towns that belonged to Hadadezer, King David took a great quantity of bronze.

 

NOTE: The chronology in Samuel is difficult. The author follows the more traditional Jewish method of organizing material thematically. Chapter 7 is a high point -- God's promise to David -- the Davidic covenant. Chapter 8 shows how God answered that promise by giving "David victory wherever he went (verse 6c)."

 

What do we learn? Most covenants in the bible are unconditional and completely dependent upon God, not man's response, to accomplish (an exception is the Mosaic covenant). The Davidic covenant was unconditional. But so is the New covenant, which is God's promise to those who have been born again into Jesus Christ. The promises of the New covenant are unconditional. Rather than causing us to sin (as some tried to argue to Paul), it should cause us to serve the Lord even more eagerly, out of gratitude and thankfulness. Unless, one has not been born again, and is only living a religious life (there are no promises for the religious -- religion is not a covenant).

 

PONDER:

1. Have I been born again into the New covenant?
2. Actions (deeds) indicate heart. Do I meet with God regularly in his Word?

 

PRAYER: Father, thank you for these days. There are hard times and good times. There are frustrations and joys. There are annoying things and enjoyable things. Lead me and guide me in the days ahead. I am thankful for being born again.