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1 Chronicles Chapter 14 (ESV)
8 When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. But David heard of it and went out against them. 9 Now the Philistines had come and made a raid in the Valley of Rephaim. 10 And David inquired of God, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the Lord said to him, “Go up, and I will give them into your hand.” 11 And he went up to Baal-perazim, and David struck them down there. And David said, “God has broken through my enemies by my hand, like a bursting flood.” Therefore the name of that place is called Baal-perazim. 12 And they left their gods there, and David gave command, and they were burned.
13 And the Philistines yet again made a raid in the valley. 14 And when David again inquired of God, God said to him, “You shall not go up after them; go around and come against them opposite the balsam trees. 15 And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, then go out to battle, for God has gone out before you to strike down the army of the Philistines.” 16 And David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army from Gibeon to Gezer. 17 And the fame of David went out into all lands, and the Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations.
REFLECTION:
- 2 Sam Ch. 5 describes the map for this battle. Before David went out for battle, he prayed to God and asked for His guidance. Often times we only pray to God when a matter gets worse but it is too late. Reflect if you seek God’s help only after you exhaust your own effort? You should seek God first and you could experience the unexpected help to avoid disasters as David did.
- Soldiers like to keep the spoils from battle for commemoration (2 Sam 5:21, David’s followers took the idols left behind by the Philistines). Therefore, David ordered to burn all the idols (v12). The only response we should have with sin is total separation. You cannot follow God and keep your old sinful life at the same time. If you do, you will drift away from God in what you think and what you do. You need to remove anything that replaces God who should occupy the highest position in your life, and follow God wholeheartedly. Reflect what behaviour you need to get rid of that is unpleasing to God.
PRAYER:
Ask God to completely remove your old self that belongs to flesh and blood, and keep you away from the sinful thoughts and life. Pray that God will protect your heart and mind so you can travel the heavenly journey single-mindedly.
HYMN:
Purify My Heart – youtu.be/OfH9j-TLg3U?si=EcybrQOxZQYXea1P
