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1 Chronicles Chapter 20 (ESV)

1 In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, Joab led out the army and ravaged the country of the Ammonites and came and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. And Joab struck down Rabbah and overthrew it. 2 And David took the crown of their king from his head. He found that it weighed a talent of gold, and in it was a precious stone. And it was placed on David’s head. And he brought out the spoil of the city, a very great amount. 3 And he brought out the people who were in it and set them to labor with saws and iron picks and axes. And thus David did to all the cities of the Ammonites. Then David and all the people returned to Jerusalem.

 

REFLECTION:

1. When kings went out to battle, David remained in Jerusalem and committed adultery at the time (cf. 2 Sam 11-12). Kings usually went out to battle after the spring harvest because the labour for farming was lessened allowing the soldiers to go to battle. During the winter, they would prepare a strategy for conquering other lands and send out an army when the weather became better. However, David did not follow the army to battle but sent Joab to lead the army. It was at this time of laziness that David committed the sin of adultery with Bathsheba. Are you in a state of laziness now? How will you stay alert so that you will not fall into temptation of Satan?
2. You should pay attention to the “spring” of your life which is a time of response to God and a time for going out to battle. You must follow God’s will and take the initiative. In this key moment when Satan will attack us, we must have keen alertness for temptation. How will you walk God’s destined journey steadfastly and fight the good fight for God?

 

PRAYER:  

Ask God to help you to be watchful and sober-minded, and not let you fall into the net of temptation by Satan. Especially ask God to help you to have a clear mind when you are successful knowing that that is also a time of weakness. Ask God to protect you and not let you turn from success to failure.

 

HYMN:

Holy, Holy, Holy – www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iK0Miq2xNo