David's theology summed up

Lessons from David- 2 Samuel 22

It is coming to the end of David's reign, and the writer includes this amazing chapter of David's raise, that is really an amalgamation of many different Psalms.

The main points are:
Salvation- God is his rock,deliverer, horn of salvation and refuge- from violent men, but also spiritually.

Help- in his worst situations, David could come to Him and be rescued in an amazing way. This parallels God coming down from heaven to deal with our worst situation- hell. Satan is our 'powerful enemy', and God defeated him for us!

Pleasure- it was God's pleasure to save us, because He delights in us (20).

Purity- we need to live obedient lives. We can rejoice because Jesus was perfectly obedient for us (21-25).

Perfection- God is worthy of our praise and worship (31). He sets us free from enemies, and shows us unfailing kindness (51).

Psalms 58-59: Responding to enemies

Lessons from David- Psalms 58-59

Hate their behaviour, don't imitate it
David's rants against unjust men, and calls for God to punish them, may seem unpalatable to modern taste, but at least he does not descend to act like them. In so many films and books, heroes repond to their enemies by treating them in exactly the same way. We are not to be enticed to become like them.

Leave it to God to judge them
David is calling on God to act, not for God to authorise his own vigilante campaign. He recognises that it is God's place to deliver and punish others.

Keep trusting in God and praising Him
'O my Strength, I watch for You;
You, O God, are my fortress, my loving God'. (9)

'But I will sing of Your strength in the morning I will sing of Your love; for You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.' (16)

David keeps praising God- he doesn't just moan about his enemies all the time! We too need that perspective.

God of wrath, God of love?

"The Old Testament God is a God of wrath. He annihilates entire cities of people. How can you believe in a God like that?"

Ever been asked that question, or asked it yourself? I'm sure we all have.

The Bible is not an easy book to grasp. In the time of history that it spans, there are many events which seem difficult or troubling to the modern mind.

Joshua 11-12 is perhaps one example. Here the Israelite army, led by Joshua, respond to an attack of several cities by completely slaughtering everyone. God hands them over to Israel (6), and everyone back home in the city is put to the sword (11).

'They totally destroyed them, not sparing anything that breathed.' (11)

The author of Joshua makes it clear that Israel acted in obedience to God's command, and God Himself 'hardened ther hearts to wage war against Israel, so that He might destroy them totally, exterminating them without mercy, as the Lord had commanded Moses.' (20)

So what are we to make of this?

1. God's mercy is always offered to those who repent... but ONLY to those who repent.
Reading the book of Jonah, we have a situation where an entire city stands under God's judgement, and will be destroyed unless they repent. The Ninevites DO repent, and the city is spared.
This is what these cities in Joshua's time should have done. They had heard about God's miraculous dealings with the people of Israel, rescuing them from Egypt, and they chose to fight against God instead of repenting and worshipping Him (like Rahab). Because of this choice, they are destroyed.

2. God has the right to judge us.
He is the Creator of the universe, the sovereign omniscient Lord of power, and He is utterly and entirely pure. All humans are accountable to Him because of these things. And we all naturally turn away from God and go our own way (Romans 3). This is enough to deserve judgement, even without all the terrible things we think, say and do.

3. The reality of hell.
These episodes of destruction in the Old Testament reflect the eternal destiny of those who reject God: hell. If it's shocking and unpleasant to read about people being killed in war, then we're meant to see how much worse hell is. These accounts are there to shake us out of spiritual apathy and show us how much we need to repent.

4. Only through God's grace can any one be saved.
As the book of Romans in the New Testament seeks to argue, no one deserves God's mercy. It is a gift of His grace. If 10 criminals are released from prison unexpectedly, the public don't say 'Why wasn't every criminal released?' Instead they say, 'Why were 10 criminals released?' It's similar to salvation. Instead of asking why God saves some and not others, we should be asking why He saves ANYONE.

5. Only through Jesus can we be saved.
To say that the Old Testament is about wrath and the New Testament about love is simplistic and naive. The New Testament contains the biggest and most terrifying act of judgement God has ever done: the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. On that cross, God's wrath was poured out on His only Son, so that sin could be decisively dealt with and repentant sinners could be saved.
'Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.' 1 Tim 1:15

6. The whole Bible is linked together by God making promises and fulfilling them.
In Genesis we see God making promises to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the nation of Israel: to bless them, gie them land and bless all the earth through them. In one sense these promises are being fulfilled in Joshua, as the people claim the promised land. This is a positive thing because it shows the just kingdom of God rightfully replacing the unjust kingdoms of this world, who have usurped His rule over the earth (New Bible Commentary).
But in another sense, it is not until the New Testament that these promises are fully realised in Christ, as Jesus makes it possible for God's people to live under His rule and obey Him, through the forgiveness of the cross and the power of the Holy Spirit.

The lesson of Joshua 11-2 is that God's people need to trust in Him and obey His instructions. The same is true for us today.

Psalms 54-55: Calling out in a crisis

Lessons from David- Psalms 54-55

These two psalms really emphasise God as the One to turn to in a crisis. David is surrounded by enemies and anguish and trouble, yet he can say:
'Surely God is my help; the Lord is the One who sustains me... I will praise Your Name, O LOrd, for it is good. For He has delivered me from all my troubles.' (4-7)

In faith based on God's character and God's previous actions, David expects to be saved. And so in Ps 55 the tense moves to a continual present:
'I call to God, and the Lord saves me... He hears my voice' (16-17)

David thus encourages the people to exercise the same dependence and faith in God:
'Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He wil never let the righteous fall.' (22)

Don't turn away from God in a crisis- He's the best One to turn to.

Family Problems

Lessons from David- 2 Samuel 13-15

When David sinned with Bathsheba, God said 'Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity upon you.' (2 Sam 2:11) In this section of the story we see this calamity begin.

Firstly, David's son rapes his virgin half-sister in brutal lust, discarding her straight afterwards. David does nothing, despite his anger. Absalom takes matters into his own ands, and acts in a violent and deceitful way. He is then exiled, and it takes Joab's manoeverings of a 'wise woman' to bring David to a realisation that he damages his family and the nation by the course of action.

David calls for Absalom to return, but does not allow him back into the court. This spurs him on to start a conspiracy to take over the throne. David has to flee Jerusalem in order to rally support, and the whole situation escalates.

David himself seems humble enough to let God do His will, without trying to use the ark of the covenant as a talisman for himself (25). 'Let Him do to me whatever seems good to Him' (26). But once more, David is in a position where he is threatened and in much misery (31). Whilst this is obviously being used by God to further hone and refine his character, David needs to become aware of how important his parenting is.

Parents have such a hard job! They ought to instruct their children in God's ways, whilst still loving and forgiving their children when they make mistakes.

If a situation of sin arises and isn't dealt with, terrible consequences can ensue.

Psalm 37: Reasons not to worry

Lessons from David- Psalm 37

Don't worry! Because...
-enemies of God will wither and die away (1-2)
- need to trust in the Lord, delight in Him, and He will give you the desires of your heart (3-4)
- you have committed your way to Him, so believe in His promises (5)
- need to be patient in God's timing (7)
-worrying leads to anger and other sins- cut it off now (8)
-The Lord upholds the righteous (17)
-your inheritance will endure for ever (18)
-disaster will not be your end (19)
- you have a God who blesses, so you can give generously to others (21-22)
- God makes your steps firm (23)
- Remember other believers: God never forsook them, why should He forsake you?
- You are protected forever by God (28)
- You have a future (37)
- You have a salvation (39)
- God delivers all who take refuge in Him (40)

Psalms 20-21: Trusting in God

Lessons from David- Psalms 20-21

These two psalms hold similar messages- we as humans need to recognise our limitations and trust in God completely. He will answer us and help us (1), and as David prays 'May He give you the desire of your heart' in Ps 20, he testifies in Ps 21 that God has done this (2).

The Lord saves His anointed (6), so instead of trusting in chariots and horses, we need to trust in the Lord (7).

Then we will be able to praise God more, as we see His glory more clearly. David spends most of Ps 21 thanking God for granting his requests (4-5)- but more than this, for giving him 'eternal blessings' and the 'joy of His presence' (6). This is the best of all.

Ultimately, David knows that his stability as a king depends not on his own strength but on God's grace (7). And David has the wisdom to look forward to the time when God will return to judge the wicked (8-12). God will be exalted in this as much as in saving the faithful.

Psalm 19: The God who is wise

Lessons from David- Psalm 19

'The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands' (1)

All of creation witnesses to the existence of a generous and wise God. He can create things well- and does so with grandeur. Just look at the sun (5-6), the centrepoint of our universe. God is brighter, everlasting and more majestic than this.

And God's wisdom is also revealed to us in His Word, described here as perfect, trustworthy, wisdom-giving, joyous, radiant and precious. 'By them is Your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.' (11)

How often do we view God's commands as limiting factors on our lives? Instead we should follow the psalmist's example, and humbly come befre God's Word so that our errors can be discerned (12). By coming to God's Word humbly and prayerfully we are asking God to change us to be increasingly blameless and holy.

'May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.' (14)

Psalm 15: The need for holiness

Lessons from David: Psalm 15
This psalm reminds us that God is holy and requires holiness from us. Only one whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous can dwell with Him. He wants us to speak the truth from the heart, be careful not to speak ill of others, and seek the good of others too.

God wants us to honour those who fear Him and keep our promises 'even when it hurts'. If we do these things we will 'never be shaken', and the Bible gives us so many examples of people who were shaken by sin (such as David in his encounter with Bathsheba).

Even though Jesus has saved us by His righteousness, our holiness is important to God. Our conduct should reflect the kind of God He is and what He has done for us- purified us from all sin.

Psalm 24-25: How to search for God... and find Him

Lessons from David: Psalms 24-25

In Ps 24, David reflects on God's purity and majesty and how men can worship Him. Earth belongs to Him (1), He is the King of glory (7), strong and mighty (8). Therefore 'He who has clean hands and a pure heart' (4) can seek Him and worship.

Ps 25 elaborates more on what it means to seek God. It involves trusting in Him (1), and looking to Him for guidance- 'Show me Your way, O Lord, teach me Your paths.' (4)

It involves asking for forgiveness (7) and deciding to live God's way instead (8). But it is not just one-way. God is loving and faithful to those who obey Him (10). He makes His covenant known to us (14), and comforts us in loneliness, and anguish (16-17). He actively rescues us and gives us refuge (20).

It is a relationship to wonder at and rejoice in.