A Time of Peace

Devotional—A Time of Peace–From The Struggle of Sanctification by Sonya Johnson

The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart. —1 Samuel 13:14

From a shepherd boy who killed lions and bears to becoming a teen giant slayer, David matured into a Warrior King who led armies to victory. Many know that he wrote the book of Psalms, yet, they are not familiar with his life events and reign as king that are documented in the books of 1st and 2nd Samuel and 1st Chronicles. In studying Chronicles, we find that David’s reign involved continuous wars and victories over enemy nations.

How could David be a man after God’s heart when he intentionally committed adultery and ordered her husband to be placed on the frontline of the battle? Yes, he made errors in judgment by following his heart’s desires. God sent the prophet Nathan with a message to confront David regarding his sins [Read 2 Samuel 12].

For his grievous sin of taking Bathsheba and killing her husband, David received a twofold punishment, the death of their first child, and his life was filled with chaos. “This is what the Lord says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you…” (2 Samuel 12:11).

Once David became king, he also sinned by taking many wives and concubines, bringing abject chaos into his home. Though his enemies sought to take his life, including King Saul, and two of David’s sons—Absalom and Adonijah rebelled against him, God’s righteous hand of protection was upon King Davids’s life. Despite his willful disobedience of following his carnal desires, David repented and found favor with God. The Psalms portray David’s heartfelt love for God.

“Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice! Have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When You said, ‘Seek My face,’ My heart said to You, ‘Your face, Lord, I will seek.’” (Psalm 27:7-8)

Nearing the end of his reign, David decided to build the Temple. Like many of us, King David assumed God would approve his plans to build the Temple because he made the human effort of gathering all of the materials [Read 1 Chronicles 29, verses 1-5].

God’s Answer: “Then King David rose to his feet and said, ‘Hear me, my brethren and my people: I had it in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and for the footstool of our God, and had made preparations to build it.’ But God said to me, ‘You shall not build a house for My name, because you have been a man of war and have shed blood.’” (1 Chronicles 28:2-3)

From the disobedient act of taking Bathsheba as his wife, God forgave David. And from that union, Solomon, the wisest man was born and became King. With the love and mercy that only our Heavenly Father can give, David received this promise:

“But you will have a son who will be a man of peace. I will give him peace with his enemies in all the surrounding lands. His name will be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel during his reign. He is the one who will build a house for my Name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.” (1 Chronicles 22:9-10).

King David’s command to Solomon: “Consider now, for the LORD has chosen you to build a house for the sanctuary, be strong and do it” (1 Chronicles 28:10).

David’s life represents the lives of many Christian believers who face spiritual, mental, and emotional distress from unexpected life events, chaos in the home amongst family members, and the suffering of consequences from their acts of presumption and disobedience.

We have biblical accounts of the history of humanity’s defeats, disobedience, suffering, and victories. Still, God has shown His abundant love, grace, and mercy to those who followed their hearts. We will always suffer consequences for our disobedience to God. At times, we receive mercy and do not receive the full impact of what we deserve. Yet, we should not take God’s mercy for granted. It is a privilege to serve a God who expects us to be holy because He is Holy.

Sin changes the heart into a rebellious state against God. At that point, we lose the desire to obey God along with our spiritual gifts of peace and contentment. The state of the world in 2022 is the most perilous time in our lives. Staying obedient to God is a covenant vow that brings many benefits. Pray about every decision whether big or small. “Teach me Your way, O Lord…” (Psalm 27:11).

To have God’s Divine protection, provisions, and peace changes the very trajectory of our lives. More than ever, we need God!

Prayer: God, we thank You for protecting us against dangers seen and unseen. Thank you for Your grace and mercies. We pray for forgiveness for following our hearts instead of waiting for Your direction. We ask for Your divine guidance through the anointing of the Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ Worthy name, we pray. Amen.