WEEK BEGINNING SUNDAY 28th APRIL
PSALM 146 and 2 SAMUEL 5:1-16
After being hunted down by Saul, and almost killed, David is installed at last as King in Jerusalem. There will still be plenty of drama in his life, as we shall discover in the coming weeks, but David has arrived on the scene as undisputed King and the scene is set for his historic 30 year reign in Jerusalem.
v 5. But joyful are those who have the God of Israelas their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God.
This is a wonderful Psalm of contrasts. Just compare v 3 ‘ Don’t put your confidence in powerful people ‘ with this v 5 ‘ joyful are those who have the God of Israelas their helper ‘. The Psalm is set around an understanding of the difference between human help and God’s help. Verses 3-4 form the briefest imaginable statement about the fallibility and temporary nature of reliance on even the most powerful of human agents, culminating in ‘all their plans die with them. ‘ Then pick up the various descriptions of God’s help in verses 6-10. ‘ He made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. He keeps every promise forever. ‘
Our reading this week from 2 Samuel 5 shows David putting this principle into practice. If you go back to 2 Samuel 2 you see David setting out on the pathway of following God. ‘After this, David asked the Lord, “Should I move back to one of the towns of Judah?” “Yes,” the Lord replied. Then David asked, “Which town should I go to?” “To Hebron,” the Lord answered. ‘
David was determined to know and follow God’s pathway through life in all his decision making. In the practical details of managing life and establishing the Kingdom he wanted to experience God as his guide.
There are times when I could have wished for God’s guidance to be as clear and simple for me as it was for David, but I don’t doubt God’s directing hand through life’s circumstances and the wisdom of friends as I have prayed.
This principle of discovering and following the will of a gracious God was the hallmark of David’s life – and joy comes through making it ours too.