David and his mighty men came from battle to find that their homes were burned, the city in ruins, their wives, children, aged-parents and all of their belongings carted away like cattle, spoils of war. The men wept and cried until they had no more tears and then turned their bitterness toward David with betrayal in their hearts. David sought God, his Might Counselor, his Redeemer. “Do it and you will recover all,” was God’s response.
Fast forward hundreds of years…
Jesus, in the midst of a battle, the landscape of Earth ravaged and destroyed by the enemy, His people made slaves to sin and evil. He wants his people back, His sons and daughters, His bride to be restored. Jesus wept and cried for those who were lost and turned His eyes to His Father in Heaven. The response was the same…”Do it and you will recover all!”
Two pictures of rescue and restoration…
David’s obedience in pursuing his adversary: He obeyed God’s command regardless of the bitterness and disloyalty from those who claimed to be on his side. True to His Word, God gave the up-and-coming king complete success in the face of the Amalekites. His people and possessions were completely restored along with the plunder of his opponents, a band of Israelites rising out of the ashes.
Christ’s obedience in defeating the enemy: He obeyed God’s will despite being betrayed by those He loved and by those He came to save. Through His death and resurrection, God placed His Son on the throne as our Final King. He totally defeated the enemy, throwing open the door of His Kingdom for all those who choose to enter. His victory at Calvary makes it possible for everyone to escape from the pit of hell and rise out of the debris.
What struck me in the parallel of the triumph of these two kings is David’s men acknowledge his success and Jesus’ followers didn’t even recognize him, they couldn’t see the victory for what it is.
The women were the first to realize that He was no longer among the dead and they ran to share their revelation. The disciples did not believe. They thought the women were telling baseless stories. Even those who knew the prophecies and heard what Jesus had shared about what would happen didn’t understand the greatness of His accomplishment.
“Then [Jesus] said to them, “So thick-headed! So slow-hearted! Why can’t you simply believe all that the prophets said? Don’t you see that these things had to happen, that the Messiah had to suffer and only then enter into his glory?” Then he started at the beginning, with the Books of Moses, and went on through all the Prophets, pointing out everything in the Scriptures that referred to him.” Luke 24:25-27 (MSG)
Eventually, eyes were opened and hearts were quickened, the story of our salvation acknowledged and rejoiced in. Even today the New Covenant is being spread to all ends of the Earth bringing restoration and revival to God’s people.
How often do I, as a believer, fail to remember and rejoice in the accomplishment of Jesus Christ? How often do I neglect to hold onto what He has told me in my heart? How often am I swallowed up by the difficulties of my circumstances only to forget the promises in His Word?
Yesappa, please help me to always remember what You have told me. Help me live daily in the joy of my salvation. Help me rise above my circumstances and keep Your Word written in my heart. Oh, Lord, that You would walk side by side with me and reveal Yourself to me through the scriptures. Peel the scales from my eyes and quicken my heart to understand Your promises. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Blessings – Julie, Vadipatti, India
Sixty-six books in a year 