Are Your Enemies Defeated?

1st Chronicles 18

Have you ever faced an area in your life that was a struggle to overcome. Maybe it is some temptation that Satan keeps attacking you with. We all face them, but it is who we go to for help that matters. Some of us may even face the same temptations. Maybe they are at different degrees of intensity but either way we are in this cosmic battle of sin and righteousness, we just need to remember righteousness won already because of Jesus Christ.

In this chapter David defeats the enemies of Israel and every defeat he praises and dedicates the spoils to God. 

The Enemies are Defeated

We see the Chronicler writes down all the enemies of God that David defeats. He defeated the Philistines, he defeated the Moabites, and other kings. Every group that David defeated he always gave thanks to God. We see that he received gold, silver, and bronze and even other kings gave David tribute for his conquests. 

We can learn from David’s attitude with his enemies. He knew that he was commanded to face them. He knew that God would be the one who will be with him. When they did overcome their enemies he praised God. David’s priorities were right and this serves as a reminder to us that our priorities need to be right and when they are we will overcome our enemies. The enemies that I am talking about are sin and temptation. They are their constantly in our lives. When we put God first we can know what temptation is but if we do not, then temptation will win. 1st Corinthians 10:13 we know that God will provide a way out. In Hebrews 4:15 we see that Jesus understands our weakness with temptation as he himself was tempted but he never gave in to temptation. When we do not give in to temptation we need to make sure and praise God and not become prideful and say, “Look what I did.” God is the answer and the one who gives us strength. What enemies need to be defeated in your life? Have you put God in the front of the battle or are you letting it sit and hide? 

David was a Good King

We read in verse 14, it says, “So David reigned over all of Israel, and he administered justice and equity to all his people.” We see that he was fair and was equal to all of the people of Israel. I can’t imagine being in his sandals, but I do know that his heart was one after God’s so he desired to reign for God. When God is in the heart of the man who leads, God will be glorified. When God is glorified the world is witness to God who is glorified.