David Captures Jerusalem

2 Samuel 5, 8 & 2 Samuel 22, Psalm 18   
 
2 Samuel 5:9-10 So David made the fortress his home, and he called it the City of David. He extended the city, starting at the supporting terraces and working inward. 10 And David became more and more powerful, because the LORD God of Heaven’s Armies was with him.
 
WHEN reading this, the thought occurred, “How far the shepherd boy had come! The LORD God had led him from a sheep pasture to become a powerful warrior. He has capture and built a fortress-like city in one of Canaan’s strongest natural fortifications. Still today, 3,000 years later, the City of David still stands.
   The world might call David a self-made man. But we know only God could plan and cause such an incredible transformation of a man’s physical, moral and spiritual life. The youngest son of Jesse became more and more powerful, because the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies was with him. What does it mean to be more and more powerful in the Lord?
   This phrase points to God’s Spirit directing our lives. We are powerless until the Holy Spirit calls from where we are to enter God’s kingdom. For David, becoming more and more powerful in the LORD meant God had chosen, gifted and blessed David with singular accomplishments in both world history and the kingdom of God. David reigned for 40 years. In the entire history of Israel, few have reigned longer. No king of Israel had more success than David. David’s kingdom is seen in Scripture and by the national Jews in Israel today as a picture of strength, wealth, power and safety. Material greatness and political peace came from David’s throne. He conquered all opposition. Some submitted to him because they knew it was pointless to oppose David. His armies defeated pagan rulers and disposed of countries that had longed assaulted Israel.
   David’s kingdom of God accomplishments are also unique. Yes, he had many faults as we all do. Yet in his weaknesses, despair and sin, David’s heart was generally faithful to God’s law. Even more, his psalms express he loved God, and God loved him. He wrote and sang psalms of worship, psalms of complaint and psalms of prayer for his enemies’ destruction. David was as Moses, who was very personal with God. The Bible reveals tht David had many different conversations with God to find comfort and express faith. As we’ve learned, God especially anoints particular people for great moments in his kingdom on earth. David was great in God’s sight because God had chosen him to be great. Unlike Saul, who avoided God’s call, David directly acted into his election. David’s life displayed a man after God’s own heart in response to God appointing him leader of his people (1 Samuel 13:14b) 
          How would you describe greatness in your life? Would you begin with your heart attitude toward God? What is real and true for your life? What lasts forever? What in life for you is truly great?