David’s Righteousness

Read 2 Samuel 3-4
 
2 Samuel 3:36 All the people took note and were pleased; indeed, everything the king did pleased them.
 
DO you like movies or stories with one action scene after another? If so, you likely found these two chapters fascinating. You might even consider them objectionable. The violence perpetrated between the soldiers supporting Saul’s family or David’s kingship is sickening. This is sin’s incredible depth of darkness displaying its deadly consequences. Sadly, Abner, who seems to be a man of peace is murdered. 
    Then thankfully a righteous light shines into this darkness. David rightly expresses grace and mercy. Nearly all new rulers fighting for control would rejoice at his enemy’s death. David, though, rightly grieves Abner’s death in a public display of mourning and loyalty. He leads the people to do the same. Now Israel knows they have a king with a heart to do what is right. Israel, God’s chosen people, recognized and approved David as God’s chosen leader.
    How do we respond to a world that seems under the control of evil? David wrote some years after this in Psalms 37:1 Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong. Then he concluded with Psalm 37:8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret – it leads only to evil. 9 For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.
    Lead for God. Stand for God. Give God’s people a clear view of who God is. Spiritual blessings will come to the righteous leader and those who follow.
    For a time, David would be Israel’s righteous leader. He faithfully represented God to Israel. Israel received his leadership; and thus, they received God’s blessings.
    This has been God’s way since the Garden of Eden, through Abraham’s call, the desert wanderings, the kings of Israel to the church this day. Follow righteous leaders. Be a righteous leader. It is God’s way.
 
2 John 8-9 Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. 9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.