Who Knew? The People God Puts in Your Life (Part Four)

The Pretender to Your Throne.  “After this it happened that Absalom provided himself with chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.” 2 Samuel 15:1.  Absalom stole the hearts of the people away from David and tried to establish himself as the new king.  Instead of offering loyalty and support to his father, he undermined him and split the kingdom. 

Someone wants what you have.  They want your position, possessions and power.  There may be a confrontation.  If they draw you into a conflict, make sure your motives are not personal vengeance, but righteousness and honor.  It is not wrong to oppose evil and ungodliness, and to fight for right, but it is always wrong to fight for selfish purposes. 

Your Right-Hand Man. “Now when David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the army of the mighty men.” 2 Samuel 10:7.  Joab was devoted to David’s interests and served him faithfully, both politically and privately. When David made wrong choices, Joab tried to dissuade him from his purpose. He was not always successful, so Joab, nevertheless, did David’s bidding.  Joab was a man of great military prowess, valiant, and capable. He was revengeful, and not above treachery to gratify his vengeance. Scholars agree that David’s right-hand man appears in history as one of the most accomplished and yet darkly unprincipled warriors that Israel ever produced. Whatever he was, David could always count on Joab’s unwavering devotion to him. 

God will always put someone in your life who attends to your welfare.  All of us need general support and understanding, but beyond that, we need a certain person to lean on in hard times and to trust in when we are especially vulnerable.  David was that kind of person to his father and brothers.  When he assumed a leadership position, God supplied him with the same kind of individual.  That person may be your husband or wife.  He could be your close friend or understudy.  Be grateful that God takes care of your needs on a personal level. 

Your Network.  “These are the names of the mighty men whom David had … thirty-seven in all.” 2 Samuel 23:8; 39.  Situations in life arise when a band of people—a posse, if you will—become necessary.  This band consisted of fighters and bodyguards who were intensely loyal to David.  They would literally do anything for him.  

Sometimes, one or two friends cannot adequately meet the needs of your life.  You need a network of people that will rally around you and lift you to victory.  How do you build a network?  (1) Be a part of someone else’s network; (2) Don’t overload your network; (3) Be a faithful and loyal part of the church, God’s greatest network! “That there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.” 1 Corinthians 12:25-27. (By the way, check out the identity of number thirty-seven).

Your Legacy.  “Now the days of David drew near that he should die, and he charged Solomon his son, saying: ‘I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. And keep the charge of the LORD your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn.” 1 Kings 2:1-3. 

In God’s timing, someone will take up the torch of your family, your job and your ministry.  Ask for God’s help, because it is the totality of your life.