Career experts frequently tell us to follow our passion, but sometimes that’s the surest way to fail. Our passions can get us into a lot of trouble.
It’s much better to follow God’s guidance every step of the way. That’s the lesson of the book of 2 Samuel, which is the story of David as king of Israel.
This book begins with David’s ascension to the throne. It goes on to describe his royal accomplishments and moral failures. At the end of the book we have his final words and deeds.
David was a shepherd who became the ruler of God’s people. His reign was a monarchy under a theocratic umbrella, one that established a line of kings culminating in the King of Kings, Jesus Christ.
One of the themes of this book is the Davidic Covenant, which guarantees the perpetual nature of David’s dynasty leading to the Messiah, the Anointed King to come. Woven into the story is the theme of grace.
Despite David’s failures, God forgave him, continued the covenant, and worked it all for good because David was a man after God’s own heart.
Second Samuel is a prolonged warning about the subtle nature of our passions. Every day presents new temptations and dangers, as David encountered with Bathsheba.
We need God’s abiding wisdom, protection, and companionship. As we acknowledge His kingship over our lives, we have the promise that His hand will uphold us and that He will guide us every step along the way.
Key Thought:
We must follow God’s guidance rather than our own passions, at every step.
Key Verses:
“And now, O Lord God, thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant:
Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue forever before thee: for thou, O Lord God, hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed forever” (2 Sam 7:28-29).
Key Action:
Acknowledge God’s kingship in every area of life.