I’M PURPOSEFUL
Opening Prayer
If you can, thank God for his hand in your life; if you can’t, ask him to show you his ways and reflect some more.
Read 2 Samuel 5:1–12
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, “We are your own flesh and blood. 2 In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the Lord said to you, ‘You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.’”
3 When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, the king made a covenant with them at Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David king over Israel.
4 David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. 5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.
David Conquers Jerusalem
6 The king and his men marched to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites, who lived there. The Jebusites said to David, “You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off.” They thought, “David cannot get in here.” 7 Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion—which is the City of David.
8 On that day David had said, “Anyone who conquers the Jebusites will have to use the water shaft to reach those ‘lame and blind’ who are David’s enemies.” That is why they say, “The ‘blind and lame’ will not enter the palace.”
9 David then took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built up the area around it, from the terraces inward. 10 And he became more and more powerful, because the Lord God Almighty was with him.
11 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs and carpenters and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David. 12 Then David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Look back over the past few years. Can you see how God has made things work together for your sake and for the Gospel’s?The future plan for a king and kingdom was set out by Moses hundreds of years earlier. David would know what Leviticus 20:22–24 and Deuteronomy 17:14–20 say, but we may need to refresh our minds.
This is the way God wants it to be. So as the trusted leader becomes king, David has the direction of things already laid out before him, with his anointing by the elders of Israel, the capture and establishment of Jerusalem as his capital, and the building of his palace—materials courtesy of friendly neighbor King Hiram. Verse 12 sums up the situation. David sets out purposefully into his reign.
We too can head confidently in the direction we know God has planned with purpose and boldness, sharing Jesus’ grace liberally as we go. Our destination is the Holy City of Revelation 21. As we head there, we will do all we can to get people ready for it, sharing with them the good news of the one who can take them there and helping to eliminate tears, death, mourning, crying and pain wherever we can. That’s purposeful living for us.
Apply
Do you often wake up asking: “What am I doing today?” or “Why am I here today?” God has a purpose for each one of your days. Choose to seek his plans today.
Closing prayer
Pray for a sense of urgency to be about our Father’s business.
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