The God of the nations

Slices

Prepare

How easy do you find it with people who are different from you? Do you have any inward biases? Bring them to God today. 

Bible passage

2 Samuel 22:31–51

‘As for God, his way is perfect:
    the Lord’s word is flawless;
    he shields all who take refuge in him.
32 For who is God besides the Lord?
    And who is the Rock except our God?
33 It is God who arms me with strength
    and keeps my way secure.
34 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
    he causes me to stand on the heights.
35 He trains my hands for battle;
    my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
36 You make your saving help my shield;
    your help has made me great.
37 You provide a broad path for my feet,
    so that my ankles do not give way.

38 ‘I pursued my enemies and crushed them;
    I did not turn back till they were destroyed.
39 I crushed them completely, and they could not rise;
    they fell beneath my feet.
40 You armed me with strength for battle;
    you humbled my adversaries before me.
41 You made my enemies turn their backs in flight,
    and I destroyed my foes.
42 They cried for help, but there was no one to save them –
    to the Lord, but he did not answer.
43 I beat them as fine as the dust of the earth;
    I pounded and trampled them like mud in the streets.

44 ‘You have delivered me from the attacks of the peoples;
    you have preserved me as the head of nations.
People I did not know now serve me,
45     foreigners cower before me;
    as soon as they hear of me, they obey me.
46 They all lose heart;
    they come trembling from their strongholds.

47 ‘The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock!
    Exalted be my God, the Rock, my Saviour!
48 He is the God who avenges me,
    who puts the nations under me,
49     who sets me free from my enemies.
You exalted me above my foes;
    from a violent man you rescued me.
50 Therefore I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
    I will sing the praises of your name.

51 ‘He gives his king great victories;
    he shows unfailing kindness to his anointed,
    to David and his descendants for ever.’

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Explore

As I write these notes, wars are raging in Europe, the Middle East and parts of Africa. Military tensions are rising in Asia. Resolving such conflicts seems impossible. Human efforts seem transitory. 

As David concludes his song, his mind moves from the God of deliverance to the God who has a global dominion. Notice how every verb in verses 34–37 has God as its subject! It is God who has made David a great king and has established his kingdom (v 33). 

David’s enemies were no match for God. The strongest foes were humbled in battle. Unlike David, when they cried for help, their cries went unheard (v 42). They were on the wrong side! What a turnaround. The once shepherd boy was now king of the nations (v 44). Israel was no longer a vassal state but acknowledged as powerful (v 48). God’s anointed king was not for Israel alone but for all the nations (v 51). 

As we read these verses in the light of God’s ultimate anointed King, be encouraged in the face of international tensions and wars. For one day every war and human conflict will cease. Why? All nations will acknowledge Jesus as Lord of all. Every knee will bow down to him (Philippians 2:9–11). 

Author
Richard Trist

Respond

Give to God nations and conflict zones that are on your heart. Pray that human differences that make for war will be overruled and peace will reign. 

 

Bible in a year

Read the Bible in a year: Jeremiah 23,24; John 9

Pray for Scripture Union

Pray for the Board, consisting of the Trustees and the Leadership team as they meet today. Ask for the guidance of the Spirit as they consider the broad issues confronting the movement and look for future direction.