“Now there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. But David grew stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.” ~ II Samuel 3:1
REFERENCE:
God promised David the kingship of Israel. Although he ascended the throne of Judah, he had no rest nor enjoyed peace, for the house of Saul was bitter towards him, resisted his kingship, and opposed his authority. Although Saul was dead, his household still troubled David. Can you identify what is supposed to have died in your life, yet you engage in a long war with it?
The flesh – the old man. Although crucified at the cross, its descendants (the works of the flesh) still war with our regenerated spirit to frustrate the work of the Holy Spirit in us. The flesh lusts after the spirit in a fierce battle that rages till the end of one’s life. The flesh typifies the house of Saul, accursed by God, while the spirit typifies the house of David, approved of God.
The war between the two houses lasted for seven and a half years. It was acrimonious because it was not a foreign war but a civil one, a bitter family feud like sibling rivalry. Proverbs says, “A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city.” Therefore, the war was long, distressing, demoralizing, and bloody. The same is true for the battle between the flesh and the spirit; it is the sorry state of a man sabotaging himself, his one act of foolishness destroying his much good.
The house of David waxed stronger, while Saul’s waxed weaker and weaker. The house of Saul lost men, reputation, and influence; it failed in all physical conflicts with David’s men. Yet, as David grew, many deserted the setting sun of Saul’s family and aligned themselves with the rising sun of David’s when they saw that he would win. All of Israel soon came to crown him king; Chief amongst these was Abner, the Commander in Chief of Saul’s army.
As a believer, be ready for this long war between your flesh and your spirit, between corruption and the work of grace. It will be fierce and brutal, but let the Holy Spirit rule your life by obeying God’s word. As you daily submit yourself to the work of sanctification through repentance and obedience, the flesh will grow weaker and weaker. You will discover that your appetite for anger, sin, lust, envy, etc., daily wanes and dies. Be ready to stay it through; if you don’t quit in the long war, your spirit will win the contest because Christ already won the victory for us.
PHOTO QUOTE
ADDITIONAL TEXTS:
Proverbs 18:19, I Thessalonians 4:3, Romans 7:19-23, and Galatians 5:16-26
PRAYERS:
+ Lord, thank You for Your commitment to give me victory over the works of the flesh. Thank You for the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
+ I commit to being led by the Spirit of God and daily mortifying my flesh and its longing.
+ Lord, I receive the grace to consistently wage war against the flesh as long as I live, in Jesus’ name.
