There is a Better Way
David took the shields of gold which were carried by the servants of Hadadezer and brought them to Jerusalem. (I Chronicles 18:7)
I Chr. 13:6-11
What Is God Saying?
David was a warrior and a devout believer. How can one follow Jesus, turn the other cheek for our enemies, and still countenance the horrors of war? The practice of returning evil for evil and getting revenge fills the media. Instead we need to take Jesus' command to pray for our enemies.
In the time of David, however, conquering enemies and taking spoils from them was the name of the game. David brought the vast treasure (imagine, shields made out of gold) that he had gained through his skill and courage and set them apart for the Lord's use. Altars are a better use for gold than shields. Dedicated booty is not rare in history. The Mosque of St Sophia in Istanbul has the marble pillars that once stood in the Temple of Diana at Ephesus. Saint Mark's Basilica in Venice has many articles from pagan temples and Eastern ruins. While David thought of his victories as being in line with the will of God and while he dedicated the costly spoils to the glory of God, he paid dearly for his warlike deeds (I Chronicles 28:2-3).
How Does This Apply To Us?
There is a better way. There are trophies of love, rewards of discipline, and riches that come to our hearts through sacrifice. God will be no man's debtor (Mk. 10:29-30). He will give us bounty from enemies we conquer in that spiritual warfare in which we must be engaged. ‘And let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart’ (Galatians 6:9).
Pray With Me
Lord, things are different than in David’s time. We wage other kinds of war. And the spoils of this other kind of warfare never show up as vessels of gold and silver and brass. When I am quiet enough to reflect upon it, I see that I receive other things daily. These prizes of war come to me from my enemies, even while the warfare is still going on, even when victory seems a long way off. Some of these I have seized, some I have received, and all will be kept for You. Use them as You will. If necessary, cast them into the fire until they are refashi0ned according to Your plan. Turn every prize of war into a tool for peace. Turn every prize from an enemy into a gift to be returned with love and in Your name to all my enemies. Bring this to pass, Lord, that my enemies may never feel subdued except by Your love. May they never feel indebted to anything except the same grace that has conquered me.
That is how I want to dedicate life and all its gifts and prizes to You and others for Your glory.
In the name of Him who, when He ascended, led a host of captives on high and gave gifts to men. Amen.
Moving On In The Life Of Prayer
The kind of war we wage for Christ and in His name may be with a different set of weapons, but the trophies of victory are just as real and far, far better. Continue to pray in confidence and live in obedience to the commandments of Christ, and you will receive something far better than gold, silver, or bronze. Would you believe—love and peace in your heart now and a place in the Father's House forever?
