Today’s Reading:  2 Sam 19:1–43, 2 Pet 3:1–13, Ps 145:1–21

Today’s Theme: Knowing your position

Today’s theme is about us knowing and staying within our position in Christ, the church and the world. We will also look at God’s position toward us.

2 Samuel 19:1–43

Speaking out of position

Then Joab came into the house to the king and said, “You have today covered with shame the faces of all your servants, who have this day saved your life and the lives of your sons and your daughters and the lives of your wives and your concubines, 2 Samuel 19:5 (ESV)

Joab was again completely out of line, he had no right to come so boldly before the king and rebuke him. This all goes back to Joab’s sedition which had him thinking of himself more highly than he should have, causing him to lose perspective on his position and so speak out of turn. Romans 12:3

David listens to Joab in wisdom, but later in the same chapter, replaces Joab with Amasa.

Paul warns that we should not rebuke those who are older than us and in higher positions of authority than us, in 1 Timothy 5:1. He goes on to give further instruction in 1 Timothy 5:19.

We must not allow ourselves to be caught out by our emotions or an unbalanced view of ourselves or our leaders. We need to know ours and their positions before God, and so walk in humility and not the hot headed folly of Joab.

Do not rebuke those in positions of leadership in your life, don’t even do it in your mind as you will allow seeds of sedition to be planted, which is your own undoing.

Do not speak out of turn, know your position and behave in accordance with that.

No insecurity

But David said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should this day be as an adversary to me? Shall anyone be put to death in Israel this day? For do I not know that I am this day king over Israel?” 2 Samuel 19:22 (ESV)

King David did not suffer from the same insecurities as Saul.

Insecurity is often a hiding place for pride so do not nurse insecurity, reject those thoughts and feelings in Jesus’ name.

We must have the same attitude as David, we do not need to prove anything to anyone else or ourselves, we need to know who we are in Christ and walk in that confidence.

Paul encourages us in Ephesians 5:8 “for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” Mediate on that fact today, to dispel the clouds of insecurity.

Our position before God is secure in Christ.

Know your calling and place

Please let your servant return, that I may die in my own city near the grave of my father and my mother. But here is your servant Chimham. Let him go over with my lord the king, and do for him whatever seems good to you.” 2 Samuel 19:37 (ESV)

Brazillai was no opportunist, nor was he insecure, he had a pure and loyal heart. He did not get caught up with the superficial aspect of the King’s kind offer, he knew his position in life and before God, so knew how to say no.

We need to be able to (like Brazillai) say no, even to the good offers that are made to us, which are not in God’s will and plan for us.

God has placed us in certain positions and places in life and we need to know the place and scope of our calling.

As you seek to emulate Brazillai’s balanced attitude and thinking, consider these verses from the New Testament; Acts 17:26, 1 Corinthians 12:18 and 2 Peter 1:10.

It is significant that our youth retreat is on now and that Brazillai sought to give the king’s opportunity to his young servant. We too must have a heart to see the upcoming generations used to the glory of God.

Quarrelling and arguments

And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, “We have ten shares in the king, and in David also we have more than you. Why then did you despise us? Were we not the first to speak of bringing back our king?” But the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel. 2 Samuel 19:43 (ESV)

James said in James 4:1, “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?”

Paul mentions quarrels at that start of his letter to the troubled church at Corinth, in 1 Corinthians 1:11, “For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarrelling among you, my brothers.”

We should not be fighting over positions, and living to feed the appetites of our flesh or pride, as this will lead to quarrels and fights.

We must confidently live in the position we have in Christ and not be green-eyed little monsters, always wanting what someone else has.

The tribes of Israel are on the brink of entering a pointless battle over where the king should live. We all have King Jesus, let us not be tricked by the enemy and go to war with each other in pride.

Avoid foolish arguments today, be confident in your position before God.

2 Peter 3:1-13

The King will return

that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Saviour through your apostles. 2 Peter 3:2 (ESV)

It is amazing that we read in the OT today, about King David returning to his kingdom and now we read about the return of The King, Jesus.

As a church, we must always be in a position where we are ready for the Lord’s return.

We do not need to get caught up in signs of the times, although they are important. We should instead aim to have our hearts focused and expectant of the Lord’s imminent return, or of His decision to call us home.

Live in a ready position for the return or call.

God’s salvific stance

The Lord is not slow to fulfil his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 (ESV)

God’s position before the world is a salvific one, He stands and offers salvation to all and does not desire that anyone should be lost, but that all should repent.

The atonement is sufficient for all and effective for God’s elect. The sacrifice Jesus made on the cross is sufficient for anyone to be saved and is fully effective for those chosen by God, who repent and put their faith in Jesus.

This is why we need to maintain and confirm our position as the heralds of His kingdom, bringing the good news of the gospel to everyone, calling all to repent.

Psalm 145:1–21

Take time to read over and mediate on this psalm today. The following are just two points from a very rich psalm, which includes verses relevant to praying for our youth in light of our current youth retreat.

God’s kingdom

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations. [The LORD is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works.] Psalm 145:13 (ESV)

God’s position is as a merciful King, showing goodness to all. He has called us into His everlasting kingdom. Mediate on your position in God’s kingdom today and more importantly, on God as your King.

God’s near position

The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. Psalm 145:18 (ESV)

God has positioned Himself near to all those who call on Him in truth, call upon the Lord in truth today.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 2 Peter 3