You Can't Fight God (video devotional)

Posted on May 15, 2012 - 2:20pm in Weekly Devotionals

"Then the king instructed Zadok to take the Ark of God back into the city. 'If the LORD sees fit,' David said, 'he will bring me back to see the Ark and the Tabernacle again. But if he is through with me, then let him do what seems best to him.'"
2 Samuel 15:25-26

Have you ever wanted something so badly that you forced your way into it even if it wasn’t the right fit?  I remember finding a suit one time that I really, really liked.  The fabric and color were just right.  The only problem was it wasn’t my size.  On a whim I bought it anyway, convinced that with a few alterations I could make it work.  I never did wear that suit much…

In today’s lesson from 2 Samuel, we find David relying on God to make the suit fit rather than forcing his way into it.  David’s rebellious son, Absalom, has just started a civil war, and David is fleeing for his life.  Zadok the priest goes to get the Ark of the Covenant to take with them on the refugee journey.  However, David knows the Ark belongs among God’s people and sends it back to the Tabernacle where they worshiped God.  David then explains himself: if God is for him, He will bring David back to Jerusalem, but if not, David will accept His will.

That response is a far cry from Saul’s in 1 Samuel.  When Saul learned he was being deposed as king, he fought it tooth and nail.  In the end he alienated his friends and family, and got one of his sons killed.  He tried to force himself into a situation and the force came back on him.  David, on the other hand was willing to accept rather than fight God’s will in his life even if he didn’t like the consequences.  He knew that being in God’s will, even if it meant losing his crown, far outweighed being out of God’s will.

Zadok wanted to put a handle on God and take Him with them; David wanted to follow God.  I don’t know about you, but sometimes I’ve tried to force God’s hand.  I’ve wanted someone or something so badly I was determined to make it work.  I remember in one of my former churches I had a project I was determined to make work, not matter what.  I prayed about and pleaded for it.  When I got no answer in prayer I went for it.  Big mistake.  I only made things worse.  I tried to take God with me rather than follow Him where he is going.

I see this happen a lot in relationships as well.  We fall in love and expect God to accompany us on the journey.  However, that person may not be what God had in mind for us at all.  But we force it and disaster ensues.  The point is, you can’t put a handle on God and expect Him to go along with you.  If you want to have real life you have to go along with Him.  Otherwise, you just end up with another ill-fitting suit in the closet, or even worse.

Questions:
1. Have you ever tried to force yourself into a situation?  What happened?
2. Is there some way you are fighting against God right now?  What will it take for you to give up and trust His way?
Have you ever tried to force yourself into a situation?