2 Samuel 7:1
“Now it came about, when the king lived in his house, and the LORD had given him rest on every side from all his enemies.”
This is what God does with His children, He gives us rest on every side. David had come a long way in his life. He started out as the youngest son whose responsibility was to shepherd the family sheep. His dad, Jesse, received and invitation to host Samuel the prophet for dinner. David had to watch the sheep, so he wasn't invited. Samuel saw that none of the sons present were to be king that he asked Jesse if he had other sons. "Yes, one more. David is out with the sheep." Samuel asked for him. David walked in and was anointed king.
Life went on. A day came when the Israelites were lined up to battle the philistines. Jesse gave lunches for David to bring to his brothers at the battle. While there David heard Goliath's taunts. He accepted the challenge and defeated him in one of most famous battle stories in history.
King Saul was living in disobedience to God and was in distress. He asked for a musician to play and calm himself. David was sent to play the harp. He received favor from all. Saul began to send him with his army. His success continued as did his fame. Saul became jealous and sought to kill him.
David fled and several hundred warriors joined him. He was on the run for nearly a decade. God protected him. He had two opportunities to kill Saul, but wouldn't take them, but tried to assure Saul that he was his servant. This didn't stop Saul in his pursuit to kill David.
Saul and Jonathon were killed in battle. David mourned and led those around him to mourn as well. Even though Saul meant evil for David, we see no hint of bitterness in him. David has walked in obedience to God his entire life. He has learned to avoid envy, bitterness and hatred from him.
David was crowned king. He settled in Jerusalem and still fought battles. His next aim was to bring the ark of God to the city. It happened and he was sending the message to Israel that they were a God fearing people.
Which brings us to today's verse. David experiences rest on all sides from his enemies. More of God's favor and blessing rest on David.
This is a new experience for David. However, David experienced rest even in his days of unrest. He says in Psalm 116:7, "Return to your rest, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you." Because he walked with God he's been at rest. It's a rest of the soul. David's life circumstance finally matches his inner reality. The outer will reencounter troubles, but not the inner. As long as we walk with God. David will make more mistakes. However, God intervenes and helps.
This is what God wants to do with all of us. Like David, we will have seasons of conflict and challenge. However, we can have rest within those times. Jesus describes this in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is comfortable, and My burden is light."
David is in a season of rest. Most of his entire life has been conflict. God has brought him through much. He is bringing the nation to a new normal. Their sin was asking for a king. Samuel warned them against it. God told him, "They are rejecting Me, not you." God granted them a king, Saul. He was selfish and sinful and all that they were warned about. Then God chose David to be a good king. Now that they are a monarchy and done with Saul, they have an example of a good, god-fearing king. This is the first time they are at a stage of rest with this new system.
We will rebel and disobey as well. There will be consequences, but God can work even our mistakes for the good. It would have been better if we never disobeyed, but God can repair all states.
Lord, You are an amazing God. Thank You for the rest You provide. Thank You for the rest of the soul that's always there. Even though the circumstances get stormy, thank You that You're not troubled. Thank You!