No Coasting

In the spring when kings march out [to war], Joab led the army and destroyed the Ammonites' land. He came to Rabbah and besieged it, but David remained in Jerusalem. Joab attacked Rabbah and demolished it. - 1 Chronicles 20:1

An interesting thing happened after David received God's affirmation of his blessed future. At a time when kings normally march out to war, the king of Israel remained in his palace: safe, secure, and comfortable.

It would turn out to be a huge mistake.

We have all heard the old adage, "Idle hands are the Devil's workshop." Well, it appears that idle thoughts and eyes can be as well. David's decision to "kick back" became a practice and then a habit that led to a choice that almost destroyed his kingdom, twice. How could it have happened?

Perhaps King David took God's promise as a guaranteed victory, no longer requiring his personal effort or diligence. Like many within our churches today, David perhaps sat on his blessed assurance thinking he could just coast to his "finish line."

While the believer's battle with sin's wages is indeed over, our lives remain full of challenges that demand our utmost attention, daily skirmishes with the enemy (within and without) that require us to remain alert (sword in hand). Those who try to "coast" will only find that the slide is ever downward.

The fight will truly not be over until the King returns.

Patience and diligence, like faith, remove mountains. - William Penn