September 8, 2023
What does it say?
David cleaned up the mess the previous king made when he violated a peace treaty and continued to clear the Promised Land of God’s enemies as God had commanded.
What does it mean?
Back in 1 Samuel, we read about King Saul’s violation of a peace treaty that Joshua had previously made with the Gibeonites. As God’s appointed leader of Israel, Joshua had promised the Gibeonites that they could live peacefully among the Israelites, assimilating into the life and rules of the people of Israel. When David became king, he bore the disgrace of Saul’s actions and wanted to make things right with the Gibeonites. The two sides negotiated the terms of an acceptable solution and agreed to live peacefully with one another again. Justice paved the way for peace.
How should I respond?
We sometimes inherit the problems of others. It may be paying off financial debt or leading people who have been poorly led by others in a previous school, job, or even family. God may give you the responsibility of cleaning up someone else’s mess. While this might not seem fair, if God puts the responsibility in your lap, then He will help you take care of those things and make the most of them. What mess, originally belonging to someone else, has God given you to manage? With what attitude and determination are you approaching the task? Ask God how you can make the most of what He has given you.