Wednesday, August 31 – 2 Samuel 7:11-12

even from the day that I appointed judges over My people Israel; and I will give you rest from all your enemies. The Lord also declares to you that the Lord will make a house for you. When your days are finished and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come from you, and I will establish his kingdom.

When was a time you spoke out of anger but regretted your words later? When we are hurt or feel attacked, it is easy to say something we regret. We argue because we feel like our side needs to be heard, our cause fought for. The people of Israel felt this pressure. Throughout history, they had been enslaved, wandering, and in a constant battle against their enemies. At the time of this prophecy, though, they were enjoying the reign of one of their most godly leaders, King David. It would’ve been easy for Israel to look to establish themselves on earth under such strong leadership, but God gave them a different promise. In this passage, God reminded them of the hope that was to come, the hope that He would go before them and take care of the enemies who came against them.

In this passage, note who was doing all the work to give Israel rest from their enemies—God. He was the One giving rest, establishing the household, raising up the descendant, and establishing His kingdom. As soon as we get into those situations that make our faces hot and our anger reach its peak, it feels natural to react. We want our voice to be heard. But when we look at Scripture, God never asks His people to be the loudest voice in the face of opposition but to trust Him through opposition. This hope for Israel is alive for us today through Jesus, our Messiah, the fulfillment of this prophecy. In Him, we see how to love and serve our enemies and how to trust our heavenly Father when opposition feels all too real.

• How do you react when you get frustrated with someone?
• What would it look like to have rest in God when you encounter enemies?
• Pray and ask God to help you be slow to speak in those moments that you are inclined to speak against your enemies.