2 Samuel 8

… So the LORD preserved David wherever he went.

(2Sa 8:6)

… And the LORD preserved David wherever he went.

(2Sa 8:14)

Was the Lord playing favorites? Why was it that David was “preserved” when Saul had been destroyed? Was David just “lucky” and Saul “unlucky”? These are some of the questions that I think can naturally come up as you read through David’s conquests. On the one hand we have Saul who couldn’t seem to do anything right. On the other hand, we have David who can’t seem to do anything wrong! The overriding question is this: what did David do (if anything) that caused the Lord to PRESERVE him in this way?

From my vantage point, the answer is simple. As we look back over these 2 lives, we can see a real contrast develop. We have Saul, a man after HIS OWN BEST INTERESTS; and we have David, a man after GOD”S OWN HEART. It was the Lord that David was trying to please, and as long as he continued to seek the Lord, and put the LORD’S desires first, he was going to prosper.

When we look at the word PRESERVE in the Hebrew language, we see that it is a beautiful word picture. It paints a picture for us of the safety of a wide open field in contrast with the dangers of a narrow winding path hedged in on both sides. Think about some of the advantages of a wide open field:

• You can see your enemies from a long way off.
  

• There is no way for a “surprise attack” to take place.
  

• Your armies can stay together rather than be all spread apart.

The truth is, God had offered this kind of preservation to both David and Saul; they just had to accept it on HIS terms. Saul chose his narrow and dangerous confines when he failed to heed the voice of the Lord. You see, God provides protection, authority, and leadership; but He never forces it on anyone. As the scriptures make it clear, we must CHOOSE to follow HIM by TAKING UP OUR CROSS and DENYING OURSELVES.

Wouldn’t it be great to have this written on your tombstone? “The Lord preserved _____ wherever he went”. It CAN be our life story, the choice is OURS. So today, choose whom you will serve; and remember, a choice FOR YOURSELF is a choice AGAINST THE LORD. There is no middle ground. Hear His voice and follow it; allow the Lord to make your life an open field of protection and safety!