June 16th | 1 Chronicles 18
The Lord Is With You
I grew up with an older brother. He was a year and a half older than I and just one year ahead of me in school. While we were close in age, we were not close in stature. He towered over me my entire life and is still much taller and bigger than I am. When I was younger, I did not like being the smaller one. I wanted to be bigger. However, when I got to high school, I was really glad to have a “big” brother.
I recall a couple of instances where upperclassmen tried to pick on me, and my “big” brother showed up. These upperclassmen didn’t want to mess with my brother. I was grateful that he welcomed me into his friend group, and wherever my brother went, I went as well. We were close, and because of that, I wasn’t picked on anymore throughout high school.
In 1 Chronicles, David has committed himself to the Lord. The Lord made an astonishing promise to David in 1 Chronicles 17:12-14,
“He shall build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever. 13 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. I will not take my steadfast love from him, as I took it from him who was before you, 14 but I will confirm him in my house and in my kingdom forever, and his throne shall be established forever.’”
God committed to be with David and to establish his kingdom forever. This is the Davidic covenant. A promise that the kingdom of God would be established through the line of David. Saul had the kingdom torn from him, but now the Lord promises to establish an eternal kingdom through the house of David.
In light of this promise, chapter 18 begins with a list of all the people and nations that David defeated. Then we see an incredible statement in verse 6.
“And the Lord gave victory to David wherever he went.”
David didn’t have the victory in himself or because he was great, but only because God was with him! The same is true for us if we trust in Christ. Jesus came from the lineage of David to fulfill this covenant promise. God’s kingdom, established through David to Christ, is now established forever. Christ has been raised and is ruling in heaven, and His kingdom will know no end.
What does that mean for us today? If you have believed in Christ, you have been adopted into a family where you have a big brother who will fight your battles for you. He is greater and stronger than anything you might face in this life. You are united with Christ and can face any circumstance because the Lord Jesus Christ is with you wherever you go. Trust in Christ today and lean on Him to fight your battles.
