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Text: 2 Samuel 8
In this chapter David subdues all his enemies, he recovers borders, enemies bring him gifts, he builds garrisons to establish his territories, and he reigns over all of Israel executing judgment and justice unto all his people. The military campaigns are detailed with enemy losses and David’s gains. Twice in this chapter a phrase shows up: The LORD preserved David whithersoever he went (vss 6, 14). And that word preserved is perfect to describe what the LORD did for David.
To preserve something means to maintain it in its present condition. You understand what it means, but let’s consider how it’s done. The process of preservation describes the will of God and the work of God in a person’s life. In order to preserve something you need to remove the world’s effects on it. It needs to be cleaned. It needs to be sealed in some way. It needs to have the work of corruption stopped.
Dirt must be removed
- Whatever is going to be preserved needs to be cleaned up.
- David has been cleaned up by the word of God. His heart is set on the things of God. The disobedience that plagued Saul didn’t hinder David. The fear of the LORD is clean.
- David would say that man’s ways are cleaned up by the word of God.
- Paul said the same thing. Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word. The words of God are like taking a bath.
- Jesus said, Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
- David would also say that if the LORD isn’t allowed to clean the man then the man isn’t clean. Which means you need to agree with God about what is dirty in your life. It’s not going to get clean if I don’t think it’s dirty.
- Preservation begins with removing dirt.
A seal must be put on it
- You can dry it or can it, but it has to be sealed in some way. I’ve got to stop the work of corruption.
- You know how David is sealed? David is sealed with the promises of God. The LORD has promised David the kingdom, he’s promised David that his throne will be established. He’s promised David that he’ll build David a house. Now imagine being David and going to war armed with all these promises. Enemies aren’t as threatening when I’m standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises that cannot fail.
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises of Christ, the Lord,
Bound to him eternally by love’s strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
Standing on the promises of God.
Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
List’ning ev’ry moment to the Spirit’s call,
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.
- In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
- The LORD preserved David everywhere he went. His heart was uncorrupted by the world. He was unmoved by the fears that other men have. He faced his enemies in a way that others couldn’t. He was armed with the promises of God.
- Salvation as a helmet the preserves the mind and the thoughts of the believer
- Hope of salvation is a helmet that guards against overwhelming sorrow.
- Hope of salvation is a helmet that guards against this world becoming too attractive.
- Hope of salvation is a helmet that gives clarity to your purpose and guards against double mindedness. Salvation is a helmet that dissolves doubts.
- Hope of salvation is a helmet that alleviates certain fears.
Store it for future use
- Preserving things is done because this thing has a future. You might say that preservation is how the future is secured.
- You take some fruit and can it because you intend to use it in the future.
- The LORD preserved David because he has a future.
- Maybe you’re not secured with eternal life. It begins with cleaning. You need to accept God’s view of your life according to his words. Jesus Christ paid for your sins and offered you eternal life freely. You’d rather choose your sin than a future? You want to give up your soul for the temporary pleasures of this life? No, you don’t. You’ve been deceived. Trust God and quit deceiving yourself.
- Like David, if you’ve been cleaned by the word of God. If you’ve been justified by the blood of Jesus Christ. If you’ve been sealed with the holy Spirit of promise, and you have eternal life, it’s because you have a future. The LORD Jesus Christ has sanctified you for the future.
