Understanding the Sabbath
Today’s Focus: Characteristics of Rest for the Soul Part 1: Ruling in the Midst of Enemies
Scripture: 2 Samuel 8:1-15; Revelation 3:21
Greetings Kingdom Citizens
The first characteristics of coming to this rest in the soul is when we are able to rule in the midst of our enemies and negative emotions. This is a huge struggle and even for me it is still a baptism of fire experience. But if we are to find rest, we must overcome these situations . Let’s take a unique look at David because His situation frames this perfectly and this is exactly why you cannot throw the Old testament out because even though there are many types and shadows in there, many of us need those types and shadows to bring us to the realities of the New Testament. We struggle to understand that everything that happened in the New Testament had history and precedent in the Old Testament. So let’s look at King David in 2 Samuel 8. Before David reigned over all of Israel he had to go through some battles and subdue some nations. David was a warrior King but these nations that he subdued have meanings and designations for things we must overcome in order to discover this rest for our souls. Let’s look at each of the nations that were slain and their metaphoric meaning. We will start at 2 Samuel 8:1-15
Philistines: Wallowing of the flesh
Moabites: Independence
Hadadezar: Noisy helper, Strife, Contention
Syrians: Lofty ones, Pride
Toi: Wandering, Instability
Amalek: Dwelling in the valley; Depression
Edom: Red, Offensive
After David subdues all of these nations or metaphoric situations 2 Samuel 8:15 says this:
2 Samuel 8:15: And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people.
Revelation 3:21: To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His Throne.
So there must be an overcoming reality over all these situations that we will go through in order for our souls to rest.
For the sake of time we will continue looking at two more of these characteristics of the soul at rest in the next message.
Peace, Love and Grace from the Father,
Calvin Calhoun, Jr.
