Periodically through David’s life as recorded in Scripture the Holy Spirit gives us a “progress report” on the Son of Jesse’s spiritual growth.

One such occasion is found in 2 Samuel 5:10. “And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him.”

Actually, I think we’ve just been informed of the “key” to David’s advancement!

See if you can “spot” it. “And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him.”

That last Clause, surely … “and the Lord God of Hosts was with him!”

The little preposition “with” is important here. It indicates “fellowship” and “companionship,” says one lexicon!

Yes, God was “with” David as he wrote those dozens of Psalms!

As he fought battle after battle, beginning with the Goliath encounter, God was with him!

David so treasured that “closeness” that he begged the Lord (after he had sinned with Bethsheba) … “take not thy holy spirit from me.” Psalm 51:11, he longed for that nearness!

Samson, a totally different story, did not so treasure the Lord’s Intimacy in his life! For example … “And Samson awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out (against the enemy) as at other times, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him.” (Judges 16:20) 

The Lord was NOT with him!

And what about King Saul, especially near the end of his reign, his life? “And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.” 1 Samuel 28:6, the Lord was not with him!

But David had this testimony with the Lord God! “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.” Acts 13:22

Yes, the Lord was with him!

May He be with us too!

May we cultivate sand cherish that “fellowship, that “communion!”

Then we too will grow spiritually!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

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