2 Samuel 22:21-30 (CLICK HERE FOR BIBLE VERSES)
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is 2 Samuel 22:21-30. As usual, I encourage you to open your Bible and read the passage yourself first. See what you can glean with the Holy Spirit’s help. Then read the GAME sharing below. Let’s go!
2 Samuel 22:21-28 (NIV)
21 “The LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me.
22 For I have kept the ways of the LORD; I have not done evil by turning from my God.
23 All his laws are before me; I have not turned away from his decrees.
24 I have been blameless before him and have kept myself from sin.
25 The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in his sight.
26 “To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless,
27 to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd.
28 You save the humble, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low.
On verses 21-28: How could David, a guy who committed murder, adultery, was a habitual liar for seasons of his life, and a far from perfect husband and father, say what he says in verses 21-28 — things like…
…”I have kept the ways of the Lord; I am not guilty of turning from my God” (v22)
…”I have not turned away from his decrees” (v23),
…”I have been blameless before him and have myself from sin” (v24) and
…”The Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in his sight.” (v25)
Is David delusional? I don’t think so.
One way to look at these verses is to see them as God’s revelation to David about the kind of righteousness we are given when we trust in the Lord. David was very much aware of his many sins (read Psalm 51 for instance). Yet David clued into the truth that he is 100% clean in God’s sight because God has forgiven him and sees him as righteous. It’s not because David earned that righteousness, but because God mercifully gave David His own righteousness to cover his sins. Likewise, when we place our faith in Jesus, God sees us as blameless in His sight and credits Jesus’ righteousness to our account.
Another way to look at these verses is this: if, as I have suggested before, this song is i a prophecy about the perfect Messiah who would one day be born into David’s line, then these verses make perfect sense when talking about that perfect, blameless Messiah.
2 Samuel 22:29 (NIV)
29 You are my lamp, O LORD; the LORD turns my darkness into light.
On verse 29: In verses 1 through 7 we learn that the Lord is our rock. In verses 8 through 20 we learn that He is our rescuer. In 21 to 28 we learn that He is our righteousness. And in verse 29, we learn that He is our light.
When our days seem cold and dark, God is our light that warms and comforts us. When we’re lost and confused, His Word gives light to show us the way. If you’re in a dark place today, look to the Lord for light. He’s waiting to comfort you and show you the way.
2 Samuel 22:30 (NIV)
30 With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.
On verse 30: In the face of difficult circumstances, David would say over and over again, “I can”. It’s because he knew that God was with him and would help him.
How about you? When you face a new challenge, do you say, “I can” or “I can’t”? Because God is with you, you can face any challenge with a can do attitude. Like David you can say “With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall.” Like Paul you can say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Arm yourself with an “I can” attitude today, for God is with you.
Father, thank You for sending Jesus Christ to be my righteousness. Thank You that by faith in Jesus Christ, I am blameless, righteous, holy and pleasing in Your sight. Now You see me as if I never sinned against You! And as a result, You bless me with so many blessings, including Your light-shedding, strength-giving presence, by which I can do all things. Thank You! In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
opyright © 2022 Justin Lim. All rights reserved.