Hi friends, this is a brief bible study to encourage us as we take the territories that God has promised us.
Read 2 Samuel 5:6-10
SUMMARY:
• Jebusi was the last city for David to conquer after he became king
• It was a high place (Mount Moriah) that God revealed would be the place for His temple, but the Jebusites mounted the greatest resistance to David's influence, mocking the Israelites.
• Jebusi was to David as Canaan was to Abraham, the promised land.
• David set his eyes on Jebusi from the day he defeated Goliath, but many years passed before he eventually became king and conquered it.
• David used a unique strategy, going via an underground tunnel and water-shaft to surprise the Jebusites and conquer the city (2 Sam 5:6-10).
• Once David took Jebusi, He changed its name to the city of David (Jerusalem), and it became the religious and political center of Israel.
What lessons can we learn about taking territories from this story of Jebusi:
1. God's promise:
Has God promised? Then it is so. Despite formidable enemies in the city, Jebusi was a place of destiny and promise. David had this territory in mind, only because He knew that what God promises, He fulfills. Even though it was a high place with much resistance, David saw a vision of what it would be through God's revelation and perspective. God had righteous and glorious plans for it. Like David, let us lift our eyes to see God's vision. God has righteous plans for our lives, our unsaved family, workmates, church, community, and nation. Set your eyes, your prayers, and your heart on what God has promised, then pray. God hears us as we partner with Him in prayer, and there is nothing too hard for Him.
2. God's timing:
Habakkuk 2:3 "For the vision is yet for the appointed [future] time. It hurries toward the goal [of fulfillment]; it will not fail. Therefore, even though it delays, wait [patiently] for it, Because it will certainly come; it will not delay.
David did not take Jebusi immediately, but that didn't mean it would not be conquered. He needed to wait and seek God's plan to take Jebusi as the enemies in that city were very strong. David was accustomed to waiting as he waited 30 years for God's promise of his kingship to be fulfilled. Though Jebusi was the last territory to fall, it was defeated in God's time. So, we also must wait on God's time of favor for the fulfillment of our promises. We cannot force the natural manifestation of spiritual breakthroughs. To do this would lead to chaos. God has a plan, a process, an order, and a time for every spiritual and natural event under heaven. His ways are perfect, and we must submit to Him and wait for the time of His favor. On that day, the resources will be there, the strategy will be there, the maturity will be there, the support will be there, the answer will come, and the promise will be fulfilled. Hallelujah!
3. God's Strategy:
2 Sam 5:8
Then David said on that day, "Whoever strikes the Jebusites, let him go up through the [underground] water shaft to strike the lame and the blind, who are detested by David's soul [because of their arrogance]." So [for that reason] they say, "The blind or the lame (Jebusites) shall not come into the [royal] house [of Israel]."
On the day that David took Jebusi, he used a unique strategy. He went up through the underground water shaft rather than breaking down Jebusi's impenetrable walls. This strategy came through God's wisdom and revelation. I recall a dream where I was fighting an enemy, but instead of using a weapon, I was a lab technician, using my hands and fingers to perform specialized experiments. When I woke, Ps 144:1 came to mind "Blessed be the Lord, my Rock and my great strength, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle." I sensed the Lord revealing that He would give a specialized spiritual strategy for battles and the breaking of demonic strongholds. So, let's not assume that God will always use the same strategy or process every time, but let's seek Him the new ways He may want us to take territories. For Jericho, the fortified walls fell after Israel marched for 7 days and shouted, but conquering Jebusi was different. God sees and knows all things. We must not be wise in our own eyes, but in humility, seek His way.
4. Godly identity
When David conquered Jebusi and became king, it was transformed, and the name was changed from Jebusi to Jerusalem. Instead of a high place (Mount Moriah), where idol worship took place, it became the center of political and spiritual activity for Israel and a high position of worship unto the one true God. So too, when Jesus takes over a territory, it becomes His, transformed by His grace, under new authority, destiny, direction, and kingship. Recently, we were speaking with the Pastor of the church we attend in Kuala Lumpur. He said that the space used for worship once was a nightclub. People were continually being arrested for using and selling drugs, and many sinful acts took place in that space. However, when God moved in, he gave it a new name. It is now a place of salvation, profound worship, praise, and great works of righteousness. This is what happens when Jesus takes over! Hearts, lives, families, communities, and nations are transformed into their unique God-given identity. The transformation will come because God has a transformation plan.
I hope these lessons from Jebusi will encourage you as you pray over the territories God has promised. Whatever resistance you face, continue to claim your territories for Jesus. Prophesy and speak the decrees and promises of the Lord, continually asking for His strength not to grow weary while waiting. Though the vision tarries, wait for it, it will be fulfilled in the time of God's favor.
Isaiah 40:31
"But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint."
Isaiah 40:31 NKJV
I can go through this message again and again! It's my message in my season! It will always be in season because it touches the reality of what we face everyday and encourages us to fulfill all righteousness and be patient upon the Lord! May the Lord continue to refill and refresh your cup! Shalom servant of God!