Man’s weakness, and God’s anointing

“I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me.” 2 Samuel 3:39

Suggested Further Reading: 1 Kings 3:3-9

David had been an adventurer in the cave, so long that he had grown used to it, and you never find him saying when he hid himself in Engedi, “I am this day weak.” No; after the first season of bitterness I believe he came to love Adullam’s dreary shelter; and the bleak mountains were dear to him. Now he has come into a new place, nations are at his feet, men bow before him. It is a new position, and he says “I am this day weak, though anointed king.” Whenever you make a change in life; whenever God calls you to another set of duties, you will surely find out what perhaps you do not now believe—that you are weak, though anointed king. Here, too, David had come into new temptations. The arrows had been shot at him before, from one direction alone, now the storm ceases on one side, and begins on the other. If men knew that the storm would always come to one side of the house they would repair and strengthen it, and then they would not fear the blast; but if suddenly it whirled round and took the other corner, how would they be prepared for that? Take care, Christian men and women, how you change your position; for often it is a change for the worse. The arrows may not fly on the right, but they will meet you on the left, and perhaps that may be your weakest side, and there you will be smitten in the tenderest part. David had now no more the temptations which beset a venturer, but those which cluster thick around the throne; for where there is the honey of royalty, there will surely be the wasps of temptations. High places and God’s praise do seldom agree; a full cup is not easily carried without spilling, and he that stands on a pinnacle needs a clear head and much grace.

For meditation: Change may be what we desired or totally did not want; new circumstances may make us feel humble or proud. Always remember your weakness and God’s strength, which is the answer to the honest “I am” of man (Exodus 4:10-12; Judges 6:14-16; Jeremiah 1:6-8; Romans 7:24,25; 1 Corinthians 15:9,10; 2 Corinthians 12:9,10).

Sermon no. 334
10 September (Preached 9 September 1860)