Humility is the Avenue for Victory - 2 Samuel 5-9

 2 Samuel 8:1-3 (ESV)

David's Victories

After this David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and David took Metheg-ammah out of the hand of the Philistines.

And he defeated Moab and he measured them with a line, making them lie down on the ground. Two lines he measured to be put to death, and one full line to be spared. And the Moabites became servants to David and brought tribute.

David also defeated Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to restore his power at the river Euphrates.

As we read about David’s life we see a story unfolding that gets better with David’s humility.  David experienced significant victory after the humility of chapter seven.   The entire eighth chapter is about David’s victories.  He needed the humility of seven to get the victories in eight.  

That is how God works.   Humility is the avenue to God’s grace and grace is the field and foundation for victory.  Obviously David’s son, Solomon, must have observed this.  Note:

Proverbs 15:33 (ESV)

The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom,

and humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 18:12 (ESV)

Before destruction a man's heart is haughty,

but humility comes before honor.

Proverbs 22:4 (ESV)

The reward for humility and fear of the LORD

is riches and honor and life.

But, humility is also a tool used in the early church age and given to us for the living out our Christianity:

Acts 20:19 (ESV)

serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to me through the plots of the Jews;

Ephesians 4:2 (ESV)

with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

Philippians 2:1 (ESV)

Christ's Example of Humility

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy,

1 Peter 5:5 (ESV)

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Humility is the avenue to victory!