Bible Talks

DAVID marveled first at the grace of God to himself, then to his household, and now to the whole nation of Israel. This is the proper order, for if we lay hold of this grace for ourselves and our families, we think of the blessing of others too. The spirit of finding fault with others is always the result of not realizing, as we should, that we ourselves are objects of God's free grace. The man who forgot the great debt which had been forgiven him was very hard on his fellow servant who owed him a small amount. (Matt. 18:23-3523Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 29And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 35So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. (Matthew 18:23‑35).) May we, like David, praise the Lord more for His matchless grace to us, who deserved nothing but His wrath and judgment. He delights to hear our feeble expressions of praise.
This praise is followed by a note of confidence, as David laid claim to all that the Lord had spoken. God delights to have us take Him at His word, and to have us tell Him that we are counting upon Him for the future, according to His promises. When we have really judged self in the presence of God it is a grand thing to be done with it, for while in communion we are not occupied with self at all — either good or bad — but with Christ.
We see David here subduing his enemies and extending the borders of Israel all the way to the river Euphrates; we know this is the northeasterly boundary of the land as given to Abraham long before (Genesis 15:18-2118In the same day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: 19The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites, 20And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims, 21And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites. (Genesis 15:18‑21)). They will possess the full extent of the land given them of God in the millennial day, and these battles by which David won it, form a picture of the time when the Lord leads His people to victory then. All those nations which occupy the land from the river of Egypt to the Euphrates will be put in subjection under Israel, as they were here in the time of David. It is instructive to notice that Saul could not subdue these enemies, and Israel to though back in their land, have only: very small part of what God gave to them. They would like to possess it all, but will not be able to do so by their own strength, nor by the help of the western powers, but they will when the antichrist (of whom Saul was a type) has been judged. This will be when the Lord Jesus Christ, the true Son of David, comes out of heaven upon the white horse as King of kings and Lord of lords. How vain are all their at. tempts to bring about peace in the land now, while they remain in unbelief about their true Messiah, whom they crucified!
Not only did David subdue his enemies, but we then see their wealth flowing up to Jerusalem, and this will also be fulfilled in a future day. Psalm 45 speaks of this time: "the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall intreat thy favor." We read about this often throughout the Word of God, as in Isaiah 60:5, 6: "The forces of the Gentiles shall come to thee. . . . they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall show forth the praises of the Lord." How little the world realizes, in its quest for peace and prosperity today, that God has already declared in His Word how it will be brought about. Judgment must first fall upon all those who reject the gospel, and then the despised little nation of Israel will be come the place on earth where the Lord will spread His glorious throne and reign from "sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.” Psalm 72:88He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. (Psalm 72:8). We who are saved now in this present church period, will them reign with Christ over the earth. What a portion is ours!
Messages of the Love of God 1/5/1958