1. God is faithful

2. Community is necessary

Three Themes of Samuel:

1. God opposes the proud and exalts the humble

2. Despite human evil, God is at work

3. God will raise up a Messianic King

-God, our REFUGE in distress

-God, our RESCUER from distress

-God alone is WORTHY of our trust & praise

A SUMMARY OF THE 2 SAMUEL EPILOGUE (21-24):

-Don’t idolize or romanticize this king. 

OUR COMMON GROUND WITH KING DAVID:

-Like David, we are often slow in recognizing and responding to injustice experienced by others. 

-Like David, we are limited in making things right after a wrong has been done.

-By contrast, we are challenged by the courage and persistence of Rizpah.

-Like David, our physical strength will fail.

REMEMBER, JESUS IS THE BETTER KING!

-He hears our cries when deprived of justice 

-He awakens us to care about the plight of others

-He gives us courage to stand for what is right and true

-He invites us to ask for wisdom when leading others

-He is strong to deliver us when we are weak

-And, as perfect justice AND mercy, Jesus is our Comfort and Hope

Hope in God’s promise of a completely reconstructed future

-Jesus will conquer evil (Rev. 17-20)

-Jesus will renew the world (Rev. 21-22)

Walking down the road of reconstruction today

-The road is long & bumpy (but good)

-God is with us on the road

-The road is paved with mercy

-God opposes the proud & exalts the humble

-Despite human evil, God is at work

-God will raise up a messianic King