With a Subtitle: When spiritual progress feels close, Christ gives strength to remain loyal and finish well.
A brief Excerpt: 2 Samuel 20:2 shows how quickly hearts can drift when one rebel voice is followed. This devotional reminds believers not to settle for almost-victory, but to lean on Jesus fully and walk in steadfast loyalty.
Scripture
Our verse for today comes from 2 Samuel 20:2, “So every man of Israel deserted David and followed Sheba the son of Bichri. But the men of Judah, from the Jordan as far as Jerusalem, remained loyal to their king.”
Background
“Almost.” If any word could describe this time of year, I believe that would be as accurate as any. It’s almost shorts weather, with the occasional day near 80 degrees. But there are still to come some cold, rainy days and overnight temperatures in the 30s. Spring has just arrived. In the ongoing NCAA tournament, many college basketball teams almost lost, and just as many almost won. On a record-setting day of NCAA tournament action, five games were decided by one point, another by two points, and two others by three. In total, half of those games could have ended differently if but one more shot had gone in or bounced out. Eight teams almost had their dream ended, and eight others did. As King David was about to return to Jerusalem and carry on his reign over Israel and Judah, a rebel spoke up and announced that he and the people of Israel had no share in the dominion of David. Almost restored to his throne with all the people of God behind him, David watched as every man of Israel deserted him. David had endured Absalom’s betrayal, mourned his untimely death, and was prepared to restore normalcy and order to the land which had endured chaos and sedition. And it almost happened, if not for one rebel.
Application
How could that have happened, we might wonder? A nobody named Sheba speaks out, and the ten tribes just turn their backs on the anointed king. But how do we go along as we do when, seemingly out of nowhere, something grabs us and leads us down the wrong path? Are we almost where we should be when our old self shows back up and trips us again? Is it about “almost,” “very nearly,” and “practically” that sets us up to fall? In truth, nothing. Why do we just seem to notice or bemoan it more when it’s a close call? But you don’t have to almost have victory. Lean on Jesus all the way and turn almost to always.
Charge
As we seek Him, let God’s presence and strength take you all the way to where He wants you.
Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words
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