2Sa 3:1 Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.
There was a war raging in Israel, not only with the Philistines but also a civil war between the house of David and the house of Saul. Saul has been dead for 3 chapters now but he still has his sons, his captains, and others who are loyal to his rule. They want to re-establish the dead king's authority on the throne so that they can rule in his place.
We have in this story a striking resemblance to the Christian life. We too are in a war, why else were we told to "put on the whole armor of God?" We fool ourselves if we think that this war is all with outward forces, there is not only a battle raging around us but within us. Our old flesh wants to re-establish the dead king's authority in our lives. The Old man is dead but my flesh is alive and well, addication is still in the seat that the old man gave it, desires still sit on a throne and they must be de-throned if there is going to be any peace. It was 7 years between the death of Saul and the time David was crowned king over all of Israel, and how long has it been since you were buried in baptism and raised to live a new life? Has it been 2 years, 5, 7, maybe even 20? How many of the old man's constituents are still trying to dominate your life? Although the old man is dead, his power can still be felt and there is still a war raging, so be sober, be vigilant and most of all don't stop fighting.
A dead man is going to wax weaker and weaker by his nature. Saul is not there anymore to fuel the fire. His influence on Israel is growing colder and colder. So it is with our old man, the first few years after I was saved the old man thrashed and fought, and terrible was the battle with sins I experienced. It was as if I was wrestling a bear within my own heart and mind. Yet week by week, month by month, year by year I have to say his thrashing has grown weaker and weaker, and the New man has grown stronger and stronger. A living man does just that, he becomes stronger and stronger. We start as babies and grow into children, then to teens, and on to adults. So it is with a living breathing new creation we wax stronger and stronger in the Lord.
This was a slow, grueling process, one that involved a lot of fighting and bloodshed. For 7 years David's house waxed stronger while Saul's waxed weaker. So take heart, it may be a process of years, and cost you many tears, and prayers, but you, as a living child of God, shall wax stronger and stronger. "Being confident of this very thing that he which begun a good work in you shall perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." This is precisely why the word "waxed" is used because it was not an immediate process, but one that took place over a long period. Sanctification is certain, strength is certain, but is not gained in a day but over a lifetime. David was made a king in chapter 16 but he was becoming a king to his dying breath. So it is with us, that we became a king the day he saved us, "You are kings and priests unto our God." Yet we are becoming kings till our dying breath. So take courage one day there will rest from wars without and wars within when the King of kings sits on the throne and all the foes are vanquished finally and ultimately. Until then there will be a long war between the two kingdoms, His kingdom, and the Worlds, a long war between my old man and the new. Thank God, Coronation day is coming!!
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