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    Here’s another word from George Washington in a letter he wrote to the governors while he was President of the United States.

“I now make it my earnest prayer, that God would have you, and the State over which you preside, in his holy protection; that he would incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to Government; to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow citizens of the United States at large; and, particularly, for their brethren who have served in the Geld [tribute/tax]; and finally, that he would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacifick [peaceful] temper of the mind, which were the characteristicks of the divine Author of our blessed religion ; without an humble imitation of whose example, in these things, we can never hope to be a happy Nation. [Circular Letter to the Governours of the several States (18 June 1783).]

You need the protection of the LORD Himself whether in a time of peace; but especially in a time of war.

Now look with me at verse nine (of II Samuel 8). (9) When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer, (10) Then Toi sent Joram his son unto king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. And Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass: (11) Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued;…”

First, God prospered David when he went to war.

Second, David dedicated his successes to the LORD. Look closely at verse eleven. (11) …”Which also king David did dedicate unto the LORD, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued;…”

Do you see David’s reliance upon the LORD here? The Bible says David took the spoils of war, in particular the silver and the gold, and dedicated it to the LORD. He put the bags of silver and gold into the treasury of the LORD.

Some men go to war to win glory for themselves. But there are others who go to war to fill their own coffers full of the spoils they collect in war. As you can easily see from these passages, King David did just the opposite. He knew his victories came by the blessing and protection of the LORD. And he knew that the spoils of war belonged to the LORD.
Of all the matters that pertain to war, though, this third one may be the most important.

All you have, all you gain, all that God blesses you with in this world is provided that you will learn to honor the LORD. He doesn’t bless you, protect, and prosper you so that you can simply live in the lap of luxury. He blesses so that you will dedicate more and more of yourself and your possessions to the LORD. You see, God gives not so that you will take; but in order that you might then honor Him with His gifts to you. One of the doxologies Christian Churches still to this day sing is this one.
We give Thee but Thine own,
Whate’er the gift may be.
All that we have is Thine alone--
A trust, O Lord, from Thee.
Doxology by William W. how]

The song reminds us that God is the Creator of everything and it all belongs to Him. So, when your life is in any way increased, it is best to do what King David did when he received the spoils of war. He dedicated the best to the LORD. And why? One simple reason – because our giving back to Him shows our gratefulness.
It’s true. War is never a pleasant topic. Yet, when you see it in the Word of God, you can operate inside the realm of truth even in this matter of war.
By way of application then,

1. See God as the One Who prospers and protects you whether in a time of war or a time of peace.
2. David dedicate all your successes to the LORD.

Here’s the Submission Prayer. It’s ours to pray and to believe and live.

“LORD, I submit all I am to you, my spirit, my soul, and my body. Do with me what is most pleasing to you. Work out Your will upon me today.” Amen  

So what will you do this week with these Scriptures? Will you see the LORD for Who He truly is and then dedicate yourself and all you have to Him? 

                                                                                    THE END