David: The Tragedy of Success

I Chronicles 21.1-19

•dependence

•independence

Success can breed independence and pride.

Failure can breed dependence and humility.

Context

• God’s promise of success to David

• God’s forgiveness when he had fallen

• David’s numerous victories in battle

Success can breed independence and pride.

Success

• builds self-confidence.

• can close our ears to wise counsel.*

• can give a false sense of ownership.

• can cause others to suffer.

Joab’s Wise Counsel

• His troops

• His ability to multiply them

• He has made them subject to you.

• no legitimate reason for doing so

Failure can breed dependence and humility.

David’s • sensitivity to his sin -

no need to be confronted- no attempt to cover-up

• sincere repentance• intercession for those he had hurt• obedience to the Lord’s instruction

Living A Life of Dependence

I can do all things through Christ

who strengthens me. Phil. 4.13

My grace is sufficient for you,

for my power is made perfect in weakness.

II Cor. 12.9

The Triumph of Success comes by…

• never owning anything.

• leaning not on your own understanding.

• never under valuing wise counsel.

• being sensitive to the needs of others.

• giving glory to Whom it belongs.