Spiritual Warfare: 'Success and Power Can Lead to Bad Choices'

God's Power for Our Battles — Wednesday, September 17, 2025

In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites. They destroyed the Ammonite army and laid siege to the city of Rabbah. However, David stayed behind in Jerusalem. Late one afternoon, after his midday rest, David got out of bed and was walking on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath.

Today's Prayer

Lord, after David became King and had great success, that success apparently led him to make bad choices-like staying home and sleeping late when he should have been out leading the Israelite army. Please don’t let my success go to my head and cause me to make bad choices. Help me to stay humble and focused and dependent on Your grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

1 Related Resource by Heartlight

Illustration

Illustration of 2 Samuel 11:1-2 NLT — In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites. They destroyed the Ammonite army and laid siege to the city of Rabbah. However, David stayed behind in Jerusalem. Late one afternoon, after his midday rest, David got out of bed and was walking on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, September 17, 2025

A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
"Better to love God and die unknown than to love the world and be a hero; better to be content with poverty than to die a slave to wealth; better to have taken....."
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
"As you come to him, the living Stone — rejected by human beings but chosen by God and precious to him — you also, like living stones, are being..."
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
"Blessed is he who has regard for the weak; the Lord delivers him in times of trouble."
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
"[After hearing of the plan to kill Paul,] the commander called two of his officers and ordered, "Get 200 soldiers ready to leave for Caesarea at nine..."

About This Devotional

Spiritual Warfare is a daily devotional about God's power for our battles.

The Prayer for Spiritual Warfare is written by Steve Hemphill.