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.

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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.

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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.