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 devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
"Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned."
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
"How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver!"
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
"Dear Father, Eternal God, Enable us to hold fast to our confession of Jesus as our great High Priest. We adore him, for even though he passed through..."
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
"Dear Disciple, Nearly every one of My leaders through the ages has been stuck between a rock and a hard place. I'm talking about being in a situation..."

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.