How to Succeed in a New Season
2 Samuel 2:1–11
1st Seek God
You can do more than pray after you pray, but you can’t do more than pray until you pray.
2 Samuel 2:1 (ESV)
After this David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?” And the Lord said to him, “Go up.” David said, “To which shall I go up?” And he said, “To Hebron.”
Specific prayers get specific answers
Psalm 37:23 (NLT)
The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.
2nd Trust God’s Leading
2 Samuel 2:1 (ESV)
After this David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?” And the Lord said to him, “Go up.” David said, “To which shall I go up?” And he said, “To Hebron.”
If all you see in where you are is halfway to where you want to be—you will miss out on what this season is meant to be.
3rd Look for Opportunity to Honor
2 Samuel 2:5–8 (ESV)
David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead and said to them, “May you be blessed by the Lord, because you showed this loyalty to Saul your lord and buried him. Now may the Lord show steadfast love and faithfulness to you. And I will do good to you because you have done this thing. Now therefore let your hands be strong, and be valiant, for Saul your lord is dead, and the house of Judah has anointed me king over them.”
If you honor others, God will honor you.
One of the keys to succeeding in your new season is honoring the people who God placed in your last season.
Romans 12:10b (HCSB)
Outdo one another in showing honor.
4th Remember Your Calling Comes with a Battle
2 Samuel 2:8–11 (ESV)
But Abner the son of Ner, commander of Saul’s army, took Ish-bosheth the son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim, and he made him king over Gilead and the Ashurites and Jezreel and Ephraim and Benjamin and all Israel. Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David. And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.
Everything worthwhile is uphill. ---John Maxwell
2 Samuel 3:1 (ESV)
There was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. And David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul became weaker and weaker.
