The Warrior's Honor: Being Where God Wants You to Be

Have you ever wondered what might happen if you simply weren't where you were supposed to be? One small decision about your location can trigger a devastating chain of events. Or conversely, being exactly where you should be—even when it's difficult—can lead to eternal honor. The contrasting stories of King David and Uriah the Hittite provide us with a powerful lesson about this very principle.

When Kings Should Go to War

In 2 Samuel 11, we find a story that's typically focused on David and Bathsheba's adultery. But there's another perspective worth exploring—especially on Veterans Day—about one of the greatest warriors who ever served. "It came to pass after the year was expired, at the time when Kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him and all Israel, and they destroyed the children of Ammonia. They besieged, Rabbi, but David tarried still at Jerusalem" (2 Samuel 11:1). David wasn't where he was supposed to be. It was the time when Kings go to war, but he stayed behind. What we discover is that it would have been safer for David to be in the midst of physical battle than to be where he was, facing spiritual temptation alone. When we aren't where we're supposed to be, it makes us more susceptible to the enemy's tactics.

A Trusted Warrior

In contrast to David, we meet Uriah the Hittite—a man of remarkable character. He wasn't just any soldier. Scripture tells us that Uriah was one of David's "mighty men," the best of the best. These were the trusted warriors who had proven themselves in battle, who had been with David when he was hiding from Saul, who helped him conquer kingdoms and expand Israel. Think about this: it speaks to the power of the enemy that a warrior like David would even consider killing a trusted warrior brother to cover his own failure. But that's precisely what happens when we're not where we're supposed to be—it opens the door for the enemy to have power over us, to make us do things we would never dream possible.

Where You're Supposed to Be

The contrast between David and Uriah becomes even more stark when David tries to send Uriah home: "And David said to Uriah, go down to thy house and wash thy feet. And Uriah departed out of the king's house and there followed him a mess of meat from the king. But Uriah slept at the door of the king's house with all his servants of the Lord and went not down to his house" (2 Samuel 11:8-9). When questioned about this, Uriah's response reveals his character: "The Ark and Israel and Judah abide in tents. And my Lord Joab and servants of my Lord are encamped in the open fields. Shall I then go down into mine house and eat and drink and lie with my wife? As thou livest, and as thy soul liveth, I will not do this thing" (2 Samuel 11:11). Do you see the contrast? David, controlled by the enemy because he wasn't where he was supposed to be, was only concerned with covering his tracks. Uriah, on the other hand, controlled by God and exactly where he was supposed to be, couldn't possibly think of being anywhere else while his brothers were on the battlefield.

A Converted Believer

The Scripture repeatedly mentions that Uriah was a Hittite—a significant detail. The Hittites were a pagan people that the Israelites conquered when they entered the promised land. Yet when Uriah mentions "the Ark," it tells us something profound about him. He wasn't just following cultural norms or going through religious motions. Uriah was a converted believer who cared deeply about God's presence (represented by the Ark) being on the battlefield.

The Ultimate Sacrifice

David's sin led him to the unthinkable—sending Uriah to his death: "And it came to pass in the morning that David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it by the hand of Uriah. And he wrote in the letter saying, set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle and retire ye from him that he may be smitten and die" (2 Samuel 11:14-15). Joab and Uriah had seen God do miraculous things when they followed David's direction. They believed David was being led by God, even when his commands didn't make military sense. So when Uriah received his battle assignment, though he likely knew it was dangerous, he trusted that God was working through David. Uriah gave his life that day—not for the corrupted King David, but for the King of Glory whom he truly served.

Eternal Honor

I told you that God honored Uriah in an incredible way. Turn to Matthew 1, where we find the genealogy of Jesus Christ. From verses 1 through 16, the lineage is recorded from Abraham down to Joseph, with one notable exception: "And Jesse Begot David the king, and David the king beget Solomon of that had been the wife of Uriah" (Matthew 1:6). Uriah was the only non-blood relative listed in the genealogy of our Savior. For eternity, his name appears in the lineage of Christ! I will take that honor over the Congressional Medal of Honor any day. What an amazing thing that the Lord chose to put this valiant warrior in His genealogy for all time. And notice something else—this eternal honor for Uriah also Marked David's sin for eternity. Because Uriah was where he was supposed to be, he's honored forever. Because David wasn't where he was supposed to be, his failure is recorded forever.

Life Application: Being Where You Should Be

It's important for yourself, for the mission, and for those you lead that you're where you're supposed to be. This allows you to receive God's direction and prevents the enemy from influencing your life. Why has God given us the church? To prepare us, support us, and direct us so that when we go out into the battlefield of life, we're able to serve Him properly and lead those around us. The church is where we get our support, our knowledge, and our ability to serve God effectively. The enemy that David faced alone when he wasn't where he was supposed to be can do so much more damage than any physical enemy we've ever faced. This spiritual enemy was powerful enough to pull a third of heaven's angels away from God! He's more powerful than you or I, which is why we must be where we're supposed to be to receive the help we need.

Next Steps: Becoming God's Mighty Warriors

I encourage you to be one of God's mighty warriors like Uriah:

1. Be where you're supposed to be—in church, in God's Word, in prayer
2. Get in the fight against spiritual enemies rather than becoming a prisoner in this war
3. Depend on God and give Him your problems
4. Follow His "standard operating procedure" for life found in Scripture

If David had been in the fight with the men God gave him, he wouldn't have been susceptible to the enemy. And if you're in the fight with the people God has placed around you, you'll be less susceptible to temptation as well. The problems we face in life can only be solved by the One who created life. This is where we learn His "standard operating procedure." If we're not reading and following that procedure, we should expect problems. Be a Uriah. Be where you're supposed to be. Get in the fight. Be dedicated to defeating the enemy. Your eternal honor depends on it.