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

God's Power for Our Battles — Thursday, September 17, 2026

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.
— 2 Samuel 11:1-2 NLT

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

Spurgeon PM Devo for Jan. 17th
Devo: Morning & Evening
"At that hour David saw Bathsheba. We are never out of the reach of temptation. Both at home and abroad we are liable to meet with allurements to evil;..."

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 Thursday, September 17, 2026

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Prayer and Good Deeds' (1 Ti. 2:8-14)
"Dear Father, Let the men of your church pray constantly to you, lifting holy hands without quarreling. May your women adorn themselves modestly and....."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Your Awe-Inspiring Deeds!' (Ps. 145:5-7)
"I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles. Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim..."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'We Must Not Make Things Difficult!'
"Everyone [at the Jerusalem meeting about whether Gentile Christians had to follow Jewish customs] listened quietly as Barnabas and Paul told about..."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Matthew 6:19-21
""Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in...."

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.

More Spiritual Warfare