The covenant God made with David contains a mixture of what could be called “near” and “far,” or “short-term” and “long-term,” prophecies. Some of the promises God made to David would be experienced by his son, Solomon, but other promises spoke of the greater descendant who was to come, Jesus.

We see this duality especially in verse 11 where God promises rest. This promise must be read in light of verse 1 where we are told that David had rest from his enemies. What then did God have in mind in verse 11? How would He give David, who had rest, rest? While God could have been speaking of continued rest from the pagan nations around them, it seems better to see a deeper promise in mind here. And of course, that promise means the rest provided through the life, death and Resurrection of Jesus – the rest that comes from trusting in His victory over our greatest enemies of sin and death.

Jesus would be the Prince of Peace, bringing peace in three ways: peace with God, peace with others, and peace within.

Do you tend to see yourself at rest with God or still in struggle? Why?