2 Samuel 5:10  And he became more and more powerful, because the LORD God Almighty was with him. (NIV)

2 Samuel 7:9  “I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have cut off all your enemies from before you. Now I will make your name great, like the names of the greatest men on earth.” (NIV)

2 Samuel 8:6  He put garrisons in the Aramean kingdom of Damascus, and the Arameans became subject to him and brought tribute. The LORD gave David victory wherever he went. (NIV)

2 Samuel 8:14  He put garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites became subject to David. The LORD gave David victory wherever he went. (NIV)

2 Samuel 8:15  David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people. (NIV)

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The bookends of these passages, spanning chapters eight through ten, tell us that David became increasingly powerful because the LORD was with him, and because he did what was just and right for all his people. 

David, for the most part, lived the kind of life God could bless. Justice and righteousness are among God’s best-known attributes. He always does what is just and right. 

If you want to live an empowered life that empowers you to lead others with integrity, live the kind of life God can bless, and lead with justice and righteousness. 

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I will live a life God can bless, a life shaped by justice and righteousness.

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Our Father, empower me to live the kind of life you can bless. Empower me to lead myself and others with justice and righteousness. Amen.