2 Samuel 15:14
"And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword."
David faced many battles in his lifetime.
One of the reasons he wasn't allowed to build the temple of God was because of the blood that was shed throughout his battles. Yet, the greatest battle he faced came in the latter years of his life. Yes, this battle with Absalom happened because of his sin with Bathsheba, but it was still unpleasant and notably the greatest battle he faced.
In the battle with Absalom, David had many things revealed to him that he would have never found out without it. Just like David, nobody enjoys battles, but they are a good revelation about many things. Every time I have gone through a battle, I have learned some things about myself, and I have learned some things about others. Let me show you four things that battles will reveal.
First, battles will reveal the rebels who follow you. It's amazing that the rebellious heart of Absalom was revealed in the battle. You will always find your enemies in the battle. Battles are opportune times for rebels to join with those who are against you. Yes, some people are innocently caught up on the wrong side of a battle, but most of the time you will find those who are fighting against you had something against you in the first place. One thing for which you can be thankful to God about the battles is that they will reveal those who are truly rebels.
Second, the battle reveals your true friends. David found out his true friends were when he left his throne for the wilderness. Ahithophel, who was supposed to be David's friend, joined the enemy. Ahithophel had been by David's side for years, yet he left him in the biggest battle of his life. On the other hand, Hushai was faithful to David in the battle. David found out who were his true friends because of the battle.
You will always find out your true friends in the battles. In the heat of the battle, and when you are not popular, you will find that those standing beside you are your true friends. They are your true friends because you can't do anything for them. True friends are those who stand with you through thick and thin.
Third, the battle reveals the opportunists. In your rise to success, you will find many will jump on the bandwagon to enjoy the success with you, but as soon as there is a flicker of failure, they will quickly jump off the bandwagon. David found this out with Shimei. Battles are a good time for you to find out who was riding on your coattails. The opportunists will leave you when the battles come.
Fourth, the battle will reveal your walk with God. David's walk with God is what saved his spirit. Read the Book of Psalms and you will find that his walk with God was strong. If you don't have a strong walk with God, the battle will kill you. On the other hand, if your walk with God is strong, you will find that it will be revealed in the battles. Your walk with God will be the thing from whence you get your strength.
Christian, don't lament the battles. Certainly, nobody enjoys them, but they reveal pertinent information to us that will help later in life. When the battles come, simply look at the positives of what you learn from them and you will find that you can thank God for the battles.