Aug 31, 2010
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Aug 12, 2010
August 12 - 2 Samuel 11
The story of David and Bathsheba...
We all know how this one ends but where and how did it start...
V. 1. spring is a time for kings to go out to battle but what was King David doing? He wasn't doing anything. One day he was just walking around and eventually something caught his eye....a woman. He sinned.
King David did not do what he was supposed to do and eventually he ended up doing something else...committing adultery which eventually will lead to murder and lying (fabrication of stories to cover up the lie).
In stark contrast - Uriah the Hittite is much the opposite. Even when he was brought back from battle he refused to go home because he knew his fellow soldiers are out fighting and this is not a time for resting but fighting. And, Uriah did have a beautiful wife. I'm sure he would've wanted to see her.
There is a season for everything.
During the season for fighting and staying alert, David did whatever he felt like doing. Uriah knew what to do during that season. It wasn't a time to enjoy your wife. It was a time for fighting and he remained true to that.
This is not a season to just lay low and chill. It is a time to be alert especially this is the time the devil seeks to devour and destroy...at a time when we just want to sit, relax and enjoy the summer.
What can we do to be more alert?
How can we live so that we do not fall into the same traps that David did?
We all know how this one ends but where and how did it start...
V. 1. spring is a time for kings to go out to battle but what was King David doing? He wasn't doing anything. One day he was just walking around and eventually something caught his eye....a woman. He sinned.
King David did not do what he was supposed to do and eventually he ended up doing something else...committing adultery which eventually will lead to murder and lying (fabrication of stories to cover up the lie).
In stark contrast - Uriah the Hittite is much the opposite. Even when he was brought back from battle he refused to go home because he knew his fellow soldiers are out fighting and this is not a time for resting but fighting. And, Uriah did have a beautiful wife. I'm sure he would've wanted to see her.
There is a season for everything.
During the season for fighting and staying alert, David did whatever he felt like doing. Uriah knew what to do during that season. It wasn't a time to enjoy your wife. It was a time for fighting and he remained true to that.
This is not a season to just lay low and chill. It is a time to be alert especially this is the time the devil seeks to devour and destroy...at a time when we just want to sit, relax and enjoy the summer.
What can we do to be more alert?
How can we live so that we do not fall into the same traps that David did?
Aug 10, 2010
August 10 - 2 Samuel 9
Mephibosheth was the son of Jonathan and the grandson of Saul. As it is clearly stated, he was lame, unable to walk.
David out of his love for Jonathan and Saul - searches for the remaining descendants of Saul. He treats Mephibosheth as he would Jonathan or Saul... He restores what belonged to the father and grandfather.
This says something about the relationship and privilege of a child. A child is entitled to everything the father has. What does this say about our status as children of God. If God is our Father - then what are we deserving of?
Do we live as children of the Almighty God?
David out of his love for Jonathan and Saul - searches for the remaining descendants of Saul. He treats Mephibosheth as he would Jonathan or Saul... He restores what belonged to the father and grandfather.
This says something about the relationship and privilege of a child. A child is entitled to everything the father has. What does this say about our status as children of God. If God is our Father - then what are we deserving of?
Do we live as children of the Almighty God?
Aug 9, 2010
August 9 - 2 Samuel 8
Verse 13 "And David made a name for himself...And the LORD gave victory to David wherever he went."
How does it feel to live a life where God is truly with you? Is it impossible to live victoriously every single day?
It's not the kind of victory where you win everything - but rather you are victorious over the things that God wants you to be victorious over. With God's help you are able to overcome the obstacles in your life. With God's strength your struggles with sin are slowly diminishing. With God's power you are able to live each day with excitement and purpose.
V-I-C-T-O-R-Y
Live today to taste the victory of the LORD.
May the LORD be with you today and may you be victorious because of HIM.
How does it feel to live a life where God is truly with you? Is it impossible to live victoriously every single day?
It's not the kind of victory where you win everything - but rather you are victorious over the things that God wants you to be victorious over. With God's help you are able to overcome the obstacles in your life. With God's strength your struggles with sin are slowly diminishing. With God's power you are able to live each day with excitement and purpose.
V-I-C-T-O-R-Y
Live today to taste the victory of the LORD.
May the LORD be with you today and may you be victorious because of HIM.
Aug 6, 2010
August 6 - 2 Samuel 6
What's happening? 2 Sam 5 - Jerusalem has been captured and made the new capital of Israel. The nation was divided before and Jerusalem was right there in the middle making it a most obvious choice for the capital.
The next task is getting the ark of the covenant to a safer place in Jerusalem away from enemy hands. And, this task is accompanied by 30,000 of the best soldiers, with songs and celebration.
The Ark of the Covenant. What is it? It is a vessel that contains various items that signify Israel's relationship with God like the Ten Commandments. It represented the very presence of God.
In this chapter we find that when it rested at Obed-edom's house - they were blessed for the three months it was there.
When God's presence is with us - we are blessed.
David and the Israelites treasured this relationship with the LORD. They revered His presence among them. They celebrated His presence. And when the moved the ark of the covenant to a safe place - they were protecting this most valuable relationship.
How do we "value" our relationship? How do we PROTECT our relationship with God?
What are the things that try to break our relationship with God? How can we protect it?
The next task is getting the ark of the covenant to a safer place in Jerusalem away from enemy hands. And, this task is accompanied by 30,000 of the best soldiers, with songs and celebration.
The Ark of the Covenant. What is it? It is a vessel that contains various items that signify Israel's relationship with God like the Ten Commandments. It represented the very presence of God.
In this chapter we find that when it rested at Obed-edom's house - they were blessed for the three months it was there.
When God's presence is with us - we are blessed.
David and the Israelites treasured this relationship with the LORD. They revered His presence among them. They celebrated His presence. And when the moved the ark of the covenant to a safe place - they were protecting this most valuable relationship.
How do we "value" our relationship? How do we PROTECT our relationship with God?
What are the things that try to break our relationship with God? How can we protect it?
Aug 5, 2010
August 5 - 2 Samuel 5
v. 10 "And David became greater and greater, for the LORD, the God of hosts, was with him."
v. 12 "...And David knew that the LORD had established him king over Israel..."
v. 19 "And David inquired of the LORD..."
v. 23 "And David inquired of the LORD..."
Are we seeing something here?
What does it mean to be with God? Or, God with you?
What does it mean to constantly be in prayer at all times?
What does it mean to walk with God?
David gives us some answers to the above questions.
Do we take the time to recognize the ways God has blessed us or the ways He truly is with us?
Do we ask God what we should do before we do it?
Simple ways..
Reflect on your own life. Do I walk with God? Or, do I just walk to Him when I need something?
v. 12 "...And David knew that the LORD had established him king over Israel..."
v. 19 "And David inquired of the LORD..."
v. 23 "And David inquired of the LORD..."
Are we seeing something here?
What does it mean to be with God? Or, God with you?
What does it mean to constantly be in prayer at all times?
What does it mean to walk with God?
David gives us some answers to the above questions.
Do we take the time to recognize the ways God has blessed us or the ways He truly is with us?
Do we ask God what we should do before we do it?
Simple ways..
Reflect on your own life. Do I walk with God? Or, do I just walk to Him when I need something?
Aug 4, 2010
August 4 - 2 Samuel 4
You're reminded of the account in the first chapter of 2 Samuel when you read this chapter. And, David's response is the same.
But, remember that just because David did it doesn't mean he did the right thing. We know that David was not allowed to build the temple of God because he shed so much blood in all his killing. Yes, David was wise in his response to these murderers who cowardly killed a righteous man in his own home -- but, his response did not have to be to shed more blood.
How could he have responded to these men - in a different way?
But, remember that just because David did it doesn't mean he did the right thing. We know that David was not allowed to build the temple of God because he shed so much blood in all his killing. Yes, David was wise in his response to these murderers who cowardly killed a righteous man in his own home -- but, his response did not have to be to shed more blood.
How could he have responded to these men - in a different way?
Aug 3, 2010
August 3 - 2 Samuel 3
2 Sam 3:36 "...as everything that the king did pleased all the people."
David was not a people-pleaser but what he did pleased the people. Joab acted out of revenge and murdered Abner. When David interacted with Abner (a former foe) he was able to send Abner away in peace. He did not hold anything against him and far be it from him to act in judgment towards him.
David acted not to please himself but to please God. And it pleased God to forgive others and to accept them.
Simply, when you live to please God naturally people will be pleased with you as well.
If you pleased God in all your schoolwork, housework, relationship with family -- then your family, including your parents, will be pleased with you.
Please the Lord first - then the rest will follow.
"Seek first His kingdom..." Matt 6:33
David was not a people-pleaser but what he did pleased the people. Joab acted out of revenge and murdered Abner. When David interacted with Abner (a former foe) he was able to send Abner away in peace. He did not hold anything against him and far be it from him to act in judgment towards him.
David acted not to please himself but to please God. And it pleased God to forgive others and to accept them.
Simply, when you live to please God naturally people will be pleased with you as well.
If you pleased God in all your schoolwork, housework, relationship with family -- then your family, including your parents, will be pleased with you.
Please the Lord first - then the rest will follow.
"Seek first His kingdom..." Matt 6:33
Aug 2, 2010
August 2 - 2 Samuel 2
The throne is now empty - a new king must be enthroned. Saul's descendants are hard at work to seize the throne and so is David.
David has been waiting in a secret, safe place (Ziklag) and now makes a strategic move.
Do we seek after the things of God as David did?
What is God setting before you in your life? How will you pursue the things of the kingdom of Heaven that God has purposed for you?
David has been waiting in a secret, safe place (Ziklag) and now makes a strategic move.
Do we seek after the things of God as David did?
What is God setting before you in your life? How will you pursue the things of the kingdom of Heaven that God has purposed for you?
Aug 1, 2010
August 1 - 2 Samuel 1
When we read 1 and 2 Samuel, we must read it as one book as it was originally just one book - books, chapters and verses added much later.
If you read 1 Samuel 31 quickly, you find that the account of Saul's death in 1 Sam 31 is different from the one in 2 Samuel 1. Most likely this is because the 1 Sam 31 is the true account and the 2 Samuel 1 is a story made up by this Amalekite in order to gain David's favor... instead of favor, this man gets punished for claiming to have killed one of the Lord's anointed.
We would all be surprised at David's response. Saul tried to kill David. David had opportunities to kill the man who was making his life a living hell.. and he did not take them but spared Saul's life. What is going on in David's head? How does he see Saul? What does he see in Saul?
David understands what it means to honor the Lord's anointed. Just because you're anointed doesn't mean you won't make mistakes. Moses was anointed. He murdered someone. Abraham was anointed. He was a cowardly liar. David was anointed. He murdered and committed adultery. Saul was anointed. His inner struggles eventually became his downfall.
And this is how David honors Saul. He mourns for Saul. He calls him beloved and lovely. He remembers the days of his great reign.
Why? Is David one to exalt himself over Saul? Nope. Not really.
Nor are we called to exalt ourselves over others in judgment.
No. We are called to honor.
If you read 1 Samuel 31 quickly, you find that the account of Saul's death in 1 Sam 31 is different from the one in 2 Samuel 1. Most likely this is because the 1 Sam 31 is the true account and the 2 Samuel 1 is a story made up by this Amalekite in order to gain David's favor... instead of favor, this man gets punished for claiming to have killed one of the Lord's anointed.
We would all be surprised at David's response. Saul tried to kill David. David had opportunities to kill the man who was making his life a living hell.. and he did not take them but spared Saul's life. What is going on in David's head? How does he see Saul? What does he see in Saul?
David understands what it means to honor the Lord's anointed. Just because you're anointed doesn't mean you won't make mistakes. Moses was anointed. He murdered someone. Abraham was anointed. He was a cowardly liar. David was anointed. He murdered and committed adultery. Saul was anointed. His inner struggles eventually became his downfall.
And this is how David honors Saul. He mourns for Saul. He calls him beloved and lovely. He remembers the days of his great reign.
Why? Is David one to exalt himself over Saul? Nope. Not really.
Nor are we called to exalt ourselves over others in judgment.
No. We are called to honor.
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