March 2022 – Sonshine's Journal

March 31, 2022March 31, 2022

Building God’s Temple

1Kings 5-7 The Building of the Temple

King David had gathered much material, but God told him that he would never build this massive structure because he was a man of war, and in war, blood is shed. Although David was obedient to accomplish this, the shed blood is a reminder of where life begins and ends, and it is a grief to God. And thus, God chose Solomon, whom he loved from his conception onward, to build His house. So for seven long years, Solomon conscripted workers and gathered materials for the construction. In the middle of this undertaking, God came to remind Solomon of His promise: He will always be faithful even if we are not! [2Tim. 2:13]

God has blessed you and me beyond what we can understand. We, you and I, are not to forget that privilege given to us. God has called us to accomplish the building of a temple of people that will honor Him, and we do that by discipleship. Where am I being obedient to that command: go and make disciples and teach them to observe all I have commanded.

Who is in the temple of God that we have touched? He has given us the materials. Are we using them for His glory?

March 30, 2022March 30, 2022

Preparing…

1Kings 1-4 A New King!

Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Daniel wrote that God removes kings and establishes kings. We see that principle as we begin the book of 1Kings and as the reign of King David is drawing to a close. David’s eldest fourth son, Adonijah, took advantage of his father’s ill health to install himself as king. However, according to the Chronicler of Israel, God had selected Solomon even before he was born. [1Chron 22:9-10] David’s delay nearly cost Israel the rightful heir, and it took a crisis for Bathsheba and Nathan to remind David of his promise to elevate Solomon to the throne.

How do you prepare to leave this lowly earth to join the chorus in heaven? Have you considered what you need to do? Some of us delay, and some even perhaps do not realize the enormity of what we should to prepare others for our departure. We don’t know why David delayed this important decision but often a parent’s love blinds us to their child’s sin. He loved his eldest son but not enough to correct his errant ways. And so, by God’s providence, and through the prophet Nathan, David learns of his deception and sets the wheels in motion for Solomon’s coronation.

We can learn much from this scenario. We must be discerning regarding our errant children. Tough love is often better than being a “yes parent.” Because David did not discipline Adonijah, he would have been a disastrous king, and even though David knew it, he lagged in carrying out his promise to Bathsheba.

Do you have a will and last testament? If not, learn from this story what you should do now!

March 29, 2022April 4, 2022

The Last Words of David…

2Sam 22-24 Closing the book of 2Samuel

I always become a bit teary when I come to the end of one book. In 2Samuel I have walked with David through each chapter and have come away knowing that although these are his last words, they are not the “last” words. When my life draws to a close will I stop and write about my life and title it as he did, “my last words?” I wonder what I might include? I haven’t been royalty, but have been chosen by the King of Kings. I haven’t had exploits like King David conquering lands and people groups, but have “conquered” my understanding of who God is to a greater degree. Like David, I have had battles with my adversary, Satan, and have savored the sweet taste of victory and the sourness of defeat. I have walked the road of adversity but am more blessed by each rock I have stumbled over and learned the lessons to guide me another day. It is good to stop and reflect just as David did lest I forget that I am not just writing “my-story” but “His-story” in my life.

Chapter 22 is refreshing. David loves God and writes his song to reflect that. When was the last time you wrote a song of praise to honor the Lord?

Chapter 23 reflects David as he ponders the many men who have served him faithfully. One group stole into a Philistine camp to get a jug of water for David–just because they heard him say he wished he could drink from the well of Bethlehem. One author noted that it isn’t a sacrifice if something doesn’t cost “us” something. When was the last time you sacrificed something for another?

Chapter 24 is confusing and without the Chronicler’s addition of information, [1Chron 21:1 “An adversary opposed Israel, inciting David to count how many warriors Israel.”] we could come to some wrong conclusions! The adversary, of course, is our ever-present enemy himself: Satan. We must be on guard to not fall victim to his ways. God let David count the men so that he might learn that pride is behind many decisions. Where are we listening to the words of the enemy and not God?

And so we close 2Samuel thanking God for revealing to us through the life of David where we fail, and where we triumph.

March 28, 2022March 28, 2022

Friends…

2Sam 19 A True Friend

If God had not left Barzillai in our text we would only see the false friends of Absalom and Joab. But, Barzillai rises to the surface as one who is loyal to the core. He is an example of what a true friend is and what a true friend does. He went beyond the pale, as we say, to provide David with basic needs when everyone else had left him. He was ready to listen, encourage, and exhort. We need friends like him.

One of the traits of a true friend is that they go beyond what is expected. They are loyal to you in the hard and easy times. They console you when you are suffering, without words but in actions just as Job knew: “My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God.” [Job 16:20] They are generous to share their bounty with you because they serve with a generous heart. Proverbs 17:17, “A friend loves at all times (meaning they are always loyal)…” A true friend is forgiving and when you ask forgiveness they should forgive you, even seventy times seven. (Matthew 18:21-22). Barzillai is an example of Prov 18:24 “There are companions who harm one another, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

Friends are one of the greatest gifts we can have. Are we that true friend?

March 27, 2022March 27, 2022

Grief…

2 Sam 16-18 A Grief that Overcomes

David had not been a model parent or husband. He had allowed the sin of Amon to go unpunished. He had allowed Absalom to rebel without consequences. Absalom had chosen to defect from the king’s leadership and in doing so is murdered by Joab. As David receives the news that his son is dead, his grief is overwhelming. Grief is one of those emotions that we find debilitating, or we find release; there is no middle ground. David’s grief was consuming him. Perhaps you can relate.

Yet, the nation needed a leader, and at this point, David was not that leader. Like Samuel, David needed a push to step up and make that hard decision. Joab’s words gave David that freedom to meet his nation’s needs—not just for himself. Joab’s hard words were just the medicine David needed because his emotions were leading the country astray. David’s priorities were misaligned. Joab told him if Absalom was alive and all of us were dead, he would be pleased.

Where are you today? Are you grieving the loss of someone precious? Beloved, as hard as it is, we must put aside our grief to meet the needs of those still in the land of the living. Ask God and other strong believers to help you in this difficult place.

March 26, 2022March 26, 2022

God’s Word is like a mirror

2Sam 13 to 15 because it reveals what the eye sees.

David’s grieving over his sin and the loss of the baby born to him and Bathsheba is a turning point in David’s reign as king. God forgives, but He still allows the consequences that we might learn from them. From chapter 11 onward, God will show us several lessons regarding sin and its consequences that we may take heed lest we too fall prey to the enemy of sin. Where scripture is silent, we are not to speculate; therefore, our questions are irrelevant to why David did not discipline Amnon or Absalom. However, we can look and heed closely how God used his children’s errors of judgment to discipline David and draw him closer to Himself. “These things happened as examples for us, so that we will not crave evil things as they did” [1Co 10:6]

This set of chapters is not given to us to teach us how David responded in times of crisis and learn from his mistakes so we might respond correctly. Our responses to life crises show us that we are walking with God or apart from God. We are to look into the mirror of God’s Word to see our heart. We are to take that image and remold ourselves into the image of Christ. The blessed man is one who looks and is not a forgetful hearer. [James 1:25]

March 25, 2022March 25, 2022

God Gives Us Choices

2Sam 9-12 Pay close attention to these stories God has placed here for us as He gives us choices by placing circumstances by which we will choose His way or our way.

King David sought to honor his oath to Jonathan by providing for his family after his death. Thus, David locates Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth who is handicapped, and provides a safe place for him in the palace. In addition, David honors Jonathan by retrieving Saul’s land; placing Ziba over it to plant and harvest.

But, also, David finds that no matter what you do, whether good or evil, the enemy will seek to humiliate you. This came about when David sought to honor Hanun, the son of the Ammonite king who had passed on. The Ammonites didn’t see good but evil and humiliated his men by shaving off their beards. David could have retaliated but he forgave.

Then the story of David and Bathsheba is always troubling and reminds us of that verse in Num. 32:23. You may try to hide your sin from God, but He will reveal it one way or another. Although sin can be forgiven, the consequences are ever before us.

God places these chapters here for us to challenge us about making choices. Do we honor oaths? Do we retaliate when humiliated? Do we choose to be like Moses, who chose NOT to enjoy sin’s fleeting pleasures, [Heb 11:25] or choose to be like David, whose choice of adultery led to squandering his kingdom?

March 24, 2022March 24, 2022

Check with God always!

2Sam 5-8 All-–note that word: “ALL” the tribes came to David in Hebron and designated David as king in Israel. They acknowledged that God had chosen David. They noted that they were kinsmen; they acknowledged that God had directed David to lead them in the times of Saul; also God had anointed him to do His work and to be shepherd over Israel and to rule over Israel. [2Sam 5:2] Thus, the nation agreed and solidified the kingship of David.

David foreshadowed that one day the true Shepherd, the Good Shepherd, the Lord Himself, will shepherd His people. [Jn. 10:11]

David went forth and conquered the enemies around them, including Jerusalem. But, David also learned that stepping out ahead of God and not inquiring of Him can lead to disastrous consequences. Just because you want to do something does not say you can do it in ‘your’ way. David’s motives were right, but he failed to inquire of the Lord or the priests about how the Ark was to be carried. The Ark began to tumble along the way, and Uzzah reached up and touched it and died. God is clear: No one is to touch the Ark, for it is God’s presence.

Where are we stepping out ahead of God? Where are we not stopping to inquire as to His way?

March 24, 2022March 24, 2022

It is a Heart Issue…

2Sam 1-4 The Wicked Heart
David is anointed king, but Saul’s followers seek to continue his reign through intrigue and deceit. They murder one another through misplaced judgment, yet David seeks the face of God. As we read these chapters, we are confronted with the truth of Jer. 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” The answer is that God knows; He examines people’s hearts. That is why Jesus came and why men need the gospel message.

Our world is no different than it was in the time of David. Men seek misplaced vengeance; they murder and seek to murder. Only Jesus can solve this dilemma. We watch the war in Ukraine, and we can see that what happened long ago in David’s time is happening again now. What goes around comes around, so the sages said. Jesus said to go and make disciples, teaching them to obey everything he has commanded. Jesus said we will be known by obeying this one command: love one another.

The men in the time of David did not love, and men today do not love. May we search our hearts and find where we are failing in that command.

March 22, 2022March 22, 2022

Seek the Lord BEFORE entering enemy territory

1 Sam 29-30 The might have beens…

David decided to go with Achish to fight with the Philistines but is rejected by them. Again, just as yesterday, we see how God protects us from our own foolish decisions. When David and his men return, they find the town they had been living in, burned and the women, children, and flocks captured by the Amalekites. Had David inquired of the Lord, he ‘might not’ have gone, and this disaster ‘might not’ have happened.

I think of people who decide to go into the enemy’s camp, like parties and gatherings that are not God-honoring, and where we are now vulnerable to wicked men’s ways. No matter young or old, we all need wisdom and discernment when we wonder what to do. When we fail that first step, we open ourselves up to the enemy’s ways for he is crafty and seeking whom he can devour. [1Pet 5:8]

There is a lesson to be learned here; before you step into the “camp” of the enemy, seek the Lord’s direction; ask Him for wisdom and discernment; should I go or not? David learned what ‘might have’ been avoided and soon after he sought the face of the Lord in prayer. A third lesson is this: Jesus Christ has given us freedom, and now we are to teach others how to be discerning so they can be protected from the enemy Satan.