Tag: David

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Chosen by God

God so loved

Psalm 89 The Calling of David and You

God called the nation of Israel out of Egypt,not because they were more numerous or more wise or more strong.  God said He chose them “because of his love and his faithfulness to the promise he solemnly vowed to their ancestors that the Lord brought them out with great power, redeeming them from the place of slavery, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt.” [Deut 7:7-9]

In this psalm God’s call to David was similar: “I have made a covenant with my chosen one;I have made a promise on oath to David, my servant.” [Ps 89:3] It wasn’t because of his strength or riches or fame. He chose David, just as He has chosen you, because He looked down from heaven and found David and you as one who would be faithful. He chose you from the foundation of the world to be His servant. With this choice, God promised to love, protect and be faithful to you in all of your work and exploits. 

Reader, think on this: you were chosen! God found you and birthed you to be a part of His kingdom. Jesus said “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that remains, [Jn 15:16]

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Grief over Sin

2 Samuel 1-4 As it was then, it is today. There are power struggles and expectations of praise from those in leadership, only to be met with righteous anger. Avenging is God’s work, not man’s.  

David, the man after God’s own heart, reveals how we should respond to the death of another—even If they are our rival. For the second time, we read of the end of King Saul, this time from an Amalekite. He came with news expecting David to rejoice in Saul’s death, so imagine his surprise when David called for his execution. He miscalculated David’s response because there is no glory in the death of God’s anointed. Again in chapter four, we read of another incident when two men decided to avenge David thinking their act of murder would receive praise. Instead, David had them executed because they killed an innocent man and, worse, in his own bed! They, too, sought to do God’s work with man’s methods. 

If David was right to be angry, how do we think God will deal with those who rejected and crucified Jesus Christ, His anointed? As David dealt harshly with the Amalekite and the two who slew Ishbosheth, God will deal harshly with those who reject His Son, Jesus Christ.

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What will people remember?

What will people remember about you

2 Chron 2-3, 1Kings 5-6 There is a church in a city in Florida that has sat for years untended and unfinished. Whoever was in charge did not seek peace, and today the courts are in control with no resolution. Recalling that image and the backstory is so unlike the story before us today.

David’s life and all he had done sent a powerful message to King Hiram of Tyre. Although a pagan king, he noted that the God of Israel was the God of the heavens. David’s life had left a powerful message that those who seek the Lord will be blessed and be a blessing to others. Although David was a man of war, he sought peace with his people and those nations surrounding him. James’ words come to mind: “And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” [Jam 3:18]. That is the backstory of how God prepared for the new Temple and how God opened the doors of heaven to bless Solomon with materials and men to build it.

There is a life lesson here for us. God uses men to do the work, but first, He prepares the heart. We may not be the one who sees the fruit of our work, but others do. What message will my life leave for those who will follow me?

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Pride goeth before the fall…

2 Sam 16-18 “God is the Avenger, not us….”

2 Sam 16-18 “God is the Avenger, not us….” In Proverbs 20:11 we read: “Even a young man is known by his actions, whether his activity is pure and whether it is right,” and the contrast is also true.  Everyone knew about Absalom—it seems, except his father. David failed as a parent and did not raise him to have a godly heart. David lived by this principle: I will not touch the Lord’s anointed. But, given the opportunity, Absalom sought to shame David. He planned his demise and the takeover of his kingdom through pride, rape, and murder of his brother Amnon. A child left to himself will never find peace.

 Absalom gloated in his long hair, but in the end, it was that very prideful thing that brought him to his death. In all of this, David never cursed his wicked son nor gave anyone permission to take his life because he knew “the life of the flesh is in the blood…” [Lev 17:11] No matter what a man has done, only God has the right to take the life of a man. To do so is murder, and had he followed the advice of others, he would be like a man laden with the guilt of human blood… [Prov 28:17]

God had pronounced consequences for David’s sin, one of which was to be shamed publicly. In the end and Absalom fulfilled that prophecy. Yet, David mourned for Absalom, and we should do as well. There is no glory in the death of anyone, anywhere, anytime. Remember this truth: God is the avenger, not us.

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Come Apart with Me…

Our world is reeling and in disarray. Our souls have been revealed and we are found wanting. Yet in all of this God is still there, waiting on us to come to Him that He may teach us about Himself and about who we are..

Psalm 24-27 King David is the writer of many of the psalms. David’s prayers are an open window to learn about God, His attributes, and His ways. Through his eyes, we are given prayers to a holy God that demands holiness. Again David introduces us to the lessons of how to wait for His answers. We become acquainted with His character and His ways of blessing those who are humble. If we really want to know God, we must fear him both literally and figuratively. Then you can, like David, say “one thing I have asked of the Lord, one thing I seek…”

What is the one thing you seek?

Warren Wiersbe says that this is the first time God is referred to as “light.” Jesus came and said “I am the Light of the World.”

One thing David reminds us is that God is God, and there is none like him. He will protect us and conceal us from the enemies around us. God is immutable—that is, He does not change. He is the same yesterday as he is today, as he will be tomorrow. 

God’s character shines through David’s prayers. We learn of His righteousness, His discipline, His lovingkindness. We learn that if we are patient, God will come to us to respond to our needs.

BUT….We cannot know God unless we are reading His love letter to us. 

What has God revealed to you this day?

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Feeling Pinched? God IS the Answer!

feeling-the-pinch2Did you ever lose something and no matter where you look or try to retrace your steps you cannot see the lost item. When that happens I take time to echo this prayer: Holy Spirit give me your eyes to see what is hidden. And you know what? It happens every time that He reveals that lost item which reminds me of the short pithy parable found in Luke 15 where a woman has lost one precious coin, lights a lamp and searches. When she finds it she says rejoice with me for I have found the lost coin. Now what does that have to do with Ps 18 and 2Sam 22 you ask?

David, the writer of these two sister passages says “in my distress I called to the Lord, I called to my God.” Like the woman of the lost coin, David was distressed. He was in a state of extreme necessity just like the woman. How often are we in a “pickle” and we seek to find the answer on our own. But, when we stop and seek the Illuminating Holy  Spirit’s power it is amazing how quickly the distress turns to rejoicing! Is it right to call upon the Lord for that help? Unequivocally YES!

We are often like the Israelites in the book of Judges who needed God’s help. He never stepped in until they cried out to him. There is a principle then: he who calls out or cries out to the Lord will be heard and God will respond. Vs 7b He heard my voice and listened to my cry for help.

Where are you seeking to solve a dilemma on your own? Try calling out to the Lord for His help. He is waiting, He is listening and He will answer.

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Do You Know How to Face Goliath?

Psalm 73 one simple stone2AHere’s your sneak preview of the post on https://www.facebook.com/bible.org which will be published on July 27th.

Just as physical waves toss about, the waves of the world try to toss us about. We face the giant Goliath’s that David faced whose “bodies are strong and well fed, arrogance is their necklace, violence is their clothing.”  Goliath thought he had the victory all sewed up but David knew differently. Goliath defied the God of Israel and he tried to intimidate the Living God’s army. We have to be careful that we do not fall into a similar trap called envy. Goliath’s strength was only outward and it took just one stone to bring him down and it only takes the word “JESUS” to bring Satan to his knees.

The Army of God was floundering in the waves of uncertainty. We too can flounder if we try to wear someone else’s armor as Saul wanted David to do. Or, sometimes we flounder when we hear the words “you can’t do it, you are too young” or the XYZ reasons. But, if we sit and ponder God and His plans in the Temple or in His Word we find peace and encouragement. It is there God can and will dispel the arguments of the Goliath’s. It is in the quietness of the sanctuary that Asaph was reminded that one day the destiny of the fool who lives for the moment will find his end before the holiness of the Almighty. In fact, Asaph notes that they will be desolate in a mere moment and terrifying judgments await them. It was in the valley that David told Goliath: “This very day all will know that the Lord will deliver.” [1Sam 17]

Take time to be quiet before the Lord and come away knowing that all you need is one simple stone with this one simple word: “JESUS.”

Just a reminder: See this post on https://www.facebook.com/bible.org on July 27th.

Photo Credit: Brina Blum:Unsplash.com  + Author’s Caption

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Psalm 51 “Sin, Forgiveness and Grace”

psalm 51 forgiveness2Had King David remembered:  “sin is crouching at the door, and its desire is for you, but you must master it” he would not have experienced an adulterous affair with Bathsheba nor committed murder to cover it up. Yet David concealed his sin and why  God sent Nathan the prophet to him. As David realized this, a profound thought came to him as he confessed before a Holy God. “Against You, You only, I have sinned.”

No matter who the persons are involved, the sin is in reality against God and Christ who saved us and washed us from our sin.  Like David, we think our sin is concealed or it does not impact anyone other than ourselves but this is a lie out of the pit of hell. Galatians reminds us that God will not be mocked and we reap what we sow. God told David, “ Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.[ 2Sa 12:10]

When David repented he heard Nathan the prophet say, “The Lord also has taken away your sin; you shall not die.” Reflecting on this, David entered the house of the Lord and experienced God’s  greatest gift and mystery called forgiveness. All we have to do is to ask God to “Wash away my wrongdoing! Cleanse me of my sin!” Open hearts are ready to receive God’s grace and lovingkindness and understand more clearly God’s grace.

How do we know that transaction of forgiveness has taken place? Like David, we will experience peace and joy even as we face the consequences that follow.

 

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The True 007 Stands Up!

ImageIf anyone could write a novel of real life as a 007 agent it is King David. His life of hair breadth escapes reads like a James Bond novel and Psalm 54 fits in perfectly with the plot line. If you are a fan of James Bond, you know that he often escapes with finesse and clever tactics, thanks to cinematography, and you walk away with your heart palpitating. David lived it in real life and today’s psalm finds him seeking a respite as he had done previously near the camp of the Ziphites, who were in fact blood relatives. However, they are the Judas Iscariot’s of the OT as they betray and double-cross on more than one occasion revealing to Saul where David is hidden. Chapters 1Samuel 23 and 26 is a record if you care to read it and see the true 007 in action.

This is the backdrop and prominent theme in Psalm 54. Our true 007 did not trust in harrowing car chases but instead as he wandered from oasis to oasis learned to trust God (Elohim—Creator who interacts and reveals Himself to His creation, one who has sovereign authority over all). David voiced his prayer to Elohim and asked him for deliverance in vs 1-3 and in vs 4-6 records his thankfulness for having his prayers heard.

Vs 1: O God deliver me by your name. God’s Name is strong and powerful; by His Name He brought creation into existence and by His Name He continues to reveal Himself. “For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen,”[Rom 1] Paul reminded us in Ephesians 6 to: “be strengthened in the Lord and in the strength of his power.”

Vs 2 O God, listen to my prayer. God hears and responds to those whose heart is perfectly aligned with him. Pro 15:29 The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

Vs 4 Look, God is my deliverer! God, Elohim is the only one who has the power to deliver when we are in dire circumstances. David trusted that God “is” that he is currently and always will be. Secondly that according to his character he will deliver. Deliverer is “’azar” and carries with it the meaning of one who helps or supports.

Vs 7 Surely, he (Adonai = Lord- master) rescues me from all trouble. The confidence that David had in this challenging time is seen in this last verse. Pro 3:26 for the Lord will be the source of your confidence, and he will guard your foot from being caught in a trap. Where is your confidence this day?

You may not be living a life as a 007 agent but your life may be just as Paul described in Ephesians 6
“a struggle not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.” In whom do you put your trust for deliverance when the roaring lion roves about seeking whom he may devour?

 

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