They looked, but never Looked to Him!

I picked a few good chapters to miss as St. Philip’s goes skipping through Isaiah two chapters at a time! It’s been Isaiah declaring the Lord’s assessment of the enemy nations that surround His people. Not a very pretty evaluation.

But then we come to His own people, Jerusalem of Judah in Isaiah 22. They aren’t measuring up either. This chapter personifies how we can look to every scheme and tactic to deliver us from a problem and yet not look to the very One who put us in that situation to provoke us to repent.

I’m just baffled by the 40-50,000 people who opted to stay in Galveston and other coastal areas while the National Weather Service officials were promising “certain death”. (thankfully, their guarantee for death was inaccurate!)

But, it was somewhat similar in Jerusalem’s day. While Isaiah was tearfully telling them that Babylon would overthrow Jerusalem with arrows and chariots, they instead opted to fortify their homestead and hunker down. No wonder Isaiah said, “I will weep bitterly” when he saw God’s warning being outright ignored.

So instead of preparing Jerusalem for an attack depending on their own plans and schemes, they should have turned their hearts in humble repentance to the Lord. Instead of humbly seeking the Lord, the people of Jerusalem had both

• a confidence in their own preparation
  (joy and gladness), and
• a fatalistic outlook toward the future
  (“Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”).

It’s more than the addict who lives in denial!

A good specimen of the scoffer is Shebna. Shebna was a servant of good King Hezekiah, both a steward . . . over the house and a scribe (2 Kings 18:18, Isaiah 37:2). These were both positions of honor and responsibility. Shebna was one of King Hezekiah’s chief assistants.

Isaiah prophesies that the people of Judah and Jerusalem would be carried away into exile, but Shebna didn’t believe it. He built this elaborate tomb to himself in Jerusalem, as if to say, “I will never be carried away in exile. I am so certain that I will die here that I will build my tomb here.”

It is a very interesting description of how the Lord stripped Shebna of his office (especially in the Message translation) and gave it to Eliakim the son of Hilkiah. God will get His work done! The question for me is whether or not I want to be a part of it by faith, or to miss the opportunity due to my unbelief!

So while Shebna’s peg came crashing down, Eliakim was being established.

Interesting that the Lord uses this passage to speak of Himself in Revelation 3:7:

These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens.”

Jesus is the one with the keys of Hades and of Death (Revelation 1:8), who has all authority both in heaven and on earth. I want to hang the all of my hopes on my Tent Peg, Jesus Christ (Zechariah 10:4).

And I need not fear what kind of vessel I am that hangs on that peg, for there are many different vessels in the Lord’s house, with many different sizes and purposes. But they all must hang on the same peg! All are equally wrecked if they drop from the peg. The safety isn’t in the size or the quality of the vessel, but in its attachment to the peg.

Judah and Shebna saw the prophecy given to Isaiah all of this come to pass, just as God had said.

Divine Tent Peg, be my surety, my stability and my confidence. May I be like Eliakim, one who can help hold others up because of believing in You and Your word. Keep me from being a Shebna and trusting in my own power. I want to live a life where I can hear from You and believe it and move forth with confidence. Thank You for Your clear and faithful warnings. In Jesus' name, Amen.

The Lord Invites ALL to Trust

The Daily Bible in Chronological Order 365 Daily Readings with Devotional Insights to Guide You Through God’s Word published by Harvest House in the New International Version (NIV) has been very helpful in putting Isaiah’s prophecies in their historical context.

For example, here is the history listed for Isaiah 6-12.

Isaiah 2:1-5 The Last Days

2 Kings 15:19-28 In Israel (742-741 BC)

2 Kings 15:6-7, 32-35 &

2 Chron. 26:22-23; 27:1-2, 8 In Judah

Isaiah 6:1-13 Isaiah’s Mission Told in a Vision

2 Kings 15:35; &

2 Chron. 27:3-6 Jotham’s reign in Judah

Micah (the whole book dedicated to Judah)

2 Kings 15:29; &

1 Chron. 5:23-26 Early Beginnings of Captivity in Israel

2 Kings 15:37 War between Syria, Israel & Judah (In Judah)

2 Kings 15:30-31; 17:1-2 (In Israel)

2 Kings 15:36, 38; 16:1-4; 2 Chronicles 27:7, 9; 28:1-4 (In Judah)

Isaiah 7:1 – 12:6 Isaiah’s Prophesies about a Saviour

7:1-2 Ahaz Learns of Alliance

7:3-9 God’s Message to Ahaz

7:10-12 Ahaz Refuses a Sign From God

7:13-15 Isaiah Foretells Savior to be Immanuel

7:16-25 Assyria to Destroy

8:1-10 Syria and Israel to Fall

8:11-18 Isaiah Calls them to Trust God

8:19-22 Others Cannot be Trusted

9:1-7 Savior’s Kingdom Coming

9:8-21 God’s Wrath Against Israel

10:1-4 Anger Against Injustice

10:5-19 Assyria’s Punishment

10:20-23 Remnant to Be Saved

10:24-34 Captivity will be Overcome

11:1-9 Savior’s Lineage from David

11:10-16 Savior to Gather Remnant

12:1-6 Praise for Deliverance

2 Kings 16:5-6; &

2 Chron. 28:5-8 Judah Defeated by Allies

2 Chron. 28:9-21 Captives’ Release Secured

When you read it in the book itself with its historical notes and easy reading layout...it's a real joy!

Anyway, today we are looking at Isaiah 7, and hopefully we will write about chapter 8 later on tonight.

The northern nation of Israel (referred to by the dominant tribe of Ephraim) and Syria combined to attack Judah (the southern kingdom). The alliance between these two nations and their ultimately unsuccessful attack on Jerusalem is described in 2 Kings 16.

But the war against Judah took a great toll against the southern kingdom. 2 Chronicles 28:6 documents the damage:

For Pekah the son of Remaliah killed one hundred and twenty thousand in Judah in one day, all valiant men, because they had forsaken the Lord God of their fathers.

2 Chronicles 28:5 says that the Syrian army carried away a great multitude of them as captives. The king of Israel also captured 200,000 men, women and children as captives, but sent them back to Judah at the command of the prophet Oded (2 Chronicles 28:8-15).

Ahaz was a wicked king of Judah, worshipping other gods and even sacrificing his son to Molech (2 Kings 16:1-4). The only good thing Ahaz seemed to do was father Hezekiah, who became a good king of Judah.

And still the Lord invited this evil king to trust in Him to give Judah the victory against the Israel/Syrian alliance. What a mercy of God, that even to such a rebel, He offers His grace and care.

But instead Ahaz prefers to enter into an ungodly alliance with Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria, and even gave Tiglath-Pileser silver and gold that was found in the house of the Lord as a present to win his favor and protection (2 Kings 16:7-9).

If the king of Judah and the people of Judah had put their trust in the Lord, they would have had the peace of God in this conflict, instead of shaking like a leaf in the wind.

Why would Ahaz find it so hard to trust in the Lord instead of looking to a cruel enemy to become allies with him? Perhaps the devastation that had wracked Judah thus far had made Ahaz stop trusting in God. “If God loves me, why am I in this mess at all? Trust Him now, after all He has allowed to happen? Are you crazy?”

Ahaz was unable to see the situation the way the Lord did. Ahaz looked at Israel and Syria and saw a terrible threat. God looked at Israel and Syria and saw two stubs of smoking firebrands. To the Lord, they were all smoke and no fire!

God gives a promise with a warning: If you will not believe, surely you shall not be established.

So Ahaz has a challenge. God has promised, now the king of Judah must believe. If he will not believe, it will not affect the outcome of the attack against Jerusalem. God has already decreed that their attack would not succeed. But it would affect the course of Ahaz’s life and reign as king (surely you shall not be established).

As it happened, Ahaz did not believe. He did not put his trust in the Lord. He put his trust in his own scheming and logical methods and allied himself with the king of Assyria.

Jerusalem was spared, and Ahaz no doubt believed he was successful, and his plan worked. But if he would have just trusted in the Lord, Jerusalem would have been spared, and Ahaz would have been blessed.

Even when God invited this wicked king to ask Him for a sign, Ahaz refused, knowing that he would be held accountable for what God spoke. So Ahaz cloaks his rebellion in the words of humility and spirituality. But God saw right through it!

This sounds very spiritual from Ahaz. He almost seems to say what Jesus said in Matthew 4:7:

You shall not tempt the Lord your God.

Though the words are similar, the hearts are far apart. Ahaz refused to ask for a sign, because when God fulfilled the sign, he would be “obligated” to believe.

This was not tempting or testing God in wrong way. It is never testing God to do as He says, and if the Lord invites us to test Him, we should.

In Isaiah 7:14 we have one of the most famous prophecies regarding the birth of Jesus the Messiah in the Bible. It also illustrates a principle of prophecy, that prophecy may have both

• a near fulfillment and
• a far fulfillment.

The near fulfillment of this prophecy centered around Ahaz, Jerusalem, and the attack from Israel and Syria. For Ahaz, the sign centered around a time span. Simply put, God would give Ahaz a sign that within a few years, both Israel and Syria would be crushed. This was a sign of deliverance to Ahaz.

The far or ultimate fulfillment of this prophecy goes far beyond Ahaz, to announce the miraculous virgin birth of Jesus Christ. We know this passage speaks of Jesus because in Matthew it says regarding Him:

Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, “God with us.”

So for us, the ultimate fulfillment is good news giving us abundant life!

But for Ahaz, who had been foolishly trusting in Assyria instead of the Lord, the near fulfillment was bad news. It is as if the Lord is saying, “It will seem to you like trusting in Assyria is a clever move, because the armies of Syria and Israel will be defeated. But the Assyrians will end up defeating you also.”

Captain of my soul, thank You for fighting on my behalf, even when the circumstances of life seem to mount up against me. Immanuel, thank You for Your ever-present company. That You are there in the beginning of the day, throughout the events of the day during my waking hours, as well as when my head hits the pillow at night. Lord, remind me to always attribute every good and perfect gift to You and not to some scheme or strategy that I have implemented. All victories come from You! We love You, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

God is on the Throne

Isaiah 6 is strawberry-jam-pack-full! I’m going to just jot down a variety of notes, without much continuity.

First, the history of King Uzziah and his reign can be read about in 2 Chronicles 26 & 2 Kings 15 (btw: Azariah = Uzziah). He was 16 years when he came to the throne and reigned for 52 years.

Overall, he was a good strong king. But later in life there was a downfall that occurred summarized succinctly in 2 Chronicles 26:16:

But when Uzziah was strong his heart was lifted up, to his destruction, for he transgressed against the Lord his God by entering the temple of the Lord to burn incense on the altar of incense.

So Uzziah remained a leper until his death as a result of violating the Lord’s temple. And yet, in the year that he died, Isaiah has a holy vision somewhat parallel to the very sin that caused Uzziah’s downturn.

The train of His robe filled the temple…above it stood seraphim…house was filled with smoke…live coal taken from the altar…iniquity is taken away.

Just something I hadn’t seen before. It is interesting that when God directs you to do something, it leads to blessing (iniquity taken away) while if God has not directed you to it, or has even commanded you NOT to do something that negative consequences occur (leprosy for the rest of your life, even after a long faithful reign).

Another truth I’m struck by is the idea that the Lord often reveals Himself in the time of crisis:

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on the throne, high and lifted up.

High King of Heaven, I pray you will grant me the kind of eyes Isaiah, that could see You even in the midst of calamity.

Isaiah may have been depressed or discouraged because a great leader of Judah was no longer on the throne. God in heaven now shows Isaiah, “Don’t worry about it, Isaiah. Uzziah may not be on his throne, but I am on My throne.”

Another point is that Isaiah may have been a righteous, godly man by all outward appearance. Yet when he saw the enthroned King, the Lord of hosts, perhaps even King Jesus Himself, he saw how sinful he was in comparison.

But when we see Jesus face to face (and not merely in a vision) we shall be pure even as He is pure!! I guess Isaiah got a little of that from the coal taken from the altar and applied to his lips.

So why the burning coal?

1. to burn away the sin, especially sins of the mouth
2. and to put such a heavenly flame of desire in him that he burned with passion to serve God and tell others about Him

O Holy Spirit, let Your fire burn in me. First to purge me of my sin, and secondly to have Your light so shine through me that people will turn to You and give You the glory.

God said, “I will light a fire in you!” That is why a burning coal was used to purify Isaiah. “Jehovah, who is a consuming fire, can only fitly be served by those who are on fire, whether they be angels or men.” (Spurgeon)

I wonder sometimes if I have gone to “the nations” before being “sent”. Notice Isaiah’s prayer “Send me” which meant Isaiah was submitted to the Lord in all his service. He didn’t even say, “Here I am, I will go.” Isaiah would not go at all unless he knew he was sent by the Lord.

Lord of the harvest, I pray that I will be patient, and not run headlong saying, “Here I am, I will go” but rather I will wait for the directive from You Yourself to send me.

Isaiah was a missionary:

• First, he had a heart that had been in the presence of God.
• He had a heart that knew its own sinfulness.
• He had a heart that knew the need among the people, the need for God’s word.
• He had a heart that had been touched by God’s cleansing fire.
• And he had a heart that heard God’s heart to reach the nations.

An outline jotted down from a preacher’s sermon:
Woe is me! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Confession of the sinner
Lo, your iniquity is taken away! - - Cleansing from sins
Go and tell! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Commission from the Sovereign

Sovereign King, no matter what crisis we may find ourselves in I pray You would give us eyes to see Your glory and Your sovereignty. But not only to see it, but to be affected by it, cleansed by it, and then to go and tell others about it. Thank You for purging our sins by pouring out the fire of judgment on Your Son, Jesus, for our sake. In His name I pray, Amen.

Importance of Good Choices

Well, I’ve been torn as to whether I should stay my own course of Bible reading and blogging, or let St. Philip’s 3-year-bible-reading-plan dictate what passage I should read for the day. I’ve decided to follow St. Philip’s reading plan.

So you may get a few missed chapters along the way (especially when they ask for more than one chapter a day!). Otherwise, if I fall one or two chapters behind, I have tendency to just skip it all together. So, God and I shall rendezvous around the chapter given by St. Philip’s for the day.

So today I am sacrificing the hope-giving story of Esther 3 for the fierce warning of judgment against Judah and Jerusalem in Isaiah 3.

God, in no uncertain terms, is letting them (and us) know that obsessing over extreme luxury while stealing from the poor shall NOT be tolerated. No wonder He responds with a shortage competent leaders.

He shall give the people what their wicked hearts desire, ungodly, incompetent leaders. Things can become so bad, that in the minds of the people, the smallest achievement will qualify a man for leadership. (you can read 2 Kings 24:14 for the fulfilled account of God’s warning…guess He wasn’t kidding). The lack of strong godly leaders will lead to shortage of water, food and justice.

Governor of the Universe and hearts of mankind, I pray for the United States and the upcoming election. May your choice (and not our own) be elected. Grant us a person who will lead us on in righteousness.

I’m struck, that if Jerusalem and Judah could have sinned against God in what they say and in what they do, does that necessarily mean that we can glorify God by what we say just as much as by what we do?

Guardian of my Life, I pray that You would set up a centurion over my mouth and lips so that I will only say that which glorifies You and edifies others. May my deeds and words be pleasing to You.

It seems to me as if God is rather passive in judgment (though we know He is always in control). For example, in today’s passage all He does is leave Judah alone, and they end up bringing evil upon themselves. Often times we choose pain and heartbreak rather than follow His guidance.

Great Shepherd, I pray that where You lead, I will follow. I know if left to myself I will surely fall headlong into evil, so I pray, keep close to You and Your flock.

Wow! When you look at the list of accessories that the women devoted too much of their lives too, you can’t help but imagine the size of the malls they must have had in Jerusalem! Though it is often argued that the fact these accessories are mentioned in regards to judgment, that they are wicked in and of themselves, that doesn’t seem to be the case.

Isaiah tells them this is for oppressing the poor and making them pay for your luxuries. You might say even in their day, there were the ‘have’s’ and the ‘have-not’s’ with the rich taking from the poor more and more.

• In one sense, God has given us all things richly to enjoy,
• yet in another sense, go, sell all that you have and give it to the poor.

And as it always seems to be, He drives us yet again to Himself for direction. We can’t get it from anyone else, or from headquarters to inquire just exactly where that fine balance is. We must get it for ourselves from the Creator and Designer.

But there is one apparel that we can be confident that is pleasing to God as He commends it in 1 Peter 3:3-4:

Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.

BTW: verse 17 makes me wonder if the last part of the verse refers to rape. It does make me wonder about that life-long question: “where is God when something as atrocious as rape is occurring?”

Lord Jesus, thank You that You are in control, and thank You for taking the time to communicate with us Your ways. I pray that we will always find ourselves running to You, our Creator and Designer, for guidance and direction, rather than to some rule book or person or board of directors. We want to use our ignorance as just another excuse to come and rendezvous with You. Thank You for Your warnings. Strengthen us all to choose the way that is right in Your eyes. In Jesus' name. Amen

Personalized Leadings from God!

Esther 1:3 & Esther 2:16 gives us indication that the “After these things” found in 2:1 doesn’t just mean “after the party that had a flopped-finale,” but is broader than just the events of the previous chapter. These verses show us that there was a four-year span between chapters one and two.

During that time King Ahasuerus (Xerxes) made an unsuccessful invasion of Greece and he came home a defeated man, wanting to cheer his heart through sensual diversions. There was no Vashti to soothe his weary-worn state. So........let’s have a “Miss Persian Empire” contest.

It seems that Esther didn’t really have a choice about whether she was going to a participant in this event or not. And yet we see how God can used the evil of man. God did not make Ahasuerus drunk, or make him demand that his queen present herself in an immodest way before the governors of the kingdom; yet God allowed this sinful action of man to fulfill a purpose in His greater plan.

I find assurance in the truth that no other person, no matter how evil they are, can defeat God’s plan for my life, no matter what they have done to me or will do to me.

Esther and Mordecai were part of the large Jewish community that was forced to relocate out of Judah, and then decided not to return with Ezra. I wonder how many returning Jews judged Mordecai and Esther for staying behind in “the world” and partaking in its system. And yet we see just how remarkable Esther’s life has been so far.

She was the child of Jewish exiles, who both died (or were they murdered as the movie depicts it?); she was raised by her cousin in a foreign and often hostile land; she was taken by compulsion into the king’s harem; she found favor with all whom she met; and she was finally selected to be the queen of the realm.

Is it possible that God could lead some to return to “God’s Country” and just as certainly, lead some to stay behind in “worldly Babylon”?

Great Shepherd, thank You that You are not just a book full of rules that we can turn to for guidance, but that we can come to You individually, personally and intimately. Thank You that You know exactly what we were made for, with our characteristics, our traits and sensitivities and You have a plan for us. I pray You would help me to walk in Your way for me and discover the joy of it all! Also, grant me discernment when to "judge" and when not to! In Your name, Amen.

Boldness to Protect God's Child

Wow! The St. Philip’s 3-year-reading plan is zipping through Esther at 2 chapters a day. I’ll probably get a little behind here as a result, but it is such an interesting book, perhaps we will be able to make it through them all in good time. As long as I keep taking the time to meet with God, I shall be more than content!!

Before I scribble on, I will just say, that there is a pretty good rendition of Esther put out by Hollywood called “One Night with the King”. It’s a clean edition, some critics have said ‘too clean.’ But I found the movie very enjoyable and just fine without having to change the rating from PG.

Anyway, Esther is said to be the only book in the Bible that the name of God does not appear (though I still haven’t found God or Lord in the Song of Songs). But the providence of God is throughout the whole book, perhaps even the purpose of the book.

It’s like the book of Esther is a commentary, or an example, of the truth found in Romans 8:28:

All things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

The whole book of Esther occurs chronologically between Ezra chapter 6 & Ezra chapter 7. Zerubabbel took a group of Jews back to Jerusalem, while most stayed behind in Persia. Hence, we have the book of Esther, the meanwhile, back at the palace kind of perspective of the story of the Jews.

The Persian Empire was the largest the world had ever seen. It covered Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Jordan, Lebanon, and Israel; and also parts of modern day Egypt, Sudan, Libya, and Arabia.

The Royal Court threw 3 feasts, apparently as a matter of pride and with hopes that they might win some allies as they prepared to take on Greece 3 years later.

1) The first feast was ½ year long! A party that never seems to end! But Xerxes did just that, with the upper echelon of society as the participants.

2) He threw another feast, this time for every citizen of the capital, but it only lasted 7 days!

3) Meanwhile, Queen Vashti was throwing her party for the women in the royal palace.

I’m sure the Xerxes popularity went up in the opinion polls during this time (except for the few naysayers who understood that it was probably the public treasury that was footin’ the bill!)

As the parties were all coming to a close, the King, with his wine-impaired mind, thought it would be a great idea to use his wife’s beauty as the grand finale for all men to google at! And, as is often the case, we shall find the king regretting the deeds done and decisions made while in the intoxicated state.

But what strikes me most strongly in this chapter is Vashti’s sense of values as well as her strength to follow through with those values despite being in a very dangerous position with the king. With the understanding that this was a drunken revelry where emotions can go from merry to furious in a heartbeat, Vashti wisely choose not to put herself in the midst of it.

Some argue that the king was asking Vashti to come out and be immodest. But even if he wasn’t asking for anything immodest, the idea of putting such a beautiful and desirable woman in the presence of men with authority, who are drunk beyond reason…who cannot commend Vashti for not exposing herself to “a group of drunken Bacchanalians”*. Her prudence and modesty and courage should be emulated.

*Adam Clarke's commentary

By the king passing his decree, he instead gave men everywhere throughout his whole kingdom the right to coerce their wives into unwise and dangerous situations. As a result, all respect was lost, for respect comes only when their a choice (which could lead quite nicely into a blog about free will!!)

BTW: Ahasuerus = Xerxes depending on which translation you are reading, and the events of this chapter occurred around 483 BC when Greece was celebrating their 79th Olympic Games!

Lord Jesus, thank You for giving us worth, purpose, and joy. It is a gift from You and it seems to be the way that we can best glorify You...is to walk in that way of joy. I pray You would give us the same boldness and courage that Vashti had, to protect Your children as well as to protect Your name. Grant us discernment to know when it is just being plain ole selfish and when it is righteously protecting purity and honesty. Thank You for being a tender, gracious, loving, patient King! In Your name we pray, Amen!

Zeal to Keep My Word!

We read of Nehemiah being so radical in the rest of chapter 13, that we wonder if perhaps he isn’t a bit irrational and overbearing. But I’m sure the memory of the day the people of Israel made a solemn covenant to God regarding three things grieved his spirit deeply.

1) In Nehemiah 10:30 they promised not to have ungodly romantic relationships.
Some 10-12 years later, they were steeped in that exact sin which provoked Nehemiah to address it in 13:23-31.

2) In Nehemiah 10:31 they swore off buying and selling on the Sabbath day.
But alas! Nehemiah’s righteous judgment is stirred as in 13:15-22, we find them violating the 4th commandment given by Moses.

3) And then to top it all off, in 10:32-39 they pledged to support the work of God with money as He commanded.
But ten years later Nehemiah returns to the restored Jerusalem only to find that the work of God had fallen into neglect because no one had supported it in 13:10-14.

Nehemiah was radical. He was earnest. He was zealous. He was a man of action and a leader. I may not want to try to implement that style in dealing with all sins or bad choices in everyone else’s lives, but I do want that kind of passion when it comes to protecting me and my relationship with God!

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your patience, for communicating with us and giving us clear direction. You are our creator and know better than anybody what is best for us and what will help us function to our fullest joy and to Your greatest glory. Help us to walk in Your ways. And oh for some of Nehemiah’s passion and leadership! In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Radical Enough to Protect!

In reading Nehemiah 13:1-14 today, I was struck at the radical measures Nehemiah took to protect and purify the people of God.

Worshipping and celebrating often leads to direction and guidance—and that according to God’s standard. That is what happened to the Israelites—as they drew near to God they became aware of His standards and areas they needed to work on in their lives. But what is more, they had the boldness to carry it out. Nehemiah 13:3

If they were like me, I’m sure they would have thought of 20 sound reasons why NOT to do what the word of God plainly told them to do.

• “That command was made long ago, and speaks to a different time.”
• “Perhaps there is a mitigating factor involved that we didn’t read about that provoked that rule.”
• “Things are different now.”
• “That totally violates my PC sensibility.”
• “That was written to a different culture.”
• “Let’s not go overboard.”
• “We should assign a task force to examine the issue!”

But these folks just plainly, outright, forthright obeyed. (Surely I’m not the only one convicted by that :-)

Nehemiah went back to his post in Persia for about 10 years after the revival in Jerusalem. When he came back, boy was he surprised to see that ole Ammonite enemy named Tobiah (Nehemiah 2:10) not only living amongst the Israelites, but he actually booted God out of His own house so he could camp out there. Is that something similar to hiring someone who is actively opposed to God to be your elder or deacon?

And though the spiritual leader Eliashib disagreed with Nehemiah, I stand in admiration of that bold leader Nehemiah as he had
the wisdom to not confuse love with being “nice” and
the wisdom to know when to take bold action.

I don’t want to get tangled into the thinking that
Nehemiah was overreacting or that
he was being insensitive or
accuse him of missing an opportunity to “win someone to God” by being their friend.

Rather, Nehemiah saw the situation for the danger that it was—someone is in the Temple courts of Jehovah, openly opposing His purposes and His people.

I’m wondering if I could rise to such integrity if I were confronted with the same kind of situation that Nehemiah or Jesus (remember? He cleansed the temple out twice…once at the beginning of His ministry and once at the end of His ministry) found God’s people in. Or would I take such radical steps to protect just one of God’s people? Myself? Hmmm.

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your patience. And that while You do love us, You are also jealous for us and will take radical measures to protect us from ourselves, sin and any other kind of harm. I pray that You will grant us discernment to know how to interact Christ-like with others. I invite You Lord to come and be a Nehemiah to cleanse my life of any tobiah-like behavior. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Returning to My Jerusalem!

In Ezra and Nehemiah we learn of the Jews who have returned to Jerusalem to tryst with God once again in the Temple, so I too hope to rendezvous with God on a consistent basis again, by the work done by the Final Temple, Jesus Christ.

Thankfully, it hasn’t been 70 years since I have written, but I did miss nearly 500 years!!

So I’m picking up with St. Philip’s 3-year-reading plan and am looking at Nehemiah 12:27-47 – Dedicating a Wall unto the Lord! It seems rather appropriate after taking a four-month course about boundaries and protecting oneself! My ceremonial dedication (i.e., graduation) took place on August 10th.

And though I didn’t have quite the line up of thanksgiving choirs that Nehemiah and the Levites had, there was much rejoicing for God had made us rejoice with great joy! Well, enough about Pathways and what it meant to me…on to Nehemiah 12:27-47.

• Celebrate
• Dedication
• Gladness
• Thanksgivings
• Singing
• Music
• Choirs
• Sang loudly

Having God’s chosen city (or child) fully protected is something that is worth celebrating! And the Levites, the leaders of worship, sure knew how to do that!

(FYI: I once heard that there are 22 different instruments mentioned in the Bible…including the four mentioned in this passage!)

Have you ever heard that probably-most-famous-passage in Scripture (and I don’t mean John 3:16!)? But rather, “Judge not, lest ye be judged.” Matthew 7:1. Well, the rest of that Matthew passage says:

First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

And so the priests did exactly that in verse 30 of Nehemiah chapter 12:

Then the priests and Levites purified themselves, and then purified the people, the gates and the wall.

The fact that they purified the gates and walls, also shows me that I too should have my surroundings wholesome and pure.

Verse 43 is beautiful expression of joy, the source of joy and the extent of joy….everyone got to rejoice in the great joy the Lord gave them…even the women and children ;-)

And notice what was heard throughout all Jerusalem…it wasn’t the singing, but rather The Joy! I can think of a few places where the joy of the Lord has been unmistakably heard! Can you?

Purification --> Celebration --> Rejoicing --> it certainly makes giving and offering a delight instead of a burden or a hard task! So we see it happening even in the day of Nehemiah!

Lord Jesus, I thank you for Pathways and the healthy boundaries you have helped put in in my life through them. I pray Lord that I would have such a celebratory lifestyle that those around me would hear the Joy of the Lord! Above all Lord Jesus, keep me pure, keep my focus on You! Amen!

Royal Bounty

Well hello everyone! Boy did I take a long sabbatical from some of the most exciting chapters in scripture. I hope to go back and catch up on the chapters missed from 2 Samuel and 1 King, but for now I think I’ll pick up where the 3-Year Reading Plan of St. Philip’s is presently.

That means we are looking at 1 Kings 10 today.

Many thoughts came to mind today regarding the trip to Israel by the queen from modern-day Yemen, but the most prevalent was the memory of reading a little devotion by Francis Ridley Havergal on chapter 10:13 entitled Royal Bounty.

And King Solomon gave unto the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever she asked, beside that which Solomon gave her of his royal bounty.

All God’s goodness to us is humbling. The more He does for us, the more ready we are to say, “I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which Thou hast shown unto Thy servant.”

The weight of a great answer to prayer seems almost too much for us. The grace of it is “too wonderful” for us. It throws up in such startling relief the disproportion between our little, poor, feeble cry, and the great shining response of God’s heart and hand, that we can only say: “Who am I, O Lord God, that Thou hast brought me hitherto? Is this the manner of man, O Lord God?”

But it is more humbling still, when we stand face to face with great things which the Lord hath done for us and given us, which we never asked at all, never even thought of asking – royal bounty, with which not even a prayer had to do.

It is so humbling to get a view of these, that Satan tries to set up a false humility to hinder us from standing still and considering how great things the Lord hath done for us; thus he also contrives to defraud our generous God of the glory due unto His name.

For, of course, we do not praise for what we will not recognize!

Let us try to baffle this device today, and give thanks for the overwhelming mercies for which we never asked. “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits.” Just think of them deliberately (they are far too many to think of all in a flash); and how many did we actually ask for? Even that poor little claim was never brought to bear on thousand of them.

Some thoughts regarding the rest of the verses are:
To serve Jesus is to be a happy occupation. If joy be missing from my attempts to do as the Lord says,

• perhaps I do not understand aright Who it is I am serving, or
• Who it is that is to empower me to accomplish the tasks.

As the Queen of Sheba says of Solomon, even more it can be said of Jesus, “happy are these Your servants, who stand continually before You and hear Your wisdom!”

In Matthew 12:42 the Queen is highly praised for her seeking. Jesus commended her for:

• She came from a great distance
• She came with gifts to offer
• She came to question and to learn
• She came and saw the riches of the king
• She came for an extended period
• She came telling all that was on her heart

How much more should I respond to the opportunity to hook up and meet with Jesus Christ Himself?

666 talents of gold is assessed at $281,318,400 today! (btw: Solomon is the only person in the Bible associated with the number 666, other than the antichrist! [Rev. 13:18])

The 500 shields of gold were strictly for beautifully displaying in the House of the Forest of Lebanon. They were of no use in battle, too soft and too heavy! This shows Solomon with the image of a warrior king, but without the substance! He invested $33 million for his image.

At the end of this great description of Solomon's wealth and splendor, there sounds a dark note:

Also Solomon had horses imported from Egypt and Keveh

This was in direct disobedience to Deuteronomy 17:16, which said to the Kings of Israel:

But he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses, for the LORD has said to you, "You shall not return that way again."

And the very last phrase of the chapter compels me to think we have Solomon's rationalization as to how he could involve himself in "multiplying horses" for himself and break such an obvious commandment:

Thus, through their agents, they exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Syria.

Perhaps the importation of horses from Egypt began as trading as an agent on behalf of other kings. From this, perhaps Solomon could say, "I'm importing horses from Egypt but I am not doing it for myself. I'm not breaking God's command." Many times in my own life, gross disobedience begin as clever rationalizations.

O Thou Greater-than-Solomon, thank You for Your Royal Bounty, and how You open it up so generously to all of us. I pray You would make me a woman of substance in the battles of life and keep me from my own manipulative rationalizations. I want to revel in Your wisdom and riches more than the Queen of Sheba did in Solomon's. You alone are worthy!

Right Thing Done the Wrong Way

Today's story found in 2 Samuel 6 revolves around the Ark of God represented the immediate presence and glory of God. David considered it a top priority to bring the Ark out of obscurity and back into prominence. He just wanted Israel to be alive with a sense of the presence and glory of God.

Seventy years before the Philistines transported the Ark on a cart in that moving story found in 1 Samuel 6. And they got away with it without any consequences. But for the Israelites to borrow man's ways instead of going to God's Word for directions was (and is) costly.

Transporting the ark on a cart was against God's specific command. The ark was designed to be carried (Exodus 25:12-15) and was only to be carried by Levites of the family of Koath (Numbers 4:15).

I'm sure in David's zeal to return the Ark to prominence that he prayed for God's blessing on this major undertaking. It was a very important occasion, the atmosphere was joyful, exciting and engaging. But did he neglect to inquire of God regarding the production itself? Could it be that none of the whole procession pleased God because it was all in disobedience to His revealed Word?

This was a good thing done the wrong way. Though they experienced dire consequences and pain from their first attempt done in the arm of flesh, God still gave them a second chance at bringing His presence and glory near to them. It wasn't like David and his men got one chance, and one chance only, to draw near to God.

God met with David in 1 Chronicles 15 to discuss what transpired. After meeting with God and listening to His word, David tried again to bring the Ark to Jerusalem.

It was still with a big production - bigger than the first attempt. Because David was wise enough to know that the problem with the first attempt wasn't that it was a big production, but that it was a big production that came from man and not God.

David was able to navigate the waters of emotions in this event. The two great errors in regards to Christianity and emotions are -

• the error of making emotions the center of our Christian life and
• the error of an emotionally detached Christian life.

In the Christian life emotions must not be manipulated and they must not be repressed. David is a good example of how this might look like in our lives!

And what of Uzzah? He made a decision in a split second to disregard God's command and do what seemed, and perhaps felt, right to him. But God fulfilled the ominous promise of Numbers 4:15 and struck Uzzah.

David desired Israel to know the presence of the Lord, and sure enough, God showed up at Nachon's threshing floor - but not in the way anyone wanted.

What was the error of Uzzah? It was more than just a reflex action or instinct. God struck Uzzah because his action was based upon a critical error in thinking.

• Uzzah erred in thinking it didn't matter who transported the ark
• Uzzah erred in thinking it didn't matter how the ark was transported
• Uzzah erred in thinking he knew all about the ark because it was in his father's house for so long
• Uzzah erred in thinking that God couldn't take care of the ark of Himself
• Uzzah erred in thinking that the ground of Nachon's threshing floor was less holy than his own hand

"His intention to help was right enough; but there was a profound insensibility to the awful sacredness of the ark, on which even its Levitical bearers were forbidden to lay hands." (Spurgeon)

David became angry at God in his confusion. And in his anger directed towards the Lord, He sought God! Anger can drive us to God, even anger directed towards Him in our confusion.

David simply didn't understand why his good intentions weren't enough. God is concerned with both our intentions and our actions.

So the Lord deals with David, and causes him to fulfill His word by housing the Ark with Obed-Edom who was a Levite of the family of Koath (1 Chronicles 26:4). This was the family within the tribe of Levi that God commanded to transport and take care of the ark (Numbers 4:15).

When God's Word was obeyed and His holiness was respected, blessing followed for Obed-Edom and his household. God wanted the ark to be a blessing for Israel, not a curse. We might say that the curse didn't come from God's heart but from man's disobedience. That which God intended for our good can feel bad if we walk in disobedience regarding it.

I think it is a mistake to think that David was immodest in his dancing as 1 Chronicles 15:27 indicates that David set aside his royal robes and simply dressed just like everyone else in the procession. But Michal felt it wasn't dignified for the King of Israel to express his emotions before God. But as she casts judgement on David's lack of royal behavior, she chides him with biting sarcasm (which is very unbecoming for royalty!).

But David was in a good and healthy place. He didn't let Michal's sarcastic criticism ruin his day. He simply explained the truth: "I did it for God, not for you." David was in touch with God and so he was not offended (Psalm 119:165).

Michal was barren, proving that a critical spirit stifles fruitfulness.

Creator of Emotions and Truth, may You align my thinking and feelings to Your will and ways. I do not want a big production if it is not done according to Your Word. Nor do I want to be stifled and repressed when indeed something as glorious as Your presence is marching forward for the healing of people. May I love Thy Word that I shall have great peace nor be offended.

Became Great...God was with Him

Prior to this 3rd anointing of David as king in 2 Samuel 5, only one of the tribes of Israel recognized David as king at all (Judah). The other tribes recognized the son of Saul, the puppet Ishbosheth, as king.

After Ishbosheth is murdered, they then turn to David. The tribes only turned to David after their previous choice was taken away. How often I recognize Jesus as king in an area of my life only when my other choices crumble!

Lord Jesus, I desire to chose You outright rather than going through the heartbreak and trials of my other choices failing me!

This 3rd anointing of David is described in greater detail in 1 Chronicles 12:23-40. It tells of the great assembly that gathered in Hebron to finally recognize David as king over all Israel. Chronicles describes the impressive army that came to Hebron, and numbers the ranks at over 340,000 men. The scene is depicted as:

All these men of war, who could keep ranks, came to Hebron with a loyal heart, to make David king over all Israel; and all the rest of Israel were of one mind to make David king. And they were there with David three days, eating and drinking, for their brethren had prepared for them...for there was joy in Israel.

• David was first anointed by the prophet Samuel when he was about 15.
• Then the kingly tribe of Judah anointed him in Hebron when he was 30 years old.
• And finally at the age of 37, God's promise is realized where all Israel unites under the reign of David.

Twenty-two years later!

David spent at least 15 years in preparation for the 40-year-long throne of Israel. God uses great preparation when the task is great. In God’s plan there is almost always a hidden price of greatness. It seems that those who become 'great' among God's people experience much pain and difficulty in God's training process.

I love this quote by Alan Redpath, and so I'll force it right here! The Jebusites thought their city impenetrable, so much so, that they mocked David saying that even their lame and blind could defend so great a city! But as Alan said about that besetting sin that we think unconquerable,

"I want to say to you in the name of the Lord Jesus that there is no habit that has gone so deep but that the power of the blood of Jesus can go deeper, and there is no entrenchment of sin that has gone so far but the power of the risen Lord, by His Holy Spirit, can go further."

So as it was with the fortress on Mt. Zion, even so shall my immovable mountain fortress of sin be defeated by the Son of David, Jesus Christ!

David could have written the original The Purpose Driven Life! What peace and purpose there is when we can know the three things David knew:

• David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel: David knew that God called him and established him over Israel.
• He had exalted His kingdom: David knew that the kingdom belonged to God - it was His kingdom.
• For the sake of His people Israel: David knew God wanted to use him as a channel to bless His people. It was not for David's sake that he was lifted up, but for the sake of His people Israel.

But even in his purpose driven life, he fought his battles and made poor choices. When David took more concubines and wives to himself, he was in direct disobedience to Deuteronomy 17:17: Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away.

And though the David and everyone else around him may have seen his many children as God's sign of blessing upon him; we read that most of the trouble to come in David's life comes from his relationship with women and from his children.

Here David was with great success and prosperity (the Lord was with him despite these choices) and David is sowing seeds of trouble for the future. There were no immediate ramifications for his actions, but the seeds were buried away and was only enduring a gestation period before blooming into full blown coup!

Yet, despite his inability to exercise discernment in his intimate relationships, he was wise enough to wait on the Lord before the second battle that would affect all of Israel.

If in the same situation of facing a second battle, I would have said, "I've fought this battle before. I know how to win. This will be easy." But David didn't run on the fuel of yesterday's victory. He always triumphed when he sought and obeyed God.

We just finished a Bible study by Priscilla Shirer regarding Discerning the Voice of God. A quote from the old commentator Adam Clark seems to tie in nicely with that Bible Study and today's passage:

"How is it that such supernatural directions and assistances are not communicated now? Because they are not asked for; and they are not asked for because they are not expected; and they are not expected because men have not faith; and they have not faith because they are under a refined spirit of atheism, and have no spiritual intercourse with their Maker."

O Word become Flesh, grant me ears to hear, and a heart that believes. Teach me what "spiritual intercourse with the Maker" looks like.

Zeal for Others

In 2 Samuel 4, we again see what zeal David seems to have in vindicating people wronged other than himself. He will endure for years someone who mistreats him, but lay a hand on another and David is compelled to requite justice.

His name was Mephibosheth:
This was the son of Jonathan, David's covenantal friend, who died with his father in battle. Mephibosheth was the last male descendant of Saul with a strong legal claim to the throne of Saul. At this time he was only 12 years old - and he was lame.

As she made haste to flee, that he fell and became lame:
Mephibosheth was weak because of circumstances beyond his control. He was weak because of his age, and because of injury that came from the hand of another.

We will see more of Mephibosheth in later chapters!

Think of those two Benjamites bringing Ishbosheth's severed head to David. Claiming to David, "We are God's servants, defeating your enemies as instruments of God."

Their claim, "The Lord has avenged my lord the king," was presuming on God’s approval of their deed, as though they had acted on the Lord’s express orders, instead of their own selfish plot to gain favor with the up and coming king!

The son of Saul your enemy.
Rechab & Baanah would have fared better if they had kept their mouth shut. How often I add words to a conversation just to prevent silence, and it ends up damaging things.

So as these Benjamites relate to David the account the son of Saul your enemy...David couldn't relate to this, because he didn't think of Saul as his enemy. The beautiful song David composed at the death of Saul and Jonathan shows that though Saul set himself as an enemy of David, David did not regard him as an enemy, but rather as the Lord's anointed!

Rechab and Baanah thought David would be pleased to see the severed head of Ishbosheth. They underestimated David's loyalty to God and the house of Saul. David was loyal to his pledge to honor and preserve Saul's family and descendants.

Even though Ishbosheth was not the Lord’s anointed in the same sense as Saul was, David had thoroughly learned to let God take vengeance!

So, David would not accept their evil deed, even though it seemed to serve a good purpose - unifying Israel under David's reign as king.

"While it is true that God overrules all the doings of men, and compels them ultimately to serve His high purposes, it is equally true that no servant of His can ever consent to do evil that good may come. It is an arresting truth that our Lord in the days of his earthly life would not accept the testimony of demons." (You'll never guess! Yep, Spurgeon!)

Oh Loyal Covenant Keeper, grant me a heart that waits patiently for Your will to be accomplished, and a zeal for the justice for others. And guide this fickled heart to be able to discern how a good purpose should righteously be pursued! Bank me in with discernment and wisdom.

Choosing Our Responses

Interesting how much of this chapter is taken up with wives & concubines. The first thing listed in 2 Samuel 3 are the six wives and six kids of David. One-half of them we will learn more about, and that not in pretty colors.

• Amnon raped his half-sister and was murdered by his half-brother.
• Absalom murdered his half-brother and led a civil war against his father David, attempting to murder David.
• Adonijah tried to seize the throne from David and David's appointed successor - then he tried to take one of David's concubines and was executed for his arrogance.

Since I know a little something about fickleness, it isn't hard to detect ole Abner and his many multi-faceted plots! But in the midst of it all, if Abner knew that David was God's choice for king, why did he fight against him before this? Abner is a good example of those of us who know things to be true but don't live as if they were true.

Lord Jesus, where You lead, I will follow!

So Abner did the right thing when he joined David's side but he did it for the wrong reason. Instead of joining David because Ishbosheth offended him personally, he should have joined David because he knew that David was God's choice to be king.

God of Righteousness, help me to serve You with a pure heart and with pure motives!

The fact that Abner - who was a general, not a Bible scholar - knew the prophecies regarding David, and the fact that he could ask the leaders of Israel to consider them means that these prophecies of David were widely known.

Sadly, they were not widely obeyed - most of Israel was lukewarm and unenthusiastic in their embrace of David as king. In this regard David prefigures his greater Son. Jesus fulfilled all manner of prophecy regarding the Messiah, yet He was rejected by all but a remnant of Israel.

After Abner came and tried to get reconciled with David, David responded very gently, as he seemed to most everyone who tried to usurp his position. As with Saul and Ishbosheth, David was wise and generous towards a former adversary. A lesser man would never forgive Abner for leading an army against God's king, but David was a great, wise, and generous man.

Now, why wasn't Joab pleased that Abner had defected and joined David's side? There are at least three reasons for his hostility.

1. Joab feared Abner was a deceiver, a double agent working on behalf of Ishbosheth, the pretender king.

2. Abner killed Joab's brother, and Joab was the avenger of blood for Asahel.

3. As the chief general of the former King Saul, Abner had a lot of top-level military experience. Abner might take Joab's place as David's chief military assistant.

And I can see Joab's response better than I can see David's! Joab may have even justified his actions by thinking, "I'm doing this to defend and honor David my king."

But our sin and treachery never honors our king. We must avoid the trap Spurgeon spoke of: "We may even deceive ourselves into the belief that we are honoring our Lord and Master when we are, all the while, bringing disgrace upon his name."

Oh Holy Spirit, grant guidance, discernmnet and power to know Your will and to walk in it!

Patience of David

I have been googling and reading and contemplating the relationship between David and Jonathan, and thought perhaps that I could scribble out my thoughts in a day or two's time. But there seems to be a gaping hole missing in all the commentaries about these two fellows.

They seem to fall within one of two camps.
1) They were just commonly good close friends; or
2) they were homosexual lovers.

I'm not convinced that either one is correct. Perhaps we are missing from our American mindset a third type of relationship, that more suitably describes the convenantal relationship between Jonathan and David.

So, since I have not done with that project, I thought it best not to delay the continuing on with our readings in 2 Samuel. And will be blogging tonight about 2 Samuel 2.

David inquired of the Lord.

How much of David's successes hinged on this very practice of his? David wanted more than God's blessings on his plans, but he wanted to be right smack dab in the middle of God's plan.

So instead of David taking the fleshly opportunity to capitalize on the chaos in Israel following Saul's death, David "inquires of the Lord."

How often I am inclined to force a calling or a promise using the arm of flesh instead of waiting God's perfect timing. Remember, David was anointed king of Israel by Samuel 15 to 20 years before this.

I not only struggle with manipulating myself and others, but also trying to manipulate God Himself! David resisted such a temptation!

David receives a second anointing at the hands of more people. O thank God that He meets with us in a special way more than once at the beginning of our Christian journey. But He gives us milestones along the way!

And I would just suggest that this anointing came as a result of getting making amends and getting reconciled with the people of Judah.

Seems like Abner still has ought against David from the embarrassement suffered at his hands in 1 Samuel 26 where Abner failed to protect his cousin, king Saul (though David did spare his life!).

So Abner set up Ishbosheth, son of Saul (perhaps an illegitimate one - considering the name), to be king, though he certainly seems to be playing the puppet to Abner.

And if David's sparing of Saul, the Lord's anointed, mystified us, what are we to make of this man-made uprising by Ishbosheth that lasted for two years?

Clearly, Ishbosheth and the tribes that followed after him, could have been defeated if the ratio was 20:360 in just one of the battles. But David exercised ridiculous (or so I would have assessed it) patience, longsuffering and trust in God.

I can't help but notice the similarily between David not forcing his reign on anyone, and how that the Son of David won't force Himself on us either.

O Patient, Spotless One! Reign over me! Tear down any false pretenders to the throne of my heart. Purify my heart and make it wholly Thine. Please give insight into David and Jonathan's relationship as well.

Just for the record, Abner is Saul's cousin. Joab, Abishai and Asahel were David's nephews, the sons of his sister Zeruiah.

Battling Bitterness

The second book of Samuel opens with an Amalekite's account of how Saul died in battle, which had him actually delivering the death-blow to Saul. 1 Samuel 31 had Saul falling on his sword, and when his armorbearer saw that "he was dead" he fell on his sword too.

So whether the Amalekite came upon Saul while life still lingered in him and finished him off at his request; or whether he simply lied in hopes that David would be pleased and reward him...David did not appreciate the Amalekite's hand had ANYTHING to do with the death of the "Lord's Anointed."

1) If we do take the Amalekite's story as true, this is a chilling irony in the life and death of Saul. Back in 1 Samuel 15, God commanded Saul to completely destroy the people of Amalek in a unique war of judgment. But Saul blatantly failed to do that! And now an Amalekite will bring a bitter end to his tragic life.

Captain of my Soul, help me to obey fully Your edicts. Empower me to utterly put to death the cravings and lust of the flesh, lest it be the death of me!

2) But I can certainly imagine the Amalekite telling a tale of him slaying the king of Israel in hopes it would put him in good graces with David. I spent the first 35 years of my life doing that, and find myself still tempted to do the same. Make me look better than I really am.

The truth of the matter is, the Amalekite probably just happened to be the first person to come across the body of Saul and his armorbearer, and he scavanged the crown and bracelet from him and brought it to David. What would have happened to him if he had just stuck to the truth of the matter, instead of embellishing it?

Jesus, who is full of Grace and Truth, help me to daily experience the freedom that is found in honesty and truth.

When David heard of Saul's death I would have expected celebration at the death of this great enemy and rival. After all, out of pure jealousy, hatred, spite, and ungodliness Saul took away David's family, home, career, security, and the best years of David's life - and Saul was utterly unrepentant to the end. Yet...

...when David heard of Saul’s death, he did not rejoice. Instead, he mourned, wept, fasted and composed a song in honor of Saul and Jonathan. In spite of all that Saul did against David, David spoke well of Saul after his death.

I'm convicted by the powerful testimony of how David kept his heart free from bitterness, even when we was greatly wronged and sinned against. David fulfilled 1 Corinthians 13:5: love thinks no evil. He knew the principle of 1 Peter 4:8: And above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins.

Does this mean that hatred and bitterness and unforgiveness are chosen? And that they are not necessarily imposed on us? Somehow David chose to become better instead of bitter.

One truth that might have supported David during this time was knowing that God was in charge of his life, and that even if Saul meant it for evil, God could use it for good. Perhaps the years in the wilderness, escaping Saul, really were years when God trained David to be a king!

I wonder if it also helped David to forgive Saul when he remembered how God had forgiven him. David heard the news of Saul’s death and sang the “Song of the Bow” when he was in Ziklag. The city was still filled with burned rubble that was the indirect result of David’s backsliding and sin. David had just come from a time when the Lord had graciously forgiven him - how could he not show a gracious heart towards Saul’s memory.

The contents of David's song displays for us that he really somehow managed to esteem Saul:

• David saw beauty in Saul (2 Samuel 1:19).
• David wanted no one to rejoice in Saul’s death (2 Samuel 1:20).
• David wanted everyone to mourn, even the mountains and fields (2 Samuel 1:21).
• David praised Saul as a mighty warrior (2 Samuel 1:22-23).
• David complimented the personality and loyalty of Saul (2 Samuel 1:23).
• David called Israel to mourning, and called on others to praise Saul for the good he did for Israel (2 Samuel 1:24).

I have been thinking alot about Jonathan and David and their friendship lately. I'll scribble something about that next before moving on to chapter 2.

Love of Heaven, thank You for Your forgiveness. I pray that I will walk in it as David did, especially when dealing with those who have offended me. Oh for a heart that esteems every person above myself in a healthy way.

Tragedy of Being Unprepared

We come to the conclusion of 1 Samuel and the conclusion of the people's king, Saul. Sin causes such chaos and confusion.

What a sad plot Saul's life took. As sad as anything is in this account, sad is the absence of any kind of sorrow or repentance or crying out to God at all on Saul’s part. He was told the previous day that he would die, yet he does not seem to have prepared his soul to meet God in any way.

When Saul saw the Philistine army preparing to attack Israel, he spent his time going undercover to a witch's cove. No preparation of his army. No preparation to meet God. No preparation from a kingly standpoint except to consult a medium. So no wonder when the Philistines attacked all Israel was thrown into disarray and slain on Mt. Gilboa.

Lord God, as I hear hard words or encounter difficult times, may I cry out to You, and be quick to repent lest it give the Philistines the victory.

And to think...David wanted to be a part of this group of Philistines. It was the Lord’s mercy that did not allow David to take up with these enemies of the Lord. David would have had a hand not only in slaying Saul, but in killing his covenantal best friend, that brave and worthy Jonathan. To the end, we see Jonathan loyally fighting for his God, his country, and his father the king unto the very end.

Merciful Saviour, how I thank You for sparing me the many snares I would I have chosen to fall headlong into, if it were not for Your intervention.

As much as the events of Saul and his family's death grieved David, it is clear to see that it did provide David a smoother path to the kingship of Israel in the aftermath. I'm thankful the Lord is able to see the big picture.

What can be said about suicide? Saul's beginning looked so bright, but as time took it's toll on this tall, handsome man, jealousy took over. Even to the point that it led to the sin of suicide. After all, suicide is self-murder. Yet, it is wrong to regard suicide as the unforgivable sin.

There is no depth that a person (yes, even a Christian), won't go, if we start trusting in our own hearts more instead of God's will. And this isn't even addressing the physical suicidal causes. The Christian is not granted a special hedge of protection over the synapses of the brain or the chemical balance of it. We are prone to heart disease, liver disease, and any other organ disease, including the brain, just like the rest of the world.

Every sin is forgivable. Every poor choice we make is forgivable. But just as in this story...the tragedy is so far reaching. All of God's people were in total chaos and on the edge of captivity. It was even used to glorify pagan gods and to mock the living God (to proclaim it in the temple of their idols and among the people).

Giver of Life, help me to embrace You as the source of Life. During the darkness of life may I lean hard on You rather than leaning on my sword.

Out of the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead arose valiant men who gave kindness to the memory of Saul, Jonathan, and Saul's other sons. Many years before, Saul delivered their city from the Ammonites, and they faithfully repay the kindness God showed them from the hand of Saul. And so the men of Jabesh Gilead took down the bodies of Saul and his sons from their place of humiliation and gave them a proper burial.

Lord Jesus, help me to give tokens of my appreciation and gratitude to the many people You have used in my life to deliver me from the "Ammonites," while they are still alive. Oh for a deeply grateful heart!

Return to the Lord

This is a turn-around-chapter for David (1 Samuel 30). For 16 months he's been mercilessly raiding other villages, being sure to leave no survivors behind in order to cover his sin (compare David's tactics with the Amalekites "merciful" kidnappings!); and even arrived to the point where he was ready to battle against God's people of whom he was to be king!

And remember how he got himself into this whole mess? David said in his heart lies, old tapes, discouragements, etc. But in this chapter, after much orchestrating and corralling by the Lord, David returns to the Lord in his thinking.
David strengthened himself in the Lord!
Our heart is the battlefield for the soul!

When the Bible reads "Now it happened..." I take great comfort knowing that the Amalekites invasion didn't "just happen." God had a purpose for orchestrating this whole thing in David's life. Yes! Even though it affected 600 men and their families!

So it was "All had been lost." At this point, David has nothing more to support him. No one in Israel can help him. The Philistines don’t want him. His family is gone; all he has owned is gone.

But at least he has his friends, right? Not really; the people spoke of stoning him. Every support is gone, except the Lord. That is a good place to be in, not a bad place.

So after God has painted him into a corner, David reaches out to the character of God. David went to Him for comfort when everything and everyone was against him.

He knew there was no one to turn to for strength in such an overwhelming crisis except the Lord...and he had confidence that the Lord would be merciful even after 1-1/2 years of doing his own rebellious way!

Yes, even backslidden David, wayward David, “fight-with-the-Philistines” David can reach the ear and heart of the Lord! Why would God strengthen him? Because God is rich in mercy and grace. David was completely broken, bringing absolutely nothing but filthy, empty hands to God.

It is not the sinlessness of our hearts that causes God to bend His ear. Sometimes we think we have to achieve God’s blessing or strength, but David shows us another way...and how much more does the Son of David offer us a freer way!

David is given assurance from the Lord that he shall have the victory over the Amalekites. But even after being given the God-backed-guarenteed win, 1/3 of David's men (200) were still too emotionally drained and physically exhausted from their 3-day (75 miles) march to Ziklag.

This might have been tremendously discouraging to David. As he pursues a significantly larger Amalekite army, he finds that one-third of his men can’t continue.

But David doesn’t let this trial stop him. His faith is being revived by the mercy of God and he continues on his battle to reclaim lost treasures!

After leaving behind 200 fighting men, he marches toward the Amalekites with a strong resolve to secure what had been lost. But then they come across a man collapsed in the wilderness.

It would have been easy, and perhaps logical, to ignore this man because they had a “much greater” mission in pursing the Amalekites. But David and his men show unexpected kindness to this man,
and they gave him bread and he ate, and they let him drink water.
A revival seems to be occuring in the heart of David!

The Egyptian man is able to lead David to the Amalekites (just like God to give him a pat on the back for meeting this one man's needs!). After assessing the situation, David clearly sees that the best strategy is to attack when all of the enemy are suffering hang overs from the victory celebration!

Everything that the enemy had taken, David took back. God gave him a complete victory. God gave David even more than what was promised. He received spoil from the battle, beyond what had been taken from Ziklag. This was blessing straight from the grace of God.

(Now, in the great battle of Christ on our behalf, He has not only given us back what we lost, but He has given us what Adam in his perfection never had. The Lord's restoration always exceeds our losses!)

After the great victory, the 400 fighting men returned to the other 200 weary men who stayed by the stuff. The worthless men looked at the spoil and said, “We fought for this spoil and it is ours.”

David looked at the spoil and said, “Look at what the Lord has given us.” When we look at it that way, how could we not share? When the Lord had given David such a great victory, he really saw it as the Lord’s victory more than his own.

In response to this spat, David declares an important principle:
the supply lines are just as vital as the soldiers are and God will compensate both “soldiers” and “supporters” properly.

The closing verses are David doing his Steps 8 & 9...he's making amends to his family and friends who were affected by his defection to the Philistines. He knows he must do whatever he can to put things right again, so he sent some of the spoil to the elders of Judah.

While 1 Samuel 27:1 shows us how David could fall so far short, this chapter outlines for us his journey back to the arms of God and into His will:

• David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.
• David inquired of the Lord.
• David believed God’s promise.
• David did what God told him to do.
• David showed unexpected care and kindness to others.
• David saw it as the Lord’s victory.
• David shared the reward with others.
• David did what he could to mend relationships.

Merciful Restorer, teach me to encourage myself in You, to strengthen myself in You, even when my scaffolding all around me collapses. Keep the thoughts and intents of my heart solely captivated by You and Your beauties.

Another quote from Charles Spurgeon (just be thankful I don't include nearly as much as I would otherwise from him!)

“May you see your self-righteousness burned like Ziklag, and all your carnal hopes carried away captive, and may you then encourage yourselves in Christ, for He will recover all for you, and give you spoil besides, and there shall be joy and rejoicing.” (Spurgeon)