Life of Grace

The Cousins

2009-04-04T03:11:00.002-05:00

Matthew 3 is setting the stage for Jesus' public ministry, because who knows just how He was ministering during His 30 year in the carpenter shop of Joseph!

The Voice for God

Matthew uses this passage from Isaiah 40:3 to identify John the Baptist as the prophesied forerunner of the Messiah. In this role, John’s purpose was to prepare hearts for the Messiah, and to bring an awareness of sin among Israel so they could receive the salvation from sin offered by the Messiah (Matthew 1:21).

His ministry has in mind building up a great road for the arrival of a majestic king. The idea is to fill in the holes, and knock down the hills that are in the way.

So John’s main message wasn’t "You’re a sinner, you need to repent."

John’s main message was "The Messiah is coming."

The call to repentance was the response to the news that the Messiah was coming.

The Frauds against God

John accuses the religious leaders of the day of wanting to appear anxious for the Messiah, but not truly repenting and preparing their hearts; John demanded fruits worthy of repentance.

The Purpose of God

Baptize you with the Holy Spirit: This is the promised out-pouring of the Holy Spirit promised with the New Covenant (Ezekiel 37:14).

And fire: To baptize with fire means to bring the fires of judgment, which will purify the pure, but destroy the wicked like chaff. Chaff is the worthless residue of a wheat stalk after the kernel of grain has been removed. These proud and unrepentant leaders are just as useless to God.

The Jewish leaders thought that the Messiah would come with judgment, but only against Israel’s enemies. They were blind in their self-righteous confidence that only others needed to get right with God.

The Baptism of Jesus (God)

The purpose was for Jesus to completely identify Himself with sinful man. This is exactly what He did in His birth, His upbringing, and His death. So here is Jesus standing again in the place of sinful man.

The Voice of God

It was important for God the Father to publicly demonstrate that Jesus’ baptism was not just like anyone else’s, in the sense of being a display of repentance. It was not a display of repentance, but instead it was a righteous identification with sinners, motivated by love, was well pleasing to the Father.

This is an occasion when the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit are all manifested at the same time.

This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased: When this voice of God the Father spoke from heaven, everyone knew that Jesus was not just another man being baptized. They knew Jesus was the perfect (in whom I am well pleased) Son of God, identifying with sinful man. By this, everyone knew that Jesus was different. Jesus was baptized to be identified with sinful man, but He was also baptized to be identified to sinful man.

O Father, Jesus is so much more than well-pleasing to us! He became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. And this step of baptism is just another way in which He associated Himself with us sinful creatures. Thank You for loving us so much so as to make a way for us to be reconciled to Yourself.

Father we do not want to be caught in self-righteousness, but desire a spirit of repentance. We know we have needs. We change our minds and agree with John the Baptist that You are right and we are wrong. Help our hearts and minds to line up with Your way of thinking and doing!

John's ministry must have looked mighty weird during his day, and I can only imagine how that would translate to today! But You blessed him with success. I pray that You will bless St. Philip's ministry to the Bright Zone with success as well. Not for their namesake, but for the hearts of the people who live, work and worship in the Bright Zone. But even more importantly, that more people will fall in love with Jesus and give Him the worship due His name.

I pray especially for the Birds, Babbili's (be with auntie Barbara, Willie, Helen, Manas and Shreeker), Brinkmans, Goforths (may they serve the same God with the same zeal as the Goforths of China), Harrisons, Harringtons, Lundes, Mirzaie-Golkahageh, and the Wintons (that Steven, Deven, Wren and Asa would find complete and total satisfaction in You). May they all draw closer to You especially during this time when the world seems to be crumbling! In Jesus' name, Amen!

In the Beginning...

2009-04-02T02:40:00.002-05:00

Yay!! We are in the New Testament in the 3-Year Bible Reading Plan at St. Philip's! Aside from the Psalms and Proverbs, the Old Testament books are behind us for a while!

And to think the New Testament opens up with a book written by that dirty, lo-down, rascally tax collector, Matthew. At least that is what he was before Jesus got ahold of him!

While we read through Matthew it would be good to notice how often he refers to the Old Testament, whether by outright quoting, or simply alluding to it. He seems to be concerned about the transition from Old Testament Judaism and it's prophecies, to the New Testament Christ and His fulfillments!

And the first verse is a great example of the prophecy/fulfillment idea! Jesus is the prophesied Son of David (2 Samuel 7:12-16), the promised Seed of Abraham by Whom all the nations will be blessed (Genesis 12:3).

In this legal lineage of Jesus which goes through Joseph, Matthew records five women, a rather unusual event for a Jewish recorder.

Women were rarely mentioned in ancient genealogies, and the five mentioned here are worthy of special note as examples of God’s grace. They show how God can take unlikely people and use them in great ways.They are

Tamara: She sold herself as a prostitute to her father in-law Judah to bring forth Perez and Zerah. (Genesis 38)

Rahab: She was a Gentile prostitute, for whom God took extraordinary measures to save from judgment and her lifestyle of prostitution. (Joshua 2)

Ruth: She was a widow from enemy territory, Moab, a Gentile. (Book of Ruth)

Bathsheba (Uriah's wife): was an adulteress, infamous for her sin with David. (2 Samuel 11)

Mary: was just an innocent young woman (teenager) of whom it was rumored had become pregnant from a Roman soldier. But yet even with these suspicions (John 8:19, 41), she bore the Son of God who was conceived by the Holy Spirit. This is no greater wonder than the creation of the world by the Holy Spirit. There is no need to choke on this first recorded miracle in the New Testament.

The rest of Matthew 1 is Joseph's chapter. He could have had her stoned according to Jewish law, but he graciously and quietly was just going to cut off the betrothal. He already seemed to know of a higher law called love!

He has the open heart and ears to hear and discern the voice of an angel. I may have just taken some Tylenol PM and try to get past my wild dreams and hallucinations! After all, nobody had ever referred to him as Joseph, son of David before!

The fact that the angel had to share the news about the Holy Spirit conceiving the Child inside of Mary makes me wonder if Mary hadn't told him it was God's child for fear of being thought insane. Or if she had told him, and he did think her insane!

Jesus, Jehovah Saves!

Jesus meets us in our sin, but His purpose is to save us from them.

First from the penalty of sin,
then from the power of sin, and
finally from the presence of sin.

Immanuel, God with us!

This title of Jesus refers to both His deity (God with us) and His identification and nearness to man (God with us).

1:22-23 gives us the first usage of Matthew's mantra that it might be fulfilled!

What a man of integrity, openness, graciousness and temperance. The words did not know her till imply that Joseph and Mary had normal marital relations after Jesus’ birth.

Jesus had four brothers whose names were James, Joseph, Simon and Jude.

Matthew 12:46; 13:55; Luke 8:19; Mark 3:31; John 7:1-10; Acts 1:14; Galatians 1:19

He also had sisters, but they are not named or numbered (Matthew 13:56).

Lord Jesus, Promised One, Who delivers from sin and its power, I pray that You will be with us in a special way as St. Philip's undertakes this outreach campaign in the Bright Zone. I pray especially for the Babbilis, Birds, Brinkmans, Goforths, Harrisons, Harringtons, Lundes, MG, and the Wintons.

Lord, let them experience the same creatorial work by the Holy Spirit in their lives as was demonstrated in creation and in Mary. May they bear forth good fruit that has its roots in heaven. Fruit not of this world. Fruit that will make a difference in their lives, that will sustain them through even economic recessions and spiritual confusion.

Thank You Lord, that You did, and can, use people with checkered pasts and reputations. That somehow You brought forth clean (Jesus) from the unclean (prostitute, deceiver, foreigner, adulteress, etc). I pray that You will use St. Philip's to bring forth spiritual holiness in our neighborhood! In Your name, Jesus, Immanuel, I pray, Amen!

Divert from Reading Plan for Col. 1:24-2:3

2009-03-31T03:07:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow at Women's Bible Study we will be looking at Colossians 1:24-2:3 together, and in preparation for that I am diverting from Malachi tonight to look at this portion of Paul's letter to the Christians in Colosse.

And we start off with a bang. I love to use this verse in opening up conversations with believers, just by asking "what do you think Colossians 1:24 means? Is there some lack in Christ?"

Well, one thing we know, this word afflictions is never used of the suffering of Jesus on the cross. Most commentators see this as a reference to the affliction Jesus endured in ministry. These afflictions are not yet complete, and in this sense Jesus still “suffers” as He ministers through His people, the Church.

Notice that Paul didn’t suffer for himself the way that an ascetic might. Instead he suffered for the sake of the body of Christ.

Ascetics focus on their holiness, on their spiritual growth, and on their perfection. Paul followed in the footsteps of Jesus, and was an others-centered person. Instead, Paul found holiness, spiritual growth, and maturity when he pursued them for others.

In the Biblical sense, a mystery is not a riddle. It is a truth that can only be known by revelation, not intuition. Now it can be known, because it now has been revealed to His saints.

The wonder and glory of the abiding, indwelling Jesus was not clearly revealed in the Old Testament - especially that He would abide in the Gentiles. Therefore, this aspect of the work of Jesus in His people was a mystery that wasn’t revealed until the time of Jesus and the apostles.

This is the Christian’s hope of glory. It isn’t our own hard work or devotion to God, or the power of our own spirituality. Instead, it is the abiding presence of Jesus: Christ in you.

This was the focus of Paul’s preaching. He didn’t preach himself, or his opinions, or even lots and lots of entertaining stories. He preached Jesus.

Some translate warning “counseling.” It means, “to impart understanding,” “to lay on the mind or the heart.” The stress is on influencing not only the intellect, but also the will and disposition. It describes a basic means of education.

The goal of Paul’s ministry was to bring people to maturity in Christ, not dependence upon himself.

Paul’s work was empowered by God’s mighty strength and energy.

Chapter 2

This great conflict was inside Paul (I have for you). It wasn’t that Paul fought with others about the Colossian Christians. Paul described his spiritual warfare and heartfelt care for the Colossians as a great conflict.

Paul was concerned about their enthusiasm, because he longs that their hearts may be encouraged. Paul knew that discouraged, downcast Christians are easy prey for the world, the flesh, and the devil.
Paul was concerned about their unity, because he wanted to see them being knit together in love. The unity wouldn’t come from coercion, but love.
Paul was concerned about their understanding, because he wanted them to gain all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God.

The term mystery of God is used in a few different ways in the New Testament. Here, Paul uses the term regarding the character and person of God - something we could not know unless it were revealed by Him.

Real riches are found in the believer’s full assurance.

It’s not wrong to seek after wisdom and knowledge; but we must seek it all in Jesus.

So much more to this portion, but I am struck foremost by the fullness we have in Jesus Christ, and not just in one arena, like spiritually, or mystically, or emotionally. But in every arena. ALL the FULLNESS dwells in Christ and He in us! O the riches!

Lord Jesus, thank You that when we suffer, You feel it, You are intimately acquainted with it. There is just something comforting about knowing we are that closely connected.

Also, Father, as St. Philip's attempts to go Beyond Ourselves and into the Bright Zone, I pray we would be faithful to Jesus and to them. That it would be more than just a social outreach, but like Paul, we would counsel, teach and proclaim the glorious riches of Christ! Equip us O Lord, and use us.

I pray especially for the Birds, Brinkmans, Babbilis, Goforths, Harringtons, Harrisons, Lundes, Mazrie-Goltehebrath and Wintons. That You would be their Wonderful Counselor, their Prince of Peace, and Mighty God. We all need power during this time of our nation. We desire Your energy to be working in us! Give us a glimpse of what it is to be in conflict for someone else, rather than ourselves, by Your power. In Jesus' name, Amen!

God's Sacrifice of the Good Shepherd

2009-03-30T02:56:00.002-05:00

Zechariah 12 ended with Israel’s return to the LORD through the once rejected but now embraced Messiah. And Zechariah 13 opens with the fountain flowing from their embrace of the Messiah.

They now enjoy a fountain that brings cleansing for sin and for uncleanness. The cleansing comes after their mourning for the One whom they have pierced.

“According to the verse before us this provision is inexhaustible. There is a fountain opened; not a cistern nor a reservoir, but a fountain. A fountain continues still to bubble up, and is as full after fifty years as at the first; and even so the provision and the mercy of God for the forgiveness and the justification of our souls continually flows and overflows.” (Spurgeon--of course!)

Idolatry and false prophecy were the two principle ways Israel was led astray from God. God not only provides a fountain to cleanse, but He also promises to cut off the source of uncleanness - in this case, idolatry and false prophecy.

God promises ultimately to take away even the memory of our sin.

Zechariah prophesies a coming day when public opinion will not tolerate false prophets. There will be such a commitment to the LORD and His truth that even the family of a false prophet will condemn the false prophet.

The man accused of being a false prophet insists the scars on his body are not the self-inflicted wounds often associated with false prophets (1 Kings 18:28; Jeremiah 48:37), but merely the result of a brawl in his friend’s house. This unlikely, ironic explanation shows just how desperately people will avoid being identified with false prophets in this coming day Zechariah speaks of.

(Some take verse 6 as another Messianic prophecy in Zechariah, because Jesus was clearly wounded by those who should have been His friends. But the context demonstrates that this is about false prophets.)

But in the context starting in verse 7, and especially in light of the quotation of this passage in Matthew 26:31, we understand that the Shepherd is Jesus the Messiah - and it is God the Father Himself who calls for the Shepherd to be struck.

Zechariah relates a thought also said in Isaiah 53:10:

Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief.

The prophets Isaiah and Zechariah gloriously and emphatically, state that the suffering of the Servant of the Lord was ordained by the Lord. This was God’s doing! He gave the command to strike the Shepherd. Jesus was no victim of circumstance or at the mercy of political or military power. It was the planned, ordained work of the Lord God, prophesied by Isaiah hundreds of years before it happened. This was God’s victory, not Satan’s or man’s triumph.

As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:19, God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself. The Father and the Son worked together at the cross. Though Jesus was treated as if He were an enemy of God, He was not. Even as Jesus was punished as if He were a sinner, He was performing the most holy service unto God the Father ever offered.

Jesus quoted from Zechariah 13:7 in Matthew 26:31 in reference to the scattering of His disciples during His arrest and suffering. There is also a sense in which the disciples were a type of Israel as a whole in being scattered.

Without Christ and His work on the cross, we are without a Shepherd and are lost and scattered. Thank God for His provision.

O Pierced Shepherd, we thank You for being willing to take the punishment that was our due. O bless the heart that planned it! We pray Lord that You would guide the Bright Zone outreach. We take confidence that it is from Your hand, that we should live Beyond Ourselves and minister to those in our neighborhoods during these hard times.

I pray especially for these families: Birds, Babbilis, Brinkmans, Lundes, Harrisons, Harringtons, Mazrie-Goltehebrah, Goforths and the Wintons. That any stress or pressure they may be experiencing would drive them to You. And that any joy or thanksgiving they may be experiencing would draw their hearts to You! Give guidance to the committee as to how we all can be a part of this outreach, and that we will all be willing to live Beyond Ourselves. In Jesus' name, amen!

Jehovah bade His sword awake;

O Christ, it woke ’gainst Thee!

Thy blood the flaming blade must slake;

Thine heart its sheath must be;

All for my sake, my peace to make;

Now sleeps that sword for me.

(Anne R. Cousin)

There is a fountain filled with blood,

Drawn from Immanuel’s veins;

And sinners, plunged beneath that flood,

Lose all their guilty stains.

(William Cowper)

Foul, I to the Fountain fly;

Wash me, Saviour, or I die.

Rock of Ages, cleft for me,

Let me hide myself in thee.

(Augustus Toplady)

Look upon Him Whom they have pierced...& so will I

2009-03-29T18:48:00.003-05:00

Zechariah 12 begins with praise for God’s creative power, reminding us that He is in control and completely able to accomplish what He predicts.

And for those who believe in the mass conversion of Jews just prior to the physical return of Jesus to this earth, Zechariah 12 is their passage, along with Romans 11:26.

But before we cover that, let me just go to the verse that strikes me most, verse 8. King David was renowned for his fighting ability, courage, and success. God promises that the weakest saint will be as mighty as David - and the leaders can only be compared in might to God! Even in our weakness in Christ, we are mightier than that mighty king of Israel, David!

Now, back to the Jews…Part of this great outpouring of strength and might to defend God’s people will be an outpouring of the Spirit - but also it will be of grace and supplication. God will move among Israel and bring saving grace and repentant prayer.

As Jerusalem is supernaturally defended and the Spirit is poured out on the nation, they will turn to Jesus, the pierced One.

His head was pierced with thorns,
His hands and feet were pierced with nails,
and a spear pierced His side.

They will look: They will turn away from their trust in the foolish, worthless shepherd and turn their focus on the Good Shepherd. When we see Jesus crucified - understanding why He went to the cross and what He accomplished there - we are drawn to Him in humble repentance (John 12:32). So am I.

Whom they pierced. They will realize that they did it, and that they bear responsibility - not sole responsibility, but responsibility nonetheless - for the crucifixion of their Savior. So do I.

They will mourn: The Jewish people will turn to Jesus in repentance, mourning their past rejection of Him. The mourning will be deep, as if for an only son, the firstborn. Firstborn was synonymous with the most beloved. So will I.

Spurgeon is by constant companion and by far my favorite preacher. He was the Billy Graham of the 1800's. He takes time to point out this nugget:

They will look . . . they will mourn: Here we see the pattern for coming to Jesus and true repentance. First we look to Jesus, then we mourn for our sins. Looking to Jesus must come first.

“A great mistake is very common among all classes of men - it is currently believed that we are first of all to mourn for our sins, and then to look by faith to our Lord Jesus Christ. Most persons who have any concern about their souls, but are not as yet enlightened by the Spirit of God, think that there is a degree of tenderness of conscience, and of hatred of sin, which they are to obtain somehow or other, and then they will be permitted and authorized to look to Jesus Christ. Now you will perceive that this is not according to the Scripture, for, according to the text before us. Men first look upon Him whom they have pierced, and then, but not till then, they mourn for their sin.”

“It is a beautiful remark of an old divine, that eyes are made for two things at least; first, to look with, and next, to weep with. The eye which looks to the pierced One is the eye which weeps for Him.”

They will look upon Me: Comparing Zechariah 12:10 with Zechariah 12:1 and 12:3 (Thus says the LORD . . . says the LORD) makes it clear that the Me they look upon is the LORD God - Yahweh - Himself. This is astounding and wonderful evidence that Jesus the pierced One is God, and that Yahweh is the Triune God.

O Pierced One, thank You for taking the penalty my sin deserved and bearing them in Your body on the tree. That is the greatest act of love. It isn't so much the cross or the crucifixion or even what Mel Gibson portrayed in The Passion, but it is the pain of taking on the sins of the whole world into that sinless, pure, and perfect bosom and doing it all for me. My life cannot be radical enough for You, it can never compare to the radical extent You went to for me. Thank You so much.

I pray that the families in the Bright Zone will get to discover Your outrageous love, and if it be Your good will, that St. Philip's will get to be a part of that discovery! We pray that You will own this initiative of living Beyond Ourselves and bless all the families that live within the Ida Bright Elementary attendance zone. Especially the Babbilis, Birds, Brinkmans, Lundes, Harrisons, Harringtons, Mazrie-Goltehebrah, Goforths and Wintons. Thank You for Your sacred love, Amen!

The Price of a Dead Slave

2009-03-29T04:52:00.003-05:00

Zechariah 11:1-3 is often understood to be yet another history lesson for us (though it was a future lesson when Zack spoke/wrote it!).

Some would say it describes the events of 70 AD when Vespasian and Titus came down through Lebanon to destroy Israel and Judah and Jerusalem. These Romans destroyed Jerusalem after the Good Shepherd was crucified.

(Josephus, who was Jew taken into Vespasian's family, recorded the whole event in his book called Wars of the Jews commissioned by Vespasian himself.)

But the rest of Zechariah 11 seems to be an allegory (difficult as it may be) that speaks of God fulfilling His promise. In it God speaks to a person yet unnamed (4) and tells him to pasture the flock "marked for slaughter." They are so marked by their own leaders, who think only of the profit they can gain by selling out their people (4-6).

But when the Good Shepherd comes to care for the flock, and "particularly for the oppressed of the flock," He is rejected! Though He rids them of false shepherds and seeks to guide them with grace (favor) and unity (union), He is detested by His sheep!

The first thing He does is remove three shepherds. Perhaps "these three shepherds should not be seen as three individuals but as three classes of individuals, namely: the prophets, priests, and kings of Israel.” (Boice)

The offices of prophet, priest, and king were taken away from Israel after the Roman conquest of Judea and have never been restored - because they are now fulfilled in Jesus Christ.

But the sheep detest these acts, as well as the very Shepherd Himself. For His care for them, the only pay they offer is "thirty pieces of silver."

Strikingly, this price is the amount set in Old Testament law as compensation to be paid for a dead slave (Exodus 21:32)! And the price of the Good Shepherd is thrown "into the house of the Lord to the potter" (13).

The Gospels present this passage as a prophecy about Jesus.

He came, announcing Himself as the Good Shepherd (John 10:11-18).
But the flock He came to pasture detested Him.
The priests weighed out the price of a dead slave to Jesus' betrayer (Matthew 26:14-16).
And later, after Jesus' death, the coins were brought back by a remorseful Judas and thrown into the temple.
The chief priests picked up the coins and "decided to use the money to buy a potter's field as a burial place for foreigners" (Matthew 27:1-10).
Thus the words of Zechariah found fulfillment in Jesus, as did the similar prophecy of Jeremiah (32:6-9).

With the Good Shepherd slain, the staffs of grace and unity are broken. He is replaced by worthless shepherds (14-17).

And so this chapter ends with the death of the Good Shepherd. But His death is not the end, for evil has not and will not overcome!

Whew Lord Jesus! We do not want to treat Your provisions with such disdain. We rejoice with what You are doing, and what You are yet to do. Help us to join You and be a part of it, rather than criticize and crucify the vision before we even see what it is all about. We do not want to be guilty of doing the very thing the Jews were guilty of when they nailed You to the cross 2,000 years ago...rejecting the provision of Jehovah!

Father, bless the Beyond Ourselves effort as it seems to throb of the very heartbeat of Jesus, just by the mere fact that we are other-focused rather than self-focused. Guide St. Philip's exactly how they are to reach out to everyone in the Bright Zone, and raise up at least 300 people to be a part of this outreach!

I especially pray for the Harringtons, Harrisons, Goforths, Babbilis, Wintons, Lundes, Brinkmans and Mazrie-Goltehebrah. Lord, may these families be directly contacted and impacted by the Beyond Ourselves campaign and brought into a closer relationship with You! Amen!

Jesus Our Shepherd

2009-03-28T15:17:00.003-05:00

We may have further history in Zechariah 10:1-12 as some say it is a reference to the successful stand made by Judas Maccabeus and his brothers against Antiochus around 165 BC.

Israel had no irrigation system, and relied on rain to water their crops. In a time of drought, nothing grew - so Israel relied on both the former rain (falling in autumn) and the latter rain (falling in spring).

So when God says that He will give them showers of rain: The Lord is challenging His people saying, “Be bold enough to ask Me, and I will answer your prayer. I will provide what only I can provide.”

In man’s ideas of equality, often everyone ends up equally poor. But with God, His idea of equality means abundance for everyone. (10:1)

The people have listened to false and deceptive leaders, and part of the reason is because there is a lack of godly leadership. But God will make His people as royal horses in the battle. In mercy God will take His people and transform them from a flock of sheep to a herd of powerful horses, ready for service.

Though God is displeased with Israel’s shepherds, He will raise up the perfect Shepherd from and for Judah.

Jesus is the cornerstone: the foundation, measure, and standard
(Isaiah 28:16, Psalm 118:22-23, Matthew 21:42, Acts 4:11, 1 Peter 2:4-5).
Jesus is the tent peg: holding all things securely
(Isaiah 22:23-24).
Jesus is the battle bow: a strong fighter for good
(Isaiah 63:1-4, Revelation 19:11-16).
Jesus is the leader over every ruler of His people
(Revelation 19:16).

God has strengthened us, and will strengthen us. Ephesians 6:10 says that we can draw on His resources for strength: Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

The availability of God’s strength means there will be opportunities for us to use it. “The Lord does not say, ‘I will take you away from your labors,’ but ‘I will strengthen you, so that you will be able to perform, them.’ ” (Spurgeon)

Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen St. Philip's as the partner with Frisco ISD to reach out to the Bright Zone, everyone who lives, works and worships in the Ida Bright Elementary School attendance area. I pray our focus in this area of Frisco will have a ripple effect for all Frisco, Collin County, Metroplex, Texas, USA, World. We want to dare to dream big, for without vision the people perish!

I especially for the Goforths, Harringtons, Harrisons, Lunde, Babbili, Wintons, Brinkman and Mazrie-Goltehebrah. May these difficult economic times drive them not to a bigger government (be that as it may) but rather to You Lord Jesus. May they know You as Jehovah-Jireh, The Lord Provider!

Thank You for family, friends, and all the people you have put in my life. You sure so spoil me. Amen!

One Thing for Sure...He does Restore 2x as Much!

2009-03-28T14:01:00.002-05:00

Zechariah 9 is loaded!

Some say it speaks against nations that follow Alexander the Great's path of destruction, thus making him the fulfillment of this chapter in 331 BC. It makes for some very interesting reading to cross these two elements:

The Great Greek's conquering path &
the nations and cities mentioned in Zechariah 9:1-8

especially when you consider that Alex spared Jerusalem (compare to 9:8)!

(See Josephus' interesting account of this in his eleventh book, Chapter 8, paragraph 4-5)

If the first eight verses are about Alexander's march through the regions surrounding Israel, it makes verse 9 all the more stark as it describes Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem as "lowly and riding on a donkey!" (See Matthew 21 & John 12)

And ever since Jesus rode into Jerusalem, the Gospel has been riding on throughout the earth from sea to shining sea!

The rest of the chapter carries the idea that the Lord Himself leads the battle in the end. Both the Bible and the Koran have the idea of the holy war - which Islam calls Jihad - but there is a huge difference between the idea of the holy war in the Bible and in Islam.

Jesus alone carries out the Biblical holy war - never His people.
In Islam, the Jihad is the responsibility of every good Muslim.

God will, and does, protect His people who are covered by the blood of the Lamb. And we "will sparkle in His hand like jewels in a crown!" How precious is His mercy and grace!

Lord Jesus, thank You for conquering our hearts by Your love and beauty! Thank You for protecting Your house (for it is all of us). Father we ask that You would be just as zealous to protect Your name and reputation in our own lives.

Thank You especially for verse 12!
Return to your fortress, O prisoners of hope;
even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.
To be Your captive is to be a "prisoner of hope!" And You do more than just doubly restore, You go so much beyond that in our lives.

So I ask Lord, that we would live Beyond Ourselves, especially towards those who live in the Bright Zone. Help St. Philip's be a world-changing factor for the Bright Zone. Be with the leaders tonight as they unveil our intention in this outreach. I pray that the Harrington family will be one of many who are impacted by this ministry.

And help me to successfully and purposefully get into prison, as You deem best. We love You Lord. Amen.

Bright Zone

2009-03-27T03:52:00.004-05:00

St. Philip's is focusing their efforts on the people who live and work in the Bright Zone. And just what is the Bright Zone?

Frisco ISD has divvied up the area into 27 regions identified by Elementary schools. The region where St. Philip's exists is named after the school that St. Phil's had its start...Ida Lee Bright Elementary (or Bright for short!)

As you can see on this map, it is located in the heart of Frisco going from Main street south to Stonebrook, and from Preston to the Tollway (with a little westward peninsula that encompasses St. Philip's!)

(Coordinates = LY-LZ:511-512)

It also is one of the most, if not the most, impoverished region of all 27 districts. Instead of a building campaign, St. Philip's is going to focus on a people campaign, that of reaching out to everyone who lives and works in the Bright Zone for the Lord!

Growing Faith that Impacts the Bright Zone for Christ!

Step One to Step Twelve

2009-03-27T03:23:00.003-05:00

Zechariah 8 continues to answer the inquiry made at the beginning of chapter 7 of whether or not we should continue to remember the sins of our past that took us into a 70-year captivity! You just gotta love this chapter!

Truth and Love Must Prevail

The Lord declares that His passionate love for Israel has not diminished.

A series of sayings of the Lord assures His people that they are the objects of His love. The hard-heartedness of their fathers in 7:11-14 has not swayed the Lord from His commitment to Jerusalem and her people.

Zechariah describes at length the prosperity awaiting the chosen city. The Lord had returned to dwell there (and where ever the Lord is there is freedom and transformation), and the old men and women who were at the end of life should join with happy boys and girls who were at the beginning in the enjoyment of the blessings of peace.

So entirely would the memory of the past be obliterated that fateful anniversaries would soon fade from their minds. Indeed they would discover that their dark days had been the source and origin of their glad ones.

One last thought from Dr. James Boice regarding the last verse:

“We are all clinging to the seamless robe of that one Jew, Jesus of Nazareth, who because of His work on the cross is the only basis on which anyone may approach God and entreat Him for spiritual blessings.”

Lord, we are so thankful that you can even redeem our poor choices and use them for good. It takes no great God to use good people who always makes the right choices. But what a marvellously gracious and powerful God You are, that can take rebels, self-willed, constantly-finding-trouble, children and use them to minister to others.

I pray for all those who trapped by addictions and are working the 12 step program. Let them discover how You can turn their powerlessness into a care and compassion and ministry to others.

We pray for those who meet at St. Philip's for AA, and that anyone in the Bright Zone who struggles with powerlessness, that they would come and see Your transforming power in their lives. I pray that if the Harrington's are experiencing any captivity or bondage, that You will be their Savior and Deliverer! Amen

Focusing on Past Sins tends towards Self-indulgence

2009-03-27T02:27:00.002-05:00

Zechariah 7 starts off with a delegation being sent, apparently from Babylon to Jerusalem with, of all things, a question about fasting. At this point, the temple was somewhere around halfway completed.

There are seven feasts that the Jews observed during their captivity, four of which recalled the destruction of the temple and their captivity:

1) First enclosure of Jerusalem by the enemies' lines
4) the capture of the city
5) destruction by fire of the Temple
7) murder of Gedaliah.

The national life was depressed by this constant memory of disaster. These men knew that during their forced exile in Babylon they observed these feasts that remembered the tragic fall of Jerusalem.

But now since God’s people were back in the land and the temple was nearly rebuilt, they wanted to know if it was appropriate to continue to these fasts of mournful remembrance.

(The matter brings up an issue relevant today: How long should we remember and mourn over our past? Should we do things to remember either our sin or the tragedies of the past?)

So representatives were sent to ask the views of the leaders.

The delegation is not answered directly. Instead a word from God comes to Zechariah "to all the people of the land to the priests" (4).

What is the purpose of their fasting? Is it really for the Lord? Or is it an expression of their own needs, like eating and drinking? Fasting must not be motivated by self-interest but by concern for the glory of God (4-7).

(This also shows us that when we cling to the memory of sin or tragedy in the past, we often do it out of simple self-indulgence. We do it for our self, not for the Lord.

Instead of actively remembering the sin or tragedy of the past, God wants us to focus on active obedience and an active walk with Him.

“There is no need to observe the sad anniversaries of our sins and their accompanying punishment, if once we are assured of God’s free forgiveness. When He forgives and restores, the need for dwelling on the bitter past is over . . . Too many of us are always dwelling beside the graves of the dead past.” (Meyer))

Then in a second word from God, Zechariah calls on Israel to recognize the basic issue facing them. God's real concern, as shown in the history of Judah before her fall, is that His people "administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another."

What God wants is that they "do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the stranger or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of one another." (9-10) Some among the people of God found it easier to fast a few days a year instead of truly treating others in a godly way.

The issue is not fasts, but the willingness of this people to commit to a life that pleases God.

Interesting progression is mentioned in verses 11-12:

Refused to heed . . . shrugged their shoulders . . . stopped their ears . . . made their hearts like flint:

Zechariah vividly describes a progression of rejection. It begins with simply refusing to heed God, then a self-justifying shrugging of their shoulders, then stopping their hears. It all ends with hearts as hard as flint.

Their disobedience and disregard for God led to scattering and desolation. This is always our fate when we allow religious rituals to take the place of a real relationship with God.

Lord Jesus, we hunger for a real relationship. Deliver us, or prevent us, from being ensnared by activities, rituals and past sins. We want to focus on You and Your word for us.

You say You have a plan and a future for us, one of hope and brightness. Because You have cleansed us and forgiven us, help us to focus on You and strive towards the goal of this bright vision. I pray this for us as individuals, and also for us as a church. May we walk in obedience by showing mercy and compassion especially to the people in the Bright Zone.

May the Harringtons be recipients of Your mercy and grace through us. And if they be anywhere in this progression of rejection, that You would intervene and soften their hearts to You. Thank You for Your guidance, love and deliverance. Amen.

Prophet, Priest, King and All Good Things!

2009-03-26T03:23:00.003-05:00

In chapter 6, Zechariah concludes with the eighth vision and then gives a glimpse of brighter things to come.

Zechariah 6:1-8

The Vision of the Chariots

This is a vision of protection and deliverance. Four chariots issue from the mountains around Jerusalem (Perhaps Mt. Zion & Mt of Olives).

The colors of the mountains indicate judgement as well as the colors of the horses commissioned to execute against judgement against the nations. We see these steeds (or similar ones) again in Revelation 6!

“In the usual Scriptural symbolism red speaks of war, black of famine and death, white of victory, and grizzled ofpestilence (Ezekiel 14:21; Revelation 6:18).” (Luck)

Father, allow us to be messengers of Your grace and love. That because of our sharing of free grace of Jesus Christ there would be no need for the four horses of judgement to be dispatched! Help us to think radically like that, especially as we minister to the Bright Zone...what if everyone who lives in the Bright Zone were to have a loving relationship with You? Grant us vision and zeal, O Lord! Amen!

Zechariah 6:9-15

The Priest Crowned King

Note the closing incident, which foreshadowed the union of the offices of priesthood and kingship in the person of our Lord.

According to Zechariah 3:8, Joshua stands symbolically in these visions "for things to come," and especially for the promised Branch (Messiah).

The picture is one of a union between the office of priest and that of king in a single individual. When He comes to "be a priest on His throne," the final and true temple of the Lord will be erected.

The uniqueness and unusualness of this dual office is clearly told in 2 Chronicles 26 which tells the tragic story of King Uzziah who tried to function as a priest, and was stricken with leprosy to the end of his life. Through the history of Israel God commanded a separation between the religious and the civil leadership of Israel.

Taking the meaning of the names:

Heldai means robust,
Tobijah means God’s goodness, and
Jedaiah means God knows,

J. Vernon McGee sees the intention that "God knows that through His goodness, He will put His king on the throne, and He will do it in a robust manner."

We already saw this Branch in Zechariah 3:8, and it is a familiar title for the Messiah (Isaiah 4:2 and 11:1, Jeremiah 23:5 and 33:15).

The Branch is associated with fruitfulness and life. Jesus used the same image when He said that He was the vine and we are the branches (John 15:5).

Behold, the Man: “In the Hebrew text the prophecy begins ‘Behold the Man,’ the very words Pilate used to present the beaten Christ to the people of Jerusalem: ‘Ecce homo!’ “ (Boice)

But in Zechariah’s vision it isn’t the humiliated Jesus we are asked to behold, it is the triumphant Jesus.

Jesus shall build the temple of the Lord: The Branch will rebuild the temple - not the same temple Zerubbabel worked on, but the temple of His people (Ephesians 2:19-22, 1 Peter 2:5).

Jehovah Tsidkenu, The Lord our Righteousness, thank You for being for us our Prophet, Priest and King. You are all things to us. Help us to look to You to fill every capacity in our lives. There is no void You cannot fill! I pray Lord that every member of St. Philip's will discover more of who You are and bask in the wonder of it all. And then joyfully share it with others. Grant us uncommon grace during these troubling times. In Jesus' name, Amen!

Prophet, Priest and King

Join all the glorious names

Of wisdom, love, and power,

That ever mortals knew,

That angels ever bore:

All are too mean to speak His worth,

To poor to set my Savior forth.

Great Prophet of my God,

My tongue would bless Thy Name,

By Thee the joyful news

Of our salvation came,

The joyful news of sin forgiv’n

Of hell subdued, and peace with Heav’n.

Jesus, my great High Priest,

Offered His blood, and died;

My guilty conscience seeks

No sacrifice beside:

His powerful blood did once atone,

And now it pleads before the throne.

My dear almighty Lord,

My Conqueror and my King,

Thy scepter and Thy sword,

Thy reigning grace I sing:

Thine is the power; behold I sit

In willing bonds beneath Thy feet.

Now let my soul arise,

And tread the tempter down;

My Captain leads me forth

To conquest and a crown:

A feeble saint shall win the day,

Though death and hell obstruct the way.

Sin Purged

2009-03-26T02:48:00.003-05:00

Zechariah gives us two more of his visions in chapter 5, visions 6 & 7.

Zechariah 5:1-7
The Vision of the Flying Roll

This huge sheet of parchment, 30' x 15', was covered with the solemn curses of the Law,

on one side against the thief and
on the other against false swearing.

These two sins may have prevelant in this young community or it could just be a way of noting the Ten Commandments, one from each side of the tablets. For

to steal was to injure your neighbor;
to perjure was to dishonor God, because you had sworn in his name.

Lord, keep St. Philip's pure and truthful, a generous giver, never accused of stealing or deceptive behavior. Keep the church above reproach especially as it strives to raise money to impact the lives of people in the Bright Zone.

Just an FYI: The dimensions of the holy place in the tabernacle and of the porch of Solomon’s temple was 30' x 15'.

Zechariah 5:5-11
The Vision of the Basket

The woman, the basket, and the weight are associated with wickedness. They personify greed, materialism, and dishonesty for profit. Zechariah prophesied to those who returned from the Babylonian exile. God’s people came back from Babylon with a materialism problem, and this vision speaks to this problem.

Zechariah sees this personification of wicked materialism being locked into a large container used to measure out grain, and carried away back to Babylon by two angels. Earlier God's people had been carried captive to Babylon because of their wickedness.

In the future God will separate His people from evil, and it is evil that is taken captive and sent far away into exile.

Lord Jesus, how infiltrating these sins can be, as we disguise them with terms like stewardship, blessings and shrewd dealings. Protect us from ourselves and our selfishness. Help to be giving and living Beyond Ourselves. I pray you will protect the Harringtons from being taken up with these worry-produced, joy-robbing vices but rather lead them to You. Oh to fall headlong in love with You! Amen.

Just an FYI: This portion is the only place, I think, that we find any idea of female angels!

...But By My Spirit!

2009-03-25T03:27:00.003-05:00

Zechariah 4

Not by Might (collective strength)

Not by Power (individual strength)

But by My Spirit, saith the Lord (God's strength)!

Zerubabbel had faltered in the great work of reconstrcution and had practically lost heart. Here he is encouraged to renew his efforts and persevere until the task is finished.

He might be weak and worn, but none of his deficiencies could hinder him from finishing his lifework, if only his spirit was kindled with divine fire and fed by the grace of the Holy Spirit!

Let us never despise the days of small things, for from them God can build the great!

FYI: Just a note I once saw, as to why the oil is a good picture of the Spirit:

Oil lubricates when used for that purpose - there is little friction and wear among those who are lubricated by the Spirit of God
Oil heals and was used as a medicinal treatment in Biblical times (Luke 10:34) - the Spirit of God brings healing and restoration
Oil lights when it is burned in a lamp - where the Spirit of God is there is light
Oil warms when it is used as fuel for a flame - where the Spirit of God is there is warmth and comfort
Oil invigorates when used to massage - the Holy Spirit invigorates us for His service
Oil adorns when applied as a perfume - the Holy Spirit adorns us and makes us more pleasant to be around
Oil polishes when used to shine metal - the Holy Spirit wipes away our grime and smoothes out our rough edges

Lord Jesus, we definitely want to be a people energized and fueled by the Spirit of God. You mention the work of two anointed ones in this chapter that stand to serve You. I pray that St. Philip's would plug into the power of Your Spirit and also be as one of the two anointed ones (olive trees) ministering to others.

Bless the efforts in the Bright Zone, and with those who are unemployed (that You would be their joy), and especially for the Harrington family. The whatever situation they are in, that it would drive them to You. In Jesus' name, Amen!

Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness, my beauty are, my royal dress

2009-03-25T03:00:00.003-05:00

Love, Love, Love chapter three, probably because I feel like a brand plucked from the fire!

Zechariah 3

Purified for God's Service

The regulation for the maintenance of the priesthood had fallen into disuse, and they had neither robes, vessels, nor proper provisions or offerings. Probably also the spiritual life of the priests was at a very low ebb (Malachi 1 - 2).

Satan is always discovering the weak spots in character and thrusting at them. He is keen as steel and cruel. But we have One who pleads. He ever lives to make intercession for us. "The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan."

We are brands scorched and charred with the burning. But we have been plucked out of the consuming flame. Surely then we are being kept for some high and useful purpose. All the past is an arugment for faith. That God has done so much is a pledge that He will perfect that which concerns us, because His mercy endures forever. (Psalm 138:8)

What a blessing to have the filthy garments removed and to be clothed by God's righteousness in Christ Jesus! It is not enought to be cleaned from sin. Whom He justifies, He also glorifies. let us be content with nothing short of God's best and fullness!

Zinzendorf's hymn states it so conscisely http://cyberhymnal.org/htm/j/t/jtbloodr.htm

Lord, we have all been charred one way or another, and find ourselves sitting in filthy garments. How thankful we are for our royal robe of righteousness found in Christ Jesus. Each morning as we dress ourselves, help us to remember what a blessing it is to be made pure by the work of Jesus Christ on the cross.

I pray that You will empower St. Philip's to be a faithful minister of this wonderful Gospel, and that specifically, the Bright Zone and the Harrington family will experience deliverance from the flame and purity in Jesus Christ. In His name, Amen!

God's Protection, Affection & Direction

2009-03-25T02:36:00.004-05:00

Woops! Looks like St. Philip's is skipping along 2 chapters at a time now, and so I missed chapter two yesterday, and have chapters 3 and 4 of Zechariah today!! I'll post them one chapter at a time, and see how far we get! So, put on your running shoes and reading glasses!

Zechariah 2

God's Protection of His People

Now Zechariah sees a man with a measuring line. He is about to survey the city of Jerusalem. But Zack's angel guide sends another angel to hurry after this man with good news.

God promises to bring so many people to Jerusalem that the crowds will overflow the walls of the city - but that won’t matter because God will be their protection, not walls. God Himself will "be a wall of fire around it", and "I will be its glory within."

The phrase “apple of His eye” was used to describe something precious, easily injured and demanding protection. Spurgeon puts it this way:

“He esteems [us] as much as men value their eyesight, and is as careful to protect [us] from injury, as men are to protect the apple of their eye. The pupil of the eye is the tenderest part of the tenderest organ, and very fitly sets forth the inexpressible tenderness of God’s love.”

Not only will He protect us, but He will be among us in a unique and powerful way.

FYI: This is the only place where the phrase Holy Land is used in the Bible. The land is holy because it is separated unto God in a unique way. In the same exact way, we can be holy, set apart for God to use exactly as He sees fit!

Lord, let us see what it would look like to overflow the walls of St. Philip's, and to be assured of Your protection, affection and direction. May we have the same exuberance and fortitude as this man with the measuring stick seems to have. I pray Lord that you will make the Harrington family the apple of Your eye and bring them into Your Holy Land, as it were. In Jesus' name. Amen!

Rebuilding Our Relationship with God

2009-03-24T03:35:00.003-05:00

The book of Zechariah is one of the two key books of Old Testament prediction that are primary sources for the symbolism of Revelation.

The prophet Zechariah lived at the same time as Haggai and was interested in the same effort: to induce the Jews to carry on the rebuilding of their neglected Temple.

But if all we had was Haggai to go by, we might conclude that all God was really interested in was the temple. However, Zechariah gives the rest of the story, and shows how God is interested in lives, not only buildings. It is so ironic how parallel this is with our call to live Beyond Ourselves and to minister to people instead of erecting buildings!

The prophecies of Zechariah are dated a few years later than those of Haggai. In contrast to the direct and simple language of Haggai, Zechariah employs many figures and symbols to enforce his message.

He especially wished to give encouragement and help to the leader and governor of the people, Zerubbabel, and the priest, Joshua. I’m challenged to consider how I can be an encouragement to the priest/pastor at St. Philip’s especially during these community-wide difficult times.

In the latter part of the book there are many pictures of the glorious and happy future which God had in store for His people and of the Deliverer Who was to come to rule over them. There will come a great day when “the Lord shall be king over all the earth.”

The name Zechariah means “The LORD Remembers,” and is a fitting name for a prophet of restoration.

He was called to encourage and mobilize God’s people to accomplish a task that they began yet lost momentum in completing.
He encourages them indirectly by telling them about God’s care for them and by keeping the presence of the Messiah very much in their minds.
He worked with others, notably Haggai, Zerubbabel, and Ezra.
He warned them of the consequences of neglecting God’s work and he emphasized that God wants to do a work through His people.

Let us pray the Holy Spirit will jump start us with divine momentum yet again as we forge ahead into our next seven years at St. Philip’s!

Zechariah is shown eight visions in the first 6 chapters. In them he is not a passive observer. He is actively involved and free to question the angel God has provided as a guide. The meaning of most of these visions is explained in their context. Their focus is God’s intention for Jerusalem and Judea as history moves on and as the end time comes. Many of these themes are picked up in Revelation. Two of these visions are in chapter one.

1:1-17

A Vision of Pardon and Restoration

Zechariah does not slur over the sins of the past, but lays stress on divine forgiveness. His only fear is lest God should call in vain and the people refuse as their fathers did.

Notice the repetition of God’s title Lord Almighty five times in the first six verses. The enemy’s armies were vast, but the protecting hosts vaster! A glimplse of these hosts is given in the following vision.

A green valley filled with myrtles, the emblem of humility, where the prophet may have spent his time meditating, seemed alive with mysterious horsemen who had been patrolling the earth. The four report to the angel of the Lord that the world is at rest and peace. This is not good news for Judea.

Haggai proclaimed just a few months before that the nations must be shaken before Messiah comes and Jerusalem’s peace is assured. God is angry with the nations of the world because they are at ease while God’s people suffer.

In God’s thinking if the earth is at rest at the expense of His people, there is no rest at all. Sure, the nations offered to help God’s people, but even their help was polluted by evil motives.

But in all this, God reassures the prophet. God does care deeply (“is very jealous”) for Jerusalem and Judah. And He is angry with the nations that have been their persecutors. God will return to Jerusalem with mercy, and goodness will overflow.

God solemnly promises to restore Jerusalem and the cities of Judah. This was an especially comforting promise considering the lowly condition of the cities of the Promised Land in Zechariah’s day.

About four years from the time of this prophecy Zion was comforted and Jerusalem was specially chosen - the temple was rebuilt four years after Zechariah gave this prophecy.

In 1:18-21

A Vision of Being Rescued

In the second vision Zach sees four horns that most people say represent the world powers that will hold political domination over Jerusalem. The horn symbolism is used in the same way in Daniel 7 & 8.

Zechariah also sees four craftsmen/carpenters. These are workmen, bearing heavy hammers or chisels, whose function it is to throw down the “horns of the nations” that have acted against Jerusalem.

Thus God shall rescue His people from their oppressors as history marches towards its intended end. God promises to break the power of those who use their power against God’s people. But as Romans 12 warns, vengenance is the Lord's. It is God that shall do the rescueing from our oppressors!

Lord of hosts, God Almighty, thank You for what You are doing at St. Philip's an for the series of Beyond Ourselves. I pray that more opportunities will open up a Dawson, not only in 8a but throughout the whole jail, men and women. Grant that I might be able to get connected with Stek in exactly the place You have for me.

Also, just as You were able to infuse divine momentum into the weary and impoverished Jews to rebuild the temple and their relationships with You, be with St. Philip's as we reach out to the people in the Bright Zone. I pray you will bless Harrington/family and draw them to Yourself. Encourage Clay and the rest of the staff, that joy would be their portion. We love You Lord. Amen.

Making God's Priorities Our Priorities

2009-03-23T02:47:00.004-05:00

Haggai is a man with a single message: Rebuild the Temple!

He returned from exile in Babylon under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua in the year 536 BC when Cyrus, king of Persia, moved by the striking prophecies about himself, which had probably been brought under his notice by Daniel, granted the Jews their liberty and provided them with materials for restoring their Temple.

This work of rebuilding went on under Cyrus and his successor in spite of the opposition by the neighboring Samaritans. But finally these foes of the returned exiles obtained an edict from Artaxerxes to stop the progress of the rebuilding of the Temple in Ezra 4:7-23.

The Jews gave up the work and began to build splendid mansions for themselves, so that the operations on the Temple site were not recommenced, even when there was opportunity for them. For 14 years the work was discontinued, until Haggai uttered his burning message.

He seems to have been an old man when summoned to be a prophet, and his term of service lasted for only four months! But when a man speaks in the power of God, you cannot measure the effect by chronology. His brief ministry had immediate effect, for within three weeks the people were once more at work on the Temple!

Haggai 1:1-11

Selfish and Shortsighted Thrift?

The returned exiles had been experiencing a succession of bad seasons. They had sown much and reaped little; their money ran out of the bag as quickly as they put it in; a drought lay on all the land, and the reason for it was to be found in the neglected Temple.

I wonder how frequently my losses in business arise from my failure to remember God's cause. I say that I do not have the time, cannot afford the money, and see no necessity for setting apart the Lord's day or the daily period for meditation and prayer. I'm beginning to think that if I saw things as they really are, I would find that this is false economy and wastes more than I actually save.

Haggai 1:12 - 15

Priorities Straightened!

One earnest person can arouse an entire community! Let a fire glow in our hearts, and it will spread. Assured of God's presence and favor, Haggai spoke, and within 3 weeks the whole land was awake. Imagine if it were the Bright Zone!

Note the cooperation of God's Spirit with the message of His servant: "The Lord stirred up."

Let us ever seek and rely on his cooperation! We are witnesses; so also is the Holy Spirit!

Haggai 2:1-9

Even Better than Before

But how can a people on the bare edge of poverty rebuild the temple?

God announces through Haggai that He is owner of all the gold and silver of the world. God will meet the need, and "the glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former" (e.g., Solomon's temple).

Ezra 6:8-12 tells us that God did meet the need. Although the governor of the Persian province oppses the rebuilding, he is commanded by the king himself to finance the whole project! Later, in the days of Herod the Great the temple was greatly expanded and was the recipient of fabulous gifts. By the time of Jesus it did surpass the temple of Solomon for glory.

What would St. Philip's look like a year or two from now if it could be said for it, "the glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former"?

Haggai 2:10-19

Only with Christ is Holiness Contagious!

Haggai is sent to make a public inquiry of the priests concerning a point of law of Moses. Under the law an object or person which is ceremonially unclean makes unclean whatever it touches. Under the law nothing which is holy can make any defiled thing clean.

Haggai applies the principle. This people is not to think that the presence of the temple makes them holy. They are defiled by sin. But God operates among them in grace. He will accept their gift of obediece, and "From this day on I will bless you."

Thank God, that with His Son, the touch of something holy, can actually make the defiled ones clean! With Christ, holiness is contagious instead of our dirt!

Haggai 2:20-23

Jesus Christ: Our Real Temple

The same day Haggai receives a message from God to give to Zerubbabel. This individual is of the royal family of David. But he is not king, for Judah in under the domination of Persia and is merely a minor region in one of the 120 administrative districts!

But the words of Haggai look forward to a time when God will shake the nations. Then Zerubbabel (that is, the family of David), will again be established...and it is 520 years later in Jesus Christ! Jesus Christ is now our Temple, our place to meet with God!

Lord Jesus, thank You for touching me with Your holiness and thereby cleansin me from all sin and defilement. And thank You also for Your great patience, which kindly waits for me to get my priorities straightened out with You as the center. I pray for the Bright Zone and for Harrington...help us to be a catalyst of Your glory to this area and to this family. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Cashier Checks & Bowing Down to 90 Feet Statutes

2009-02-03T22:17:00.004-06:00

Well, I missed Daniel 2 yesterday, but we'll see similar content (though not the details) in chapter 7 & 9, I think.

So instead focusing on that boundary-setting, boundary-honoring Daniel, or that administratively gifted leader (who doesn't use it so wisely all of the time) Nebuchadnezzar, we get to look at those three bold, balanced, faithful Hebrew boys in Daniel 3.

Talk about someone who is image conscience (pun intended)! He invites all the VIP people to his "little" party so they can bow down to him! It's amazing the effort I will (er, I mean, that he will) put forth just to maintain a facade/image, and oh so cheery is the occassion! But it ends in death still the same!

Enough about Neb...what about those 3 men, Rack, Shack & Bennie (or so VeggieTales would have us call them)?!

Talk about faithfulness, clarity of conviction and the courage to stand firm! These three exemplified it. I got a taste of that this morning...not nearly the consequences, but still consisted of those three elements.

I'm trying to sell my motorcycle (1989 Red Yamaha Virago 1100cc for $2,400 in case anyone was wondering ;-) and I got a call today from a guy who was eager to purchase it. Asked at first if I would take money orders since he could only withdraw $350 a day from his bank. I told him I would do a little research and get back with him.

After hanging up, he called back nearly 3 minutes later and suggested PayPal. Hmmmm. We made arrangements for him to come to the house to see it. He called about half hour later for directions, and I wanted to tell him "cash only", but the subject didn't get brought up. So I was mum.

After I hung up, Ashley challenged me (probably why there was 3 Hebrew men...they all needed each other's help in it all!) "you need to call that guy back and tell him cash only so he doesn't come here for no good reason."

Gulp! This is not my cup of tea! But I did it. With sweating palms, I dialed his number. I stammeringly told him "cash only" and apologized for this but that it I needed to operate that way. He continued to pursue. I stated it again, with a firmer conviction and without apology "cash only."

He proceeded to tell me that I would meet him at the bank to get money orders with him. And with full conviction, courage and eyes-wide-open understanding, I notified him yet again "CASH ONLY! There will be no meeting you at the bank..."

Click....he hung up.

And he with the same burning fury, rage and anger (pun intended!) that fella threw in me into the furnance heated seven times hotter than usual (er, I mean, he texted me a message calling me nasty names and accusing me of wasting his time!)

And you know what?! I felt just like those boys must have felt (tho I'm sure not to the same degree). Very excited that the conviction was adhered to, and blessed to see good results from it all. I blame it all on the "fourth who is like the Son of God."

Just a few little observations about this passage before heading off to bed...

the same fire that was moltened the image that everyone worshipped, had no effect on those faithful men
those that tossed them into the furnance were scorched by approaching the fire and yet these three merely walked in the midst of the burning
evil meant the fire to burn them to death, but God had the fire only burn the ropes that had them bound
the three men did not presume to know God's mind as to whether they would be martyred or preserved, but they knew He was powerful enough to do either one. They didn't treat God like a vending machine...I like that about these boys
not even the smell of smoke was upon them, nor a single hair singed (that word looks like the pieces of hair couldn't sing!). But this little observation gives me hope that no matter what upbringing or unhealthy situation people may find themselves in, God is able to bring them out without even their garments affected by it...I know a lot of ladies who are asking that for their children!
Our God is Able to Save, is Able to Deliver, and is Able to Keep!

Oh Son of God, I pray whatever situation I find myself, whether in sunshine or in the fiery furnance, that I will know Your presence always with me. I pray also for that same kind of faithfulness, courage, and conviction that these fellows had so that I might be a better witness to Your sovereignty! And thank You for today! Wouldn't have happened just a year or two ago! Amen.

Administration & Boundaries

2009-02-01T23:11:00.002-06:00

Nebuchadnezzar (Neb) has a gift I greatly long for...that of administration! I mean, just look at this guy in Daniel 1.

He didn't let prejudice prevent him from choosing top notch cabinet members. He had the ability to look past nationality and race.

He also had a knowledgeable support staff in place. Somebody had to figure out what the measurable data points were to decide upon who of the captive Judean children were the wisest, knowledgeable, quickest to understand, gifted, good looking and able to serve.

I was at a training yesterday where a few hours were spent trying to decide how a successful release from prison could be measured and evaluated, over a 5-year period. We could have used some of Neb's statisticians!

Not only that, Neb was generous (if you overlook the fact that they were exiles!). He was willing to give king's food and wine to entice them to be the best that they could be...for him!

And if that were enough for a busy man, who was the CEO of Business Babylon...he took the time to individually interview these young men!

And with no apologies, he declares "that these here f'r'ners" were ten times wiser than all else he had interviewed. He had discernment on top o fit all!

He just seems to be a man who plays his cards well, surrounds himself with a knowledgeable support staff, has lofty vision, and actually follow throughs on it. Let's just say...I'm a bit jealous!

Then there is the second guy in this story who awakens any jealousy that remained dormant! Daniel was indeed a man of wisdom, understanding and discernment...from the very beginning!

Even though he could have justified violating his conscience (or his gut, or his convictions, or whatever you want to call it) due his station in life as a prisoner, he wisely presented his case. There is no default living with this guy!

He knew to respect those over him. He knew exactly what he wanted. He clearly articulated it. And he came up with a proposal that would help him and his three friends, as well as protect the chief eunuch, Ashpenaz.

Daniel set a boundary, went through all the added hubbub, put himself to the test, just so he could keep his self-respect and honor God.

He learned it was so worth it. I want to too!

Lord, make me a Daniel...wise, discerning, articulate, daring, convicted, clearheaded, willing to pay the cost, diplomatic and yet truthful. I know it is because of You (verse 9) that Daniel prospered in favor and goodwill. Lord, give me strength and resolve to "Dare to be a Daniel!"

Dare to be a Daniel,

Dare to stand alone!

Dare to have a purpose firm!

Dare to make it known.

They looked, but never Looked to Him!

2008-09-13T19:00:00.004-05:00

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

2008-09-03T14:33:00.004-05:00

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

2008-09-01T22:46:00.004-05:00

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?

to burn away the sin, especially sins of the mouth
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

2008-08-31T00:33:00.002-05:00

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!

2008-08-26T22:15:00.002-05:00

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

2008-08-25T13:38:00.003-05:00

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!

2008-08-24T22:38:00.002-05:00

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!

2008-08-22T22:33:00.002-05:00

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!

2008-08-20T23:12:00.003-05:00

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

2008-04-16T00:22:00.003-05:00

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

2008-03-27T11:08:00.002-05:00

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

2008-03-20T12:54:00.002-05:00

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

2008-03-18T11:21:00.003-05:00

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

2008-03-17T11:45:00.004-05:00

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

2008-03-15T22:19:00.002-05:00

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

2008-03-15T00:51:00.004-05:00

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

2008-03-13T13:28:00.002-05:00

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

2008-03-12T11:51:00.003-05:00

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)

God Saving Us from Ourselves

2008-03-10T23:04:00.003-05:00

In 1 Samuel 29, David finds himself in a place he thought he would never be: among the enemies, ready to fight against God's people over whom he was suppose to be king!

Remember, it all started two chapters ago when David said in his heart "I shall perish...there is nothing better for me."
Guardian of my heart, set a centurion over my heart and all that it contemplates.

I imagine as David sought refuge among the enemy from Saul's murderous chases, that he would have thought 1-1/2 years later he would be willing to fight against his very own people. It all started with a quest for security and stability.
Lord Jesus, I want to only thirst after You and to know You, which is eternal life.

We see David having an identity crisis. He forgot who he was - a Hebrew, a part of God's people. David would have never come to this point in his faith journey if he would have remembered who he was - a child of God destined to be the king of the Israelites (even though it did not immediately appear so!)

The Philistine leaders knew who he really was though! Even though David had forgotten for a season. The Lord is so merciful to somehow continue to use us as a testimony even while we are in the midst of making poor choices.
Father and King, help me to walk in the truth and power of who I am in Christ!

It's kind of funny to read Achish's defense of David as from a coworkers point of view in today's society. "Oh no, Deborah isn't a Christian at all, I've seen how she has lived over the last 16 months and she really is just as ordinarily selfish as the rest of us!"
Captain of my soul, protect my witness and lifestyle so that I shall never feel at home in the army of the enemy.

What a blessing! What a mericul Saviour and coordinator of events, that He would use people rejecting David (who likes to be rejected anyway?) in David's life as a means of saving him from the shame of fighting against the people he was to rule over! God does make all things work together for good!
"He shall not go up with us to the battle...as soon as you are up early in the morning and have light, depart..."

David wanted to fight with the Philistines against Israel, but God wouldn't let him. David's heart is not in a healthy place, but God hasn't abandoned him! I praise God for the times when He kept me from sinning as bad as I wanted to sin!
Oh Blessed Deliverer! Thank You for Your mercy and protection. Thank You for the times You have orchestrated my circumstances to protect me from myself. And thank You for the times where You just strengthened me to want and choose the better way!

God Meets Us Where We Are!

2008-03-10T02:03:00.003-05:00

And we thought David was in a bad place placing his trust in his own heart... but in 1 Samuel 28 Saul seems to be trying to one-ups-him by running to a witch for direction!

Samuel's death seems to be mentioned here to emphasize the spiritual vacuum that his absence created. It appears that this void was created by Saul ignoring the words of God that he did know.

Saul knew that God did not want him hunting David and trying to kill him. Saul confessed as much in passages such as 1 Samuel 24:16-20 and 26:21.

Yet, Saul disregarded what he knew to be God's will in this matter. I suppose if I want God to guide me, I'll need to follow what guidance I do have from Him.

Lord, help me to walk fully in all that You have shown me so that I may know more of You!

I'm impressed with Jesus praying the night before choosing His 12 disciples. As I look at Saul's servants and friends who helped him find the medium instead of attempting to dissuade him from this very wicked practice, I pray
Oh Lord, surround me with wise and confrontative friends. And help me to be such a friend!

Saul took lightly the word of God with its prohibitions (Leviticus 19:31, 20:6, 27; Deuteronomy 18:9-14) and promised curse (Leviticus 20:6). So simply by not taking the Word at His word, he brought upon himself a curse of God's face being set against that person.
Oh, Blessed Living Word, increase my faith to take Your word more seriously and live wholly by it.

Interesting that the last time we read Saul using the name of the Lord is to swear to a medium that she will not be punished!
Father, whose name is hallowed, keep me from taking Your name in vain and using it to my own ends.

What a merciful Father we serve! Even as Saul turns to a witch for counsel, the Lord in His great mercy and faithfulness, meets him exactly where he is.

He sends Samuel himself to warn the king of his death, so that he might have an opportunity to make his peace with his Maker. And so when we close our ears to God, He will find unusual - and perhaps uncomfortable - ways to speak to us!

Merciful Saviour, thank You for Your great patience in meeting me exactly where I am.

Strangely, though Saul knew that God would not speak to him in any other way, or through any of the other prophets, he thought that somehow or some way the godly prophet Samuel, conjured by a medium, would speak wisdom to him! Even more strangely, Samuel did! And the message hadn't changed with time - God's edict remained the same.
O King of Righteousness, work in me a thankfulness for Your ways and the power to walk steadfastly in them. I desire to talk to You as face to face, and not through any convoluted means.

Power of Discouragement in the Heart

2008-03-08T23:17:00.003-06:00

A great big "thank you" to all who have inquired about my missing blogs. I hate to report that it is because I just didn't take the time to do it.

I'd love to whine about all the computer issues I have been having (as well as many of my friends), but I'll spare you all that and just acknowledge the graciousness with which people touched base with me to ask about it!

Hopefully in the next few days, I'll catch up to the readings where St. Philip's is at, but until then I'll just keep plugging along in 1 Samuel one chapter at a time!

Today's chapter of 1 Samuel 27 shows signs of a discouraged child of God! The pressure of constantly running from place to place one step ahead of death finally took its toll on David. In spite of the Lord's miraculous care for him, David's faith wavered and he began to entertain doubts.

Would God deliver him from the hand of Goliath, only to deliver him into the hand of Saul? No, but circumstances have a way of distorting one's outlook. Present dangers and cares often obscures the promises of God.

So David said in his heart "Now I shall perish...There is nothing better for me."

Oh the power of words, especially those which we say in our heart. What we say in our heart has great power for good or evil.

If someone says in their heart, “God doesn’t care about me,” it will make a difference in their life.
if someone says in their heart, “I deserve better than this,” it will make a difference in their life.
if someone says in their heart, “I come before others,” it will make a difference in their life.

By the same principle,

if someone says in their heart, “God loves me and I don’t have to earn His love,” it will make a difference.
If they say in their heart, “I am grateful for every blessing I have,” it will make a difference.
If someone says, “Others come first,” it will make difference in their life.

David did accomplish his immediate goal of escaping Saul's constant pursual of him. But now David is in a place of compromise. And though he looks quite content and secure, even finally having his own stable place (beats a camping in a cave) with his two wives to keep him company, this is a very dark period in David's life.

Interestingly, according to my chronological Bible (which orders all the verses in the Bible in the order in which they happened), there are no Psalms that were written by David during this time.

During David's 16-month stay with the Philistines, David made raids against
The Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites
David hasn’t totally turned against God and His people. For now, he only attacks the enemies of Israel. This probably gave David some comfort, but it is a small consolation to know that you aren’t as bad as you possibly could be.

In his raids, David killed all the men and the women, so his lie to Achish would not be exposed. Much later in his life, we will see a far more notorious season of sin with Bathsheba, and how he ended up killing Bathsheba’s husband Uriah to cover his sin.

Though that event is more famous, the root of sin that nourished it began right here in 1 Samuel 27. Here, many years before David killed Uriah to cover his sin, he kills these men and women in his raids to cover his sin. The roots of sin must be dealt with, or they come back with greater strength.

Remember the roots of David’s condition: this was a genuine crisis of faith, when he started trusting more in what he said in his heart (1 Samuel 27:1) than in what the Lord God said to him. David believed the lie that he was safer with the world than he was with God.

Thankfully, God did not bless David where he was at. But neither did God take away David’s calling or destiny to be the next king of Israel. God gave to David some of the mercy David showed to Saul.
Lord Jesus, gird up the my heart to be strengthened by Your words, and not the voice of circumstances and discouragement. Help me to be content to be a refuge rather than be satisfied to settle down in the enemy's territory...and show me the difference!

Saul & David's Last Encounter

2008-03-02T23:31:00.003-06:00

Just 3 chapters ago, the Ziphites attempted to betray David into the hands of Saul...it was a failure then and it is a failure again in this chapter (1 Samuel 26).

Saul's behaviour begs the question "what does repentance look like?" I always think of Luke 17:1-5 when I am tempted to define repentance in a strict sense.

But in this case, let's just say, the Saul seems to have gone back on his previous repentance shown in chapter 24. At that time, David had opportunity to kill Saul, but did not take it.

Abishai reminds David that God has granted this opportunity yet again. This circumstance was not an accident, God designed it - and the design was for David to take righteous vengeance upon Saul.

Abishai even makes it easy for David: Please let me strike at once with the spear.

David wouldn't have to lift a finger nor in any way be a participant in the slaying of Saul. Abishai would do it, and David could say to himself and everyone else, "I did not kill Saul."

Many were the people who tried to convince David that he had more righteous reason than ever to kill Saul. Now, Saul had gone back on a previous promise to leave David alone.

When I am in David's position, I say, "I showed love and let him off once before. I'm full of love, but I'm not stupid. Saul had his chance and he blew it; this time, this opportunity is from God!"

But love, at least in the eyes of the world, will sometimes act in what the world considers to be a stupid way. Jesus said that we should forgive, and forgive, and forgive again (Matthew 18:21-22).

I would say that since Saul deserved it, it was the "right thing" to kill Saul. But if it was the "right thing," this was the "wrong way." Often when we have a right thing in front of us, we will be tempted to pursue it in a wrong way.

Jesus showed us how to refuse to pursue the right thing the wrong way. Jesus rejected Satan's shortcut to the cross. Jesus never did miracles just to promote Himself. Jesus went the way of the cross instead. Jesus shows us that God's way may be more difficult - but it is always better.

O God of Second Chances, (and 7 chances, and 70 chances), thank You for Your great patience. I pray for a David-like spirit again today. One that takes the high road despite counsel of those around me. I pray that I may be a child who represents that trait about You to others...a God of forgiveness and second chances!

Abigail's Restrains David. Holy Spirit be my Abigail!

2008-03-01T18:34:00.002-06:00

In chapter 24 I marveled at David's restraint and strength to resist the temptation to wreak vengance against a man seeking to kill him.

In today's chapter, 1 Samuel 25, I am reminded that beyond a shadow of a doubt, that I cannot stand against the enemy of my soul unless the Lord upholds me moment by moment.

Because in today's lesson, David doesn't show Nabal the same kindness and longsuffering that he showed Saul. In just the previous chapter, we saw how David spared Saul's life, when Saul not only insulted David, but actually attacked him and tried to kill him. David was able to be victoriously kind and longsuffering to Saul, and yet, his guard cannot come down against the sin of vengance.

So this story of Nabal tells me that however long I may have been walking in recovery, or however often I may have onvercome one temptation or another, sin can strike in a single moment and crush me, unless the Lord intervene and protects.

Lord Jesus, Great Guardian of my soul, grant me David's spirit from yesterday's chapter, able to chose wisely despite the loss of a dream. Keep me from impassioned sin, and put an "Abigail" in my way whenever I strike out on a trail that will surely lead to disappointment.

"Blessed be the LORD, who has ... kept His servant from evil!”

David knew the blessing here of being kept from sin. It surely is a blessing to be forgiven our sins; but it is an even greater blessing to be kept from sin.

Reminds me of how Spurgeon once advised about the need to seek forgiveness of our sins less often if we would seek the Lord more diligently to be kept from sin to begin with.

“There is no way of keeping out the fire of sin except by having the fire of grace blazing within the spirit. We must fight fire with fire.”
Oh Consuming Fire, purify and cleanse within. Let the fire of grace blaze within my spirit and raise my thoughts and actions up to You.

Even from God's Hands...

2008-03-01T16:45:00.002-06:00

I wonder how often faithful David dreamt about exacting revenge against that psychotic, murderous Saul.

Thought about it,
prayed about it,
dreamt about it,
plotted it...

only to erase it all from the white board of his mind, and say "Lord, Thy will be done."

1 Samuel 24 is as if the schemings and scribblings from the white board, find a way into reality. The opportunity has been granted by the hand of God for David to pursue that dreamt-for "justice."

And yet...

Even though Saul had injusticely put David on the run...
Even though Saul has his army pursuing David to the death...
Even though the situation was orchestrated by the Lord...
Even though he had the blessing and help of all those around him...
Even though he had God's call to be tne next king of Israel...
Even though...

David chose the harder, more noble, and apparently more disappointing path.

He could have had all of Saul (freedom, dream come true), but instead he only took a corner of the robe (continue as a fugitive).

He again erased the vengance notion from the white board of his mind, and said, "Lord, Thy will be done."

It cost David.

He continues to be haunted and hunted.
He continues to wander in the wilderness with just a rag tag army.
He continues to experience the promise of God become further and further away in his life.

Oh Lord Jesus, grant a David-like Spirit in my life. One that is satisfied with only a corner of the robe, (if even that is right), and leaves the rest into Your hands!

Guided

2008-02-29T01:57:00.003-06:00

Yesterday we heard Gad tell David to get up out of the stronghold and to go to the dangerous place where Saul lived in Judah. And if he had not pay heed, the Keliahites would not have been able to send word to request his help.

So even in the midst of crisis and trials God may still be calling us to rise up and come to the aid of others. The Lord may call us out to a more dangerous place than where we are, so we can serve and bless His people more effectively.

In 1 Samuel 23, David could have excused himself from this call for help immediately, without even seeking God. Afterall, it was Saul's job, not his own.

Or he could have seen it is a great opportunity to gain a following and usurp Saul from his kingly position by playing the hero.

But instead, David shows wisdom and inquired of the Lord.

And the Lord guides him...into more trouble. He already had one enemy in Saul, now he was just adding oil to the fire by stirring up the ire of the Philistines.

And of course, as soon as the Philistines are routed, all Israel (including that murderous king) would know where he was. But the command of God and the need of the people compelled David to endanger himself.

Saul's premises were correct:

God did lead David to Keliah
Being in Keliah exposed David to Saul's attack

But it was not true that the Lord had delivered him into my hand,

David was in a bad place, and he was in a bad place because the Lord led him there. Some might be angry with the Lord, and even give a “I told You this would happen!” to God. Instead, David did the right thing - he inquired of the Lord again!

Jonathan strengthened his hand in God.
Jonathan could not rescue David, but he strengthened his hand in God.
Jonathan couldn’t give David all the answers, but he strengthened his hand in God.
Jonathan couldn’t stay with David, but he strengthened his hand in God.
What a precious gift Jonathan gave David!

Saul knew that David would be the next king, that the Lord had ordained it. Yet, he fights against the will of God with everything he has. Sometimes we do the same thing; we know what God’s will is, but we oppose it by not doing it.

This was the last time David and Jonathan would ever see each other on the earth, and their relationship was still confirmed in the commitmen.
O Great Guide, thank You for Your guidance, protection and deliverance. Just as You led David, I pray that You will direct me by Your Holy Spirit. Thank You Jesus, for praying me home!

David Takes the High Road

2008-02-27T22:07:00.002-06:00

A lot has happened in David's life in the last 6 chapters.

After heroically slaying Goliath and
the ensuing fame that came with it,
David became the son-in-law of the king as well as
best buds with the Crown Prince.
He valiantly confronted the many dangers from the Philistines,
survived several attempts on his life by that psychotic king Saul,
bid farewell to his kindred spirit and confidant Jonathan, and
then exchanged everyday life for the life of a fugitive,
and that for an unknown period of time.
Compound this with David's brief but intense period of backsliding,
and his return to the Lord.

How he must have been longing for those days of shepherding!

1 Samuel 22 opens up in that cave named Refuge (Adullam).

O Lord, be my cave of Adullam in times of confusion and uncertainty!
The original motley crew! Rebels looking for a leader to guide them into an overthrow of that fraud of a king.

They may have come looking for David, who was unjustly persecuted, to utilize them to revenge himself upon Saul, but David choose to take the more difficult, yet more honorable road. There was not to be a coup d'état.

Men in distress...their lives could scarcely bear the weight of life, nigh onto snapping.
Men in debt...men who had not had much success in past, and those failures hampered their future, burdened by debt.
Men discontented...or bitter of soul. Dissatisfied with life, and with Saul being their king.

“These are the kind of men who came to David: distressed, bankrupt, dissatisfied. These are the kind of people who come to Christ, and they are the only people who come to Him, for they have recognized their distress, their debt, and bankruptcy, and are conscious that they are utterly discontented. The sheer pressures of these frustrations drives them to the refuge of the blood of Christ that was shed for them.” --Alan Redpath

I wonder if, after having come to David, if they remained men described in terms of 3D's.

Though David may not have hand-picked these men, I'm sure he was thankful that when he was down and discouraged that God brought people around him to strengthen him.
Lord, You know I could be described in 3D as well. I pray You will transform my life, like David did with his men. To be changed from malcontents to mighty men of valor!
Remember in 1 Samuel 16 when Samuel come to offer sacrifices with Jesse and his family? And David was not even invited to the special visit by the prophet? Or how about the jealous snobbish way his brothers unjustly accused him in 1 Samuel 17?

Well, they seem to have finally gotten on board, his brothers even taking refuge with him in Adullam. And as David prepares for many unknown battles in the future, he first wants to take care of his parents. So he took his parents to Moab where his great-grandmother was from (Ruth 4:13-22).

What wonderful love. The he cares for his parents when he had plenty of problems of his own. I sometimes think that when I am going through trials, I have a license to be unloving and selfish. But David cared about others instead of becoming self-focused in times of trial.

Lord, let me love like David loved. Let me love like Paul wrote about in 1 Corinthians 13.
Later in the chapter, Gad visits with David who is holed up in a "stronghold" (perhaps Masada?!). He counsels David to leave his fortress and return to the Judean region where Saul kept his throne.

I'm sure David was hoping Gad was only tricking him and shout "NOT" at the end of all his advice...but David had to learn to trust God in the midst of danger, not merely wait out the years until Saul passed away. "Go to Judah!" I'm sure no one thought it sounded right!

Oh dear Shepherd, where You lead I want to follow. Just make it so clear where it is I am to go. And if it be through the valley of the shadow of death...so long as Thou art with me...I will go to Jerusalem where a raging lunatic seeks my life.
Just one note here on Saul's manipulative tactics (which are many).
Look at how Saul refers to David as "the son of Jesse" when talking about him to his servants. He didn’t say, “The Man Who Killed Goliath,” or “The Man Who Killed 200 Philistines,” or “The Man Anointed by God.” Akin to name-calling!

Living Word, You have taught that the tongue has the power of death and the power of life...help me spread vitality!
And as Saul's reckless paranoia continues, he even manages to think himself as a victim. Though he is the one tossing spears around looking for heads to kabob. How often I have tried to hide behind the victim-facade!

Author of Truth, grant me, I pray, heaven's perspective. Keep me in touch with Your reality and not my fears or my false peace. Let me walk in Your ways.

An Era David would just as soon Forget

2008-02-26T04:32:00.002-06:00

1 Samuel 21 opens up with David, in leaving on a bleak road where all what is certain is behind him, and all what is uncertain is ahead of him, does a great thing -- he goes to the house of the Lord.

Lieing.
I would love to excuse David's lying here as I would have done the exact same thing, except with a bit more embellishment.

Of course he didn't want Ahimelech to inform Saul of his whereabouts, nor did he want to risk Ahimelech being harmed by having seen him.

So though David's first step was right on the mark by going to the house of the Lord, the lying took him into a maddening tailspin with devastating results discovered in 1 Samuel 22:22 (we read about Doeg in that chapter too!)

And though David may have only intended to mention a lie in passing to Ahimelech, as he told it, things began to become elaborate, to the point he even puts false words in the mouth of Saul and "my young men".

Lieing has, by nature, a snowball effect. And that alone is enough to warn us that there is no such thing as a "little white lie".
Lord Jesus, help all my words to be life-giving and encouraging. Daily, I pray Thee, keep a cenurion over my lips that will protect me from lies and complaining.

“It is painful to the last degree to see one whose faith towered to such a lofty height in the encounter with Goliath, coming down from that noble elevation, to find him resorting for self-protection to the lies and artifices of an impostor.” (Balikie)

Healthy Relationship

2008-02-25T00:31:00.002-06:00

Well, I missed my time with God Saturday night to look over 1 Samuel 20 together. I was going to do and try two of them tonight, but because of the extremely busy weekend, and the extremely late start I'm getting on today's rendevouz, I may try to make up the chapter tomorrow instead. (Aside from the fact, my head is bobbin like a V8 piston!)

Hear Jonathan's heart towards David!

Whatever you yourself desire, I will do it for you.
Jonathan loved David loyally and earnestly, so much so that he could write David a blank check, and really not care what amount was put in the register.

What complete surrender and willingness. I think I will pray it daily to the Lord, all the while knowing it is the Holy Spirit who will enable me to do it!

Jonathan was the Crown prince of Israel. Everyone thought he would be the next king -- everyone except David and Jonathan. Jonathan knew that David was called by God to be the next king, and he was willing to step aside so that he would not be resisting the will of the Lord. Jonathan not only loved David, he loved the Lord God!

I admire their relationship. While David is discouraged, Jonathan continues to try and encourage him. He reassures David with words of his love for him, as well as with his help, to search the matter out for him.

A healthy spiritual relationship involves mutual blessing, such as it was between David and Jonathan. Sometimes David was stronger spiritually, and sometimes Jonathan was stronger. But there was a bond in the Lord between the men that could not be broken.

David will not return to "normal life" until Saul is dead and David is king. This is a pretty bleak road for David to walk, but it is God’s road for him. Yes, God often has His people spend at least some time on a bleak road. He wasn't out of God's will by being on the run!
Lord Jesus, whatever You Yourself wants, I give it to You. Thank You for friends who seem to have Your mind on many topics. Help me to know, that even on the bleak road of life You are there!

Just a little bonus tidbit:
"the worthiest of minds are least suspicious and most charitable in their opinions of others." Matthew Poole, 1600's Bible Commentator

Family Full of Emotions

2008-02-22T23:02:00.003-06:00

Seems like where ever Saul is there is a wide range of emotions. 1 Samuel 19 isnt any different!

I'm struck by the conundrum Jonathan finds himself. Not only does he have a strong covenantal friendship with David, but he also has a clear understanding that David is to be the next king. But the present king is his father, who is instructing him, and all his staff, to bump-off David.

But what an encouragement it is to see Jonathan's loyalty to David. Despite the threat of his father's fury Jonathan risks warning David of Saul's plan to kill him. Jonathan took to himself the principle that "we ought to obey God rather than men...even if it is our king and our father!"

I'm sure everyone must desire to have a friend who will stick up for them with such fortitude and faithfulness. Someone to "greatly delight" in you? How thankful I am that I have such a friend in Jesus Christ!

Jonathan didn't just NOT help Saul, he proactively assisted David. He didn't play a Pilate in this deadly plot, but actually got his hands dirty to help his best friend escape from Saul's rage.

So Jonathan didn't just warn David, but he went to the king himself and interceded on David's behalf and attempted to convince Saul that he really should appreciate David and treat him well.

After Jonathan's sound reasoning brought Saul to a point of reconciliation, war breaks out again with the Philistines. And with the success of David victoriously slaughtering the Philistines, Saul's ire is resurrected.

The distressing spirit descends on Saul again, and it seems to be intimately connected to jealousy. The reason Jesus was crucified, according to Matthew, was because of envy. Oh the strength of jealousy and envy.

I would love to look more closely at Michal and the reason she protected David from her father's wrath. But an early morning tomorrow with Bill Glass Ministries is compelling me to take leave and go to bed!

If anyone is reading this before Saturday 8-3pm, please pray the prison ministry outreach. That the women there will understand a little more the joys of Jesus Christ and have their lives changed by Him.

Lord Jesus, protect me from jealousy, envy and any other negative emotion that can create irrational and deadly thoughts. Thank You for the kind of faithfulness and love that protects us from all the wiles of the enemy.

In God's Hands...Peace!

2008-02-21T22:28:00.003-06:00

Though I do so enjoy today's chapter of 1 Samuel 18, I will be compelled to make a short entry today on it, since I'm hoping to get a good night's sleep tonight before heading to Austin this weekend.

I cherish the friendship between David and Jonathan.

We know Jonathan to be a hero in his own right who had great confidence in God (chapter 14), so it only seems suitable that he should be knit to the soul of David after seeing him take vengeance on the Philistine who defied God!

They were both bold.
They both had great trust in God.
They both were men of action.
They were from the same generation.

Because these two young men were of one mind spiritually, they could share the same armor. Saul's was too weighty, but Jonathan and David were on the same page, with the same pure motive to serve God.

Jonathan chose David for a friend after he heard him reveal his heart to Saul. Perhaps David's longing for God's glory rang true to Jonathan as well. And at that point, Jonathan probably knew that David would be the next king of Israel.

All the tokens given to David by Jonathan is more than just tokens of love. It was a handing over, a surrendering of the kingdom to David.

Jonathan being the son of the king, was everyone's expectation to be king of Israel. But Jonathan must have discerned, that David was God's man.

I love that they made a covenant of friendship that would prove stronger than jealousy, stronger than envy, stronger than ambition or parental disapproval.

They loved each other more than the throne of Israel, because they loved the Lord more than the throne of Israel!

So Jonathan knew that the heir to the throne to the King of Israel was in God's hands, and he had peace with that!

Saul on the other hand, knew the same thing about the throne going to someone other than his son, yet he responded so differently...fueled by envy.

He attempted to skewer David once, and shishkabob him another time. He then schemed to have David thrust into a deadly battle, but God was his shield and protected him in all he did.

Did you notice that?

David escaped his presence twice:

Perhaps the most remarkable word in this chapter is twice.

This means that Saul threw the spear twice.

This means that Saul missed twice.

This means that after the first miss, David came back and played again!

This is where many of us will draw the line. “Look, I’ll sit with the bulls-eye on my chest once, and I’ll dodge the spear. I’ll even leave the spear on floor and resist the temptation to throw it back. But one spear whizzing by my head is enough. One miss and I’ve paid my dues. Once is submission to the Lord. Twice is stupidity!”

Gene Edwards, in his wonderful book Tale of Three Kings, says that David understood something that few of even the wisest men in David’s day understood, and even fewer today.

David understood that “God did not have, but wanted very much to have, men who would live in pain. God wanted a broken vessel.”

“In doing this small feat of returning thrown spears, you will prove many things.

You are courageous.

You stand for the right.

You boldly stand against the wrong.

You are tough and can’t be pushed around.

You will not stand for injustice or unfair treatment.

You are the defender of the faith,

the keeper of the flame,

detector of all heresy.

You will not be wronged.

All of these attributes then combine to prove that you are also obviously a candidate for kingship.

Yes, perhaps you are the Lord’s anointed....

After the order of King Saul.”

David was never a victim. He looked like a victim, because he was attacked. When there are spears stuck in the wall behind you, and laying about on the floor, you sure look like a victim!

But David behaved wisely in all his ways, so he did not give into the victim’s state of mind, thinking that his fate was in the hands of the one attacking him. David knew his fate was in God’s hands, and could have peace in that.

Lord Jesus, thank You for wonderful, life-giving friends and a wonderful church family. I pray You will assist me to know what it is to have the circumstances of my fate in Your hands...and to have peace with it!

Giants CAN BE Slain!

2008-02-21T02:01:00.003-06:00

The chapter for today, 1 Samuel 17, could possibly be one of the best known Old Testament stories.

Goliath, was anywhere from 8’5” to 9’2” with armor and weapons to match his size. And he spoke such demoralizing and fear-producing challenges, that the Israelites were defeat by words alone.

Oh the power of words, Lord let me bring life with them!

Forty days (40 is the number for testing and trials...try to think of a few examples!) of listening to the Philistines scorn and challenge. I can hardly bear 30 seconds of listening to my old tapes that resound with Goliath-type words.

Jesus Christ, grant me to partake of the sweet words of grace that fall from Your mouth.

[Trinka, do you know that verse in Isaiah that talks about His words being trained and His lips sweet or gracious...I'm without my Sword here]

The situation had become so desperate, the Saul needed to offer a bribe -

a cash award,
a princess, and
a tax exemption -

to induce someone, anyone to fight and win against Goliath.

And though the Lord may kindly give fringe benefits for doing things His way, what purity of heart there is if we can arise to the occasion focused alone on the reputation of the Children of God and the honor of the living God.

Living Fire, You say blessed are the pure in heart, and I confess it can't reside in me save You put it there. Consume all impurities and refine until it pure gold You see in me.

He saw the problem in spiritual terms, not in material or fleshly terms.
When the men of Israel said, “This man,”
David said, “This uncircumcised Philistine.”

When the men of Israel said, “Surely he has come up to defy Israel,”
David said, “That he should defy the armies of the living God.”

When the men of Israel said, “The man who kills him,”
David said, “The man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel.”

David saw things from the Lord’s perspective, but the men of Israel saw things only from man’s perspective.

Father, there are many trials in life where I'm stuck seeing them through man's perspective, (and I even have plenty of friendly eyeballs sharing that same perspective). But show me Your view point, Your perspective, especially when it comes to the giants in my life.

What a Cinderella Story this is! Even his brothers snarl at him!

There is no doubt that what his oldest brother Eliab said hurt David, but he would not let it hinder him.

What have I done now? Is there not a cause?

What helped David to nearly ignore his brother's jabs? He was more concerned with God’s cause (Is there not a cause?) than with his own feelings.

When David was misunderstood and rebuked, publicly, by his own brother, probably amid the laughs of the other soldiers, he could have blown it. But he showed the strength of God in his life, and replied rightly.

He didn’t care about his glory or success, but only for the glory and success of the Lord’s cause.

This is where the battle was won for David! If Eliab’s hurtful words can get David in the flesh, and out of the flow of the Spirit of the Lord, then David’s strength is gone. But when David ruled his spirit and answered softly, he was more in step with the Spirit of the Lord than ever.

Father, help me to see every hurt, even the seemingly little ones, as opportunities to walk in the Spirit and strengthen me for larger victorie

David seems to be increasing in boldness as the story progresses.

First, he said someone should fight Goliath.
Then he said he would fight Goliath.
Then he reports to Saul, he will beat Goliath!
And now he tells Goliath that he will kill him him, and
even adds for emphasis, "I will strike you and down and take your head!"

Jehovah, I pray that each baby step I take towards You and away from evil, will strengthen and embolden me more and more.

I remember after reading David Brainerd's biography, a godly missionary in the times of Jonathan Edwards (1700's), that I thought to employ his methods of godliness in hopes it would do my heart good.

So I attempted to pray the hours he prayed and when he prayed. It was an absolute utter failure. His armor did not fit me at all.

Or once a prominent homeschooling administrator and teacher convinced me that classical music would enhance my study time. And I can say, as I mull this passage over today to the tune of some techno music, his armor didn't fit me either!

Dear Captain of my soul, I pray You'll be the One who suits me up to face my Goliath's and not my admiration of others or the lust for people to think me spiritual because of how my armor looks!

David took the head of the Philistine. He made certain he was dead!

Lord Jesus preserve me from the error of messing around with my sin and spiritual enemy. Help me to slay each temptation...to the death.

David’s victory over Goliath is a “picture in advance” of the victory Jesus won for us.

i. Both David and Jesus represented their people. Whatever happened to the representative would happen to God’s people also.

ii. Both David and Jesus fought the battle on ground that rightfully belonged to God’s people, ground that they had lost.

iii. Both David and Jesus fought when their enemy was able to dominate the people of God through fear and intimidation alone.

iv. Both David and Jesus were sent to the battleground by their father (1 Samuel 17:17).

v. Both David and Jesus were scorned and rejected by their own brethren.

vi. Both David and Jesus fought the battle without concern with human strategies or conventional wisdom.

vii. Both David and Jesus won the battle, but saw that their enemies did not then give up willingly.

viii. Both David and Jesus fought a battle where the victory was assured even before it started.

Thank You Conqueror of my Soul, that Your love has captured me and taken me prison by the bonds of grace! I pray that everyone who faces a giant in their lives will experience a David-like victory because of what the battle You won on Calvary!

Charles Spurgeon cannot be ignored, for I've it heard it said (as I am saying it all the time!) that "a Spurgeon sermon a day, keeps the blues away!"

“Immediately before the encounter with the Philistine he fought a battle which cost him far more thought, prudence, and patience. The word-battle in which he had to engage with his brothers and with king Saul, was a more trying ordeal to him than going forth in the strength of the Lord to smite the uncircumcised boaster. Many a man meets with more trouble from his friends than from his enemies; and when he has learned to overcome the depressing influence of prudent friends, he makes short work of the opposition of avowed adversaries.” (Spurgeon)

Hearing the Word of the Lord

2008-02-20T03:20:00.003-06:00

Just picture Saul in yesterday's chapter (1 Samuel 15) clinging to Samuel's robe pleading for a blessing. The robe tore.
So too the thing he loved and idolized the most was clutched in his stubborn and prideful fist. That idol was torn.

God seems to be putting His finger on an object in my life that I might be clinging to a bit too much to.

God give me open hands, I pray.

In the opening verses of today's chapter (1 Samuel 16) we see Samuel still mourning over Saul's failure. Oh how our enemy would want us to remain trapped in mourning over the tragedies of the past. To be stuck there, unable to move on with the Lord.

Jesus, lead me onward and upward, I pray.

The way God deals with Samuel's fear of Saul is very gracious; and it is a great example of what is meant by "Be wise as serpents but innocent as doves."

Though Samuel may have looked a tad weak in fearing for his life from Saul, I'm so impressed and moved by his actions in the remaining verses.
God tells him that

"I have provided Myself a king among the sons of Jesse."

Yet, the seven sons of Jesse are all reviewed and none of them are the chosen one by God. No one volunteered that there was yet another. For some reason, none thought it important for David to be attending the sacrifices!

And yet...Samuel knew God's word was true, he knew there must be another son of Jesse who was not at the sacrificial feast. And so he asked:

Are all the young men here?

Samuel was a prophet, and knew how to trust the word of the Lord given to him.

I would have said, "I guess the Lord was wrong when He told me it would be one of Jesse's sons," but he didn't say that.
I might have said, "It has to be one of these seven sons, so pass them by me again," but he didn't say that.
Most probably I would have said, "I totally misunderstood the Lord. I'm reading way too much into my inner thoughts," but he didn't say that!

He had confidence in the word of the Lord!

We are getting a glimpse at the low regard David seems to have in his family.

Jesse doesn't even answer Samuel with David's name, but simply says, "there remains the youngest."
And how is it that one of the sons should be counted dispensable from the congregation of those offering sacrifices with that prophet of God Samuel? Why wasn't David invited?
Would David had ever made it to see Samuel, if Samuel, hearing the word of God in his heart, did not insist that he be brought?

1 Samuel 13:14 describes David this way

The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord had commanded him to be commander over His people.

God’s choice of David shows that

We don’t have to quit our jobs and enter into full-time ministry to be people after God’s own heart.
We don’t need to be famous or prominent to be people after God’s own heart.
We don’t need to be respected or even liked by others to be people after God’s own heart.
We don’t need status, influence, power, the respect or approval of men, or great responsibilities to be people after God’s own heart.

David did not have to manipulate his way into the palace or into Saul’s favor. He allowed the Lord to open the doors for him. David didn’t have to wonder, “Is this of the Lord or is of me?” because he let the Lord open the doors for him.

I fear manipulating things so much that I often neglect that which should be rightfully pursued.

Lord, grant discernment. Let me discover that beautiful balance between manipulation and total neglect.

And just a little excerpt from my all-time favorite preacher, Charles Spurgeon,

“David was none of your strutting peacocks who cannot be content unless all eyes are upon them; he sang God’s praises as the nightingale will sing in the dark when no human ear is listening and no eye is admiring. He was content to bloom unseen, knowing that the sweetness of a renewed heart is never wasted on the desert air. He was satisfied with God alone as his auditor, and he coveted not the high opinion of man.”

Full Obedience...Without Excuse

2008-02-19T04:18:00.003-06:00

This chapter could very well be entitled Excuses, Excuses vol. 2

No matter how I may struggle with the command in the opening of our chapter today (1 Samuel 15), one thing we can all agree on....the command was clear!

utterly destroy all that they have and do not spare them

and if that were not enough

kill both man and woman, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey

If there are any questions, it is not about what was said, but why it was said. Saul had the opportunity to be used by God to fulfill what was sworn by the Lord in the days of Moses in Exodus 17:14-16 and Deuteronomy 25:17-19.

The beginnings of the attack looked so good.

He shows an ability I wish I had, that of gathering and organizing a large number of people.
And a word not commonly associated with Saul in our previous accounts...he waited.
He even shows proper wisdom and mercy in letting the Kenites go, after all, God's judgment and call was not upon them.
He even attacked the Amalekites, as the Lord commanded.

Such a good start, but...

He also took Agag king of the Amalekites alive...
But Saul and the people spared Agag AND

the best of the sheep, the oxen, the fatlings, the lambs, and all that was good and were unwilling to utterly destroy them
Saul and his men obeyed as far as suited them. They did not obey God at all then, but rather their own inclinations. Is it submission, to submit only when it accords with my will?

I am prepared to obey the Word of God up to a certain point. But just as soon as "the best and choicest" portion of my life begins to be touched, how often I draw the line and refuse further compliance. What a challenge!

Just because I experience no guilt or shame in my disobedience, but rather perhaps even a sense of pride for my chosen disobedience (enough pride to "set up a monument for himself") does not clear me!

My lack of guilt perhaps just shows the my conscience needs an awakening and my heart needs a fresh touch from God. To disobey God and make a monument to honor it...I think I know what the looks like in my life ;-(

How blinding pride is. Saul probably really believed what he told Samuel

I have performed the commandment of the Lord
How often my own rationalization and upside down pride has led to blinding self-deception!

And another question from this claim of Saul's...if true obedience had been exercised, would it have been so quick to boast of it?

Just as lies grow exponentially, even so Saul's disobedience provokes him to yet more and more excuses.
1) He blames the people, not himself

they brought them...the people spared the best
2) He includes himself in the obedience

the rest we have utterly destroyed
3) He justifies what he has kept because of the quality

the best of...
4) He claims to have done it for spiritual reasons

to sacrifice to the Lord YOUR God
It all made perfect sense!

Even as Samuel gives yet another command "Be quiet!"
Saul must disobey again, and pridefully say "Speak on!"

Saul will indeed see the Amalekites again due to his disobedience now (2 Samuel 1:8-10)
If we don't radically deal with that which troubles us, it may come back and kill us!

For Saul, it was all about the people! Whether he was blaming them or hungering to be revered in their sight. His image, in the minds of the people, became his god and idol.

Saul and Samuel lived a mere 10 miltes apart, but Saul did not seek the advice of his radical, godly friend, until the strange situation in 1 Samuel 28!

Lord Jesus, enliven my conscience, give me ears to hear, and a heart that fully obeys. I confess some of Your ways seem radical and illogical, but I desire to be a woman after Your own heart. Search me O God, and try me. See if there be any wicked way in me, and where there is...help me to utterly destroy it!

A Few Notes about the War
This was not to be a war for plunder but for the judgment of God against the terrible sin the Amalekites committed agains His people while they were the weakest and most vulnerable, without provocation. Deuteronomy 25:17-19; & Exodus 17

(How thankful I am that the Lord has the same jealousy for me, that He desires everyone of mine enemies [spiritually, mind you] be fully overcome)

God's judgment is not about plunder or a time of happiness or joy. God brought it reluctantly, and even afforded nearly 400 years for Amalekites to repent, and yet all Israel, following their king's lead, treated it as opportunity to ravage and benefit.

God still judges nations today (though not everything that happens is a judgment), but He does not use Christians to implement it.

For Christians, the Lord made it clear in John 18:36 that His kingdom was a spiritual kingdom, not a political or a military kingdom.

Just as Paul made it clear that the enemies of my soul and the Church are not material, but spiritual in Ephesians 6:12.

We do indeed want to win the world for Jesus, but by through the influence of individual lives being transformed by the love and power of Jesus Christ one at a time.

So read this story with Amalek representing the flesh. To spare Amalek is the equivalent of sparing some root of evil, some plausible indulgence, some favorite sin, for self-gratification.

The Great Swearer

2008-02-18T04:48:00.002-06:00

Well, we find out that Saul was doing more than just "sitting under the pomegranate tree" in today's reading of the rest of the chapter of 1 Samuel 14:24-52. He was busy making as if he was doing something...by being a great swearer!

Can't you just picture him there in the middle of the corporate meeting with all the religious folks and what not, without a plan, and yet saying:

Cursed is the man who eats any food until evening, before I have taken vengeance on my enemies.

I mean verse 16 tells us the only reason Saul even goes out to meet his enemies, is because the watchmen were observing the results of what Jonathan had done.

On a day when God is routing the confused army, Saul had to get in there and put the emphasis on himself (and all in the name of spirituality...just a clue...we'll be seeing this modus operandi from him again)
....until I have taken vengeance on my enemies.
Even in the midst of something and Godward as fasting should be, Saul manages to put the focus on himself, not the Lord!

Is Saul, by this curse he has placed on everyone, being manipulative and yet again robbing his son the credit due his name?

On a day when the morale of Israel should have been the highest and the physical energy of the men the strongest...the army was "distressed", "fear", "faint", "troubled", "very faint", "sinning". All because of Saul's facade in the form of spiritual swearing.

An opportunity to partake of the goods from the land flowing with milk and honey by the hand of God on a day of victory...and yet!

Right in front of the eyes of the weary soldiers of Israel! They want the honey. They need the honey. God provided the honey. But a foolish, legalistic command from Saul kept it from them. How this must have discouraged and embittered the soldiers!

As a result of trying to adhere to Saul's foolish legalistic command, the people were so hungry that they broke God's clearly declared command (Deut 12:16, 23-25; Lev. 3:17; 17:10-14; 19:26; Gen. 9:4) in regards to the bleeding of the animals.

I certainly don't want to excuse the people for their hand in this sin regarding the blood, but what about a little ownership from Saul regarding his provocation of it? Instead he wags his finger at them with a sneering "tsk, tsk, tsk" as it were
You people have dealt treacherously
When Saul consults the Lord, the Lord does not answer him.
So what would you do?
What would I do?

Saul, in his ever impatient self (are you listening Deborah?) takes matters into his own hands and makes yet another crazy oath:
For as the Lord lives, who saves Israel, though it be in Jonathan my son, he shall surely die

(I suppose he's going to blame this oath on the Lord for being late, like he blamed chapter 13's sin on Samuel for being late)

and again, he swears:
God do so and more also; for you shall surely die, Jonathan
Have ever so many "so-help-me-God, cross-my-heart-and-hope-to-die, stick-a-needle-in-my-eye" kind of promises been made in a single day?
And have so many of those "swearings" been so wrong?

Lord, Saul can keep his highly spiritual legalism, I pray that You will deliver me, and then preserve me from such a facade. I want the real Spirituality that comes from a relationship with You. That I may have patience to wait on Your answer rather than moving forward with holy-sounding ideas.
Also, I pray I may be like Jonathan, partaking from the sweet honey You have provided in Your Word and become strengthened by it to slaughter more of my sinful temptations, and enlightened by it to walk in the way of victory. You are so patient.

No More Excuses!

2008-02-17T02:39:00.003-06:00

Today's reading, if you follow the 3-Year Reading Plan along with St. Philip's is 1 Samuel 14:1-23. And despite the stolen glory from yesterday's exploits in chapter 13, Jonathan is still determined to free God's people from the oppression of the Philistines.

So Jonathan makes what most would deem as a rash and foolish decision to confront the Philistines himself with his armor-bearer. It was not just social suicide (see Ruth 1) but physical suicide to boot!

And what can be said of his armor bearer? Two lessons immediately come to mind:

1) He had such implicit trust in Jonathan, that he was willing to risk his very life to follow him into this apparently definite losing situation.

I'm challenged by Jonathan's assistant's willingness to trust a man with his very life, and yet I hesitate to show that same kind of trust in God...with every aspect of my life. Do I have as much faith in God's judgment and direction as the armor bearer did in Jonathan?

2) God was going to use Jonathan, but He wasn’t going to use Jonathan alone. Almost always, when God uses a person, He calls others around that person to support and help them. They are just as important in getting God’s work done as the person God uses.

So, if you can’t be a Jonathan, then find a Jonathan - and attach yourself to him as like Jonathan’s armor bearer. Be an encourager to the Jonathans around you!

Another irony of this story is

"Jonathan boldly goes over to the Philistine garrison"

while his father

"Saul was sitting under a pomegranate tree"

(I imagine him having a productive corporate meeting, I'm sure!)

Oh Lord, make me like Jonathan, "be up and be doing" rather than like the slothful man who talks himself to death.

It seems to me that Jonathan's secrecy in going over to the enemy's stronghold only confirms that he is not doing this out of personal glory to vindicate his name from yesterday's chapter.

Looking at the situation, he probably realized if he had run it by his pop, Saul would have said "no" and given a million excuses why it is not the right path to take.

But Jonathan felt called, and entrusted his armor-bearer with his strategy. They were both 100% committed to the call of God for deliverance.

For nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many or by few:
What wise courage in God! I believe this as a theological truth. But do I believe it enough to do something? Or am I like Saul who did not engage in battle until it seemed like a "sure thing". It seems he is so afraid to fail, that he didn't want to do anything. Me too :-(

Then after God answered the sign to Jonathan, what must his heart have felt? The jubilation of it all! Or was it rather the temptation to quit or ignore the sign?

It was a steep long climb to get up to the Philistines, a perfectly good excuse not to go up (at least in my book!)

But Jonathan got on "his hands and knees and climbed!"

Lord help me to either be a Jonathan full of bold trust, or an armor-bearer who is willing to support those who valiantly go forward against all logic, rationalization and reason. And grant that just as both Jonathan and his assistant undertoke the hardship to get down on their hands and knees to climb, that I too would find myself empower by You to do likewise.

Excuses, Excuses!

2008-02-16T11:12:00.004-06:00

Well, I had a slumber party last night at a friend's house and missed the opportunity to spread 1 Samuel 13 before the Lord. So we'll do that this morning!

This is the first time we read of that brave, sensitive, amiable man, Saul's son, named Jonathan.

Not surprisingly, he is introduced taking the initiative to protect the Israelites from their enemy the Philistines. He could clearly see that there was something more for the children of God than the peace of being a subjected people under their enemies.

He was certainly a can-do kind of guy, not spending much of his time in corporate meetings discussing the need or the possible solutions, but just getting out there and doing it! He's in the same camp as Biblical Deborah...definitely not a procrastinator.

And what a bee's nest Jonathan did stir! As soon as he starts trying to break from the bondage of life, everyone get's in a cafuffle and makes things harder for him and the Israelites than they were before. They end up in caves, rocks, holes and pits. (that's a cost to consider if you plan on breaking from harmful habits and old chains)

Verse four is a little disconcerting:

All Israel heard it said that Saul had attacked a garrison of the Philistines.

There's Saul taking credit from his son. Insecurity is starting to seep into this man's life.

I'm so prone to this sin, of taking credit for things I had no part of it, that I've kind of reacted to the other side of refusing credit for even things that I may be a part of. I think if I have to error on one side or the other, I'll stay right where I am.

Interesting isn't it, where this simple little lie (not correcting the rumor that it wasn't him who attacked the garrison) led him to sin in other areas of his life.

From not redirecting the praise to the appropriate person, to actually engaging in sacrifices which, in the Old Testament, can only be mediated by a priest. The Lord is very specific. And Saul, from the tribe of Benjamin, did not even come close to qualifying.

Look at poor Saul, seeing the logic in striking against the Philistines quickly, he dares to engage in the activities of a priest. And in his little pea brain, it makes perfect sense.

We need to attack now.
People are losing heart and
need a rallying cry.
We need God on our side.
Samuel is running late.
I don't want to be a procrastinator!

And off he goes, doing his own thing according to his own logic!

I'm plagued with the question arising from his actions "can there be any devotion in disobedience?"

Samuel gives Saul an opportunity to repent by asking "What have you done?"

Instead of confessing and repenting he starts to give excuses why it was "impossible" to trust in God in this situation.

"I had to do something to impress the people and gain their support back."
And I'm sure there were many Israelites who admired Saul for offering the sacrifice. "My, there's a man of action! He gets things done! I never understood why the priests were so special anyway."

"You see Samuel, it was really your fault. If you would have kept your word and come earlier, I wouldn't have needed to do this." Is there ever a time that someone else's sin (even if Samuel was totaly in the wrong) justifies our own?

"We really needed God's help against the Philistines and we needed it now...so I HAD to do it." Of all the avenues available to the general population to cry out to God, why did he engage in the one thing he must not do: offer a sacrifice?

"I FELT compelled." A great example of why we ought not to be ruled by our feelings.

Was God's judgment on Saul's sacrifice, an over-reaction to what some might think was a rather small sin? “To disobey God in the smallest matter is sin enough: there can be no little sin, because there is no little God to sin against.” (John Trapp)

Lord, I don't want to engage in anything, bad or good, that isn't Your plan for me. Protect me from my excuses and deliver me from the dominion of my Feelings.

One Wrong Turn Does Not Disqualify

2008-02-15T01:38:00.003-06:00

Reading of Samuel's legacy in 1 Samuel 12 during the hubbub of primaries and elections, makes me wonder, who, at the end of their term (much less their whole life) would be able to invite people to report of any wrong-doings in his reign, and have everyone in, in one accord, declare...

“You have not cheated us or oppressed us, nor have you taken anything from any man’s hand.”

This is a priceless testimony for any leader. How precious to stand before your own people, and to hear them affirm the integrity of your leadership!

But the more personal and comforting word from this passage is how Samuel wanted it clearly known that it was not his idea to appoint a king over Israel. This idea began in the hearts of Israel, not in the heart and mind of God. Yet God allowed it, and even directed its execution. But it was the voice of the people that prompted it.

So even after this blatant disobedience in their desire for a king, Samuel presents Israel with an important choice. If they would fear the Lord and serve Him, God could still bless them.

One wrong turn had not put them out of God’s plan forever. Yes, Israel should have never sought a human king. But now they had one, Samuel simply calls them to serve the Lord where they are at now.

We need to know that one wrong turn doesn’t wreck our lives before God! Instead of agonizing over the past, we can get right with God today. I choose to fear the Lord and serve Him and obey His voice today. God will bring good even out of yesterday’s wrong turn.

So just as Samuel puts the choice before Israel after they had made a wrong turn, we face the same fork in the road. On one side is submission to God and obedience; on the other is rebellion and disobedience.

Eventually, after it is all said and done, Israel sees their sin of wanting a king. They see it too late; if only they had realized it in 1 Samuel 8, when Samuel first warned them!

Now they are stuck with a king, yet God can still turn it for good if Israel will repent and seek the Lord. The Lord is well-able to get us on the His path of righteousness no matter where we are coming from.

And though Samuel did not minimize Israel’s sin, he does not want them to dwell on the sin of the past. He wanted themto get on walking with the Lord today.

The Living Bible puts it this way:

Make sure now that you worship the Lord with true enthusiasm, and that you don’t turn your back on Him in any way. We can’t do anything about yesterday, and at the present moment we can’t serve God tomorrow. At the present moment, all we can do is not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all
your heart.

Satan would love for us to live in the past or in the future; to do anything but serve the Lord with all we have right now!
Gracious God, thank You for Your unending patience and Your gracious power that will help me return to You no matter where I find myself today. I pray You will help me to live in the present moment...not grieving and groaning over yesterdsay's sin, nor fearing or fretting over tomorrow's problems. I agree with Samuel when he said "What great things You have done for me!"

Our Enemy & Our Saviour

2008-02-14T01:38:00.008-06:00

In 1 Samuel 11, Nahash (which means snake or serpent) the Ammonite was coming up against Jabesh Gilead of Israel, just like our enemy Satan does with us.

Jabesh Gilead is on the outskirts of Israel, far from the heart of Israel, and bordering the enemy territory of Ammon.

A. Our enemy approaches us, 1) either where we are the weakest, or 2) the area we pay the least mind to.

B. Our enemy may attack us, but cannot do anything against us without our agreement or consent. He asks for, and requires our cooperation.

C. Our enemy wants us to serve him, and will attempt to rationalize and intimidate us into giving in to him.

D. Our enemy wants to humiliate us, and exalt himself over us. Through humiliating one believer, Satan can bring reproach on all of Christianity.

E. Our enemy wants to take away our ability to effectively fight against him (ie, blinding the right eye, which peaks from behind the shield being held by the left hand).

F. Our enemy wants to blind us, and if he cannot blind us completely (cannot see God exists), he will blind us partially (cannot see God is good).

The Gileadites are in a good position if you look at through the eyes of recovery!

First of all, we need to have our denial crushed. Why don't we just submit to Nahash and become their slaves (as opposed to crying out to God)? Seems like such a peace-keeping thing to do!

Once the Ammonites cruelty rears its ugly head and Nahash's proposed covenant is seen for what it really is, the Gileadites realize...they are powerless!

They realized they had a need, and that there is no hope in and of themselves. Is there a savior to be found?

Saul did arise to the occasion for his first kingly duty. And sobriety was accomplished because of the outside power of the Saviour!

One last piece of this chapter which is a real challenge...

10:27 we read of rebels who doubted "How can this man save us?" So they despised him.

And even then, Saul "held his peace."

“The Hebrew is striking. ‘He was as though he had been deaf’ - he pretended not to hear. He did hear; every word had struck deep into his soul, but he made as though he were deaf. It is a great power when a man can act as though he were deaf to slander, deaf to detraction, deaf to unkind and uncharitable speeches, and treat them as though they had not been spoken, turning from man to God, leaving with God his vindication, believing God will mend the situation." --F.B. Meyer

Then in this chapter, the opportunity arose for Saul to finally "speak his peace", as it were.

At this moment of great victory, the supporters of Saul wanted to expose and kill those who rebelled against Saul's appointment as king in 1 Samuel 10:27.

Who is he who said, “Shall Saul reign over us?” Bring the men, that we may put them to death!

Yet Saul, in his humility would not have any of it!

Not a man shall be put to death this day, for today the Lord has accomplished salvation in Israel!

Saul wisely knew this was no time to take revenge on his opponents. Satan, having failed in the attack through Nahash, was now trying to attack Israel - even in victory - by dividing the nation against each other. Our enemy will attack us anyway he can, and often use times of victory to attack.

Lord Jesus, draw every part of me so close to You that there is no "Jabesh Gilead" lingering near the enemy's territory. And yet Lord, for those areas that I am under attack and struggling, I ask for Your deliverance. Be my Saul.
Also Father, make me a Saul...as he is in this chapter...bold, active, and humble, willing to give all the glory to You!

Spirit of the Lord--A New Heart

2008-02-13T01:47:00.003-06:00

Yesterday we were introduced to Saul, with much more fanfare about his fleshly qualifications, than any mention of his relationship with the Lord. When we saw him engaging in something even possibly spiritual...it was at his servant's prompting.

So no wonder that in 1 Samuel 10, we see people amazed that he should somehow be counted amongst the prophets. How is it that he has gone from secular to spiritual?

But as it was with Saul, so it can be with us:

God picked Saul just as he was, even though he was not a particularly spiritual man.
Yet God did not want to leave Saul just as he was.
For God to use Saul to the fullest, He had to be turned into another man
by the filling of the Spirit of the Lord.

The difference between Saul's yesterday and today was the Anointing! Not just the physical anointing of oil by Samuel onto Saul's head, but what it depicted. That of the Spirit of the Lord coming upon him. That anointing is what turned Saul into a different man.

In Women's Bible Study today we learned a lot about the Holy Spirit, but one of the most securing, and yet challenging truths, was that as Christians under the New Covenant, we are anointed by the Holy Spirit (1 John 2:20).

We are filled with, and blessed by, the Holy Spirit. This is something that is the common property of all Christians, but something we can and should become more submitted and responsive to.

Also, from this chapter, we see that Saul started out his reign with so much promise.

He was chosen and
anointed by God
He was filled with the Holy Spirit
He had the support of a man of God like Samuel
He had been given gifts appropriate to royalty
He had the enthusiastic support and goodwill of most all the nation
He had valiant men around him, men whose hearts God had touched to support him
And, he had the wisdom to not regard every doubter, or every critic, as an enemy

What will Saul do with these great advantages?

But even more closer to home, what will I do with the great advantages given me?

Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for choosing the unspiritual, the disinterested, as it were. And for the anointing of the Holy Spirit that is daily making me into a different woman. Father, You have blessed my life with so many earthly advantages as well. Help me to move up to higher ground because of them!

An Annoyance Led to a Crown!

2008-02-12T01:34:00.000-06:00

Tall, Dark, and Handsome...but looking for lost donkeys! Yes, let's pick him to be the king!

The first 2 verses 1 Samuel 9 talk plenty about Saul's family, his heritage, his wealth, his appearance, his stature and how he compared with others ... but nothing about his relationship with God. And isn't that just like the Israelites spiritually? Wanting the image of religion regardless of the reality?

Oh Lord, let my image be sacrificed so long as I can have the real substance of a royal life.

I wonder if the donkeys had never gotten lost, or if Kish had sent another son to search for them, if Saul would have become king? Just think about that.

Going about the ordinary business of life (actually, I suppose it was a bit worse than the “usual” life...the donkeys ended up running away and I'm sure Saul had to be annoyed by the whole ordeal of going out looking for them) and closing out the day notified that you'll be ruler over all the people of God!

Like there's this fender bender, you might say, that disrupts ordinary life, and the next thing you know, Saul is on the ascent to the throne! Talk about a bad thing turned good! If the beasts had not meandered away, Saul would have never met the person who could change his life!

Charles Spurgeon (my all time favorite) said, “Saul went out to seek his father’s asses, he failed in that search, but he found a crown!”

Lord Jesus, Editor of my life, help me to see every Disappointment as “His appointment”!

Can you imagine coming to a “man of God”... “an honorable man” ... a man that “all he says surely comes to pass” ... asking for help to find...donkeys? I wonder if some of my requests seem that way to Jesus, small and so much less than what He wants to provide for me! Excuse me, Warren Buffet, could you loan me a dime!

Oh Lord, let me drink of Your fullness, and experience Your wholeness, rather than spend time with donkeys!

If I had the choice to either follow God's lead by chasing after jackasses or hearing Him talk in my ear...I'd rather be a Samuel!

Open my eyes, Lord
I want to see Jesus.
To reach out and touch Him
To show Him I love Him

Open my ears,Lord
And help me to listen
Open my eyes, Lord
I want to see Jesus

Parenting, Prayers & Ripples

2008-02-11T01:31:00.001-06:00

Who can tell just how far-reaching our influence may be? Because of Eli's parenting skills (or perhaps, better stated, lack of them) many people's lives were affected.

To think of everyone who was abused by his two boys as they violated the women, pillaged the men, and robbed from God, and the ripple effect from there on out, is mind-boggling.

1 Samuel 8 is just a microcosm of the ill-effects that Eli's decisions regarding his children impacted world history.

(now don't get me wrong, this isn't a blog from a single gal blasting someone else's child-rearing tactics. I'm more convicted by the question, “is there anything I am doing that will have a negative impact on someone else's life?”)

The Israelites suffer through a number of years under High Priest Eli's reign as his boys plunder the countryside. Samuel brings a reprieve and recovery is enjoyed by the children of God.

But apparently, though Samuel could lead a nation (perhaps due in part to his mother's prayer for her son in 1 Samuel 2), he seemed most influenced by Eli when it came to parenting.

The first 3 verses of chapter 8 sound very reminiscent of the Phinehas and Hophni days.

“but his sons did not walk in the ways of Samuel; they turned aside after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice.”

As a result of the boys behavior, the elders of Israel demand a king. Its as if they were driven to the request because of how they were being treated by Sam's sons. And just like a script right out of Hollywood, a lot of previewing for the chapters ahead are given to us in verses 10-18. The 400 years of kingdom-living will reek with everything described in those 9 verses!

But I like what Samuel did when people asked something of him. (Oh, how I wish I responded like him more often).

“The elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah and said, 'Give us a king to judge us.' So Samuel prayed to the Lord!”

I need to do this when I hear displeasing news.
I need to do this when I'm requested to do something.
I need to do this when confronted by a number of people on all sides.
I need to do this when someone attempts to manipulate me into thinking it's my fault (see verse 5).
I need to do this when I am criticized or evaluated.
I need to do this all the time!

Oh Lord God, how many times I could have saved myself heartache and wasted time, if I had only prayed to You first. Teach me to come to You with every decision I make (that sounds like a lot of times in any given day Lord, but I don't suppose there is such a thing as communicating with You too much!) And if I have started any negative ripples in this pool of life, I pray that You will intervene and convert them into splashes of joy instead!

Hitherto has the Lord Helped Us!

2008-02-10T03:16:00.000-06:00

Isn’t Samuel a breath of fresh air after the last judge we read about? (Remember the exploits of “faithful” Samson?) He had plenty of dysfunction in his surroundings and circumstances, and yet, it is he that the Lord used to bring the nation of Israel back to Himself!

In 1 Samuel 7 we see a battle that is won, after Samuel had the children of Israel tend to their idolatry and sin issues. It seemed his first concern was a reviving of the heart whether in war or peace time. That is a good reminder to me, that I should draw near to the Lord before I go about my day or confront my struggles head on.

But there is a word in all of this chapter that ministers to me most…Ebenezer.

Not because it was at Ebenezer Baptist Church where Martin Luther King, Jr. first preached his message of nonviolence.

Not because Mr. Scrooge discovered what it is to have a heart and live for others after three visits from Christmases.

But it’s because of its meaning and principal.

An old hymn by William Wilberforce’s spiritual mentor, John Newton, says it succinctly.

His love in time past forbids me to think
He’ll leave me at last in trouble to sink;
Each sweet Ebenezer I have in review,
Confirms His good pleasure to help me quite through.

How good it is for me to argue from the faithfulness of God in the past. David was able to face Goliath as he reminded himself of God’s protection in the past (1 Samuel 17:31-37):

The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philipstine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, the Lord be with you!”

Why would I waver in doubt and fear, if I remember His kindness in leading me these past 20 years?

O Lord, here the Israelites were afraid of the Philistines, and yet with Your intervention, there was recovery! Help me to remember the wondrous works You have done, to encourage me to face the Philistines of my life today. And just like in the days of Samuel, help me to recover lost ground and to enjoy years of peace with all those around.