David and Bathsheba

2 Samuel 11

Today we read the all too human story of David and Bathsheba. How sad it is as we see one sin lead to another (and another) in this tragic episode. You can make an argument that the sin chain starts
with covetousness (10th commandment) followed by adultery (6th commandment) followed by lies (8th commandment) followed by murder (5th commandment). What a mess!! But isn’t that the nature of sin? How often do we witness the sin in our own lives and in the lives of others spiral from one area of failure to another?

And what about those who are affected by sin? One of the lies that comes with sin is that it can be private, that no one else will be affected. That is rarely the case. Like a pebble thrown into quiet waters sin has a ripple effect, both in our actions and the people it affects.

Think of the people impacted by David’s sins.  Here’s a list that I came up with. Maybe you can think of more:

David
David’s servants
Bathsheba
Uriah
Joab
Soldiers killed or injured with Uriah
David and Bathsheba’s son (see Chapter 12)

What an awful condition that we live with! As we consider the devastation that sin causes in our world, it makes God’s grace and love all the more amazing. Consider that despite the rampant sin that we read about in 2 Samuel 11 there is ultimately repentance and forgiveness. Eventually Solomon is born to David and Bathsheba and Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, is descended from Solomon – see Matthew chapter 1.

I love the words that we recite during the communion service found in the King James Version of 1 John 1:8-9: “8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” What an incredible and comforting promise given the nature of sin! 

Thanks be to God for grace through the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord!

"Unbroken": The Rest of the Story

The movie, “Unbroken,” tells the true story of a U.S. Army Air Corps bombardier, taken captive by the Japanese in World War II.  A former Olympic athlete, Louie Zamperini displayed an iron will, an exceptional resolve to survive, despite being repeatedly targeted by a sadistic prison guard for especially cruel beatings.  The movie ends as the war ends.

But in her book of the same name, author Laura Hillenbrand goes on to tell the rest of the story – the best of the story.  After the war, Zamperini was filled with resentment and anger, lashing out at those closest to him and intent on returning to Japan to take revenge on his tormentor.  At the urging of his wife, however, he attended a Billy Graham crusade and it was there that this “unbroken” but embittered man relinquished his self-reliance and opened himself to the life-giving Spirit of Christ.  In God’s mercy, Louie Zamperini had become wonderfully “broken.”

There is something in all of us that must be broken: our inclination toward our sin nature, that self-willed part of us that wants to live life on our own terms, and not God’s.  And no one is exempt ...

It had never been the size of his army that brought King David success in battle, but the strength and faithfulness of his God.  Yet in an uncharacteristic expression of pride – a rare feeding of the ego – David commanded that his army be counted.  And when God responded in justice and mercy, David’s heart changed from arrogance to humility, and his focus from accumulation to sacrifice.  “I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.”  2 Samuel 24:24a

It is a beautiful thing, brokenness; it is like a multi-faceted diamond in which we see pridefulness give way to humility ... anxiety give way to peace ... foolishness give way to wisdom ... sin give way to righteousness ... despair give way to hope ... death give way to life.

How has brokenness brought you closer to God?  Take a moment to thank him for his work in you.
What still needs to be broken?  Ask God to have his way in that facet (and every facet, for that matter) in your life.

[Today's reading, 2 Samuel 24:18-25, is excerpted from the story of David's sin and repentance.  To read this story, click here.]

Strength in Weakness

Samuel 23:15-29

David was an unlikely candidate for kingship in the eyes of many. He was young, naive, sincere, and inexperienced. All the things a strong and controlling man like Saul despises, yet just what the Lord desires.

David fled to avoid conflict and follow God’s will. Saul hunted him like prey. Does that sound familiar? 

Often as we attempt to do as our Lord commands, we feel scrutiny, attack, and disapproval from others in our life. At times we may even be attacked by our loved ones. Is this opposition truly coming from the hearts of our attackers, or is it perhaps instigated by satan and they have no defense against him? Does their lack of connection with Christ perhaps facilitate their need to lash out? These times require us to be strong in the Lord regardless of what others think or how weak we are perceived to be.

The bible says there is strength in weakness, and that we can do all things through Him who strengthens us. Those who demonstrate a quiet, reserved nature are often perceived as weak, yet in reality they may possess a quiet strength and confidence that comes from deep within and they feel no need to put their solid personality on display. Their power needs no audience or attention. The Lord’s grace is enough.

So who would you rather stand with, the one with a robust personality who roars like a lion gaining personal attention and perhaps soliciting fear, or one who approaches life like a lamb, thoughtfully addressing each day as it comes and reaching out to others?

As we are sometimes “driven into the desert” let us remember that God may use challenging situations to grow and strengthen us for His purpose. We are shaped and molded like clay in God’s hands through our experiences.

Today is a great day to stand before the Lord and recommit to His purpose for us. Even when we feel weak, we are strong in Him.

Read/Listen to: 1 Samuel 23: 15-29

Stuff Happens

Stuff happens. (We’ve all seen the bumper sticker, except that it uses a more vulgar word than stuff.)

 

Many times something happens that makes it difficult to complete a task I need to do. These tasks could be God’s work, in support of my family, an assignment from my employer or simply something I find enjoyment in doing. Sometimes these difficulties cause me to chuckle while other times they are an annoyance. Still other times they have caused bodily injury or have been upsetting.

 

Saul Attempting to Kill David

Today’s text is 1 Samuel 19:1-10. David was popular among the Jews. Besides being good looking, he led the army and at one time single handedly defeated the Philistines. King Saul was jealous of David, and fearful David would overthrow him. Although he took an oath not to, Saul, when under the influence of an evil spirit, attempted to kill David.

 

Something  --  Saul -- was trying to cause David great bodily harm! David most likely was very upset with this event.

 

At times hindrances and trouble can seem to be daily events. Satan does all he can to make our lives difficult.

 

Adam and Eve brought sin into the world, and as a result, we suffer the consequences of sin on this earth. God reminds us frequently that we will be under attack from Satan. In the book of Revelations he further tells us that the Christian Church will be under attack from the time of Christ’s death until his return. Even today, thousands of Christians are being killed because of their faith.

 

At times, life will be difficult. There will be annoyances and bodily harm. Life will be upsetting for us.

The story of Saul and David has another message. Even though sin and evil spirits run rampant, God is still in control.

 

Satan can be an annoyance, or even harm us physically and emotionally. But he cannot harm us spiritually!

 

Jesus died on the cross so that we may have everlasting life with him in heaven. Our faith in Jesus is the best defense we have!

The reality of dreams

“At Gibeon, the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said ‘Ask for whatever you want me to give you.’” 1 Kings 3:5

My father was a good dad. As a young boy, I loved him, admired him and trusted him. And as a seven-year old boy, I also lost him; he died of a heart attack one summer Sunday morning. Though there were plenty of happy moments in the growing-up years that followed, they emerged against a backdrop of emptiness. My father was gone and a great deal of my childlike trust in God might as well have been buried with him.

But years later, when I was 23, God gave me a dream. In my dream, my father was with me again and I as bringing him up to date on what had happened in my life ... that I had gone to college, graduated and had launched my career. With undivided attention, he listened with interest, pride and affirmation. So when I decided also to fill him in on my brother’s and sister’s lives, he said, “I know; you don't have to tell me.” A bit confused, I paused and said, “I just wanted you to know what else has happened since you died.” Then with his assuring grin and peaceful blue eyes, he replied simply, “I never died.” I immediately awoke – tears trickling out of the corners of my eyes – with the warmth of my father's love and a heart daring to hope again in God and his promise of eternal life.

Sometimes, God speaks to us through dreams because, in them, he has our complete attention. All other voices are quelled and it’s an honest encounter of two, each with the clarity and focus of undivided attention. Such was the case one night as Solomon slept …

God told Solomon to ask for whatever he wanted. Had it not been in a dream, who knows how Solomon would have responded amid the distractions of his kingly responsibilities. But in the quiet of sleep, Solomon was amazingly transparent with himself and with his God, for, though dreaming, he articulated a simple and clear reality: God had been kind to his father, David ... David had been faithful, righteous and upright in heart ... Solomon's ascension to the throne was out of God's kindness to David ... and Solomon was no David. “But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties,” he confessed. “So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"

And how did God respond to Solomon's humble heart and unfiltered honesty? Just as he had intended. For God poured out upon Solomon so much wisdom and discernment that “there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.” And since Solomon asked not for his own good, but the good of “this great people,” God also gave him riches and honor beyond all other kings of his lifetime.

When we humbly and honestly come before our God – whether in a dream or fully awake – he listens with interest, pride and affirmation. And when we take time to still our hearts before him, God eagerly, lovingly and faithfully replies to a listening audience of one.

A leap through time

“When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” Luke 1:41

When the ark of the covenant was carried back to Jerusalem, King David leaped and danced before it with all his might. This chest of wood, overlaid and adorned with gold, contained reminders of God’s promises and commands: manna – bread from heaven delivered daily on a just-in-time basis to a rebellious and wandering people; Aaron’s rod, which, though dead, yet budded, blossomed and brought forth almonds; and the Ten Commandments, stipulations of the old covenant etched in stone. And in this procession of God’s truth and faithfulness, David’s joy overflowed, neither contrived nor restrained.

Now turn the clock forward one thousand years to the dawning of a new day. There were no crowds this time, no trumpets, no gold ... just a young woman, Mary, visiting her aged relative, Elizabeth, each expecting her first child. In time, John, the son of the older woman, would herald Jesus, the son of the younger, as the long-promised Messiah. For Jesus himself would be our manna, new bread from heaven for an eternity of endless todays. Like Aaron’s rod, he would die, yet live and bring forth life. And he would perfectly fulfill for us the otherwise impossible demands of the law.

And as, in her womb, Mary carried this new covenant into his presence that day, John leaped for joy before him. His also was a joy neither contrived nor restrained.

No matter our circumstances, joy is ours when we rest in who God is and in the truth of his promises. His truth brings peace, and his peace brings joy. When we are poor, when we are hungry, when we weep, even when we are hated, excluded, insulted and rejected for our life in Christ, Jesus says, “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven (Luke 6:23).”

Ours is a simple, honest and liberating joy, one we can not contrive and need not restrain.

Samuel Anoints David - 1 Samuel 16:8-13

What happened when God rejected Saul as king of Israel? God sent Samuel to Jesse’s house. He was to anoint one of Jesse’s sons to be the next king. Which one would it be? Seven of Jesse’s sons passed in front of Samuel. None of them were chosen by God.

Samuel asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” (v 11)

Because David was only a shepherd boy, his father didn’t consider him fit to be a king. He didn’t even come to the meeting! Jesse had to send for him. When Samuel saw David, God told him David was the chosen one.

Samuel anointed David. God’s Spirit powerfully came on David. In time he became king of Israel.

Today’s scripture reminds us what is important to God. God sees us in a different way than people do. What matters to God the most is whether we have hearts that love Him. God chose David because David had a heart that knew Him and loved Him.

How do we know if we have hearts that love God? The Bible tells us how God wants us to live. If we have a heart that loves Him, we will want to live His way.

What if our lives aren’t completely in step with God? The good news is that God will forgive us if we ask Him. God will give us a new heart that loves Him.

Refresh your heart in a devotional time of prayer and Bible reading each day. Feel His peace, joy, hope, and love enter your heart as you read His Words.

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Psalm 16 - In Your Right Hand are Pleasures Evermore

Have you heard the saying, "God is good; all the time?" I thought of it as I read Psalm 16 today. Another familiar phrase, "Hang on to what is good," also popped into my mind.

David equated God with good. He says, "apart from [God] I have no good thing." (v 2) David twice mentioned staying by his Father's side and in His presence. (v 8,11)

David trusted and depended on God for his safety. (v 1)
He received many blessings. (vs 5-6).
He praised God for guidance in his life. (vs 7,11)
David rejoiced with gladness and rested in God's care. (v 9)
David knew that just as Christ would conquer death (v 10), God would not leave him in the grave. He had joy and assurance in "eternal pleasures at [God's] right hand. (v 11).

Do you realize: When we hang on to the One we know is good all the time…as we put our trust in Him…as we develop a relationship with Him, we experience the same blessings as David.

Our days can be filled with many challenging hurdles. When we rest in God's care, hold His hand, and keep our focus on Him, we can trust Him to work out our circumstances. When we keep God by our side, He can lead us onto the right path. When we entrust ourselves into God’s care, we can live with joy. He promises us we will be resurrected to eternal life. Isn't it awesome that there is no end to what God has for us!

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