Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Read 2 Samuel 20:1 through 24:25
(22:2-3) "The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; My savior, You save me from violence." (NASB)
Our son, Daniel, has developed a precious early-morning pattern. Upon waking and calling to be delivered from his crib, with your arrival he grabs his pacifier and blanket before reaching for you. Perhaps both are measures for a security as an uncertain day dawns. The pacifier he loses soon enough, but often through the day you'll see him parading through the house with blanket in tow. He'll actually remind you a bit of Linus from Charles Schulz' Peanuts comic strip.
For Linus, at least, that blanket meant comfort. It meant peace. It was his object of reassurance. All else could be uncertain, but his blanket was the constant. To now make the parallel, you've noticed the constant uncertainty in David's life... much of it in 2 Samuel, anyway, being as consequence of sin. But having endured to the end of his life, David now sings not of a blanket or a possession but of the One he's seen as his true source of refuge.
How have you grown to know God intimately as a refuge in times of uncertainty?
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psalms 46:1 (NASB)
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Life Goes On
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Read 2 Samuel 15:1 through 19:43
(19:8) So the king arose and sat in the gate. When they told all the people, saying, "Behold, the king is sitting in the gate," then all the people came before the king. (NASB)
The hardest part of arriving at the cemetery is leaving the cemetery. You've spent the better part of the last week grieving over your loss. You've spent time with friends and family, all trying to console you and help with at least a little firm footing on which you can stand. You've endured the funeral, and now it's time to move forward. In these moments it's felt like life has been standing still... like the hands on your watch have frozen. But they haven't, have they? No sooner than taking that first step toward the car do you realize, "Not only does life go on, life has been going on."
Contrary to our polling results, for many the most difficult part of experiencing grief is the act of rejoining life in the midst of it. We now see David mourning over another son and not wanting to rejoin life. But he did, and so must we. Can you think of a time when you experienced grief and forced yourself to rejoin life? And what do you sense God did in the ensuing days to minister to you?
We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey.
Kenji Miyazawa
Read 2 Samuel 15:1 through 19:43
(19:8) So the king arose and sat in the gate. When they told all the people, saying, "Behold, the king is sitting in the gate," then all the people came before the king. (NASB)
The hardest part of arriving at the cemetery is leaving the cemetery. You've spent the better part of the last week grieving over your loss. You've spent time with friends and family, all trying to console you and help with at least a little firm footing on which you can stand. You've endured the funeral, and now it's time to move forward. In these moments it's felt like life has been standing still... like the hands on your watch have frozen. But they haven't, have they? No sooner than taking that first step toward the car do you realize, "Not only does life go on, life has been going on."
Contrary to our polling results, for many the most difficult part of experiencing grief is the act of rejoining life in the midst of it. We now see David mourning over another son and not wanting to rejoin life. But he did, and so must we. Can you think of a time when you experienced grief and forced yourself to rejoin life? And what do you sense God did in the ensuing days to minister to you?
We must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey.
Kenji Miyazawa
Monday, March 17, 2008
Sin on a Hot Tin Roof
Monday, March 17, 2008
Read 2 Samuel 11:1 through 14:39.
(11:1) The following spring, the time of year when kings go to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to destroy the Ammonites. In the process they laid siege to the city of Rabbah. But David stayed behind in Jerusalem. (NLT)
And so the sin of David was conceived.
This is the section of the Old Testament I've been dreading. I didn't want to tread these pages, really for two reasons. The first is because they break my heart for David.
"Why weren't you with your men as you should've been, David?"
"Don't go wandering on that roof, David! Sin is crouching at the door up there, man." Interestingly, did you notice that temptation was waiting on him as he awoke from a nap? It very much takes your thoughts to a sleepy group of disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane, doesn't it?
"Now what are you doing, David? You're a man after God's own heart! Why are you inviting her up to the palace?"
"Now you're having her husband killed?! That's the only thing that could be worse than having slept with her."
From this point I can never forget the words of 2 Samuel 11:26-27. "When Uriah's wife heard that her husband was dead, she mourned for him. After the time of mourning was over, David had her brought to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing David had done displeased the LORD" (NIV). I know later we'll read about David recovering from this fall, but still it breaks my heart for David. His life was never the same after this.
But it also breaks my heart for me... really for all of us. How could David have moved so smoothly from expressing the very grace of God to Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son, to now expressing the very depravity of man to Uriah? It scares me how easily he found it to move from righteousness into rebellion. But the same is the case for each of us. Have you noticed this? How?
Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.
1 Corinthians 10:12
Read 2 Samuel 11:1 through 14:39.
(11:1) The following spring, the time of year when kings go to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to destroy the Ammonites. In the process they laid siege to the city of Rabbah. But David stayed behind in Jerusalem. (NLT)
And so the sin of David was conceived.
This is the section of the Old Testament I've been dreading. I didn't want to tread these pages, really for two reasons. The first is because they break my heart for David.
"Why weren't you with your men as you should've been, David?"
"Don't go wandering on that roof, David! Sin is crouching at the door up there, man." Interestingly, did you notice that temptation was waiting on him as he awoke from a nap? It very much takes your thoughts to a sleepy group of disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane, doesn't it?
"Now what are you doing, David? You're a man after God's own heart! Why are you inviting her up to the palace?"
"Now you're having her husband killed?! That's the only thing that could be worse than having slept with her."
From this point I can never forget the words of 2 Samuel 11:26-27. "When Uriah's wife heard that her husband was dead, she mourned for him. After the time of mourning was over, David had her brought to his house, and she became his wife and bore him a son. But the thing David had done displeased the LORD" (NIV). I know later we'll read about David recovering from this fall, but still it breaks my heart for David. His life was never the same after this.
But it also breaks my heart for me... really for all of us. How could David have moved so smoothly from expressing the very grace of God to Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son, to now expressing the very depravity of man to Uriah? It scares me how easily he found it to move from righteousness into rebellion. But the same is the case for each of us. Have you noticed this? How?
Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.
1 Corinthians 10:12
A Promise is a Promise
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Read 2 Samuel 8:1 through 10:19.
(9:8) Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant that you take an interest in a dead dog like me?” (HCSB)
Before I address Mephibosheth--and if you think his name is hard to say, you ought to try spelling it--I have to ask you a secondary question. Have you noticed all the warring, conflict, and death we've been reading about? Before David, Israel was formidable enough under Saul, but under David the military might of Israel reached a new level. His victories in war were incredible, as was the death toll he produced. You know, I accept the justice of God in dealing with those who oppose Him in this way, but admittedly I am moved by all the death. Understand that I'm not doubting or questioning God, but neither do I know where I'm going with this. I suppose it's enough not to gloss over chapters like these, for at the very least they give testimony that the time will always come when opposing God will carry a price.
But to more pleasant matters, did you notice how David treated Saul's grandson and Jonathan's son, Mephibosheth? Long before, David had made a promise to his dearest friend Jonathan, to show kindness to those in Saul's family that remained alive when he reigned. It should touch us to see how David welcomed Mephibosheth, even into his own family. But there's more here for us than mere goosebumps. Let me ask you to read again chapter nine... what do you notice about how David related to Mephibosheth that compares to how God has related to us in Christ?
Remember the great need you have of the grace and assistance of God. You should never lose sight of him--not for a moment.
Andrew Murray
Read 2 Samuel 8:1 through 10:19.
(9:8) Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant that you take an interest in a dead dog like me?” (HCSB)
Before I address Mephibosheth--and if you think his name is hard to say, you ought to try spelling it--I have to ask you a secondary question. Have you noticed all the warring, conflict, and death we've been reading about? Before David, Israel was formidable enough under Saul, but under David the military might of Israel reached a new level. His victories in war were incredible, as was the death toll he produced. You know, I accept the justice of God in dealing with those who oppose Him in this way, but admittedly I am moved by all the death. Understand that I'm not doubting or questioning God, but neither do I know where I'm going with this. I suppose it's enough not to gloss over chapters like these, for at the very least they give testimony that the time will always come when opposing God will carry a price.
But to more pleasant matters, did you notice how David treated Saul's grandson and Jonathan's son, Mephibosheth? Long before, David had made a promise to his dearest friend Jonathan, to show kindness to those in Saul's family that remained alive when he reigned. It should touch us to see how David welcomed Mephibosheth, even into his own family. But there's more here for us than mere goosebumps. Let me ask you to read again chapter nine... what do you notice about how David related to Mephibosheth that compares to how God has related to us in Christ?
Remember the great need you have of the grace and assistance of God. You should never lose sight of him--not for a moment.
Andrew Murray
Saturday, March 15, 2008
A Fool for Jesus
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Read 2 Samuel 5:1 through 7:29.
(6:21) "I was dancing before the LORD, who chose me above your father and his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the LORD. So I am willing to act like a fool in order to show my joy in the LORD." (NLT)
You know, we have to hand it to David... at this point in his life, he got it. He really got it. He understood the prize he had in his relationship with God. And his lifestyle was the evidence. Did you see his patience, God's anointed king wading through seven-and-a-half years of civil war before receiving the authority that was rightly his (5:1-5)? Did you read also in chapter five, "David became greater and greater, for the LORD God of hosts was with him" (5:10)? That's relationship! And there's trust and intimacy in relationships... the deepest give and take. Why, apparently it was even allowed for David to be angry over God striking Uzzah (6:6-8).
But what hits me like a hammer is how David worshiped. He was out to honor God with all his devotion, with all his reckless abandon. How others judged his expression of joy was irrelevant. He was going to praise and please the Lord His God. Nothing was more important to him, and nothing should be more important to us.
Is that what's most important to you? It seems these days that many believers want to talk more about worship and even debate more about worship than they actually want to worship. What would our services and church lives be like if we brought God David's spirit for praising Him? How quickly would our services bounce from deathly to lively, becoming real expressions of joy and responses of faith? And who would be impacted because they saw our joy bursting forth in praise?
I'm beginning to think it better to look the fool while praising God than be a fool for neglecting the opportunity.
We used to think that the chief end of man was to glorify God. Now we're tempted to say the chief end of God is to gratify man.
Oswald Sanders
Read 2 Samuel 5:1 through 7:29.
(6:21) "I was dancing before the LORD, who chose me above your father and his family! He appointed me as the leader of Israel, the people of the LORD. So I am willing to act like a fool in order to show my joy in the LORD." (NLT)
You know, we have to hand it to David... at this point in his life, he got it. He really got it. He understood the prize he had in his relationship with God. And his lifestyle was the evidence. Did you see his patience, God's anointed king wading through seven-and-a-half years of civil war before receiving the authority that was rightly his (5:1-5)? Did you read also in chapter five, "David became greater and greater, for the LORD God of hosts was with him" (5:10)? That's relationship! And there's trust and intimacy in relationships... the deepest give and take. Why, apparently it was even allowed for David to be angry over God striking Uzzah (6:6-8).
But what hits me like a hammer is how David worshiped. He was out to honor God with all his devotion, with all his reckless abandon. How others judged his expression of joy was irrelevant. He was going to praise and please the Lord His God. Nothing was more important to him, and nothing should be more important to us.
Is that what's most important to you? It seems these days that many believers want to talk more about worship and even debate more about worship than they actually want to worship. What would our services and church lives be like if we brought God David's spirit for praising Him? How quickly would our services bounce from deathly to lively, becoming real expressions of joy and responses of faith? And who would be impacted because they saw our joy bursting forth in praise?
I'm beginning to think it better to look the fool while praising God than be a fool for neglecting the opportunity.
We used to think that the chief end of man was to glorify God. Now we're tempted to say the chief end of God is to gratify man.
Oswald Sanders
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Life in the Valley
Friday, March 14, 2008
Read 2 Samuel 1:1 through 4:12.
(1:26) "I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; you have been very pleasant to me. Your love to me was more wonderful than the love of women." (NASB)
I doubt it's the poll question you might have expected. "Why is Michael asking us about facing grief? How could that possibly help me spiritually this week?" For one thing, we all experience grief. It's just a matter of when and why. Secondly, it helps me to know that others struggle over similar aspects of grief that I do. I'll just tell you that the hardest part of facing grief for me is the initial sting in what has happened. For some reason I tend to respond to God ministering in my life better than others in the coping relationships and remembrances of the future, but I'm very prone to feel like a "deer in headlights" in the moment grief appears. Knowing that others struggle as I do actually helps me.
But our relevance in that question this week comes in following David's life. Through 2 Samuel you'll see him start a portion of his life doing much grieving. Here we see it over the passings of Saul, Jonathan, and Abner. Jonathan's death, of course, struck David hardest of all. It must have felt as if he'd lost a part of him, and we can relate to that. Pay attention and you'll see God doing much shaping of him in valleys where the shadows of death loom ever present.
I'd ask you to post a bit if you would about what your grief feels like. In reading your remarks we'll get a better grip on what David was feeling. Some of our readers aren't comfortable posters just yet, but let me ask you to try, and at the very least to commune with the Lord today about how you grieve. When we grieve we don't want to do so "as do the rest who have no hope" (1 Thessalonians 4:13), for Christ is our hope. But we still need to grieve. How you reflect in this moment will help.
There is no despair so absolute as that which comes with the first moments of our first sorrow, when we have not yet known what it is to have suffered and be healed, to have despaired and recovered hope.
George Eliot
Read 2 Samuel 1:1 through 4:12.
(1:26) "I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; you have been very pleasant to me. Your love to me was more wonderful than the love of women." (NASB)
I doubt it's the poll question you might have expected. "Why is Michael asking us about facing grief? How could that possibly help me spiritually this week?" For one thing, we all experience grief. It's just a matter of when and why. Secondly, it helps me to know that others struggle over similar aspects of grief that I do. I'll just tell you that the hardest part of facing grief for me is the initial sting in what has happened. For some reason I tend to respond to God ministering in my life better than others in the coping relationships and remembrances of the future, but I'm very prone to feel like a "deer in headlights" in the moment grief appears. Knowing that others struggle as I do actually helps me.
But our relevance in that question this week comes in following David's life. Through 2 Samuel you'll see him start a portion of his life doing much grieving. Here we see it over the passings of Saul, Jonathan, and Abner. Jonathan's death, of course, struck David hardest of all. It must have felt as if he'd lost a part of him, and we can relate to that. Pay attention and you'll see God doing much shaping of him in valleys where the shadows of death loom ever present.
I'd ask you to post a bit if you would about what your grief feels like. In reading your remarks we'll get a better grip on what David was feeling. Some of our readers aren't comfortable posters just yet, but let me ask you to try, and at the very least to commune with the Lord today about how you grieve. When we grieve we don't want to do so "as do the rest who have no hope" (1 Thessalonians 4:13), for Christ is our hope. But we still need to grieve. How you reflect in this moment will help.
There is no despair so absolute as that which comes with the first moments of our first sorrow, when we have not yet known what it is to have suffered and be healed, to have despaired and recovered hope.
George Eliot
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
From Shining to Shooting
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Read 1 Samuel 29:1 through 31:13.
(31:4) Saul said to his weapon bearer, "Draw your sword and put me out of my misery, lest these pagan pigs come and make a game out of killing me." But his weapon bearer wouldn't do it. He was terrified. So Saul took the sword himself and fell on it. (MSG)
So ended the sordid tale of King Saul.
I love to watch a show on television called True Hollywood Stories. Admittedly I shouldn't enjoy it, but I do. To tell you the truth, my enjoyment is really more fascination. What fascinates me is that every story seems exactly the same. The Hollywood star rises in "rags-to-riches" fashion, lives a life of fame and fortune, and inevitably meets a tragic fall from grace.
No star's story concludes with as hard a fall as Saul's. This king Israel had requested, he was the pride of Israel, "a choice and handsome man, and there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel; from his shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people" (9:2). He was the one all of them would've looked up to, literally and figuratively. But his became a story of foolishness and rebellion, paranoia and pride. Far too soon it might seem the Spirit of God departed him, his capacity for making holy decisions forsook him, and his own sword pierced him.
Saul certainly isn't the last star to go from shining to shooting. Can you think of a believer or Christian leader who started brightly only to flame out in the end? What thoughts come to mind when you think of that person?
If Saul's life teaches us anything, it teaches us that any low is possible for us when we take the first step in the direction of sin. Unfortunately Saul never recovered. What about you?
Lots of folks confuse bad management with destiny.
Ken Hubbard
Read 1 Samuel 29:1 through 31:13.
(31:4) Saul said to his weapon bearer, "Draw your sword and put me out of my misery, lest these pagan pigs come and make a game out of killing me." But his weapon bearer wouldn't do it. He was terrified. So Saul took the sword himself and fell on it. (MSG)
So ended the sordid tale of King Saul.
I love to watch a show on television called True Hollywood Stories. Admittedly I shouldn't enjoy it, but I do. To tell you the truth, my enjoyment is really more fascination. What fascinates me is that every story seems exactly the same. The Hollywood star rises in "rags-to-riches" fashion, lives a life of fame and fortune, and inevitably meets a tragic fall from grace.
No star's story concludes with as hard a fall as Saul's. This king Israel had requested, he was the pride of Israel, "a choice and handsome man, and there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel; from his shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people" (9:2). He was the one all of them would've looked up to, literally and figuratively. But his became a story of foolishness and rebellion, paranoia and pride. Far too soon it might seem the Spirit of God departed him, his capacity for making holy decisions forsook him, and his own sword pierced him.
Saul certainly isn't the last star to go from shining to shooting. Can you think of a believer or Christian leader who started brightly only to flame out in the end? What thoughts come to mind when you think of that person?
If Saul's life teaches us anything, it teaches us that any low is possible for us when we take the first step in the direction of sin. Unfortunately Saul never recovered. What about you?
Lots of folks confuse bad management with destiny.
Ken Hubbard
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