Today's Passage: 2 Samuel 15-16
A general question that I believe everyone should ask themselves throughout each week, "How much do I care about the people around me?" I know this is a broad and subjective question, but I believe it gets to the heart of our love for people. It is quite easy for most of us to love those who love us, but it is an entirely different thing to love those who hate us. When reading through this passage in 2 Samuel, David has to deal with the latter.
In chapter 15 David is crowned king. He also hears of Absalom's rebellion in the kingdom. This hurt David to his core. However, he responds in an entirely different way than most would. He is saddened deeply and shows his emotion by mourning . While David is justified in anger, the most significant emotion he shows is sadness. His emotions shows that he truly cares and he was truly hurt. David had someone hate and rebel against him, yet he was able to show love. So I want to close with same question I opened with, "How much do I care about the people around me?"
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
Monday, September 7, 2009
Today's Passage: 2 Samuel 13-14
These two chapters begin the story of Absalom that will conclude in chapter 18. I think many of us can relate to several of Absalom's choices in this passage, but as we will soon find out he is not what God wants in a follower.
Few of us will admit it, but many of us feel that if we do not impart justice then no one else will. This feeling is normally accompanied by impatience and a lack of faith in the real authorities. No need to feel alone I am the same way, however this often leads us to the same place that Absalom found himself at the end of chapter 13. Separated from his father because of pour choices he made. The encouraging part is that when we make similar choices God, just like David, longs for our return to Him. Something that Joab and the woman from Tekoa didn't get was for David to accept Absalom back fully Absalom had to choose to repent of his actions. If he didn't then he must still remain apart from his father. This is the exact situation that we find ourselves in with God when we choose to disobey his commands.
At the end of chapter 14 we really start to see Absalom's true colors, as if the murder of Amnon wasn't enough. Absalom sets a fire to get Joab's attention and basically force a meeting with his father. For us there is no way to force a meeting with God, obedience is the only path that we can take.
Please don't misunderstand what I am saying here. God is available to everyone, everywhere at any time. However to obtain the close relationship that God desires with us we must live a life of dedicated obedience. This relationship is the true difference between knowing about God and truly knowing God.
These two chapters begin the story of Absalom that will conclude in chapter 18. I think many of us can relate to several of Absalom's choices in this passage, but as we will soon find out he is not what God wants in a follower.
Few of us will admit it, but many of us feel that if we do not impart justice then no one else will. This feeling is normally accompanied by impatience and a lack of faith in the real authorities. No need to feel alone I am the same way, however this often leads us to the same place that Absalom found himself at the end of chapter 13. Separated from his father because of pour choices he made. The encouraging part is that when we make similar choices God, just like David, longs for our return to Him. Something that Joab and the woman from Tekoa didn't get was for David to accept Absalom back fully Absalom had to choose to repent of his actions. If he didn't then he must still remain apart from his father. This is the exact situation that we find ourselves in with God when we choose to disobey his commands.
At the end of chapter 14 we really start to see Absalom's true colors, as if the murder of Amnon wasn't enough. Absalom sets a fire to get Joab's attention and basically force a meeting with his father. For us there is no way to force a meeting with God, obedience is the only path that we can take.
Please don't misunderstand what I am saying here. God is available to everyone, everywhere at any time. However to obtain the close relationship that God desires with us we must live a life of dedicated obedience. This relationship is the true difference between knowing about God and truly knowing God.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Today's Passage: 2 Samuel 11-12
Well, I've done all this bragging on David in my previous blogs and then we come to these two chapters. Chapter 11 is filled with selfishness, fornication, betrayal, conspiracy, and murder. What happened to David? This is not the David we've been reading about up to this point! How did this Old Testament super hero do such horrible things? The answer to this question is really not important. The fact is that he was human--we ALL are human. Therefore, we are all capable of these acts and much worse. Jesus tells us later in the New Testament that even looking at someone with lust in your heart is adultery already. In the same way, when we hate someone, we murder them in our hearts. Are any of us completely innocent of either of these? I didn't think so. It follows logically that we have a lot to learn from David. That explains why my admiration for David's life is still in tact--look at chapter 12. It is quite a confrontation. Can you imagine being Nathan? I imagine it would be very difficult to go to the king of Israel and confront him on his sin, but that is exactly what he did. And until Nathan paints the picture of the poor man and the ewe, David seems to be without regret and clueless. How blessed was David to have a man like Nathan as one of his advisers, to look him in the eye and say, "You are THE man!"?
In the last few posts I've noted that David has demonstrated several worthy attributes. In this passage we see the most important one David demonstrated in his life and that is repentance. All we see in chapter 12 is David reply, "I have sinned against the Lord." However, we see his heart and his prayer in response to Nathan's rebuke in Psalm 51. This passage is a beautiful picture of brokenness over sin, repentance from the sin, and dependence on God for forgiveness of that sin. "Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me form my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me." (vs. 2-3). The beauty of this convicting Psalm does not justify his actions; it shows us the importance of being repentant in our lives. So, in what areas of our lives do we need to repent? May we all make Psalm 51:10 our prayer: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."
Well, I've done all this bragging on David in my previous blogs and then we come to these two chapters. Chapter 11 is filled with selfishness, fornication, betrayal, conspiracy, and murder. What happened to David? This is not the David we've been reading about up to this point! How did this Old Testament super hero do such horrible things? The answer to this question is really not important. The fact is that he was human--we ALL are human. Therefore, we are all capable of these acts and much worse. Jesus tells us later in the New Testament that even looking at someone with lust in your heart is adultery already. In the same way, when we hate someone, we murder them in our hearts. Are any of us completely innocent of either of these? I didn't think so. It follows logically that we have a lot to learn from David. That explains why my admiration for David's life is still in tact--look at chapter 12. It is quite a confrontation. Can you imagine being Nathan? I imagine it would be very difficult to go to the king of Israel and confront him on his sin, but that is exactly what he did. And until Nathan paints the picture of the poor man and the ewe, David seems to be without regret and clueless. How blessed was David to have a man like Nathan as one of his advisers, to look him in the eye and say, "You are THE man!"?
In the last few posts I've noted that David has demonstrated several worthy attributes. In this passage we see the most important one David demonstrated in his life and that is repentance. All we see in chapter 12 is David reply, "I have sinned against the Lord." However, we see his heart and his prayer in response to Nathan's rebuke in Psalm 51. This passage is a beautiful picture of brokenness over sin, repentance from the sin, and dependence on God for forgiveness of that sin. "Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me form my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me." (vs. 2-3). The beauty of this convicting Psalm does not justify his actions; it shows us the importance of being repentant in our lives. So, in what areas of our lives do we need to repent? May we all make Psalm 51:10 our prayer: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."
Friday, September 4, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
Today's Passage: 2 Samuel 9-10
We often talk that we should show kindness to other people, and David certainly demonstrates a kind spirit in this passage. But how often do you think about how you should receive kindness? The two stories in chapters 9-10 show us two very different reactions to David's kind spirit.
In Chapter 9, scripture tells us the story of Mephibosheth (one of my favorite names in the Bible). If you remember from Chapter 4, Mephibosheth was the son of Johnathan who was crippled in both feet when he was dropped by his nurse while fleeing with the royal family. He'd been living in hiding, both because of his physical ailments and his fear of being in the family of Saul. David wants to honor Jonathan by blessing someone related to him, and when he hears about Mephibosheth, he is quick to act. Mephibosheth first reacts with great humility..."why would you, a great king with wealth and power, be concerned with someone as insignificant as me?" But despite his disbelief that a king would act with such kindness, he accepts the free gift and lives at the master's table. (at least for a short while...stay tuned for a turn in his humility in 2 Samuel 16).
David continues his generous spirit in Chapter 10, but this time there is a much different reaction. David wants to honor a king which treated him well, so he sends a delegation to his son. The son listens to some very bad advice..."Why would a powerful king want to honor you and your father? There must be another motive behind this...I bet he wants to check out our forces so he can attack later. He wants to use you...he wants to take advantage of you...no one offers something for nothing!" So the king disgraces the delegation and starts a war that he has no chance of winning.
Sometimes we can't believe someone who is so powerful would think to bless someone so lowly. Many people feel this way about God...why would He care about me? Why would someone so amazing even care what happens to me? But the all-powerful King of Kings is looking for people to bless with eternal life at His table. Will we trust and accept this gracious invitation, or will we reject Him because it is too good to be true? Will we give our lives to him or think that all He wants is to control our lives? How will we react to God's kindness?
We often talk that we should show kindness to other people, and David certainly demonstrates a kind spirit in this passage. But how often do you think about how you should receive kindness? The two stories in chapters 9-10 show us two very different reactions to David's kind spirit.
In Chapter 9, scripture tells us the story of Mephibosheth (one of my favorite names in the Bible). If you remember from Chapter 4, Mephibosheth was the son of Johnathan who was crippled in both feet when he was dropped by his nurse while fleeing with the royal family. He'd been living in hiding, both because of his physical ailments and his fear of being in the family of Saul. David wants to honor Jonathan by blessing someone related to him, and when he hears about Mephibosheth, he is quick to act. Mephibosheth first reacts with great humility..."why would you, a great king with wealth and power, be concerned with someone as insignificant as me?" But despite his disbelief that a king would act with such kindness, he accepts the free gift and lives at the master's table. (at least for a short while...stay tuned for a turn in his humility in 2 Samuel 16).
David continues his generous spirit in Chapter 10, but this time there is a much different reaction. David wants to honor a king which treated him well, so he sends a delegation to his son. The son listens to some very bad advice..."Why would a powerful king want to honor you and your father? There must be another motive behind this...I bet he wants to check out our forces so he can attack later. He wants to use you...he wants to take advantage of you...no one offers something for nothing!" So the king disgraces the delegation and starts a war that he has no chance of winning.
Sometimes we can't believe someone who is so powerful would think to bless someone so lowly. Many people feel this way about God...why would He care about me? Why would someone so amazing even care what happens to me? But the all-powerful King of Kings is looking for people to bless with eternal life at His table. Will we trust and accept this gracious invitation, or will we reject Him because it is too good to be true? Will we give our lives to him or think that all He wants is to control our lives? How will we react to God's kindness?
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Today's Passage: 2 Samuel 7-8
In these two chapters, we discover that God is setting David apart from the other rulers of Israel. God gives a message to the prophet, Nathan, to give to David. God is basically letting David know that He is going to bless him and his family immensely. Knowing what we know of David, this is pretty amazing. Up to this point, David has been looking pretty good. He is successful, he is focused on the Lord, he is making good decisions. It seems right that God would choose to bless that kind of man. Later, we discover things about David that are not so great! Yet God, knowing these things will occur, choose to set him apart anyway. I am always fascinated by the Lord's sovereignty!
David's response is so wonderful. He just sits before the Lord and says "Who am I?" Essentially, why me? The humility in his prayer to the Lord is exactly as ours should be. Are we not immensely blessed? Do we not have more than we could ever need and then some? Are we not so fortunate to live where we live, drive the cars we drive, have freedom of worship? Is our response before the Lord, "Who am I? I do not deserve this and yet you choose to pour out on me more blessings that I can imagine possible." I also love that David says to God that he knows His words are trustworthy and points it all back to God for His glory. He is saying that is blessing him creates glory for God, then so be it! David's heart here is just amazing and one that we should emulate. I pray that I may become more humble in receiving blessings from the Lord, because I know I do not deserve any of them.
Today's Passage: 2 Samuel 7-8
In these two chapters, we discover that God is setting David apart from the other rulers of Israel. God gives a message to the prophet, Nathan, to give to David. God is basically letting David know that He is going to bless him and his family immensely. Knowing what we know of David, this is pretty amazing. Up to this point, David has been looking pretty good. He is successful, he is focused on the Lord, he is making good decisions. It seems right that God would choose to bless that kind of man. Later, we discover things about David that are not so great! Yet God, knowing these things will occur, choose to set him apart anyway. I am always fascinated by the Lord's sovereignty!
David's response is so wonderful. He just sits before the Lord and says "Who am I?" Essentially, why me? The humility in his prayer to the Lord is exactly as ours should be. Are we not immensely blessed? Do we not have more than we could ever need and then some? Are we not so fortunate to live where we live, drive the cars we drive, have freedom of worship? Is our response before the Lord, "Who am I? I do not deserve this and yet you choose to pour out on me more blessings that I can imagine possible." I also love that David says to God that he knows His words are trustworthy and points it all back to God for His glory. He is saying that is blessing him creates glory for God, then so be it! David's heart here is just amazing and one that we should emulate. I pray that I may become more humble in receiving blessings from the Lord, because I know I do not deserve any of them.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Today's Passage: 2 Samuel 5-6
The end of this passage reiterates the start of Sunday morning's worship service: This is me. We got to see "authentic pics" sent in by church members. These pictures were taken right after waking up...before prettying up faces and toning down hair, before checking behavior and donning inhibitions. At the end of this passage David is rejoicing before the Lord with reckless abandon...and his wife is embarrassed of him. David's response? "...I will celebrate before the LORD. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes."
I am forced to wonder how often I worship with reckless abandon...not just singing, but worship in every aspect of my life. Before I make a decision, do I first ask what God will think or what other people will think? When I talk with a non-Christian, do I hesitate to bring up my faith because of how they might think of me? When a tough truth needs to be said in love, do I shrink back under not wanting to hurt somebody's feelings? While David was by no means without sin, God refers to him as a man after His own heart...and we see a glimpse of that heart in this passage, worshiping the LORD with everything and not caring what anyone else thinks.
Read the words of a song by David Crowder taken specifically from this passage and consider if there is anything hindering a "passion in your soul." Do you do what you do for the approval of men or the glory of God?
The end of this passage reiterates the start of Sunday morning's worship service: This is me. We got to see "authentic pics" sent in by church members. These pictures were taken right after waking up...before prettying up faces and toning down hair, before checking behavior and donning inhibitions. At the end of this passage David is rejoicing before the Lord with reckless abandon...and his wife is embarrassed of him. David's response? "...I will celebrate before the LORD. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes."
I am forced to wonder how often I worship with reckless abandon...not just singing, but worship in every aspect of my life. Before I make a decision, do I first ask what God will think or what other people will think? When I talk with a non-Christian, do I hesitate to bring up my faith because of how they might think of me? When a tough truth needs to be said in love, do I shrink back under not wanting to hurt somebody's feelings? While David was by no means without sin, God refers to him as a man after His own heart...and we see a glimpse of that heart in this passage, worshiping the LORD with everything and not caring what anyone else thinks.
Read the words of a song by David Crowder taken specifically from this passage and consider if there is anything hindering a "passion in your soul." Do you do what you do for the approval of men or the glory of God?
I will dance
I will sing
To be mad
For my King
Nothing Lord
Is hindering
This passion in my soul
Chorus:
And I'll become
Even more undignified than this
Some may say
It's foolishness
But I'll become
Even more undignified than this
Leave my pride
By my side
And I'll become
Even more undignified than this
Some may say
It's foolishness
But I'll become
Even more undignified than this
Than this
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Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Today's Passage: Luke 14
You know sometimes if I am honest with myself, I forget how great of a teacher Jesus was during his earthly ministry. After reading Luke 14, I am reminded at the brilliance that Jesus displayed. After a lengthy discourse on the paradoxical nature of the Kingdom of God, Jesus blatantly states the cost of following him.
In today's society of thousands of churches and religions, Jesus may simply seem like one additional prophetic figure that someone can worship or pay homage to. However, the brilliant Jesus relates following him to other task the one would encounter in an ordinary life. His point is this, count the cost before giving up your life. If a person is to build a house, then they need a rough estimate on the cost and materials needed for the project.
Similarly, if someone is going to follow Jesus then he or she should understand what that will cost. Jesus shows that it will cost everything, all material possessions, and all fleshly desires. Those of us who are already followers understand this, but we must continue to grow and teach those who do not quite understand.
You know sometimes if I am honest with myself, I forget how great of a teacher Jesus was during his earthly ministry. After reading Luke 14, I am reminded at the brilliance that Jesus displayed. After a lengthy discourse on the paradoxical nature of the Kingdom of God, Jesus blatantly states the cost of following him.
In today's society of thousands of churches and religions, Jesus may simply seem like one additional prophetic figure that someone can worship or pay homage to. However, the brilliant Jesus relates following him to other task the one would encounter in an ordinary life. His point is this, count the cost before giving up your life. If a person is to build a house, then they need a rough estimate on the cost and materials needed for the project.
Similarly, if someone is going to follow Jesus then he or she should understand what that will cost. Jesus shows that it will cost everything, all material possessions, and all fleshly desires. Those of us who are already followers understand this, but we must continue to grow and teach those who do not quite understand.
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