Thursday, June 27, 2013

Blessed To Be A Blessing

2 Samuel 9:1-13

Now that David has become ruler over all of Israel and conquered the Philistines, he wants to move the Ark of the Covenant to Zion. The initial attempt was done irreverently and one of the escorts, Uzzah, was killed because of it. So it was temporarily moved to the home of Obed-edom. Well, God blessed him and his family while it was there because they knew how to care for it.

When David saw that, he proceeded to take the Ark to the City of David the right way. He was so excited, that he made a spectacle of himself, dancing before the Lord along the way. His wife, Michal, was embarrassed by that and became angry with David. But, David defended his behavior and Michal became barren and remained childless.

Once the Ark arrived in the city, David realized that there was no permanent home for it, like his own cedar palace. So, he decided to have one built, with the blessing of the prophet, Nathan. But God spoke to Nathan and told him that David was not the one to do it. He told him to tell David to leave that up to the royal descendants he was going to raise up as a dynasty that would never end. David was overjoyed and he prayed and thanked God for his promise.

So, David continued to rule Israel, defeating all his enemies and doing what was just and right in the sight of the Lord. Things were going so well for him, he felt it was time to fulfill a promise made to his good friend Jonathan and bless his family. There was one living descendant, Jonathan's son Mephibosheth. So, David sent for him and had one of Saul's former servants, Ziba, bring him from Lo-debar.

When Mephibosheth arrived, David told him he was giving him all of his father's property and inviting him to eat at his table for the rest of his life. He even made Ziba and his family Mephibosheth's servants. Well, obviously, he was overcome with excitement and thanked David profusely for his kindness. So, instead of being killed, as he initially feared when David sent for him, he was abundantly blessed, and he and his young son, Mica, lived prosperously in Jerusalem and ate at the king's table for the rest of their lives.

When we make a promise to anyone, for any reason, we are expected to keep it; regardless of how things change or how much time passes. Also, when God gives us blessings, they are intended to be used for the building of his kingdom. We are not to just sit on them and hoard them for ourselves. David's act of kindness toward Mephibosheth and his family was the perfect execution of both of these principles. Jonathan, the one he promised, was now dead. He could have easily shirked his obligation, but he didn't. He did what he said he would do, and did so cheerfully and in great measure.

Lord, thank you for continually blessing us and keeping us upright before you. Thank you for providing for us and allowing us to be able to bless others. Please give us kinder, more generous, spirits so that we can continue to bless those around us; making room in our hearts to receive even more from you. Let us be cheerful in our giving, quick in our forgiveness and diligent in our obedience to you. We love you, Lord. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Monday, June 24, 2013

Walking Into Your Destiny

2 Samuel 5:1-12

Previously, we left Saul recovering from the shock of facing his destiny. Meanwhile, the Philistines were putting David and his men out of their ranks as they prepared for battle. After all, it's hard to trust a guy who is known for winning overwhelming victories for your enemy. Unfortunately, by the time David's crew got back to Ziklag, they found that the Amalekites had raided and destroyed it. They took everything living there captive and burned the place down!

David was upset, but his men were livid; there were rumors of stoning David. He had led them away, leaving their loved ones and belongings vulnerable. So, David consulted God, who told him to pursue the Amalekites and he would recover everything. And that is what David did. He started with 600 men and ended up with 400 by the time they caught up with the raiders. They attacked and killed all but 400, who fled, and took back everything that had been taken from them.

At the same time, the Philistines were engaging the rest of the Israelites in battle. Just as the Lord had said, Saul was killed along with three of his sons - including Jonathan. Saul actually killed himself to avoid being killed by the Philistines (and since his servant was too afraid to do it for him). That, however, is not the story that got back to David. An Amalekite (of all people) brought David the news of Saul's and Jonathan's death, but took credit for putting Saul out of his misery. Little did he know, that little white lie would cost him his life.

David mourned Saul's death, composing a song in his honor. Then, he consulted God about what to do next. God instructed him to go back to Hebron in Judah where he would be anointed king. But, Saul's commander, Abner, proclaimed Saul's son Ishbosheth king in Israel. Like any siblings would do, the two groups fought - in their own, Biblical, to the death way. Eventually, Abner switched sides and joined David, David got Michal back, Joab (one of David's men) killed Abner and David cursed Joab for killing Abner.

David's mourning for Abner won over the rest of Israel and Ishbosheth lost his courage. Two men killed him while he was sleeping and went to David bragging about it. So, David had them killed. Now, despite the twisted and unfortunate way it came about, David was able to take his throne over all of Israel. He was 37 years old. He led his army to Jerusalem to reclaim it, and he reigned from a fortress at Zion. He renamed it the City of David and King Hiram of Tyre had a palace built for him there.

In these passages of Scripture, Saul and David both realized their destiny. For one, it was death and defeat; for the other it was victory and kingdom life. The difference was their relationship with God. Both knew God and had served him early on. Saul, however, became disobedient and defiant, doing what he thought was best rather than what God told him to do. As a result, all he had built up under God's grace was taken from him and given to David - a more faithful servant. David was humble and obedient; always consulting God first, before making any big moves. God rewarded his faithfulness by making him king over all of Israel. It took 37 years and three anointings to get there, but he persevered and received his reward.

How do our life stories compare to these? Are we more like Saul, enjoying all that God gives us, but never feeling satisfied and going our own way? Or, are we like David, taking the good with the bad and remaining faithful to God and, patiently, doing his will? I know I struggle with that in some areas of my life. I get caught up in the comforts of this world and hesitate or resist when God tells me to move.

God, please help me to be more like David when it comes to serving you. Help me to serve you completely and consistently. Give me the faith and courage to move outside of my comfort zone as your will demands it. Help me to be obedient, even beyond the constraints of sacrifice. Remind me to seek your will first in all that I do, so I can know that I am on the right path. Thank you, Lord, for your patience and forgiveness thus far. Please continue to love and bless me as I strive to love and bless you with my whole life. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Thursday, June 6, 2013

God's Will Shall Be Done

1 Samuel 28:1-25

 So, remember when David confronted Saul about his mortal pursuit and proved that he had no ill will toward him by sparing his life when given the chance to take it? Do you remember how Saul was so remorseful and repentant and blessed David for his kindness and asked him for mercy when he took the throne? Well, that didn't last too long. All it took was for those meddlesome men of Ziph to stir the pot a little and Saul was right back at it.

He went after David, setting up camp outside his hiding place, and then he waited. But, while he waited, he and the 3,000 troops he took with him slept; including his armor bearer, Abner. And while they slept, David and one of his men, Abishai, went into their camp taking his spear and water jug, instead of his life. Once they were a safe distance away, David shouted out to them, awakening them and proving his point yet again. Again, Saul was ashamed and blessed David for his kindness and they went their separate ways.

This time, though, David was through. He said to himself, the only way to truly keep Saul from chasing me is to hide among his greater enemy, the Philistines. So he did just that. It took a little convincing of King Achish, but he talked his way into some land. Of course, the king's hesitation was justified when David and his men secretly raided the Philistine towns, killing everyone in them. But, no witnesses meant no proof, so King Achish was never any the wiser.

And that brings us to the current Scripture. Now, the Philistines are ready to attack Israel again and since David and his men are living in their territory, King Achish feels like he has the upper hand and demands that David fight for him. Well, David's no fool, so he agreed and even boasted about how he would prove himself to the king. Meanwhile, Saul is busy trying to consult with God in preparation for the attack. But, remember, Samuel has died and God is not talking to Saul. So, what is he going to do now?

The "next best thing". Even though he had banned them after Samuel's death, Saul went to consult a medium for help. He dressed up in a disguise and went to Endor, where she was. Even with that, she was reluctant to help because the penalty was death, but Saul assured her she would not be harmed. He asked her to summons Samuel so he could get a word from the Lord. When he appeared, Saul's identity was revealed and she panicked. Saul calmed her down and asked her to proceed.

Well, Samuel gave it to him straight. He asked Saul why he bothered calling him back and Saul explained his predicament. But, Samuel told him that it was useless since he made God his enemy way back in the day when he disobeyed him after defeating the Amalekites. Not only did Samuel drop that bomb, he made it worse when he reminded Saul that his kingdom would be handed over to David and, in fact, he would be defeated by the Philistines the next day.

And...done. Saul fell out on the ground paralyzed with fear. It also didn't help that he had not eaten all that day or night. The medium saw his distress and offered to feed him, but he refused. With a little more convincing from his men, he finally agreed and the woman fed them and sent them on their way.

Sometimes in life, we get in our own way. We do things contrary to what God has told us to do, thinking our way is better. We go after things we have no business pursuing, looking for a greater blessing. We say things we really don't mean, to get what we want or because it's the right thing to say, but our actions betray us. What we really need to do is trust God; really trust him. Not just in word, or even deed, but in our hearts and minds. Otherwise, we continue to set ourselves up for failure, forsaking the very thing we think we are working toward.

Lord, please help us to obey your Word, even before sacrifice. Help us to trust that your will shall be done and it is best for us. Please keep us out of your way, as well as our own. God, I pray for peace in the midst of our trials, and faith despite opposition. Give us a heart like yours, to do what you would have us to do, just as David did. We love you, Lord; help us to show you through our lives. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.