Thursday June 16, 2011 a great celebration

 Today's treasure:  2 Samuel 22:20

  Read 2 Samuel 22:1

  How did David present these words to the Lord?

  Wouldn't you love to have heard David sing?  Sometimes God puts a new song in our mouths--a hymn of praise to God.  Other times He brings us back to an old song from years past. 

  The first verse of 2 Samuel 22 tells us David remembered the words he had sung many years before after God delivered him from the hand of Saul.  Why had his recent victory over Philistines rekindled the remembrance of his victory over Saul?  
--Both conflicts seemed they would never end.
--Both conflicts sapped his strength.  
--both conflicts caused him to rely on another's strength.  
  Praise God we need never get too old to experience a young passion.  


  Read 2 Samuel 22: 1-51
--List every single name, object or role by which David referred to God.
--Which verses and phrases describe God in such a way that you are awed by Him?  
--which verses and phrases testify that God blesses the obedient?
--which verses/phrases acknowledge God's Word?
--Which verses/phrases remind you that God hears the cries of His children?
--To which one verse can you most recently relate?
  
  David's life continually challenges us to answer such questions.  Imagine a book recording the history between you and God--things you have been through together, seasons you've experienced..what would be the title of the book?
  The Book of 2 Samuel is not the only place David's words of victory are found.  Psalm 18 is almost identical set of verses to those God placed in 2 Samuel 22.  
  
  The One who delivered David from his enemies was no distant deity.  He was the object of the psalmist's deepest emotions, the One with whom he shared authentic relationship.  
  If 2 Samuel 22 and Psalm 18 compel us to see one thing, it is that God is a personal God we each can call our own.

--He is my Strength when I am weak.
--He is my Rock when I am slipping.
--He is my Deliverer when I am trapped.
--He is my Fortress when I am crumbling.
--He is my Refuge when I am pursued.
--He is mu Shield when I am exposed.
--He is my Lord when life spins out of control.


  A heart that makes Him its own--one which can state "He is mine" is a heart that cannot help but love.  
  When has God shielded you from what appeared to be imminent harm?  Acknowledge He is your Shield.
 When has He been your Deliverer?
 When has He been a Refuge when you felt like everyone needed more from you than you could give? Now tell Him you love Him!
 

June 15, 2011 The unwelcomed sight of an old enemy

Today's treasure:  2 Samuel 21:15

Read 2 Samuel 21:15-22

What did Abishai do for David?


Why did David's men insist he not accompany them to battle anymore?


  How many battles with the Philistines are mentioned?


  I am so thankful God chose to tell us David knew about exhaustion in battle.  The original word for exhausted in Hebrew is uwph which means to "cover, to fly, faint, flee away".  It is the desire to run and hide.  
  Few things make us want to flee more than the prospect of fighting an old battle.  The moment that old enemy reappears, we want to run into the nearest forest and never come out.  Satan always chooses just the right time to haunt you through that old enemy. Satan is watching for just the right moment to pull the rug out from under us, even that rug is under God's feet.  God will never allow Satan to discourage you without a plan to lead you to victory.  
  One of the most important truths we can apply from David's ongoing battles with the Philistines is that God will always lead us to victory, but He will lead His way.
  
 A second reading is 2 Samuel 23:8-39
  How tired did Eleazar become as he stood his ground against the Philistines?
  Why wouldn't David drink the water his night men drew for him?
  How many might men did David have in all? 
  
  God purposely brought victory to David through someone else on many occasions.  Consider a few reasons why God might have used this method.
  1.. For the sake of the people.  Israel did not need David to be like a god to them.  He could not deal with being put on that kind of pedestal or subjected to that kind of pressure.  He was bound to disappoint them.  God will never allow any of us to be the only one through whom He appears to be working mightily.
  2..For the sake of King David.  Remember what happened when David was so exalted that he became disconnected from his people?  Remember how isolated?  
  God protected David by not always letting him be the hero.  God extended David a wonderful gift.  He gave David some heroes instead--a few men who commanded his respect.  God will teach us dependency.  God will allow us to become exhausted and force us to receive help.  
  3..For the sake of the men he empowered.  People can easily be discouraged if they perceive God works mightily through others but never works through them.  God does not play favorites.  Ministry to the individual is as mighty an act of God as is ministry to the masses.  
  God has heroes as in Hebrews 11 and you'll find only part of the list, however it keeps getting longer!
  
  Through David and Elezar (whose hand grew tired and froze to the sword) God is reminding us that heroes get tired too.  Getting weary is not a shame.  The shame comes in refusing to accept the victory through another when God supplies a hero.  Our God is faithful!!!!
 

Tuesday June 14, 2011 Unfinished business

Today's treasure:  2 Samuel 21:14

Read 2 Samuel 20: 1-26


Why did Joab kill Amasa?
Why did Amasa's body have to be moved?
How did the woman of Abel Beth Maacah prove herself wise?
  
  David should have known Joab was not going to clean out his desk and resign peaceably.  He forced his way back into his former position by killing Amasa, the man David had chosen to replace him.  Read 1 Chron. 2:16-17.
  what was the relationship between Amasa and Joab?
  Power was so important to Joab that he did not stop at spilling his own family's blood.
  Joab meant to cause Amasa's death but not to cause a traffic jam.  What is it about human nature that draws us to the morose? Aren't we just as guilty as others?  Don't our eyes almost automatically fall on the captions depicting violence in the papers?  We've almost grown accustomed to the articles describing crimes witnessed by people who refused to help.  
  Why do you think people are unwilling to get involved when they see someone in need or when they witness a crime?


  As the plot thickened in the 20th chapter, one woman was willing to become more that a spectator to imminent disaster, and an entire city was spare.  We don't even know her name, she was not looking for recognition or fame, she was looking for the city's salvation.  
  Read 2 Sam. 21:1-14
  what did God do after the Gibeonites were repaid and David had the bones of Saul and Jonathan moved to the tomb of his father (v.14)
  Many years later the people of Israel were suffering the ill effects of a king who was rebellious to God.  God was holding the nation of Israel to an old vow made with Gibeonites generations prior to David's reign.
 God meant for His people to be good on their word and He still does. 
  Israel had to keep their agreement with the Gibeonites even though they should never have entered it.  Saul broke the agreement with the probable aid of his sons and tried to annihilate a people innocent of their father's sins.  
  God considers vows extremely important.  Countless men and women have broken marriage vows by claiming it was a mistake.  Others have vowed to honor their mates, but honor moved out long ago.  Rather than continue in disobedience, God provides two responses to broken vows:  repent and recommit.
  
  The Israelites recommitted themselves to the vow they made by satisfying the demands of the Gibeonites.  David gave the Gibeonites what they asked and the famine ended.  
  As rain drenched her hair, a grieving mother gathered her sackcloth and returned home.  The mental image of a mother guarding her sons' bodies from predators was obviously more that David could shake.  The image reawakened old pictures from years past that disturbed him--the exposed bodies of Saul and his dear friend Jonathan.  Their remains were not where they belonged.  
  David did not send a soldier for their bones.  He went for then himself.  He gathered them, brought them back and buried them in the tomb. (2 Sam 21:14)  Obedience has amazing effects. 
  Christ has led us to a warfare far more effective than guns and tanks.  We have weapons of grace, mercy, love and the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.  It's time for all old battles to end with forgiveness, acceptance.  Rebellion leads to famine in our relationships to God.  A new beginning is as close as the fresh smell of rain. 

Monday June 13, 2011 Crossing the Jordan

Today's treasure: 2 Samuel 19:14

Read 2 Samuel 19: 1-14 

Based on verse 2, how do you believe David's men felt about him?

What do you think of Joab's method of motivating David?

God's nation would not split into a Northern Kingdom and a Southern Kingdom until after the death of Solomon.  David realized the tribes of Israel were in a quandary because they had alienated their king and pledged allegiance to a leader who was now dead.  David responded by appealing to his own tribe, Judah, suggesting they lead the way for Israel in restoring the throne to its rightful king.  He would receive his people back without punishing the general population, but he intended to make some changes.


 How did the people of Judah accept David's message ? (v 14)
  Job also suffered a terrible loss and could have used comforters other than the friends who came.  
  A good rule when a friend is grieving might be to offer hugs and say little.  Joab did not confront King David as a friend however.  He approached him as commander over the king's armies.  Joab had the best interest of his soldiers in mind and not the emotional well being of a mourning father.  He had seen many lives stolen in battle.  Joab was the man who thrust the javelins into Absalom's heart.
  Even if Joab's heart was wrong, David concluded his advice was right.  He returned to the business of the kingdom, but he decided to replace Joab with Amasa.  David realized his army had fought in his behalf, and he must not have them return in shame.  
  
  Read 2 Samuel 19:15-30
  Why did the men of Judah come to Gilgal? (15)
  In verses 24-30 do you see any evidence suggesting Mephiboshrth's loyalty to David and his innocence in Ziba's former claims?  
  One of two reasons may have been at the heart of David's order for the land to be split between Ziba and Mephibosheth.  Either David was attempting to end the rivalry as simply as possible or he was testing Mephibosheth's heart.  
  David may have been employing the same wisdom his son Solomon later applied between two women fighting over a child.  
  No doubt, the encounter between David and Mephibosheth was a priceless example of authentic restoration.  The son of his own blood was never reconciled to David; but his adopted son, inspired by love and loyalty, escorted the king back to his throne.
  Absalom was never reconciled to his father on this earth, but the apostle Paul suggested that Israel will reconciled to her God.  (Romans 11:25-27)
  This promise does not mean that Jews will be saved apart from Jesus Christ, but the promises of Scripture encourage one to believe that Israel will one day take her rightful place among the nations.
  One day God may take a family portrait in heaven.  All of God's children will be there! 
  Read 2 Sam. 19:31-43
  why did David want Barzillai to stay with him in Jerusalem?
  Why did Barzillai refuse David's offer?
  
  Returning to a former relationship or position isn't always easy.  The smoke David was seeing between Israel and Judah was coming from a fire that had only begun to blaze.  Going home was not going to be easy, but it was his destiny.  Across the Jordan river was David's promised land.  He had been chosen by God to perform a difficult task.  Doing the right thing is rarely the easy thing! Onward !



 

Thursday June 9th, 2011 If only

 Today's treasure:  2 Samuel 18:33
 Read 2 Samuel 18: 1-18


  Why do you think David might have wanted to lead the battle himself?
 Why didn't David's men want him to go to battle?
What were David's specific instructions to Joab (v. 5)?
 what strange accident happened to Absalom?


  At one time Absalom was a handsome and compassionate man.  He loved his sister deeply, grieving the shame Amnon heaped on her.  He made a place for her in his own home.  He named his daughter in her honor.  He tried to do the right things for Tamar, but ended up doing all the wrong things for himself.
  Absalom wasn't the first nor the last person to confront the cold, hard fact life isn't fair.  God is fair though.  He will ultimately settle all scores and make wrongs right.  
  The real issue is how we will respond to the difficult and painful events that happen in life.  
  Absalom didn't feel any better after Amnon was in the grave, nor when David let him return to Jerusalem without punishment, or after he was summoned to the king's quarters and reunited with his sister.  He ultimately possessed as little self control as the brother he despised and his lack of self control killed him.
  
  Another figure to come to mind is Samson that lived outside of the restraints of self control all of his adult life.
  We can only shake ourselves free so many times.  If we keep flirting with disaster, we're going to get trapped.  Unrestraints will catch up with us.
  The picture of his death was the picture of his life:  the noose of bitterness chocking the captive's cry.  In the end, those close enough to hear him choking no longer cared.  
  
  The people of Israel often set up stones as a memorial of a never to be forgotten event.  The piles of stones taught lessons either good or bad.  The rocks over the bodies of Achan and Absalom did not just keep animals away; they served as a traitor's reminder. 
  Through bitterness Absalom's heart became as hard and cold as the pillar he raised.  Even though David committed many sins and was unfair to others, his heart did not grow cold.
 
 

Wednesday June 8th, 2011 Traitors and friends

Today's treasure: 

  2 Samuel 17:14

Read 2 Samuel 16:1-14

Why do you think David might have so readily believed Mephibosheth had betrayed him? 
What did David give Ziba?
How did Abishai respond to Shimel's actions?


  Have you noticed how mean spirited people will kick a person when he's down?  David seemed invincible, yet the moment he appeared vulnerable opportunists descended on him like vultures.  David had no reason to disbelieve Ziba. David had suffered so much betrayal that he assumed no one was beyond turning on him.

 Personal difficulties may cause us to lack discernment.  David told Ziba he would give him everything Mephibosheth owned without confirming Ziba's claims.  

  We are wise to be careful about the decisions and assumptions when we are stressed.  We will tend to react rather than respond.  When pain is acute, we often can't discriminate properly between good and bad decisions.
  
  David could have used a little advice before he gave Mephibosheth's belongings to Ziba.  Ahithophel was unavailable, he was busy advising Absalom.  David encountered a vile man by the name of Shimei that was profane and violent. He began to curse David and throw stones at the deposed king.  Through all the ups and downs and victories and failures we've never seen David walk through this kind of humiliation. 

  Jesus also walked the road of humiliation and like Christ we could be in the middle of God's will and find ourselves on a path of humiliation.  Or like David we could suffer the further humiliation of knowing we chose our own path.  God is merciful to still meet us on the humiliating paths of life whether or not we choose them through rebellion.

  Just when satan suspects we are regaining a spark of hope, he hastens to greet us with discouragement and rejection.  Notice David's response to Abishai's request to avenge David's persecution. (v. 11) 

  We can still cry out to God for help even when we think we're getting what we deserve.  God comes to us even when our pain is self-inflicted.  Few experiences are more exhausting than keeping your head up through the unjust attacks, but all journeys have an end. 

Sometimes when we're down, it's hard to see how many people have come to our aid. We're often focused on our circumstances we don't realize how many people God sends to encourage us.  
  God was there all along and was there for David too.  We will have missed the turning point of the conflict between David and Absalom if we miss the importance of God 'frustrating' Ahithophel's advice.  Absalom's decision not to follow his counsel led to David's upper hand in the battle for the kingdom.  Note several parallels between David's betrayer and Christ's betrayer many centuries later.  Ahithophel and Judas had several things in common.

  -Both were chosen members of a very important cabinet.  A factor that separates King Davide from King of kings is that Christ knew Judas would betray Him, yet Jesus loved him and treated him like the other disciples.  

  -Both betrayed their masters and went with the crowd. Both defected from what they believed to be a losing team to sign up with obvious winners.  Don't let the enemy make you think you are on the losing team.  When the final judgment comes and the few who took the narrow road oppose the masses who followed the wide, safety will not be in numbers.
  -The last parallel between Ahithophel and Judas is their tragic end.  


  No matter what happens, no matter who rejects you or humiliates you, HE will never betray you.  We are on the winning team and the King of all kings will return and take His rightful throne.

Tuesday June 7th, 2011 An Abandoned Throne

Today's treasure:  2 Samuel 15:25
 Read 2 Samuel 15: 1-12

  What was Absalom trying to accomplish with the people of Israel?

  Absalom was dissatisfied by his meeting with his father.  What was wrong with him?  Possibly he suffered from the same thing many adults suffer from today.  When Absalom was a child, his daddy was his hero.  Plenty of shortcomings existed, but the boy could not see them until one day an emotional bombshell hit home--exploding in the bedroom of the oldest son.

  Although people got mad, no one cleaned up the mess.  Lives continued to be torn by the shrapnel no one ever swept away.  David did not--perhaps could not--live up to Absalom's expectations.  The revenge he had taken was not enough.  The fact that his father still called him a son was not enough.  He still cried out for vengeance and was determined his father would pay.

  Absalom had specific reasons for every move he made.  Each morning he arrived with a chariot and an entourage of men and horses.  He looked impressive as he stood at the gate of the city.  He was quite an effective politician.

  Absalom went to the trouble of working his scheme for one reason:  to steal the hearts of the men of Israel.  He continued to work through every step of his plan for four years, waiting for the right moment to stage his coup. 

  Absalom spent two years waiting for David to punish Amnon, three years in hiding after killing Amnon, two years in Jerusalem waiting for David to receive him, and four years working his plan of vengeance against his father.  

Unforgiveness and retaliation stole eleven years of his life.  


  God tells us to forgive those who hurt us, but He never qualifies the command by saying forgive only when someone asks for forgiveness.  He simply says forgive (Luke 6:37)

  David had never asked for forgiveness. He had never taken his rightful place of authority over family events.  David made plenty of mistakes, but Absalom did not have to follow suit.  He could have called on the mercy of God and forgiven David for failing him, even if his father never admitted how wrongly he had handled his family.  God would have held David responsible and Absalom would have been free.  Instead, he locked himself in the prison of bitterness where character eroded in the darkness of his soul.  Forgiveness may be excruciating for a moment but anger and bitterness are excruciating for a lifetime. 


  Often the people who hurt us don't realize the magnitude of their actions.  The people who mocked and crucified Christ had no idea they were dealing with the very fullness of God Himself.  

  When we harbor bitterness and refuse to forgive, we become our own persecutors.  While we blame the other person, we really continue to injure ourselves.  What percentage of Absalom's 11 years of bitterness--and ruined life--would you say was David's responsibility?  

  Those who hurt us often have no idea how deeply we suffer.  If we follow Christ's example, we will be free.  We can save ourselves a lot of heartache!  Learning to forgive even if no one takes responsibility for his  or her own actions will save us from the kind of misery that ultimately destroyed  Absalom.

  Absalom may have been miserable, but he was not dumb.  If his plan were a chess game, stealing Ahithophel was checkmate.  Ahithophel was a highly respected advisor and Bathsheba's grandfather. 

  Read 2 Samuel 15:13-37

  Is this the same David God anointed as His chosen King?  The one who conquered the giant?  The one God prospered like no other?  Did he not know that God gave him the kingdom and only He could take it away?  David found himself right in the middle of a cycle of self appointed failure.   Stricken with grief and dressed for mourning, he and his loyal followers trudged the Mount of Olives, where people once worshipped.
  There on the Mount of Olives, continuing up to the summit, an amazing thing happened:  'David prayed' (v. 31) Little by little things began to happen.  God had him write the prayer down--see Psalm 3.

  God did not answer every one of those requests immediately, but He returned enough strength to David for him to begin walking in faith, not fear.  

  You don't have to climb a mountain to find strength to fulfill your God given calling. He's as close as a whisper and a prayer. 

Bring home the banished Monday June 6, 2011

Today's treasure:  2 Samuel 14:14

Read 2 Samuel 13:23-39. 
Reflect on previous lesson.  Two years had passed since Amnon's crime against Tamar.  

  What do you think might have been going ob during those years in the minds of Tamar, Amnon, Absalom, David?  
  What evidence could you offer to support the idea that Absalom was counting on his father's unwillingness to attend his celebration?
  Did you note the false first report David received and that Jonadab was the one who told the king not to be concerned?  How do you suppose Jonadab knew that only Amnon was dead?
  How was Jonadab identified in 2 Samuel 13:3?
  Based on verse 32, why do you think the 'shrewd' Jonadab might have played both sides of the conflict between Amnon and Absalom?
  When they returned, what was the condition of David's sons? 


  Two years passed.  Bitterness multiplied in Absalom's heart.  That's the nature of bitterness, it never stays in its cage.  Absalom must have watched and waited to see if his father would call Amnon to account for his crime.  His father didn't.
  Absalom waited for an opportunity.  He devised an elaborate scheme to summon Amnon to his house.  The time of sheep shearing was a festive occasion with huge family celebration.  Absalom seized the opportunity, counting on his father to continue in distancing himself from family obligations and celebrations.  When David refused to come, Absalom requested Amnon's presence in his place, assuming no one would be suspicious.  Customarily, the oldest son represented his father in the father's absence.
  David may have been suspicious since he questioned Absalom's choice, but he may have concluded no grounds existed to refuse Amnon the right to attend the celebration.  David sent Amnon and the rest of his sons--never to see his eldest again.  You may have noticed Absalom did not take the sword to Amnon himself, but, like his father, involved subordinates in the crime.  
  Jonadab reared his ugly head in another scandalous scheme.  He would never have known Absalom's plans had he not become his confidant.  The tragedy ends with one son dead, one son missing, and a father grief stricken.  David had two responses toward Absalom after Amnon's death: he mourned for him and longed for him.  Remember when David became furious over Amnon's sin but did nothing?  He had the appropriate feelings but inappropriate actions.  Once again David felt the right thing and did the wrong thing
2 Samuel 14:1-33
  Why do you think Joab devised a method somewhat like  a parable to get through to David?

  Cousin Joab refused to come when Absalom finally got his attention by setting his field on fire.  


  We've seen some of the complications of family dynamics.  What in the world was David doing?  His heart was too complex for us to risk conjecture, yet one thing was obvious.  Again he refused to take action regarding his family.  
  Have you ever experienced the frustration of someone close to you refusing to take responsibility?  


  Joab had obviously witnessed David's irresponsibility toward Absalom for as long as he intended.  He devised a plan to capture David's attention.  Through a concocted story of a woman and her prodigal son, Joab convinced David to summon Absalom.  
   We sometimes resist seeing the sin in our own lives.  When the preacher uses an illustration of someone else's sin, we're often ready to judge just like David.  Then the blade of conviction slices our hearts and the Holy Spirit says, "you are that person."  Twice the method worked to penetrate David's heart.  More than twice God has used this approach to penetrate mine.  
  David granted Joab's request and let him summon Absalom.  Joab joyfully hastened to bring the young man home, no doubt picturing emotional reunion of father and son--only to be met with these words from the king:  "He must go to his own house; he must not see my face"  (v. 24)
  David did not respond like the father in Christ's parable--the father who searched the horizon daily for his son to come home.  
  Some things in life aer do-overs.  God sometimes gives us a second chance to do something right.  Some chances never come back around.  The chance for David and Absalom to be completely reunited in their hearts would not come again.  By this time David finally received Absalom, his son's heart was cold.  Do you find yourself like me, wishing God had told you more about David and Absalom's reunion?  I believe God didn't tell us more because there was nothing more to tell.  Nothing else happened.  The actions of David and his son were generated by custom, not emotion.  Fearing his son would do something more than set Joab's field on fire, David summoned Absalom to appease him, not accept him.  Absalom sought his father's face to force David to look him in the eye, not to beg forgiveness like the prodigal.  


  God is never in the wrong when He and one of His children are separated, yet He devises ways so that the banished person may not remain estranged from Him.  Never underestimate the significance of timing when it comes to mending.  You may not get another chance. 

Thursday June 2, 2011 Family secrets

Today's treasure:  2 Samuel 13:1

What would happen to David because he had despised God and taken the wife of Uriah to be his own?

  Read 2 Samuel 13:1-22
Identify the children of David listed in verses 1 and 2 and any information you learn.
  What can you learn about Amnon by looking at his friend Jonadab?
  why do you think Amnon's love turned so quickly to hate?
  Why was Tamar wearing a richly ornamented robe? 
  Describe the reactions of  Tamar, Absalom, David to the crime against Tamar in verses 19-22.
  
  These verses are replete with tragedy.  The focus was a beautiful young virgin daughter of the king, no doubt awaiting the man she would one day marry.  The events in chapter 13 are scandalous even by today's standards and as painful as the descriptions of rapes we read in a big city newspaper.  
  The richly ornamented robe was her cloak of dignity and honor.  She ripped the fabric of her robe as surely as Amnon had ripped the fabric of her honor.  
  Our first reaction is to assign appropriate responsibility.  All wrong, fault and blame for the rape belongs to the perpetrator--Amnon.  Tamar also fell victim to all three men surrounding this event.  
  Amnon was David's firstborn.  His name means trustworthy and faithful.  We see the immediate evidence of a father's influence on his son.  In a nation where polygamy was forbidden, Amnon had watched his father take one wife after another.  Bathsheba and Tamar were described by the same adjective in our first introductions to each of them.  (2 Sam. 11:2, 13:1)


  Like his father, Amnon saw something beautiful and determined to have it.  He gave no consideration to the other party involved.  He literally became sin-sick to the point of stopping at nothing to satisfy his appetite. 
  
  We humans often practice a kind of blame shifting.  When we have done something sinful and shameful, we blame out actions on someone else--often the victim of our behavior.  
  God was faithful to Tamar as she mourned before Him, completely innocent of any sin.  Tamar lived the rest of her life in desolation, but God will replace her tattered robe and cover her with finest white linen, and she will stand before Him once again the virgin daughter of the king.
  We can also be assured that God will deal with Amnon.  We see no sign of repentance.   
  Absalom was Tamar's brother.  Both Absalom and David reacted inappropriately toward Tamar and the crime she suffered.  Absalom obviously discovered his sister in extreme distress.  He guess the nature of the crime against here from the tearing of the virgin's robe.  No one can doubt Absalom's love for his sister, but his reaction to her could only have added further injury.  
  Absalom's advice to Tamar was to keep the secret and pretend nothing happened.  He took his own advice and never said a word to Amnon, either good or bad.  But his hatred would finally cause him to lose control.  Overwhelming feelings cannot be stuffed, they will turn inward and take the person prisoner.
  David was Tamar's father.  Absalom's immediate assumption of Amnon's guilt speaks volumes.  Amnon's lack of character was common knowledge.  David should have dealt with Amnon before disaster struck.  Then after the crime, David still refused to do anything.  If only David had applied the wisdom of Psalm 39 to this tragedy, things would have been different.


  Why didn't David take control of his family tragedy?  Satan uses sin and failure against us so that even after sincere repentace we often remain disabled.  
  Two wrongs don't make a right.  Restoration does not mean you can no longer stand for the truth because you fell.  
  David allowed his failure to disable him to lead his household in righteousness.  He had been forgiven by God but he chose not to live like a forgiven person.  
  David needed to channel his anger and respond to the crime committed in his household.  No weaker house exists than one that lacks appropriate authority.  This is a breeding ground for untold recklessness and sin. 


  Allow God to bring you to victory in vulnerable areas.  God is faithful!!!

Wednesday JUNE 1st, 2011 No relief like repentance

Today's treasure:  Psalm 51: 7-8

  Between confronting sin and  restoring fellowship must come the bridge between those two vital works--contrite confession.  We have the blueprint for the bridge of confession fresh from the heart of a grieving king.  

  What were the six requests David made in verses 10-12 ?
  Why do you think the two results listed in verse 13 were dependent on God's granting David's six requests?
  This psalm invites the vilest of sinners to drink from the fountains of forgiveness.  
 "Have mercy upon ne, O God."  So great was David's nee for cleansing, he began his prayer with no introduction and no high praises.

  What does Isaiah 59: 1-2 tell you that sin can cause?


  "According to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion."  
  David knew his God was complex and multifaceted.  But at that moment, David called on the God of love and compassion.  Only on the basis of covenant love could David dare ask for mercy.
  "Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin."  Don't miss the most important emphasis in this statement of the word ALL.  The mercy of God is enough to cover all our sins.  
  "For I know my transgressions."  Psalm 51:3 proves  David could not ignore his sins.  Satan screams: To give it up will be far more painful than living with the guilt..Refuse to hear satan's lies.  Relief awaits.  
  "Against you, you only have I sinned".  The biggest heartbreak over sin is the realization that we have offended Him.  When we don't confess, we scoff at the cross.


  "Surely I was sinful at birth."  David recognized something of the depth of his inclination to sin.  
  "Surely you desire truth in the inner parts."  God is our one and only source of transforming truth.  Virtually every external sin results from the internal practice of believing a deceitful heart.  Only God can sow truth in our heart; only we can let Him.  
  "You teach me wisdom in the inmost place."  The inmost place is where experience turns into wisdom.  Wisdom is knowledge applied.  Truth stamped on the heart makes one wise.  
  "Cleanse me with hyssop." people of the Old Testament thought hyssop carried a powerful ritual and symbolic message.  


  "Wash me and I will be whiter than snow."  Satan tried to convince us that we are covered by guilty stains even though we have repented.  
  "Let the bones you have crushed rejoice."  David mixed the pain of confessing and turning from sin with the pleasure of restored fellowship.  God sometimes uses circumstances and discipline to figuratively break our legs from continuing on the path of sin.  
  "Hide your face from my sins."  With a sudden realization of his own depravity, David could not bear for God to look.  He was filled with shame, Satan's signature of approval.  Allowing God to open our eyes to sin is not only painful but embarrassing.  
 "Create in me a pure heart."  The Hebrew word for create is  bara.  Pure hearts never come naturally.  
  "Do not..take your Holy Spirit from me."  To David, the removal of God's spirit was a fate worse than death.  
  Based on his experience  with Saul, why do you think David pleaded with God not to remove His Spirit?
  
 "Restore to me the joy of your salvation."  Sometimes our prayers seem to go unanswered because in our misery, we beg for our joy to be restored without the obedience of fully turning from our sin.  Read John 15:10-11
  "Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you."  No more willing and effective evangelist and teacher exists than one who is humbled, cleansed, renewed and restored.  


  David's entire purpose in writing Psalm 51 was to ask for mercy.  Did God grant his request?

Tuesday May 31, 2011 Painful pleas

Today's treasure:  2 Samuel 12:24

Read 2 Samuel 12:15-25

  In what ways did David respond to his child's sudden illness?
Read David's immediate response in verse 20.
  What was God's attitude toward David and Bathsheba's second child?  

  Nathan had hardly turned the doorknob to leave before David's child fell ill.  David had been warned that his son would die, and still he "pleaded with God for the child" for seven days.  When the child died, the servants were terrified David would do something desperate.  They were stunned when David received the news, got up, washed his face, changed clothes and went into the house of the Lord and worshipped.

  Did David waster his time pleading with God over the life of the child?  After all, God's message through Nathan was painfully clear.  As we attempt to determine whether David's efforts were wasted, we have the privilege to peek at just a little of the intense intimacy David shared with God.  When he fell on his face before God, the prodigal returned home to the place he belonged.  He was bankrupt in soul, demoralized, and terrified, but he was back.  Too many months had passed since he had last entered into God's presence.  

  Through David's crisis, he was reminded of all he knew of God's ways.  David did not plead with God out of ignorance but out of his intimate knowledge of God.  God does indeed hear our prayers and reserves the right to relent if the change does not compromise an eternal necessity.  

  David knew something about his God that we need to realize as well.  God did not create man in His own image to be unaffected by Him.  We are products of His heart.  The God of Scripture is One who feels.
  Unlike us, God is never compromised by His feelings, but He does care.  

  David's painful please forced him back to a crucial place of depending on God.  David had mistaken the power of God as his own.  He had so often been told he could do anything, he started to believe it.  God demands we depend on Him because only He can keep us safe.  When we seek security in other places, He is obligated to turn us back toward home.  Tragedy caused David to depend on God.  God's judgment seems harsh until we reconsider David's many transgressions.  

  David's pleas would satisfy his spirit in the many months of mourning to come.  As he grieved the loss, he needed to know he had done everything he could to prevent the child's death.  David did not want his child to die because he did not ask God. (See Jas. 4:2)
 In our relationship with God, we must feel freedom to bring the desires of our heart to Him in prayer.

  David's please ultimately ensured his survival through the tragedy he and his wife would suffer.  The return positioned him to make it through such loss with victory.  When tragedy hits, if we cast ourselves on the Savior and rely on Him for the very breath we draw, we will one day get up again. 

  Do you remember ever returning to the Lord in worship after a painful loss you believe He could have stopped?

  David's pleas touched the heart of God to respond.  God loved this man--just as He loves us.  The one He loves He must discipline (Heb 12:6) But does God's heart ache as He disciplines?  God could not give David what he asked because He had to perform an eternal work and teach an eternal lesson.  But He did something else: "Then David comforted his wife Bathsheba, and he went to her and lay with her.  She gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon.  The Lord loved him, and because the Lord loved him, he sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah" (2 Samuel 12:24-25)


  Out of grace God removed the curse on the sinful union of David and Bathsheba.  Their union had been wrong.  Their motive wrong.  Now we see them drawn together by terrible tragedy.  God removed the curse of their marriage and brought a child from the union.  Jedidiah means "beloved of the Lord"
  
  God never turns His back on us.  He will discipline but not forsake us.  He will always seek to draw us back to a place where He can bless us once more.

Monday, May 30, 2011 You are the man!! Happy Memorial Day

  Today's treasure:  2 Samuel 12:5-7

  Read 2 Samuel 12:1-14
Note that Nathan used an analogy involving sheep.

 At what point did David admit his sin?

How did Nathan respond to David with good and bad news?

  The scene unfolds with Nathan sent to confront David's sin.  We need to be careful not to confront for any other reason.  We need to resist self-appointed confrontation with a fallen brother.  Galatians 6:1 records one of those reasons.

  Nathan was God's man for the job, but he still needed the protection and leadership of God as he confronted the powerful, persuasive king.  Virtually a year had passed since David's initial sin with Bathsheba.  We know the baby had been born, but we do not know exactly how old he was.
  The time is so important because no sign of repentance had yet occurred.  David appeared to be moving on with his life as if nothing had happened, but how do you suppose his sin affected his relationship with God?  Our unwillingness to repent has internal effects. 
  Daved wrote exactly how he felt during his season of unrepentance.  Psalm 32: 3-5


  What obvious toll did David's unwillingness to repent have on him?


  Psalm 32:3-5 describes a malady we might call sin sickness.  Have you ever noticed God helps us accept His forgiveness, but He does not make us forget our sins?
  Psalm 32:3-5 teaches an important truth.  Spiritual illness (unrepentance) can lead to emotional illness (groaning, heaviness) and physical illness.  Of course not all emotional and physical illness is caused by an unrepententant heart, but a refusal to repent takes a serious emotional and physical toll.
  Nathan used a good preaching method to confront David.  He used an illustration familiar to his hearer and drove the illustration home with the Word of God.
  Sometimes the further we wander outside of God's will, the more we judge others and the less we show mercy.  David was ready to fine the man "four times over" and kill him--until he found out he was the man.  God may have wanted David to recognize the grace of God in the midst of the grave consequences of his sin.  God wanted David to recognize he deserved to die.  Bathsheba also deserved death, according to Hebrew law.  So did Joab for setting up another person's death.  God allowed David to sit as judge over his own life and pronounce a death sentence on himself so his Heavenly Father could grant him the undeserved gift of life.  David no doubt, never forgot that moment.
  David, through his behavior, wounded the heart of God by despising His Word.  David's heinous, progressive sin did a terrible thing.  It gave "great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme" (v. 14, KJV)
  The word blaspheme means to 'revile, scorn, despise, reject; to condemn, to deride'.  What other nations saw in David caused them to cast their eyes on David's God.  Though many had not turned to the God of Israel, He had captured their attention and respect.  David's actions caused the nations to lose their respect for God. 
  David placed God in an excruciating position.  As God's foremost teaching instrument, even the eyes of the heathen nations were on David.  Through David's failures, God would reveal something more of Himself.  God's actions regarding David's sin teach the very foundation of salvation--God will forgive the sinner, but will still judge the sin. 

Friday May 27, 2011 Contrasts in Character

 Today's treasure:  2 Samuel 11:11

 Read 2 Samuel 11:1-27

  Why did David bring Uriah home?
 In 2 Samuel  11:1-17 a stark contrast becomes evident in the character of Uriah and David..what evidences do you find?

  Uriah:  evidences of strong character
  David:  evidences of flawed character

consider the words of verse 25 and describe David's heart at this point. 
  Imagine how the Father's heart is wounded when we behave so unlike one of His children.  Considering the 
 events, David's heart was further away from God than we imagined. 

David's faraway heart:

  1.  David resisted many opportunities to repent of his sin and lessen the charges against himself.  Most of us have been carried away by an overwhelming and sudden craving of the flesh, but we've often cried out for help before sin was heaped on sin.  Other times people can get themselves in the revolving door of sin and continue in a destructive cycle.
  After he committed the act adultery, even though the consequences of pregnancy were already at work, David could have fallen on his face before God, repented, asked for mercy and begged God to help clean up the mess. 
  David had God's Spirit in him.  David had quenched the Spirit to such a degree that he was able to resist repeated conviction. 

  2.  David was unmoved by Uriah's integrity.  His faraway heart was unaffected by an encounter with authentic integrity.
  How had David once shepherded his people (Ps. 78:72)

  Uriah's integrity should have spurred such a sense of loss in David that he could not bear to remain so far from the Father.  David surely recognized integrity.  
  If Uriah were on trial for integrity, there would be ample evidence to convict him.  

  3.  David tried to cover his own sins.  
  Who is blessed according to Psalm 32:1 ?
  Whom did God inspire to write that Psalm?

  The word covered in original Hebrew is kasah: to cover, conceal, hide, to keep secret, wrap oneself up..
When we try to cover up our sinful ways, we are bound for disaster as sin perpetuates.  Only through repentance will God cover and clothe us with His loving forgiveness.  

  4.  He involved many others in his sin.  David never stopped to consider the position in which he was placing others.  We can be too self absorbed  that we do not care what we are asking from others.  Intense selfishness accompanies a faraway heart.  We can measure intimacy with God as a heart near God is characterized by the marked selflessness of Christ .

  David navigated his way to the negative extreme of this spectrum.  In David's selfishness, he involved a servant in his plans,; he invited Bathsheba to a season of guilt and grief; he attempted to entice Uriah to compromise his values; he involved Joab in his sin, and had Uriah killed, and most importantly displeased God.
  
 1 Corinthians 10:11-12 gives us several reasons why God has given us accounts like David's.