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.