TODAY’S DAILY READING: 2 Samuel 19-20  & Psalm 49-50

Old Testament: 2 Samuel 19- It’s Not Free

2 Samuel 19:4
“But the king covered his face, and the king cried out with a loud voice, ‘O my son Absalom! O Absalom, my son, my son!’”

I recently watched a news segment which focused on two teenagers who decided to rob a local business. One of the boys was reluctant to get involved, while the other boasted confidently that “no one would get hurt.” Sadly, as the story unfolded, one man lay dead and two young men were sent to prison for life. Sin is just like that. It promises to bring us happiness, and ensuring us that no one will get hurt. Regrettably, David found this out the hard way. One night, while… Read More

2 Samuel 20- Dissenter

2 Samuel 20:1
“And there happened to be there a rebel, whose name was Sheba the son of Bichri, a Benjamite. And he blew a trumpet, and said: ‘We have no share in David, Nor do we have inheritance in the son of Jesse; Every man to his tents, O Israel!'”

There is a great difference between a leader and a dissenter. A leader has vision and has the best intentions for those who follow him. A dissenter is only capable of pointing… Read More

Psalm 49- Eternal Investments

Psalms 49:17
“For when he dies he shall carry nothing away; His glory shall not descend after him.”

Have you ever heard the phrase “You can’t take it with you”? It seems like this sentiment might be as old as time itself. Thousands of years ago the sons of Korah used it as a lyric in one of their most famous songs. The basic thought is that when this life comes… Read More

 

Psalm 50- Promises

Psalm 50:16-17
“But to the wicked God says: ‘What right have you to declare My statutes, or take My covenant in your mouth, seeing you hate instruction and cast My words behind you?’”

One of the strangest phenomenon that I have experienced, over the years, is to hear the unbeliever quote the Bible. It fascinates me how those who have read so little of it seem, at times, to consider themselves the authority on what it says. Those who are living a lifestyle which the Bible does not condone, and quite… Read More

2 Samuel 20:1
“And there happened to be there a rebel, whose name was Sheba the son of Bichri, a Benjamite. And he blew a trumpet, and said: ‘We have no share in David, Nor do we have inheritance in the son of Jesse; Every man to his tents, O Israel!'”

There is a great difference between a leader and a dissenter. A leader has vision and has the best intentions for those who follow him. A dissenter is only capable of pointing out everything wrong with someone else’s leadership and is seeking a position for himself. Sadly the church seems to be filled with dissenters. Certain Christians with strong personalities who struggle with authority are very good at pointing out every flaw in the leadership style of others. These folks, like Sheba do not have the best interest of the church in mind but are often looking for a leadership position for themselves. Sadly, church splits happen all the time because a dissenter with a strong voice gathers a group of people to his side and breaks away from the fellowship of believers. Over the years I have witnessed several such cases which almost always result in a sea of hurt Christians who in some cases never fully recover.

Clearly, there are reasons to question the authority of those in leadership. If a pastor is teaching false doctrine, is involved in immoral living or is taking the church away from rock solid biblical ministry principles we should reconsider where we and our families are fellowshipping. The problem is that more often than not people will endure those things because they like the music or have a lot invested in the church, but will fight over peripheral matters and split churches.

Jesus spoke of the importance of unity among His followers. A church is unified when all its members rally behind Jesus and are committed to the furtherance of His kingdom. Sheba proved that he had no interest in the things of God because he stood against the kingdom of David.

Pastor Jim

Psalms 49:17
“For when he dies he shall carry nothing away; His glory shall not descend after him.”

Have you ever heard the phrase “You can’t take it with you”? It seems like this sentiment might be as old as time itself. Thousands of years ago the sons of Korah used it as a lyric in one of their most famous songs. The basic thought is that when this life comes to an end all that we have accomplished will be left behind. In recent years I heard a similar phrase that carries the same thought, “You never see a hearse pulling a U-Haul trailer.”

The reality we all must face is that life will one day come to an end and everything we have accomplished here will be left behind for the generations that come behind us. Solomon, because of his extensive worldly possessions struggled with this. He spoke of the folly of working hard to gain wealth only to leave it to those who did not work for it and would not see the value of it. Jesus spoke of the folly of a man who lived to store up earthly possessions without ever taking time to make eternal investments. Jesus commented on his actions and said,

Luke 12:21
“So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

While it is true that we cannot take earthly possessions beyond the grave, that does not mean that we cannot make investments in eternity. Jesus spoke of storing up treasures in heaven. This reveals something wonderful about the economy of God. He has established a system where eternal rewards are given for everyday actions. What we do with our time, talents and treasures can have eternal benefits. While we could never bring an earthly item beyond the grave we can send things ahead. We can store up eternal rewards by making investments in the kingdom of God. This is done whenever we serve the Lord in any capacity. Eternity will reveal the vast and elaborate reward system God has established for those who live their lives in light of eternity.

But there is another important truth we might want to consider. When this life comes to an end we will all leave things behind. Whatever possessions we have acquired will become the inheritance of those who we have loved the most. For many the inheritance will be nothing more that an itemized spread sheet with a list of possessions and their earthly value. But for others they will leave behind a heritage worth far more than any piece of property or lump of cash. They are the ones who chose to live for Christ and have made a rut in life’s road so deep that the generation behind them feels almost compelled to keep following Christ.

No matter what your age or how you have lived up until today, it is time to start making eternal investments that will outlast your life and will set a good pattern for the generations behind you.

Jim

TODAY’S DAILY READING: 2 Samuel 17-18  & Psalm 47-48

Old Testament: 2 Samuel 17- Be Prepared

2 Samuel 17:23
“Now when Ahithophel saw that his advice was not followed, he saddled a donkey, and arose and went home to his house, to his city. Then he put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died; and he was buried in his father’s tomb.”

It is remarkable how many Biblical phrases have become part of our everyday lives. When a person is diagnosed with a disease that advanced medicine has no hope of curing, it is common for this passage to be quoted. They are told to “put their house in order.” Sadly, Ahithophel made preparations to die, without giving the proper consideration to what he would face after death. Too many still approach life that way. It might be, you have… Read More

2 Samuel 18- Pride

2 Samuel 18:9
“Then Absalom met the servants of David. Absalom rode on a mule. The mule went under the thick boughs of a great terebinth tree, and his head caught in the terebinth; so he was left hanging between heaven and earth. And the mule which was under him went on.”

When I was younger, we used a wide variety of slang terms to describe a proud person. We considered them to be smug, snooty, puffed up, or stuck up. But the term that I remember most, when referring to pride, is “big headed.”… Read More

Psalm 47- Clap Your Hands

Psalm 47:1
“Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples!
Shout to God with the voice of triumph!”

Sometimes knowing the setting in which a psalm was written is beneficial to understanding its content. Other times, like in this psalm, the setting is not given because the truth is universal. Whatever our condition, whether we would classify it as good or bad, blessing or trial, God remains the same and is always worthy of the highest praise. The truths tucked away in this psalm transcend every experience the child of God endures. Whatever state you are currently facing, it is a good idea… Read More

Psalm 48- Growing In Christ

Psalm 48:9
“We have thought, O God, on Your lovingkindness, In the midst of Your temple.”

We learn two very important things about following Jesus from this one verse.

First, the Psalmist talks about his location. We find him in the midst of the Temple. The Temple was the center of worship for the Old Testament… Read More

TODAY’S DAILY READING: 2 Samuel 15-16 & Psalm 45-46

Old Testament: 2 Samuel 15- Memory Lane

2 Samuel 15:14
“So David said to all his servants who were with him at Jerusalem, ‘Arise, and let us flee, or we shall not escape from Absalom. Make haste to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly and bring disaster upon us, and strike the city with the edge of the sword.’”

Perhaps you have heard someone speak of having their whole life pass before their eyes. In a moment’s time, while facing imminent danger, all they had done, whether good or bad, seems to flash into their mind. David is having a similar experience. His son Absalom has stolen the hearts of the people, mounted a large army to overthrow the king, and steal the kingdom. Instead of remaining in Jerusalem and turning the holy city into a battle… Read More

2 Samuel 16- Love, Mercy and Grace

2 Samuel 16:4
“So the king said to Ziba, ‘Here, all that belongs to Mephibosheth is yours.’ 
And Ziba said, ‘I humbly bow before you, that I may find favor in your sight, my lord, O king!'”

We are first introduced to Ziba in 2 Samuel 9 where he is described as a servant of king Saul. After David was established as king he began to look for descendants of king Saul. His search led him to Ziba who in turn led him to Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan. David  treated Mephibosheth with kindness and gave him a sons portion within the kingdom. Ziba in turn was given the responsibility of… Read More

Psalm 45- Worship

Psalm 45:11b
“Because He is your Lord, worship Him.”

This is a Messianic Psalm, meaning that it is speaking prophetically of Israel’s coming Messiah. In it, the Psalmist is describing the glory of Jesus, our King, and the beauty of His Bride, the church. After describing Jesus as the King of Glory, girded with a sword, overthrowing wickedness, ruling in righteousness and reigning in glory, he speaks of the proper… Read More

Psalm 46- Help In Trouble

Psalms 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.”

A refuge is a shelter or protection from danger or trouble. It is not uncommon in places that are threatened with severe weather to build rooms designed for refuge. The idea is that when danger arises the family can flee to a room that is designed to withstand the storm. A few years ago I was traveling in Israel and stayed… Read More

Psalms 46:1
“God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.”

A refuge is a shelter or protection from danger or trouble. It is not uncommon in places that are threatened with severe weather to build rooms designed for refuge. The idea is that when danger arises the family can flee to a room that is designed to withstand the storm. A few years ago I was traveling in Israel and stayed in a local apartment. There were several of us so we spread out, filling each of the rooms. My bed was located in the bomb shelter; A small concrete room fitted with air purification and stocked with basic supplies in case of attack. I learned that these type of rooms are common in buildings because of the eminent threat of attack.

The psalmist found a place of refuge where he could hide when calamity struck. His place of refuge could withstand any danger no matter how severe. His place of refuge was not a building and did not require a change of location in order to access it. His refuge was the Lord and the key to enter in were the promises of God. In grand  poetic fashion he describes the earth melting and the mountains being cast into the sea and yet his place of refuge being unaffected by the storms. He speaks of a river of water flowing into his place of refuge where he is being strengthened and refreshed regardless of the danger all around him. And he speaks of the word of the Lord being stronger than the storm itself.

What are the current circumstances you are facing? Are they bigger than you can handle? Do they make you wonder if you will make it another day? What a joy it is to know that God is our refuge, strength and our help. We can hide in Him and find the strength to face the battles before us. Perhaps the best way to access the refuge He provides is to grab hold of one of His precious promises and decide to trust it over the storm you are facing. After all when He speaks the earth melts.

Pastor Jim

Questions for Psalm 46

1. Write out verse 1 and put it to memory.
2. What happens to the person who takes refuge in God?
3. Look at verse 6, how does God deal with rising ungodliness?
4. What are we exhorted to do in verse 8? How do we do that?
5. Take some time to put verse 10 into practice.

2 Samuel 16:4
“So the king said to Ziba, ‘Here, all that belongs to Mephibosheth is yours.’ 
And Ziba said, ‘I humbly bow before you, that I may find favor in your sight, my lord, O king!'”

We are first introduced to Ziba in 2 Samuel 9 where he is described as a servant of king Saul. After David was established as king he began to look for descendants of king Saul. His search led him to Ziba who in turn led him to Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan. David  treated Mephibosheth with kindness and gave him a sons portion within the kingdom. Ziba in turn was given the responsibility of caring for all that belonged to Mephibosheth.

Years later, as David flees the city, Mephibosheth is no where to be found. In his place we find Ziba who appears to bless David. When the king asks about Mephibosheth, Ziba explains that he has chosen to side with the rebellion in hopes that the kingdom would be returned to him. Once the rebellion was squashed and David returned to the throne Mephibosheth will appear bowing before the king claiming that he did not rebel and the Ziba had lied to David about him.

David is in the midst of quite a conundrum. On the one hand he has Ziba claiming that Mephibosheth rebelled and on the other he has Mephibosheth claiming that Ziba lied. Without the aid of divine intervention David is forced to make a decision. Rather than casting judgment based upon uncertainty or limited information he chooses to do the only wise thing.

2 Samuel 19:29
So the king said to him, “Why do you speak anymore of your matters? I have said, ‘You and Ziba divide the land.”

Sometimes we are forced to make decisions based solely on faith. We lack divine insight and are not privy to all the facts, yet circumstances pressure us to intervene. We can learn a great deal from the actions of David who instead of making a rash judgment chose to show mercy on both parties. Obviously if the Lord revealed the truth David could act accordingly but without that he decided to make a decision that would bless both parties. When we are unsure on the right action to take it is wise to take the road that expresses love, mercy and grace.

Pastor Jim

TODAY’S DAILY READING: 2 Samuel 13-14  & Psalm 43-44

Old Testament: 2 Samuel 13- What’s Love Got To Do With It?

2 Samuel 13:1
“After this Absalom the son of David had a lovely sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her.”

“I love you” is one of the most common phrases in any language. It is the heartbeat behind many popular songs, movies or works of literature. It seems a love story is an underlining theme in every movie whether it is designed as an historical piece, a comedy, or even a horror film. The story of Amnon and Tamar reveal that the love… Read More 

2 Samuel 14- Banished

2 Samuel 14:14
“…God does not take away a life; but He devises means, so that His banished ones are not expelled from Him.”

By killing his brother, Absalom had committed a capital crime. The law required, upon his return to Jerusalem, he be sentenced to death. In addition, he was living as a captive to a foreign king, without the hope of ever… Read More

Psalm 43- Vindicate Me

Psalms 43:1
“Vindicate me, O God,
And plead my cause…”

Arguments take place when we have differences of opinion. Both parties think they are right and the other is wrong. When these differences of opinion escalate they often lead to serious divisions. Marriages, families and churches have often been the unwary victims of intense argumentation. When arguments take place we have probably learned what to do when we are in… Read Me

Psalm 44- Victorious

Psalm 44:3
“For they did not gain possession of the land by their own sword, nor did their own arm save them; but it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your countenance, because You favored them.”

Even a casual reading of the Old Testament will lead to the conclusion that Israel did not win their battles on their own. When armies are overthrown by the rushing waters of the Red Sea, walls toppled with rams horns, and a shepherd defeats a warrior with a sling and stone, it is clear that the hand of God is behind the victories. There are times when Israel went to battle in their… Read More

 

Psalms 43:1
“Vindicate me, O God,
And plead my cause…”

Arguments take place when we have differences of opinion. Both parties think they are right and the other is wrong. When these differences of opinion escalate they often lead to serious divisions. Marriages, families and churches have often been the unwary victims of intense argumentation. When arguments take place we have probably learned what to do when we are in the wrong; we humbly apologize and seek to make whatever restitution is necessary. But what about when we are right. Have you ever considered the proper action to take when you are in the midst of a misunderstanding between yourself and someone you care about? Perhaps it would do us good to reconsider what we do when we think we are right. David wrote;

“Vindicate me Oh Lord” 

Vindication is a word that speaks of judgment. It is used when we think that we are right and want other to know it. We want our case examined so that everyone will know that the accusations brought against us are false. This word is most commonly used of someone who has been falsely accused of a crime, but might also fit in a relationship where a misunderstanding or difference of opinion has escalated into an argument that has created a rift. When we find ourselves in a situation like that the best way to move forward is to get alone with God and ask Him to search our hearts and our actions and vindicate us.

I recall an incident when my wife and I had been in an argument. We both walked away upset with the other. When I sat down with the Lord and began to plead my case before Him I soon sensed that He was speaking to me. It is as if I heard Him say that while my position was right the way I went about it was completely wrong. I had not considered my wife, her feelings or her vantage point in the situation. Asking God to vindicate me led to a realization that there were things I could do differently in the situation. When we later sat down to address the situation I was able to apologize, listen to her side and we could rationally address the situation together.

The next time being right leads you to a conflict with another take the time to sit before the Lord and ask Him to search your heart and direct your path.

Pastor Jim

TODAY’S DAILY READING: 2 Samuel 11-12 & Psalm 41-42

Old Testament: 2 Samuel 11- It Happened One Evening

2 Samuel 11:2
“Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold.”

David is one of the most famous men in history. He was a gifted singer, song writer and musician. By today’s standards, he would be considered a superstar. He was also a war hero, who led armies to great victory. No doubt, in that era, David would experience the same treatment as our most famous athletes. His popularity spread throughout the nation, so much so, that songs were being written about him. After reading of a lifetime of… Read More

2 Samuel 12- Loss

2 Samuel 12:22-23
“And he said, ‘While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, “Who can tell whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?” But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.’”

David and Bathsheba found themselves face to face with a parent’s worse nightmare. Their child was diagnosed with a terminal illness for which modern medicine had no answer. Like any of us, David was devastated, he would not eat or sleep, and those closest to him began to worry about what he might do to himself. When the sickness reached the end, and the child passed, David’s behaviors changed dramatically; he showered, ate, and worshipped. When questioned about the sudden… Read More

Psalm 41- The Poor

Psalms 41:1
“Blessed is he who considers the poor;
The Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.”

The Bible has much to say about the poor. The word poor is used almost 200 times in the NKJV of the Bible, Israel as a nation was required to set up a system where the poor was able to glean the edges of the fields to provide food for themselves and their families (This is part of the story line of the book of Ruth). Jesus spoke of blessing the poor, and encouraged… Read More

Psalm 42- Thirsty

Psalm 42:1-2
“As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.”

This Psalm begins with the Psalmist describing his hunger for more of God. In a beautifully poetic fashion, he compares his desire for God to a deer panting for water. Thirst is one of our most basic drives, second only to the body’s need for oxygen. He is not only stating that he desires more of God in his life, but that he cannot live without Him. Psychologists have made lists of basic human needs for mental and emotional health. These lists often include things like companionship, communication, a good diet, human touch, self acceptance and proper rest. Unfortunately, they often neglect man’s greatest… Read More