II Samuel 1: 26
"I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan. You have been very pleasant to me. Your love to me was more wonderful than the love of women."
Ungodly people take this verse and twist its meaning into saying that love means sex, and they say they must have been homosexual. Hogwash!
Jonathan loved David with a simple, pure, brotherly love, even conceding David's right to rule over him as king. Real love is an affectionate wanting the very best for the one loved, regardless of the cost.
None of David's wives really loved him, they had to submit to him as king. Even Michal.
II Samuel 6: 16, 20, 23
Then it happened as the Ark of the Lord came into the City of David that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart
"... How the King of Israel distinguished himself today! He uncovered himself today! ..."
And Michal, the daughter of Saul, had no child to the day of her death.
Michal thought she loved David, but she only loved her image of him as a great man of valor and a king. When David took off all of his fancy king's garments and wore only the sleeveless shift that the priests wore while ministering, she saw him as just a common man, as he was, which violated her idea of who she wanted him to be.
All men and women are equal before God, and David knew that. That's why, "The ground at the Foot of the Cross is level," because every person has an equal chance to accept His Sacrifice on His Altar, the Cross, as their personal Sacrifice. That's why He came. That's how much God loves us, loves you.
So, dear reader, please think about and consider that we all deserve death, and Jesus died for each of us, individually. To, "repent and believe," means to admit you deserve death for your wrongdoings, and believe that Jesus took your place on the Cross.
When you have done this, then God will put His Holy Spirit into your spirit, which has been dead, and make it alive with His own Life; then you will have both your human nature and God's, and be able to fulfill His plan for your life. Then you will be on your way to Heaven.
So if you consider your sins only a part of His sufferings, you are still under wrath: He died for all of us corporately for judgment. His death fulfilled all the sacrifices laid out in the Old Testament.
And He is coming soon. Make sure you are ready to meet Him face to face.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, February 24, 2018
Friday, February 23, 2018
After God's Own Heart
I Samuel 17: 46-47
Said David to Goliath:
"This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you. And I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the Earth, that all the Earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
"And that all this assembly may know that the Lord does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the Lord's and He will give you into our hands."
This is David's good beginning. I don't know if he was speaking through his fear, but I can see that fear did not control him. His faith in God caused him to trust God to take control of this battle, as He had promised to do on numerous other occasions when Israel came into this Promised Land.
And David continued to trust God, and tried to always do what God would have him do, even if it was not what he wanted to do.
That's why God said that David was a man after His own heart (I Sam 13:14).
O my Father, I know that David was not perfect, but he did take counsel when what he wanted to do was not right. Help me always to humble myself before You and seek counsel to know what would be right to do before You. Help me always to seek You and Your ways in all my choices and decisions. Help me to continually seek Your ways in my days, and do what pleases You.
May I trust You implicitly, as David did here. May Your Love for me cast out all fear that would try to dissuade me from following Your ways, in not doing what You want me to do; or doing what would be contrary to Your ways and goodness.
And I will never be shaken, even when this whole Earth is shaking under Your wrath and judgment, I will stand firm on Your Word, Your Promises to me.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Said David to Goliath:
"This day the Lord will deliver you into my hands, and I will strike you down and remove your head from you. And I will give the dead bodies of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the sky and the wild beasts of the Earth, that all the Earth may know that there is a God in Israel.
"And that all this assembly may know that the Lord does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the Lord's and He will give you into our hands."
This is David's good beginning. I don't know if he was speaking through his fear, but I can see that fear did not control him. His faith in God caused him to trust God to take control of this battle, as He had promised to do on numerous other occasions when Israel came into this Promised Land.
And David continued to trust God, and tried to always do what God would have him do, even if it was not what he wanted to do.
That's why God said that David was a man after His own heart (I Sam 13:14).
O my Father, I know that David was not perfect, but he did take counsel when what he wanted to do was not right. Help me always to humble myself before You and seek counsel to know what would be right to do before You. Help me always to seek You and Your ways in all my choices and decisions. Help me to continually seek Your ways in my days, and do what pleases You.
May I trust You implicitly, as David did here. May Your Love for me cast out all fear that would try to dissuade me from following Your ways, in not doing what You want me to do; or doing what would be contrary to Your ways and goodness.
And I will never be shaken, even when this whole Earth is shaking under Your wrath and judgment, I will stand firm on Your Word, Your Promises to me.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, February 22, 2018
Saul's Sorry Demise
I Samuel 28
This chapter tells how Saul violated his own edict and consults the witch at Endor. And Samuel actually appears, instead of the witch's familiar, which scares her. And Samuel predicts Saul's sorry demise.
Chapter 31
Records the battle that Israel lost to the Philistines, when Saul and all his sons died.
When Saul began to disregard what God had said and instead listened to his own fears, he started down a slippery slope that ended with his consulting a witch (who had somehow eluded Saul's own purge in 28:3). It is so sorry that Saul had to have such a dark and violent end.
I want always to pay close attention to everything God says, and not think that I ever know better, or want to do life my own way! I want always to seek His face and His ways in all my endeavors, to do what God has told me, and let the consequences fall into His hands to deal with for me.
My own thoughts are not His thoughts, and His ways are not my own ways. I want to dispense with my own thoughts and ways, and learn to think His thoughts for me, and to live my life in His way for me.
I know He loves me more than I can imagine, and His plans for me are for my good, no matter how troublesome or painful the times I may face. My God will always bring the good out of whatever assaults me, when I respond in His way to it.
And I will reap the benefits, both in this World and forever, and He will gain all the praise and honor for what He has done in my life, according to how He has planned it all out.
Even so, come Lord Jesus!
This chapter tells how Saul violated his own edict and consults the witch at Endor. And Samuel actually appears, instead of the witch's familiar, which scares her. And Samuel predicts Saul's sorry demise.
Chapter 31
Records the battle that Israel lost to the Philistines, when Saul and all his sons died.
When Saul began to disregard what God had said and instead listened to his own fears, he started down a slippery slope that ended with his consulting a witch (who had somehow eluded Saul's own purge in 28:3). It is so sorry that Saul had to have such a dark and violent end.
I want always to pay close attention to everything God says, and not think that I ever know better, or want to do life my own way! I want always to seek His face and His ways in all my endeavors, to do what God has told me, and let the consequences fall into His hands to deal with for me.
My own thoughts are not His thoughts, and His ways are not my own ways. I want to dispense with my own thoughts and ways, and learn to think His thoughts for me, and to live my life in His way for me.
I know He loves me more than I can imagine, and His plans for me are for my good, no matter how troublesome or painful the times I may face. My God will always bring the good out of whatever assaults me, when I respond in His way to it.
And I will reap the benefits, both in this World and forever, and He will gain all the praise and honor for what He has done in my life, according to how He has planned it all out.
Even so, come Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
Sparing Grief By Causing Grief
I Samuel 23: 17
Jonathan said:
"...You will be king over Israel and I will be next to you, and Saul my father knows that also."
24: 20
Jonathan also said:
"And now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand."
20: 31
Saul had said:
"For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the Earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established."
Now both Jonathan and Saul are admitting openly that the kingdom belongs to David.
Then Samuel died (25:1).
Jonathan didn't realize that he will also die with his father Saul. God knew that if he lived, there would be a rebellion against David to continue Saul's dynasty. So He spared David this grief by causing him grief over losing his best friend.
I wonder what grief God spared me, when He took my dear husband of 30 years?
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Jonathan said:
"...You will be king over Israel and I will be next to you, and Saul my father knows that also."
24: 20
Jonathan also said:
"And now, behold, I know that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand."
20: 31
Saul had said:
"For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the Earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established."
Now both Jonathan and Saul are admitting openly that the kingdom belongs to David.
Then Samuel died (25:1).
Jonathan didn't realize that he will also die with his father Saul. God knew that if he lived, there would be a rebellion against David to continue Saul's dynasty. So He spared David this grief by causing him grief over losing his best friend.
I wonder what grief God spared me, when He took my dear husband of 30 years?
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Tuesday, February 20, 2018
Heavy Responsibility
I Samuel 22:22
Then David said to Abiathar, "I knew on that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul. I have brought about the death of every person in your father's household."
David took full responsibility for what Saul had done to the priests. He had lied to Ahimelek the priest, telling him that he was on a secret mission for Saul, instead of running from him. He saw Doeg there, too.
So he knew that he was the cause of the massacre.
But I don't think there could've been anything he could do to protect them, except to take Doeg out of the picture at the time. But that wouldn't be something David would do.
All he could do now was to protect Abiathar.
I hope I never have to face that heavy a responsibility. David was man enough to admit his failure here, and take responsibility for it; and he also took on this priest, another mouth to feed.
O my Father, You brought so much trouble and heartache into David's life, to grow him into the great king he would be. I pray that You would also grow me to fill whatever role You have determined for me. May I continually seek only Your face and Your will for me, regardless of the circumstances You allow into my life, that I might be a faithful servant to You and a bold witness of all You have done. That I may enjoy the benefits and You will receive the glory.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Then David said to Abiathar, "I knew on that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul. I have brought about the death of every person in your father's household."
David took full responsibility for what Saul had done to the priests. He had lied to Ahimelek the priest, telling him that he was on a secret mission for Saul, instead of running from him. He saw Doeg there, too.
So he knew that he was the cause of the massacre.
But I don't think there could've been anything he could do to protect them, except to take Doeg out of the picture at the time. But that wouldn't be something David would do.
All he could do now was to protect Abiathar.
I hope I never have to face that heavy a responsibility. David was man enough to admit his failure here, and take responsibility for it; and he also took on this priest, another mouth to feed.
O my Father, You brought so much trouble and heartache into David's life, to grow him into the great king he would be. I pray that You would also grow me to fill whatever role You have determined for me. May I continually seek only Your face and Your will for me, regardless of the circumstances You allow into my life, that I might be a faithful servant to You and a bold witness of all You have done. That I may enjoy the benefits and You will receive the glory.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, February 19, 2018
Pride's Cost
I Samuel 20: 31
For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the Earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Therefore now, bring him to me, for he must surely die.
This is what King Saul told his son Jonathan. Saul knew that God had chosen David to be king in Israel, instead of Saul. But Saul was a proud man, and his pride wanted his own son to be king after him. He wanted to thwart God's plan and have his own dynasty to prevail.
But God cannot be thwarted by any mere man. If Saul had humbled himself before the Lord, his dynasty would have prevailed, he would have been the founder of the unbroken line that would bring our Savior and Redeemer. But his pride kept tripping him up, so he lost out on that distinction. Now he is remembered as a mentally ill failure instead.
O my Father, May I always take note of the details of my life, paying attention to wherever I may assert my own pride, instead of humbling myself before You. May my self-respect and my intrinsic worth to You, Lord, never become selfish pride. Keep me always aware that only in You have I great value, not in my sin-soaked flesh.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
For as long as the son of Jesse lives on the Earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Therefore now, bring him to me, for he must surely die.
This is what King Saul told his son Jonathan. Saul knew that God had chosen David to be king in Israel, instead of Saul. But Saul was a proud man, and his pride wanted his own son to be king after him. He wanted to thwart God's plan and have his own dynasty to prevail.
But God cannot be thwarted by any mere man. If Saul had humbled himself before the Lord, his dynasty would have prevailed, he would have been the founder of the unbroken line that would bring our Savior and Redeemer. But his pride kept tripping him up, so he lost out on that distinction. Now he is remembered as a mentally ill failure instead.
O my Father, May I always take note of the details of my life, paying attention to wherever I may assert my own pride, instead of humbling myself before You. May my self-respect and my intrinsic worth to You, Lord, never become selfish pride. Keep me always aware that only in You have I great value, not in my sin-soaked flesh.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, February 18, 2018
A Little Gossip
I Samuel 18: 8-9
Then Saul became very angry, for this saying displeased him; and he said, "They have ascribed to David ten thousands but to me they have ascribed [only] thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?
And Saul looked at David with suspicion from that day on.
David had just killed Goliath, and the women came out dancing and singing, and Saul didn't like their song. It was just a song, and David wasn't even an experienced warrior yet, but Saul let that song "get" to him, and viewed David as a threat from then on.
O Father, may I never let a little gossip stain my view of anyone! David didn't earn or deserve that song, and whatever I may hear may not be true, either. May my ears be closed to whatever tales would distort the Truth about anyone I may or will know. May I always seek the truth of the reality of those who surround me in this World, and see them through Your eyes of Grace.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Then Saul became very angry, for this saying displeased him; and he said, "They have ascribed to David ten thousands but to me they have ascribed [only] thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?
And Saul looked at David with suspicion from that day on.
David had just killed Goliath, and the women came out dancing and singing, and Saul didn't like their song. It was just a song, and David wasn't even an experienced warrior yet, but Saul let that song "get" to him, and viewed David as a threat from then on.
O Father, may I never let a little gossip stain my view of anyone! David didn't earn or deserve that song, and whatever I may hear may not be true, either. May my ears be closed to whatever tales would distort the Truth about anyone I may or will know. May I always seek the truth of the reality of those who surround me in this World, and see them through Your eyes of Grace.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
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