by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
II Samuel 9-11
What an inspiring story! David wants to make sure that he honors anyone who is left from the “house of Saul” – for Jonathan’s sake. (Remember, David and Jonathan had made a covenant that they would remain faithful to each other). So he inquires, and the only descendant remaining is a lame man, Mephibosheth. The man is summoned, and comes with fear and trembling. He is frightened, because the custom is that the descendants of the last regime will be killed.
Boy, is he in for a surprise! David welcomes him as part of the household. He is to eat at the king’s table and Saul’s remaining servants are to serve him. He is still treated as royalty!
That’s the way the Lord sees us – and our children. We are in covenant with Him, and we are invited to eat at the King’s table, along with our descendants. So many of us are like Mephibosheth. We either don’t realize our place, or we think we are too unworthy to eat at the table of the King.
In our own right, we are unworthy. Yet we are made worthy by the blood of Jesus. There is a place for us at the table, and He wants us to be there. All we have to do is receive what He has done for us.
I pray that you and I will grow in our understanding of the tremendous gift having been given to us by Jesus. And I pray that we will receive it! Let’s dine with the King!
One more quick note. Do you notice in 10:7 where David’s army is called the “mighty men?” Well, obviously, these men have grown some. If you look at I Samuel 22:2, you’ll see where they came from. It says, “everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented, gathered themselves to David; and he became captain over them.”
They may have started as a ragtag army, but now they are “mighty men.” They are like us! Sometimes we start our walk with the Lord in distress, in debt, and discontented – broken and insecure. Yet if we stick with our Lord – letting Him instruct us everyday, building us up – we will wind up His mighty men.
That’s what I want to be. One of His mighty ones.
Luke 15:11-32
There is nothing that touches the heart of the Father or His heavenly host like a prodigal son who has returned.
Over the years, as my husband and I have pastored, we have seen many people return. Often, they think that their sinful lives have ruled them out of the Kingdom. They think that there is no way that God could ever forgive them for what they have done.
They are wrong when they think that way. God is a loving God, whose arms are always open for those who want Him. There is no sin and no situation which will separate us – if we want to return.
You’ll notice that the Father didn’t go looking for the son. He let him go his way. That’s the way our Father is. If we are determined to seek our own way and leave Him, He’ll let us go.
Yet if we want to return, He will run to meet us, give us a ring and a robe – signifying the new “robe of righteousness”- and throw a party on our behalf. All of the angels in heaven rejoice over one sinner who has come back to the Lord.
There is no condemnation, no “I told you so,” only open arms and rejoicing.
It’s important for us to realize that our Father sees it this way for ourselves and for others. Maybe we have never been prodigals; maybe we have always served Him. That’s great. But we must remember that this is His attitude toward those who have left the fold for a season.
When they return, they should be welcomed by us – just as our Father is welcoming them.
I pray that there will be many prodigals who are right now making their way back to the Lord. I want to be ready to receive them – full of mercy and kindness.
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
II Samuel 6-8
The first thing David does as king is attempt to return the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem, but there are some missteps on the way.
From its construction, God had given very specific instructions concerning the handling of the ark. It’s important for us to realize that the ark represented the very presence of the Lord. It was to be honored and carried correctly.
So when David wants to bring it up to its proper place, the people are too casual in its handling. It is transported on a “new cart,” instead of on poles, and as they go, the ark is nearly upset from the cart. Ussah reaches out to secure it, and he dies suddenly. God’s presence can’t be maneuvered by man.
Furious with the death of his friend, David is afraid to bring the ark the rest of the way, so he leaves it with Obed-edom, who gets great blessing from its presence.
After Obed-edom’s blessing, David decides to bring the ark the rest of the way, so the journey continues – this time with greater care.
David has such a tender heart toward the things of God. As he is transporting the ark, he removes his kingly robe and adorns a linen ephod so that he can “dance with all of his might”(6:14) before the ark of God. He is a true worshipper, and before the presence of God, he cares not what others think. He will worship his God with all of his might.
Michal, on the other hand, hates to see David behaving in such an undignified manner. She rebukes David for his display, and gets a rebuke in return. David reminds her that he was nothing when God called him to be king, and that he will humble himself before his Creator and worship him in fullness forever.
Michal becomes barren after this.
A life that is full of pride, always trying to look good in the eyes of men, will be a barren life. God rewards the humble, but He resists the proud. The proud have the reward of looking acceptable to others, but they can’t count on the blessing or relationship with God as do those who humbly look to Him and honor Him as their source of accomplishment.
I want to keep a humble attitude, don’t you?It really doesn’t matter what men thin; it’s what God thinks that counts. And life with Him is truly worth looking a little foolish from time to time.
Luke 15:1-10
What makes heaven rejoice? A lost person who repents and turns to God.
In our society, with people jockeying for position, it’s hard to grasp the heavenly attitude toward people. Sometimes on earth it seems that some people are more important than others. The rich, the educated, the beautiful, the talented, the athletic…you name it. These are often raised up higher in the eyes of men than ordinary people.
Not so with our Father. The smallest and the least are just as important as the high and mighty. In fact, the Word says we are not to prefer the rich or the poor. Everyone is equal in our Father’s eyes.
So when one person – whether they live in a mansion or are homeless – receives Jesus, the angels rejoice. They are in celebration over one person who was lost and now is found.
I pray that my Father will give me His heart toward people. I never want to overlook or discount anyone I encounter. Each one and everyone is significant and needs to be honored as such. The garb of the homeless – or the wealthy – can sometimes hide their value and or their need for a Savior.
Lord, give me Your heart. Let me see with Your eyes, and hear with Your ears. Let me be sensitive to others always.
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
I Samuel 30-31
The divergent paths of David and Saul are totally exposed in these chapters.
David and his experiences at Ziklag are legendary in encouraging people who have been through trials. When he returns with his men to the camp at Ziklag, he discovers that all of the families and goods have been taken, and the camp has been burned to the ground. So his men want to stone him. Things couldn’t get much worse than that!
But David sets an example for us all. He weeps, and then he “encourages himself in the Lord.”(v.6). Finally he inquires of the Lord what to do. When the Lord says “pursue,” he does, recovering all that was taken.
There are times when all of us have encountered battles which seem too much for us. That’s when we need to “encourage ourselves in the Lord.” We need to set aside time to praise, pray, read the Word, and remind ourselves of God’s goodness and His greatness. The devil is no match for our God. When we are trusting Him, He will have an answer.
The opposite end is in store for Saul and his sons. As the Philistines overtake the Israelites, the sons are killed, and Saul is mortally wounded. He pleads for his armor-bearer to end the pain, and he does.
Saul displays such a sad path for a man. He was small in his own eyes when he was chosen as king, but the appointment went to his head, and he fell out of favor with God. The end of his life is years of jealousy, frustration, anger, and bitterness as he chases David continually.
All of this makes me want to stay humble and trust in my Father. His end is the better one for me, and I will continue to pursue that end. There may be a few years in a cave, but that’s okay. The end is worth it.
Luke 13:22-35
Jesus says something very interesting in verses 31-33. He is approached by some Pharisees who say that Herod wants to kill Him, and He calls Herod a fox. (Jesus has a reason for that word in particular).Then he says, basically, tell the fox that I will continue to grow and I will reach my goal.
This passage is special to me. There was an incident in my life when I thought God was telling me something – and it turned out not to be so. Young in the Lord, I felt very discouraged that I hadn’t heard him properly, so I ran to Him for answers. He gave me several clues in His Word. One of them was in Song of Solomon 2:15, “Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that are ruining our vineyards while our vineyards are in blossom.” Then he showed my how Jesus used that verse here.
At that time, He began to show me that the “foxes” are false prophecies – as born out in Ezekiel 13:3-4. The false prophets are seeing things out of their own spirits and are like “foxes among the ruins.”
When you are growing and blossoming in your walk, false words – from yourself or others – can ruin your vineyard, or spoil your growth. They can stop God’s plan if you listen to them.
So back to what Jesus says here. He knows that He will be put to death, but not by Herod, and not now. He will be put to death by the high priest as God’s perfect Lamb, and at the appointed time – Passover. So He proclaims, “This word is a fox, a false prophecy. It will not stop my blossoming and fulfilling God’s plan. I will continue to cast our devils and heal the sick and I will reach my goal. This vine will not be spoiled by a false word or plan from the enemy.”
I’m sure that Herod doesn’t need to hear that detail, but the devil does. That word denounces the devil’s plan to take Jesus’ life before the time and in the improper way.
As we proceed with our walk, it’s important not to just listen to every word that pops into our minds – or from others. We must measure everything by God’s Word. only then can we be sure that we are hearing properly.
God has a plan for you and me – a perfect plan. As we stick close to Him and listen carefully, He will direct our paths.
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
I Samuel 27-29
David’s journey continues with discernment and intrigue, and God’s hand is upon him so that he is protected. This man has to have tremendous courage to go into the land of the Philistines and seek protection from his king. It has become obvious that Saul will not relent in his commitment to kill David.
This reminds me of stories I have heard from missionaries in foreign lands. Sometimes deception is necessary for their protection when they are among adversarial governments. This is what David encounters here.
In the meantime, Saul’s condition goes from bad to worse. When people turn from God, they are worse off than those who have never known Him. He is tormented to the point where he turns to a witch for his answers. He no longer hears from God.
There is always room for repentance, but I have known people over the years who begin a walk with God and then stop. They become like sitting ducks for the devil and his imps. There is a mark on their heads, with no ability to combat the onslaught. Very sad, indeed.
I say, Lord, I want to be on fire and stay on fire! I want every day of my life to be lived with You and for You!
I know you say that, too.
Luke 13:1-22
When Jesus came to the earth, God planted His Son, the seed – the holy seed – into the earth so that His Kingdom could spring forth. That’s why the kingdom is like a mustard seed…It’s also like leaven. As Christians grow in numbers and authority, the kingdom grows and spreads – as leaven does in three pecks of meal.
These illustrations help us to understand the power of the Kingdom, and God’s plan for its increase. He didn’t send a Kingdom with force, as many of the Jews had expected. He sent a Kingdom – hidden in the hearts of men. As they go into the world, they take this hidden Kingdom with them and quietly spread it to those around them, affecting all of His creation.
That’s the plan. Now we have to get in on it. We have to decide that we will be part of the expansion of His Kingdom.
All around us there are those who have never heard the truth about this Kingdom. They may have heard bits and pieces – and often distorted accounts of it. If we will think of ourselves as the leaven which needs to spread, or the seed bag which needs to plant more seed, we will be part of what our Father desires for our lives.
Freely we have received. Freely we must give. That’s the plan – the Divine plan, bringing the love of God to all those around us.
Oh, I so want to fulfill my part of it!
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
I Samuel 22-24
What character we see in David! He is having to spend every day running and hiding from the madman Saul, who is obsessed with jealousy. Yet we don’t see fear on this man of God, but faith.
Just as David had the faith to kill Goliath, he continues to have faith that God will deliver him from Saul. As he darts here and there, changing hiding places, he inquires of God. Okay, God, now what? Then he follows through with obedience. Amazing!
Another amazing moment is when David is hiding in a cave where Saul comes. With his guard down, Saul is easy prey for the younger man. So David secretly cuts off the hem of Saul’s garment to prove that he could have taken the king’s life.
“And it came about afterward that David’s conscience bothered him, because he had cut off the edge of Saul’s robe.”(v.5). Wow! After being chased by the king continuously, David still has honor for Saul’s office. He recognizes the king as “God’s anointed,” and as such, should not “stretch out his hand against him.”(v.6)
Through it all, we see honor, humility, and faith. It must have been hard, but we don’t see whining.
David’s character, which comes from years of worshipping God while out on the hillside tending sheep, shines during this test.
There’s one thing about a trial: it will show your character.
I say, Lord, I want you to develop that character in me. The faith, the honor, the humility, the unflinching trust that your hand is on my life – no matter what!
Luke 12:1-31
Jesus is promoting quiet trust in God as He speaks to the crowds. That trust which comes from keeping our eyes fixed on our Father above and not on the earthly realm.
We live in this world, and need to mind the affairs of our lives, but if we are consumed by earthly pleasures and pursuits, we get into serious trouble.
The rich man, who just built bigger barns for his abundance but wasn’t rich toward God, is a man to be pitied. The key here is that he thought of this world – and only this world. All of his desires and energies were toward riches of this world – a big mistake.
We see this so often today. There are many who spend all of their time and energy seeking material wealth. Houses, travel, luxurious living, and building of their empires are the things which receive their constant devotion. What a pity.
Even a long life is a tiny dot compared to eternity – and we will all live for eternity. To seek only the things of this world is a hindrance in the long run. The attitude that leads to death.
The other side of the same coin is that, if we are those who want to walk with God, we must trust Him for provision. As we continue in our devotion to Him and His Word, we will “seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all of these things will be added unto us.” (V.31)
I’m casting away any worry about my provision. I know that my God will supply my needs – and that He will direct my paths into paths of provision. I praise Him for that!
