Sunday, November 30, 2008

Rule with righteousness!


2 Samuel 23: 3-5

Today, we are finishing our study of 1st and 2nd Samuel by considering some of the final recorded words of King David. Next week, it's on to 1 Thessalonians!

As we apply these verses to our life, the first question to consider is who do we rule (or have influence) over.

We need to understand that our actions have an impact on all those with whom we have contact...family, coworkers, and casual acquaintances. Therefore, at some point in time, we rule over all those around us.

Second, we need to consider what determines how you treat those with whom you interact? Many times, the answer is self-centeredness. What's in it for us? How our response will advance our financial, social, or professional goals is quickly evaluated and our actions are tempered accordingly. Will we gain money, notoriety, or reputation? Sometimes, the length of our interaction, our perception of the other person's importance, or "how difficult" the person is to get along with changes our behavior toward them. As Christians, none of these factors should or do really matter. What does matter is how our action toward the other person will affect their relationship with the Lord.

In 2 Samuel 23:3, God tells David the type of rule that He expects. He expects us to demostrate righteousness and fear (reverence) of the Lord. There are several steps necessary to achieve this type of behavior/ life.

  1. We must be righteous! In order to demonstrate righteousness, we must be righteous. The only way to achieve this to to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord (Romans 3: 20-24).
  2. We must live a changed life. (Ephesians 5: 8-9) Notice that this is only possible after salvation.
  3. We must find out what pleases the Lord. (Ephesians 5: 10). Clearly, obedience to the Lord's commands is at the top of the list (1 Samuel 15: 22). One of the clearest commands is found in Matthew 28: 19-20 where we are instructed to go and make disciples of all nations.
  4. We must make the most of every (not just some) opportunity because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:15-17) and time is short (Romans 14:11-12).
  5. We must share our righteousness by telling others how to achieve it. Jesus is counting on you to represent Him in the world! Our love for Him and appreciation of what He has done for us should lead us to share our faith (Psalms 40:10; 2 Corinthians 5: 14, 20).

Specific instructions about how to interact with family, coworkers, and casual acquaintances can be found in Ephesians 6: 1-4, 5-9, and 10-12 respectively. In these verses, we see that our interactions should point others to the Lord (v.4), be carried out as if we were dealing directly with the Lord (7-8), and be carried out with the realization that Satan will do all that he can to oppose us.

If we rule with righteousness and fear of the Lord, our behavior will be like the first light of a clear blue day or the bightness after rain (refreshing, beautiful, and full of promise) as seen in 2 Sam 23:4.

2 Samuel 23:5 reminds us of what awaits us... the fruition of our salvation and the fulfillment of our every desire. Jesus has assured us that He is preparing a place for us and will return at the appointed time. (John 14:1-3).

As you deal with the hustle and bustle of the week, especially during the holiday season, be on the lookout for every opportunity to share your righteousness with others. Don't keep it bottled up! Your witness may be the last or only chance the other person may have to accept Jesus as their savior and to make Him Lord in their life. What do you have to lose?

Monday, November 17, 2008

When Tangled In Sin


Background Passage: 2 Samuel 11 and 12

These chapters follow perhaps the greatest period of time in David’s kingship. Under his leadership, Israel is united after a period of civil war. The government is established in Jerusalem. The Ark of the Covenant is brought into Jerusalem during intense worship. And the nations of Philistia, Moab, Zobah, Aram, Edom, Amalek, and Ammon are defeated. God blesses David and David demonstrates compassion and provides equal justice to the nation of Israel (Psalm 78:72 states that David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them). As stated in 1Samuel 13:14, God has established a king that is “a man after His own heart.”

However, things are about to change…

David’s great sin (2 Samuel 11: 1-4a)
A. Notice David was not where he should have been. His proper place was with his army in battle. However, he stayed behind. Perhaps he was growing weary of the job God had given him. Maybe things had come too easy. In any event, he was in the wrong place at the wrong time (v.1-2).
B. He sees Bathsheba (his neighbor’s wife) bathing and desire is kindled. Instead of putting an end to it right there, he begins to mull over a possible relationship or interaction with her. Scripture says that he inquired about her (v.3).
C. He not only inquires but soon his inquiries become a pursuit of her (v.4)
D. Finally, his sin is consummated. He commits adultery (V. 4). Notice that she was a willing participant. However, as we will learn, this fact is no excuse for David’s act.

Sometimes, our sin begins because we are physically not where God desires us to be. We let our guard down and improper thoughts enter our mind. We begin to mull things over and our improper desire grows. Our thoughts turn to action and our sin is consummated.

Sin often leads to more sin (2 Samuel 11: 5-17)
A. Bathsheba gets pregnant as a result of their adultery.
B. David’s response is to try to hide his initial sin. Psalm 139:11 says “surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me.” David is looking to bury his sin so that no one will know.
C. Initially, he brings Uriah back from the fighting (Uriah has been at war for his king!) and tries to entice him to go home to Bathsheba. Out of duty, Uriah won’t sleep with his wife while his compatriots are still fighting. David even tries to get him drunk but it still doesn’t work.
D. When trickery fails, David hatches a plot to have Uriah killed. Once carried out, he marries Bathsheba.
E. David thinks he’s home free. He’s fooled the people. He’s hidden his sin and no one will know.

We become good at hiding as we reach adulthood. We hide our emotions. We reflexively tell inquirers that things are “great” when asked how we are doing. And we become very good at hiding our sin from other people. Few know what our family life is really like. We are not caught in the little “white lies” that we tell. We may even be able to hide “major sins” that would bring public embarrassment or scandal. And certainly, no one knows what our commitment to our Lord is really like when no one is watching.

However, God always knows.…(2 Samuel 11:27)
Verse 27 states simply and plainly, “But the thing David had done displeased the Lord.” Psalm 139: 12 says “even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. Hebrews 4:13 says “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

Unconfessed sin always has consequences (Psalm 32: 1-4, 38: 1-12)
David’s unconfessed sin has serious effects on David that are seen as we read the above Psalms.
A. He becomes physically ill (loses weight and becomes weak/exhausted. His heart pounds , he gets dizzy, and feels faint)
B. Emotionally, he is overwhelmed and his heart is in anguish.
C. His friends begin avoiding him.
D. His enemies seek to take advantage of him in his weakened state.

We must acknowledge our sin sincerely and genuinely (2 Samuel 12: 13, Psalm 51: 1-4, 10-12, 16-17 Psalm 40:1, Psalm 40: 6-8, Psalm 139:23-24))
A. Our sin is against God, not another person.
B. We must genuinely desire forgiveness.
C. We must truly desire to place the Lord back in the leadership role in our life, where ever that may lead.
D. We must be patient as we wait for forgiveness.


God will forgive us…(2 Samuel 12:13, Psalm 32:5, Psalm 40: 1-3, Psalm 103: 8-13) but our sin will have consequences (2 Samuel 12: 10, 11, 14).
A. David’s heart is cleansed and restored.
B. David’s guilt is lifted.
C. David’s family will be in turmoil as a result of his sin
D. David’s son (born of Bathsheba) will die.

We must treat sin seriously and genuinely. The guilt that we carry with us separates us from God. He already knows that it is there so we only do ourselves harm when we keep it in. Make a point today to confess your sin and put the Lord back in control of your life, no matter what other people might think!

Check out the Casting Crowns video below!


Sunday, November 2, 2008

When Facing Difficult Circumstances...Find Strength in the Lord!

The blog notes return this week (I couldn't find time to get last week's notes up) as we continue our study of 1 Samuel. Today, we will be focusing on chapter 28 and 30, comparing how Saul and David face troublesome circumstances. We will see what approach God honors and how we should approach circumstances that cause fear and uncertainty in our life.

At this point, Saul has intermittently been pursuing David with the intent to kill him. David has taken refuge among the Philistines of all people. In fact, one of the Philistines (Achish) gave David property (Ziklag). Imagine how good David must have felt to have a place that he could call home after being on the run for so long. By this point, David has also acquired 2 more wives along the way (in addition to his first wife Michal who was Saul's daughter) and he has about 600 men that fight with him. In addition, since Saul had murdered 85 priests including Ahimelech, Abiathar (Ahimelech's son) was with David.

Chapter 28: 1-5. The Philistine army gathers to fight Israel. Samuel is dead. Saul sees the mighty Philistine army and it is superior in number and in advanced weaponry to his own. Verse 5 says that Saul was afraid to the point that terror filled his heart. Some of us unfortunately have been there. Circumstances arise and the odds against us appear overwhelming. The future looks uncertain and bleak. In fact, it looks like there is no escape. We are uncertain what we should do. We are afraid and our fear gives way to terror.

Chapter 28: 6. Saul does what many do when in trouble; he asks God for help. However, God remains silent. Why does this happen? First, notice that Saul really has no relationship with the Lord before his request. There is no mention of remorse or repentance for past sins. In fact part of his petitioning includes asking the false priest (Urim) that he established after murdering God's priests! Finally, in 1 Chronicles 10:14, we are told that Saul doesn't ask God for help at all. In other words, his request for help was so shallow that it really wasn't a request at all. We need a solid relationship with Jesus before we find our backs against the wall. God promises us that if we need wisdom He will give it to us if we ask. (James 1: 5-6)

Chapter 28:7. Receivng no answer from God, Saul turns to a witch even though he knows this is abhorrent (v.3 says that he ordered the mediums and spiritists expelled from the land). However, he does what many do when they have no relationship with which to anchor their life. He looks for help in the wrong place. What about us? If we don't get an immediate answer from God, do we wait on Him. Do we ask again? Do we look in other places for answers (horoscopes, palm readers, advice from seemingly successful but non Christian people, Oprah, self help books, etc.)?

Chapter 28: 8-19 The witch calls up the spirit of Samuel who tells Saul not what he wants to hear (what he should do about the Philistines) but what he has done wrong before God and what his judgement will be (he and his sons will be killed by the Philistines).

Chapter 28: 20-25 Hearing this news, Saul falls to the ground and is filled with fear. Those around him provide encouragement and food. However, they provide no spiritual advice. Eventually Saul leaves during the night apparently resigned to his fate. We need to ask for help from those that will give us Godly advice. Who knows what would have happened had Saul truly repented of his sin when confronted with it by Samuel. Had a true priest of the Lord been with him at that moment, who knows how Saul might have been encouraged to seek God earnestly! Surrounding ourselves with Christian people when we need help/advice certainly gives us a much better chance of deciding on a course that is pleasing to God. We simply cannot expect advice that will grow our relationship with the Lord from non Christian sources.

Chapter 30: 1-5. David and his men are sent home from the impending battle between Israel and the Philistines since the Philistines did not trust them to fight on their side. They arrive home in Ziklag to discover that it has been pillaged and burned. All of their possessions and their family memebers have been taken or destroyed. They are devastated. These battle tested men weep aloud until they have no strength left with which to weep. How despondent they must have been! We also will have "Ziklags" in life. We go to work like any other day and receive a phone call that brings bad news. We go to a routine doctor's visit and learn of a lump or abnormal test. The stock market crashes or real estate values plummet putting our financial future at risk. We see our children make bad choices or our spouse one day leaves without warning and suddenly our place of security and comfort (our Ziklag) is destroyed.

Chapter 30:6. It gets worse. David's men, his loyal followers, blame him. In fact, they blame him so strongly that they actually consider stoning him. After all, he is their leader and it was his choice to leave compound unguarded. At this point David does what we all should do in such a circumstance. He turns to the Lord his God and finds strength in Him. What a resource! When troubled, think of all of the promises that God has made to you, His child. Meditate on them. Claim them. Part of this process must include evaluating the quality of our commitment to Him. We must confess the sin that permeates our life. If we do these two things, God will strengthen us just as He did David.
Watch the Selah song below about how God can raise us up to do great things.


Chapter 30:7-8. After reaffirming his relationship with God (something Saul never did), David calls the priest and asks God what he should do. Notice that the request came in the exact manner that God had put forward in the law (David asks for the ephod or linen cloth with special stones in it because God had said that he should do so in order to petition Him). Even in his time of distress, David is fully obedient to God. Due to David's belief, God answers. David is told to pursue the captors.

Chapter 28:9-17. David and his men set out. However, 200 of them are so exhausted that they can't go on. They are left behind. The other 400 charge ahead but discover an Egyptian slave that has been cast aside by the raiding party. David's band nurses him back to health and the Egyptian is instrumental in delivering the captors into David's hands. The captors are routed. As we respond to what God tells us, we need to use all of the resources that He provides. Who would have ever guessed that a dying Egyptian slave would have been so important. Certainly not the man that cast him aside on the road to die. And probably not even David when the man was first discovered. However, he was an invaluable resource none-the-less.

Chapter 28: 18-25. David recovers everything... his family, his possessions, and also all of the possessions from all of the other cities that the Amalekites had raided. Some of the 400 with him want to keep it all but David insists that everything be returned to the rightful owner. The 200 men that stayed behind will share equally. Not only that but he also sends gifts to the places that he had previously roamed. When the crisis is past and we have been restored, we must resist the temptation to grow "fat and happy". This is a very difficult temptation to overcome. It is in our nature to store up treasure here on earth and to rely on our own strength as we plan for the future. We should look for ways that we can share our good fortune with others and therby encourage their relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. Success is our opportunity to tell others what God has done for us!