(Psalm 24)
America loves to own things! It is part of our society. We own our homes, our land, our cars, our businesses; it is just part of the American dream. We are programmed from birth to claim ownership. "My toys". And we end up with ownership. "My grave". Ownership is just part of the American DNA.
Ownership can produce both good and bad traits in people. On the good side, if I own it, I should take care of it. It cost me a portion of what I worked to earn and I don't want to have to replace it anytime soon. If I own it, it belongs to me and I will defend it. If someone breaks into "my" house, they will find a ready fight on the other side of the door. If I own it, I will be proud of the accomplishment and will not be ashamed of it. On the bad side, ownership can produce selfishness and greed. We can become consumed with owning the next best thing. We can view what we own in relation to what others own and discount the value of ours as we covet their possessions.
So what will we do with this? How should a Christian view their "possessions"? The proper view is found in Psalm 24....
The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;
for he founded it on the seas
and established it on the waters.
Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD?
Who may stand in his holy place?
The one who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not trust in an idol
or swear by a false god.
They will receive blessing from the LORD
and vindication from God their Savior.
Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek your face, God of Jacob.
The world view stands in stark contrast to the Heavenly view on ownership. The world view revolves around "me", the Heavenly view places God at the center of the ownership universe. The Heavenly view of "my house" is that God holds the deed. He has entrusted it to my care. The title to "my" car is in His hand. He expects me to change the oil and keep it clean for Him. "My" business is His and I should run it by His ethics, understanding who the CEO really is.
"Everything" is His, the earth and "everything in it, the world, and all who live in it". That changes "everything"! It is no longer my stuff, now it is His stuff. How I view the things in my life is completely altered if I accept God's ownership of "my" possessions. I go from owner to borrower. Now I am looking after my neighbors drill. I will be thankful to be allowed to use it and I will be sure to return it in the same condition in which I received it. I now view the things entrusted to my care as "blessings from the LORD", not something that I earned and I own.
This also changes the way I approach God. When things were "mine", I earned them, they were fruit of my labors. Now that everything is His, I approach Him with "clean hands and a pure heart" and I receive blessings. Pride is shattered when I recognize my dependence on Him. He is the giver and I am the receiver. Humility is required when I stand before another with my hands held out empty. Where else will I turn? There is no other god, so I stand before a righteous God and wait in dependence on Him, not independence from Him.
Lastly, it changes my view of myself. "I am mine no more" says the song and rightly so. When we accept the Heavenly view, we understand that even we, ourselves belong to Him. That moves control from us to Him. I belong to God. I like that. He is the owner of me! I am His. He holds the deed to me. My title has His name on it. You get it? Because you are His, He may do with you as He chooses, but because He is righteous, He will only treat you right and because He is just, He will only treat you fairly. That is a guarantee from the Owner. It is a lifetime guarantee, better yet.... an eternal lifetime guarantee.
So, take a minute to look at your deed and see whose name is on it. A worldly view has your name proudly written on the dotted line. That my friends is an illusion. Reality is that God is the proud owner of each and every person, place and thing in this entire universe....and that changes everything!
Friday, April 29, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
"Fresh and Green"
(Thoughts on Psalm 92)
Psalm 92 is a great Psalm to read when you are feeling like giving up. When life has beat you down and your mind are consumed with negative thoughts, Psalm 92!
Sometimes it seems that the wicked are winning. Those that have no fear of the LORD are prospering, while those that love God are suffering. Our eyes only see the physical and if we are not careful we can "buy into" the worlds value system. If we are not careful, our measure of success can be new cars, new house, fine clothes, jewelry and of course the big flat screen television. I know, because I have been there. Psalm 92!
King David reminds us of what is really important and where real joy is found. Praising God, proclaiming His love in the morning and telling of His faithfulness at night and singing to Him are the proper reaction for His people. Our vision is different than the worlds. The world view places the most value on things and sees people as tools to be used to obtain more stuff. A Christian sees people as the most valuable creation on this earth and seeks to elevate them to their proper relationship with God. So, when we look around at His creation, "we sing for joy at the works of His hands". We recognize that His works are great.
When my son graduated form high school, Michelle and I took our kids to Las Vegas and Yellowstone National Park. Our plan was to let them see the creation of man and of God. We hoped to have some great discussions as we compared the two. As an engineer, I do stand in amazement at the works of man's hands at times, so I thought Las Vegas might dazzle them. It was no contest! Sure the lights were nice and the hotels glitzy, but put along side the majestic mountains, the clear pools of hot, blue water, the geysers spewing steam and boiling water into the air and on and on, no contest! My kids were blown away by the "works of His hands". As David puts it... "the senseless man does not know, fools do not understand". (For me, standing on the cliffs and looking down into the Yellowstone Grand Canyon at the waterfalls, forever changed my view of God's creation)
What is my point? Simply that if we can look at this earth and be moved by His creative power, how much more then when we look at the top of the creative food chain, people! People are His crowning achievement in His creation. We alone are made in His image. Save a tree...sure! Salvation for a person...that's a whole different level of importance. What difference does it make? Psalm 92!
Jesus said that He came that we might have life, a more abundant life. I am sure He didn't have the flat screen television in view when He spoke those words. I think David gives us a great picture of what Jesus offers to those that will lay down their lives and follow Him....
"The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
planted in the house of the LORD,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.
They will still bear fruit in old age,
they will stay fresh and green,
proclaiming, “The LORD is upright;
he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”
Please, take a few minutes and read and reread those words. That is the abundant life! New house...ok. New car....fine. Jewelry.... so what. Television....give me a break. No, no... true joy, true happiness has little to do with what we posses, but who or what possesses us.
King David had immense wealth, but understood that compared to knowing God and being in His family, it was worthless. He understood that the source of true life, true happiness was found in God alone. The palm tree grows in the harshest of climates, yet it is green when all else around it is brown. True growth comes when we are planted in the house of God and happiness is found with His people. Sure we will get old (I know this), but God promises that we will continue to be productive at any age. I look at my older brothers and sisters that are "planted in His courts" and receive great encouragement as they are surely still "fresh and green". All I know is, I want that for myself and everyone I know and love.
But God is just and so we have a choice, "stale and brown" or "fresh and green". It is up to us. Real joy and happiness with His people, in His courts or momentary pleasure in the world. It is your choice and mine.
Psalm 92 is a great Psalm to read when you are feeling like giving up. When life has beat you down and your mind are consumed with negative thoughts, Psalm 92!
Sometimes it seems that the wicked are winning. Those that have no fear of the LORD are prospering, while those that love God are suffering. Our eyes only see the physical and if we are not careful we can "buy into" the worlds value system. If we are not careful, our measure of success can be new cars, new house, fine clothes, jewelry and of course the big flat screen television. I know, because I have been there. Psalm 92!
King David reminds us of what is really important and where real joy is found. Praising God, proclaiming His love in the morning and telling of His faithfulness at night and singing to Him are the proper reaction for His people. Our vision is different than the worlds. The world view places the most value on things and sees people as tools to be used to obtain more stuff. A Christian sees people as the most valuable creation on this earth and seeks to elevate them to their proper relationship with God. So, when we look around at His creation, "we sing for joy at the works of His hands". We recognize that His works are great.
When my son graduated form high school, Michelle and I took our kids to Las Vegas and Yellowstone National Park. Our plan was to let them see the creation of man and of God. We hoped to have some great discussions as we compared the two. As an engineer, I do stand in amazement at the works of man's hands at times, so I thought Las Vegas might dazzle them. It was no contest! Sure the lights were nice and the hotels glitzy, but put along side the majestic mountains, the clear pools of hot, blue water, the geysers spewing steam and boiling water into the air and on and on, no contest! My kids were blown away by the "works of His hands". As David puts it... "the senseless man does not know, fools do not understand". (For me, standing on the cliffs and looking down into the Yellowstone Grand Canyon at the waterfalls, forever changed my view of God's creation)
What is my point? Simply that if we can look at this earth and be moved by His creative power, how much more then when we look at the top of the creative food chain, people! People are His crowning achievement in His creation. We alone are made in His image. Save a tree...sure! Salvation for a person...that's a whole different level of importance. What difference does it make? Psalm 92!
Jesus said that He came that we might have life, a more abundant life. I am sure He didn't have the flat screen television in view when He spoke those words. I think David gives us a great picture of what Jesus offers to those that will lay down their lives and follow Him....
"The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
planted in the house of the LORD,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.
They will still bear fruit in old age,
they will stay fresh and green,
proclaiming, “The LORD is upright;
he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”
Please, take a few minutes and read and reread those words. That is the abundant life! New house...ok. New car....fine. Jewelry.... so what. Television....give me a break. No, no... true joy, true happiness has little to do with what we posses, but who or what possesses us.
King David had immense wealth, but understood that compared to knowing God and being in His family, it was worthless. He understood that the source of true life, true happiness was found in God alone. The palm tree grows in the harshest of climates, yet it is green when all else around it is brown. True growth comes when we are planted in the house of God and happiness is found with His people. Sure we will get old (I know this), but God promises that we will continue to be productive at any age. I look at my older brothers and sisters that are "planted in His courts" and receive great encouragement as they are surely still "fresh and green". All I know is, I want that for myself and everyone I know and love.
But God is just and so we have a choice, "stale and brown" or "fresh and green". It is up to us. Real joy and happiness with His people, in His courts or momentary pleasure in the world. It is your choice and mine.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
"Until Christ is Formed in You"
(A slight detour today, as I prepare to teach our Wednesday night class)
In the book of Galatians, Paul is writing to the churches in Galatia to encourage them to continue in their spiritual growth. The churches had been deceived and were returning to keeping elements of the Law. Paul makes the comparison of being under the Law to being in slavery. He tells the churches that they have been freed through Christ and pleads with them not to throw away their freedom.
In the book of Galatians, Paul is writing to the churches in Galatia to encourage them to continue in their spiritual growth. The churches had been deceived and were returning to keeping elements of the Law. Paul makes the comparison of being under the Law to being in slavery. He tells the churches that they have been freed through Christ and pleads with them not to throw away their freedom.
He calls them “foolish” for exchanging the freedom found in the gospel of Christ for the enslavement found in keeping the Law. He chastises them for “observing special days and months and seasons and years”. (4:10) He tells them that he fears for them and that he had wasted his efforts on them. Then he tells them that he is “again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in them”. (4:19)
The picture that Paul uses of a fetus developing inside of the womb is a great picture of our spiritual maturity in Christ. As the fetus grows, its body takes shape, the organs develop and at the right time, the child fully formed and is mature enough to live outside the womb. When we become Christians, Christ begins to develop within us as His disciples. We begin to take His shape. We grow into His image. At least that is the plan. God intends for us to look like Jesus, act like Jesus and be Jesus to those around us. We are even called the “body of Christ”.
Paul is teaching, caring and loving these people to bring them to maturity in Christ. They were on the right track, becoming mature disciples of Jesus, but had taken a wrong turn and now Paul was “again” in the pains of childbirth. He wasn’t throwing them away, he was working to restore them to their proper relationship with God.
For many of us, the idea of Christ being “formed in us” is a new concept. We became Christians and we attend assemblies; maybe read our Bibles occasionally, but Christ is not “formed in us”. We have not taken on His attributes. Our hands still do the things they did before we met Him. Our minds still think the same way they did before we were immersed into His death. Our hearts are still devoted to the same things that they were prior to the Spirit coming to live within us. We are Christians, just not like Jesus. Is that even possible?
May we decide to examine our lives to see if Christ is indeed being "formed in us" or if we are trying to make Christ "conform to us"? Let us take an honest look in the spiritual mirror and see if we look any different than those that don't make the claims that we make. Time in His word, time on our knees and time with our spiritual family is a great start to a deeper relationship with Him.
Monday, April 18, 2011
"From Your Hand"
(1 Chronicles 23-29)
King David is getting up in years. He is told by God that he will not build His temple becasue he had been a man of war. I am reminded of Moses and the price he paid for his sin. Both men had been great servants of God, yet both were not allowed to accomplish their heart's intent. There is a great lesson to be learned from both men about service to God and submitting to His will above our own.
David calls together the "top dogs" in Israel to tell them about the plans for the temple and to give Solomon the charge to build it. He tells him that "the LORD had chosen him to build a temple as a sanctuary. Be strong and do the work". (28:10) David tells all those gathered that he had committed "all his resources" to the project and then invites them to join in the effort. David gives us a lesson in leadership. He gave first and he gave all he had. The people responded by giving generously of all they had.
David response with prayer and praise to the LORD. Chapter 29, verses 10-13 contain beautiful words of worship as he exalts God. (please take the time to read it) After his prayer and praise are finished, we are given his thoughts on giving to God.
“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. We are foreigners and strangers in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent." (1 Chron 29: 14-17)
David calls our attention to the fact that all we have and all we give to God is already His. He tells us that "everything comes from" Him and that when we give we have given "only what comes from" His hand. The first lesson he brings us is a lesson in ownership. We might think that we own our cars, our homes, our "stuff", but he reminds us that it "all" really belongs to the LORD. That understanding really frees us to be generous towards God when we realize that it is His already. The second lesson he calls us to is about testing. Our giving is a test of our hearts. Integrity demands that we honor our financial commitments to God and when we do, He is pleased. David says, "All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent". We are tested when we give. Do we give "willingly"? Is it with "honest intent"? Our hearts are revealed in how we give. Are we excited or do we feel compelled? Do we give in hopes of receiving more back from God? What is our intent?
Next Sunday moning, when the plate goes by, pause for a moment and check your feelings as you bring your offering to God. Are you excited to be able to participate in the collection of God's people? Do you recognize that you are only giving God what is already His? David prays that God would "keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever". I like that, he prayed for you and me. The question for us is....is "that desire in our hearts"?
King David is getting up in years. He is told by God that he will not build His temple becasue he had been a man of war. I am reminded of Moses and the price he paid for his sin. Both men had been great servants of God, yet both were not allowed to accomplish their heart's intent. There is a great lesson to be learned from both men about service to God and submitting to His will above our own.
David calls together the "top dogs" in Israel to tell them about the plans for the temple and to give Solomon the charge to build it. He tells him that "the LORD had chosen him to build a temple as a sanctuary. Be strong and do the work". (28:10) David tells all those gathered that he had committed "all his resources" to the project and then invites them to join in the effort. David gives us a lesson in leadership. He gave first and he gave all he had. The people responded by giving generously of all they had.
David response with prayer and praise to the LORD. Chapter 29, verses 10-13 contain beautiful words of worship as he exalts God. (please take the time to read it) After his prayer and praise are finished, we are given his thoughts on giving to God.
“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. We are foreigners and strangers in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. LORD our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent." (1 Chron 29: 14-17)
David calls our attention to the fact that all we have and all we give to God is already His. He tells us that "everything comes from" Him and that when we give we have given "only what comes from" His hand. The first lesson he brings us is a lesson in ownership. We might think that we own our cars, our homes, our "stuff", but he reminds us that it "all" really belongs to the LORD. That understanding really frees us to be generous towards God when we realize that it is His already. The second lesson he calls us to is about testing. Our giving is a test of our hearts. Integrity demands that we honor our financial commitments to God and when we do, He is pleased. David says, "All these things I have given willingly and with honest intent". We are tested when we give. Do we give "willingly"? Is it with "honest intent"? Our hearts are revealed in how we give. Are we excited or do we feel compelled? Do we give in hopes of receiving more back from God? What is our intent?
Next Sunday moning, when the plate goes by, pause for a moment and check your feelings as you bring your offering to God. Are you excited to be able to participate in the collection of God's people? Do you recognize that you are only giving God what is already His? David prays that God would "keep this desire in the hearts of your people forever". I like that, he prayed for you and me. The question for us is....is "that desire in our hearts"?
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Family Tragedy
(2 Samuel 16-18)
King David's son, Absalom undermines his father's rule over the kingdom. He secretly works to obtain the loyalty of the people and casts dispersions on his father's name. Over time, the people are persuaded that Absalom is God's chosen to lead His people. David learns of these events and flees Jerusalem with his family and those loyal to him. Absalom moves into his father's position as King and determines to find David and end his life. His father learns of the upcoming battle and sends his troops out to face the forces of Absalom. Absalom and his forces are defeated and he is killed during the battle. David is devastated by the news that his son has died and goes into mourning.
As the life of David continues to unfold before us, family tragedy is the theme. He faces the fact that his own son would rise up against him, turn the people against him and even seek his death. This, at the very least is a difficult pill for David to swallow as a father. It is difficult in this life to be betrayed by someone you trust, but to have his own son conspire to overthrow and kill him must have broken David's heart.
I really appreciate God's honesty in His word. We get the good, the bad and the ugly. We are given the best of a man and the worst. David has shown us his humanity. He loves God, but still makes horrible decisions. He loves his children, but they still have problems. He loves his wives, but they still fight. He loves the family of God, but still has issues with many of them. He is human and his humanity is on full display for us.
He is just like us. We try, but fail. We love, but hurt others. We love our children and teach them right from wrong, but they will still choose wrong sometimes. That is life and we are not exempt from it. Pain will come our way and we will hurt. A life without pain is no life at all. Many today seek a painless life through alcohol, drugs or other addictions, but the pain is still there when the effect is gone. Life is full of pain and sorrow, even for the king.
When David learned of his sons death he was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!” (2 Samuel 18: 33) Even though Absalom had betrayed him, even though he had sought his death, David was devastated by his son's death. He wished for his own death instead of his sons. A good father will always question what he did wrong in raising a child that chooses to live wrongly and David is a good father. He knows that his own failures have contributed to Absalom's decisions. Heartbreaking. Another son in the ground. Another family tragedy.
So what can we take from this. What does God want us to learn from David. We continue to see the lasting effect of David's sin. Some sin can be dealt with quickly and the consequences don't last, while other sin is a life changing event. I won't list sin here that has consequences from generation to generation, you know what they are and have seen the outcome. If you have been a part of that type of sin, you still hurt, just like David. While nothing can remove the hurt, the guilt is handled by our Savior. Sure, we should do everything we can to help those that have been affected by our sin, but we are freed from the guilt of that sin when the blood of Jesus washes us clean.
David remained faithful to God through the good and bad times. We must understand that a relationship with God is not a vaccine against pain in this life. We will have trouble! "In this world you will have trouble." (John 16:33) But Jesus tells us that just as he overcame this world, so will we. He gives us peace that passes understanding. (Philippians 4:7) In the midst of tragedy, with Jesus we can stand. Weep, yes. Hurt, yes. Mourn, yes. Unlike the world, we are not alone in our hurts. We have a family that lifts us up and a Savior that promises that he will never leave us. As the song writer Thomas Ken put it..."Praise God from whom all blessings flow".
King David's son, Absalom undermines his father's rule over the kingdom. He secretly works to obtain the loyalty of the people and casts dispersions on his father's name. Over time, the people are persuaded that Absalom is God's chosen to lead His people. David learns of these events and flees Jerusalem with his family and those loyal to him. Absalom moves into his father's position as King and determines to find David and end his life. His father learns of the upcoming battle and sends his troops out to face the forces of Absalom. Absalom and his forces are defeated and he is killed during the battle. David is devastated by the news that his son has died and goes into mourning.
As the life of David continues to unfold before us, family tragedy is the theme. He faces the fact that his own son would rise up against him, turn the people against him and even seek his death. This, at the very least is a difficult pill for David to swallow as a father. It is difficult in this life to be betrayed by someone you trust, but to have his own son conspire to overthrow and kill him must have broken David's heart.
I really appreciate God's honesty in His word. We get the good, the bad and the ugly. We are given the best of a man and the worst. David has shown us his humanity. He loves God, but still makes horrible decisions. He loves his children, but they still have problems. He loves his wives, but they still fight. He loves the family of God, but still has issues with many of them. He is human and his humanity is on full display for us.
He is just like us. We try, but fail. We love, but hurt others. We love our children and teach them right from wrong, but they will still choose wrong sometimes. That is life and we are not exempt from it. Pain will come our way and we will hurt. A life without pain is no life at all. Many today seek a painless life through alcohol, drugs or other addictions, but the pain is still there when the effect is gone. Life is full of pain and sorrow, even for the king.
When David learned of his sons death he was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!” (2 Samuel 18: 33) Even though Absalom had betrayed him, even though he had sought his death, David was devastated by his son's death. He wished for his own death instead of his sons. A good father will always question what he did wrong in raising a child that chooses to live wrongly and David is a good father. He knows that his own failures have contributed to Absalom's decisions. Heartbreaking. Another son in the ground. Another family tragedy.
So what can we take from this. What does God want us to learn from David. We continue to see the lasting effect of David's sin. Some sin can be dealt with quickly and the consequences don't last, while other sin is a life changing event. I won't list sin here that has consequences from generation to generation, you know what they are and have seen the outcome. If you have been a part of that type of sin, you still hurt, just like David. While nothing can remove the hurt, the guilt is handled by our Savior. Sure, we should do everything we can to help those that have been affected by our sin, but we are freed from the guilt of that sin when the blood of Jesus washes us clean.
David remained faithful to God through the good and bad times. We must understand that a relationship with God is not a vaccine against pain in this life. We will have trouble! "In this world you will have trouble." (John 16:33) But Jesus tells us that just as he overcame this world, so will we. He gives us peace that passes understanding. (Philippians 4:7) In the midst of tragedy, with Jesus we can stand. Weep, yes. Hurt, yes. Mourn, yes. Unlike the world, we are not alone in our hurts. We have a family that lifts us up and a Savior that promises that he will never leave us. As the song writer Thomas Ken put it..."Praise God from whom all blessings flow".
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
The Price of Sin
(Today's reading - 2 Samuel 12-14)
Yesterday's reading left us with the death of King David's son. He has been told that his family will be a source of hurt and conflict for the remainder of his life. Sin always comes with a price to be paid and David's payment will be huge.
In verse 23, we find Bathsheba in mourning after the death of her son. Within a nine month period she has buried her husband and her son. She has married the king after he get her pregnant and kills her husband. She must be a mess. David comes to her to comfort her and soon she finds herself with child again. She gives birth to another son and names him Solomon. After all the sorrow, finally some joy. But the joy is only temporary as David's dysfunctional family continues to be a source of conflict and tragedy.
David's son, Amnon falls in love with his half sister, Tamar and is consumed by his desire for her. She doesn't give him the time of day. He devises a plan to get her alone and rapes her. Again, tragedy in the king's home. "When King David heard all this, he was furious. And Absalom never said a word to Amnon, either good or bad; he hated Amnon because he had disgraced his sister Tamar." (2 Samuel 13:21,22) David's son, Absalom, Tamar's brother bides his time and two years later takes revenge on Amnon and has him murdered. Again, tragedy in the king's house. David loses another son. Absalom flees the country and David loses another son. "Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own." (2 Samuel 12:10) David's bad decision haunts his life.
Many of us live with the consequences of our bad choices (sin). David's story brings our poor decisions and their ramifications into clear view. Drink and drive....wreck, innocent people killed. Steal on our jobs.....fired, charged and future employment jeopardized. Commit adultery.......divorce, families destroyed, children scarred for life. Overcome with anger.....hurt another person, arrested for battery, time in prison. Or maybe it is smaller....lie to my wife.....lost trust, intimacy shattered, marriage on the rocks. You fill in the blank. We all have sinned (Romans 3:23). We all know that our sin hurts us and those around us. We all know that our sin comes with a price. For David, it was a life filled with pain and sorrow as he and his family suffered.
As Christians, we know that our Savior, Jesus paid the price for our sin. We expect that when we die, we will appear at the judgement seat and will be found innocent because Jesus paid the debt of our sin. We will avoid the eternal consequence of our sin, separation from God; but we do not avoid the pain of our poor decisions during our lives here. David tells us that loud and clear. He looks you and me right in the eyes and tells us that we reap what we sow. When David looked at Bathsheba, he saw Uriah. When he saw Amnon, he saw Uriah. When he saw Tamar, he saw Uriah. When he saw Absalom, he saw Uriah. He lived with the outcome of his sin and we will also.
May we grow in our understanding of the high price of sin. May we turn from our fleshly desires that rule in our lives and determine to live rightly, allowing God to direct our steps. My prayer for us is that we will learn from King David's mistakes and turn away from those things that will damage our lives, both here and hereafter.
Yesterday's reading left us with the death of King David's son. He has been told that his family will be a source of hurt and conflict for the remainder of his life. Sin always comes with a price to be paid and David's payment will be huge.
In verse 23, we find Bathsheba in mourning after the death of her son. Within a nine month period she has buried her husband and her son. She has married the king after he get her pregnant and kills her husband. She must be a mess. David comes to her to comfort her and soon she finds herself with child again. She gives birth to another son and names him Solomon. After all the sorrow, finally some joy. But the joy is only temporary as David's dysfunctional family continues to be a source of conflict and tragedy.
David's son, Amnon falls in love with his half sister, Tamar and is consumed by his desire for her. She doesn't give him the time of day. He devises a plan to get her alone and rapes her. Again, tragedy in the king's home. "When King David heard all this, he was furious. And Absalom never said a word to Amnon, either good or bad; he hated Amnon because he had disgraced his sister Tamar." (2 Samuel 13:21,22) David's son, Absalom, Tamar's brother bides his time and two years later takes revenge on Amnon and has him murdered. Again, tragedy in the king's house. David loses another son. Absalom flees the country and David loses another son. "Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own." (2 Samuel 12:10) David's bad decision haunts his life.
Many of us live with the consequences of our bad choices (sin). David's story brings our poor decisions and their ramifications into clear view. Drink and drive....wreck, innocent people killed. Steal on our jobs.....fired, charged and future employment jeopardized. Commit adultery.......divorce, families destroyed, children scarred for life. Overcome with anger.....hurt another person, arrested for battery, time in prison. Or maybe it is smaller....lie to my wife.....lost trust, intimacy shattered, marriage on the rocks. You fill in the blank. We all have sinned (Romans 3:23). We all know that our sin hurts us and those around us. We all know that our sin comes with a price. For David, it was a life filled with pain and sorrow as he and his family suffered.
As Christians, we know that our Savior, Jesus paid the price for our sin. We expect that when we die, we will appear at the judgement seat and will be found innocent because Jesus paid the debt of our sin. We will avoid the eternal consequence of our sin, separation from God; but we do not avoid the pain of our poor decisions during our lives here. David tells us that loud and clear. He looks you and me right in the eyes and tells us that we reap what we sow. When David looked at Bathsheba, he saw Uriah. When he saw Amnon, he saw Uriah. When he saw Tamar, he saw Uriah. When he saw Absalom, he saw Uriah. He lived with the outcome of his sin and we will also.
May we grow in our understanding of the high price of sin. May we turn from our fleshly desires that rule in our lives and determine to live rightly, allowing God to direct our steps. My prayer for us is that we will learn from King David's mistakes and turn away from those things that will damage our lives, both here and hereafter.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Worship the LORD
(2 Samuel 12: 18-23)
Today's reading tells us of the dangers of not doing the things we should be doing and the joy of doing the things we should. King David stays home when he should have been on the battlefield. He is bored and becomes a Peeping Tom. He sees his neighbor's wife, bathing and sin is crouching at his door. He sends for her to come to his palace and he commits adultery with her. The result is a pregnancy and the murder of his neighbor, Uriah. He is confronted with his sin by prophet Nathan and offers a heartfelt plea for forgiveness. (Psalm 51)
The result of his sin is the death of his son. After Nathan confronts him, his son becomes ill and for seven days King David prays and fasts in hopes that God will heal the child. Seven days he contemplates the result of his sin. I can only imagine the feelings of guilt and sorrow that confronted David as he considered the outcome of his adulterous act. Uriah is killed and his son is dying all because he stayed and strayed. For seven days he is on the ground, weighed down by the guilt of his actions, while his son is drifting towards death. "On the seventh day, the child died." (2 Samuel 12:18)
As sad as that story is, the King's response to his son's death is what I want to focus on today. "Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped." (2 Samuel 12:20) David's response to the death of his son .....worship! Worship! Too many times, I only worship God when things are going great. When I get the good stuff...worship. When my job is going well and I am putting money in the bank.....worship. When my kids are passing their college courses and conducting themselves properly.....worship. When my relationship with my wife is all it should be....worship. You get the idea. It is easy to worship God when we are happy and life is handing us lemonade and not lemons.
David teaches us that worship is right, even when things are not so good. Praising God in the bad times demonstrates a mature relationship with Him. Casting Crowns has given us a song that hits the nail on the head. Consider the deep relationship that God calls us to as you read the words.....
Today's reading tells us of the dangers of not doing the things we should be doing and the joy of doing the things we should. King David stays home when he should have been on the battlefield. He is bored and becomes a Peeping Tom. He sees his neighbor's wife, bathing and sin is crouching at his door. He sends for her to come to his palace and he commits adultery with her. The result is a pregnancy and the murder of his neighbor, Uriah. He is confronted with his sin by prophet Nathan and offers a heartfelt plea for forgiveness. (Psalm 51)
The result of his sin is the death of his son. After Nathan confronts him, his son becomes ill and for seven days King David prays and fasts in hopes that God will heal the child. Seven days he contemplates the result of his sin. I can only imagine the feelings of guilt and sorrow that confronted David as he considered the outcome of his adulterous act. Uriah is killed and his son is dying all because he stayed and strayed. For seven days he is on the ground, weighed down by the guilt of his actions, while his son is drifting towards death. "On the seventh day, the child died." (2 Samuel 12:18)
As sad as that story is, the King's response to his son's death is what I want to focus on today. "Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped." (2 Samuel 12:20) David's response to the death of his son .....worship! Worship! Too many times, I only worship God when things are going great. When I get the good stuff...worship. When my job is going well and I am putting money in the bank.....worship. When my kids are passing their college courses and conducting themselves properly.....worship. When my relationship with my wife is all it should be....worship. You get the idea. It is easy to worship God when we are happy and life is handing us lemonade and not lemons.
David teaches us that worship is right, even when things are not so good. Praising God in the bad times demonstrates a mature relationship with Him. Casting Crowns has given us a song that hits the nail on the head. Consider the deep relationship that God calls us to as you read the words.....
"I was sure by now
God you would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say “Amen”, and it’s still raining
God you would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say “Amen”, and it’s still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as You mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as You mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away
I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will life my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm"
And I will life my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm"
"I will praise you in the storm". David was surely in the middle of a hurricane when he decided that the right response to his son's death was to go to God's house and worship. David understood that God was working, that his understanding was limited and God's power was limitless. He knew that God had a plan, even if he did not understand it. His wisdom is demonstrated in his insight into the situation. "Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.” (v 23)
May we determine to praise God in midst of our times of sorrow, when life is difficult and we are hurting. David says to us through the ages..... "times are tough, get up, wash your face and go worship the God of the universe, He deserves our praise even during life's storms." Praise God!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
"David inquired of God"
(1 Chronicles 14: 8-17)
King David has settled in as king over all of Israel. He has captured Jerusalem and is living in his new palace. He has consolidated his power and is ruler of the entire nation of Israel. Life is good. He is enjoying his life with his wives and his many children. He has hundreds of thousands of warriors ready to do battle at his command. As they say "it is great to be king".
At least for now, David is God's man. He is living and ruling in a way that pleases God. (we all know what happens later) He is called "a man after God's own heart". (1 Samuel 13:14) This is reflected in David's desire to "inquire of God" before he would take action. The Philistines had invaded Israel and raided the Valley of Rephaim to find King David. He learns of their action and pauses to seek God's will in the matter. "Now the Philistines had come and raided the Valley of Rephaim; so David inquired of God: “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?” (1 Chron 14: 9,10)
For many people in positions of power (and even those that are not), the idea of "inquiring" of God is simply unheard of. They have the power and the ability to make decisions and they rely on their own wisdom. After all, they are "kings"! Too many times, we make our plans and proceed with their execution without ever seeking God's guidance or blessing. We realize later that we didn't include Him and we ask Him to bless what we have already done. Don't get me wrong, it is good that we ask Him in later, but to be sure, He wants to be included in the planning.
James gives us insight into how we should view our planning. "Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil." (James 4:14-16) When we consider our future, our attitude should be that whatever I plan to do, God's will is in charge from the beginning. To make plans without considering His input is arrogant. We have elevated our "wisdom" above God's.
David understood that even as king, he still needed God's direction in his life. He knew true success was found in God's will and not his own. Real success is when we invite God into our plans, submit our plans to His will and then go into battle with His assurance of victory. When we live out that kind of submission, He receives the glory of the success, not us. He is magnified, not us. When we are asked about our successes, we will point to Him. I like that!
May our prayer be that whatever we undertake that God will lead, not follow. That His will be done, not ours. As Proverbs 3:5 says "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." May we trust the One who made us to lead us. Our own understanding is limited, but His is limitless.
King David has settled in as king over all of Israel. He has captured Jerusalem and is living in his new palace. He has consolidated his power and is ruler of the entire nation of Israel. Life is good. He is enjoying his life with his wives and his many children. He has hundreds of thousands of warriors ready to do battle at his command. As they say "it is great to be king".
At least for now, David is God's man. He is living and ruling in a way that pleases God. (we all know what happens later) He is called "a man after God's own heart". (1 Samuel 13:14) This is reflected in David's desire to "inquire of God" before he would take action. The Philistines had invaded Israel and raided the Valley of Rephaim to find King David. He learns of their action and pauses to seek God's will in the matter. "Now the Philistines had come and raided the Valley of Rephaim; so David inquired of God: “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?” (1 Chron 14: 9,10)
For many people in positions of power (and even those that are not), the idea of "inquiring" of God is simply unheard of. They have the power and the ability to make decisions and they rely on their own wisdom. After all, they are "kings"! Too many times, we make our plans and proceed with their execution without ever seeking God's guidance or blessing. We realize later that we didn't include Him and we ask Him to bless what we have already done. Don't get me wrong, it is good that we ask Him in later, but to be sure, He wants to be included in the planning.
James gives us insight into how we should view our planning. "Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil." (James 4:14-16) When we consider our future, our attitude should be that whatever I plan to do, God's will is in charge from the beginning. To make plans without considering His input is arrogant. We have elevated our "wisdom" above God's.
David understood that even as king, he still needed God's direction in his life. He knew true success was found in God's will and not his own. Real success is when we invite God into our plans, submit our plans to His will and then go into battle with His assurance of victory. When we live out that kind of submission, He receives the glory of the success, not us. He is magnified, not us. When we are asked about our successes, we will point to Him. I like that!
May our prayer be that whatever we undertake that God will lead, not follow. That His will be done, not ours. As Proverbs 3:5 says "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." May we trust the One who made us to lead us. Our own understanding is limited, but His is limitless.
Monday, April 4, 2011
"All Will Share Alike"
(Reading - 1 Samuel 30)
At this point, David is living among the Philistines to prevent King Saul from pursuing him. He and his fighting men have been away from home and while they are away, the Amalekites attack his hometown. They capture the women and children and burn the town. David and his men return to find their homes destroyed and their families taken hostage. "David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?” “Pursue them,” he answered. “You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue.” (1 Samuel 30:8)
So David and his 600 fighting men begin their quest to rescue their families and recover their belongings. They come to a large ravine and 200 of the men are "too exhausted to cross the ravine". David and the remaining 400 men continued in the rescue effort, leaving the rest of the men behind to tend to the supplies. They catch up with the raiding parties and defeat them and rescue their families and recover everything that had been stolen.
When they returned to the ravine and met the 200 that remained behind, David's men felt that because the 200 had stayed behind, they were not entitled to recover their possessions. "But all the evil men and troublemakers among David’s followers said, “Because they did not go out with us, we will not share with them the plunder we recovered. However, each man may take his wife and children and go.” (1 Samuel 30: 22)
David's response was very different. David replied, “No, my brothers, you must not do that with what the LORD has given us. He has protected us and handed over to us the forces that came against us. Who will listen to what you say? The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike.” (1 Samuel 30: 23, 24) "All will share alike". I like that. I mean I understand his men's point of view, they had fought the battle and risked life and limb. Why should those that camped by the river, looking after the supplies be entitled to share in the plunder? I understand that.
Tonight, two basketball teams face each other for the NCAA Basketball Championship. Both teams are made up of players that have been on the team all season. Some have played in every game, others have only played when the score was so lop-sided that the outcome was not in doubt. They have attended practice and worked out together. They have traveled together, eaten together, won together and lost together. They are a team. Some of the players will not play tonight, most likely. At the end of the game, those that did not play will hoist the trophy over their heads the same as those that played the entire game. Their names will be on the roster of the team that won the National Championship. If you are on the team, you win! You have filled the role that the coach intended, you have played the part that you were called to play.
If you are a Christian, you are on God's team. You are called to fulfill a role on that team that only you can fill. No one else is just like you. You are the only you in the entire universe. You might be a teacher. You might be a preacher. You might be an elder or a deacon. You might greet people at the door or encourage someone after the assembly. You might pray with those that are hurting or rejoice with those that are happy. Whatever the role is that you fill, "all will share alike". You are on the team and the team is going to win. While the outcome of the game tonight is not known, the outcome of our lives is fully known. We win! On God's team, you win. The trophy has already got your name on it, there is a victors crown already reserved for you.
Sometimes it is our nature to look around at others and in our minds, minimize our roles. Don't do that. Use the gifts God has given you to serve Him and those around you. On His team, no one is a bench warmer. You are always in the game, sometimes you are on the battlefield, other times you are guarding the supplies. But the great news is "all will share alike".
I like the way Paul puts it in his letter to Timothy. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." (2 Timothy 4: 7-9) Stay in the game, finish the race. The outcome is not in doubt, you win! God's team wins!
At this point, David is living among the Philistines to prevent King Saul from pursuing him. He and his fighting men have been away from home and while they are away, the Amalekites attack his hometown. They capture the women and children and burn the town. David and his men return to find their homes destroyed and their families taken hostage. "David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?” “Pursue them,” he answered. “You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue.” (1 Samuel 30:8)
So David and his 600 fighting men begin their quest to rescue their families and recover their belongings. They come to a large ravine and 200 of the men are "too exhausted to cross the ravine". David and the remaining 400 men continued in the rescue effort, leaving the rest of the men behind to tend to the supplies. They catch up with the raiding parties and defeat them and rescue their families and recover everything that had been stolen.
When they returned to the ravine and met the 200 that remained behind, David's men felt that because the 200 had stayed behind, they were not entitled to recover their possessions. "But all the evil men and troublemakers among David’s followers said, “Because they did not go out with us, we will not share with them the plunder we recovered. However, each man may take his wife and children and go.” (1 Samuel 30: 22)
David's response was very different. David replied, “No, my brothers, you must not do that with what the LORD has given us. He has protected us and handed over to us the forces that came against us. Who will listen to what you say? The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike.” (1 Samuel 30: 23, 24) "All will share alike". I like that. I mean I understand his men's point of view, they had fought the battle and risked life and limb. Why should those that camped by the river, looking after the supplies be entitled to share in the plunder? I understand that.
Tonight, two basketball teams face each other for the NCAA Basketball Championship. Both teams are made up of players that have been on the team all season. Some have played in every game, others have only played when the score was so lop-sided that the outcome was not in doubt. They have attended practice and worked out together. They have traveled together, eaten together, won together and lost together. They are a team. Some of the players will not play tonight, most likely. At the end of the game, those that did not play will hoist the trophy over their heads the same as those that played the entire game. Their names will be on the roster of the team that won the National Championship. If you are on the team, you win! You have filled the role that the coach intended, you have played the part that you were called to play.
If you are a Christian, you are on God's team. You are called to fulfill a role on that team that only you can fill. No one else is just like you. You are the only you in the entire universe. You might be a teacher. You might be a preacher. You might be an elder or a deacon. You might greet people at the door or encourage someone after the assembly. You might pray with those that are hurting or rejoice with those that are happy. Whatever the role is that you fill, "all will share alike". You are on the team and the team is going to win. While the outcome of the game tonight is not known, the outcome of our lives is fully known. We win! On God's team, you win. The trophy has already got your name on it, there is a victors crown already reserved for you.
Sometimes it is our nature to look around at others and in our minds, minimize our roles. Don't do that. Use the gifts God has given you to serve Him and those around you. On His team, no one is a bench warmer. You are always in the game, sometimes you are on the battlefield, other times you are guarding the supplies. But the great news is "all will share alike".
I like the way Paul puts it in his letter to Timothy. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." (2 Timothy 4: 7-9) Stay in the game, finish the race. The outcome is not in doubt, you win! God's team wins!
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