4.22.2011
1 Samuel 25.18 18 Abigail lost no time. NIV
The girl was on a mission – she knew her husband Nabal had insulted David and she knew David was coming to get revenge. Abigail was no dummy – she’d seen this kind of behavior before from Nabal who was well-known for his curmudgeonly bad manners. And because she had the ability to see the big picture, she lost no time in doing what was necessary to intervene on her family’s behalf, knowing that an insult of this magnitude would not be left alone.
There are few miracles mentioned in the Bible during the times of the judges and the kings. But that doesn’t mean God wasn’t active in the lives of His people because there are recorded prayers and God’s answers to these prayers. During the times of the kings the role of government in Israel shifted away from the priests over to the kings. During the times of the kings the nation of Israel became more secular – but that doesn’t mean God wasn’t involved; He was helping the nation through the lives of people...
We can read a lot into the story of Abigail, Nabal, and David; it seems to be an isolated incident. But God was at work in the lives of all three characters in this account, as well as in the lives of all those surrounding it. Nothing ever really takes place in a vacuum or in a bubble. And God is still at work in the lives of people today.
Abigail was a woman of wisdom and insight – a gift that Nabal probably never understood or appreciated; and probably took for granted. Ironically, God paired wise Abigail with foolish Nabal; and under Nabal’s foolish, brash and uncouth lifestyle, Abigail’s skills as a ‘fire-fighter’ were honed. Not only are no incidents in life isolated; God also knows what He’s doing – putting the right people in the right place at the right time to do in and for them what their circumstances will teach them. Abigail lived with a loose cannon, and whenever one does, one eventually learns how to deal with them; often quickly and efficiently.
I must never underestimate the circumstances in my life and the people God has placed around me. They are His gifts to me to help hone skills in me that I don’t readily recognize as necessary, but someday may be. They are indescribably valuable to teach me what I need to learn for some future event or season.
Thank You God!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
The Perfect Marriage of Pain and Grace
4.20.2011
1 Samuel 23:16 16 And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God. NIV
As I read the history of David I see the perfect marriage of pain and grace. And when pain and grace have a child, its name is Maturity. David’s circumstances drove him closer to God. Saul’s circumstances drove him further away from God every time.
Jonathan went to Horesh to help his friend get a better perspective of what was happening. Jonathan was a good guy. Jonathan encouraged David and David knew to seek out the Lord. Ah, but the messes around David and the king seeking his life were creating a maturity in David that he would get no other way. And God’s hand was right in the middle of it all. Pain without grace is just pain. Grace without pain is neglect.
I use to think that time was the great equalizer – that we all seem to mellow and get better with age. How foolish! If that’s my thinking, then who needs God? If it’s just time that helps me get better then I am no different than the surliest curmudgeon out there. But time is not the great equalizer; relationship with God and time work together to make me better. It’s not just circumstances that change me, it’s God who changes me. David learned these lessons firsthand.
I must never make the mistake of leaving God out of the picture – He is the sole reason that whatever happens in my life is happening for my good (Romans 8.28). And I must never neglect to remind my fellow saints of the same thing.
The heart-cry of the maturing soul is, God is in control!
Father in Heaven,
Find in me Lord a cooperative spirit, a teachable spirit, and a grateful spirit as You work out Your plans in and through me – may pain and grace find a happy home in me – I pray in Christ; amen.
1 Samuel 23:16 16 And Saul’s son Jonathan went to David at Horesh and helped him find strength in God. NIV
As I read the history of David I see the perfect marriage of pain and grace. And when pain and grace have a child, its name is Maturity. David’s circumstances drove him closer to God. Saul’s circumstances drove him further away from God every time.
Jonathan went to Horesh to help his friend get a better perspective of what was happening. Jonathan was a good guy. Jonathan encouraged David and David knew to seek out the Lord. Ah, but the messes around David and the king seeking his life were creating a maturity in David that he would get no other way. And God’s hand was right in the middle of it all. Pain without grace is just pain. Grace without pain is neglect.
I use to think that time was the great equalizer – that we all seem to mellow and get better with age. How foolish! If that’s my thinking, then who needs God? If it’s just time that helps me get better then I am no different than the surliest curmudgeon out there. But time is not the great equalizer; relationship with God and time work together to make me better. It’s not just circumstances that change me, it’s God who changes me. David learned these lessons firsthand.
I must never make the mistake of leaving God out of the picture – He is the sole reason that whatever happens in my life is happening for my good (Romans 8.28). And I must never neglect to remind my fellow saints of the same thing.
The heart-cry of the maturing soul is, God is in control!
Father in Heaven,
Find in me Lord a cooperative spirit, a teachable spirit, and a grateful spirit as You work out Your plans in and through me – may pain and grace find a happy home in me – I pray in Christ; amen.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
In the Secret... World
4.19.2011
Matthew 6:4 Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. NIV
There is a secret world – a world of the unseen. You won’t find it on the six o’clock news or on the cover of People. Newsweek doesn’t care about it nor does USA Today or the New York Times. If you look for it, you won’t find it; it isn’t visible. There are only two persons who know about it: the child and God.
The Secret World is the world where the believer communes with the Believed. The Secret World is a place where all the important stuff happens; it’s a world of quietness, gentleness, and yes, power. Governments cannot withstand it and haven’t been able to wipe it out (though they’ve tried, immensely.) It’s a place deeply rooted in the heart and no one has access without the permission of the loved; and usually, the only One invited is the Beloved.
The spouse can have a secret world where the other spouse cannot intrude. Both can have secret worlds where the common bond is only God.
Today, the Secret World is frustrating to many in this world, because it exists and thrives. It is the secret strength of the persecuted Church. It is the safe- haven of those oppressed. It is more valuable than all of the riches of both heaven and earth because it is inhabited by the Owner of all – Who sees in secret.
Today, the Secret Place is the power to succeed because the Only One watching – Who sees in secret – is accomplishing His plans for a needy world. No flash, no gimmicks – just quiet unstoppable strength and secret irresistible force.
Father in Heaven,
You are the God who sees in secret for only You know the thoughts and intents of the heart. So often I pray, Go with me! Today, I simply ask to go with You wherever You lead in secret, that I may do in secret, and together we may be in secret; accomplishing Your Good in this dark and hurting world – through Christ, amen.
Matthew 6:4 Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. NIV
There is a secret world – a world of the unseen. You won’t find it on the six o’clock news or on the cover of People. Newsweek doesn’t care about it nor does USA Today or the New York Times. If you look for it, you won’t find it; it isn’t visible. There are only two persons who know about it: the child and God.
The Secret World is the world where the believer communes with the Believed. The Secret World is a place where all the important stuff happens; it’s a world of quietness, gentleness, and yes, power. Governments cannot withstand it and haven’t been able to wipe it out (though they’ve tried, immensely.) It’s a place deeply rooted in the heart and no one has access without the permission of the loved; and usually, the only One invited is the Beloved.
The spouse can have a secret world where the other spouse cannot intrude. Both can have secret worlds where the common bond is only God.
Today, the Secret World is frustrating to many in this world, because it exists and thrives. It is the secret strength of the persecuted Church. It is the safe- haven of those oppressed. It is more valuable than all of the riches of both heaven and earth because it is inhabited by the Owner of all – Who sees in secret.
Today, the Secret Place is the power to succeed because the Only One watching – Who sees in secret – is accomplishing His plans for a needy world. No flash, no gimmicks – just quiet unstoppable strength and secret irresistible force.
Father in Heaven,
You are the God who sees in secret for only You know the thoughts and intents of the heart. So often I pray, Go with me! Today, I simply ask to go with You wherever You lead in secret, that I may do in secret, and together we may be in secret; accomplishing Your Good in this dark and hurting world – through Christ, amen.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Short Accounts
4.18.2011
Matthew 5:25 25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. NIV
Recently, my wife and I had a difference of opinion which led to a bit of quietness, terseness, and maybe some distance. I may have been wrong in how I said what I said, but my opinion remains the same. Perhaps I touched a nerve. Flare ups happen. So, I spent the night, and part of the next day planning how to maintain my opinion and how to repair the breach. I did and I did.
Jesus said, “Settle matters quickly…” He was talking specifically about adversarial situations but I think we can include marital difficulties, misunderstandings, and especially sin; I think He’s okay with that. We’re to right the ship as soon as possible. We’re to keep short accounts with others and we’re to admit to God as quickly as we can when become aware of transgression in our lives, minds and hearts toward Him.
What motivated me with my wife was: I like it when we are comfortable with one another and very uncomfortable when we aren’t. So, I try to make amends quickly, because I can’t stand unrest. With God, when I am aware of something I’ve done that I know is wrong, I can’t stand looking into the Word until I come to Him and make it right. The guilt and uneasiness I feel is almost overwhelming. And God isn’t my Adversary. But He is my God, and when I know He knows then I know it is time to come clean and do it right now.
Today, I am reminded to settle matters quickly. Life is very short and I can’t afford to waste time harboring ill-will toward anyone and I can’t afford to let my behavior become a burr in someone’s saddle – if you know what I mean…
Father in Heaven,
There is glory in keeping short accounts and there is much to be said for coming to You at lightning speed, admitting my wrong, and settling my issues with You. My issues are my sin and God may I learn two things: Not to do it in the first place and to quickly settle it with You when I do – amen.
Matthew 5:25 25 “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. NIV
Recently, my wife and I had a difference of opinion which led to a bit of quietness, terseness, and maybe some distance. I may have been wrong in how I said what I said, but my opinion remains the same. Perhaps I touched a nerve. Flare ups happen. So, I spent the night, and part of the next day planning how to maintain my opinion and how to repair the breach. I did and I did.
Jesus said, “Settle matters quickly…” He was talking specifically about adversarial situations but I think we can include marital difficulties, misunderstandings, and especially sin; I think He’s okay with that. We’re to right the ship as soon as possible. We’re to keep short accounts with others and we’re to admit to God as quickly as we can when become aware of transgression in our lives, minds and hearts toward Him.
What motivated me with my wife was: I like it when we are comfortable with one another and very uncomfortable when we aren’t. So, I try to make amends quickly, because I can’t stand unrest. With God, when I am aware of something I’ve done that I know is wrong, I can’t stand looking into the Word until I come to Him and make it right. The guilt and uneasiness I feel is almost overwhelming. And God isn’t my Adversary. But He is my God, and when I know He knows then I know it is time to come clean and do it right now.
Today, I am reminded to settle matters quickly. Life is very short and I can’t afford to waste time harboring ill-will toward anyone and I can’t afford to let my behavior become a burr in someone’s saddle – if you know what I mean…
Father in Heaven,
There is glory in keeping short accounts and there is much to be said for coming to You at lightning speed, admitting my wrong, and settling my issues with You. My issues are my sin and God may I learn two things: Not to do it in the first place and to quickly settle it with You when I do – amen.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Only For You
4.17.2011
Psalm 59:9-10a 9 O my Strength, I watch for you; you, O God, are my fortress, 10(a) my loving God. NIV
Much of what we learn about David, the great king of Israel, can be gleaned from what we hear him sing about in his songs – like, Psalm 59. David may never have sung these songs had not God tapped him to be the next king after Saul. Thanks a lot God, we might say.
David was God’s choice as was Saul God’s choice, but David had a heart different than Saul’s. David was the baby of his family, and that’s why we have the saying, “[It] rolls downhill.” Because he was the youngest, David got all the crap jobs while his older brothers went and did the normal men-stuff like being soldiers and vying for society’s attention. The youngest didn’t get the birthright; the youngest usually got the inheritance leftovers. But David, however, won the lottery, so to speak – God had His anointing poured on David’s head; and that’s what David became to his nation – the head.
David’s life was that of difficulty – being the youngest of the household notwithstanding. David was acquainted with difficulty all of his life but he seemed to have the innate ability to accept it all of as from the hand of God; and therefore, as we would say, okay. David looked at his life under the gleaming radiance of God’s glory and proclaimed, “It’s all good!” And Psalm 59, is a testament to the life of a guy who knew how to make comparisons between the life of the godly and that of the ungodly. David was pretty danged good at it.
I don’t claim to be the sharpest tool in the shed but the longer I live the more I can adopt some of David’s perspective that, (a) it’s all from God; and (b) it’s all good. By God’s grace I seem to have picked up some of the ability to make comparisons somewhere along the way, and lately my only response to what’s going on around me is this: it always goes good for the godly and always goes ill for the rest…(Cf. Psalm 59.11-13)
Lord God Almighty,
You care for the godly and work in their lives to affect holiness. You give them the ability to make comparisons between their lives and the lives of those who refuse You. And You help them to see that You are truly the only Choice worth making because, Lord, through adversity, difficulty, and trials, they learn how to watch only for You! Amen.
Psalm 59:9-10a 9 O my Strength, I watch for you; you, O God, are my fortress, 10(a) my loving God. NIV
Much of what we learn about David, the great king of Israel, can be gleaned from what we hear him sing about in his songs – like, Psalm 59. David may never have sung these songs had not God tapped him to be the next king after Saul. Thanks a lot God, we might say.
David was God’s choice as was Saul God’s choice, but David had a heart different than Saul’s. David was the baby of his family, and that’s why we have the saying, “[It] rolls downhill.” Because he was the youngest, David got all the crap jobs while his older brothers went and did the normal men-stuff like being soldiers and vying for society’s attention. The youngest didn’t get the birthright; the youngest usually got the inheritance leftovers. But David, however, won the lottery, so to speak – God had His anointing poured on David’s head; and that’s what David became to his nation – the head.
David’s life was that of difficulty – being the youngest of the household notwithstanding. David was acquainted with difficulty all of his life but he seemed to have the innate ability to accept it all of as from the hand of God; and therefore, as we would say, okay. David looked at his life under the gleaming radiance of God’s glory and proclaimed, “It’s all good!” And Psalm 59, is a testament to the life of a guy who knew how to make comparisons between the life of the godly and that of the ungodly. David was pretty danged good at it.
I don’t claim to be the sharpest tool in the shed but the longer I live the more I can adopt some of David’s perspective that, (a) it’s all from God; and (b) it’s all good. By God’s grace I seem to have picked up some of the ability to make comparisons somewhere along the way, and lately my only response to what’s going on around me is this: it always goes good for the godly and always goes ill for the rest…(Cf. Psalm 59.11-13)
Lord God Almighty,
You care for the godly and work in their lives to affect holiness. You give them the ability to make comparisons between their lives and the lives of those who refuse You. And You help them to see that You are truly the only Choice worth making because, Lord, through adversity, difficulty, and trials, they learn how to watch only for You! Amen.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
The Wrong Thing to the Right Guy
4.16.2011
1 Samuel 18:25 25 Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’ ” Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines. NIV
Saul said the wrong thing to the right guy – Saul didn’t know David. From a distance Saul didn’t know David, the harp player who soothed his jangled nerves (Cf. 1 Samuel 17.55ff); to him David was some nameless faceless servant among the many who did something Saul felt he needed.
And up close, Saul didn’t know who David was. When Saul offered his oldest daughter to David as a wife, David simply responded, “Who am I, and what is my family or my father’s clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law?”(1 Samuel 18:18).
So when Saul demanded the foreskins of the Philistines from David as payment for Michal, his daughter, David, who saw through the eyes of the Spirit, saw this as an opportunity to zealously reduce the number of the enemies of God; Michal was just icing on the cake to him. So David went out and killed not one hundred, but two hundred Philistines, to fulfill what he saw as his duty to the king. David, by the Spirit, had the ability to see things that Saul was completely blind to…
When we say things to people, we must remember that they will only hear them by their relationship to God; Saul had no idea of the magnitude of David’s devotion to God. To Saul, David was just another groupie trying to get the best out of the situation like everyone else in the king’s court. Saul misunderstood anointing, authority, and most of all, godly affection. David didn’t. So when Saul sent David on what he thought was the perfect fool’s errand, David went in the same Spirit that he did when he fearlessly took on Goliath. David’s focus was always upon God – Saul’s was only upon himself. I must daily discipline myself to keep my focus always upon the Lord!
Father in Heaven,
It is not for my kingdom that I live, but for Yours. I pray this day for spiritual strength to maintain my focus and to be wise in how I relate to others knowing that it all depends on how we all relate to You – amen.
1 Samuel 18:25 25 Saul replied, “Say to David, ‘The king wants no other price for the bride than a hundred Philistine foreskins, to take revenge on his enemies.’ ” Saul’s plan was to have David fall by the hands of the Philistines. NIV
Saul said the wrong thing to the right guy – Saul didn’t know David. From a distance Saul didn’t know David, the harp player who soothed his jangled nerves (Cf. 1 Samuel 17.55ff); to him David was some nameless faceless servant among the many who did something Saul felt he needed.
And up close, Saul didn’t know who David was. When Saul offered his oldest daughter to David as a wife, David simply responded, “Who am I, and what is my family or my father’s clan in Israel, that I should become the king’s son-in-law?”(1 Samuel 18:18).
So when Saul demanded the foreskins of the Philistines from David as payment for Michal, his daughter, David, who saw through the eyes of the Spirit, saw this as an opportunity to zealously reduce the number of the enemies of God; Michal was just icing on the cake to him. So David went out and killed not one hundred, but two hundred Philistines, to fulfill what he saw as his duty to the king. David, by the Spirit, had the ability to see things that Saul was completely blind to…
When we say things to people, we must remember that they will only hear them by their relationship to God; Saul had no idea of the magnitude of David’s devotion to God. To Saul, David was just another groupie trying to get the best out of the situation like everyone else in the king’s court. Saul misunderstood anointing, authority, and most of all, godly affection. David didn’t. So when Saul sent David on what he thought was the perfect fool’s errand, David went in the same Spirit that he did when he fearlessly took on Goliath. David’s focus was always upon God – Saul’s was only upon himself. I must daily discipline myself to keep my focus always upon the Lord!
Father in Heaven,
It is not for my kingdom that I live, but for Yours. I pray this day for spiritual strength to maintain my focus and to be wise in how I relate to others knowing that it all depends on how we all relate to You – amen.
Friday, April 15, 2011
The Best Thing to Know
4.15.2011
Psalm 9:10 10 Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. NIV
Think of the best person you know outside of the sphere of your family, or spouse. What kind of person is this; and what privilege is it for you to know their name? This is probably a person to whom you could turn in crisis and find wisdom, comfort and maybe even godly rebuke (So, how’s your devotional life; are you spending time in God’s word?)
David says in Psalm 9, “Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Knowing God’s name means knowing where to turn in times of trouble; trouble of any kind, at any time. To know God’s Name is to know power, provision, protection and presence. David told Goliath, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied…” (1 Samuel 17:45 NIV) All David had was a Name; but what a Name!
For You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You – who know Your Name. There are lots of things to know in this world. There are lots of things to get worried or frightened over but the Lord has never forsaken those who know His Name. So, not only do I know God’s Name but I know whose behind God’s Name; Someone who never forsakes me – ever! That’s the best thing to know in this world. If I don’t ever know much else, I must know this: God’s Name and that He never forsakes His people.
I am glad to know that God never forsakes His people. We may find ourselves in an impossible jam once in a while, but we can lay our heads on the pillow tonight knowing that God never forsakes and never forgets. He never gets upset when we forsake Him or forget Him. He always leads us gently back to Himself.
Father in Heaven,
Like a cool breeze on a really hot day, Your word is refreshment to me tonight. I rejoice that I am never forgotten or forsaken and that I am blessed eternally and infinitely because I simply know Your Name – my God, my Father, my Lord, and my King – in Your Name, amen.
Psalm 9:10 10 Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. NIV
Think of the best person you know outside of the sphere of your family, or spouse. What kind of person is this; and what privilege is it for you to know their name? This is probably a person to whom you could turn in crisis and find wisdom, comfort and maybe even godly rebuke (So, how’s your devotional life; are you spending time in God’s word?)
David says in Psalm 9, “Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Knowing God’s name means knowing where to turn in times of trouble; trouble of any kind, at any time. To know God’s Name is to know power, provision, protection and presence. David told Goliath, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied…” (1 Samuel 17:45 NIV) All David had was a Name; but what a Name!
For You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You – who know Your Name. There are lots of things to know in this world. There are lots of things to get worried or frightened over but the Lord has never forsaken those who know His Name. So, not only do I know God’s Name but I know whose behind God’s Name; Someone who never forsakes me – ever! That’s the best thing to know in this world. If I don’t ever know much else, I must know this: God’s Name and that He never forsakes His people.
I am glad to know that God never forsakes His people. We may find ourselves in an impossible jam once in a while, but we can lay our heads on the pillow tonight knowing that God never forsakes and never forgets. He never gets upset when we forsake Him or forget Him. He always leads us gently back to Himself.
Father in Heaven,
Like a cool breeze on a really hot day, Your word is refreshment to me tonight. I rejoice that I am never forgotten or forsaken and that I am blessed eternally and infinitely because I simply know Your Name – my God, my Father, my Lord, and my King – in Your Name, amen.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)