4/9/17 “The Judgments of the Lord Are True and Righteous Altogether” (Daily Bible Reading: 2 Kings 16-18)

“For He tore Israel from the house of David, and they made Jeroboam the son of Nebat king. Then Jeroboam drove Israel from following the Lord, and made them commit a great sin. For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they did not depart from them, until the Lord removed Israel out of His sight, as He had said by all His servants the prophets. So Israel was carried away from their own land to Assyria, as it is to this day” (2 Kings 17:21-23).

After centuries of forsaking God, the northern kingdom of Israel now endures God’s judgment. The nation of Assyria captures the land of Israel and the people of Israel are taken captive to a foreign land (2 Kings 17:4-6). God’s longsuffering with the southern kingdom of Judah would continue, but a couple of centuries after the fall of Israel, the nation of Judah would also face God’s judgment.

Why did this judgment of God occur? “For so it was that the children of Israel had sinned against the Lord their God, who had brought them up out of the land of Egypt, from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt; and they had feared other gods, and had walked in the statutes of the nations whom the Lord had cast out from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they had made” (2 Kings 17:7-8). Israel had walked according to the nations and not according to God.

What had God done to help His people avoid such a terrible judgment upon themselves? “…the Lord testified against Israel and against Judah, by all of His prophets, every seer, saying, ‘Turn from your evil ways, and keep My commandments and My statutes, according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by My servants the prophets.’ Nevertheless they would not hear, but stiffened their necks, like the necks of their fathers, who did not believe in the Lord their God” (2 Kings 17:13-14). Through His servants, the prophets, God had pleaded with His people to turn from their evil ways!

After such a long period of trying to encourage His people to repent, the time had finally come for God to execute His judgment. “Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel, and removed them from His sight; there was none left but the tribe of Judah alone” (2 Kings 17:18). In order to be a just God, there has to come a time when God executes His justice!

As I read the 17th chapter of the book of kings which describes God’s judgment on Israel, it is interesting the lengthy explanation of why God had brought this judgment on His people. Verses 7 through 23 of this chapter provide the details of why God allowed another nation, more wicked than His own people, to overtake the Promised Land and lead his people away captive. Why did God dedicate all these verses to explaining why He brought such judgment on His people? I believe it is to show that God’s judgments and true and righteous altogether.

Today, I rejoice that God is a just God. He shows no favoritism in His judgments. He isn’t influenced by bribes. He is more than fair in His judgments. As He considers His judgments, He extends His grace and mercy to those who seek it by repentance. He is longsuffering hoping that people repent. He sends His messengers to warn people they need to repent. Praise God that His judgments and true and righteous altogether!

“The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb” (Psalm 19:9-10).

4/8/17 “The Longsuffering of God for His People” (Daily Bible Reading: 2 Kings 13-15)

“And Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz. But the Lord was gracious to them, had compassion on them, and regarded them, because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not yet destroy them or cast them from His presence” (2 Kings 13:22-23).

As one reads chapters 13 through 15 of 2nd Kings, it is difficult to keep track of all the different kings that are reigning in the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Both kingdoms, especially Israel, are spiraling down the drain as they depart further and further from God. Other nations (e.g. Syria and Assyria) begin to attack God’s people and take away their land (2 Kings 13:3; 15:19-20, 29). God allowed this to happen because He was angry with His people; and, He hoped that as a result of being oppressed, His people would recognize their need for God and turn back to Him and repent of the evil of their ways.

However, what is also striking in these chapters is God’s longsuffering with His people during these dark days. God’s people were conducting themselves very wickedly. They were worshipping idols and treating God just as another god among a long list of ones they worshipped. Yet, although God was angry with them and would allow them to suffer persecution in an effort to draw them back to Himself, God would not “yet” destroy them or cast them from His presence (2 Kings 13:23).

Notice other verses from this section of Scripture and how they speak of God’s longsuffering with His people at this time. After God delivered Israel into the hands of the Syrians, we read, “So Jehoahaz pleaded with the Lord, and the Lord listened to him; for He saw the oppression of Israel, because the king of Syria oppressed them. Then the Lord gave Israel a deliverer, so that they escaped from under the hand of the Syrians; and the children of Israel dwelt in their tents as before” (2 Kings 13:4-5). In addition, later, after Israel had lost much of her land, God prophesied through the prophet Jonah that He would restore the land which he did during the reign of Jereboam the son of Joash even though Jereboam was evil in the sight of the Lord (2 Kings 12:23-25): “For the Lord saw that the affliction of Israel was very bitter; and whether bond or free, there was no helper for Israel. And the Lord did not say that He would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven; but He saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash” (2 Kings 14:26-27).

God’s longsuffering does not mean that He will not hold those accountable who have sinned, but it does mean that He suffers with His people as He longs for His people to turn back to Him and restore their relationship with Him by repenting of the error of their ways. Sin creates a breech in one’s relationship with God as it causes one to be separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). In His longsuffering with His people, God waits with outstretched arms towards His people longing for them to turn away from their foolishness of their sinful lifestyle and back to His loving arms.

As a child of God I greatly rejoice in God’s longsuffering with me. The apostle Peter certainly understood the longsuffering of God as he recalled how longsuffering Jesus had been with him during His ministry on this earth as Peter made one mistake after another, even to the point of denying He knew the Lord. In my walk with God I know many times I have strayed. God doesn’t give up on me when I stumble and sin. He bears with me with much longsuffering and He stretches out His arms to me reminding me of His love. Today, I will praise God for His longsuffering towards me!

 “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

4/7/17 “The Blessing of Godly Instructors and Examples” (Daily Bible Reading: 2 Kings 10-12)

“In the seventh year of Jehu, Jehoash became king, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zibiah of Beersheba. Jehoash did what was right in the sight of the Lord all the days in which Jehoiada the priest instructed him” (2 Kings 12:1-2).

As the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah depart further and further from God, a new king, Jehoash begins his reign in Judah. His grandmother Athaliah had reigned the 6 previous years after she had taken the throne by having all of Jehoash’s brothers murdered. She murdered her own grandchildren! Fortunately Jehoash’s aunt, Jehosheba, had taken Jehoash and had temporarily hid him in the bedroom and then for 6 years in the house of the Lord while Athaliah reigned (2 Kings 11:1-3). In the final year of Athaliah’s reign, the priest Jehoiada makes a covenant with some of the captains to protect Jehoash and brings Jehoash out and crowns him king of Judah (2 Kings 11:4-12). Jehoiada then has the captains and officers to kill Athaliah (2 Kings 11:13-16). At the young, impressionable age of 7 Jehoash begins his reign (2 Kings 11:31).

Fortunately, young Jehoash has a man in his life who will exercise some godly influence and guidance upon him as he takes hold of the reigns to lead this nation. The man’s name was Jehoida. Not only did Jehoiada help Jehoash to become king by working with the leaders of the army to overthrow Athaliah, but Jehoiada helped to turn the people of Judah back to God. “Then Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord, the king, and the people, that they should be the Lord's people, and also between the king and the people” (2 Kings 11:17). Jehoiada also led the people to destroy the temple of the false god Baal (2 Kings 11:18) and worked with the king and the people to raise money and repair the house of the Lord (2 Kings 12:4-14).

As the opening verses above indicate, king Jehoash did what was right in the sight of the Lord all the days in which Jehoiada the priest instructed him (2 Kings 12:2). Later, Jehoash would go astray when, instead of trusting in God, he feared the king of Syria and paid him off so he would not attack Jerusalem (2 Kings 12:17-18).

When I consider the great work Jehoiada performed for Jehoash, I am reminded how blessed I have been to have spiritual mentors in my life who have instructed me and encouraged me on my journey with God. I think about faithful gospel preachers and Bible class teachers who have helped me to understand the Scriptures and make applications of them to my life. I think about elders who have shepherded me as they “watched out for my soul” (Hebrews 13:17). It is a blessing to have godly men and women in my life whose “faith I can follow” (Hebrews 13:7).

Have I taken time to thank those who have been spiritual mentors to me? Today, I will rejoice that I have examples not only in the Bible of those whose faith I can follow, but living examples of godly men and women around me who seek to instruct me not only in what they teach to me, but in how they live before me! I also will strive to live in such a way as to encourage others in the faith!

“Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).

4/6/17 “I Will Repay You” (Daily Bible Reading: 2 Kings 7-9)

“Then Jehu said to Bidkar his captain, ‘Pick him up, and throw him into the tract of the field of Naboth the Jezreelite; for remember, when you and I were riding together behind Ahab his father, that the Lord laid this burden upon him: “Surely I saw yesterday the blood of Naboth and the blood of his sons,” says the Lord, “and I will repay you in this plot,” says the Lord. Now therefore, take and throw him on the plot of ground, according to the word of the Lord’" (2 Kings 9:25-26).

These words were spoken regarding Jehoram the son of Ahab after Jehu had killed him (2 Kings 9:24). Earlier, Elisha the prophet had Jehu anointed to be the next king of Israel (2 Kings 9:1-6). Jehu was then told to strike down the remaining members of the house of Ahab including the sitting king, Jehoram the son of Ahab (2 Kings 9:7-10). Jehu does as he is instructed and shoots an arrow through Jehoram’s heart, as well as having Jehoram’s mother Jezebel killed (2 Kings 9:11-37).

Why was this done? Ahab had been an exceedingly wicked king (1 Kings 21:25-26). After Ahab’s wife Jezebel had Naboth murdered so Ahab could take over his vineyard, God told Ahab through the prophet Elijah, “'Behold, I will bring calamity on you. I will take away your posterity, and will cut off from Ahab every male in Israel, both bond and free. I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, because of the provocation with which you have provoked Me to anger, and made Israel sin.” And concerning Jezebel the Lord also spoke, saying, ‘The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel.’ The dogs shall eat whoever belongs to Ahab and dies in the city, and the birds of the air shall eat whoever dies in the field" (1 Kings 21:21-24).

In addition, the opening verses above indicate to us that God had told Ahab that He had seen the blood of Naboth and Naboth’s sons which had been shed because of Ahab’s selfish desire to have Naboth’s vineyard. Like Abel of ancient times, God had heard the crying out of their blood from the earth asking God for justice (cf. Genesis 4:10). The Lord had “laid a burden” on Ahab by letting Ahab know that God would repay Ahab on this same field which belonged to Naboth. This was fulfilled when Jehu threw the dead body of Ahab’s son Jehoram upon this field and the dogs ate the flesh of Jezebel on this same field.

Although it took many years for God to execute vengeance upon the house of Ahab, in due time justice was done. Perhaps for a while, Ahab’s household might have thought they would not have to experience any ramifications for what they had done. However, God did repay them in full!

Do you ever struggle with feeling like the wicked get away with their crimes? Over the centuries God’s people have struggled with this. The prophet Habbakuk said, “O Lord, how long shall I cry, and You will not hear? Even cry out to You, ‘Violence!’ And You will not save” (Habbakuk 1:2). In the book of Revelation, those souls who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held, cried out with a loud voice saying, “"How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" (Revelation 6:9-10).

Today, I rejoice that I know that God will execute His justice in due time (2 Corinthians 5:10). I don’t need to harbor feelings of vengeance because I trust in God to execute this. I will strive to extend to lost souls God’s mercy and forgiveness as I have also been blessed to be a recipient of these!

“Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord” (Romans 12:19).

4/5/17 “Does God Meet My Expectations?” (Daily Bible Reading: 2 Kings 4-6)

“Then Naaman went with his horses and chariot, and he stood at the door of Elisha's house. And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, ‘Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean.’ But Naaman became furious, and went away and said, ‘Indeed, I said to myself, “He will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the name of the Lord his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leprosy.” Are not the Abanah and the Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? Could I not wash in them and be clean?’ So he turned and went away in a rage” (2 Kings 5:9-12).

During the reign of Jehoram, the son of Ahab, king of Israel (2 Kings 3:1-3), God did many wonderful miracles through his prophet Elisha. Elisha had become a great prophet of God after his mentor Elijah was taken up to heaven in a flaming chariot (2 Kings 2:11). One of the great miracles Elisha did through God’s power was the healing of Naaman.

Naaman was commander of the Syrian army. He was a great and honorable man. The Lord worked through Naaman, even though Naaman did not realize this, to give victory to Syria. But, Naaman was a leper (2 Kings 5:1). A servant girl of Naaman, who was from the land of Israel, told Naaman’s wife about Elisha and how she believed Elisha could heal her master of leprosy (2 Kings 5:2-4).

As the opening verses above indicate, Naaman goes to Elisha’s house to be healed. He expects Elisha to come out, wave his hands, and call on the name of the Lord God. But Elisha doesn’t do this. In fact, Elisha doesn’t come out at all, but sends a messenger to Naaman. This messenger tells Naaman to go wash in the Jordan River seven times. The messenger tells Naaman if he will do this his flesh will be restored and he will be cleansed of his leprosy (2 Kings 5:9-10).

Naaman can’t believe this! This is not what he expected. He can’t believe he left Syria and came all the way down to Elisha’s house just to be stood up by Elisha who doesn’t even come out to meet him! He doesn’t understand why he could not have washed in one of the rivers back home. He is filled with rage and gets ready to leave (2 Kings 5:11-12). However, his servants persuade him to do as the man of God has said. Naaman does so and is cleansed of his leprosy (2 Kings 5:13-14). Naaman humbles himself, thanks the man of God, strives to follow after the one true living God, and returns to land of Syria (2 Kings 5:15-19).

As I read this, I think, “Do I ever get upset because God doesn’t meet my expectations of Him?” In reference to the things which the Bible says God has done (e.g. the virgin birth of Christ, creating the world in 7 days), do I find it challenging to accept what the Bible says when the “scientific community” rejects it? Regarding God’s commandments, do I have difficulty following those commands of God (e.g. baptism or God’s laws on marriage, divorce and remarriage) that don’t “make sense” to me? When I pray, do I expect God to answer my prayers a certain way; and, when He doesn’t answer my prayers my way, do I become disappointed with Him?

Living by faith means I trust fully in God that He will answer my prayers and direct my paths in a way that He knows is best for me. It means following His commandments when, like Naaman, they may make no sense to me. Today, I will strive to trust fully in God as he leads me on the journey of life!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

4/4/17 “Called Up To Heaven in a Blaze of Glory” (Daily Bible Reading: 2 Kings 1-3)

“Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it, and he cried out, ‘My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!’ So he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces” (2 Kings 2:11-12).

The prophet Elijah had served God faithfully even though He struggled at times with discouragement. He proclaimed God’s message before kings, challenged the false prophets of Baal, and persevered when his life was pursued by Ahab’s wicked wife Jezebel. After training his successor Elisha, God was now ready to take his faithful prophet Elijah to his heavenly reward.

As the opening verses above indicate, as Elijah and Elisha were walking along, suddenly a chariot and horses of fire came down from heaven and picked up Elijah and carried him up to heaven in a swirling whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11-12). The sons of the prophets doubted that God has actually carried Elijah into heaven and believed that, perhaps, the Spirit of the Lord has taken him up and cast him upon some mountain or into some valley so they began to search for him in vain (2 Kings 2:15-18). But Elijah had gone into heaven. No eyes of man on earth would behold him again until he appeared with Moses at the transfiguration of Christ (Matthew 17:1-3). What a breathtaking sight it must have been for Elisha to see his mentor Elijah taken up to heaven in a blaze of glory!

As I read these verses I am encouraged because I am reminded of the reward that is waiting for those who faithfully follow Christ. Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live” (John 11:25). One of the basic principles of Christianity is the teaching of the resurrection. The apostle Paul said, “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Because Jesus rose from the dead, we have great hope that we who follow him will rise from the dead as well. Again, the apostle Paul writes, “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20).

Hope is so essential to living the Christian life. It is the anchor of the soul (Hebrews 6:19). Believing in and looking forward to our resurrection from the dead is a source of great encouragement for me and my walk with God. Forgetting the importance of the resurrection can lead to discouragement. The apostle Paul wrote, “But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14).

As Elijah was caught up in a whirlwind and carried to heaven, even so those Christians who are living on the earth when Christ comes again will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. If I die before the Lord comes again, then I am assured that the Lord will raise me up out of the grave. Today, I will rejoice as I look forward to going to be with the Lord at the sound of the last trumpet!

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).

4/3/17 “Dealing With Discouragement” (Daily Bible Reading: 1 Kings 19-22)

“… and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ So he said, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life’” (1 Kings 19:9-10).

Elijah the prophet was a great man of God. He was God’s spokesman who faced the great challenge of trying to lead Israel back to God at a time when the forces of government opposed him and God’s people had backslidden into idol worship. He was a great man of faith who, when he called upon God to cause it not to rain in order to chasten God’s people to see the error of their ways, God answered his prayer by causing it not to rain for 3 ½ years (1 Kings 17:1; James 5:17-18). Elijah courageously opposed the wicked King Ahab and won a great challenge against the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel in order to get the people of Israel to see and proclaim that “The Lord, He is God!”(1 Kings 18:22-40). Elijah would be rewarded for his faithfulness to God by not having to experience death as he was called up to heaven in a chariot of fire (2 Kings 2:11). The apostles James, Peter, and John would later see Elijah at the transfiguration of Christ (Matthew 17:1-3).

However, as great a man of faith as Elijah was, he was a man who struggled with discouragement. As the opening verses above indicate, following his challenge against the 450 prophets of Baal and Jezebel’s vow to take Elijah’s life, Elijah becomes very discouraged. He felt like he was all alone. He believed in his heart that there were no more faithful followers of God. In fact, his despair is so great that he prayed that he might die and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!” (1 Kings 19:4). He was so depressed he wanted to die!

God intervened to encourage his faithful follower Elijah. God sends an angel to give him nourishment (1 Kings 19:5-8). However, Elijah’s struggle with discouragement is not over (1 Kings 19:9-10). God has Elijah stand on the mountain before the Lord to witnesses a great and strong wind, an earthquake, and a fire (1 Kings 19:11-12a). After witnessing these strong and mighty acts of the Lord, Elijah will hear the Lord speak to him in a “still small voice” (1 Kings 19:12a-18). In the midst of all these awesome acts of the Lord (i.e. great wind, earthquake, and fire) and in the midst of all the crazy things happening in Israel, what Elijah needed to do was to take heed to carefully listen to God’s voice. As God speaks to Elijah, He says, “Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him" (1 Kings 19:18).

As I consider Elijah and the challenges he faced in serving God in the midst of a godless nation, it is easy for me to relate to him as I serve God today. It is difficult to serve God when so many around you walk contrary to God’s Will and you receive little encouragement to remain faithful to God from other people. It is easy to become discouraged when trying to serve God in such circumstances. 

However, like Elijah, I need to take time to listen to God’s “still small voice”. When everything appears to be tumultuous around me, I need to reflect upon the promises He has made to me. I also need to remember there are faithful servants of God who have not “bowed the knee to Baal” and be encouraged by them. Today, I will rejoice that God still speaks to me through His Word in a “still small voice” and I will rejoice in my brethren who continue to strive to serve God faithfully!

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Galatians 6:9).

4/2/17 “Trivializing Sin” (Daily Bible Reading: 1 Kings 15-18)

“Now Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord, more than all who were before him. And it came to pass, as though it had been a trivial thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took as wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians; and he went and served Baal and worshiped him. Then he set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. And Ahab made a wooden image. Ahab did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him” (1 Kings 16:30-33).

Following the reign of Solomon, God’s people split into 2 separate kingdoms: (1) the kingdom of Israel ruled by Jereboam, and (2) the kingdom of Judah reigned by Rehoboam. Jereboam leads the kingdom of Israel further and further away from God. Those kings ruling Israel after him continue this departure from the ways of the Lord. There are multiple coups where someone conspires against the sitting king of Israel and usurps the throne. For example Baasha (1 Kings 15:27-28), Zimri (1 Kings 16:9-10) and Omri (1 Kings 16:16-23) all ascended to the throne by staging a coup against the sitting king. The kingdom of Israel was spiraling down as it departed further and further from God. Each of these kings provoked God to anger by their wicked ways. For example of Omri it is said, “Omri did evil in the eyes of the Lord, and did worse than all who were before him” (1 Kings 16:25).

However, there would rise up kings in Israel more evil than Omri. As the opening verse above indicates, Omri’s own son Ahab “did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him” (1 Kings 16:33). He was brazen about his sin as he builds an idolatrous temple (1 Kings 16:32), makes a wooden image to worship (1 Kings 16:33), and marries Jezebel who promoted the idolatrous priest of Baal by feeding them at her table (1 Kings 18:19).  Ahab took his sins against the Lord very lightly as he thought it “a trivial thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat” (1 Kings 18:31).

As I think about Israel’s downward spiral during the reigns of these kings, it is easy to draw parallels to the downward spiral we are seeing in our own nation, the United States. For example, in recent years, we have seen our states, our schools, and the media promoting such things as gay marriage. There are few things in God’s Word as clear as the fact that God considers homosexuality an abomination (Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11) and that marriage is to be between a man and a woman (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6). This is not meant to “bash” or focus only on those who practice the sin of homosexuality because there are many other sins (e.g. lying, cheating, fornication, murder, etc.) which, as a whole, our nation has “trivialized”.

However, rather than pointing my finger at everyone else, I need to look at myself. Do I trivialize my own sin? Do I minimize my sin when I speak angry words that hurt others or tell a “little white lie”?

When I consider the great price that was paid (i.e. the death of God’s Son Jesus) for my sin, I am greatly humbled. Like all others, I have all sinned (Romans 3:23). I deserved to die for my sin (Romans 6:23). God be thanked that I was blessed with the opportunity to hear the good news about Christ and have been forgiven of my sin through his blood (Romans 6:3-4; 6:17-18). I am not better than all the other sinners around me. I am just blessed to be forgiven through Christ and I live by faith in Him. Today, I will strive not to trivialize my own sin and live rejoicing in God’s forgiveness!

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” (Romans 6:1-2)

4/1/17 “Listening to Evil Thoughts” (Daily Bible Reading: 1 Kings 12-14)

“And Jeroboam said in his heart, ‘Now the kingdom may return to the house of David: If these people go up to offer sacrifices in the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, then the heart of this people will turn back to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah, and they will kill me and go back to Rehoboam king of Judah.’ Therefore the king asked advice, made two calves of gold, and said to the people, ‘It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up from the land of Egypt!’” (1Kings 12:26-28)

Following the death of King Solomon, Solomon’s son Rehoboam ascends to the throne of Israel. However, he foolishly rejects the advice of the elders, who encouraged him to lighten the burdens on the people, and as a result 10 of the 12 tribes of Israel rebel against him and refuse to have him as their king (1 Kings 12:1-15). These tribes follow Jereboam and set him up as their king (1 Kings 12:20). God had given Jereboam a wonderful opportunity to lead these 10 tribes of Israel (1 Kings 11:29-38). Earlier through the prophet Ahijah, God told Jereboam, “Then it shall be, if you heed all that I command you, walk in My ways, and do what is right in My sight, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as My servant David did, then I will be with you and build for you an enduring house, as I built for David, and will give Israel to you” (1 Kings 11:38).

Everything appears to be falling into place for Jereboam to begin a dynasty of kings to reign in Israel with God’s blessing. But then, Jereboam takes his eye off following God and begins to have evil thoughts that the people he is leading will return back to king Rehoboam of Judah (1 Kings 11:27). Instead of fearing God and remembering God’s promises to him, he listens to evil thoughts of doubt and fears man. His fear of man leads him to institute all sorts of wickedness in Israel contrary to God’s laws: (1) committing idolatry by setting up calves to worship in Dan and Bethel (1 Kings 12:28-29), (2) changing the priesthood from the Levites to just anybody (1 Kings 12:31), and (3) changing God’s appointed feast days (1 Kings 12:32). Jereboam’s legacy will become known by those wicked kings who followed in his ways of whom it will be said: “He did evil in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin by which he had made Israel sin” (1 Kings 15:34; cf. 1 Kings 15:26; 16:19, 26).

Jereboam’s legacy was a terrible one. Forever he would become known by the evil he had done and as the one who had made Israel to sin. This became his legacy because he CHOSE to listen to evil thoughts of doubt and fear man instead of remembering God’s promise to him and trusting in God.

As I think about Jereboam, I ask myself, “Do I listen to evil thoughts of doubt instead of trusting in God’s promises?” Satan will constantly try to plant evil thoughts in my head as he tempts me, but I don’t have to act on those evil thoughts. I can CHOOSE to put away these evil thoughts by replacing these evil thoughts with promises made to me by God. I do not want my legacy to be about how I gave into evil thoughts, walked in an evil way, and led others to do evil because of my own fears and insecurities. I want my legacy to be of one who clung to God’s promises in faith, glorified Him by the way I lived, and help lead others to know Him! Today, I rejoice that I can trust in the promises of God and through Christ have the power to put away evil thoughts of doubt!

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

3/31/17 “What Am I Clinging To?” (Daily Bible Reading: 1 Kings 9-11)

“But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites-- from the nations of whom the Lord had said to the children of Israel, ‘You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods.’ Solomon clung to these in love” (1 Kings 11:1-2).

Solomon’s reign had started off so well. God had blessed him with great wisdom, understanding and “largeness of heart” (1 Kings 4:29). Solomon had been blessed to build the Temple of the Lord and witnessed God’s glory filling the temple (1 Kings 8:10-11). God had appeared to Solomon a second time and promised to continue to bless Solomon and his descendants forever if Solomon would continue to follow after God’s commandments (1 Kings 9:1-5).

However, Solomon began to stray. He began to oppress the people of God burdening them with heavy burdens (cf. 1 Kings 12:4). He mistreated his allies and the allies of his father by giving them worthless cities in exchange for the help they had given him (cf. 1 Kings 9:10-14). Worst of all, he turned from following after the Lord and began to serve the gods of his many wives.

As the opening verse states, Solomon had a terrible weakness for women. It appears he was unable to control his sexual appetites. In fact, he goes on to marry 700 women and has an additional 300 concubines (1 Kings 11:3). His desire for all these women weakened his desire for God. In the end, they turned his heart away from the Lord and to their gods. As he turns away from Jehovah God, the Bible says about Solomon’s desire for these women that he, “clung to these in love” (1 Kings 11:2).

Solomon would go on to regret what he had done. The book of Ecclesiastes is essentially Solomon’s confession of how foolish he had been during these years of his kingdom. He would say about this time period, “Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart rejoiced in all my labor; and this was my reward from all my labor. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done and on the labor in which I had toiled; and indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 2:10-11). He realized how incredibly foolish he had been seeking to satisfy himself with pleasure. In the end he concludes, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man's all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).

Although Solomon realized the errors of his ways and regretted how foolish he had been, the consequences of his sins would out live him. His kingdom would become divided and the majority of the tribes of Israel would no longer follow the reign of his sons (1 Kings 11:11-13). Unfortunately, he had wasted the many blessings God had given to him because of his inability to control his sexual appetites and his clinging to all these women in love.

As I consider this part of Solomon’s life, I ask myself, “What am I clinging to?” Am I clinging to things which are fruitless and a complete wasting away of my life such as desires for sex, money, fame or power? Or, am I clinging to Jehovah God by walking by faith in Him and setting my mind on things above (Matthew 6:33; Colossians 3:1-2)? Today, I will rejoice in God and cling to Him in faith!

“For You are my hope, O Lord God; You are my trust from my youth. By You I have been upheld from birth; You are He who took me out of my mother's womb. My praise shall be continually of You” (Psalm 71:5-6).

3/30/17 “No God like You” (Daily Bible Reading: 1 Kings 6-8)

“Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven; and he said: ‘Lord God of Israel, there is no God in heaven above or on earth below like You, who keep Your covenant and mercy with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts’” (1 Kings 8:22-23).

The above words were spoken by Solomon as he and all Israel rejoice as the ark of the covenant is brought into the temple following its completion and God’s glory had filled the Temple (1 Kings 8:6-10). Solomon is filled with awe as he considers and proclaims to God, “How Great Thou Art”.

As Solomon considers God’s greatness, he mentions two things which are unique about God. First, God keeps His covenant. God had made a covenant with Abraham promising him that although Abraham’s descendants would serve another nation (i.e. Egypt) 400 years, God would bring them out to inherit the Promised Land (Genesis 15:13-16). Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph all clung in faith to this promise of God which He had made to them. God fulfilled this land promise as Joshua and the children of Israel conquered the Promised Land (Joshua 21:43-45). Furthermore, God promised Abraham that through one of his descendants (i.e. Christ) all the world would be blessed (Genesis 12:1-3). Through the eye of faith, God servants throughout the following centuries looked forward to the day when this be accomplished. The promise was fulfilled when Christ came to save men from their sins (Galatians 4:4-5). Solomon praises God for His faithfulness to keep His promises!

Secondly, Solomon proclaims that God is unique because God keeps His mercy towards those who serve Him. Although the servants of God strive to serve Him, they do not always serve Him well. For example, both Abraham and Isaac lied on occasions in an attempt to trust in themselves to save their own lives (Genesis 12:11-13; 26:7). Later, Jacob would get Esau to sell him his birthright and conspire with his mother Rebekah to deceive his father Isaac and get Isaac’s blessing (Genesis 25:29-34; 27:1-29). During their wilderness wanderings following God’s deliverance of them from the oppression they endured in the land of Egypt, the children of Israel complained against God and often doubted His ability to lead them into the Promised Land. In spite of all these failures among His people, God kept showing them mercy and forgiving them as they humbled themselves and turned back to God in repentance.

As I consider Solomon’s words as He proclaims God’s faithfulness to keep His covenant and His uniqueness, I can’t help but proclaim to God, “How Great Thou Art”! I can live my life by faith in God because I know that God has been faithful to keep the promises He has made to His people in the past and He will be faithful to keep the promises which He has made to me. I also can trust in His strength, and not my own, because I realize that in spite of my repeated failures, as I continue to struggle with sin, God will keep continuing to show mercy to me as I turn to Him with a contrite heart and repent.

Today I will rejoice in the great God I serve. Truly, there is no God like Him in heaven above or on the earth below! How wonderful it is to have the privilege of being called His child (1 John 3:1).

“Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; but he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!” (Psalm 32:10-11).

3/29/17 “Give Your Servant An Understanding Heart…” (Daily Bible Reading: 1 Kings 3-5)

“Now, O Lord my God, You have made Your servant king instead of my father David, but I am a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And Your servant is in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen, a great people, too numerous to be numbered or counted. Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?" (1 Kings 3:7-9).

These words were spoken by King Solomon at the beginning of his reign as he felt overwhelmed at leading God’s people. His prayer was spoken out of a spirit of great humility as Solomon realized what an awesome task was before him in governing the children of Israel. God had appeared before Solomon in a dream and said, “Ask, what shall I give you?” (1 Kings 3:5). In his response Solomon asked for “an understanding heart” so that he may discern justice (1 Kings 3:9, 11).

Solomon’s reign began wonderfully. God gave Solomon not only wisdom, but also riches and honor (1 Kings 3:12-13). “And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore” (1 Kings 4:29). God gave Solomon: (1) Wisdom, (2) great understanding, and (3) largeness of heart. In other words, God gave Solomon not only wisdom in the decisions he would make, but of equal importance, God gave Solomon “largeness of heart”, to have empathy for the people he was leading and to “understand”, from their point of view, how the decisions he made would affect them.

Solomon displayed this wisdom and “understanding heart” when 2 harlots came before him with a child whom each woman said was hers. He called for a sword and suggested he will divide the child between the two of them. The real mother of the child cried out for him not to do this, but to give the child to the other woman. Solomon clearly “understood” who the true mother was because with his heart he saw the compassion she had for her child. Solomon had the child given to her (1 Kings 3:16-27). Israel rejoiced being blessed with a king who had the “wisdom of God” (1 Kings 3:28).

As I read these words I think about how important it is for leaders at any level (i.e. government leaders, church leaders, or leaders in a family) to have wisdom and “an understanding heart”. Being a leader at any of these levels is not just about making decisions and expecting the people to follow them. It is also about understanding the people you are leading, the ability to see things from their point of view, and being able to discern how to implement the decisions you have to make into a course of action that the people you are leading will be willing to follow. Too often leaders fail because they are unable or unwilling to discern how the people they are attempting to lead view things and then get frustrated because those they lead will not follow their decisions. May God give us more leaders like Solomon who have “an understanding heart”!

Today, I rejoice that God will give me wisdom if I seek it! My prayer is as Solomon’s: “Give your servant an understanding heart.” It is a great responsibility to be a leader whether at home, in the church, at work, or in the government. Leaders in any capacity need God’s help to give them an understanding heart and wisdom in the decisions they make. God is infinite in His wisdom. May the Lord bless me with imparting to me just a small portion of his wisdom as I seek to be a leader in whatever capacity I find myself!

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).

3/28/17 “Prove Yourself a Man” (Daily Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 24-1 Kings 2)

“Now the days of David drew near that he should die, and he charged Solomon his son, saying: ‘I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. And keep the charge of the Lord your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn’” (1 Kings 2:1-3).

As the above words indicate, David’s life on this earth was drawing to a close. He had an incredible pilgrimage on this earth as he walked with God and served God as a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 16:7; Acts 13:22). David had slain a giant, spent years on the run from the jealous King Saul, served as the King of God’s people Israel, endured repeated attempts from his own children (i.e. Absalom and Adonijah) and others (e.g. Sheba) to overthrow his kingdom, and struggled with his own sinfulness (e.g. adultery with Bathesheba and his subsequent murdering of Uriah) during his life on this earth. No one could say David had lived a dull life!

After finishing such a rich and abundant life, now David has some final words to say to his son Solomon whom has succeeded him on the throne of Israel (1 Kings 2:1-9). It is interesting to consider the final words that people have to say at the end of their lives. In the movie “Walk the Line” about the life of Johnny Cash, there is a line that music studio director Sam Phillips says to Johnny Cash as Cash is auditioning before him which is worthy of consideration here. Sam Phillips says, “All right, let's bring it home. If you was hit by a truck and you was lying out there in that gutter dying, and you had time to sing one song, one song that people would remember before you're dirt, one song that would let God know how you felt about your time here on earth, one song that would sum you up…Somethin' real. Somethin' you felt.” In other words, Phillips wanted to know the one song Johnny Cash would sing if he was about to do to sum up how he viewed his time here on earth?

What is the one thing that King David has to say about “summing up his life here on this earth” as he seeks to impart some final wisdom to his son Solomon? Does he speak about the importance of hard work, making a lot of money, or acquiring more knowledge? Does he suggest that what is really important in life is to go out and have a lot of fun? Does he encourage Solomon to go and conquer more kingdoms and gain even greater power?

David encourages Solomon to “prove himself a man” by following God and keeping His commandments. If Solomon wanted to be a man after God’s own heart as was his father David, Solomon needed to walk with God by keeping His commandments. It is interesting that towards the end of Solomon’s life after he endured his own share of triumphs and failures in his walk with God he would write, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

Today, I rejoice that I can gain great insight from the lives of those who have served God before me about what life is all about. It is about following God, walking with Him, and serving Him within the boundaries of His commandments. I do not try to “earn my salvation”, but I want to “prove myself to be a man” after God’s own heart by setting my mind on things above and serving Him (Colossians 3:1-2). Praise God for Him giving me guidance and direction in my life!

“Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage” (Psalm 119:54).

3/27/17 “God’s Passion for Me” (Daily Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 19-23)

“In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry entered His ears. Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven quaked and were shaken, because He was angry” (2 Samuel 22:7-8).

These words were spoken by David as he recounts how God delivered him from the hand of Saul (1 Samuel 18:9-27:4), the rebellion of his son Absalom against him (2 Samuel 15:1-18:33), Sheba’s rebellion against him (2 Samuel 20:1-22) and from all his enemies. The above words were part of a song that David sang unto the Lord (2 Samuel 22:1). David was taking time to reflect upon how God has blessed him throughout his whole life and the trials he had faced.

David did not view God as some distant figure who was aloof from him during David’s times of distress. Instead, he describes God as being very attentive to David’s prayers unto Him and feeling strong passionate feelings for David. Although God was in His temple, He was very attentive to David’s cry which entered God’s ears.

When God heard about the distress David was facing, notice God’s reaction: “Smoke went up from His nostrils, and devouring fire from His mouth; Coals were kindled by it” (2 Samuel 22:9). God then reacts quickly to come and deliver David from the distress he is under: “He bowed the heavens also, and came down with darkness under His feet. He rode upon a cherub, and flew; and He was seen upon the wings of the wind. He made darkness canopies around Him, Dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. From the brightness before Him Coals of fire were kindled. The Lord thundered from heaven, and the Most High uttered His voice.  He sent out arrows and scattered them; Lightning bolts, and He vanquished them. Then the channels of the sea were seen, the foundations of the world were uncovered, at the rebuke of the Lord, at the blast of the breath of His nostrils. He sent from above, He took me, He drew me out of many waters. He delivered me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me; for they were too strong for me. They confronted me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my support. He also brought me out into a broad place; He delivered me because He delighted in me. (2 Samuel 22:10-20).

How do I view how God reacts to me when I cry unto him? Do I feel that when God hears my cries of distress unto Him, He procrastinates because He has too many other things to do? Do I feel that God is emotionally disconnected from the pains of my heart?

David did not view God as being distant and too busy to be concerned about Him. Instead, he viewed God as having feelings which were greatly stirred when He heard David crying out to Him for help! Understanding God has strong passionate feelings for me, gives me a better appreciation of the strong desires He felt to deliver me from my sins by rising up from His throne and sending His Son to go to the cross and bear the penalty of my sins (John 3:16). It also helps me to appreciate that when I am suffering God deeply cares for me (1 Peter 5:7).

I rejoice that God has strong emotional feelings for me. Today I will appreciate that His feelings for me were so strong He sent His Son to die for my sins! Praise God for His passionate love for me!

“…The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; my Savior, You save me from violence. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies (2 Samuel 22:2-4).

3/26/17 “The Pain of Unforgiveness” (Daily Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 16-18)

“Then the king was deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept. And as he went, he said thus: "O my son Absalom--my son, my son Absalom--if only I had died in your place! O Absalom my son, my son!" (2 Samuel 18:33).

These words were spoken following the battle in which Absalom and his army are defeated by the followers of David. As they above words reflect, David’s heart is broken when he hears the news of the death of his son Absalom. As we reflect on these words, we may initially think that David overreacts to the news of the death of his son. After all, his son was trying to kill him! We might think David should feel at least a little relief because his own life was no longer threatened or feel some satisfaction that justice had been properly executed upon Absalom for his rebellion against him.

But David doesn’t react in any of these ways we might think he should. Instead, he reacts with profound grief. Why? I think the answer lies in the fact that David now realizes how he contributed to Absalom’s rebellion by not practicing full forgiveness towards Absalom when Absalom had killed his other son Amnon (i.e. read yesterday’s devotional 3/23/16, “The Problem of Partial Forgiveness”).

Following the death of Amnon, Absalom had fled as a fugitive and was away for 3 years before Joab, through a wise woman of Tekoa, convinced David to allow Absalom to return to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 13:39; 14:1-21). However, David placed conditions upon Absalom on his return to Jerusalem. Absalom would no longer be a fugitive, but he was not allowed to come before the king’s face (2 Samuel 14:24). Two more years pass by before Absalom has Joab convince the king to allow Absalom to see the king (2 Samuel 14:28-33). Unfortunately, it appears Absalom bore a lot of resentment for his father’s treatment or him and never forgave his father for taking so long to forgive him. The breech in their relationship was never fully repaired and four years later Absalom leads an attempt to overthrow his father’s kingdom (2 Samuel 15:1-12, 7).

It appears David regrets how he failed to forgive Absalom from the start. When Absalom had first killed his brother Amnon, after David was comforted, he “longed to go to Absalom” but did not (2 Samuel 13:39). After learning of Absalom’s rebellion against him, David was greatly pained (cf. 2 Samuel 16:11). On the eve of battle, David gathers his troops and tells his men, “Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom” (2 Samuel 18:5). From these verses it is apparent that David regrets his failure to fully forgive Absalom from the start. He wants to restore his relationship with his son. But it is too late as his son would be killed by Joab who was full of vengeance against Absalom (2 Samuel 18:14-15).

As I read these verses, I do not want to have regrets as did David by not forgiving those who have hurt me. I don’t want to continue to allow the pain past wrongs done to me to breech my relationships with those about whom I care. I want the healing of forgiveness to soothe that pain. I don’t desire to go to my grave clinging to the pain of my past hurts! I don’t want to experience the pain that David experienced regarding his relationship with his son Absalom. Today, I rejoice that God offers me the choice to let go of the pain of past hurt and practice forgiveness. May God give me the wisdom and strength to always practice forgiveness towards those who have hurt me!

“Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:31-32).

3/25/17 “The Problem of Partial Forgiveness” (Daily Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 13-15)

“But Absalom fled and went to Talmai the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day. So Absalom fled and went to Geshur, and was there three years. And King David longed to go to Absalom…” (2 Samuel 13:37-39).

God had established David as king over Israel and had blessed David and strengthened his kingdom. David had strayed from God and committed adultery with Bathsheba and was now beginning to reap the consequences of that sin. His family life began falling apart.

David had many different sons by different wives (2 Samuel 3:2-5). One of David’s sons, Amnon, raped the daughter of David, Tamar, who was born to David by a different woman than Amnon’s mother (2 Samuel 13:1-19). David was angry about this happening, but appeared to do nothing about it (2 Samuel 13:21). However, Absalom, another one of David’s sons who is Tamar’s brother, hated Amnon and devised a scheme to kill him. Absalom’s hatred for Amnon built up and after 2 years, he had Amnon murdered (2 Samuel 13:20-33). Absalom then fled to his mother’s father, Talmai the king of Geshur, where he remained 3 years (2 Samuel 13:34-38; 2 Samuel 3:3).  

During this 3 year period, the Bible says David “longed to go to Absalom” (2 Samuel 13:39). But, he did not go! Joab, the general of David’s army, devised a plan using a wise woman of Tekoa to get the king to see the error of David’s not forgiving Absalom (2 Samuel 14:1-20). David acknowledged this and had Joab bring Absalom back to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 14:21-23), but then added this caveat regarding Absalom, “"Let him return to his own house, but do not let him see my face." (2 Samuel 14:24). So Absalom returned to his own house, but he was not allowed to enter the king’s presence. David had only partially forgiven his son. Absalom was no longer a fugitive having to stay away to preserve his life, but he wasn’t completely forgiven of his sin either. King David was still holding on to the hurt that Absalom had done and he would not allow Absalom to see him.

After 2 more years, Absalom had Joab pleaded with the king to let Absalom come before the king (2 Samuel 14:28-33). David finally saw Absalom. However, great damage appeared to have been done in their relationship as four years later Absalom led a rebellion against David (1 Samuel 15:1- 12). Once David fled for his life from Saul, now David fled for his life again from his own son, Absalom.

As I think about David and his son Absalom, there are a lot of things that they both did wrong. David should have been more active in disciplining his son Amnon who had raped his daughter Tamar. Absalom should have tried to forgive Amnon rather than bearing a grudge against him for 2 years and then killing him. It is very easy to point out what each did wrong. However, the biggest problem was David practiced partial forgiveness towards Absalom which was in reality no forgiveness at all.

As I think about my life and the relationships with others, are there people in my life whom I have only partially forgiven? Perhaps, I may say I have forgiven them, but I am unwilling to speak to them or do things with them?  Maybe I tolerate them being in the same room as me or maybe engage in “small talk” with them, but I keep my guard up when I am around them? I will rejoice that God has given me to power to forgive others. I don’t need to hold onto the hurt they have caused me. Today, I will give that hurt others have caused me over to God who will help me bear it (1 Peter 5:7), and embrace those who have sinned against me as God has embraced me for sinning against Him!

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14-15).

3/24/17 “You Are The Man!” (Daily Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 10-12)

“Then Nathan said to David, ‘You are the man! Thus says the Lord God of Israel: “I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. I gave you your master's house and your master's wives into your keeping, and gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if that had been too little, I also would have given you much more! Why have you despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in His sight? You have killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword; you have taken his wife to be your wife, and have killed him with the sword of the people of Ammon”’ (2 Samuel 12:7-9).

While staying home from battle, King David observed Bathsheba bathing and succumbed to the temptation to commit adultery with her (2 Samuel 11:2-4). She became pregnant and, in an effort to cover up his sin, David tried to get Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah, to come home from the battlefield and engage in sexual relations with her (2 Samuel 11:5-13). However, this plan of David’s doesn’t work. In a last ditch attempt to cover up his sin, David had Uriah sent to the front lines of the battlefield and then had his army withdrawn from him leaving him to die by the hands of the Ammonites (2 Samuel 11:14-17). Uriah died alongside of some other Israelite soldiers as David’s plans came to fruition. David was guilty of adultery, lying, and murder!

David then went and married Bathsheba. She gave birth to the child. Everyone probably assumed it was Uriah’s child. It appeared David had been able to cover up his sin. However, God knew what David had done: “But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord” (2 Samuel 11:27).

David had been a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 16:7; Acts 13:22). However, he didn’t act like it at this time. His heart was growing hard. His heart began growing hard as he continue to allow lust to grow in his heart as he observed Bathsheba bathing, took a second look at her, called on her, and engaged in adulterous relations with her. His heart grew harder and harder as he tried to deceive Uriah and got Uriah drunk. David’s heart further hardened as he had Uriah and other innocent men murdered on the battlefield and then said to his servant, “Do not let this thing displease you, for the sword devours one as well as another” (2 Samuel 12:25). David’s hardening heart culminated as he then marries Bathsheba and acts as though nothing wrong had happened!

Thankfully, God sent Nathan to David to confront David about his sin as the opening verses above indicate (2 Samuel 12:1-9). To his credit, David’s heart was not so hard that it could not be softened by God’s rebuke. When his sin was pointed out to him, David said, “I have sinned against the Lord” (2 Samuel 12:13). God would forgive David of his sin, but the consequences of David’s sin would bring tragedy for David and his family (2 Samuel 12:10-14).

When I consider how this great man of God departed from God and allowed his heart to grow hard, I am greatly humbled because I realize how easily the destructive effects of sin can enter my life. I need to flee temptation (1 Timothy 6:11; Titus 2:22) and not give it a “second look”. I know I will continue to struggle with sin, but when I do succumb to temptation and commit sin, I need to quickly repent of it so that my heart does not begin to grow hard (1 John 1:8-9). I rejoice that God knows my weaknesses and offers me forgiveness when, like David, I fall into sin. Today, I will strive to not let my heart grow hard through the deceitfulness of sin!

“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin” (Psalm 51:1-2).

3/23/17 “You Are Great, O Lord God” (Daily Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 7-9)

“For Your word's sake, and according to Your own heart, You have done all these great things, to make Your servant know them. Therefore You are great, O Lord God. For there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears” (2 Samuel 7:22-23).

God had greatly blessed David. God was with David as he had killed Goliath. The Lord had preserved David as he escaped from the King Saul’s pursuit of David’s life in a jealous rage. God also enabled David to ascend to the throne of Israel. Finally, David had been able to return the Ark of the Covenant back to its proper place in the Tabernacle of the Lord (2 Samuel 6:17).

At this point in his life, David now wanted to do something special for God. It came into his heart to build God a permanent house in which the Ark of the Covenant could remain. David tells the prophet Nathan, “"See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells inside tent curtains" (2 Samuel 7:2). However, God has Nathan the prophet to tell David not to do this (2 Samuel 7:4-16). Why? Because David had been a man of war and shed much blood during his lifetime, he was not to be the man to build God a house (1 Chronicles 28:3).

However, in the midst of God’s reply to David through Nathan the prophet, God promises that although God would not let David build Him a house, God would build David a house (2 Samuel 7:11). This was not a physical house, but a house in the sense that David’s descendants would continue to reign on the throne of Israel (2 Samuel 7:12-15). More importantly, spiritually it would be through David that the King of Kings, Jesus Christ, would come to set up His Kingdom, the church, which would never be destroyed (Daniel 2:44; John 18:36; Colossians 1:13). Through Nathan the prophet, God tells David, “And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever” (2 Samuel 7:16).

Rather than being disappointed that it was not in God’s plans to have David build the temple, David is overwhelmed at the thought of God blessing him in this way. As the opening verses above indicate, David considered God blessings upon him and proclaimed God’s praises (2 Samuel 7:20-29).

As I reflect on this, I need to take time to “be overwhelmed” as I consider how God has blessed me. Rather than dwelling on what I do not have or the goals in my life I have been unable to accomplish thus far, I need to take time to rejoice in what I do have and consider the opportunities presently before me to serve God and honor him. Instead of bringing myself down by focusing on all the problems and challenges that surround me, I need to look up and spend time in meditation reflecting on just how awesome God is.

God has blessed me with my health, my family, and my friends. He has allowed me to live in a prosperous nation where I am free to serve Him without fear of persecution. More importantly, he has saved me from my sin through the blood of His Son Jesus Christ. He has blessed me with a great spiritual family in the church. He has given me love, joy, and peace to fill my life. Today, I will rejoice in the great God I serve!

“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together” (Psalm 34:1-3).

3/22/17 “Arousing the Anger of the Lord” (Daily Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 4-6)

“And when they came to Nachon's threshing floor, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. Then the anger of the Lord was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error; and he died there by the ark of God” (2 Samuel 6:6-7).

Following the death of King Saul at the hands of the Philistines, David became king and began to establish and strengthen his kingdom. His army conquered Jerusalem, which will become known as the city of David (2 Samuel 5:6-9). Through God’s power, he defeated the Philistines in 2 separate battles (2 Samuel 5:17-25). Of this period in David’s life we read, “So David went on and became great, and the Lord God of hosts was with him” (2 Samuel 5:10).

However, David was aware that the ark of the covenant, which was supposed to have remained in the Most Holy Place of the Lord’s Tabernacle, was away from where the Lord wanted it to be. Instead, years earlier the Israelites had taken it with them in battle believing that by doing this God would help them defeat the Philistines. God never told them to do this. Instead, Israel was defeated by the Philistines and the ark of the covenant was captured. After suffering a plague from the Lord, the Philistines returned the ark of the covenant to the Israelites by setting it on an ox cart and setting the oxen off in the direction of Israel (1 Samuel 4:1-7:2). The ark of the covenant returned to Israel and remained in the Israelite city of Kirjath Jearim for many years(1 Samuel 7:2; 1 Chronicles 13:6).

Because God had so greatly blessed him, David wanted to do something for God. He wanted to bring the ark of the covenant up from Kirjath Jearim and set it in its proper location within the Most Holy Place of the Tabernacle of the Lord (1 Chronicles 13:1-4). He had the  ark of the covenant loaded on a new cart and had a massive celebration as they brought the ark of the covenant towards Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:1-5; 1 Chronicles 13:5-8).

However, then everything went wrong. The oxen stumbled, the ark of the covenant began to move on the cart, and one of the drivers of the cart, Uzzah, reached out and touched the ark to steady it. God’s anger was aroused against Uzzah and he died (2 Samuel 6:6-7; 1 Chronicles 13:9-10). David also became angry and confused about why God did this (2 Samuel 6:8-9; 1 Chronicles 13:11-12).

Why did God do this? Did He not know that David meant well? Did God not know that Uzzah was trying to prevent the ark of the covenant from slipping off the ark? God knew all these things, but God also knew that His people had not respected His authority. They did not follow God’s instructions regarding how the ark was to be transported via poles on the shoulders of the Kohathites of the tribe of Levi (Exodus 25:14; Numbers 4:1-15). David later realized this and, after consulting God’s Word, has the ark of the covenant transported to Jerusalem in the manner in which God had prescribed (1 Chronicles 15:1-15; 25-29).

God is angered when His people do not respect His Word and show reverence or godly fear for Him and His statutes. This account serves as a powerful reminder that I must strive to learn God’s Word and submit to His Will for my life. I must worship Him and serve Him in the manner He has prescribed, not in the way I think may be right. For whatever reason David and the Israelites had failed to do this and it cost Uzzah his life. Today, I will rejoice that God has given His Word to direct me in the way I should serve Him! I will fear Him and keep His commandments!

“Your hands have made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments” (Psalm 119:73).

3/21/17 “Genuine Love for Your Enemies” (Daily Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 1-3)

"Saul and Jonathan were beloved and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided; they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions. O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with luxury; who put ornaments of gold on your apparel. How the mighty have fallen in the midst of the battle...” (2 Samuel 1:23-25).

These words were part of a song that David had written down to teach the children of Judah (2 Samuel 1:18). Saul and Jonathan had been killed by the Philistines in a great battle in which Israel was defeated at Mount Gilboa (1 Samuel 31:1-6). David lamented over the death of his good friend Jonathan and also he wept for King Saul who had made himself David’s enemy (2 Samuel 1:17).

It is easy to understand David’s great mourning over his friend Jonathan. Jonathan had been a great friend to David. Jonathan loved David as his own soul (1 Samuel 18:1-3). Jonathan had defended David before his father Saul (1 Samuel 19:4-6). Jonathan had also helped David escape from Saul’s repeated efforts to kill David (1 Samuel 20:1-42). After David had fled to the wilderness, Jonathan supported David and strengthen his friend’s hand in God (1 Samuel 23:16). It is easy for us to relate as to why David wept over the death of his close friend Jonathan and said, “I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; you have been very pleasant to me; your love to me was wonderful, surpassing the love of women” (2 Samuel 1:26).

What is so striking about the opening verses above is how David wept over King Saul. Saul had been jealous of David’s success (1 Samuel 18:7-9). This jealousy caused Saul to feel threatened by David so he tries multiple times and in multiple ways to have David killed. David has to flee for his life and gets no rest as Saul doggedly pursues him from one place to another seeking to kill him. If most of us were in David’s shoes we probably would have rejoiced in hearing of the death of Saul and felt great relief because we would know that our life was no longer in danger by King Saul.

But David did not do this. Why? Because David was a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 16:7; Acts 13:22). David had true, genuine love for his enemies. Even though Saul had sought to kill David, David bore no malice towards Saul. David had multiple opportunities to kill Saul and to end his misery caused by Saul’s pursuit of him, but David did not harm Saul. David’s feelings towards Saul is reminiscent of Jesus’ words on the cross regarding his enemies, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34). David’s example of the love and forgiveness he had towards Saul is a great example for us to follow regarding how we should love our enemies.

David was not a perfect man. He would struggle with sexual sins. He would struggle with his parenting skills. But, in regard to the love he showed for his enemies he excelled more than most. I am not a perfect man either. I may not struggle with sexual sins or with my parenting skills as much as David did, but when I look at my life and my feelings towards my enemies and compare my attitude towards my enemies with the attitude David displays here towards King Saul, I realize I have a lot of room to grow in loving my enemies if I am going to be a “man after God’s own heart”. Today, I realize my weaknesses, but I rejoice that God is still working on me to help me become transformed more and more into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29; 12:1-2). I will strive to love my enemies as David loved his.

“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).