Read: 2 Sam 22-23
Second Sam. 22 is repeated again in Psalm 18 word for word. It is a Messianic psalm. This is the picture of Jesus on the cross and what he was going through. I have always wondered what happened to Jesus when it went dark for three hours and God led me to this scripture. As Jesus felt the weight of our sin on him he felt the sorrows of hell swallowing him up. In this distress he called out to the Lord and God was so angry he shook the earth with an earthquake and caused the earth to go dark so he could come down and minister to Jesus on the cross. Whoever said that God deserted Jesus on the cross does not comprehend the nature of God. God is ever-present and promises to never leave us or forsake us. God and Jesus are one so there will never be a separation…ever! God had a war with Satan during that darkness and won! He delivered Jesus’ soul from the enemy and delivered Jesus from death. God gave Jesus strength to endure till the end just like he does for us when we call out to him. Jesus died triumphantly realizing the defeat his death would make on the world. God delivered him from the violent men with a great deliverance. Jesus rose as the King of Kings.
Second Samuel 23 were the last words of David and Jesus. They were both raised up on high and anointed of God. (2 Sam. 23:1) David lists his mighty men which corresponds to Jesus’ mighty gifts to us. The first man, Adino means “sword”. We have been given the sword of the Word. The next is Eliezar which means “the helper” which is the Holy Spirit. The next is Shammah which means “desert”. The desert is a picture of trials. We don’t think of trials as being a gift but James says we are to count them as joy because they make us perfect and complete. But there was one man who was greater than the mighty three and that was Abishai. His name means “father of a gift” he stands for God, himself. He was the captain and will always be Lord of all. All the other men’s names describe God. He is the builder, our maker, loving, gracious, god of rejection, our shade from the heat, hasty to deliver, rich, valiant, stronger than death, the hidden one, our deliverer, for the people, our avenger, established, the cleft in the rock, awake, healer, and a flame. How can we be afraid when God is for us!
Lord, you are more than we can comprehend. Thank you for your encompassing love.
Thursday, May 21, 2015
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Wed.’s Devo - Hope in the Lord
Read: Ps. 5; 38; 41-42
I love how David is the king and yet he calls God his King. David is for the people and especially the people who honor God. He wants them to experience the same joy and fellowship he hads with God. David lived before the age of grace and salvation so he felt the weight of sin. He describes the hopelessness he feels in Psalm 38. In his desperate estate he cries out to the Lord for help. He answers this prayer in Psalm 41. David knows that only the Lord can heal his soul. God is merciful and He will raise our head and put praise on our lips.
Psalm 42 is one of my favorite psalms. David is so hungry for God and even though he is going through the motions every other believer is he knows there is more he can have in God. So David speaks to his own self and he commands his soul to praise God for what he has done in the past. He reminds himself to remember the miracles and answered prayers in his life. In the midst of persecution, David reminds himself to hope in God. God can make his face to shine with joy again.
Psalm 42 is a great lesson on how to lift your spirit up. David continues to speak to himself and command his soul to do the right thing: praise God, hope in God, and reminds himself that God does hear the deep groaning of his heart. We can do the same thing when we feel desperate, forgotten and faithless. We can command our spirit to hope in God.
Lord, we will praise you in the day and You will be our song in the night. We put our hope in You.
I love how David is the king and yet he calls God his King. David is for the people and especially the people who honor God. He wants them to experience the same joy and fellowship he hads with God. David lived before the age of grace and salvation so he felt the weight of sin. He describes the hopelessness he feels in Psalm 38. In his desperate estate he cries out to the Lord for help. He answers this prayer in Psalm 41. David knows that only the Lord can heal his soul. God is merciful and He will raise our head and put praise on our lips.
Psalm 42 is one of my favorite psalms. David is so hungry for God and even though he is going through the motions every other believer is he knows there is more he can have in God. So David speaks to his own self and he commands his soul to praise God for what he has done in the past. He reminds himself to remember the miracles and answered prayers in his life. In the midst of persecution, David reminds himself to hope in God. God can make his face to shine with joy again.
Psalm 42 is a great lesson on how to lift your spirit up. David continues to speak to himself and command his soul to do the right thing: praise God, hope in God, and reminds himself that God does hear the deep groaning of his heart. We can do the same thing when we feel desperate, forgotten and faithless. We can command our spirit to hope in God.
Lord, we will praise you in the day and You will be our song in the night. We put our hope in You.
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Tues.’s Devo - Reestablishing the Kingdom
Read: 2 Sam. 19-21
David’s army risked their lives to get David back his kingdom and all David could do was to mourn for his son, Absalom. Needless to say, the people felt betrayed by David. Joab realized if David didn’t do something to win the people’s heart back, David might lose his kingdom again and Joab would be out of a job. Joab was conniving and self-centered. When David hired his nephew, Amasa to go rally the troops, Joab took it as a threat to his position and chased down Amasa and killed him. Luckily for Joab, David was so vulnerable he was forgiving people right and left and didn’t have the strength to discipline Joab.
Sheba, an adversary rose up against David and tried to win the favor of the people and become king. He was a man of Belial. That is an expression describing a base person who is wicked and godless. He ended up dying by the fate of a prophetess.
There was a famine in Israel which is an indication that God was punishing the nation for something they had done to offend God. When David went to the Lord about it, God showed him that they were being punished because of how Saul had treated the Amorites. The Amorites had aided the children of Israel during their wilderness journey. God had told them to spare the Amorites because of this. Saul in his zeal to rid the land of God’s enemies had killed many of them. David went to the Amorites and asked how he could right that wrong. They told David they wanted seven of Saul’s sons. David spared Mephibosheth and turned the other seven other sons of Saul over to the Amorites who hung them. Then Saul took Saul and Jonathan’s bones from the enemy and had them buried in their family tomb. Because of all this, God healed their land of the famine. Then David and his servants came up against four giants and were able to defeat them. It is amazing what we can do when we do what is right to get back in God’s blessings.
Lord, show us as a nation how to repent and undo the sins our nation and get back into your blessings.
David’s army risked their lives to get David back his kingdom and all David could do was to mourn for his son, Absalom. Needless to say, the people felt betrayed by David. Joab realized if David didn’t do something to win the people’s heart back, David might lose his kingdom again and Joab would be out of a job. Joab was conniving and self-centered. When David hired his nephew, Amasa to go rally the troops, Joab took it as a threat to his position and chased down Amasa and killed him. Luckily for Joab, David was so vulnerable he was forgiving people right and left and didn’t have the strength to discipline Joab.
Sheba, an adversary rose up against David and tried to win the favor of the people and become king. He was a man of Belial. That is an expression describing a base person who is wicked and godless. He ended up dying by the fate of a prophetess.
There was a famine in Israel which is an indication that God was punishing the nation for something they had done to offend God. When David went to the Lord about it, God showed him that they were being punished because of how Saul had treated the Amorites. The Amorites had aided the children of Israel during their wilderness journey. God had told them to spare the Amorites because of this. Saul in his zeal to rid the land of God’s enemies had killed many of them. David went to the Amorites and asked how he could right that wrong. They told David they wanted seven of Saul’s sons. David spared Mephibosheth and turned the other seven other sons of Saul over to the Amorites who hung them. Then Saul took Saul and Jonathan’s bones from the enemy and had them buried in their family tomb. Because of all this, God healed their land of the famine. Then David and his servants came up against four giants and were able to defeat them. It is amazing what we can do when we do what is right to get back in God’s blessings.
Lord, show us as a nation how to repent and undo the sins our nation and get back into your blessings.
Monday, May 18, 2015
Mon.’s Devo - The Heart of David
Read: Ps. 26, 40, 58, 61-62, 64
I wonder if David wrote Ps. 26 while he was contemplating his own son’s anarchy. David washes his hands in innocency and cries for mercy.
In Ps. 40, David has learned that you can’t buy God’s forgiveness and favor with sacrifices. God delights in a person who will simply do what He asks and totally trusts in Him.
Ps. 58 brings up an interesting doctrine. David claims that the wicked are wicked from birth which confirms what Romans 8:29-30 and Ephesians 1:5 and 11 say. We are predestinated. 1 Peter 2:9 says, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” That is hard for us to grasp but we are not the potter and the potter decides what kind of vessel he is making.
David proclaims that God will prolong his life which is a comfort since he is running from Absalom who is trying to take it.
Although David is the king he realizes that riches and power is vain if not given by the Lord and even then they can’t be trusted. Power belongs to the Lord. Ps. 62:11
Lord, thank you that the righteous will be glad in the Lord and all the upright in heart shall glory. May we have an upright heart.
I wonder if David wrote Ps. 26 while he was contemplating his own son’s anarchy. David washes his hands in innocency and cries for mercy.
In Ps. 40, David has learned that you can’t buy God’s forgiveness and favor with sacrifices. God delights in a person who will simply do what He asks and totally trusts in Him.
Ps. 58 brings up an interesting doctrine. David claims that the wicked are wicked from birth which confirms what Romans 8:29-30 and Ephesians 1:5 and 11 say. We are predestinated. 1 Peter 2:9 says, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:” That is hard for us to grasp but we are not the potter and the potter decides what kind of vessel he is making.
David proclaims that God will prolong his life which is a comfort since he is running from Absalom who is trying to take it.
Although David is the king he realizes that riches and power is vain if not given by the Lord and even then they can’t be trusted. Power belongs to the Lord. Ps. 62:11
Lord, thank you that the righteous will be glad in the Lord and all the upright in heart shall glory. May we have an upright heart.
Sunday, May 17, 2015
Sun.’s Devo - The Love of God
Read: 2 Sam. 16-18
David has fled Jerusalem running from his own son, Absalom when he meets Ziba. Ziba was the servant of Mephibosheth, the cripple. He lies about him and says that Mephibosheth stayed and allied with Absalom so David gave Ziba all of Mephibosheth’s land. David had honored Mephibosheth because he was the only person he could find alive from the house of Saul but apparently there are more. He runs into one of them named Shimei on his flight to safety. This man comes out cursing and throwing stones. David refused to retaliate in fear that God might have sent him to curse him. David was humble when rebuked and didn’t defend himself. What a great lesson to learn. If someone speaks accusations against us, the best recourse is to consider why they are accusing us and let God bring truth out. That is what David did.
Hushai had stayed in Jerusalem to be David’s spy. He ended up detaining Absalom from chasing David right away which gave David and his men a chance to escape and regroup. He was a type of the Holy Spirit who knows everything and is our counselor.
When David and Absalom did meet on the battlefield, David’s men were ready. David had given his men orders not to kill Absalom. Verse 8 of chapter 18 says that the wood devoured more people that day than the sword. Isn’t it true that our circumstances defeat us more than the actual battle. How many marriages are lost by the little circumstances and not the big stuff. It was true of Absalom. He was hung by pride. His pride was in his hair and his hair was stuck in a tree leaving him hanging in the balance. When Joab heard it he went and killed him. He threw him in a pit covered him with stones and blew a trumpet signaling the battle was over and they had won.
When David found out his son was dead he wept and mourned.
It is so hard to think straight when your own kids are involved. David had a heart after God’s so we can see how God feels about us. His mercy and long-suffering is so powerful.
Lord, forgive us when we hurt your heart. Thank you for your mercy and grace.
David has fled Jerusalem running from his own son, Absalom when he meets Ziba. Ziba was the servant of Mephibosheth, the cripple. He lies about him and says that Mephibosheth stayed and allied with Absalom so David gave Ziba all of Mephibosheth’s land. David had honored Mephibosheth because he was the only person he could find alive from the house of Saul but apparently there are more. He runs into one of them named Shimei on his flight to safety. This man comes out cursing and throwing stones. David refused to retaliate in fear that God might have sent him to curse him. David was humble when rebuked and didn’t defend himself. What a great lesson to learn. If someone speaks accusations against us, the best recourse is to consider why they are accusing us and let God bring truth out. That is what David did.
Hushai had stayed in Jerusalem to be David’s spy. He ended up detaining Absalom from chasing David right away which gave David and his men a chance to escape and regroup. He was a type of the Holy Spirit who knows everything and is our counselor.
When David and Absalom did meet on the battlefield, David’s men were ready. David had given his men orders not to kill Absalom. Verse 8 of chapter 18 says that the wood devoured more people that day than the sword. Isn’t it true that our circumstances defeat us more than the actual battle. How many marriages are lost by the little circumstances and not the big stuff. It was true of Absalom. He was hung by pride. His pride was in his hair and his hair was stuck in a tree leaving him hanging in the balance. When Joab heard it he went and killed him. He threw him in a pit covered him with stones and blew a trumpet signaling the battle was over and they had won.
When David found out his son was dead he wept and mourned.
It is so hard to think straight when your own kids are involved. David had a heart after God’s so we can see how God feels about us. His mercy and long-suffering is so powerful.
Lord, forgive us when we hurt your heart. Thank you for your mercy and grace.
Saturday, May 16, 2015
Sat.’s Devo - Rescue Us!
Read: Ps. 3-4, 12-13, 28, 55
David not only had the weight of the nation on his shoulders but the weight of his family. His family struggle would have been eliminated if he had stuck to one wife. No wonder David is constantly needing to encourage himself in the Lord. You wonder if he is talking about his own sons in Ps. 4:2, “O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing?”
David is always desperately needing the Lord to help him and in Ps. 28:6 he declares that God has heard and come to his rescue. We tend to give up when God doesn’t answer the moment we call but we have to learn to wait. God will answer and he will deliver us.
In Ps. 55, David seems overwhelmed and surrounded by his fears but he comes to the right conclusion. God will hear and save. When we give God our problems, he will sustain us and we will not be moved because we trust in God.
Lord, thank you for the encouragement of Your Word. Everything will turn out for the good if we will trust in You and follow Your path. We cry out for our nation for you to come and let Your will be done and your Word be exalted once again.
Friday, May 15, 2015
Fri.’s Devo The Rise of Absalom
Read: 2 Sam. 13-15
Today’s scripture reads like a reality show. The royal family has major disfunction. Amnon is David’s first born who is a spoiled brat that wants what he wants when he wants it and he wanted Tamar. Tamar was Amon’s sister from another mother. Tamar and Absalom had the same mother, Maacah. Their mother must have been beautiful because they were both notable beauties. Amnon could have gone through the right channels to get Tamar as his wife and all would have been good, but he couldn’t wait. Tamar even told him to just ask her father for her hand and David would give it to him, but Amnon wouldn’t. He raped her then hated her. He lost enduring love and marriage for a moments pleasure that left him empty and in worse shape. His actions proved what was really in his heart. As bad as it seemed for Tamar, I am glad she didn’t have to live with this monster as her husband. It did seem to ruin her deep inside which is so sad.
What Amnon did was terrible and the fact that David did nothing but get mad is also terrible, but what Absalom did was even worse. He acted like everything was fine for two years while he plotted his revenge. I think his actions were deeper than revenging his sister. I think he was trying to eliminate any opposition to his climb to the throne. Amnon was first born which would have naturally given him the throne when David died. This was a good excuse to kill Amonon. Absalom was third in birth order.
Absalom killed Amnon then fled to his grandfather’s home in Geshur. His grandfather was the king there so he stayed in his protection for three years to let his father get over the death of Amnon and hopefully miss him. David did get heal from the death of Amnon and he did miss Absalom. Joab perceived this so he manipulated Absalom’s return. Once Absalom was allowed to return to Jerusalem, David refused to meet with Absalom or see his face for two years. During that time, Absalom won the heart of the people through manipulation and even tricked the people into following him. He proclaimed himself king and forced David to flee his kingdom. Absalom was such a picture of the Anti-christ.
Lord, help us to wait on You and not fall into the trap of manipulation.
Today’s scripture reads like a reality show. The royal family has major disfunction. Amnon is David’s first born who is a spoiled brat that wants what he wants when he wants it and he wanted Tamar. Tamar was Amon’s sister from another mother. Tamar and Absalom had the same mother, Maacah. Their mother must have been beautiful because they were both notable beauties. Amnon could have gone through the right channels to get Tamar as his wife and all would have been good, but he couldn’t wait. Tamar even told him to just ask her father for her hand and David would give it to him, but Amnon wouldn’t. He raped her then hated her. He lost enduring love and marriage for a moments pleasure that left him empty and in worse shape. His actions proved what was really in his heart. As bad as it seemed for Tamar, I am glad she didn’t have to live with this monster as her husband. It did seem to ruin her deep inside which is so sad.
What Amnon did was terrible and the fact that David did nothing but get mad is also terrible, but what Absalom did was even worse. He acted like everything was fine for two years while he plotted his revenge. I think his actions were deeper than revenging his sister. I think he was trying to eliminate any opposition to his climb to the throne. Amnon was first born which would have naturally given him the throne when David died. This was a good excuse to kill Amonon. Absalom was third in birth order.
Absalom killed Amnon then fled to his grandfather’s home in Geshur. His grandfather was the king there so he stayed in his protection for three years to let his father get over the death of Amnon and hopefully miss him. David did get heal from the death of Amnon and he did miss Absalom. Joab perceived this so he manipulated Absalom’s return. Once Absalom was allowed to return to Jerusalem, David refused to meet with Absalom or see his face for two years. During that time, Absalom won the heart of the people through manipulation and even tricked the people into following him. He proclaimed himself king and forced David to flee his kingdom. Absalom was such a picture of the Anti-christ.
Lord, help us to wait on You and not fall into the trap of manipulation.
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