Tag Archives: King David

Uncategorized

North and South

The War Between the States, (north & south) holds a place in America’s history. 

In scripture, (1 Kings 12-16) we read of conflicts and separation between northern Israel and southern Judah.

“When all Israel saw that the king did not listen to them, the people answered the king, saying,

‘What portion do we have in David?
We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse;
To your tents, O Israel!
Now look after your own house, David!’

So Israel departed to their tents.  But as for the sons of Israel who lived in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them.  Then King Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the forced labor, and all Israel stoned him to death. And King Rehoboam made haste to mount his chariot to flee to Jerusalem.  So Israel has been in rebellion against the house of David to this day (1 Kings 12:16-19 NASB).”

North or south, God is in control.

“The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours;
The world and all it contains, You have founded them.
 The north and the south, You have created them (Psalm 89:11-12a NASB).”

Standard
Bible Studies, Children, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Family

Cries of the Unborn

Sanctity of Life …Right to Life …Life Marches…  

Hear the cries of unborn children.

These are the words of King David; yet, they carry the message of multitudes targeted for abortion.

“O God, hasten to deliver me;
O Lord, hasten to my help!
Let those be ashamed and humiliated
Who seek my life;
Let those be turned back and dishonored
Who delight in my hurt.
Let those be turned back because of their shame
Who say, ‘Aha, aha!’

Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;
And let those who love Your salvation say continually,
‘Let God be magnified.’
 But I am afflicted and needy;
Hasten to me, O God!
You are my help and my deliverer;
O Lord, do not delay (Psalm 70:1-5 NASB).”

 

Standard
Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Salvation

Listen!

‘Listen!’

Dr. Charles Stanley voices the command repeatedly.

Was the crowd listening to Apostle Peter that day?

Did they hear the truth?

“Men of Israel, listen to these words: This Jesus the Nazarene was a man pointed out to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs that God did among you through Him, just as you yourselves know. Though He was delivered up according to God’s determined plan and foreknowledge, you used lawless people to nail Him to a cross and kill Him. God raised Him up, ending the pains of death, because it was not possible for Him to be held by it (Acts 2:22-24 HCSB).”

Death had no hold on Him. King David had prophesied…

“Seeing this in advance, he spoke concerning the resurrection of the Messiah:

He was not left in Hades, and His flesh did not experience decay.

“God has resurrected this Jesus. We are all witnesses of this. Therefore, since He has been exalted to the right hand of God and has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit, He has poured out what you both see and hear (Acts 2:31-33 HCSB).”

Did they hear; were they alert and listening?

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah (Acts 2:36 HCSB)!”

 

 

 

Standard
Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Relationships

Written in Stone

stone-1379567_640

Remember the popular ‘Que Sera, Sera’ (Whatever will be, will be) by Doris Day?

The classic is a favorite by one of my favorite female singers.

Que Sera, Sera…

Is that the attitude of a fatalist?

Is destiny set in stone?

A strained relationship between King Saul and David unfolds in a dramatic scene. 

The jealous and paranoid King was relentless in his attempts to kill David.

Given the perfect opportunity, to take the life of the mortal enemy, David declines. He would not be victor by vengeance.

Though in a crisis, David was not a fatalist; he was a man of deep faith.

Yet, some things are written in stone. King Saul, in a lucid moment, foretold the reign of David.

Que Sera, Sera.

“So it was, when David had finished speaking these words to Saul, that Saul said, ‘Is this your voice, my son David?’ And Saul lifted up his voice and wept. Then he said to David: ‘You are more righteous than I; for you have rewarded me with good, whereas I have rewarded you with evil. And you have shown this day how you have dealt well with me; for when the Lord delivered me into your hand, you did not kill me.  For if a man finds his enemy, will he let him get away safely? Therefore may the Lord reward you with good for what you have done to me this day. And now I know indeed that you shall surely be king, and that the kingdom of Israel shall be established in your hand. Therefore swear now to me by the Lord that you will not cut off my descendants after me, and that you will not destroy my name from my father’s house.’

So David swore to Saul. And Saul went home, but David and his men went up to the stronghold (1 Samuel 24:16-22 NKJV).”

 

 

 

Standard
Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals, Grief

Big Boys Do Cry

child-594519_640

‘Big boys don’t cry!’

Who told you that?

Big boys and full grown men do cry…

“Now it happened, when David and his men came to Ziklag, on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the South and Ziklag, attacked Ziklag and burned it with fire, and had taken captive the women and those who were there, from small to great; they did not kill anyone, but carried them away and went their way. So David and his men came to the city, and there it was, burned with fire; and their wives, their sons, and their daughters had been taken captive. Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep. And David’s two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite, had been taken captive. Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God (1 Samuel 30:1-6 NKJV).”

David, fearless before the giant Goliath shamelessly wept before his men.

His army, often fearless when outnumbered by their enemies wept before their leader.

Mourning turned to rejoicing…

“So David recovered all that the Amalekites had carried away, and David rescued his two wives. And nothing of theirs was lacking, either small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything which they had taken from them; David recovered all (1 Samuel 30:18-19 NKJV).”

Standard
Christian Growth, Devotionals

Baggage

luggage-1436515_640

Carrying baggage?

On a guilt trip? 

Been there, done that…

Follow the restoration example of King David.

“Be gracious to me, God,
according to Your faithful love;
according to Your abundant compassion,
blot out my rebellion.
Wash away my guilt
and cleanse me from my sin.
For I am conscious of my rebellion,
and my sin is always before me.
Against You—You alone—I have sinned
and done this evil in Your sight.
So You are right when You pass sentence;
You are blameless when You judge.
Indeed, I was guilty when I was born;
I was sinful when my mother conceived me.
Surely You desire integrity in the inner self,
and You teach me wisdom deep within.
Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones You have crushed rejoice.
Turn Your face away from my sins
and blot out all my guilt.
God, create a clean heart for me
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not banish me from Your presence
or take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore the joy of Your salvation to me,
and give me a willing spirit.
Then I will teach the rebellious Your ways,
and sinners will return to You.
Save me from the guilt of bloodshed, God,
the God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing of Your righteousness.
Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare Your praise.
You do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it;
You are not pleased with a burnt offering.
The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit.
God, You will not despise a broken and humbled heart (Psalm 51:1-17 HCSB).”

Standard