Tag Archives: King David

Uncategorized

Greg Laurie – No Spiritual Vacations

Leave a comment

 

In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites. They destroyed the Ammonite army and laid siege to the city of Rabbah. However, David stayed behind in Jerusalem.—2 Samuel 11:1

Years ago when I was speaking in Hawaii, I met someone who told me he was on a spiritual vacation. He said he was taking some time off from his Christian life.

I told him that was no vacation, and we had a long talk. He ended up recommitting his life to Christ, and I’m glad to say that he is still serving the Lord today.

The moment we back off in the spiritual battle, we will be vulnerable. The moment we fall asleep, we will be weak. That is what happened to King David. He was plucked from obscurity as a shepherd to become the great king of Israel, leading his troops into battle. He was a powerful and godly man. But after years of walking with the Lord, David put his spiritual life on cruise control. We read in 2 Samuel 11:2 that “late one afternoon, after his midday rest, David got out of bed and was walking on the roof of the palace. As he looked out over the city, he noticed a woman of unusual beauty taking a bath.”

What was David doing? He was kicking back. Interestingly, his troops were out on the battlefields. And David, the warrior king, should have been leading them as he always did. Instead, he was taking some time off.

That is why the apostle Paul told Timothy, “Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts” (2 Timothy 2:22). These words are not merely directed to young people. You can be an older man or an older woman and still chase after youthful lusts.

You don’t feed lust; you starve it. Stay away from anything that would encourage immoral living.

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Avoiding Obstacles to Effective Prayer

Leave a comment

 

James 1:5-8

Some of King David’s prayers are recorded in the Psalms. There we read how he praised the Lord, confessed sin, and cried out about his troubles. He also asked God to hear his prayers and not be silent.

We all want to pray effectively like David. To do so, we must avoid certain hindrances, such as:

Wavering faith. Doubts about God’s character or dependability diminish our trust in Him. Therefore, we must not allow feelings to dictate what we believe.

Wrong motives (James 4:3). Petitions motivated by selfish desires won’t receive an affirmative answer. God wants us to pray for His will to be done—not ours.

Conflict in relationships. Being resentful or argumentative with others will affect communication with the Father.

Lack of generosity (Prov. 21:13). God is displeased when we ignore people’s needs or give begrudgingly to the church. He hears us asking for a blessing yet sees us refusing to obey Him in our giving (1 Tim. 6:17-19).

Indifference (Prov. 28:9). Apathy to the Scriptures is another stumbling block. God has given us the Bible so that we might know Him and serve Him wholeheartedly. Failure to read and apply His Word consistently will diminish our ability to maintain a godly lifestyle.

It takes effort and commitment to develop a strong prayer life, but the rewards are great. If your prayers have not been answered, consider which, if any, of the above issues may need correction. Then, start by personalizing the prayers you read in the Psalms or elsewhere in God’s Word.

Bible in One Year:Isaiah 4-7

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — An Exchange

Leave a comment

 

Read: Psalm 32

Bible in a Year: Psalms 31-32; Acts 23:16-35

I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin. —Psalm 32:5

Jen sat on her patio pondering a scary question: Should she write a book? She had enjoyed writing a blog and speaking in public but felt God might want her to do more. “I asked God if He wanted me to do this,” she said. She talked with Him and asked for His leading.

She began to wonder if God wanted her to write about her husband’s pornography addiction and how God was working in his life and their marriage. But then she thought that it might publicly disrespect him. So she prayed, “What if we wrote it together?” and she asked her husband Craig. He agreed.

While he didn’t say what sin he committed, King David engaged in a public conversation about his struggles. He even put them into song. “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away,” he wrote (Ps. 32:3 niv). So he said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord” (v. 5). Not everyone should go public with their private battles. But when David confessed his sin, he found peace and healing that inspired him to worship God.

Craig and Jen say that the process of writing their deeply personal story has brought them closer than ever. How like God, who loves to exchange our guilt, shame, and isolation for His forgiveness, courage, and community! —Tim Gustafson

Do you need to make an exchange with God of guilt for forgiveness? He is listening.

God forgives those who confess their guilt.

INSIGHT: Like many psalms, Psalm 32 was written after a time of struggle and hardship. That is why it begins with such a wonderful and comforting affirmation: “Blessed is the one . . .” (vv. 1-2 niv). But we must not overlook the path David took to be able to make that statement. David had gone through anxiety and depression while hiding his sin. The blessing came only when he acknowledged and confessed it to the Lord (v. 5).

Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie – Mortimer Mouse?

Leave a comment

 

“‘As for Mephibosheth,’ said the king, ‘he shall eat at my table like one of the king’s sons.'” —2 Samuel 9:11

Maybe you have had some serious setbacks in life. As a child, you were mistreated, neglected, abused, or even forgotten. You, like so many kids today, were just left to yourself. Maybe people haven’t given you much hope; you’ve been written off by your parents and teachers.

The Bible tells the story of a young man named Mephibosheth, who literally was dropped in life (2 Samuel 9). His grandfather was King Saul and his father was Prince Jonathan. After they had been killed in battle, in her haste to hide him, his nurse dropped little Mephibosheth, who was only five, and as a result he lost the use of his legs.

She feared that the king-elect, David, would seek him out and kill him, as was the custom of kings of that time. But later King David, who ascended to the throne, sought Mephibosheth out and welcomed him as a member of his own family to live in the palace.

It reminds us of how Jesus reached out to us and calls us to be a part of His family. I have some good news for you today! God specializes in taking people who have been “dropped in life” and picking them back up again!

I read about how as a young man Walt Disney was fired from a newspaper. When Disney asked why, they responded, “Walt, you’re not creative enough. You never have any new ideas. We’re sorry, but we’re going to have to let you go.” Disney got dropped in life.

So, he moved to California, borrowed $500 and started a graphic arts company. Shortly after, he came up with a little character he named Mortimer Mouse, later to become Mickey Mouse, and the rest is history.

You can’t control what happens to you in life. But you have everything to say about how you react. Perhaps that setback in life can help you move forward like never before.

Discovering God’s Design

Discovering God’s Design – Spread the Joy Around

Leave a comment

 

Malachi 4:2

Have you ever actually watched a cavorting calf? You’d probably think you were witnessing the worst possible case of bovine ADD. Human children act similarly. Position yourself outside an elementary school just before the day’s final bell. Whether a child has to traverse ten feet to queue up for a bus or ten blocks to burst into her door, you can’t fail to miss a common behavior: They run.

When was the last time you leaped? Don’t count the day you were in range of an automatic sprinkler system just chugging into action. When did you dance like Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof or like King David upon the return of the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem (see 2Sa 6:14–15)?

In Psalm 28:7 David asserts: “My heart leaps for joy and with my song I praise [God].” That inner jubilation works well for some of us, but we can’t all see ourselves physically leaping. Our hearts, though, alive in Christ and inspired by joy, can bound and jump.

Preacher and writer Oswald Chambers (1874–1917) knew the joy of being right with God:

No language can express the ineffable blessedness of the supreme reward that awaits the soul that has taken its supreme climb, proved its supreme love, and entered on its supreme reward. What an imperturbable certainty there is about the man who is in contact with the real God! Thank God, the life of the Father of the Faithful is but a specimen of the life of every humble believer who obediently follows the discipline of the life of faith. What a depth of transparent rightness there must be about the man who walks before God, and the meaning of the Atonement is to place us there in perfect adjustment to God. “[Walk before me and be blameless (see Ge 17:1)],” not faultless, but blameless, undeserving of censure in the eyes of God.

Chambers concedes that no language can adequately describe such euphoria, but he doesn’t suggest that we hold back in expressing ourselves in whatever way is appropriate. Are you the “let it all hang out” type, immune to easy embarrassment? Do you gravitate like a moth toward the limelight, or are you continuously aware in a public setting of the impression you’re making—or not making, if your goal is anonymity?

The fact is that it doesn’t matter. As Christians, we revere God’s name. And we’ve been healed and forgiven. When God looks at each of us, washed in the cleansing blood of Christ, he sees something incredible—absolute perfection! We’ve been “released.” How can any of us consider keeping such news to ourselves?

Think About It

  • When you think about what God has done for you, what is the first emotion you feel?
  • How does your rightness before God allow you to experience joy?
  • Who needs to hear about this joy of yours?

Act on It

Someone out there needs the kind of joy that you as a Christian experience. Share that joy with someone.

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; H.L.M. – Praise His Majesty

Leave a comment

 

King David created patterns of worship according to the directions he received from the Lord. His majestic psalms are the masterpiece of spiritual literature. David’s poetic genius has been quoted often through the years. His psalms of praise, worship and meditation obviously are a reflection of his incredible love for his Heavenly Father.

Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!

Psalm 95:6

The Ark of the Covenant was a wooden chest made to God’s specifications. The Hebrew term for the lid of the Ark is sometimes translated “the mercy seat,” which represented both God’s heavenly throne and His purpose to cleanse His people of their sins. When David rescued the Ark and brought it to Jerusalem, he exchanged his royal attire for a simple priest’s robe. By removing the pride of his status as king, David humbly acknowledged how unworthy he was to even stand before the Lord. David then danced and worshipped the King of Kings with all of his might.

Remember that God’s presence surrounds you everywhere. Take opportunities each day to stop and praise Him for who He is. Pray also that America’s leaders would set aside any pride and worship the majesty of your only true King.

Recommended Reading: II Samuel 6:12-23

 

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; C.P. – Yay God!

Leave a comment

 

Fans go all out at football games, wearing the team color, painting their faces and roaring as a unit at a touchdown. Concertgoers raise their hands and swoon at rock stars. Supporters clap, cheer and throw confetti for leading politicians. So why not unite hearts, souls and minds, raise voices and cheer for the lover of souls, the giver of good things, the creator of the universe, the all-powerful glorious one, the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end?

O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.

Psalm 51:15

King David was eager to worship. “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’” (Psalm 122:1) And he had so much enthusiasm, dancing before the Lord when the ark returned to Jerusalem, that his wife was embarrassed by his behavior (II Samuel 6:14-16).

Football games and concerts are fun. Political events are important. But a bigger priority is to worship God. Why not praise Him with the enthusiasm of a Super Bowl fan, the adoration of music enthusiast, and the zeal of a political supporter? Pray for this nation to recognize the awesomeness of God and give Him the praise due to His name.

Recommended Reading: Ephesians 5:15-21

Campus Crusade for Christ

Campus Crusade for Christ; Bill Bright – he Heavens Declare God’s Glory

Leave a comment

 

“The heavens are telling the glory of God; they are a marvelous display of His craftmanship” (Psalm 19:1).

When King David was a small lad, his father assigned him the care of the sheep. Day after day, night after night he cared for his sheep as a loving shepherd. No doubt on numerous occasions he would lie on his back and look up at the sun and the vastness of space, during the daytime. At night, the stars and the moon would seem so close that he could almost reach them, as he would talk to the God of his fathers.

The vast expanse of creation captivated him, and instinctively he knew that God, who created it all, was his God and he could trust Him with his life, so that just before he went against the giant Goliath he could say to King Saul, “When I am taking care of my father’s sheep and a lion or a bear comes and grabs a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club…I’ve done it to this heathen Philistine too, for he has defied the armies of the living God. The Lord who saved me from the claws and teeth of the lion and the bear will save me from this Philistine” (1 Samuel 17:34-37). When David went out against Goliath, he said to the giant, “You come to me with a sword and a spear, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of the armies of heaven and of Israel” (1 Samuel 17:45). Then with a sling and a stone, he killed the Philistine.

I personally believe David triumphed because his confidence in God came not only from the teachings of the holy Scriptures, but also from the experience that he had had with God, who created all the heavens and the earth.

Bible Reading: Psalm 19:2-6

TODAY’S ACTION POINT: I will make a special point to study the vastness of God’s creation through books about science and to take time – not only in Scriptures, but also in books of science — to notice the handiwork of God’s beautiful creation, conscious that it will help me to become more sensitive and alert to the needs of others.

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – The Hand of God

Leave a comment

 

 

My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me. —Psalm 63:8

 

Read: Psalm 63: 1-8
Bible in a Year: Exodus 16-17; Matthew 18:1-20

When NASA began using a new kind of space telescope to capture different spectrums of light, researchers were surprised at one of the photos. It shows what looks like fingers, a thumb, and an open palm showered with spectacular colors of blue, purple, green, and gold. Some have called it “The Hand of God.”

The idea of God reaching out His hand to help us in our time of need is a central theme of Scripture. In Psalm 63 we read: “Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me” (vv.7-8). The psalmist felt God’s divine help like a hand of support. Some Bible teachers believe that King David wrote this psalm in the wilderness of Judah during the terrible time of his son Absalom’s rebellion. Absalom had conspired to dethrone his father, and David fled to the wilderness (2 Sam. 15–16). Even during this difficult time, God was present and David trusted in Him. He said, “Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You” (Ps. 63:3).

Life can be painful at times, yet God offers His comforting hand in the midst of it. We are not beyond His reach.
—Dennis Fisher

Beneath His watchful eye
His saints securely dwell;
That hand which bears all nature up
Shall guard His children well. —Doddridge

God bears the world’s weight on His shoulder, yet holds His children in the palm of His hand.

INSIGHT: The superscription to this psalm indicates that David was a refugee in the wilderness when he wrote it, either at the time when he was fleeing from Saul (1 Sam. 23:14-15; 24:1) or fleeing from his own son Absalom (2 Sam. 15:14,23,28). Because David addresses himself as “king” (Ps. 63:11), some Bible teachers believe that he was fleeing from his son. His life in danger (vv.9-10), David sought out and trusted God for protection and safety (vv.1-2). Instead of allowing his troubles to overwhelm him, David sang of God’s lovingkindness (v.3), meditated on His presence (v.6), and rejoiced in His deliverance (vv.9-11).
Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; C.H. – Recipe for Prosperity

Leave a comment

 

The Adams and Bush families are the only ones in the history of this nation to have both father and son serve as president. John Adams was the United States’ second president and his son, John Quincy Adams, the sixth. George Bush was the forty-first person to hold the highest office and his son, George W. Bush, the forty-third.

Keep the charge of the Lord your God…that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn.

I Kings 2:3

Of the many powerful father-son duos in history, none are as recognizable as David and Solomon. King David was one of the greatest kings in Israel’s history and his son the wisest. As David prepared to die, he gave his son advice. Today’s passage shares his guidance to prosper – follow God always, without turning from His commands.

As you begin the New Year, reflect on David’s counsel. Walk with God and keep His statutes. This guidance for the new king is also good advice for a new year. Ask God to give you wisdom as you prepare and set goals for 2015. Pray, too, for Him to grant knowledge and understanding to your nation’s leaders.

Recommended Reading: I Kings 2:1-12

Study in Psalms for 2015

The Book of Psalms – 3rd Psalm

1 Comment

This Study in the Book of Psalms is my look into how The Psalms help me deal with the news and events of the day (Local, State, National and World wide) How it gives me perspective and understanding in this complex and confusing world.

Study#4

Psalm 3 – NLT version – A psalm of David, regarding the time David fled from his son Absalom.

1 O Lord, I have so many enemies; so many are against me.

2 So many are saying, “God will never rescue him!” Selah/Interlude

3 But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.

4 I cried out to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy mountain. Selah/Interlude

5 I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me.

6 I am not afraid of ten thousand enemies who surround me on every side.

7 Arise, O Lord! Rescue me, my God! Slap all my enemies in the face! Shatter the teeth of the wicked!

8 Victory comes from you, O Lord. May you bless your people. Selah/Interlude

King David starts out by being very negative and full of despair. (vs. 1-2) – Or maybe he is showing us he should be full of despair because of what he is up against. Whatever the case it is a perfect example of what I go through with problems. First part is to keep thinking about how big the problem is, looking at it over and over; and really doing nothing else…

Next King David remembers what God does for him and how He has helped him in the past. (vs. 3-4)

Because of God’s Love and protection King David can sleep in safety. (vs.5-6) – How many times has a problem woke us up at 3am to nag us, ruin our sleep and cause worry and doubt. Remember what God has done for you and sleep in safety; Deep and peaceful.

With certainty King David sees that the Victory comes from God. (vs. 7-8)  King David is a lot like us, some days he is good and follows the Lord seeking His will. Other days he sins and falls short. No matter what the case; he knows he is a Child of God and God blesses his people.

Here is a great example for us, the faith and love King David has for God. As it says in the Bible he was a man after God’s heart. Sure he failed, sometimes in very bad ways and suffered many negative consequences. Lots of family problems, deaths, murders and worse followed King David. Yet time and again he would turn back to God, who never grew tired of loving him. God helped him and blessed him through his whole life. We can expect nothing less from God for us. Endless Love and Perfect Grace is ours for being a Child of God.

I think I will have a good night’s sleep tonight, How about you? Will you sleep well tonight? Bro Bo.

John MacArthur

John MacArthur – A Psalm of Sufficiency

Leave a comment

John MacArthur

“The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.

“They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them Thy servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

“Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults. Also keep back Thy servant from presumptuous sins; let them not rule over me; then I shall be blameless, and I shall be acquitted of great transgression.

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer” (Ps. 19:7-14).

God’s Word addresses the soul’s every need.

King David was a man of stark contrasts. He knew the humility of shepherding a flock and the prestige of reigning over a nation. He experienced glorious triumphs and bitter defeats. He sought after God, yet also suffered immense guilt and pain from immorality and murder. That led to even his own son’s seeking to take his life. Some of his psalms reflect great hope and others, despair. But through it all he continued to look to God, being assured of God’s sovereignty and the sufficiency of His divine resources.

In Psalm 19 David penned the most monumental statement ever made on the sufficiency of Scripture. As we study it in the days ahead, keep in mind that every need of your soul or inmost being is ultimately spiritual, and God has supplied sufficient resources to meet those needs completely. That was David’s confidence. May it be yours as well.

Suggestions for Prayer; Throughout our study of Psalm 19, ask God to give you fresh insights that will enable you appreciate and rest more fully in His gracious provisions.

For Further Study; Reread Psalm 19:1-14.

  • What terms did David use for God’s Word?
  • What benefits does the Word bring to believers?
  • Are you enjoying those benefits?
Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie – “Be All There”       

Leave a comment

greglaurie

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. —Psalm 90:12

It’s hard to explain when someone’s life has been cut short, dying at a relatively young age. We expected that person to live a much longer life. But who is to say that it wasn’t his or her appointed time to go? Who is to say that it wasn’t the exact length of life that God had preordained for that man or woman from the very beginning?

In the book of Acts, the apostle Paul says of King David, “Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors” (Acts 13:36, NIV). David, great a man as he may have been, served God’s purpose in his own generation and then was taken off the scene.

That is why we want to make every day count. To paraphrase the words of Moses in Psalm 90:12, “Lord, help us to realize our lives can end on any day, so please show us how to use each day wisely.”

We don’t know when our day will come. We don’t know when we will have “served God’s purpose in our own generation.” When God calls you home, you’re going home! You can live on vitamin C, zinc, and echinacea. You can drink green tea, eat tofu, and avoid all the toxins you can, but when your number is up, your number is up.

On the other hand, you will be around until God is done with you. You won’t go before your time. You may or may not be the healthiest person, but you will live to the time that God has appointed for you—and worrying about it won’t extend your life for one moment.

At the same time, however, we aren’t to take foolish risks and “put the Lord to the test.” We can be assured that we are here until God is done with us. As the apostle Paul said, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). So let’s make the most of the lives God has given us. As missionary Jim Elliot once wrote, “Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.”

Today’s devotional is an excerpt from Every Day with Jesus by Greg Laurie, 2013

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — Lasting Regrets

Leave a comment

Our Daily Bread

Psalm 32:1-7

When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long. —Psalm 32:3

While I was talking with a gifted pianist, she asked me if I played any musical instruments. When I responded, “I play the radio,” she laughed and asked if I had ever wanted to play any instrument. My embarrassed answer was, “I took piano lessons as a boy but gave it up.” Now, in my adult years, I regret not continuing with the piano. I love music and wish I could play today. That conversation was a fresh reminder to me that life is often constituted by the choices we make—and some of them produce regret.

Some choices produce much more serious and painful regrets. King David discovered this when he chose to sleep with another man’s wife and then killed that man. He described the guilt that filled him as devastating, saying, “When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was turned into the drought of summer” (Ps. 32:3-4). But David acknowledged and confessed his sin to God and found forgiveness (v.5).

It is only from God that we can receive the grace of forgiveness when our choices have produced painful regrets. And only in Him do we find the wisdom to make better choices. —Bill Crowder

Father of mercies, forgive me for the foolish choices

I have made. Please enable me to be wiser in

my choices. Teach me the value of resting

in Your grace.

God’s forgiveness frees us from the chains of regret.

Bible in a year: Psalms 31-32; Acts 23:16-35

Insight

For about a year after his adultery with Bathsheba, David refused to repent of his sins (covetousness, adultery, deceit, and murder) until the prophet Nathan confronted him (2 Sam. 11–12). David penned Psalms 32 and 51 thereafter. In today’s psalm, David speaks of the heavy burden of guilt in his year-long denial of sin (vv.3-4). He also tells of the joy of receiving God’s gift of forgiveness when, with a contrite heart, he confesses and repents (vv.1-2,5) and becomes receptive to God’s rule in his life (vv.7-11). Warning of God’s disciplining hand (v.4), David urges all who have sinned to repent without delay (v.6).

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – Rewards of Time Well Spent

Leave a comment

Charles Stanley

Psalm 63:1-8

Communicating with God is always a blessing: The believer who spends time alone with his Father can expect rich rewards. For example, King David’s psalms often speak of the stillness of soul and renewed energy that he experienced from time in God’s presence. Our spirit is quieted in prayer so that worry and frustration are soothed away. As the Lord refreshes us inwardly, we can feel the tension seeping out of our muscles. Not even a poet like David can explain how it happens, but the result of our worship is divine energy surging through these human bodies.

Our emotions are renewed as well. When I go home after a Sunday morning sermon, I’m quite tired. The perfect remedy is to sit down with the open Word and ask the Lord for a fresh sense of His presence and love. He answers every time. Those divine responses—as well as little nudges from the Holy Spirit—serve to strengthen our faith.

In spite of the great rewards that result from spending time in God’s presence, many Christians avoid it—especially when they are trying to ignore sin in their life. But He is determined to purify our hearts so we can be conformed to the image of His Son. If we are afraid of His correction and resist the transformation process, our relationship with Him will weaken. On the other hand, a desire to deal with anything that interferes with our connection to the Father will lead to a closer personal walk and bring blessings that go with being His beloved child. Time spent in His presence is always rewarded.

 

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — A Lesson In Worry

Leave a comment

Our Daily Bread

Psalm 3

LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! —Psalm 3:1

My friend handed me a tall glass of water and told me to hold it. The longer I held it, the heavier it felt. Finally my hand grew tired, and I had to put the glass down. “I’ve learned that worry can be like holding that glass,” she said. “The longer I worry about something, the more my fears weigh me down.”

King David knew about fear. His whole life had been turned upside down. His son Absalom had stolen the allegiance of the nation of Israel from him and was attempting to take the throne for himself. David didn’t know who was loyal to him and who was against him. His only option seemed to be to run. He said to his servants, “Make haste to depart, lest [Absalom] overtake us suddenly and bring disaster upon us” (2 Sam. 15:14).

In a psalm that David may have written while he was fleeing for his life, he wrote: “I cried to the LORD with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill” (Ps. 3:4). In the midst of his fear, David looked to the Lord. God showed him grace and restored him to the throne.

There are plenty of worries that can weigh us down. But as we release them into God’s strong hands, He will help us through our trials. —Anne Cetas

Thank You, Lord, that we do not have to be

weighed down by worry. Help us to place our

concerns in Your care so that

we do not fear tomorrow.

Worry is a burden that God never meant for us to bear.

Bible in a year: Job 22-24; Acts 11

Insight

Sometimes Scripture teaches us directly. The Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5–7) is a great example of this. In other places we learn by example. Through the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, for instance, we learn to stand for God despite the consequences (Dan. 3). The New Testament teaches us through the words of Paul and Peter to be anxious about nothing but to pray and to cast our cares on Him (Phil. 4:6; 1 Peter 5:7). Today’s passage illustrates that principle by example. David, surrounded by trouble and enemies, prayed and then “lay down and slept.” Then he “awoke, for the LORD sustained [him]” (Ps. 3:5). By praying to God about his cares and concerns, David was able to proclaim, “Salvation belongs to the LORD. Your blessing is upon Your people” (v.8).

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; J.K. – Only One Life

Leave a comment

ppt_seal01The brevity and vanity of life was a theme throughout the Psalms, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. King David, though impatient and distressed by life or his own actions, always came back to the same thing…his hope was in God.

And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.

Psalm 39:7

Can you say the same thing? Sometimes the burdens of providing for family, raising children or struggling with illness can cause you great worry or despair. But think of it. These Old Testament characters based their faith on the God who had not yet fully revealed Himself through the gospel of the Lord Jesus. David didn’t know the reality of that, yet his only hope was in the Lord and in His Word…the foundation that is real and lasting. How he lived became much more important than how long he lived.

Recognize your hope of life in light of Christ’s life, death and resurrection. Live with eternity’s values in view. However it is possible for you, spread the word to your neighbors and to the leaders of this nation. Life has meaning when your hope is in the Lord. As missionary C.T. Studd wrote: “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.”

Recommended Reading: Psalm 116:1-9

Charles Spurgeon

Charles Spurgeon – The jeer of sarcasm, and the retort of piety

Leave a comment

CharlesSpurgeon

“Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal… came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel today, who uncovered himself today in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself! And David said unto Michal, It was before the Lord, which chose… to appoint me ruler… over Israel: therefore will I play before the Lord. .” 2 Samuel 6:20-22

Suggested Further Reading: 1 Peter 3:1-7

It is a happy thing when we are enabled to rejoice together in our family relationships; when husband and wife help each other on the path to heaven. There can be no happier position than that of the Christian man who finds, in every holy wish he has for God, a helper; who finds that often she outstrips him; that when he would do something, she suggests something more; when he would serve his Master there is a hint given that more yet might be done, and no obstacle put in the way, but every assistance rendered. Happy is that man and blessed is he. He has received a treasure from God, the like of which could not be bought for diamonds. That man is blessed of the Most High; he is heaven’s favourite, and he may rejoice in the special favour of his God. But when it is the other way, and I know it is the case with some of you, then it is a sore trial indeed. Perhaps, though a careful, cautious, prudent, and excellent worldly woman, she cannot see with you in the things which you love in the kingdom of God, and when you have done something which in the excess of your zeal seems to be but little, she thinks it inordinate and extravagant. “Oh,” says she, “do you go and mix with these people? Does King David go and wear a linen ephod like a peasant? Do you go and sit down with that rabble? You? You can stand up for your dignity—put ‘esquire’ after your name, and yet walk in the street with any beggar that likes to call himself a Christian. You,” says she, “you that are so cautious in everything else, you seem to have lost your head when you think about your religion.”

For meditation: Those close to the Lord Jesus Christ, his friends and family, could not understand him (Mark 3:21; John 7:5) but God worked in their lives (Acts 1:14; 1 Corinthians 9:5). Don’t despair of your loved ones who seem so far from God (1 Corinthians 7:16).

Sermon no. 321

9 April (Preached 8 April 1860)

Charles Stanley

Charles Stanley – The Rewards of Meditation

1 Comment

Charles Stanley

Psalm 51:1-14

Yesterday we looked at three blessings that are derived through spending time with the Lord and meditating upon His Word. Now, let’s look at two additional rewards.

First, meditation brings a genuine personal closeness with God. Think about a family member or one of your good friends. The warmth and depth you share with him or her did not simply appear out of nowhere. Rather, the relationship is the result of long-standing, close-knit interaction that has been built on a foundation of love and trust. And we must ask, How is it possible to get close to someone without spending precious time together? Likewise, we cannot grow close to the Lord unless we make it a point to spend time with Him.

Second, our meditation enables us to develop a pure heart. As we spend time in the Lord’s presence, He will bring to the surface those things in our heart that do not belong there. We see this clearly in the repentance of King David, as described in Psalm 51. This passage was written after David’s sorrowful realization of his sin with Bathsheba. Because of his close relationship with God, David could not hide from his own sin. In verse 3, he cries, “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.”

David’s painful self-awareness led him into reconciliation with God. In the same way, when we allow our relationship with the Lord to permeate the darkest places of our heart, we, too, can find the strength to accept our Father’s amazing love and forgiveness.

 

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread — Covering Sinkholes

Leave a comment

Our Daily Bread

Psalm 32:1-5

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. —Psalm 32:1

In late May 2010, tropical storm Agatha hit Central America, producing torrential rains and landslides. Once it finished its course, a 200-foot-deep sinkhole opened in downtown Guatemala City. This sinkhole caused the ground to collapse suddenly, sucking land, electrical poles, and a 3-story building into the depths of the earth.

Though sinkholes can be devastating, the most universal and damaging sinkhole is the one that happens in the human heart. King David was an example of this.

The surface of David’s life looked stable; however, his interior life rested on a fragile foundation. After his sins of adultery and murder, David thought he had successfully hidden his treacherous acts (2 Sam. 11–12). However, God’s intense conviction after Nathan’s confrontation caused him to realize that denying the presence of sin in his life weakened the foundation of his spiritual life. To prevent this spiritual sinkhole from worsening, David acknowledged his sin to God in repentance (Ps. 32:5). As a result, God covered David’s sin and gave him the joy of forgiveness.

We too will experience God’s grace when we confess our sins to Him. He will completely forgive and cover our spiritual sinkholes. —Marvin Williams

Thinking It Over

What habitual sins, secret addictions, or hidden

vulnerabilities are weakening your interior life?

Remember, God longs to give you complete forgiveness.

When we uncover our sins in repentance God will cover them.

Bible in a year: Leviticus 26-27; Mark 2

Insight

Psalm 32 is one of the seven penitential psalms (Pss. 6,38,51,102, 130,143), which are prayers confessing sins and turning to the Lord for His mercy and forgiveness. For about a year after his adultery with Bathsheba, David refused to admit that he had sinned—that is, until the prophet Nathan confronted him (2 Sam. 11–12). As a result, David penned Psalms 32 and 51. In today’s psalm, David celebrates the forgiveness he received (vv.1-2), warns of the terrible burden of living with unconfessed sins (vv.3-4), and encourages sinners to repent or face chastening by the Lord (vv.3-6,8-11). In the New Testament, Paul quotes Psalm 32:1-2 to show how God forgives sinners—by grace through faith alone (see Rom. 4:6-8).