November 7, 2013 Dad's Decision

Read 2 Samuel 12-13

Dad’s Decision

2 Sam 12:10-12 Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’ 11 “This is what the Lord says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity upon you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight. 12 You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’”

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2 Sam 13:39 And the spirit of the king longed to go to Absalom, for he was consoled concerning Amnon’s death.

IT’S not about you David. You couldn’t control your lust for Bathsheba, and then your son Ammon couldn’t control his lust for Tamar. Absalom couldn’t control his lust to kill Ammon. Like father like sons, David. See what you started?

     Your sin destroyed your family, David. You couldn’t bring yourself to go to Absalom. Were you afraid of your own guilt, the reminder of Tamar’s rape? Was it possible that seeing Absalom would remind you of God’s judgment against your family? What were you thinking, David?

     Did you think avoiding the issue would cause it to go away? Do you have any idea what Absalom was thinking? Was he wondering if you loved him, or did he care?

     Your sons, David, were at risk. You were a lousy father in these years. It almost destroyed your nation, and your bad parenting would kill thousands.

     Really, David, the sin wasn’t just about you. You should have put your lust away and been a real dad.

A Moment’s Thought: Dad’s decisions are life or death.

November 6, 2013 Eyes at Home

Read 2 Samuel 10-12

Eyes at Home

2 Sam 11:10-11 When David was told, “Uriah did not go home,” he asked him, “Haven’t you just come from a distance? Why didn’t you go home?” 11 Uriah said to David, “The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my master Joab and my lord’s men are camped in the open fields. How could I go to my house to eat and drink and lie with my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!”

I cringe every time I read this, somehow hoping David says, “No!” to temptation. David, the magnificent king of Israel, made a tragic mistake. David, the one with a great heart for God, turned his heart to darkness. And a simple foreign soldier demonstrated a greater love for God than the man of God.

     How does that happen? A Hittite soldier honors the ones he fights for. The king dishonors the one who fights for him. And then the king murders the Hittite.

     David, David, David…how could you be so greedy, so cruel, so lost? Was it pride that took you to this darkness? Was it boredom? Why didn’t you go to fight that spring and lead your soldiers as you should? Why did you let your eye fall on another’s wife? Why did you turn your inward lust to outer shame?

     What causes us to want more than God has given us? Is it ever possible to thankfully keep our eyes at home? A good thing to do when you’re tempted for more is to remember, “You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:17)

A Moment’s Thought: That’s God’s command.

November 5, 2013 Not Fair?

Read 2 Samuel 6-9

Not Fair?

2 Sam 6:6-7 But when they arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out his hand and steadied the Ark of God. 7 Then the Lord’s anger was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him dead because of this. So Uzzah died right there beside the Ark of God.

I think everyone I know who reads this is quick to say, “That’s not fair!” But be careful. “Not fair!” insinuates God has acted maliciously. So let’s look at Numbers 4:15: “when the camp is ready to move, the Kohathites are to come to do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy things or they will die. The Kohathites are to carry those things that are in the Tent of Meeting.”

     God’s law said only the Kohathites were to carry the Ark. And no one was to touch it or its contents on penalty of death. Great sin occurred as the Ark was moving on an ox cart. All men, even and especially David, who caused this to happen, should have died in their sin. But in God’s grace only Uzziah died for the sins of all.

     Always remember: God is holy. To say of him, “That’s not fair!” we speak as if the right ways of the universe hinged on our sinful minds, and we are equating God’s holiness with sin. When we place Him equal with us, it is easy to say, “I’ll do it my way.”

     Yes, it’s true. God is the one who created you. He’s the one who saves you. God gets to make the rules.

A Moment’s Thought: It would be fair for God to destroy us all, but one man has died for us all.

November 4, 2013 Your Great God

Read 2 Samuel 4-5

Your Great God

9 And David became greater and greater, for the LORD God of hosts was with him.

WHAT does it mean that David became greater and greater? What is it to be great in God?

     David reigned for 40 years from age 30 to age 70. In the history of Israel—and I mean the whole history of Israel, few reigned longer, and no one had more power than David. David’s kingdom is in displayed in Scripture and to the Hebrews to be a picture of strength, wealth, power and safety. Material greatness came from David’s throne.

     David was also spiritually “great” in God’s sight. He wasn’t perfect, but his heart was for God. He loved God, and God loved him. Contrast Saul’s heart with David’s heart, and you’ll see God blessed the heart that was for God.

     How would you describe greatness in your life? Would you begin with your heart attitude toward God? Material stuff is nice, isn’t it? I sure like it. But what’s real and true? What lasts forever? What in life is truly great?

     Ps 48:1 Great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise

     A life faithful to the great God is a great life.

A Moment’s Thought: Consider the reasons you have to declare God is great.

November 2, 2013 A Holy Conversation

Read 2 Samuel 2

Holy Conversation

1 In the course of time, David inquired of the Lord. “Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?” he asked. The Lord said, “Go up.” David asked, “Where shall I go?” “To Hebron,” the Lord answered.

I would imagine you have often said, “I wish God would give me a direct answer.” Then we would always know what to do, right?  

     When you stop and think about your conversations with God, have you asked him, “What must I do?” with a heart prepared to listen? Surely you’ve asked advice of someone, and then you decided to ignore it. Likely your advice has been forgotten by people who have asked, “What do you think?” Our tendency is to seek advice looking for the answer we want to hear. Humbling our heart to follow good advice is against our prideful nature.

     David has learned over many years how essential it is to humble his heart to God’s words. As a “man after God’s own heart” (1 Sam 13:14) he not only sought God’s words, but he humbly followed God’s words.

     God had prepared Hebron for David to begin his reign. Hebron was the largest city in Judah then. It was difficult to attack. It was located near the center of Judah. And many key trade routes came through Hebron, allowing easy access to goods and supplies for Judah’s growth. Jerusalem was yet to be formed. To prepare for that day and for David’s reign, God put David in a safe and strong place.

     Through Jesus Christ, God has prepared for you, too, a safe and strong place for your eternal life. Certainly it is worthy to seek the instruction of such a God. 

A Moment’s Thought: God’s voice is always available in the Bible.