God's Will and Our Willingness.

2 Samuel 10

Be courageous! Let us fight bravely to save our people and the cities of our God. May the LORD's will be done. ­– 2 Samuel 10:12 NLT

David was a king, and kings sometimes have to fight the enemy. It's not all royal dinner parties and leisurely days spent relaxing in the palace. David's reign was regularly threatened and his kingdom was always under attack by the enemies of Israel. Even though God was with him, David was still expected to do his part. God didn't fight his battles for him. God gave him wisdom, direction, and even intervened in miraculous ways, but David still had to pick up his sword, lead his army, and take on the enemy in battle. Notice the words that Joab spoke to his brother Abishai: "Be courageous! Let us fight bravely to save our people and the cities of our God." As one of David's military commanders, Joab knew that they were going to have to take on the Ammonites and all the mercenary armies they had hired to fight against Israel. He was calling his brother and all those under his command to fight bravely, to do their part. But then he reminded Abishai that the results were up to God. They would do what they could do and trust God to do what was in His will to do.

Waiting for God's will doesn't mean we sit on our hands and do nothing. Remember, this whole situation in 2 Samuel 10 began with David attempting to show sympathy to the new king of the Ammonites over the death of his father, the former king. David wants to extend an olive branch in recognition of the late King Nahash and his former loyalty to David. But the king's son listens to the advice of his counselors and rejects David's kind offer. He embarrasses David's emissaries and hires thousands of mercenaries to fight against David. David is forced to respond. So he gathers his troops and prepares for war. But he and his military leaders recognize that the results of this conflict are ultimately up to God. They will do what they have to do, but the outcome is up to God. The well-being of Israel and her inhabitants is being threatened by this upstart king, so David responds with action. It is his job to protect the people of Israel. He has a job to do. He is not being rash or hasty. He is only responding to the actions of the enemies of Israel. He is going to do his part and trust God to do His.

Isn't that what we are all called to do? Yet oftentimes we are lulled into a sense of complacency and inaction, thinking that waiting on God's will means doing nothing. David was simply doing his job as king. He was performing the task that God had given him to do. And you and I have responsibilities given to us by God. We are His ambassadors and representatives on this earth. We are to make disciples. We are to carry on the ministry of reconciliation. We are to stand against the enemy and to fight the good fight. We are to spread the gospel and live as salt and light in this world. We are to love others. We are to take up our crosses daily. We have work to do, and we must do it diligently, trusting that ultimately, God's will will be done. We are to do our part and leave the results up to Him. Like Joab, we are to fight bravely in order to save our people. We are to fight for the body of Christ all around the world. We are to do all that we can do to care for the people of God who are under attack. That is our job. That is our responsibility. That is our duty. So we must do our part and leave the results up to God. We must be willing to do what we have been called to do, and trust that the will of God will be done.

Father, we ask that Your will be done here on earth. But don't allow us to sit on our hands waiting for You to do it all. You have chosen us, empowered us, equipped us, and commissioned us to do great things here on earth. May we be busy doing what You have called us to do, and trusting in the reliability and accuracy of Your will to be done. May we see ourselves as partners with You as we live out our lives on this planet. Give us courage to do our part, because we know You are going to do Yours. Amen



With-full Thinking.

Psalms 60; 75

With God's help we will do mighty things, for he will trample down our foes."­– Psalm 60:12 NLT

Things didn't always go well for David. His reign wasn't always easy. It was marked with war and not all the battles went his way. And there were times when he wondered just exactly what God was doing, what He was up to. Psalm 60 records just such a time. From David's perspective, it felt as if God had turned against him.

You have rejected us… (Vs 1)

…broken our defenses… (Vs 1)

You have been angry with us… (Vs 1)

You have shaken our land and split it open… (Vs 2)

You have been very hard on us… (Vs 3)

But in spite of the circumstances surrounding him, David fell back on the promises of God. He placed his hope in God's faithfulness. He called out to God and reminded Him of His promises to the people of Israel. "Use your strong right arm to save us, and rescue your beloved people. God has promised this by his holiness : 'I will divide up Shechem with joy. I will measure out the valley of Succoth. Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine. Ephraim will produce my warriors, and Judah will produce my kings. Moab will become my lowly servant, and Edom will be my slave. I will shout in triumph over the Philistines.'" (Psalm 60:5-9 NLT).

David knew he needed God's help. He knew the answer to his problem was God and God alone. No mere man was going to be able to deliver him. His hope was to be found in God. "Oh, please help us against our enemies, for all human help is useless" (Psalm 60:11 NLT). David feared the rejection of God. He knew just how serious that would be, so he refused to take God's presence for granted. He was fully aware just how vulnerable he and his kingdom would be without God. So he appealed to God for His help. David knew that WITH God, all things were possible. There was no predicament too difficult or foe too strong. "With God's help we will do mighty things, for he will trample down our foes" (Psalm 60:12).

It reminds me of the words of Paul to the Philippians: "For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need" (Philippians 4:13 NLT). Do we believe that? Do we live our lives as if that is a fact and not just some empty statement we quote to someone else when they are going through difficulty? Paul believed it, just as David did. They both knew that with God all things were possible, but that without Him they were weak, vulnerable, exposed, and incapable of surviving in this world. As believers, sometimes our life with God is nothing more than our hope of eternal salvation. We believe, and rightfully so, that because of what Christ has done on the cross, we are assured of our future salvation and a place in heaven. But we tend to live our lives in this world without God. It is as if we believe that we are on our own as long as we are living on this planet. We make decisions without God. We plan our days and our lives without God. We do battle with the enemy without God's help. We raise our children without God's wisdom. We celebrate our successes without giving God thanks or credit. We suffer setbacks and trials without calling out to God for help or deliverance.

But the Psalmist knew that life without God is no life at all. Paul knew that success and survival were both dependent upon God. With God's help, we can do mighty things. We can do all things with the help of Christ. For the life of a believer, the word "with" is more than a preposition. It's the key to living the life we've been called to live. With God, a life of holiness is possible. With God, sinful habits can be defeated. With God, joy can be a reality. With God, Satan can be resisted. With God, abundant life can be experienced. With God, trials can be rejoiced in, not just endured. A life with God is a full life. So why not include Him in yours today?

Father, I tend to live my life too much without You. Please forgive me. Today's reading has been a reminder of just how much I need You. But that thought needs to permeate my thinking each day, all day. Continue to remind me just how much I need You. Amen



Attitude Vs. Actions.

Psalms 50; 53

I don't need the bulls you sacrifice; I don't need the blood of goats. What I want instead is your true thanks to God; I want you to fulfill your vows to the Most High. Trust me in your times of trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory. ­– Psalm 50:13-15 NLT

We can get so busy doing things for God that we actually lose sight of God. We think we are giving God what He desires – acts of service, attending Bible studies, having out quiet times, going to church, giving money – but all our busyness isn't what God needs or desires. What He wants is our hearts. He wants a relationship. According to the Psalmist, God wants our thanks. He wants us to recognize who He is and all that He has done for us. It is our thanksgiving that should produce sacrifice. Our gratefulness will result in genuine acts of service to Him. Gratitude is an attitude that results in actions. We will love Him more when we realize just how much He first loved us.

Over in Psalm 51, the writer reminds us of something else God desires from us, and once again, it isn't our actions and efforts.  "Unseal my lips, O Lord, that I may praise you. You would not be pleased with sacrifices, or I would bring them. If I brought you a burnt offering, you would not accept it. The sacrifice you want is a broken spirit. A broken and repentant heart, O God, you will not despise" (Psalm 51:15-17 NLT). God wants a humble, repentant heart. He wants an attitude of humility and brokenness before Him. Yet what we tend to do is just get busy for Him. We do more. We sacrifice more. We get involved in more. We may even read our Bibles more, all in an attempt to please Him. But there have been plenty of times when I have read my Bible more out of duty than out of delight to hear from Him. I do it as a chore to be done, something to check off my to-do list. The same can be true of attending church. How many times do we go, but never hear from God. We sit in services and sing songs, pray prayers, and listen to sermons, but we walk away having never really heard from or having met with God.

It is this attitude that Jesus despised in the Pharisees of His day. They were the kings of religious ritual and going through the motions. Yet Jesus said of them, "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far away." (Matthew 15:8 NLT). They were religious superstars, but didn't have a heart for God. They were outwardly religious, but inwardly distant from God. Their actions did not stem from a right relationship with God.

It seems that God wants our thanksgiving and our obedience. But He wants our obedience to come from a right heart, not just some sense of religious rule keeping. Because God knows we can DO all the right things, yet have hearts that are far from Him. In fact, the Psalmist indicates that a day is coming when God will judge those who pretend to be religious: "Recite my laws no longer, and don't pretend that you obey me. For you refuse my discipline and treat my laws like trash. When you see a thief, you help him, and you spend your time with adulterers. Your mouths are filled with wickedness, and your tongues are full of lies. You sit around and slander a brother -- your own mother's son. While you did all this, I remained silent, and you thought I didn't care. But now I will rebuke you, listing all my charges against you" (Psalm 50:16-21 NLT). God knows our hearts. He knows when our actions are just that – actions without the right attitude. He knows when we are going through the motions – acting religious, yet living lives that reflect a double-standard. We pretend to be in love with God, but in reality we're in love with the world and the things it offers.

God wants our hearts. He longs for our attitudes to influence our actions. He doesn't need our sacrifices. He desires our hearts to desire Him. "But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me" (Psalm 50:23 NLT). Thanksgiving is a reflection of our understanding and appreciation for who God is and all that He has done for us. Obedience is an action that flows from a right attitude. We obey Him because we love Him. We serve Him because we appreciate Him. We serve Him because we are grateful to Him.

My lips will praise You,

for You are holy;

My voice will ever rise before Your throne.

My heart will love You,

for You are lovely,

And You have called me

to become Your own.

– My Lips Will Praise you, Twila Paris

Father, You deserve my thanksgiving. You deserve my praise. You deserve my obedience. May I learn to serve You more out of gratitude than some sense of obligation or duty. Don't let my relationship with You turn into religion and ritual. I want to praise You with my life and my lips. Amen



Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due.

1 Chronicles 18

So the LORD gave David victory wherever he went. ­– 1 Chronicles 18:6 NLT

David subdued and humbled…

David also conquered…

David destroyed…

David captured…

David killed…

David brought…

David dedicated…

David reigned…

At first blush, it would appear that this chapter is all about David. After all, his name is mentioned 16 times, so it would seem that he is the focus of the chapter. And in a way, he is. But there is one other character who plays an even more significant role in the story being told here. And that would be God. Without Him, none of David's exploits would have been possible. Without God, David would not even be the king of Israel. His presence in this story is what sets the reign of David apart from that of Saul and every other king who had ever ruled over a nation. The chronicler makes it clear: "So the LORD gave David victory wherever he went" (1 Chronicles 18:6 NLT). God gave the victory. David got the credit. He got to enjoy the thrill of the victory. He got to experience the rush of winning a decisive battle and watching the enemies of Israel cower at his feet. He got to see his royal coffers overflow with the plunder of each successive victory. But without God, none of it would have been possible. When David's army defeated the Moabites, the chronicler wrote, "This was another example of how the LORD made David victorious wherever he went" (1 Chronicles 18:13 NLT).

God is the behind-the-scenes star of this story. He always is. We may not see Him, but He is always there. David was God's man. He had chosen him to be king. He had anointed David as Saul's replacement and now that David was on the throne, God was blessing his every move. But David had a part to play. And it was not just to be successful. David's exploits are not nearly as important as David's heart. God had chosen David because he was a man after His own heart. David had a heart for God and it showed up in his obedience to God. Unlike his predecessor, David sought the will of God. He asked for God's guidance. And he seemed to know that his reign was only as strong as his relationship with God. Which is why David acknowledged God in his victories and sought God in times of defeat. As the spoil of battle began to add up, David made sure that he did not try and take credit for his victories. "King David dedicated all these gifts to the LORD, along with the silver and gold he had taken from the other nations he had subdued" (1 Chronicles 18:11 NLT). David knew that he was being blessed by God for a reason. If you recall, at one point David wanted to build a temple for God, but God told David that he would not be able to do so. That job would be up to David's son, Solomon. But David's victories were going to pay for the construction of that temple and much of the plunder of war would be used in furnishing the temple. "Later Solomon melted the bronze and used it for the Temple. He molded it into the bronze Sea, the pillars, and the various bronze utensils used at the Temple" (1 Chronicles 18:8 NLT). David was dedicated to God. Everything he did, he seemed to do for the glory of God. Was he always perfect in this pursuit? No. But we see in this chapter a characteristic of David that truly set him apart. And it is a quality that should mark our lives as Christ-followers. We should recognize that God is the behind-the-scenes star of our life story as well. He has called us. He has chosen us to be His sons and daughters. He is orchestrating the events of our lives in order to bring us good and Himself glory. It is our job to acknowledge Him and to realize that any "victory" we experience is due to Him, not us. We cannot take credit for our successes and blame God for our failures. And we cannot enjoy the benefits of a relationship with God without realizing that the blessings of God are not just for our own benefit. God blesses us in order that we might be a blessing to others. Our victories are not for us to bask in. God blesses us for a reason. David's successes were not for him, but for the glory of God and the good of the nation of Israel. Our successes are not for us, but for the glory of God and the good of the body of Christ. This is God's story, not ours. He is the star. And He alone deserves the credit.

Father, You do deserve all the credit for any successes I have experienced in my life. But it is so easy for me to rob You of glory by taking the credit myself. I over-value my own self-worth at times. I forget that I am nothing without You. Any good I experience, any blessings I enjoy – all come from Your hand. Help me continue to learn to give You all the credit. Thank You for being the behind-the-scenes star of my life's story. Amen



The Unmerited Favor of God.

2 Samuel 8-9

And from that time on, Mephibosheth ate regularly with David, as though he were one of his own sons. ­– 2 Samuel 9:11 NLT

We have in these two chapters of 2 Samuel, a dramatic contrast. On the one hand, you see David, the conquering king experiencing victory after victory – all because God is with him. "So the Lord made David victorious wherever he went" (2 Samuel 8:6b NLT). On the other hand, you see David the gracious king, extending kindness to the grandson of his old nemesis, Saul. In these two contrasts we see a picture of God and His relationship with mankind. God is the conquering King, the warrior-God, before whom no king or nation can stand. He is all-powerful and nations fall before His might. Yet, He is also the gracious King who extends mercy and favor to those who do not deserve it and could never earn it. David had the hand of God upon him. He was unstoppable. He was winning battle after battle against anybody and everybody. And while he could have justified a desire to search out and destroy any descendants of Saul, thus eliminating any claim they might have to the throne, he instead seeks out Saul's descendants in order that he might show them grace – unmerited favor.

Mephibosheth is a picture of you and me. We are crippled by sin, weak and defenseless before the mighty King. We deserve His wrath and judgment. We have inherited the legacy of our "grandfather" Adam. We are sinners just like he was. We stand before God as guilty. We are usurpers to the throne of God. And while we deserve His wrath, He instead extends to us His grace. He seeks us out. He invites us into His throne room. He gives us what we do not deserve – which is grace. And He does not give us what we do deserve – which is mercy. No, like Mephibosheth, we find ourselves standing before God as guests in His home, eating at His table, enjoying the benefits of His grace.

Those of us who are in Christ have been extended the same grace as Mephibosheth. We stand before God as His children. We enjoy the benefits of His mercy and grace each and every day. Crippled by sin and powerless to provide for ourselves, we eat at the King's table and take advantage of His remarkable kindness. What an honor. What a privilege. What a God we serve.

Father, may I never lose sight of the magnitude of the kindness You have extended to me. May I never stop marveling that I am Your child and that I enjoy the benefits of Your grace, instead of Your wrath – all because of what Your Son did for me on the cross. Amen



A Healthy Fear of God

Psalms 33; 36; 39

But the LORD watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. ­– Psalms 33:18 NLT

The fear of the Lord seems to be something we are afraid to talk about in the church today. I guess it just sounds so foreign to us. Fear is something we run from, not embrace. It doesn't fit with our sanitized concept of God. Our God is loving and kind, gentle and forgiving. He is more like a kindly old grandfather figure who doles out treats to his grandchildren than a holy, righteous, and sometimes wrathful God who can and does get angry and hates sin. So we choose to reject any concept of fearing God. It makes Him seem too unapproachable and unattractive. Yet the Psalmists seemed to talk about the fear of the Lord a lot. And it seems to be a theme within the three Psalms in today's reading.

So what is this fear of the Lord? And do we experience it? If not, why not? The Psalmist says God watches over those who fear Him, and that fear is linked to a reliance on God's unfailing love. So the fear of God and the love of God seem to go hand in hand. They are not mutually exclusive. The Psalmist goes on to say, "For the word of the LORD holds true, and everything he does is worthy of our trust. He loves whatever is just and good, and his unfailing love fills the earth" (Psalms 33:4-5 NLT). He then goes on to talk about God's creation of the world. "Let everyone in the world fear the LORD, and let everyone stand in awe of him. For when he spoke, the world began! It appeared at his command" (Psalms 33:8-9 NLT). God is great, mighty and awesome. He is the creator God, who brought into existence everything we see. There is no other god like Him. That fact alone should create a fear and awe of Him. He is not ordinary and pedestrian. He is not normal and run-of-the-mill. He is extraordinary.

And the Psalmist goes on to speak of God's power over the nations. "The LORD shatters the plans of the nations and thwarts all their schemes" (Psalms 33:10 NLT). He is greater than any human power has ever been. He is more powerful than any nation on earth that has ever existed. And recognition of that fact changes how we view God. "We depend on the LORD alone to save us. Only he can help us, protecting us like a shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we are trusting in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, LORD, for our hope is in you alone" (Psalms 33:20-22 NLT).

A healthy fear comes from an understanding of who God is and what He has done and is capable of doing. He is all powerful. He is in complete control. He is capable of shattering mountains and nations. He created all things and He can destroy them. And yet, He has chosen to have a relationship with mankind. He has chosen to show His love to men and women, and extend to them His love, mercy, and grace. The Psalmist recognized and appreciated this. "What joy for the nation whose God is the LORD, whose people he has chosen for his own" (Psalms 33:12 NLT). That God would show love to any of us should blow us away. My love for God is directly linked to my fear of God. That a God this powerful, holy, righteous, and just should love me should astound me. And it should set me apart from those who do not love the Lord.

The Psalmist describes those who do not fear the Lord in sobering words. "Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God to restrain them. In their blind conceit, they cannot see how wicked they really are. Everything they say is crooked and deceitful. They refuse to act wisely or do what is good. They lie awake at night, hatching sinful plots. Their course of action is never good. They make no attempt to turn from evil" (Psalms 36:1-4 NLT). With no fear of God, they have nothing to restrain them. They fear no consequences. Even if they believe in God, they do not think He is going to do anything. Their attitude is a lot like those described in the following passages:

"'The LORD isn't looking,' they say, 'and besides, the God of Israel doesn't care.' Think again, you fools! When will you finally catch on? Is the one who made your ears deaf? Is the one who formed your eyes blind? He punishes the nations -- won't he also punish you? He knows everything -- doesn't he also know what you are doing? The LORD knows people's thoughts, that they are worthless!'" – Psalms 94:7-11 NLT

"'Do you people think that I am some local deity and not the transcendent God?' the Lord asks. 'Do you really think anyone can hide himself where I cannot see him?' the Lord asks. ''Do you not know that I am everywhere?' the Lord asks" – Jeremiah 23:24 NET

It is our fear of God that prompts us to obey God. It is His love for us that empowers us to obey us. Fear alone will not last. But if I can comprehend His love and balance it with my fear of Him, I will respond in grateful love and obedience in return. Without fear, I will live in open rebellion. Without an understanding of His love, I will live in guilt and with a sense of burden. But when I recognize that the holy, powerful, all-knowing God has extended His love to me, I should respond in love. My fear of Him does not go away, but it will be coupled with an astounded and grateful love for Him.

Father, may I never cease to fear You so that my love of You is never superficial and maudlin. I don't want it to be a sentimental kind of love, but one that understand who You are and all that You have done for me. Amen



A God Worth Worshiping.

Psalms 25; 29

Show me the path where I should walk, O LORD; point out the right road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. ­– Psalms 25:4-5 NLT

Where do you turn in times of trouble? David turned to God. Why? Because He knew that God would hear him and answer. He knew his God to be compassionate, kind, loving, good, upright, truthful, trustworthy, wise, and forgiving. He knew God would lead him, teach him, and show him the right path to follow. And in the end, God would save him – from whatever difficulty he found himself in. David also knew that his God was a forgiving God who, although holy and righteous, would forgive David's sins time and time again. Which is why David could pray, "For the honor of your name, O LORD, forgive my many, many sins" (Psalms 25:11 NLT). David had confidence that he could come to God with his sins, confess the, and God would forgive him – each and every time. In his times of difficulty and trouble, David knew he could come to God and call out for help. "Turn to me and have mercy on me, for I am alone and in deep distress. My problems go from bad to worse. Oh, save me from them all! Feel my pain and see my trouble. Forgive all my sins. See how many enemies I have, and how viciously they hate me! Protect me! Rescue my life from them! Do not let me be disgraced, for I trust in you" (Psalms 25:16-20 NLT).

David had no problem worshiping God because he trusted in God. He had learned the compassion and mercy of God firsthand. God had proven Himself to David time and time again. David had been in trouble before, and God had delivered. David had been in distress before, and God had answered him. David had needed direction before, and God had provided it. For David, worshiping God was like appreciating a warm jacket on a cold day. It was like experiencing a cool drink of water when dying of thirst. David had experienced the character of God firsthand. He had felt the compassion of God. He had enjoyed the forgiveness of God. He had benefited from the wisdom and direction of God. This was not some esoteric and academic understanding. It was real. It was real life. And David couldn't help but worship.

Father, may my experience of You become increasingly more real and not just academic. May I trust You more and more because I have trusted You. May I turn to You more and more because I have proven You trustworthy time and time again. May I come to You for forgiveness regularly because You always provide it faithfully. May my worship of You be based on my experience of You. You are active in my life and I am grateful. But let me express it more because I realize it more and more. May I learn to give You the honor You deserve. Amen



The Death of a Vision

1 Chronicles 17

Go and tell my servant David, '"his is what the LORD says: You are not the one to build me a temple to live in." ­– 1 Chronicles 17:4 NLT

David had a great idea. He wanted to do something for God that would reflect his gratitude for all that God had done for he and the nation of Israel. He would build God a permanent temple or dwelling place. Just like all the other gods of the nations had. This idea made sense to David. God had given him a kingdom and he had built himself a palace, so why shouldn't God have a temple in which to dwell? And David knew he wanted to have God's presence as a permanent part of his kingdom if he was going to be successful. Where did David get such an idea? Well, obviously not from God as the text makes clear. He probably got the idea from looking at the nations around him. As he conquered other countries, David would see that their capitols contained a palace and a temple, because in the Near Eastern mindset the relationship of the king and the god of that nation were inseparable. The palace was the earthly residence of the king. The temple was the earthly residence of the deity that stood behind that king. So David was simply wanting to have what the other nations had.

His desire was not necessarily wrong or evil. He was wanting to honor God and his plan was based on his understanding that his kingdom was only as powerful as his God was close. But God had other plans for David. He wanted David to be a kingdom builder, not a temple builder. He reminds David that He is the one who chose him and put him on the throne. He did not ask for a temple to be built. David did not need to build a house for God to assure himself of the presence of God. God had been with him the entire time he was hiding in the wilderness. And He was with David now.

God had a job for David to do. He was the warrior-king. He was to do battle with the Philistines and the enemies of Israel. He was the shepherd-king. He was to shepherd and care for the people of Israel by providing them with protection from their enemies. David's desire to build God a temple would have proved to be a distraction from the very task God had called him to perform. And the same can be true for us. In our desire to do great things for God, we can miss out on the job God has called and equipped us to do. "Often we may have to accept that the work which we would dearly like to perform in terms of Christian service is not that for which we are best equipped, and not that to which God has in fact called us. It may be, like David's, a preparatory work, leading to something more obviously grand. Recognition and acceptance of our true measure is the first and necessary step towards seeing the significance of what, in God's purposes, we really can achieve and have achieve."– J. G. McConville, 1 & 2 Chronicles.

By doing what God had prepared him to do, David would be establishing Israel as a powerful force in the region. He would be setting up Israel as the dominant nation in that area of the world, so that when Solomon took the throne he would enjoy a time of unprecedented peace. And it would be during this time of peace that Solomon would build the temple David dreamed of building. Sometimes our work is preparatory. We are paving the way for something else. Our work may appear less important or somehow less significant, but we must do what God has called us to do. David was going to have to die to his vision. It would be painful and disappointing. But it would prove the best thing that ever happened to David and the nation of Israel. God didn't need a temple. God needed a man who would obediently do what he was called to do; and leave the rest to God.

Father, sometimes I can come up with all kinds of ideas for serving You. I can get all excited about my plans for making Your kingdom great. But in doing so I have often forgotten to ask You what Your thoughts are. I fail to recognize that my plans can actually get in the way of Yours. And I can lose sight of the work You have called and equipped me to do. Keep me focused on and faithful to Your will, not mine. If I have to die to my vision, give me the strength to do so, and to willingly follow Your plan over mine.  Amen



You Can't Out-give God

2 Samuel 7

Then King David went in and sat before the LORD and prayed, "Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?" ­– 2 Samuel 7:18 NLT

David wanted to build a temple for God – a dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant. He had been able to build a palace for himself and God had allowed his kingdom to experience a period of peace. David had been able to complete to a great degree what Joshua had begun – to occupy the land of Canaan. And now David wanted to do something for God. He wanted to build Him a dwelling place fit for the God of the universe. When you think about it, it really was a grandiose dream. How in the world could a mere man, even the king of Israel, hope to build a suitable home for God? But David's heart was in the right place.

But God had other plans. Just when David thought he was going to do something great for God, he ends up being the recipient of God's blessing yet again. God informs David that he is not going to get to build God a house because He does not need one. He never even asked for one. Instead, God would build a house for David, but not a literal house. No, He was going to build a dynasty for David. In this chapter we have the Davidic covenant. God promises not only to let David's son ascend to the throne after him, but He promises to establish David's throne forever. This does not mean that there would be an unbroken chain of David's descendants on the throne, because that possibility was eliminated when the people of Israel and Judah went into captivity. But God was promising David that one day He would reestablish the throne of David and place on it a descendant who would reign forever. That descendant is Jesus Christ, and He will sit upon the throne of David at the time of His second coming.

Here was David hoping to build a temporal home for God and yet God was promising to build a permanent dynasty for David. Even when Solomon was given the opportunity to build a dwelling place for God, it would not last long. It would be destroyed. But the house of David would last forever. Isn't that just like God? When we think we are blessing Him, He turns around and blesses us. We can't ever out-give God. And David's response was one of praise. "How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you––there is no other God. We have never even heard of another god like you!" (2 Samuel 7:22 NLT). David recognized that He could never out-give God. He could never do more for God than God could do for him. Even if those blessings were completely undeserved. And like David, we have received blessings from God that are for greater than our capacity to return the favor. God has given us eternal life and the promise of unbroken fellowship with Him. David owed everything he had and everything he was to God. Now he owed the future of his kingdom and the promise of his future house to God as well. Regardless of enemies or the sinful failings of future kings who sat on the throne of David, nothing could prevent God from fulfilling His promise that David's throne would one day have a descendant who reigned forever. And that king is Jesus.

Father, You give and You give and You give. You have done far more for me than I could ever deserve or repay. Just when I think I am doing you some kind of a favor by my efforts on Your behalf, You remind me that nothing I do adds value to who You are or merits any worth in your eyes. You don't need my sacrifices. You don't need my praise. You have no needs. But my praise and my efforts on Your behalf are simply the response of a man who has been given so much – undeservedly. You have given me eternal life. You have given me forgiveness of sins. You have given me the righteousness of Your son, in exchange for my unrighteousness. How could I ever even think I could somehow repay You?  Amen



An Obedient People

Psalms 101; 105; 132

All this happened so they would follow his principles and obey his laws. Praise the LORD! ­– Psalms 105:45 NLT

God's lovingkindness, faithfulness, righteousness, truth and strength have been established. He is the covenant-keeping God whose word can be trusted. He is the God who calls and delivers. He has chosen His people and He has communicated His plan for them. And all along the way, He has kept His end of the bargain. So what does He expect in return? Obedience. He set them apart in order that they might live lives set apart. They were to be different. They were to live to a different set of standards – His. In Psalm 101, David makes it clear that he understood this. He knew his reign as king was to be different from that of Saul or any other king of any other nation. He said, "I will be careful to live a blameless life … I will lead a life of integrity in my own home" (Psalm 101:2). David wanted nothing to contaminate himself or his kingship. "I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar. I hate all crooked dealings; I will have nothing to do with them" (Psalms 101:3 NLT). He didn't even want to have those who disobeyed God in his presence. He knew that he was to live a life that was truly set apart, obedient to the commands of God.

God is a faithful God. He keeps His word. But He also expects His people to keep His Word as well. "The LORD swore to David a promise he will never take back: 'I will place one of your descendants on your throne. If your descendants obey the terms of my covenant and follow the decrees that I teach them, then your royal line will never end.'" (Psalms 132:11-12 NLT). God is a faithful God, but He also expects His people to be faithful to Him. He demands obedience. And as Christ-followers we are also expected to live set-apart, obedient lives. Not only that, He has given us His Holy Spirit to make sure that we are able to do so. Because without His indwelling presence and power, we would be incapable of keeping a single letter of His Word – just like the Israelites. We can live obedient lives. We can live differently. We can live distinctively. We have the capacity. But do we have the desire? Is it a priority for us? Are we willing to remove those things from our lives that prevent us from living the lives He has called us to live? Is His faithfulness to us enough to make us want to be faithful to Him?

Father, may we be a people who understand that obedience is not an option. You require it. You demand it. You are holy and righteous. You expect Your people to live holy and righteous lives. And You have given us Your Spirit to make it possible. Yet we still live according to the flesh and according to the world's standards too often. Open our eyes and let us see just how faithful You have been to us so that we might be encouraged to be faithful to You. Amen



The Worthy God.

Psalms 89; 96; 100

Acknowledge that the LORD is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. ­– Psalms 100:3 NLT

Lovingkindness. Faithfulness. Righteousness. Truth. Strength.

These three Psalms give us a glimpse of what it means to worship God. It is less an activity than an awareness of God's character and attributes. It is a recognition of who He is, what He has done, and what He is going to do as a result of His unchanging character. God is loving and kind. He is holy and righteous. He is powerful and completely in control. What He says He will do, He will do. He can be trusted. As we saw in Friday's readings, He is reliable. Even when things do not appear to be going as we expected, and God seems nowhere in sight, we can trust that He is there. How? Because that is His character. It is consistent with His behavior. It is in keeping with His word. If we do not truly know who God is, we will never truly worship Him. It is the reality of HIS faithfulness that allow us to be faithful to Him. If we doubt that He can be trusted, we will not trust Him. We will doubt Him. If we do not believe His promises, we will never rest in them.

Our worship is fickle and feeble at best. It tends to be based on present circumstances. If things are going well, our God is good and we will praise Him. If things are going poorly, we begin to doubt Him and even complain about our lot in life. We even turn worship into an activity only participated in on Sunday. It has been relegated to a worship hour and a particular music style. If we enjoy ourselves in our worship service of choice, if we like the music that is sung and the message that is given, then we believe we have worshiped. But we can go through that entire process and never acknowledge God's lovingkindness, faithfulness, righteousness, truth and strength. We can feel good, but feel nothing about or towards God. In essence, the worship service becomes more about us than Him.

These three Psalms remind us that God is to be our focus. Not because of what He is currently doing for us, but simply because of who He is. He is God and there is no one else like Him. He is God and He is completely trustworthy and true. He is God and He is powerful, capable of doing whatever He chooses to do. And if He is not doing what we THINK He should be going, He has a very good reason. If He is allowing difficulty into our lives, He is not asleep, apathetic, or impotent; He has a plan. He made us. We are His sheep. We belong to Him. He knows what is best for us. But do we trust Him? Do we believe He is strong enough to meet any and all of our needs? Do we comprehend just how much He loves us? The Psalmist reminds us that when God made a promise to David that his kingdom would endure forever, even the unfaithfulness and disobedience of the people could not alter the reality and reliability of that promise. God's word endures. His faithfulness is unfailing. His lovingkindness is everlasting. His truth never falters. His strength never diminishes.

Tell the nations about his splendor! Tell all the nations about his amazing deeds!For the Lord is great and certainly worthy of praise; he is more awesome than all gods. – Psalms 96:3-4 NET

Father, so often I attempt to worship who I do not know. I try to sing the praises of a God I don't fully understand or appreciate. I tend to sing only when I feel like it. I praise You only when I feel like You have done something for me that I deem worthy of praise. Yet You are worthy of praise all the time. You are loving and kind, righteous and holy, true all the time, and powerful to save. Help me better come to know You so that I might better worship You. Not just for what You do but just because of who You are. Amen



The Reliable God

Psalms 22-24; 47; 68

The Lord deserves praise! Day after day he carries our burden, the God who delivers us. Our God is a God who delivers; the Lord, the sovereign Lord, can rescue from death. ­– Psalms 68:19-20 NET

In these five Psalms we see what appears to be a dramatic span of emotions and opinions from the writers. There are shouts of praise for God's power and might. But then there are questions regarding God's lack of activity and seeming indifference suffering. There are reminders of God's powerful acts of deliverance in the past and cries for God's help in the present. But the one consistent theme throughout is that God is reliable and trustworthy. The very reason the Psalmist is crying out in Psalm 22 is because He know that God has a reputation for answering the cries of His people. He has proven Himself reliable. So even though it appears as if God is far away and not listening, He cries out. He makes his request known to God, because he believes God is reliable and will answer Him. These Psalms all speak of the attributes of God that make Him reliable and trustworthy.

He is the King of all the earth. (Psalms 47:7

He reigns over all the nations from His holy throne. (Psalms 47:8)

Our fathers cried out to Him and were delivered. (Psalms 22:5)

He is my shepherd. (Psalms 23:1)

He restores my soul. (Psalms 23:3)

He is strong and mighty. (Psalms 24:8)

He is a father to the fatherless. (Psalms 68:5)

He is a judge for the widows. (Psalms 68:5)

He daily bears our burdens. (Psalms 68:19)

He is the God of our salvation. (Psalms 68:19)

He is the God of deliverances. (Psalms 68:20)

He gives strength and power to the people. (Psalms 68:35)

God is the one we should cry out to because God is the one who can make a difference. He can deliver. He can restore. He can provide a solution. Because He alone is God. He is worthy of our praise AND our cries for help. He is worthy of our pleas for assistance and our praises of thanksgiving. These Psalmists knew this about their God. Do we? Have we found Him to be reliable?

Father, You have never shown Yourself to be unreliable to me. You have always been there for me in every situation. Yet I still doubt. I sometimes refuse to call out to You. I try to solve my own problems and be my own savior. Yet You have always been faithful. You have proven it time and time again. May I continue to learn to cry out in times of need and shout out Your praises when times of deliverance come. Amen



The Approachable God

Psalms 1-2, 15

O Lord, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill? He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart. ­– Psalms 15:1-2 NASB

In Psalms 1, we read these familiar words, "How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night." (Psalms 1:1-2 NASB). I don't know about you, but when I read these words I get a little nervous. Why? Because there are days when I actually walk in the counsel of the wicked, I stand in the path of sinners, and I sit with the scoffers. There are days when I don't delight in the law of the Lord. And as far as meditating on it day and night, well, I fail that test miserably. But when you read these Psalms, you could easily become defeated because it seems to paint a picture of God being in heaven and holding out some fairly unattainable goals for us as His children. The blessings seem so conditional, and I tend to fail to hold up my end of the bargain so often. The standards of God are high. And the ability of man to meet those standards has always been low. In fact, it is impossible for any of us to meet the righteous requirements of God.

But then I remember that it is because of Christ that I am able to approach the throne of God. It is because Christ has paid for my sins on the cross with His own life that I am reckoned as righteous before God. I have access to the Father not because I can keep His holy standards, but because Christ has done it for me. I am the recipient of Christ's righteousness. These Psalms remind me that my God is holy and that He has high standards. He blesses the righteous and condemns the wicked. But I can rest in the knowledge that I AM righteous before God because of all that Christ has done. My sins have been forgiven. My debt has been paid. I stand before God uncondemned and clean. I do not have to EARN His favor, it has been freely extended to me. Now, any efforts at make at living a holy life are done out of love, not obligation, and they are made possible by the Holy Spirit living within me. I don't have to muster up the strength to live a holy life. God makes it possible through His Spirit. Paul reminds me of this fact. "I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me. So I live my life in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20 NLT). Even though I sometimes find myself still walking in the counsel of the wicked, standing in the path of sinners, and sitting in the seat of the scoffers, I have the ability to choose differently. And more often than not, I do. Why? Because God has made it possible for me to live a righteous life. He has given me the power to choose His way over mine.

Father, thank You for grace. I would have no hope if You had not sent Your Son to die in my place. There is no way I can keep Your standards. I can't measure up to Your righteous requirements. But because of what Jesus did, I don't have to. He did it for me. And now You have given me Your Spirit to make it possible for me to live a life that brings glory and honor to You. Amen



The Lord Reigns.

1 Chronicles 15-16

Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Tell all the nations, "The Lord reigns!" ­– 1 Chronicles 16:31 NLT

The Lord reigns. He rules. He sits on His throne ruling over all mankind and accomplishing His divine will as He sees fit. As David begins his long-awaited reign as the king of Israel, he reminds himself and his subjects that God is the ultimate king of their nation. David makes sure he sets up the Ark of God in the capital city of Jerusalem in order to assure himself and remind the people that this kingdom is a theocracy first, and a monarchy second. David reigns on God's behalf and at His bequest. God put him on the throne, but God could just as easily remove him, as He did Saul.

David leads the people in a celebration of God's goodness and grace. The arrival of the Ark in the city of Jerusalem is a reminder that God is intimately involved in their lives. And for that reason, He deserves their praise, worship, allegiance, and thanksgiving. David reminds them of all that God has done on their behalf. He recalls God's faithfulness and redemptive work in their lives over the years. He is a good God who is worthy of much praise. It is only their relationship with God that sets the Israelites apart from all the other nations. He is the difference maker. It is He who makes them a unique people group among all the other people groups that populate the planet at that time. He is real, not an idol. He is powerful, and not just a figment of someone's fertile imagination. And He is intimately involved in every aspect of their daily live. And for all that, He is to be worshiped, praised, and obeyed. What a timely reminder to those of us today who call ourselves His people. He is as amazing today as He was then. He deserves our praise as much as He did theirs. He is worthy of our thanks, praise, honor and attention. Because He alone is God.

Father, I do praise you enough. I do not acknowledge Your greatness enough. I do not sing of your worthiness enough. Yet You are as faithful, powerful, reliable, and gracious as You have ever been. Praise You!!! Amen



The Presence of God.

1 Chronicles 13-14

It is time to bring back the Ark of our God, for we neglected it during the reign of Saul. ­– 1 Chronicles 13:3 NLT

These two chapters record the same basic details as found in 2 Samuel 5-6. David attempts to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, the new capital of the nation. The significance of this event is that the Ark represented the presence and power of God. The people had actually tried to use the Ark as a good luck charm when fighting with the Philistines, sending for it in the hopes that it would give them victory over their enemies. But instead, the Ark was captured by the Philistines. With the loss of the Ark the people also lost the glory of God. "The glory of God has departed from Israel, for the ark of God was taken" (1 Samuel 4:22 NASB). The Ark symbolized the power and presence of God. With its loss, both had departed from Israel. After its return by the Philistines, the Ark had been left in Kiriath-Jearim for 100 years. During the entire reign of Saul, the Ark had been ignored and abandoned, and with it, the power and presence of God had also been overlooked.

David wanted to begin his kingdom in the right way and he knew the he would be dependent on both God's power and presence. David knew the significance of the Ark and the role it had played in the history of Israel all during their years wandering in the wilderness. It had been a prominent fixture in the tabernacle where it sat in the holy of holies. In making the Ark a permanent fixture in his new capital, David was clearly indicating his desire to have the presence and power of God a part of his kingdom and reign. David wanted God involved in his kingdom. He inquired of God for direction and insight before acting. Having God intimately involved in his kingship was vital to David. And God confirmed His power and presence by answering David's inquiries and fighting on his behalf. How much do we need the power and presence of God in our lives? It begins with acknowledging our need for Him. It involves including Him in the daily decisions of our lives. It means that we turn to His Word for wisdom, guidance, and direction. We listen for His voice. We don't act until we have confidence that He has spoken. Saul had learned to operate independently from God. David was beginning his reign completely dependent on God. "So David’s fame spread everywhere, and the LORD caused all the nations to fear David" (1 Chronicles 14:17 NLT).

Father, I cannot survive without Your power and presence. I try, but the results are always the same. So help me grow in my dependence on You. I want to live my life with You, not without You. I want to seek You, not ignore You. Give me a heart like David had. Amen



The Kingdom of God.

2 Samuel 5:11-25; 6

And David realized that the Lord had confirmed him as king over Israel and had blessed his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel. ­– 2 Samuel 5:12 NLT

A lot has been written and said about David over the centuries. He is held up as an icon of faithfulness and a man after God's own heart, despite his many faults and flaws. He was the prolific composer of many, if not most, of the Psalms. He was a successful king, but also a less-than-successful father. He ruled and reigned well. He was a mighty warrior and a skilled musician – kind of a renaissance man. He was powerful, yet humble. His kingdom was expansive and yet he didn't seem to have an ego to match.

But 2 Samuel 5-6 reminds us that this isn't about David. He is NOT the star of the movie. He is just another bit player in God's incredible play about the redemption of mankind. Even David recognized that God was the central character of this drama in which he found himself. It was God who had made David king over Israel. It was God who had blessed David – all for the sake of His people Israel. This was not about David. It was and is, as always, about God. We so easily lose sight of that fact. We become confused and begin to think that this event called "life" is all about us. We begin to believe that the universe revolves around our lives and our decisions, so we view everything from our very limited perspective, convincing ourselves that everyone and everything, including God, is here to make our lives more enjoyable and comfortable.

But God reminds us that we are walk-ons in His great drama of redemption. We will come and go, much like David did. He was a tool in the hand of God to accomplish His will and establish His kingdom on earth. God's divine plan continues on long after David has been gone. No man, including David, is allowed to play fast and lose with God's will and ways. Just because David was a man after God's own heart did not mean he could interact with God however he wanted. He learned that lesson the hard way when he attempted to bring the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem, but chose to do it without following the strict guidelines provided by God. Rather than transport the Ark on poles carried by the Levites, David decided to expedite matters and put it on a cart pulled by some oxen. He even made sure it was a NEW cart. But when the cart became unbalanced and Uzzah reached out to steady the Ark with his hand, he was immediately struck dead by God. He had violated God's command. Disobedience had brought death. But wasn't David just trying to do right? Wasn't he simply attempting to return the Ark of God to the city of God? What's the big deal? Why did Uzzah have to die? Because God is holy and His Word is law. He is to be feared and obeyed. David may have been king, but God was the sovereign ruler over Israel. His word was not to be violated or altered in any way. David's clever plan for transporting the Ark could NOT replace God's commands. Any attempt to do so would end in disaster – and did.

Chapter six ends with David celebrating the arrival of the Ark into Jerusalem. They eventually got it there when they did it God's way. And David led the festivities as he danced before the Ark in joyful celebration of the goodness and greatness of His God. David knew that his position was completely dependent on God's will. He was nothing without God. He would not survive without God's protection, guidance, and presence. He would not succeed without the help of Almighty God. This was His kingdom, not David's. These were His people, not David's. This was His story, not David's. And it is still His story today, not ours.

Father, it has been and always will be about You. Forgive me for trying to make it about me so much of the time. Give me the ability to see the world through Your eyes. Give me a greater and grander perspective. Help me get my eyes off of me and onto You. I would not be here without You. Amen



Rejected. Returned. Restored.

Psalm 107

Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies. ­– Psalms 107:2 NLT

In this Psalm, we have four word pictures of the people of God being returned by God from captivity. If you are reading along with us in The Quest, our daily reading through the Old Testament, we have been going back and forth from the Psalms to 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles. In Chronicles, the author is addressing the people of Israel who have just recently returned to the land of Israel after having spent 70 years in captivity in Babylon. This Psalm addresses that same group. It emphasizes the lovingkindness of God expressed toward them even though they had rebelled against Him. He uses these four word pictures or visual metaphors to paint the dire nature of Israel's fate. One is that of a person on a journey who has lost his way (Psalms 107:4-10). The second is person who finds themselves locked away in a prison (Psalms 107:11-16). The third is a person who suffering from illness (Psalms 107:17-22). And the final image is of a sailor lost in a storm (Psalms 107:23-32). In each case, their problem has been caused by rebellion against God. As a result, they find themselves in a predicament with no way of escape. This causes them to pray, crying out to God to spare them. In each scenario, the result is that God hears and provides a way of escape or deliverance. The response? Praise to God for His lovingkindness and mercy.

In four little stories, the Psalmist reminds his readers of just how bad things were when they were in captivity. They were lost with no way to get home. They were prisoners in a foreign land, as good as behind bars, with no way of escape. They were as good as dead, in need of healing, suffering because of their own sinfulness. And they were like sailors lost in a violent storm, at the mercy of the sea. Yet in every case, God responded in mercy and grace. He delivered them. He led them. He satisfied them. He filled them. He saved them. He brought them out. He broke their bonds apart. He shattered gates of bronze. He healed them. He guided them.

God delivers the needy. But we must reach the point of need. As long as we stubbornly hold onto our pride and independence, refusing to admit our problem and cry out to Him, we remain in our predicament. But as soon as we humble ourselves and pray for His deliverance, He hears and He delivers. "When they are diminished and bowed down through oppression, misery and sorrow … He sets the needy securely on high away from affliction, and makes his families like a flock" (Psalms 107:39-41 NASB).

So what's in this for us? "Those who are wise will take all this to heart; they will see in our history the faithful love of the Lord" (Psalms 107:43 NLT). We will learn from the lives of the Israelites. They rebelled and suffered the consequences. They refused to obey the Lord. They rejected His leadership in their lives and they reaped the results. But as soon as they realized the folly of their ways and recognized their need for God, humbly crying out to Him for His help, He responded. He loves to respond. He loves to deliver. He loves to redeem. He loves to save. He loves to show Himself strong on behalf of His children. But we must cry out before God will reach down. We must recognize our need for Him if we desire to be delivered by Him. We must come to an end of ourselves and our stubborn desire to solve all our own problems. God is in the restoration business.

Father, what a great reminder. You want to restore me. You desire to bless me. But I must reach an end of myself. I must humble myself before You and cry out. I must admit my need for Your help and my own inability to save myself. Forgive me for the many times I stubbornly remain in the middle of my problem just because I refuse to admit that I can't fix it. And all the while You are patiently waiting for me to call out to You for help, to admit my neediness and helplessness. When I reach the end of me, I discover the beginning of Your grace and mercy all over again. Amen



A Primer On Praise.

Psalm 106

Even so, he pitied them in their distress and listened to their cries. He remembered his covenant with them and relented because of his unfailing love. ­– Psalms 106:44-45 NLT

In the book of Chronicles, we have been reading a recap of the history of Israel aimed at an audience that had just come back from 70 years in captivity. In the book of 2 Samuel we have been reading about David's long-awaited ascent to the throne of Israel, after years of isolation in the wilderness running from Saul. In both cases, these are individuals who might have reason to question the goodness of God and His faithfulness to them. Why had He allowed them to go through all that they had gone through? How could a good and loving God allow His children to suffer for so long?

If you consider the context, this Psalm takes on a whole new light. In it, the Psalmist is calling on the people of God to praise God. He wants them to give God thanks for His goodness and lovingkindness. He wants them to remember all that God has done for them. And just in case their memory is spotty and they have a hard time recalling just what it is that God has done on their behalf – he tells them. In not-so-subtle fashion, he outlines the not-so-pretty history of the people of Israel and their interactions with God. He reminds them of their sin and rebellion, how all the way back to Egypt they had been questioning God and rebelling against His plan for them. Even after He had miraculously released them from captivity in Egypt, they rebelled against His leadership when they found themselves at the Red Sea with no way across and the enemy bearing down on them. They questioned His lovingkindness and doubted His power. Yet He still provided a way of escape. While they were in the wilderness, they repeatedly complained against His leadership, His ability to provide, and the integrity of His plan for their lives. At one point, the Psalmist reminds his readers that "In the wilderness, their desires ran wild, testing God’s patience in that dry land" (Psalms 106:14 NLT). Driven by their physical desires, and not just for food, the people continually rebelled against God. The list goes on and on. Their track record was not a good one. They worshiped idols, forgot God, and complained continually. They even rejected the idea of the Promised Land, demanding to be allowed to go back to where they had been in captivity for over 400 years. They had rather be slaves in Egypt than servants of the one true God in the land of promise.

God punished them repeatedly over the years for their rebellion. He sent nations against them, using these foreign lands to subjugate the people of God to slavery and oppression. Then He would miraculously deliver them. Only to see them fall back into the same sin and rebellion. Then the cycle would repeat itself. This is the story of the period of the Judges. "Again and again he delivered them, but they continued to rebel against him, and they were finally destroyed by their sin" (Psalms 106:43 NLT).

Nevertheless. Even so, Yet. Still. Depending on the translation you use, we are reminded in a few words the key to this whole passage. In spite of all that they had done to alienate and rebel against God, He responded in love, kindness, mercy and grace. He looked down. He heard their cry. He remembered His covenant with them. He relented. Even when they found themselves in captivity in Babylon, God caused their captors to show them mercy – to the point that they allowed the people of God to return to their own land. God cared for them even though they had rejected Him. That is why He is worthy of our praise. He had saved them. He had gathered them from among the nations. So their response should be to glorify His name, to bless Him for who He is and all that He has done, and to thank Him for His undeserved grace and mercy. This message would have resonated with the people of God and with David. God had been good to them. They were now back home and David was now on the throne.

But what about us? Do we fully understand all that God has done for us through the death, burial and resurrection of His Son on our behalf? Do we comprehend the magnitude of our own sin and rebellion, our alienation of God just due to our inherited and inherent sin nature? We were at one time separated from God by a gulf that was too wide for us to cross. We were condemned by sin and worthy of God's righteous and just punishment. We were dead in our sinfulness. And yet, nevertheless, even so, still – God sent His Son. "For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:6-8 NASB). We couldn't save ourselves, so God did it for us. He sent His Son to die in our place. He showed us mercy when we deserved wrath. He extended grace that was unwarranted and undeserved. And now we stand before Him as forgiven, righteous, redeemed, restored, with full access to His throne as His own children. So why wouldn't we praise Him? Why wouldn't we constantly thank Him for all that He has done? Why would we waste a single second complaining about the petty little things we feel like He has dropped the ball on? Why would we even think about whining about our lot in life, when we He has saved us from captivity to sin and the penalty of eternal death? "And let all the people say, "Amen." Praise the LORD!" (Psalms 106:48 NASB).

Father, I have so much to praise You for, but I need nothing more than the fact that You have saved me in spite of me. You took me when I was at my worst and provided a way of salvation I couldn't have come up with on my own. I was dead and You made me alive. I was captive to a life of sin and You set me free. I was condemned to death and You pardoned me. You paid the price for my sin that I could never have afforded to pay. I stand before You restored, redeemed, and fully forgiven by You. So You are more than worthy of my praise! Amen



The Beauty of Unity.

Psalm 133

How wonderful, how beautiful, when brothers and sisters get along! ­– Psalms 133:1 MSG

This is a song of ascents. It would have been sung by pilgrims as they ascended the paths to Jerusalem each year to celebrate the feasts. What an appropriate song to sing in anticipation of meeting together with brothers and sisters from all over Israel as they gathered in the holy city to worship God together. Attributed to David, this Psalm celebrates the bond followers of Yahweh shared as His chosen people. Twelve tribes, but united under one banner – the banner of the Lord.

David uses two different visuals to help describe just how precious and beautiful this unity is. In one sense it is like the anointing oil that Moses poured over Aaron's head when he anointed him as Israel's first high priest (Leviticus 8:12). That oil would have been poured liberally over Aaron's head and would have flowed down onto his robe covering the breastplate that held the 12 names of the Israelite tribes. Just as the oil would have soaked Aaron's head, beard, robe, and the breastplate, flowing all the way to his feet, so unity "covers" the people of God – making them one and acceptable in His eyes.

The second visual David uses is the dew that descended onto the top of Mount Hermon, the highest mountain in Israel. In a land where drought was a common problem, dew was a welcome and refreshing sight. Dew has invigorating properties, bringing life to parched ground and plants. Unity among believers has a refreshing and restorative quality to it. It brings joy and invigorates all who experience it.

Unity is to be sought by God's people. When we are unified, we can properly perform our duties as His priests. In 1 Peter 2:9 we read: "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." We have a priestly role to play. But disunity disqualifies us from service. Jesus Himself prayed that we might be one. Over in His High Priestly Prayer recorded in John 17, Jesus asked His Father, "I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me because of their testimony. My prayer for all of them is that they will be one, just as you and I are one, Father––that just as you are in me and I am in you, so they will be in us, and the world will believe you sent me" (John 17:20-21 NLT). Unity among believers is testimony to the fact that we are in Christ. It is only possible because of the finished work of Christ on the cross. When the world sees us living together in unity, they are drawn to the reality of God and their own need for Christ. So why wouldn't we pursue unity at all costs?

Father, I long that we may be one just as You and the Father are one. May our love for one another reflect Your love for us. Show us what real unity looks like. So that the world may know. Amen



Even On Our Worst Days, God Shows Up.

1 Chronicles 12

The following men joined David at Ziklag while he was hiding from Saul son of Kish. They were among the warriors who fought beside David in battle. ­– 1 Chronicles 12:1 NLT

The chronicler is still building a case for the validity of the reign of David. He is convincing the people returning from exile that David's reign as king, even though long ended, was the work of God. And God's promise of a future king to sit on the throne of David was going to happen. To satisfy the people of David's legitimacy and unite them as one people, the chronicler recounts the story of David's flight to the land of the Philistines to escape the wrath of Saul. This story is told in 1 Samuel 27. Things had gotten so bad for David that he decides the only thing for him to do is to hide among the enemy, so that Saul will think he has defected. Not exactly a great plan. It would cause David all kinds of problems in the long run, and there is no indication that it was a plan given to him by God. Yet, in the midst of one of David's greatest moments of despondency and desperation, God shows up. This time He shows up in the form of the "mighty men of valor."

In this chapter we are given a detailed accounting of the tens of thousands of Israelite warriors from every tribe who defected to David's side even while he was living with the enemy. This says much about their respect for David and indicates that God was a part of this plan. Here was David, living in enemy territory, as far from the throne of Israel as he could possibly get, and yet God is building his army for him. And not just any army. He is surrounding David with the best and the brightest, the strongest and the bravest. Every day a new batch of battle-hardened soldiers showed up on David's doorstep. Don't you think the first group were a shock to David? As a matter of fact, when they showed up, David thought they had come to capture him. He senses betrayal, and for good reason. It had happened before. But these men pledge their allegiance to David and indicate that they knew that God was with David and not Saul. With each passing day, David's army grew. "Hardly a day went by without men showing up to help--it wasn't long before his band seemed as large as God's own army!" (1 Chronicles 12:22 MSG).

Even in the midst of the Philistine camp, God was confirming David's future and preparing him for his eventual ascension to the throne. God was working in ways that David never would have dreamed. His desperate attempt to hide among the Philistines could not hide him from the will of God. God was going to finish what He had begun, and in a spectacular fashion. With this many men defecting to David, it is no wonder that Saul was so easily defeated in battle against the Philistines and took his own life. God had removed the greatest warriors from Saul and given them to David. God's hand was on David. He was God's hand-picked successor to Saul and nothing was going to prevent His will from being done.

In your worst moments do you tend to see the hand of God or do you simply see darkness and despair? God is there working. He is bringing into your life "mighty men of valor." It could be in the form of an encouraging word from a friend. It could be a surprising answer to prayer. It could be a passage that you have read a thousand time that suddenly speaks to you in a fresh and exciting way. It could be by giving you an insight into an area of your life that He wants to work on. God is always at work in the lives of those He has chosen and loves. Even in our darkest days.

Father, thank You for this encouraging word. I want to look for you in each and every circumstance, because I know You are there. You are working behind the scenes in ways that are unexpected and sometimes unseen. But You are there. Let me see You today. Amen