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2 Samuel 17:1-4

04 Aug

Now Ahithophel urged Absalom, “Let me choose 12,000 men to start out after David tonight. I will catch up with him while he is weary and discouraged. He and his troops will panic, and everyone will run away. Then I will kill only the king, and I will bring all the people back to you as a bride returns to her husband. After all, it is only one man’s life that you seek. Then you will be at peace with all the people.” This plan seemed good to Absalom and to all the elders of Israel.

2 Samuel 17:1-4

Dear God, the judge period wasn’t perfect, but look what has happened within two generation of the “king” period—and this is under Israel’s BEST king! One of David’s best advisers is plotting to kill him.

I wonder what it was about what David had become that had the people so ready to turn on him. Was Ahithophel angry and disenchanted with David, or was he just trying to promote himself? I think an overlooked part of this story is that David had allowed his power to change him, and the people were longing for the old David—the David that Absalom was pretending to be.

Father, there’s a lesson in here for all of us. A past of pursuing you can always lead to a future of not pursuing you. There is nothing in the last six chapters that gives us a positive picture about David’s actions EXCEPT that he is able to receive rebuke when it comes his way. But there were many things to rebuke. So help me to be vigilant in my pursuit of you. “Make my life a prayer to you. I want to do what you want me to. No empty words and no white lies. No token prayers. No compromise.” (Melody Green)

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on August 4, 2018 in 2 Samuel

 

2 Samuel 16:5-13

03 Aug

5 As King David came to Bahurim, a man came out of the village cursing them. It was Shimei son of Gera, from the same clan as Saul’s family.6 He threw stones at the king and the king’s officers and all the mighty warriors who surrounded him. 7 “Get out of here, you murderer, you scoundrel!” he shouted at David. 8 “The Lord is paying you back for all the bloodshed in Saul’s clan. You stole his throne, and now the Lord has given it to your son Absalom. At last you will taste some of your own medicine, for you are a murderer!”

9 “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king?” Abishai son of Zeruiah demanded. “Let me go over and cut off his head!”

10 “No!” the king said. “Who asked your opinion, you sons of Zeruiah! If the Lord has told him to curse me, who are you to stop him?”

11 Then David said to Abishai and to all his servants, “My own son is trying to kill me. Doesn’t this relative of Saulb]”>[b] have even more reason to do so? Leave him alone and let him curse, for the Lord has told him to do it. 12 And perhaps the Lord will see that I am being wrongedc]”>[c] and will bless me because of these curses today.” 13 So David and his men continued down the road, and Shimei kept pace with them on a nearby hillside, cursing and throwing stones and dirt at David.
2 Samuel 16:5-13

Dear God, maybe sometimes we need to be broken down a bit. When I read this whole section of 2 Samuel, starting with chapter 11 and Bathsheba, I see a pattern of David just not doing it right. Was he corrupted? Yeah, probably. Was he maybe a little depressed after Nathan rebuked him in chapter 12 and he lost the baby? Maybe. Either way, the people were obviously not impressed with him, and his son was angry to the point of executing a coup d’etat and trying to humiliate, kill and overthrow him.

But 2 Samuel 16:10-12 is what makes David different–the ability to receive rebuke. The willingness to examine himself and submit to judgment. He also had a certain level of empathy for the descendants of Saul. There was probably always a part of him that felt awkward about having ascended to the throne, even though it was your will.

Father, help me to embrace the part of David I find here in verses 10-12. Help me to welcome correction and respond to it humbly and constructively. Help me to also be willing to humbly approach others with empathy. Love through me and help me to not return evil for evil.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on August 3, 2018 in 2 Samuel

 

2 Samuel 13 & 14

02 Aug

2 Samuel 13 & 14 – Amnon, Absalom, and David

Dear God, this story isn’t as much about sin as it is about how we handle our anger. There are people making mistakes all over the place here.

  1. Amnon raped his sister and destroyed her life.
  2. David, for whatever reason, did nothing about it.
  3. Absalom, for whatever reason (perhaps he knew David wouldn’t allow it), never called out Amnon for what he did, but instead spent two years planning his murder.
  4. David had no idea how to handle any of this and only made things worse at every turn.

One of the lessons for me, I believe, is that there needs to be an acknowledgment of sin when I commit it, a wise, appropriate confrontation of sin when I witness it, and an emotional letting go of my anger after the sin is confronted. That doesn’t mean that something like what Amnon did shouldn’t be punished. It means that what everyone did here was the absolute worst thing they could have done.

My wife and I were talking this morning about someone with whom we are both angry. She is having a harder time with her anger than I am, but that is just in this case. I have a harder time than she does with others. But what will either of us do with our anger? Will it consume us until we plot revenge, or will be confront and release?

Father, there are some huge lessons in here for us. This story will continue with Absalom’s rebellion and attempt to overthrow David. More pain is in all of their futures, including Israel’s. Help my wife and me to not let these cancers of anger and hatred grow. Remove them through the power of your blood and your grace.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on August 2, 2018 in 2 Samuel

 

Genesis 4:1-16

01 Aug

Now Adam had sexual relations with his wife, Eve, and she became pregnant. When she gave birth to Cain, she said, “With the Lord’s help, I have produced a man!” Later she gave birth to his brother and named him Abel. When they grew up, Abel became a shepherd, while Cain cultivated the ground. When it was time for the harvest, Cain presented some of his crops as a gift to the Lord. Abel also brought a gift—the best portions of the firstborn lambs from his flock. The Lord accepted Abel and his gift, but he did not accept Cain and his gift. This made Cain very angry, and he looked dejected. “Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.” One day Cain suggested to his brother, “Let’s go out into the fields.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother, Abel, and killed him. Afterward the Lord asked Cain, “Where is your brother? Where is Abel?” “I don’t know,” Cain responded. “Am I my brother’s guardian?” But the Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground! Now you are cursed and banished from the ground, which has swallowed your brother’s blood. No longer will the ground yield good crops for you, no matter how hard you work! From now on you will be a homeless wanderer on the earth.” Cain replied to the Lord, “My punishment is too great for me to bear! You have banished me from the land and from your presence; you have made me a homeless wanderer. Anyone who finds me will kill me!” The Lord replied, “No, for I will give a sevenfold punishment to anyone who kills you.” Then the Lord put a mark on Cain to warn anyone who might try to kill him. So Cain left the Lord’s presence and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.

Genesis 4:1-16

Dear God, I saw the name of a Christian song the other day called “Able.” Even though it was spelled differently than the Abel of the Old Testament, it made me think of this story.

Corruption starts with the smallest of sins. I heard a presentation last Thursday on ethics that talked about the path to immorality starting very small. In this case, Cain didn’t want to give up the best of his crop. Part of his heart wanted to hold on to it. Eat it for himself. Now that I look at it, it’s a little like his parents wanting to eat the good fruit. Selfishness is so seductive.

My wife and I give, and we try to give generously, but are there parts of my life that I still want to embrace instead of letting them go? Are some of my material possessions getting in the way of generosity you want me to have? Do I still hold on to little sins that pull my heart away from you?

Father, I offer all of this to you. Help me to work out my faith through the guidance of your Holy Spirit. Reveal to me the things I allow in my life that keep me from being yours. Be glorified through me.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on August 1, 2018 in Genesis

 

“Multiplied” by Needtobreathe

31 Jul

God of mercy, sweet love of mine

I am surrendered to your design

Excerpt from “Multiplied” by Needtobreathe

Dear God, I was watching a slideshow of a mission trip to Mexico on Sunday, and this was one of the songs that came on. I really like it, and I decided to take a listen to it this morning to see if anything caught my ear, so to speak. What I noticed was the idea of being surrendered to your design.

I wonder what my life would look like if your plan was to let me have my design for my life and the lives around me. If I had that much control how much worse would things be, for me and everyone around me? It’s not that things are perfect now, but if my selfish will were able to change your will and design then the world would certainly be a worse place. And I would be a worse person. My soul is healthiest when I am letting go of my agenda and surrendering to your design.

Father, I need your mercy to guide me. I need more and more humility as I strive to find your perfect plan for my life. That plan might cost me something. It might cost me everything. If so, help me to sing, “God of mercy, sweet love of mine, I am surrendered to your design.”

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on July 31, 2018 in Hymns and Songs

 

Matthew 2:13-16

30 Jul

After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.” Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance.

Matthew 2:13-16

Dear God, I was reading a missionary friend’s newsletter this morning and I saw they are doing work in Europe with refugees there. It made me think about people fleeing danger in their home countries and this brought to mind that Joseph and Mary fled to Egypt to escape violence and death. I wonder what Egypt’s immigration process was at the time. How did they secure their borders?

While we deal with our government figuring out our own border policy, I think there is a point where we as Christians should turn our attention to the causes of violence in their home regions and pray through our responses. Are there organizations on the ground we should help? Should we put pressure on our government to help? At the very least, should we be praying fervently for the families who are like the ones in verse 16–the ones who lost their children?

Father, there is a lot to pray for here. There is the violence in the countries of origin. There are the scared families. There is the response once they get to our border. There is the assimilation into our culture. And this is only scratching the surface. Make me smarter about this. Make me wiser. And use me however you will.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on July 30, 2018 in Matthew

 

Disappointed in God

29 Jul

No verse

Dear God, about two years ago, I had to get comfortable with an idea. I was disappointed with you. Disillusioned might be another way to look at it.

I was having lunch with a friend, and I told him about the negative things in my life. I explained to him that I knew that faith in God would not mean a smooth life, but I had found that I did expect some level of protection from the prayers I prayed and the diligence with which I lived my life. I learned the hard way that there aren’t.

At that point, I didn’t have much of a relationship with either of my children. I was in a lot of pain. I explained to my friend that I really thought that my prayers for them and our family, the time I intentionally took to spend with them, the time my wife intentionally spent with them every morning at breakfast studying the Bible, the teach of their Sunday school classes, coaching their soccer teams, etc. would provide some level of protection over them, their relationship with you, and my relationship with them. In the end, however, it didn’t seem to. I was in a terrible place with them. He told me, “It’s hard when we are disappointed by God.”

I had never applied that word to it before. I had examined whether or not I was angry with you, but anger wasn’t the emotion I felt. But with his words, I realized I was indeed disappointed or disillusioned. Realizing that fact started to bring me healing and take me to a new place of letting go and turning them over to you.

When they were young, I used to question people on what it means to turn my children over to God. I have responsibilities as their dad. I have to remain engaged and stalwart in their parenting. I don’t know what “turning them over to God” looks like in that context. Since that conversation with my friend a couple of years ago, I think I’ve gotten a better picture.

The biggest thing I’ve come to is that they do truly have free will. Bad things will happen to them. Others might do bad, or even traumatic, things to them. I might do mean or wrong things to them. How they respond to those things is their choice and no amount of prayer on my part will enable you to override their free will. That is the gift you gave to us that all of your divine power cannot overcome.

The other thing I’ve learned is that there is so much going on than I can see. I really have no idea what is really going on around me. The powers and principalities of this world are nothing compared to the spiritual realm. The tapestry being woven by history is unintelligible to me. Going back to the verse from Hebrews 11:1–that’s where my faith comes in.

Yesterday morning, I got news from a friend that something tragic happened to one of his children. I was in a parking garage nearly 300 miles from home, about to climb into my car and drive home. I instantly wept when I read his message through Facebook Messenger. I wanted to hug him and his wife. I wanted to let them know what I think I’ve learned about releasing the guilt and disappointment. I couldn’t physically do the first because he lives in another part of the country, and I have no idea what they need to hear right now so I wouldn’t dare offer any “advice.” My next concern was for their marriage. It is so hard for a marriage to survive the loss of a child. How will this impact their lives?

Father, all of this is to say that I’m not disappointed by you anymore, but I have learned a little about what to expect and what not to expect. I’m still figuring it out, though. I’m still learning to really understand the last part of the serenity prayer. When there is something I cannot change, the prayer to accept it is a fairly easy one. When there is something I can change, the prayer to have the courage to affect it is an easy one. But the wisdom to know the difference. That’s the tougher nut to crack, and one I feel like I am slowly figuring out. Help my friend and his wife this morning. Help their children and family. Help them in this pain. Touch them gently, hold them close, and speak to them clearly.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on July 29, 2018 in Miscellaneous

 

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Philippians 3:14

28 Jul

I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Philippians 3:14

Dear God, I wonder if the person who chooses the Bible Gateway verse of the day was involved in Fellowship of Christian Athletes in the 80s, because the Hebrews 11:1 from two days ago and now the Philippians 3:14 are both verse that were themes for national conferences I went to in 1984 and 1985. Anyway, it’s always neat when I run into one of these verses, but is really special when it happens twice in three days.

I’ve been at a hospital conference the last few days and one of the topics that has come up often is the appropriateness of care—especially end-of-life care. We have reached a point in our society where we have much more control over what the end of the race looks like than we did when Paul wrote these words. The end of the road often came fast and abruptly for them. The prize of which she speaks was much closer at hand. I am 48 now. If I had lived then I would probably be an elder. On the board on which I sit, I am the second youngest. Technology has changed so much over the last 100 years—even the last 20 years. So much so that we have started to adopt an attitude that we don’t want the prize. If we get sick, we want to do everything we can to run the race. But not necessarily to run the race for you, but to race for ourselves. We want to see our grandchildren do this or that. We don’t want to leave our spouse or our children. As I sit here and think about it, our reason for wanting to continue to run is probably all wrong.

Father, I will have decisions to make about myself and my life one day. I will possibly have to make a decision for my wife. I might have to counsel my parents or siblings. In fact, recently, I had to counsel a patient about calling hospice. But when I get to those times, help me to remember that life is truly all about the prize, and the race itself is not about me and the “bucket list” things on my agenda. It’s about running the race for you you, through Christ Jesus, called me.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on July 28, 2018 in Philippians

 

Hebrews 12:1

27 Jul

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

Hebrews 12:1

Dear God, when I first read this passage this morning it made me think about cycling and how much difference a few pounds makes on a bike. People will spend thousands of dollars on a bike that is 5 lbs. lighter than regular one. I’ve always joked that it’s cheaper for me to just lose the five pounds myself. But when your climbing hills, you can definitely feel the difference five or ten pounds makes.

Then I thought about a story I heard yesterday during a presentation on ethics. It was about a guy who committed over $2 billion (with a “b”) in hospital finance fraud. The irony was that he was a self-professed Christian who even had a Christian TV show. Apparently, however, at one point during his investigation, he started attending a black church with the goal of being more sympathetic to any potential black jurors (I think he lived in Alabama). At what did his sin encumber him so much that it overtook him? I wonder what he would say now about his life and the choices he made. Were you ever really his God?

Father, I know I have sin in my life. I know that I met mistakes, judge people, tell little or big lies, etc. all of the time. As I think about ethics and what this passage is telling me, I submit to your authority, ask for your grace, and worship you for your glory’s sake.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on July 27, 2018 in Hebrews

 

Hebrews 11:1

26 Jul

Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.

Hebrews 11:1

Dear God, there are all kinds things for which I pray and try to muster enough faith. There are the obvious things like physical wellness/healing of others or myself, financial provision for others or myself, etc. but I would say the area where you are really drawing me into a deeper level of believing in the evidence of things I cannot see is with my kids. They are grown now and making their way in the world. I pray for them every day. My wife and I pray together nearly every day and we always pray for them. But we rarely “see” the outcomes of our prayers.

Lately, however, I feel like you are showing be how the best outcomes for people come from struggle. There is a line somewhere between helping my children as a parent and getting in the way of what you are trying to do to answer my prayers and develop them as people. Sometimes it can be hard to be patient. It can be hard to tell them no. And it can become hard to pray when I don’t “see” the fruit of my prayers.

Father, all of this is to say that you are helping my unbelief. For years I have joined the father talking to Jesus who said, “I believe, help my unbelief,” but now I am feeling my faith crowding out my unbelief. I still have a long way to go, but I know enough about where I’ve been to appreciate where I am now. But I’ll try to be better tomorrow.

I pray to you with much love and gratitude in Jesus’ name,

Amen

 
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Posted by on July 26, 2018 in Hebrews

 
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