The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
    I will advise you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8

My last few posts have been extolling the virtues of David. Lest we think he is perfect, God chose to include the sordid episode with Bathsheba and Uriah (adultery! murder!) to give us the whole picture of the man. Many commentators say that if only David was where he was supposed to be - 2 Sam 11:1 "In the beginning of the year, the time when kings go out to battle..." (I didn't know they scheduled these things) - he would not have been on that rooftop, walking around bored with nothing to do but look around.  The enemy, ever so cunning, strikes when we resting  and complacent but most often when we are outside God's will. 

These Psalms written were after Nathan confronted David with his sin. Some say this was a year after the Bathsheba episode.  David was carrying his unrepented sin for that long no wonder he  sounded like he was drowning. Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him. Psalm 32:6

I never noticed it before but in verses 8 -9 there is a shift in the narration. It is as if the Lord Himself answered him. David was not perfect. But once he offered repentance for his sin, God Himself spoke. God will do the same for us. There are days when we will fail - knowingly or unknowingly, by chance or by our own volition. Forgiveness is always available, if there is true repentance. Then we wait for God to speak.

 Many sorrows come to the wicked,
    but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord.
 So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him!
    Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure! Psalm 32:10-11

 [Reading from Blue Letter Bible - Chronological Plan]

I am still getting to immerse myself in the Psalms.  How wonderful!  The theme running through my readings today is Thanksgiving.  It spoke to me so much that I even posted a thanksgiving thought on my facebook status:  "Make Thankfulness your sacrifice to God"...

Have I ever thought of thankfulness as a sacrifice?  Maybe it is just that, when times are tough, challenges abound, and yet I can choose to be thankful in my sorrow, in my pain, in my confusion, in my discipline.  God tells us in Psalm 50:23 that "giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors Me".  He doesn't want our burnt offerings or ritual sacrifices.  He already owns all of the bulls, the barns, the crops, the forests, the hills.  He owns it all.  What are we truly sacrificing when we sacrifice things that He has ownership of already?  But...to surrender our hearts and sacrifice to the One True God of the Universe our thanksgiving and praise....that gives Him the honor that He deserves!

"We thank You, O God!  We give thanks because You are near" (Psalm 75:1)  "But as for me, I will always proclaim what God has done;  I will sing praises to the God of Jacob"(Psalm 75: 9)  Look and see what God has done and is doing; and we can be assured that he will faithfully continue to do so for us, His beloved ones.  Amen, and amen.

Morgen

This week's reading has allowed me to get yet another glimpse of the man after God's own heart. This has been a running theme to me the last few days. Today, two things stood out to me: David's focus and David's kindness.

The readings 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles attested to David's focus. It says that as God gave him victory, he gathered the spoils (2 Samuel 8:7-11) and set them aside for Solomon's use in building the temple (1 Chronicles 18:8). Even though David did not build the temple, his fingerprints were all over it.

Charles Swindoll said that [David] began with the passion of his heart, pulling back the curtain to reveal his deepest desire—the dreams and plans for building a temple to the Lord. It was a dream that went unfulfilled in his lifetime. "God said to me," David told his people, "'You shall not build a house for My name because you are a man of war and have shed blood'" (1 Chron 28:3).

Dreams die hard. But in his parting words, David chose to focus on what God had allowed him to do—to reign as king over Israel, to establish his son Solomon over the kingdom, and to pass the dream on to him (1 Chron 28:4–8).

David's kindness - the one that is harder to follow - is detailed in 2 Samuel 9.  It said that David wanted to find someone from the house of Saul to whom he can show kindness. Normally, when kings take over, they slaughter all the male members of the predecessor to remove any threat to the throne. But David did not do that to Mepibosheth, the son of Jonathan.  Even though Mepibosheth's grandfather, King Saul, caused David years of suffering and exile, David's love for Jonathan won out. Instead of viewing Mepibosheth as a threat, David saw him as the means to honor his promise to Jonathan. David showed an exceeding amount of grace. Ah, to be able to be like that. I can't also help but imagine how Mepibosheth  felt as a recipient of that grace. When he realized that not only will he live but he was also given the privilege of dining with David from then on out? A lame man in a place of honor, dining with the king. Amazing! To me it is a mirror of our state. We are all Mepibosheths in some way. In our sinful state, we are lame and helpless, unable to stand before a holy God. But when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are made righteous. God sees us as the redeemed and not only are we invited to dine with the King at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, we as the church will also be His bride. 

[Reading from Blue Letter Bible - Chronological Plan]

"The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need."  Psalm 23:1

"I have all that I need"...do we honestly believe that promise from God or are we always searching for "something else" to provide us with contentment?  So many times our sense of satisfaction or contentment goes out the window with our desire to have more.  We want more possessions, a better home, more wealth, more friends, and the list goes on and and on.  In our "wants" we forget the simple words of Paul, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty."  As I read those words I am struck by how simple our lives would be if we weren't restless and jealous and always complaining about what we don't have.  

Throughout the Bible we are often compared to sheep with God being our Shepherd.  Philip Keller was a sheep rancher and in his book, A Shepherd Looks at the Twenty Third Psalm, he explains vs. 2..."He lets me rest in green meadows..."  He paints the picture of a sheep so completely satisfied that there isn't the least desire for anything more, other than to lie down in green pastures.   In the KJV the wording is a bit different and puts a whole different spin on it..."He makes me lie down"...sometimes sheep have to be forced to lie down.  Keller goes on to explain that in order for sheep to lie down 4 things are required.

1. They have to be full.  Hungry sheep stay on their feet searching for another mouthful of food.  How often do we hunger for "worldly" things when what will truly satisfy us is right within "touching" distance?
2. They must be unafraid.  They will not lie down if they are fearful.  Does rest escape our grasp because of our fears?
3. They must be content.  They must be comfortable before they are able to lie down.
4. Sheep will not lie down unless there is harmony in the flock.  If there is friction over the butting order among them, then they simply cannot relax and lie down.

Keller states that sometimes God has to say, "You need to lie down," by allowing an illness, or heartbreak to make us stop and reevaluate our priorities.  When we choose to continue the "craziness" of our lives we miss the things that are most important.  As we go about our day today let's think about what we are afraid of, what we are hungry for, what is creating discord in our lives and most importantly is any of it worth it since it is causing us such discontent.

Blessings,

Mary Ann

Then King David went in and sat before the Lord and said, “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? 1 Chron 17:16

I love this passage. It not only shows the graciousness of God but it also gives us a glimpse of  David's heart.

David is finally king - after years of running from Saul, he is finally enthroned in the palace. Which got him thinking about the ark in the tabernacle. Why is he in the palace while God is in a tent?

David offered to build a house of cedar for God. Nathan the prophet thought that was a splendid idea, too and gave David the go ahead. However, God put a stop to it. Imagine that, God said no! I'm sure it surprised David because what he wanted to do was a good thing. How can God say no? David Guzik quoting Spurgeon said: It shows that David humbly accepted God’s “no” when he wanted to build the temple. “There are some professors who would do a great thing if they might, but if they are not permitted to act a shining part they are in the sulks and angry with their God. David when his proposal was set aside found it in his heart not to murmur, but to pray.”

Seeing his heart, God turned it around and revealed an even better plan. "David, how about I build your “house?” Not one made of  wood or concrete but something that lasts forever." Guzik further said, "God did not want the earthly house built until the spiritual house was promised and established. The more important house had to be in place first, and that house was the dynasty that would result in the throne of God’s Messiah." 

Isn't that always the case? When God says "no" He has something much, much better!

When David heard that, oh, can you blame him for asking that question? Who am I Lord and what is my house that you have brought me thus far?

When we come to the point of asking Who am I?, we find the answer in who God is.

 (picture courtesy of http://www.servant.org/)

It is because of God's characteristics that we are where we are, Think back to how far God has brought you - from last year, last month, even last week. Doesn't it make you want to fall down like David and worship Him? 

Heavenly Father, we are overwhelmed with your goodness and your everlasting grace. You are merciful and always faithful. Sometimes Father we don't know what we have done to deserve such grace. Who are we, indeed, that You would send Your Son to die for our sins? We humbly accept  Your Gift and thank You! Without You we are nothing. May our lives glorify You from now until the day You call us home. Amen!

[Reading from Blue Letter Bible - Chronological Plan]

Again, how lovely is it to be reading the Psalms?  My verses for today speak so clearly of praising God!  We see His miracles everyday....so Praise Him!  He has freed us from our bondage.....so Praise Him!  Praise Him even before He does something significant for you....just Praise Him 'cuz He is God!

The Isrealites sang these Psalms (106 & 107)  during the time when they were laying the foundation of the second temple.  "O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good;  for His mercy endureth forever".....O Praise You Father for You are good!

Psalm 107:2 "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy."Do we "say so"?  Do we let others know that we have been redeemed?  When we do, this strengthens our faith and it also.....Praises Him!  (Can you see the pattern here?)

We see God rescuing the people from being lost, being weary, from being sick and from being storm-tossed.  The Lord is faithful to lead us, to refresh us, to heal us and to save us.  Praise Him for that!  Praise You Father!

Jesus rescues us from ourselves.  Praise, praise, praise You Lord!  God sends us His Word. (Psalm 107:20) Let's get into His Word.  "He sent His Word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destruction".  Need I give a better reason?

Let's make Praise a priority in our lives, sisters.  It is a sweet sacrifice to our Lord.

Morgen

Behold, how good and pleasant it is
when brothers dwell in unity!
It is like the precious oil on the head,
running down on the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
running down on the collar of his robes!
(Psalm 133:1-2 ESV)

My reading for today consisted of only three verses. Why, then, did it take me until lunch time to come up with a post? 

I was stuck on that word "unity"in verse 1. 

After love and peace, isn't unity in the top 3 of what people want in life? We long for unity in our families, workplaces, cities, all the way to the United Nations. 

But how do we attain it?

Verse 2 gives us a starting place. Like the oil dripping on the head on to the beard and down to the collar of Aaron's robes, unity starts in our heads. 

Matthew 9:4 And Jesus, having known their thoughts, said, 'Why think ye evil in your hearts? 

Notice that? It started as a thought and next thing you know, it's in their hearts. For instance have you ever had a dream about somebody and they did something bad to you and when you wake up you're mad at them eventhough they have no clue why? It's all in our head!   As Joyce Meyer is fond of saying, "The battlefield is in the mind. Where the mind goes, the man follows."

The bible tells us how we renew our minds:

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

I figured this may not solve the problems of the world but it can change me and my attitude. That's a start, right? So what are you thinking?

[Reading from Blue Letter Bible - Chronological Plan]

"The Lord is my rock..."

Wow, is about all I can say as I read today's reading.  The word rock in the HCSB states that "it is an immovable, jutting cliff, not a mere stone.  The word occurs in the Bible to describe God's support and defense of His people."  Throughout our lives there are individuals who have been there for support, who are strong when we are weak, who provide us with a sense of security and harbor us in a safe zone.  Sometimes our rocks are not people, they may be places that we run to when we are feeling lost and alone...we all have them.  The problem with our worldly rocks are that they can disappoint us, they can become preoccupied with their own issues or simply they cannot be the same as we remember.  The metaphor of God as our rock is powerful, first because the image is universal and second because the image denotes the strength in light of our weaknesses.

We desperately need our rock and when our rock is God and not "worldly" He is always there.  Robbie Parsons which describes beautifully the metaphor of God as our rock, he characterizes it in these ways:

• He is immutable - He never changes.  (James 1:17, Hebrews 13:8, Malachi 3:6)
• He is infinite - He has no limits.  (Psalms 147:5, Psalms 90:2)
• He is holy.  (1 John 1:5)
• He is my wall of defense.  (Job 22:25, Psalms 7:10)
• He fights my battles for me.  (1 Samuel 17:47, Exodus 14:13-14)
• He delivers me.  (Romans 6:6-7)

So how do we learn to depend on God and allow Him alone to be our rock?  David Mauldin writes four steps to make this happen:

1. Every morning, sing a hymn and read a Psalm.  As you do this you are reminding yourself of God's strength and offering yourself to Him anew.
2. Do not neglect worship.  Rain or shine, worship God alongside other believers on Sunday morning.  Oh, how many times I have lost sight of my Rock when I have missed worshipping with believers.
3. Offer heartfelt prayer.  Don't ever be afraid to express in prayer what you truly think and feel.  God is not offended by anything, after all He already knows the secrets of our hearts.
4. Most importantly, you need that strong personal relationship with Jesus that only happens when we stay in His Word daily.

God is our refuge, a strong fortress that is the net that catches us when we are falling.  The key is to allow Him to be there to catch us.

Blessings,

Mary Ann