September 10, 2010

2 Samuel 4,5

It is amazing to me that Rechab and Baanah actually thought that David would reward them for Ishbosheth’s head. But then, think about it. David had assembled with the Philistines before the battle in which Saul met his demise. Perhaps only the Philistines knew that David was sent home because they did not trust him. David did not come to Saul’s rescue. There had been war between the David’s men and Ishbosheth’s men for 7.5 years. There had been no conflict between David and the Philistines during that time. From a human viewpoint, why wouldn’t David desire Ishbosheth’s death. But David was not concerned about the human viewpoint. He still believed in not touching the anointed of the Lord. But their unrighteousness triggered a final act that was needed to reunify the country.

Now that the country was moving toward unification, what could David do that would solidify it? Our country had the same problem as we sought to find a capital to unify the country. In what later became known as the Compromise of 1790, Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and Thomas Jefferson came to an agreement that the federal government would assume war debt carried by the states, on the condition that the new national capital would be located in the Southern United States.[1] Thus the District of Columbia, our nation’s capital, was built. David wisely found a Jebusite border town that had never been conquered, Jerusalem. He conquered it. By royal right of conquest, the city became his. He made it the new capital. It was perfectly situated near the border of Benjamin and Judah giving it a central location.

With the unification of Israel under David at a new capital, the Philistines came to the realization that David was no longer their vassal, but he had become a king with rapidly growing power. They attacked. True to form David asks the Lord for advice on when and how to attack the Philistines. The Lord instructed him. We are in a spiritual battle. The Lord calls us to battle. But we must be dependent upon Him by asking for his battle plan. Most of the plan is given in the Word. But it is His Spirit who takes the word and instructs us in the specific use of it. Let us ask Him for His plan for only then will His glory be predominate. Indeed we serve a glorious King. Speak His glory to someone today!

--Pastor john



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[1] From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia



2 Corinthians 3

Jesus fulfilled the Law. At the time the Law was delivered, it came through Moses and was written on stone tablets. Moses daily communed with God. After communing with God, he would speak with the people. His face shone brightly from the glory of the Lord. He put a veil on so that they could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. Was it passing away each day, or was it constant every day and the total glory of the law was eventually passing away? What was the purpose of the Law? It was to condemn sin so that we might know that we needed someone to make us righteous. That was a glorious ministry! It was illustrated by the glow on Moses' face.

Jesus' ministry to us is not to use the Law to condemn us, but His ministry is to transform us into men & women who meet all the righteous standards of the Law. As we read His word, part of which is the Law, we listen to His voice. His Spirit writes His life on our hearts not on stone or pieces of paper but upon our hearts. As we listen, we see His glory! As we gaze on His glory we are transformed into his image. His Spirit takes His word, His life and writes it in our heart, speaks it in our heart. We see His glory. We are changed. Am I listening for His Spirit? He speaks to those who listen. His glory shines when we listen. What is He saying? Perhaps it is, "I love you." Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!

--Pastor John