September 20, 2010

2 Samuel 16

Remember the consequences of David’s sin that he had to endure in the temporal world? His infant son, first conceived by Bathsheba died. The sword is devouring his household. First, Amnon raped Tamar. Second, Absalom killed Amnon. Third Absalom is now seeking to kill David. But I think there is another caveat tucked in here that is related to focusing upon our honor above the Lord’s. It is the little village of Bahurim located east of Jerusalem near the mount of Olives on the old road to Jericho. It is here that David extricated his first wife, Michal, from her second husband, Paltiel, in defense of his honor for the way that Saul had defamed him in giving Michal away. This is a village of strong loyalties to the household of Saul. Out comes Shimei of the household of Saul pronouncing curses upon David, saying,

Come out! Come out! You bloodthirsty man, you rogue! The Lord has brought upon you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned; and the Lord has delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom your son. So now you are caught in your own evil, because you are a bloodthirsty man!

Is this not true? Did not the Lord Himself say, “You have shed much blood and have made great wars; you shall not build a house for My name, because you have shed much blood on the earth in My sight?” Had not the Lord Himself pronounced the consequences of David’s murder of Uriah? It is partially true. Notice here how the enemy of our souls will twist the truth of God’s word to drive us into depression. Here Shimei says, “The Lord has brought upon you all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose place you have reigned.” The consequences of David’s sin were not for his behavior toward the house of Saul but for His murder of Uriah. The enemy is trying to drive David into despair as though the Lord had no hope for David. Even when we are living out the consequences of past sin, there is always hope. The Lord never forsakes us or leaves us for He can never forsake Himself. It looks grim for David, but there is hope. Sometimes we need to let the past go because we are following a God of hope. That is what I see glorious about our Lord in this passage. He gives us hope. Even in the midst of living out the consequences of our sin, He gives us hope. He remains with us. Even in the dark times, we must cling to Him. David clung to Him with what little emotional strength that he had left at this time. It was during this time that he wrote the third Psalm. Indeed we serve a glorious King. Speak His glory to someone today!

--Pastor john

2 Corinthians 12

We all possess infirmities and weaknesses that we would rather not have. We all go through humbling experiences that we would rather not go through. I don't know about you, but I would rather cover over those things and forget about them. Paul boasts in them. Why? It is in our weaknesses when Jesus shows Himself to be strong. Our first instinct is to ask the Lord to be set free from them. Sometimes the Lord does set us free from them--to the praise of His glory. But sometimes the Lord says to us, as He said to Paul, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."

When we understand that key thought from the Lord and submit ourselves to Him, then we are enabled. His grace floods our lives. The weakness is still difficult. But we gain a new power to rise through the weakness. It becomes apparent to us and those around us that we have a power that does not come from ourselves. We and others can see His glory. Indeed we serve a glorious King! Speak His glory to someone today!

--Pastor John