I'm taking the week to spend time with family . . . away from technology. I'll be back on Tuesday.

1 Chronicles 23

In Leviticus, the duties of the Levites were laid out.  However, the temple no longer needs to be transported & reassemble, so it is David's job to reassign their duties.  This chapter outlines family lineage and the history of the priesthood.

So, can we learn anything from this?  Why, yes we can.

1)  The Bible is an accurate source of history.  By detailing lineage, kings, towns, countries, etc. it proves itself to be trustworthy.  The details provided in the Bible are constantly being confirmed through archaeological digs and studies.

2)  God is a god of purpose, meaning, and organization.  There is order to His creation.  I love that.  I don't know about you, but I thrive on order and purpose.  It offers peace and rest.

1 Chronicles 22 & Psalm 30

David is making preparations for the temple since Solomon is still a young, inexperienced king.  David has been told by God that he will not build the temple because of the warfare that took place during his reign.  However, Solomon's reign will be one of peace, so he will be the one to build it.  At this time, both David and Solomon are reigning.  This was very common in ancient times.  As one king become old & weak, a new king is selected.  Both kings reign.  It's kind of a learning period for the younger king as he serves as regent - a person who rules when the king is unable to for various reasons.

David not only charges Solomon to build the temple, but he also emphasizes the need to rely on and obey the Lord.  It is only through reliance & obedience that the kingdom prospers.  Likewise, our lives prosper when we rely on the Lord.  Let's face it, He is a lot smarter than we are.  His council is always good; whereas, our friends, family & even ourselves have motives that may interfere with the wise choice.

Every time I read the Bible, I am reminded of the importance of relationship.  Relationship with others & especially relationship with God.  We don't serve Him simply because we have to.  We don't obey in order to get rewards or avoid consequences.  We serve & obey because we know that God is right & has our back.  We serve & obey out of love, out of understanding, out of relationship.

1 Kings 1 - along with a ton of psalms 4-6, 9-14, 16, 17, 22, 25-28, 31, 35, 36, 38, 40-41, 53, 55, 58, 61, 64, 69-71, 86, 102, 109

I don't usually comment on the psalms simply because they are pretty self-explanatory.  I encourage you to read them, a few a day, and apply them during your prayer time.  I know I do.

Onto another book.  We still have a chapter in 2 Samuel regarding David's death, along with more to read in 1 Chronicles.  However, since we are reading the Bible chronologically, I thought it made sense to read about the remainder of David's life before we read about his death.  Remember, these books were written by different people for different purposes, so each writer will highlight events from David's life a little differently.  Some events are mentioned in one book, but not another.  So, open to 1 Kings & let's get started.

So we start out learning that David is becoming weak and ill.  A young woman is brought in to help keep him warm.  The terms, "wait", "be of service", and "in your arms", suggest that Abishag is to be a concubine, but David does not utilize her in that manner, leaving his son Adonijah with the understanding that he can take over his father's kingdom.  Joab joins forces with Adonijah, but Nathan and David's mighty men stay loyal to David.

I find it interesting that these people aren't learning from the past.  Has anyone been successful in coming against David?  Nope.  But before we judge too harshly, take a look at your own life.  Any historical mistakes that you were blind to or simply choose to ignore.  Surely, it won't happen to YOU.

Also note that David never held his son accountable for his actions.  Once again, Adonijah is a product of neglect and indulgence.  Be careful here - for we have become a wealthy nation that seeks self-esteem and pleasure way too often.  We may look at David and think, "Why didn't you parent those boys better?"  But, once again, look at your own children.  Do you try to give them everything they want?  Are you attempting to meet every heart's desire?  Do you hold your children accountable for their wrongs or do you attempt to "just keep the peace?"  David is a prime example of an indulgent parent & his children have become resentful and selfish because of it.

So, the selfish would-be king needs to be stopped.  Nathan and Bathsheba approach David & he ensures that the kingdom is aware that Solomon is the chosen king, not Adonijah.  Adonijah hides out at the altar until he has assurance that Solomon will not harm him.  However, Solomon is already showing himself a wise king - he states Adonijah is safe as long as he shows himself to be trustworthy.  Never make a promise you can't keep & don't swear an oath that you will later regret.

2 Samuel 24 & 1 Chronicles 21

OK - lots going on here.

When you reconcile these two passages it states that the Lord allows Satan to tempt David.  Honestly, since God is in control, He can stop or allow Satan to do anything Satan dreams up.  However, when it comes to temptation, we have a choice - give in or stand against it.  So, the Lord allowing Satan to tempt David was simply giving David the option of choosing which he would do.  It is Satan's goal to tempt us away from God.  BUT - he cannot force you to disobey.  He is simply making a suggestion.  Whether or not you follow is your choice.

David falls into temptation.  Why was a census wrong?  Because it shows a lack of faith in God.  David didn't need to reassure himself with numbers when God has proven Himself faithful to deliver Israel over & over again.  To deal with the sin, God gives David a choice - 3 years famine, 3 months of fleeing, or 3 days of pestilence.  Most scholars agree that the number of casualties would be the same regardless of the event.  David chooses the quickest one.

But why should the innocent die for the one?  Oh, we hear this question often.  Why do the innocent suffer?Well, two reasons:  1) no one is innocent.  It's a harsh reality, but it is true.  Anyone who has children can tell you that you don't have to teach a child to be naughty, you have to teach him to be good.  2)  In the Old Testament, "[David] is the representative of God's people, and thus they bear the consequences of his behavior, whether good or evil."  ESV study Bible.  Another harsh reality.  We don't complain when good happens, but we do complain when bad does.  We like to reap the benefits, but not the punishments.  Even today, we reap the benefits and consequences of the leaders we elect.  A country is made or broken upon its leadership.  So, be thoughtful in who you support, in who you elect.  Didn't vote for the person in power?  Pray, pray hard that his heart will be softened to the will of God, but remember, he is your leader & you are to respect him.  Yes, that is in the Bible too.


King David's history can be difficult to comprehend, but I look at it this way - if David, as God's representative, is allowed to "get away" with sinful behavior, what is to stop those that look up to him from following in his footsteps?  Where is the accountability?  I'm going to get very personal here.  I became pregnant at the age of 18.  I was unmarried.  In fact, the biological father left the moment I told him I was pregnant.  My father was the youth leader, I was a Sunday School helper.  I truly repented and was forgiven.  There were no consequences to deal with in my church other than the humiliation of being a single, unwed mother.  I wasn't even asked to step down from helping in Children's ministry.  Not a harsh word was spoken in my hearing.  In fact, most people were highly supportive.  I was grateful for the mercy and grace I was shown.  I still am.  However, within 3 years two other girls in my church became single, unwed mothers.  I can't help but wonder:  if instead of sparing my feelings the church had taken a harsher stand would these girls have thought twice about their actions?  I realize that I am not responsible for their decisions.  But, did my easy plight make sin look a little less sinful?  Did they stop & think, "well, her life is just fine.  So, why wouldn't mine be also?"  If the consequences had been greater, would it have made these girls think twice? Looking back, I should have faced some harsher consequences.  Accountability in church and in life is important.  Not only for yourself, but for those watching.

2 Samuel 22

My study Bible states that these two scriptures are the same.  David's song in 2 Samuel 22 was adapted for a public hymn in Psalm 18.  Pretty cool.

Anyway this is a song of praise for the deliverance God provides us.  Have you ever "prayed" a hymn or a psalm?  Every taken these words and applied them to your situation?  If not, give it a try.  Sometimes we experience things that we just can't express.  Something tears us down or even lifts us up to the point that we have no words to express what we are going through, yet we want to share the experience, seek counsel, ask for help.  Turn to the psalms.  Read these & use these.

Two things:
1.  If you are struggling with anything, read this - whatincredible praise, worship, and encouragement this song offers.
2.  Notice vs. 17-25 - we ALL know that David sinned, so why does he think he can claim sinlessness?  Because he has been forgiven.  Sometimes we forget that God's forgiveness means He FORGETS our sin.  When we repent, the sin is wiped out, it is no more.  David knew this & thanked God for it.  Get a hold of this, right now!  True repentance leads to forgiveness.  So stop seeing yourself as others see you & start seeing yourself as God sees you.

2 Samuel 21

This is why I love my ESV study Bible - the footnotes.  There is so much history & sometimes conflict in the Bible.  It can be hard to keep track of.  However, a good study Bible will provide references, reminders, and explanations.  It is especially important to choose an unbiased study Bible that will present multiple opinions when the answer is not clear.  That is what happens here.

Joshua 9 states the Gibeonites tricked the Israelites into guaranteeing their safety with an oath.  Saul broke that oath & had some Gibeonites killed.  David sought to make amends, the Gibeonites asked for seven of Saul's sons to be put to death, and David agreed.  Now this is where my study Bible comes in handy - it points out that the text does not state that God approved of this agreement.  However, the famine was lifted probably because of David's actions in showing respect to the bones of Saul, Jonathan, and these seven sons.

So, maybe I don't understand it all, but what I do know is that God has a plan and a purpose.  He doesn't stop us from making bad decisions, just like He doesn't stop us from making good decisions.  God does allow consequences in our lives along with blessings so that we learn from our mistakes and our triumphs.

The final portion of scripture lets us know that the king is getting on in years & no longer able to go out into battle.  The reference to Goliath & the four giants lets us know that the Philistines has some large men in their ranks.  However, the Israelites overcame them.  The reference to Goliath could simply be that their was more than one man named Goliath or that Goliath was used as a reference to "giant."  Either way, Israel remained successful because of their reliance on the Lord.

Do you have any giants in your life?  Who are you relying on - yourself or God?

David & Bathsheba revisited

Last Thursday (wow, a week ago already) I was honored to speak at Cornerstone Christian School.  Then I went to Minnesota & Michigan for five days, came home late, got up for work, went straight to youth group, back to bed, back to work & finally - home.  Ah, it is so good to be home.  And I am just now turning on a computer again.  So, I thought I would share my sermon with you.  Not because I think I'm some great speaker, but because I believe that God uses books, people, life experiences to speak through us and to us.  This sermon spoke to me, I hope it does the same for you.

My husband and I are the youth leaders at Victory Church.  I am also the librarian at Conestoga Elementary School.  Part of my job as a librarian is to read the incoming new books.  This summer I read a book called The Girl from Felony Bay by J.E. Thompson.  In the last chapter of the book the main character, Abbey, reflects on her experiences and she has some pretty profound things to say. 

Can I just say that passage hit me pretty hard?  Honestly, it sums up our life on this earth pretty well.  It all comes down to choices.  Little choices every single day that lead up to who we are & we will become.  I especially love the line, “and I need to get smarter so I’ll be able to tell the difference between good ones and bad ones.  It’s clear that a lot of people, even adults, get pretty confused about which choices to make.”

You see, no one is immune – every day we make choices.  Some are easy – what to eat for breakfast, what to wear to school, should I study for the test tomorrow?  Others are more complicated:  do I obey my parents even when I don’t agree with them?  Do I befriend the outcast?  How do I forgive the wrongs done to me?  Fortunately for us, God has given us the answers in His very own book – the Bible.  Do you want to learn how to make good choices?  How to avoid the bad ones?  This is the place to find them.  Everything from “What should I wear?” to “How do I forgive?” is discussed between the covers of this book.

Of all the reading I do – the words in this book are the most important.  In fact, as I finished The Girl from Felony Bay & I pondered those last few paragraphs, I came across one of my favorite Bible stories – strike that, I don’t like the word “Story” when talking about the Bible.  It implies a fictional account rather than a historical one.  So, let me rephrase that – I came across one of my favorite biblical events in 2 Samuel 11.  Those of you familiar with 2 Samuel know that it records the reign of King David.  David as you will recall was anointed as a child to become the new king of Israel after Saul turned his back on God.  Now, at this point, David could have become haughty and prideful – after all, he was to become the new king.  But he didn’t.  He stayed humble and obedient.  Even when he killed Goliath, even when he became famous for his successes in battle.  In fact, he even stayed humble and obedient when Saul’s jealousy of David drove Saul mad & he hunted David throughout Israel.  He stayed humble and obedient when he was finally crowned king.  Each of these little choices, every step of the way, from childhood into adulthood built David’s character and wisdom.  Each choice, and with it, each consequence or outcome, solidified who David was, how he thought, and what was important in his life.  He was renowned as a good king, a successful king, a godly king.  And then we come to 2 Samuel 11.  King David is embattled in a war with the Ammonites.  One evening he heads up to his rooftop to think, to contemplate, to relax.  As he’s strolling around his rooftop, he spots a beautiful woman bathing.  He stops, he ponders, he thinks on what he sees & then he inquires after the woman.  After he learns that she is Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, he has her brought to his chambers and he sleeps with her.  Afterward, he sends her on her way.  He washes his hands of the deed.  No one knows, so he’s gotten away with it.  Right?  Nope.  Bathsheba soon sends word that she is pregnant.  Oops.

Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband, is at war.  There are witnesses that can know David spent time with her.  Everyone is going to know of his sin.  He is caught.  But wait, David sends for Uriah.  He brings him home, gives him a reprieve from the war.  Tells him to go home & relax with his wife.  But Uriah, poor Uriah, is an upstanding guy, a faithful soldier.  He refuses to seek rest and relaxation when the rest of Israel's soldiers are still at war.  Ugh.  So what does David do?  How does he get out of this mess?  He has Uriah killed in battle.  After Uriah’s death, David marries Bathsheba.  Now he’s really gotten away with it right?  The child can be claimed as his own with no questions asked.  After all, he is Bathsheba’s husband.  David has saved his reputation.  No one is the wiser.  Right? 

So why is this one of my favorite events in the Bible?  After all, it is a tale of lust, lies, and murder.  What kind of person am?  Well, I love that God saw fit to record these events because it reminds me that no one is immune to sin.  We all face temptation, but how will we respond?  David responded with humility and obedience for the majority of his life.  But in this instance, he gave into temptation.  See, David’s sin doesn’t start with adultery.  It starts with lust.  With that small decision to stop and start, to imagine.  David could have simply walked away.  But he didn’t.  He made a small choice to stop, and that choice lead to another choice, which lead to another.  And so on and so forth.  It’s so easy to talk ourselves into that one little sin.  After all, no one will know.  Who will it hurt anyway?  So, you give in.  Just this once.  But that choice leads to another, and another, and so on and so forth. 

I can identify with David.  I was a church girl.  I gave my life to Jesus Christ when I was 13.  I was a leader in youth group, I taught Sunday School.  I knew the Bible.  I could talk the talk and walk the walk.  And then, somewhere around my junior year I started making small choices.  Choices that I knew didn’t line up with my faith, but they were just small things really.  A concert here, a small lie to my parent’s there.  A skimpy outfit, a drink at a friend’s house.  Pretty soon I was talking the talk, but I was no longer walking the walking.  I had become two different people.  The godly girl on Sundays and Wednesdays and the party girl the rest of the week.  My grades went downhill, along with my relationship with my parents.  I won’t go into all the gory details, but shortly after high school I found myself living with my boyfriend, who to be quite honest, I didn’t even really like.  But hey, I was having fun, right?  I was living my life by my rules & things were kind of working out.  And then I found out I was pregnant & my world came crashing down.  A light bulb went on & I suddenly saw my life very clearly.  I was starting down a road of complete destruction unless I made some big changes. 

David experienced a very similar wake up call.  Nathan the prophet paid David a visit & woke him up to the realities of his choices.  I love how subtle Nathan begins this confrontation.  (And I can’t read this passage without thinking of Veggie Tales, but that is beside the point.)  Nathan tells a parable.  Let’s read the account in

2 Samuel 12:1-6 – It’s funny how well we can deceive ourselves when we want don’t want to face the reality of our own making.  David is so in denial, he just doesn’t get it.  Now Nathan lays down the hammer.

2 Samuel 12:7-9 – Boom, every sin David tried so hard to cover up is laid bare before him.  So, what did David do?  He repented.  I love that word – repent.  In Greek the word repent literally means, “to think differently afterwards.”  It’s not just saying you’re sorry because you’re sorry you got caught.  It is to actually understanding that you did something wrong and to change the way you think about that action. 

After my wake up call, I absolutely thought differently.  I changed the way I dressed, the music I listened to, my friends, my entire way of life.  I stopped thinking of church as a bi-weekly commitment and started thinking of it as a life-line, a support system, an accountability partner.  God was no longer some aloof being I was supposed to listen to, but a loving Father who wants the best for me.  And I didn’t make these changes to make myself look better, or to gain acceptance, but because my way of thinking has been completely altered.  When I think back on that old way of life, all I see is destruction.  I can only thank God that He offered me a way out of that lifestyle.  That He lead me to peace and joy.  And He will do the same for you.

It just comes down to those little choices.  Which way will you go?  Which path will you walk down?  But remember – it’s the little choices.  The daily, sometimes hourly, sometimes minute by minute choices that you make.  See, David repented of his sin, but that didn’t keep him from making some other foolish choices.  The same goes for me.  My light bulb moment didn’t make me perfect.  It didn’t stop trials and temptation from knocking on my door.  And sometimes I give in.  I make the wrong choice and I find that I must repent of another sin.  But that is what is so awesome about God.  He just stays with me – nudging me, guiding me, forgiving me, helping me to grow stronger in my faith, to stand up against the temptations in life.  He’ll do the same for you – all you need to do is ask Him.   

I would like to conclude by reading a passage of yet another book.  I told you I read a lot of books.  I actually read this book just this weekend.  As I was finishing it, I had a quiet chuckle with God because I believe He put this book in my hands at just the right time – just when I was pondering this talk, what I would share with you, how I would wrap it up.  See, when it comes to making choices, God is right there to help.  When I talk to Him, share my day with Him, my trials, my triumphs, and especially when I listen to Him – it is easier to hear His still small voice.  It becomes natural to see His hand in your life, to walk in the way He is guiding, to make the good choices. 

The passage comes from Juniper Tree, a tale of terror and temptation by M.P. Kozlowsky.

“There will always be temptation, wherever we go in life, with whatever we do.  There will always be an easier way out.  But there’s nothing to gain from that.  We have to overcome such urges; we have to be stronger.  I fought hard and I won.”

Reminds me of 2 Timothy 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”  Good words in which to aspire.  So keep on making those good choices, keep reading your Bible.  And above all, focus on your relationship with God.  If you do these things you will find that you have gained the understanding and the tools needed to tell the difference between the good choices and the bad ones. 

2 Samuel 20

Yet another man stands up to take David's place and yet another military conflict ensues.  Once again, this is history.  Countries are always changing hands from one ruler to another.  Sometimes these changes happen peacefully.  Other times, the throne is taken violently.  We think of these kings and queens as lucky - we covet their power, money and possessions.  Yet, they lived very precarious lives.  Always looking over their shoulder, always wondering who was out to get them now.  Remember - the grass is not greener on the other side, there are just different kinds of weeds.

Also during this time, Joab's character is once again revealed.  He is a bloodthirsty man, willing to take the life of others to further the kingdom.  Often times, this is in direct conflict with David.  Joab was a powerful man, but he had trouble with authority.  He did what he thought was right, rather than listening to good counsel.

2 Samuel 19:9-43

The war between David and Absalom has wrecked havoc on the nation.  No one knows which way is up any more.  So, David did what a good king does, he rallied the people.  He returned their confidence & he settled his nation.  Then David has a few meeting with some of his subjects.  You can read the encounters for yourself - but what I take out of these accounts is that David treated people in the same matter that God treats us.  Basically, he followed the golden rule.  He forgave those that sought forgiveness, he thanked those that stayed loyal, and above all, he listened to the needs of others and made decisions based on their welfare rather than his own.

That's really all we are asked to do - treat others the way we want to be treated.  Offer the same compassion, forgiveness, and mercy that God offers to us.  This is how to truly excel at relationships.

The passage ends with the people of Judah and the people of Israel bickering over David.  This discord will continue to fester until the kingdoms finally divide.  I think this passage stands in direct contrast to the passage before it.  David followed the golden rule, these people are only looking out for themselves.  Interesting how the golden rule leads to peace, selfishness leads to war.  Hmmmm

2 Samuel 18:19-19:8

When David learns of Absalom's death, he griefs to the point of neglecting his kingly duties.  The land is in turmoil and David is disrespecting the families that gave their lives in this battle by mourning the enemy.  Once again, David is unable to see is own life clearly.

So, what do I take out of this sad reading?  Don't become too consumed with yourself.  Absalom allowed himself to become consumed with anger, resentment, greed and pride.  He focused on the hurt he had endured in life and blamed his father for his disappointments.  David became consumed with his grieve, focusing solely on his loss.  Absalom was never able to break free of himself, and it lead to his destruction.  David was wise enough to listen to good counsel and slowly found healing.

We are all going to have hurt and disappointment in life.  Some will face bigger trials than others.  However, allowing ourselves to become consumed by these events will only lead to depression.  If you are struggling with these feelings, seek wise counsel.  Learn to forgive and let go of the hurt.  Turn to God and spend time talking it out with Him.

2 Samuel 17:24-18:18

Absalom's revolt has started a war & 20,000 men lost their lives.  Oh, how destructive pride and greed truly are.  Does it matter if pride and greed destroy 20,000 lives or just one? Is a little bit of greed, just a hint of pride acceptable?  After all, isn't that the way to get ahead in life?

Nope.  Look at David - he is humble, he relies on the Lord, he follows the Lord's counsel, he seeks forgiveness for his mistakes and he is successful.  Not only because he is the king of Israel, but because he is exactly where the Lord put him.  Following the Lord won't make you a king, but that is not the point here.  Success doesn't come from what you have, it comes from who you are.  Are you fulfilled, are you challenged, are you content?  That is true fulfillment.  David found his fulfillment not in his earthly power, but in his relationship with God.  You can too.

2 Samuel 16:15-17:4

Absalom enters Jerusalem and has sexual relations with David's concubine, making it clear he is claiming the throne.  Interesting that Nathan prophesied to David, "What you have done in secret, I will do this thing before all Israel."  David secretly took what he wanted, Absalom very publicly did the same upon the advice of Ahithophel.  This man seems to be much admired for his wisdom, leaving Hushai the difficult task of attempting to override his advice.  Fortunately, Hushai is able to give good common sense reasoning that saves the life of David.  Upon learning that his counsel has not been followed, Ahithophel hangs himself.

Seems rather harsh, doesn't it?  Why would a man go to such lengths simply because his advice wasn't followed?  Perhaps his ego couldn't handle it, perhaps he foresaw the defeat of Absalom?  I'm not sure, but what I do know is that trials come regardless.  How you handles those trials is what is important.  Will you give up or will you stand up?  Ahithophel gave up, David stood up.  Who will you be like?