2 Samuel 1:1-27; Psalm 18

We have finished with our reading of Acts & I was left to ponder, "where should I go from here?"  I've blogged the Gospels, Acts, and the Epistles.  So, I thought it was time to go back to the Old Testament.  I think we need a full understanding of Biblical history before we jump into Revelations.

Now, many of us are very, let me emphasize that - VERY - familiar with the Pentateuch, which is the first five books of the Bible written by Moses.  Genesis - the creation of everything & the establishment of a Patriarchal lineage; Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy - the history of the establishment of the Jewish nation of Israel.  We also know the Bible stories of Saul and a young David.  These events have been taught to us over & over again in Sunday School.  Then it gets a little muddy.  We know snippets of Solomon, the division of the kingdoms, and the downfall of Israel.  We have heard the stories of Jonah, Daniel, and Esther.  However, these books - 2 Kings through Malachi - provide us not only with a rich history, but a dire warning.  A warning regarding the downfall of civilizations and the downfall of the heart. Given the current events in our global society, I think reading these books will prepare us to face our future. Hopefully through our study, we will also learn to avoid the mistakes of the past.

As always, we will read these books chronologically.  I have never understood why our Bible is organized in such an odd matter.  I know how the Bible is organized - by genre - but it has always seemed like such a harsh division.  How can you understand the richness of the events of our history when you read them out of order?  How can you understand the roles of the prophets when they have been chopped out of the narrative and placed at the end of the Old Testament?  Did you know that these books are organized by the Major prophets - Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel and then by the Minor prophets - Hosea through Malachi?  From there they are placed in our Bible according to length.  Hmmmm. Also, were you aware that Kings and Chronicles provide information on the same time period written from two different perspectives? So, to help us understand the BIG PICTURE, we are going to read these books in chronological order.  Get ready to jump around your Old Testament.

Today we start in 2 Samuel with the death of Saul, Israel's first king.  This will set the stage for David's reign and will also help to establish an understanding of the upcoming division and downfall of Israel.  To lay a quick foundation, Saul was the king that the people demanded, disregarding the wise words of the Lord. Saul turned from God, so God anointed a new king, the adolescent David.  Saul then began to really lose it & he determined in his heart to kill David.  During this time, Israel came under attack by other countries who took advantage of the distracted king.

Saul and his sons were defeated.  His sons dead, Saul decides to end his own life & falls on his spear (he commits suicide.)  An Amalekite wanderer brings the news of Saul's death to David, claiming that he killed Saul.  The Amalekite has stated this because he is hoping to gain favor with David.  He knows that David has been on the run for many years & thinks he'll receive a favored place with David.  Unfortunately, this man does not know David's heart.  David listens to the Lord, he follows the laws, in all the time he was being pursued by Saul, he did not raise his hand against Saul.  Instead, he honored Saul as the king of Israel.  So, David follows the law & has the man executed for his crimes (killing the king).  David then writes a lament for Saul.  David was a musician, he wrote many of the psalms as we will read throughout this study.  This lament honors Saul as the fallen king and speaks of the close friendship of David and Jonathan.

The psalm given for today is presumed to have been written after the death of Saul.  In this song, David praises & thanks God for delivering him from his enemies and making him a favored king.  Now don't confuse the issue here.  Yes, David obeyed the laws and honored his king.  However, he was also grateful that he had been saved from his enemies.  No longer did he need to hide out, his time as king had come.

To apply this lesson to our own lives, think of our government.  You may not like the president or your state congressman, maybe even your counties congressman.  However, the Bible makes it very clear that we are to honor those in authority over us.  We are to pray for them and respect them.  We take our problems and issues to the Lord and then we trust Him to do the right thing.  God has a big picture - a great and perfect plan - so trust Him to accomplish it in His good and perfect timing.  If you have a problem with our government & its officials, take it to the Lord & leave it off Facebook.  In that way, we are not only honoring those in authority over us, we are honoring and obeying our Lord.

Acts 28:1-31

Paul and his shipmates stay on the island of Malta for three months.  While they are there, Paul is bitten by a serpent, but he suffers no ill-effects.  He also heals many people.  Once again, the power of God performed through His miracles presents a doorway to presenting the Good News.

Once in Rome, Paul speaks to the Jewish people.  Some listen, most do not.  This fulfills prophecy found in Isaiah.  The people will refuse to listen and repent.  However, God's offer of spiritual healing is always available to anyone who repents and believes.

So, what can we learn from this?  Always, always keep your faith.  Always, always rely on God.  The storms in life will come, but with God we can overcome.

Acts 27:1-44

Paul is sailing to Rome to have his day with Caesar.  Notice that even though Paul is a prisoner, he is given favor.  **Note:  Your attitude in live often determines how others treat you.  If you're always complaining, whining, arguing, or pessimistic - you will have a harder time in life than those that roll with the punches and find the joy in every situation.  **  **Side note - an example from my own life.  My good friend and I went on a 5 day vacation to Puerto Rico.  This was her first official get-away.  AND IT RAINED - A LOT.  So, what did we do?  Did we sit in the hotel and complain?  Nope - we went hiking in the rain forest, we zip lined, we walked through Old San Juan.  Occasionally we got wet, a few times we got soaked.  But we had a great time - every single day - simply because we had the right attitude. **

Now, Paul is an educated man.  He also listens to God.  Paul advised the captain to stay in port.  Winter was coming & it was not a good time to sail.  However, those in authority decided to continue on.  **Note:  Paul didn't argue or pitch a fit. He listened to those in authority over him.  Yikes, do I have a lot to learn from Paul. **  When the storm came up, as Paul predicted, he continued to be a positive leader for the people by encouraging them and giving them hope.  When the ship finally ran aground, the prisoners were saved because of Paul's example and good attitude.

So - what can we learn?  A positive attitude helps not only yourself, but others around you.  It's not all about you.  You are not the only human on this earth.  Your actions affect you and others.  So, when times get you down, pray, pray, pray & keep your attitude positive.

Acts 25:13-26:32

Interesting that no one in authority can seem to find a crime in which to charge Paul.  Not Felix, Festus, or King Aggripa.  However, Paul has appealed to Caesar, so to Caesar he must go.

Our worldly minds cry out in anguish over this.  Paul would have been able to be free had he not made this appeal.  He would have been able to walk about and continue to preach the Gospel.  Why is God allowing this to happen?  And yet, as we read these verses, we are able to see the big picture.  Because of these trials, Paul is able to preach the Gospel to many more people.  He was held in prison, yet he still preached.  He is now going to Rome where countless people with hear him preach.  He is walking the path to which he was called AND he is peaceful about it.

Very often in our own lives we walk through trials and tribulations.  We shake our fist at God, we ask why, sometimes we even lose faith.  However, we must remember that in our own lives we don't have the luxury of reading ahead.  We don't get to see the big picture until it has been fully drawn.  Faith is trusting that you are walking on the path to which God has called you.  Faith is trusting that God is doing what is right.  Faith is walking through the trials and tribulations of life in constant contact with God knowing that He will work it all for His good purpose.  Faith is finding joy and peace in the storm.

Acts 24:1-25:12

Paul has been arrested because of trumped up charges from the Jewish Council.  He has been sent to the Governor Felix for his protection.  There he stayed under house arrest for two years.  Paul knew his rights as a citizen and he called for those rights; yet, he did not work the system.  He didn't flatter or bribe officials, he didn't attempt to curry their favor.  He simply continued to speak the truth and present the Gospel.  There is a fine line between knowing your rights as a citizen and using those rights to play the game.  We can learn much from Paul as he walked the line on this issue.  Notice how he respects those in authority.  Notice how he continues to follow the plan and purpose God has set before him regardless of his circumstances.  As you continue to walk through your life, remember these lessons of Paul and apply them to your own life.

Acts 22:30-23:35

Paul speaks to the Jewish counsel & rioting ensues.  Typical - these Jewish leaders cannot agree on their theology & spend a good time fighting about it.  Sound like the church today?  What they are able to agree on is that Paul must die.  A plot is then hatched to lie to the Tribune & kill Paul when he appears before them.  However, Paul's nephew hears about the plot & warns the tribune.  Notice the tribune is intent on following the law - he sends Paul to the governor.

So, what can we learn from this?  Well, as I read today I am reminded to stand up for what is right.  It's that simple.  When someone is being mistreated, stand up for them. It all comes back to love and the golden rule to treat others the way you want to be treated.  There may be times when someone offends us by their actions or words.  Paul offended the Jewish council, yet they had no reason other than their pride to persecute him.  If someone offends you, stop & figure out why you are offended.  Is it because they revealed a fault in your personality?  Did they expose a sin?  If so, you need to focus on yourself rather than on the offense. Don't allow yourself to fall further into sin.

Acts 21:37-22:29

Paul has been arrested.  Paul asks to speak to the crowd.  The tribune, the commander, thinks that he is an Egyptian who has been stirring up trouble recently.  Josephus, a Jewish historian, also mentions this Egyptian.  I mention this to show that the Bible accurately records history.  There are other non-biblical sources that mention the same events and people.  Pretty awesome.

Paul is given permission to speak, so he gives his testimony.  The people listen, but they continue to reject him because he is preaching to the Gentiles.  The tribune decides to appease the people and have Paul flogged, but Paul reveals that he is a Roman citizen.  Therefore, he cannot be flogged without a trial.

We are going to stop here for today, but I want us to examine our hearts.  Do we ever treat people unfairly before we know the facts?  Do we listen to gossip and rumor?  Do we judge people by their appearance or by there actions?  Do we give people a chance to explain themselves?  People usually act with reason.  They all have a story.  Take the time to listen to their story and understand their motivations.