Today’s reading is from 2 Samuel 16 and Psalm 48

This has been a stressful week. I’m weary. Some of my weariness is a direct result of my own poor decisions and other things have been out of my control.  As I read this passage in 2 Samuel I sense a weariness in David. He’s tired of running from his  son Absalom. Tired of hearing stories of people turning on him. Ziba stops him on the road with news that Mephibosheth has plans to get his grandfather Sauls kingdom back. Mephibosheth! He was the one David took in and cared for after Sauls death. How disheartening it must have been to hear this news. Then he has to endure Shimei’s insults and rock throwing for a thing that he didn’t do. Harsh criticism from someone without all the facts. David knew this and because of it he didn’t fight back. He says in verses 11-12, “My own son is trying to kill me. Shouldn’t this relative of Saul have even more reason to do so? Leave him alone and let him curse, for the Lord has told him to do it. And perhaps the Lord will see that I’m being wronged and will bless me because of these curses”. Weary,  but faithfully moving forward. Praying for a blessing.

Then in verses 15-23, Ahithophel told Absalom to sleep with all David’s concubines while he was away. This fulfilled the prophecy from Nathan that another man would sleep with his wives.

I would say this is a low point for David. Some of it because of his sin and some out of his control. And while enduring the rocks and cursing he prayed God would bless him through it. He quietly endured.

Are you weary and beaten down by sin or circumstances out of your control? Are there rocks being thrown at you in the form of stress, illness, financial strain, marital difficulties? Perhaps your job hangs in the balance of something out of your control. It’s ok to be weary. But don’t lose heart. Go to the source of peace and truth ….. Jesus. Matthew 28:11-30 “Come to me, all who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yolk upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yolk fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light.”

Shelly

Todays Readings: 2 Samuel 14; Psalm 46

This is the beginning of Holy Week. We begin the preparations of Easter and Resurrection Sunday this week. We are taking time to reflect more on the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. I am excited to be able to witness this time of reflection and renewal with you. Psalm 46 expresses the heart of the week and this season of Lent and Easter.

Psalm 46:

God is our refuge and strength,
a very present^[b] help in trouble.
² Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
³ though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah

⁴ There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
⁵ God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
⁶ The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
⁷ The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah

⁸ Come, behold the works of the Lord,
how he has brought desolations on the earth.
⁹ He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.
¹⁰ “Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
¹¹ The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. 

 This is one of my many favorite passages throughout the bible. I love reading and mediating on these words. The power that is contained in these lines is substantial and appropriate for all weeks, especially this Holy Week.   The images that I have for this day are:

• Christ coming into the city before Passover (Luke 19:38-44) (verse 1&2)
• The crowds of people praising him. (Verse 8)
• Christ knowing that the Father has ordained the way. (Verse 10)

Todays reading: 2 Samuel 13 and Psalms 45

Have you had a chance to open your Bible and read 2 Samuel 13 yet? If you have not had the chance, go ahead, open your Bible, and give it a read…

Well, how do you feel? Feel like you just turned on your TV and watched some show that you know is not appropriate?? When I began reading this chapter, I thought, “Seriously?? I do not want to have to write about this!!!” It is eye-opening to read about such sinful, horrible acts that took place back in David’s day and to realize that not much has changed in todays culture. Think Tamar would have joined in the #metoo movement of today???

Here is a quick synopsis of who’s who in this 13th chapter:

Amnon – the firstborn son of King David and Ahinoam
Absalom – son of King David and Princess Maakah, of Geshur
Tamar – daughter of King David and Princess Maakah, of Geshur
Jonadab – son of King David’s brother, Shimeah

Both Absalom and Tamar were very attractive and had luxurious hair. Absalom was the most handsome man in all of Israel. Tamar was a very beautiful girl who remained a virgin. Amnon was in love with his half-sister, Tamar, lust raged in him. However, he could not get near her. Jonadab, son of King David’s brother devised a scheme and asked Amnon to lie down in his bed, pretending to be sick. When king David visited him, he was to request the king to send Tamar to cook food for him. The plan worked and the king did so. When Tamar gave him the cooked food, he caught hold of her. Tamar pleaded with him, saying “No, do not force me!” Amnon gave no attention to her words. Using his physical strength, he subdued her and raped her, against her wish. After his lust was gratified, he hated her more than he loved her earlier. He then insisted that she get out of his sight and leave immediately. Tamar begged again that he not to do this to her, but Amnon would not listen to her words. She was dragged out of his chamber by means of force and the door was shut.
When Tamar’s brother Absalom learned about the disgrace that was brought upon his sister, he waited for the right opportunity to take revenge. He pacified Tamar and asked her to stay calm. King David learned about this incident and did not take any action or issue any punishment.
After two years, when Amnon was drunk, Absalom killed him. He then fled to Geshur, his mother’s place and stayed for three years.
King David mourned due to this sad incident, the death of Amnon and now, because of the absence of Absalom.

After forcing myself to spend some time on this chapter, I have a few thoughts…

In the chapters leading up to this, we read of David being such a Godly man. He upheld King Saul and Jonathan and treated them with kindness, even though he had reason to act otherwise. But then, we see his humanness evolve in chapter 12. David marred the image of God’s love by taking Bathsheba, another man’s wife. Then the whole thing snowballed out of control as his whole family was caught up in the injustice. In the previous chapter, 2 Samuel 12:11 says, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight.’” This is the beginning of the consequences that will be upon David’s family for the sin he committed.

Whose advice do you take and listen to?? In this text, we see that Amnon listens to Jonadab in verse 5 and takes his advice to pretend he is sick in bed. Jonadab comes up with a scheme so that Amnon can fulfill his lusts for his sister, Tamar. People can lead us into trouble. Before taking the advice from a person, we need to closely watch the personality and character of the person we are seeking advice from. It is so important to keep wise counsel. Psalm 1:1 says, “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers”

I remember when my kids were in middle school and we were just beginning to really deal with peer pressure and using the phrase, “if someone asked you to jump off a building, would you do it?” We tried to bring reality to a situation and to help them stop and think before they acted. I do not think that Amnon stopped to think about what he was about to do. He acted on his lust. If we stop for a moment and whisper a prayer for guidance, our steps may change. Imagine if David would not have given in to his temptation of Bathsheba. This might have changed the whole direction of his family and they would not have had to endure the consequences of his sin. God forgives our sin, but we still have to deal with the consequences.

This Word of God is here in explicit detail to teach us that sin has consequences. Yes, you can be forgiven for the act of your sin, but you will face the consequences of the sin committed.  The great news of the gospel is that we do not need to suffer the wrath of God for our sin. Jesus Christ has already paid the penalty for all of us. 1 Corinthians 15:3 says, “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures”.  We have the choice to receive His free gift of forgiveness and eternal life.

2 Samuel 12, Psalms 44

Who were you created to be?  That’s a big question.  For me, that question stirs up all kinds of thoughts and fantasies about what is possible.  If I am not careful, those thoughts and fantasies will turn into selfish musings about power and greatness.  Before I know it, I’ll convince myself that God also wants these very things for me.  Why wouldn’t he?  After-all, he created me in his image, he even sent his son for my redemption.  I have everything going for me, right?  Clearly, there is a fault in my thinking.  Without help, that thinking will settle into my heart, affecting my soul.  Thankfully, God knows this about me (and you).  Thankfully, God works strategically in our lives to protect our souls from serious damage.  One way that God does this is through other people.

God strategically placed Nathan in David’s life.  We don’t get the details of how their relationship was built, but David fully trusted in Nathan.  He relied on him for advice.  All the time.  Why?  How did Nathan earn this place of trust and honor for King David?  God.  David put his faith and trust in Nathan because Nathan knew God.  Intimately. David knew that whatever answer Nathan gave, it would be the will of God.  This is how he became the most trusted friend and advisor.

Of course, being a most trusted friend and advisor is tough business.  Sure, there are fun times that come with happiness and laughter.  There are also sad times that bring tears and mourning.  A real friend, however, does more.  They take the tough step of reminding us who we are created to be.  They are willing to get messy with us.  They challenge our thinking and expose our flaws.  Nathan exposes David in a big way.  Read again 1 Samuel 12:7-12.  He doesn’t hold back. He doesn’t sugar coat anything.  Nathan did this for one purpose, with one goal.  To point David back to God.  The God who created him.  The God who has a bigger purpose for him.

Thankfully, I have a Nathan in my life.  In fact, there are several people that continuously point me to God.  Some, know me well enough to poke at specific flaws in my thinking.  I would love to say that my response is always like David’s in verse 13, but its not.  The Nathan in my life has to push through my walls and overcome my defenses with determination and persistence.  I am convinced that, like David, God has put Nathan’s in all of our lives.  If we let them, if we listen to them, if they are Godly, they will help us become everything that God created us to be.

2 Samuel 10

We continue today’s story of David by understanding his desire to be loyal. As is written: ² And David said, “I will deal loyally^[a] with Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father dealt loyally with me.” His motive appears to be right with the culture of their time and continues to show he is serving God loyally, allowing God to guide his actions.  Just as Jillian showed us on Monday in her post:  “David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people.” 2 Samuel 8:15. We also saw in yesterday’s story, David showed compassion to Jonathan’s family.  He showed grace to Mephibosheth by welcoming him into his home.   He is performing God’s will.  However, in today’s story, the word on the street within the Ammonite community showed a high level of mistrust of David’s actions. The people did not believe that David was being loyal when he sent his servants. They distrusted his actions based on all the prior deaths and takeovers. Hanun listened to and believed in his people and made David’s servants feel as if they were traitors: “ So Hanun took David’s servants and shaved off half the beard of each and cut off their garments in the middle, at their hips, and sent them away.”, all because he listened to the word of his people and thought David’s were sent to spy.   How embarrassing (and odd!). The servants weren’t even allowed back into their country or city. This one act by Ammon of distrust then leads to more war, to more people dying and to David gaining more land and reigning over more people. He did not send his servants to force this type of outcome. He was trying to be a good neighbor. What would have happened if Hanun would have accepted this act of kindness?  In the end, was it worth it?

It is interesting to think about this story in today’s world. Someone from another town, or company, or neighborhood, or church or even country tries to extend a helping hand or offer a comforting word, and there is a slight bit of doubt in the true intent of the action.  A leader or a popular person might listen to their “people”.  Then what happens?  Do you then catch yourself wondering if you listen to your friends or do you genuinely believe in someone being loyal or above board off the bat? Are you trusting them or not? If you have even the slightest bit of mistrust, it could lead to negative action.  You don’t sincerely accept their actions.  You might tell someone what you heard and thus spread a rumor or gossip.  What transpires from there could have a snowball effect, especially with social media. Is it worth it?

My takeaway from today’s story is to try to accept people’s actions as being sincere and genuine unless proven otherwise. If someone extends a helping hand, take it.  If someone extends words of support or empathy, take their actions for what they are. Don’t overanalyze or second guess that individual. Above all else, don’t retaliate but harming the person who has extended a helping hand or kind word!   It truly is not worth it!

Spoiler alert:  David is about to change…..and it won’t be worth it!

Psalm 42