by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
II Samuel 3-5
Turbulent times are here, but finally David arrives in Jerusalem and takes over as king of all of Israel. “And David realized that God had established him as king over Israel, and that He had exalted his kingdom for the sake of His people Israel.”(5:12)
David never stops recognizing that God’s hand is upon him and his promotion is from his Creator.
Others around him are full of deceit and unrighteousness, but not David. He does nothing without first asking God. “Should I go up against the Philistines?”(5:19). He asks this twice, and each time he obeys God’s direction. Thus victory comes each time.
It’s easy to see that David is not a perfect man. There are lots of things concerning his lifestyle which are not God’s plan. However, it’s also easy to see that he always honors God and His people.
David walks in the light of what he knows. He is humble and obedient – and has great respect for righteous behavior.
With all of his faults, he is God’s man of the hour, and it is obvious. David now is king over all of Israel.
Luke 14:25-45
Have you counted the cost of discipleship? It’s clear from these words of Jesus that we need to do just that.
Actually, it pays in the end to serve Him, but it costs also. To follow Jesus sometimes we have to give up comforts to which we are accustomed.
Think about the precious missionaries who give up the comforts of our society to take the gospel to unreached areas. Sometimes, like our friends who are missionaries to an island off the coast of Madagascar, they live without electricity and running water, in primitive conditions – just so that they can bring the gospel to these people.
Sometimes it means not being able to live in the same town with your loved ones. If God calls you to a different area, you must go.
Sometimes it means having to endure misunderstanding from people who don’t understand your call.
Yet I have found in my life that the only answers you give Him are “yes, sir,” or “no, sir.” When He calls you to do certain things for Him, you either do them or you don’t.
And I want to say, “Yes” to His call. I know that you do also.
The presence of God’s hand on your life, and the blessings He brings to you and your loved ones are incredible. There is such a terrific peace when you are in His perfect will. You know that He is taking care of things in a way that you never could on your own.
He is Almighty and He is a good Father.
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
II Samuel 1-2
Turmoil! After Saul and Jonathan are killed in battle, David returns to Hebron with his men – and becomes king over Judah. At the same time, Abner, the son of Saul’s commander makes Saul’s son, Ish-bosheth, the king over Israel.
And they fight. And they fight.
In all of this, however, David still shows his character. First, he calls for a fast and mourning over Saul and Jonathan. Even though Saul had made himself his enemy, David honors him as God’s anointed. Such humility.
Then after the mourning, though he knows that God has anointed him king, David inquires of the Lord if it is time to go up. He doesn’t run ahead of God. He waits on the Lord’s direction.
David never loses his faith in God and his desire to walk with him. All of the confusion and hardship that have been in his life don’t deter or discourage him. He knows that God has a plan, and he is following it – with patience.
Don’t you want patience like that? I do!
Luke 14:1-24
Busyness and distractions. These can be the greatest hindrances to our walk with God.
In our modern society, life runs at an incredible pace. We have obligations everywhere. Everyone is working hard and playing as hard as they can afford to.
Children are involved in sports, arts, music, and lots of other activities. The parents are always in a rush getting them there, and assisting the programs along…after working all day.
So who has time for God?
We need to take time!
The most important part of life is that connection with our Maker and following His plan. The time we take to worship, pray, read His Word, and follow His instructions has to come first.
So it’s important to carve out time that’s only His. We can be mindful of Him as we go about our days, but we need to take some time just for our Father. We need to listen to Him and heed what He is saying.
Sometimes that means losing an hour’s sleep or dropping an activity, but it’s all worth it.
I want to partake of His banquet, don’t you?
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
I Samuel 30-31
The divergent paths of David and Saul are totally exposed in these chapters.
David and his experiences at Ziklag are legendary in encouraging people who have been through trials. When he returns with his men to the camp at Ziklag, he discovers that all of the families and goods have been taken, and the camp has been burned to the ground. So his men want to stone him. Things couldn’t get much worse than that!
But David sets an example for us all. He weeps, and then he “encourages himself in the Lord.”(v.6). Finally he inquires of the Lord what to do. When the Lord says “pursue,” he does, recovering all that was taken.
There are times when all of us have encountered battles which seem too much for us. That’s when we need to “encourage ourselves in the Lord.” We need to set aside time to praise, pray, read the Word, and remind ourselves of God’s goodness and His greatness. The devil is no match for our God. When we are trusting Him, He will have an answer.
The opposite end is in store for Saul and his sons. As the Philistines overtake the Israelites, the sons are killed, and Saul is mortally wounded. He pleads for his armor-bearer to end the pain, and he does.
Saul displays such a sad path for a man. He was small in his own eyes when he was chosen as king, but the appointment went to his head, and he fell out of favor with God. The end of his life is years of jealousy, frustration, anger, and bitterness as he chases David continually.
All of this makes me want to stay humble and trust in my Father. His end is the better one for me, and I will continue to pursue that end. There may be a few years in a cave, but that’s okay. The end is worth it.
Luke 13:22-35
Jesus says something very interesting in verses 31-33. He is approached by some Pharisees who say that Herod wants to kill Him, and He calls Herod a fox. (Jesus has a reason for that word in particular).Then he says, basically, tell the fox that I will continue to grow and I will reach my goal.
This passage is special to me. There was an incident in my life when I thought God was telling me something – and it turned out not to be so. Young in the Lord, I felt very discouraged that I hadn’t heard him properly, so I ran to Him for answers. He gave me several clues in His Word. One of them was in Song of Solomon 2:15, “Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that are ruining our vineyards while our vineyards are in blossom.” Then he showed my how Jesus used that verse here.
At that time, He began to show me that the “foxes” are false prophecies – as born out in Ezekiel 13:3-4. The false prophets are seeing things out of their own spirits and are like “foxes among the ruins.”
When you are growing and blossoming in your walk, false words – from yourself or others – can ruin your vineyard, or spoil your growth. They can stop God’s plan if you listen to them.
So back to what Jesus says here. He knows that He will be put to death, but not by Herod, and not now. He will be put to death by the high priest as God’s perfect Lamb, and at the appointed time – Passover. So He proclaims, “This word is a fox, a false prophecy. It will not stop my blossoming and fulfilling God’s plan. I will continue to cast our devils and heal the sick and I will reach my goal. This vine will not be spoiled by a false word or plan from the enemy.”
I’m sure that Herod doesn’t need to hear that detail, but the devil does. That word denounces the devil’s plan to take Jesus’ life before the time and in the improper way.
As we proceed with our walk, it’s important not to just listen to every word that pops into our minds – or from others. We must measure everything by God’s Word. only then can we be sure that we are hearing properly.
God has a plan for you and me – a perfect plan. As we stick close to Him and listen carefully, He will direct our paths.
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
I Samuel 27-29
David’s journey continues with discernment and intrigue, and God’s hand is upon him so that he is protected. This man has to have tremendous courage to go into the land of the Philistines and seek protection from his king. It has become obvious that Saul will not relent in his commitment to kill David.
This reminds me of stories I have heard from missionaries in foreign lands. Sometimes deception is necessary for their protection when they are among adversarial governments. This is what David encounters here.
In the meantime, Saul’s condition goes from bad to worse. When people turn from God, they are worse off than those who have never known Him. He is tormented to the point where he turns to a witch for his answers. He no longer hears from God.
There is always room for repentance, but I have known people over the years who begin a walk with God and then stop. They become like sitting ducks for the devil and his imps. There is a mark on their heads, with no ability to combat the onslaught. Very sad, indeed.
I say, Lord, I want to be on fire and stay on fire! I want every day of my life to be lived with You and for You!
I know you say that, too.
Luke 13:1-22
When Jesus came to the earth, God planted His Son, the seed – the holy seed – into the earth so that His Kingdom could spring forth. That’s why the kingdom is like a mustard seed…It’s also like leaven. As Christians grow in numbers and authority, the kingdom grows and spreads – as leaven does in three pecks of meal.
These illustrations help us to understand the power of the Kingdom, and God’s plan for its increase. He didn’t send a Kingdom with force, as many of the Jews had expected. He sent a Kingdom – hidden in the hearts of men. As they go into the world, they take this hidden Kingdom with them and quietly spread it to those around them, affecting all of His creation.
That’s the plan. Now we have to get in on it. We have to decide that we will be part of the expansion of His Kingdom.
All around us there are those who have never heard the truth about this Kingdom. They may have heard bits and pieces – and often distorted accounts of it. If we will think of ourselves as the leaven which needs to spread, or the seed bag which needs to plant more seed, we will be part of what our Father desires for our lives.
Freely we have received. Freely we must give. That’s the plan – the Divine plan, bringing the love of God to all those around us.
Oh, I so want to fulfill my part of it!
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
I Samuel 25-26
We see the natural side of David as he wants to avenge himself for Nabal’s refusal to help him. This rich man, whose herdsmen had been well treated when they were around the places David was hiding, turns a deaf ear to David’s request for help.
Nabal’s wife Abigail, discerning and beautiful, saves her husband’s life and saves David from bloodshed, as she honors the request for provision. A wise woman, indeed. Her reward: she becomes David’s wife as soon as her husband suffers sudden death.
Then we move on to one more encounter with Saul. After David had saved Saul’s life the first time, the king had promised to stop his pursuit. Yet wicked men don’t honor their word. The demons continue to drive King Saul
As Saul and 3000 men once again seek to kill him, David’s honor once again rises to the fore. He says to Abishai, “Do not destroy him (Saul), for who can stretch out his hand against the Lord’s anointed and be without guilt?”(26:9)
Let me add patience to David’s character traits. He knows that he has been anointed king, and he knows that Saul has lost the anointing. He also knows that Saul is driven by demons, seeking to kill him. Yet as long as Saul is alive, he is king. Until his death, David will wait patiently to come out of hiding and receive his God-given position.
Today we see people pushing and shoving, trying to establish their own positions. It seems that we could take a cue from David and let God establish our times and seasons of promotion.
There is such a rest which comes to those who truly wait for God’s timing in their lives. I’ve done it both ways. At times I’ve run out ahead of God and at other times I have waited on Him.
Waiting on God’s timing is so much better. When we do things His way, we know that He is with us, and He will never forsake us in our endeavors.
Luke 12:32-59
Stay ready! That’s a special Word from the Lord to all of us.
When the church gets into a slumber, the Lord’s work never gets done. People are going through the motions and may seem busy going to meetings, but their hearts aren’t on fire for His purposes. As the church gets into a slumber, people get very worldly – only consumed with their own ideas and desires.
When we are awake, we continue to spend time with our Savior, allowing Him to speak to us. His Words will encourage us, strengthen us, sometimes convict us to move forward in His plan.
When we are awake, we are consumed with the reality of our Father and His plans. No time for worry or fear. No time for doubt. Only faith and conviction to pursue His desires.
Lord, my prayer today is that everyone reading this word will have a fresh revelation of You – Your goodness and Your faithfulness. Touch all of our hearts so that we will be sold out to You in every respect.
And let us be about Your business.
