“Then David the king went in and sat before the Lord, and he said, ‘Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far? And yet this was insignificant in Your eyes, O Lord God, for You have spoken also of the house of Your servant concerning the distant future. And this is the custom of man, O Lord God. Again what more can David say to You? For You know Your servant, O Lord God! For the sake of Your word, and according to Your own heart, You have done all this greatness to let Your servant know. For this reason You are great, O Lord God; for there is none like You, and there is no God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears.’” 2 Samuel 7:18-22
What a beautiful word picture of complete trust, rest, and confidence in God, our Father. Prayer and meditation upon God are the avenues through which these may be experienced. Would you like to experience that kind of composed and quieted soul? Follow David’s extraordinary example found in Psalms 26-27, 63, and 131. Each Psalm resounds with a foundational trust in the faithfulness of God.
There is great value in being a person of prayer, and we have many example from which to draw encouragement and motivation. “The men who have most fully illustrated Christ in their character, and have most powerfully affected the world for Him, have been men who have spent so much time with God as to make it a notable feature in their lives.”
A great man of prayer, “Dr. Adoniram Judson impressed an empire for Christ and laid the foundation of God’s kingdom with imperishable granite in the heart of Burma. He was successful; one of the few men who mightily impressed the world for Christ” (E.M. Bounds).
The problem of our generation is not unanswered prayer, but prayers unoffered.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
The True Test of Character
“Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity,
And I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.
Examine me, O Lord, and try me;
Test my mind and my heart.
For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes,
And I have walked in Your truth.” Psalm 26:1-3
That’s the kind of statement which every believer ought to be able to make when an adversity. But how many of us “blow it” by impatience, anger, and other attitudes.
From the time we first meet young David in the narrative of 1 Samuel to the time of David’s death, we continue to see a man whose actions set him apart from his contemporaries - and it’s not just that he is the anointed king of Israel. David exhibits an ability to walk in the world in a blameless way.
These 10 character qualities in David’s life are noteworthy. He was:
Forgiving
Cautions
Patient
Loyal
Compassionate
Respectful
Alert
Humble
Prayerful
Grateful
David’s spirit is beautifully reflected in Psalms 86 and 103. Read them and agree with David, making your life a psalm of praise to God.
“Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity,
And I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.”
Psalm 26:1
And I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.
Examine me, O Lord, and try me;
Test my mind and my heart.
For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes,
And I have walked in Your truth.” Psalm 26:1-3
That’s the kind of statement which every believer ought to be able to make when an adversity. But how many of us “blow it” by impatience, anger, and other attitudes.
From the time we first meet young David in the narrative of 1 Samuel to the time of David’s death, we continue to see a man whose actions set him apart from his contemporaries - and it’s not just that he is the anointed king of Israel. David exhibits an ability to walk in the world in a blameless way.
These 10 character qualities in David’s life are noteworthy. He was:
Forgiving
Cautions
Patient
Loyal
Compassionate
Respectful
Alert
Humble
Prayerful
Grateful
David’s spirit is beautifully reflected in Psalms 86 and 103. Read them and agree with David, making your life a psalm of praise to God.
“Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity,
And I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.”
Psalm 26:1
Monday, January 14, 2013
When it Seems Like God Doesn’t Answer
“Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had removed from the land those who were mediums and spiritists. So the Philistines gathered together and came and camped in Shunem; and Saul gathered all Israel together and they camped in Gilboa. When Saul saw the camp of the Philistines, he was afraid and his heart trembled greatly. When Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by prophets. Then Saul said to his servants, ‘Seek for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.’ And his servants said to him, ‘Behold, there is a woman who is a medium at En-dor.’” 1 Samuel 28:3-7
“Now Elijah said to Ahab, ‘Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of the roar of a heavy shower.’ So Ahab went up to eat and drink. But Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he crouched down on the earth and put his face between his knees. He said to his servant, ‘Go up now, look toward the sea.’ So he went up and looked and said, ‘There is nothing.’ And he said, ‘Go back’ seven times. It came about at the seventh time, that he said, ‘Behold, a cloud as small as a man’s hand is coming up from the sea.’ And he said, ‘Go up, say to Ahab, “Prepare your chariot and go down, so that the heavy shower does not stop you.”’ In a little while the sky grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy shower. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel.” 1 Kings 18:41-45
For one reason or another there may come a time in a Christian’s life when he or she may realize that God is not answering their prayers. At this point the natural response is to become discouraged and question God’s love and personal involvement in their life. Very likely you are on the verge of a dramatic discovery which may deepen, broaden, and strengthen your life in Christ.
If you find yourself in this place of uncertainty, observe the following cautions:
- Don’t confuse unanswered prayer with unheard prayer.
- If your prayer is not being answered, be very careful in selecting your next source of information.
- God answers “no,” “yes,” or “WAIT.” Sometimes “wait” is the hardest answer to accept.
- Be honest with yourself.
Humility and transparency are foundations for God’s effective work in our lives - elements which often come only through the process of brokenness. If you are a child of God, He hears your prayers, but remember that the answers come from an omniscient God Who knows all things, and His answers reflect His knowledge, His care, and His lordship.
Answers. Answers. Be careful where you get yours even if you have to wait.
“Now Elijah said to Ahab, ‘Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of the roar of a heavy shower.’ So Ahab went up to eat and drink. But Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he crouched down on the earth and put his face between his knees. He said to his servant, ‘Go up now, look toward the sea.’ So he went up and looked and said, ‘There is nothing.’ And he said, ‘Go back’ seven times. It came about at the seventh time, that he said, ‘Behold, a cloud as small as a man’s hand is coming up from the sea.’ And he said, ‘Go up, say to Ahab, “Prepare your chariot and go down, so that the heavy shower does not stop you.”’ In a little while the sky grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy shower. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel.” 1 Kings 18:41-45
For one reason or another there may come a time in a Christian’s life when he or she may realize that God is not answering their prayers. At this point the natural response is to become discouraged and question God’s love and personal involvement in their life. Very likely you are on the verge of a dramatic discovery which may deepen, broaden, and strengthen your life in Christ.
If you find yourself in this place of uncertainty, observe the following cautions:
- Don’t confuse unanswered prayer with unheard prayer.
- If your prayer is not being answered, be very careful in selecting your next source of information.
- God answers “no,” “yes,” or “WAIT.” Sometimes “wait” is the hardest answer to accept.
- Be honest with yourself.
Humility and transparency are foundations for God’s effective work in our lives - elements which often come only through the process of brokenness. If you are a child of God, He hears your prayers, but remember that the answers come from an omniscient God Who knows all things, and His answers reflect His knowledge, His care, and His lordship.
Answers. Answers. Be careful where you get yours even if you have to wait.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Standing on Principle
“David slaughtered them from the twilight until the evening of the next day; and not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men who rode on camels and fled. So David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken, and rescued his two wives. But nothing of theirs was missing, whether small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything that they had taken for themselves; David brought it all back. So David had captured all the sheep and the cattle which the people drove ahead of the other livestock, and they said, ‘This is David’s spoil.’
When David came to the two hundred men who were too exhausted to follow David, who had also been left at the brook Besor, and they went out to meet David and to meet the people who were with him, then David approached the people and greeted them. Then all the wicked and worthless men among those who went with David said, ‘Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except to every man his wife and his children, that they may lead them away and depart.’ Then David said, ‘You must not do so, my brothers, with what the Lord has given us, who has kept us and delivered into our hand the band that came against us.’” 1 Samuel 30:17-23
How often we hear it said that one of the most difficult forces for young people to resist is peer pressure. “Everybody else is doing it.” How often has that statement preceded a plea from child to parent? But all the peer pressure does not subside once we leave the hallways and classrooms of high school and college. Peer pressure exerts itself in the shop, the factory, the high tech facility, and offices in every conceivable fashion.
God’s people need to learn to deal with peer pressure. Unfortunately, many fall prey to its pressure for the simplest reason: they think the way everybody else thinks. Maybe that’s what the Apostle Paul had in mind when he wrote: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...” (Romans 12:2).
It may be that you need to take a stand against a popular way of thinking in your home, school, or place of business. There are those who are looking for an alternative - just like you. Be bold and, like David, give a godly option.
“The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them.” Proverbs 11:3
When David came to the two hundred men who were too exhausted to follow David, who had also been left at the brook Besor, and they went out to meet David and to meet the people who were with him, then David approached the people and greeted them. Then all the wicked and worthless men among those who went with David said, ‘Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except to every man his wife and his children, that they may lead them away and depart.’ Then David said, ‘You must not do so, my brothers, with what the Lord has given us, who has kept us and delivered into our hand the band that came against us.’” 1 Samuel 30:17-23
How often we hear it said that one of the most difficult forces for young people to resist is peer pressure. “Everybody else is doing it.” How often has that statement preceded a plea from child to parent? But all the peer pressure does not subside once we leave the hallways and classrooms of high school and college. Peer pressure exerts itself in the shop, the factory, the high tech facility, and offices in every conceivable fashion.
God’s people need to learn to deal with peer pressure. Unfortunately, many fall prey to its pressure for the simplest reason: they think the way everybody else thinks. Maybe that’s what the Apostle Paul had in mind when he wrote: “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...” (Romans 12:2).
It may be that you need to take a stand against a popular way of thinking in your home, school, or place of business. There are those who are looking for an alternative - just like you. Be bold and, like David, give a godly option.
“The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the crookedness of the treacherous will destroy them.” Proverbs 11:3
Friday, January 11, 2013
How to Encourage Yourself
“Then it happened when David and his men came to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had made a raid on the Negev and on Ziklag, and had overthrown Ziklag and burned it with fire; and they took captive the women and all who were in it, both small and great, without killing anyone, and carried them off and went their way. When David and his men came to the city, behold, it was burned with fire, and their wives and their sons and their daughters had been taken captive. Then David and the people who were with him lifted their voices and wept until there was no strength in them to weep. Now David’s two wives had been taken captive, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite. Moreover David was greatly distressed because the people spoke of stoning him, for all the people were embittered, each one because of his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” 1 Samuel 30:1-6
David’s experience at Ziklag was probably remembered by him as one of the lowest points in his long ordeal of running from Saul. He los everything. Not only did he lose his wives and children, but the loyalty he had enjoyed from his men suffered a terrible blow. But David profited from this experience. He had been a winner. No wonder he had the respect of the nation. But one of God’s principles came into play there at Ziklag.
Principle: Whenever God chooses to use someone, they will go through the process of brokenness before their usefulness can be effective for God’s purpose.
What may appear to be a disastrous event in your life may prove to be God’s instrument to bring you to the place of brokenness - complete awareness of your own inability and total dependence upon God. Examine the lives of any of the great missionaries or church leaders of the past 100 years and you’ll be bale to find people who failed miserably - until in brokenness they learned the secret of dependence upon the resources and wise plan of Almighty God.
Hardship. Even tragedy. One more step toward effective usefulness.
David’s experience at Ziklag was probably remembered by him as one of the lowest points in his long ordeal of running from Saul. He los everything. Not only did he lose his wives and children, but the loyalty he had enjoyed from his men suffered a terrible blow. But David profited from this experience. He had been a winner. No wonder he had the respect of the nation. But one of God’s principles came into play there at Ziklag.
Principle: Whenever God chooses to use someone, they will go through the process of brokenness before their usefulness can be effective for God’s purpose.
What may appear to be a disastrous event in your life may prove to be God’s instrument to bring you to the place of brokenness - complete awareness of your own inability and total dependence upon God. Examine the lives of any of the great missionaries or church leaders of the past 100 years and you’ll be bale to find people who failed miserably - until in brokenness they learned the secret of dependence upon the resources and wise plan of Almighty God.
Hardship. Even tragedy. One more step toward effective usefulness.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
True Friendship
“Now David became aware that Saul had come out to seek his life while David was in the wilderness of Ziph at Horesh. And Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David at Horesh, and encouraged him in God. Thus he said to him, ‘Do not be afraid, because the hand of Saul my father will not find you, and you will be king over Israel and I will be next to you; and Saul my father knows that also.’ So the two of them made a covenant before the Lord; and David stayed at Horesh while Jonathan went to his house.” 1 Samuel 23:15-18
It’s normal to want to have friends. We all want to be unconditionally accepted by someone else and know the joy of loyalty and trust. The Bible provides many illustrations of great friendships. Some of these underwent difficult moments. Some dissolved, while some grew stronger through adversity.
Have you thought about why friendship is so important? The earthly joys we experience are merely glimpses of the eternal fellowship with the Friend of friends, our Lord Jesus. Is your life exemplified by a handshake or an arm outstretched in loving care?
“Blessed are they who have the gift of making friends, for it is one of God’s best gifts. It involves many things, but above all, the power of going out of one’s self, and appreciating whatever is noble and loving in one another.”
One of the enemy’s subtle traps is to get us to think that another person does not want to be your friend. The truth might be that they are as hungry for true friendship as you. Take a bold step today and explore the avenue of friendship!
“A man of too many friends comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24
It’s normal to want to have friends. We all want to be unconditionally accepted by someone else and know the joy of loyalty and trust. The Bible provides many illustrations of great friendships. Some of these underwent difficult moments. Some dissolved, while some grew stronger through adversity.
Have you thought about why friendship is so important? The earthly joys we experience are merely glimpses of the eternal fellowship with the Friend of friends, our Lord Jesus. Is your life exemplified by a handshake or an arm outstretched in loving care?
“Blessed are they who have the gift of making friends, for it is one of God’s best gifts. It involves many things, but above all, the power of going out of one’s self, and appreciating whatever is noble and loving in one another.”
One of the enemy’s subtle traps is to get us to think that another person does not want to be your friend. The truth might be that they are as hungry for true friendship as you. Take a bold step today and explore the avenue of friendship!
“A man of too many friends comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
What is God Up to in Your Life?
“Preserve me, O God, for I take refuge in You.” Psalm 16:1
David’s life gives repeated evidence that in the midst of trials and adversity we seek God all the more. There must be within the very spirit of man an inner sense, a knowing, that life’s circumstances are often God’s voice to draw us to Himself.
While running from King Saul, many nights found David giving his body rest, but his mind and his spirit were continually searching for meaning, for encouragement, for strength to go on. He remembered the great things God had done in the past, and his hope was to experience God’s move in his life in the future.
Are you going through some dark time in your life right now where you seem to have lost your sense of inner direction? Do you sense the absence of God’s active presence in your life? Do you feel you are facing life’s challenges all alone?
Key in on David’s expressions of deep confidence and trust in God, even when he could not see the desired result. You’ll find many of them in the Psalms. You’ll identify with a man who was committed to God, loved God, and worshiped God but who walked in uncertainty about tomorrow and (like you and me) had to place his hope and trust in a faithful God.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart...”
David’s life gives repeated evidence that in the midst of trials and adversity we seek God all the more. There must be within the very spirit of man an inner sense, a knowing, that life’s circumstances are often God’s voice to draw us to Himself.
While running from King Saul, many nights found David giving his body rest, but his mind and his spirit were continually searching for meaning, for encouragement, for strength to go on. He remembered the great things God had done in the past, and his hope was to experience God’s move in his life in the future.
Are you going through some dark time in your life right now where you seem to have lost your sense of inner direction? Do you sense the absence of God’s active presence in your life? Do you feel you are facing life’s challenges all alone?
Key in on David’s expressions of deep confidence and trust in God, even when he could not see the desired result. You’ll find many of them in the Psalms. You’ll identify with a man who was committed to God, loved God, and worshiped God but who walked in uncertainty about tomorrow and (like you and me) had to place his hope and trust in a faithful God.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart...”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)