YOU READ MY JOURNAL? 😱

It occurred to me this morning as I read one of David’s psalms, that it would be very similar to someone finding our personal journal and reading it. 

The concept of keeping a diary is embedded in many cultures. What an amazing treasure are the endearing words of Anne Frank!  This image of a young girl [they seem more prone to diary-keeping than boys] confiding her deepest thoughts and observations into a diary and then keeping it hidden for fear of discovery is commonplace. 

But many have practiced this art form through the centuries, and continue to do so to this day. 

There is something that resides within many of us that yearns for expression.  To think the thoughts or hold the moments in our memories is not enough.  There is a compulsion to write it down, perhaps for future reflection or just for memory’s sake. 

Certainly David never dreamed that people would be reading his deepest thoughts and prayers three thousand years later!!!! 

Clearly, some of his writings came from younger years when his occupation was guarding his father’s sheep.  We also know that he was skilled to play various stringed instruments, so it isn’t difficult to imagine him playing and singing his songs for an audience of One!  It’s likely that Psalms 1 and 23 were created during this early period. 

Take a minute to think about the dynamic impact that Psalm 23 has had on multiple millions of readers over the centuries.  Its words offer us instruction, assurance, comfort and hope!  Many have committed it to memory because of its impact on their lives!

Later – as a young man – David was recommended to King Saul as a source of peaceful reflection to minister to his episodes of depression and rage.  This demonstration of music therapy clearly had an extremely positive impact on Saul – so much so that he kept David close as an available resource! 

Many have declared the benefits of having these many psalms of David.  In these writings, he expressed a massive variety of emotions before God.  He praises, honors, expresses joy, celebrates and worships.  However, we also find him:

• Crying out for help
• Raging against his enemies
• Manifesting despair
• Emoting anger
• Mourning his sinfulness
• Creatively expressing his devotion to God
• Calling down God’s justice on those who do evil

So many have found comfort and courage in David’s psalms!  The Holy Spirit conveniently located them in the very middle of our Bibles so that if we open it halfway, we are likely to be in the middle of the psalms! 

This is the book from which pastors and liturgists draw most of their ‘Calls to Worship’ and ‘Responsive Readings’. 

We admire David’s wisdom in expressing himself so openly and candidly throughout his life! He has given us a literary treasure of untold wealth! 

___________________________________

Have you discovered the value of writing or recording your thoughts, concerns, joys, sorrows, prayers and feelings? 

Word processing and storage systems have taken this practice to new levels. Although some may still utilize books and journals for these purposes, many have opted for more contemporary methods.

I recently was privileged to teach – for a series of weeks – a women’s Bible study group. In one of the lessons, I shared a very personal practice that I have adapted over the years.

I frequently type out prayers in the early morning hours of my day. These are VERY PRIVATE prayers that are only between me and God! I confess my sins and call on Him for help in reforming me. I spare no details. It’s raw. I am painfully open and honest with Him. Remarkably, it’s a healing process for me. It helps me to remember how corrupt and dependent on His grace I am!

----------------------------- And when my devotional time is over, I delete the document!

 

You see, I’m not much different from the young girl who hides her diary so that no one will discover her secret thoughts and desires. 

I am not proud of the ways that I fail my Savior. I had such high spiritual expectations as a young man entering the ministry. Back in that day, we held our ministers in high esteem. I was one of the youngest pastors in the Pittsburgh Conference. I tried to be fully supportive. I attended all the prescribed conference meetings.  At one of those meetings, an older, mature pastor gave a presentation on the topic of ‘eradication’.  It was a belief that existed in Free Methodism [and other ‘holiness’ groups] that taught that there were two works of grace for the believer.

The first work of grace was salvation. This was accepting Christ as our Savior!

The second work of grace was called sanctification. [Some would later define this in charismatic terms as being a result of being filled with the Holy Spirit.]  At the time of this teaching, we were taught that after one walked with God for a period of time, He simply eradicates [deletes] our sinful nature. 

I recall a very popular evangelist who held a revival in my home church.  While preaching on this theme, he declared publicly that he had not sinned in over ten years! I was a young teen at this time and remember thinking that he was teaching something untrue. I felt the same way as a young pastor sitting under the tutelage of one of our senior leaders. 

You see, my experience parallels that of David’s. I cleanse myself daily, yet find it difficult to remain clean all day.  Just as I wash my hands before supper, I find that I must repeatedly wash my mind and soul before God! 

________________________________

Well, this has gone on long enough.  Let me close with an observation that I’ve referenced before.  It comes from the life of the great Apostle Paul.

As a younger leader trying to establish himself as an apostle of equal standing with Peter James, John and the others, Paul repeatedly identified himself in letter after letter as an apostle. He was clearly attempting to gain acceptance and authority by repeating this claim. He was indirectly emphasizing the fact that he was God’s choice as the twelfth apostle!

 

“I, Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ…”            [Romans 1:1, I Corinthians 1:1, II Corinthians 1:1, Galatians 1:1, Ephesians 1:1, Philippians 1:1, Colossians 1:1, I Thessalonians 2:6,         I Timothy 1:1, II Timothy 1:1, Titus 1:1]

 

 

However, as Paul matured in his faith and as a leader, his proclamation exhibited a tone of significant humility:

 

I Corinthians 15:9

For I am the least of the apostles and am unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

 

 

Toward the end of his life, Paul focused on maturing younger leaders in the realization that Christ may not return during his lifetime. In writing to his young protégé, Timothy, he made a remarkable confession

 

I Timothy 2:15

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst.”:

________________________________

God our Father,

Jesus our Savior, and

Holy Spirit our Helper,

Thank You for Your marvelous grace!

Thank You for being SO WILLING to forgive us repeatedly!

Help us to avoid the sin of presumption and spiritual pride.

Remind us persistently that pride goes before a great fall.

Give us wisdom to see You more clearly,

To love You more dearly!

And to follow You more nearly!

AMEN

UNREALIZED POTENTIAL

 Have you ever heard of Jeroboam?

His story is one of the saddest in the entire Old Testament, and yet he had SO MUCH POTENTIAL!  His main problem? 

At a critical moment when God directly intervened in his life, he did not listen carefully and believe God!

[To read his whole story, see I Kings 11:26 - 14:20.  All quotes from the NCV]]

The following is a summary of what happened:

·         Jeroboam was an officer in Solomon’s army.  He was an Ephraimite [one of the twelve tribes of Israel]. Solomon observed that he was a good worker and promoted him to be over all the workers from the tribes of Ephraim and Manesseh. 

·         One day Ahijah the prophet approached Jeroboam on a country road.  Ahijah took off his new coat and tore it into twelve pieces [representing the twelve tribes of Israel].  He told Jeroboam to take ten of the pieces, then explained that God was about to take the kingdom away from Solomon because:

(he) has stopped following me and has worshipped the Sidonian god Ashtoreth, the Moabite god Chemosh, and the Ammonite god Molech. Solomon has not obeyed me by doing what I said is right and by obeying my laws and commands, as his father David did.”  [11:33]

·         The prophet then proceeded to explain that Solomon’s son would rule over two tribes [Judah and part of Ephraim] to honor David and his faithfulness.  However, Jeroboam would rule over all of Israel [the northern kingdom’s ten-and-a-half tribes]. 

·         Then came the part of the message that Jeroboam didn’t listen to carefully enough:

[God speaking through the prophet] I will always be with you if you do what I say is right.  You must obey all my commands. If you obey my laws and commands as David did, I will be with you. I will make your family a lasting family of kings, as I did for David, and give Israel to you.

·         Shortly after this, Solomon realized that Jeroboam was a threat and sought to kill him, but he escaped to Egypt where he stayed until Solomon died.

·         He returned when Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, became king.  Rehoboam made some foolish decisions [an interesting story: 12:1-24] and the ten northern tribes walked away from him – refusing him as their king!

·         The northern tribes made Jeroboam their king – as predicted by the prophet!

·         When Jeroboam realized that his people would still faithfully return to Jerusalem for celebrations and to make sacrifices, he made two golden calves and declared them to be the people’s gods!  He set up worship sites in Bethel and Dan, started new festivals, selected priests to serve in these cities and set new festivals.

·         God sent a prophet to warn Jeroboam about his evil ways [chapter 13], but Jeroboam continued to sin and failed to correct his ways.  As a result, God sent him a prophet who declared:

[Speaking for God] Jeroboam, I chose you from among all the people and made you the leader of my people Israel. I tore the kingdom away from David’s family, and I gave it to you. But you are not like my servant David, who always obeyed my commands and followed me with all his heart. He only did what I said was right. But you have done more evil than anyone who ruled before you. You have quit following me and have made other gods and idols of metal. This has made me very angry so I will soon bring disaster to your family.  [14:7-10]

____________________________________

FACTS:

Ø  Jeroboam was king of Israel for twenty-two years.

Ø  God pronounced every king of Israel who followed Jeroboam as evil!

Ø  In comparison, God announced that some of the kings of Judah [the southern kingdom] were pleasing to him – such as: Asa, Jehosaphat, Joash, Amaziah, Uzziah, Jotham, Micah, and Josiah.

Ø  In the same way that David is praised throughout the Old Testament because of his faithfulness, Jeroboam is persistently remembered as a model of disobedience and rebellion throughout the biblical record:

o   I Kings 14:16

o   I Kings 15:30

o   I Kings 15:34

o   I Kings 16:2

o   I Kings 16:7

o   I Kings 16:19

o   I Kings 16:26

o   I Kings 16:31

o   I Kings 22:52

o   II Kings 3:3

o   II Kings 10:31

o   II Kings 13:2

o   II Kings 13:5-6

o   II Kings 14:23-24

o   II Kings 15:18

o   II Kings 15:24

o   II Kings 15:28

o   II Kings 17:21-23

o   II Kings 23:15

WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM THIS?

1.    When God speaks, we should listen carefully!

2.    Obeying God brings rewards here and in Heaven!

3.    Disobeying or disregarding God brings punishment here and for all eternity!

MAKE YOUR CHOICES…

LAYING A FOUNDATION

He sits alone in the open pastures.  There's a pouch of nuts and berries at his side.  On his other side is a sling that he occasionally picks up and practices with in the event that he may need it to protect his flocks.  They depend on him!  Also nearby is a simple, home-made stringed instrument that he uses to pass the time.  

Time he has!  Hours grow into days.  A small nighttime fire warms him and he sees the glow of it in the sheep's eyes as they look to make certain that he is there always to protect them from the menaces of the night.  

It's a lonely job, but he has overcome the fear of loneliness and has come to appreciate the benefits of solitude and silence.  

Actually, the silence carries it's own messages of comfort and alarm.

Comfort is found in the morning songs of the birds and the rippling of the stream.  The rustling of leaves in the wind is music to his ears.  Even the distant sounds of thunder and the flashes of lightning afar reveal the awesomeness of nature and the manifold creativity of his God!  

Predators - regardless of their stealth - alert him and cause him to reach for the sling and the handful of stones in his leather sack!  He knows the sheep are vulnerable and he is fearless in protecting them:

I work as a shepherd for my father. Whenever a lion or a bear has come and attacked one of my lambs, I have gone after it and struck it down to rescue the lamb from the predator’s mouth; if it turned to attack me, I would take it by the chin, beat it, and kill it. I have killed both a lion and a bear;  [I Samuel 17:34-36]

[All references from The Voice Bible unless otherwise noted.] 

His is the meditative life and he has learned to maximize its benefits!  In his leather pouch is a booklet where he inscribes his thoughts and songs.  However, he doesn't need it - they are embedded in his mind by repetition!

He enjoys the infrequent arrival of a brother carrying meager supplies and news of home.  But his world is one that primarily involves a companionship with only One!  

He will add other booklets as the years pass.  His inscriptions will include prayers, songs, poems and laments.  He will express anger, desperation, confessions, and reminders that will keep him strong and focused later in life when massive responsibilities come his way.  

Like Moses' forty years on Mount Horeb watching his father-in-law's sheep, David is being prepared by God.  Even when he makes horrendous mistakes and slips into sinful behaviors, he will pull out one of these booklets - or draw it up from his memory - and be restored to the graces of God!   

He is laying a foundation even though he is unaware that his mental meanderings will carry him through great perils that will challenge him physically, spiritually and emotionally!  His divine Shepherd is working in him dauntlessly to form him into the leader He needs David to be:  

I have found David, son of Jesse, to be a man after My own heart.  He's the kind of king who will rule in ways that please Me.  [Acts 13:22]

__________________________________

Has God found this in you?  

Do you devote yourself to discovering His heart and His ways?

Have you cultivated an intimacy with God that allows Him to form you?

Can this kind of intimacy with God be experienced without solitude and silence?

Are His fingerprints all over your life?

Create a quiet place sometime today where you can focus on Him, listen to Him and allow Him to form YOU into the man or woman that He wants/needs you to be! 

DAVID'S JOURNALS

Maybe its a stretch to say that the psalms are from David's journal, but of the 150 psalms in our Bible, 75 of them are attributed to David.  They tell the story of David's life!  Surely, Psalm 23 was written during his young years when he was spending much of his time watching his father's sheep!  The leisure of this role may have allowed him to develop skills on simple stringed instruments.  He had plenty of time to reflect on God and His goodness!  From the rest of his psalms we find reflections on various times - good and bad - throughout his remarkable career.  

What an amazing archive of resources for us to turn to 3,000 years later!  Psalms of comfort, joy, conflict, urgency, and praise that speak to our lives and situations with cutting edge accuracy!  They are indeed a treasure; although originally they were just the musings of a man's heart and mind.  

For David, most of these private thoughts must have simply been memorized and repeated periodically as part of his private worship.  Yet somewhere along the way, someone wrote them down and they became a written treasure that would nourish the children of Israel [and us] many years later!

___________________________________

There is value in recording our thoughts.  I often just open a new document and start writing a prayer to God.  I just re-read one that's been open since I wrote it probably two months ago [I should have dated it].  It reflects on the changes that had taken place in my life as a result of accepting the role of 'Interim Pastor' at The Foundery.  

This process has a release to it!  Somehow, I feel better about my life and my situations after I have written/prayed.  

The adjective therapeutic can be traced all the way back to the Greek word therapeutikos (from therapeuein, meaning “to attend” or “to treat”). Although the word relates to healing or soothing, therapeutic isn’t reserved only for drugs or medical treatments.   [vocabulary.com]

Some of us are wired to find relief through writing.  Our thoughts and feelings flow out through our fingers.  On some occasions, these collections find their way to a larger audience.  Consequently, others receive help because someone initially expressed their thoughts and they became published for others to read.  We benefit vicariously from the disciplines and reflections of others.  This is a good thing!  

Can you imagine the comfort that has been gained over the centuries by people who have reflected on the meaning behind David's 'Twenty-Third-Psalm'?  In the King James Version it includes 118 words.  The most significant are:  Lord, want, still waters, restores, righteousness, staff, rod, comfort, overflows, forever.  These words ministered to David first; then, through the years they have brought comfort, encouragement and strength to countless others!  

_____________________________

I must confess that I have some reservations about this.  Occasionally [okay, more than occasionally] my journal became a place to vent my thoughts and feelings.  I've made no secret of the fact that I've wrestled with periods of depression that began when I was about forty.  My entries painfully reflect the anger, despair and desperation I was experiencing.  

I have a 'to-do list' of projects that I hope to accomplish before I move on to Heaven - which is, of course, my hope!  One of those projects is to go through those journals and rip some pages out!  I may or may not fulfill this plan.

David's psalms reflect his deepest and darkest experiences.  An example would be Psalm 51, where he confesses following his indiscretions with Bathsheba!  The great Apostle Paul responds to the posers of his day with a kind of tirade reflecting on the many inconveniences and painful experiences that he had endured while serving his Lord [II Corinthians 11:21-33]!

On a more secular note, consider the revelations we benefitted from of a young girl who faithfully recorded her personal experiences of the tragedies in Germany during Hitler's tyrannical leadership in THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK!  

During my lifetime, we were graced by the presence of a tried and true believer.  We simply came to know her as 'Mother Teresa'.  Her servanthood was internationally known, respected and adored!  She modeled a humility that we admired.  Most of us came to think of her as a living saint!  

From the fly-leaf of MOTHER TERESA: The Private Writings of the "Saint of Calcutta":

A moving chronicle of her spiritual journey - including moments, indeed years, of utter desolation - these letters reveal the secrets she shared only with her closest confidants.  She emerges as a classic mystic whose inner life burned with the fire of charity and whose heart was tested and purified by an intense trial of faith, a true dark night of the soul.  

Who would have imagined?  With intentional humility, I wonder if she did us a disservice by hiding these struggles.  Might her spiritual impact have been even more significant if she had been transparent about these struggles of the soul?  

But the writings of a soul bent toward God will inevitably include reflections of pain and suffering!  Our walk with Him is not protected from troubles and stresses!  Jesus is the one who said: [John 16:33]

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

_______________________________

I fully recognize that most people will not take the time to journal their thoughts, feelings and experiences.  It is a practice of a minority.  But thanks be to God for those who have recorded these experiences - the heights and depths of their walk with God!  

Special thanks to those whose diaries have become part of the Holy Scriptures!  But thanks also to those who have lived less significant lives, yet have given us penetrating exposés of their journey!  

PSALM 19 - DAVID'S REFLECTIVE MODE

Psalm 19 is a curious and noteworthy contribution to this body of poetry.  As is so often the case, David is the author of these potent words and thoughts.  

There is a fairly discernable outline to these somewhat disconnected thoughts:

• Verses 1-6 

We have these words seemingly as a result of David's reflective mind especially during his early years of watching his father's flocks.  Night after night and day after day, he spent time alone with his sheep observing the heavens and the movement and marvel of the heavenly bodies.  Needless to say, he was impressed!  Each observation seemed to move him toward greater wonder toward God!  

It makes you wonder how impoverished we are in the 21st century as we live out the majority of our days inside buildings and removed the the wonder of God's creation?

"The celestial realms announce God's glory; the skies testify of His hands' great work. Each day pours out more of their sayings; each night, more to hear and more to learn. Inaudible words are their manner of speech, and silence, their means to convey."  [vs.1-3]

[All quotes from The Voice Bible unless otherwise noted]

•  Verses 7-10

We can only imagine that contemplating God's immensity and design for such a massive and intricate creation moves David to reflect on the order that God has provided humanity and the guidelines He has set for them to heed.

The poet in David leaps to the foreground as he marvels at the clarity of God's laws and guidance! With repetitious yet ever illustrative language, he grows in the reader's heart a desire to know God better and love Him more!

God's words, directions, commandments and decisions "are worth more than gold...They are sweeter to the tongue than honey or the drippings of the honeycomb."  [v.10]

• Verses 11-13

Having meditated on the beauty and immensity of God's creation, and having reflected on the clarity of God's desire for His children to live in accord with His guidelines, David suddenly becomes aware of his own sinfulness.

Out of a desire to be totally acceptable to God, David seems to be concerned about sins that may be hidden deep in his subconscious - sins that he is unaware of.

"Who could possibly know all that he has done wrong?  Forgive my hidden and unknown faults...protect me from my bent toward pride, and keep sin from ruling my life." [vs.12-13]

•  Verse 14

Finally, David ends his poem in a plea that has been memorized by many sympathetic followers of David's God.  

After all that has gone before, one senses the depth of meaning and imploring that characterizes these final words!

"May the words that come out of my mouth and the musings of my heart meet with Your gracious approval, O Eternal, my Rock, O Eternal, my Redeemer."  [v.14]

____________________________________ 

I'm writing this in March while living in western Pennsylvania.  The earliest hints of spring are in the air.  It won't be long and we'll be moving outdoors to enjoy the beauty of our world and its many fascinations!  

I look forward to camping and sitting around the campfire.  I'll observe the skies and reflect on my life.  Deb will go to bed and I'll sit in the quiet and whisper to my Lord.  I can't wait!  How about you?

A REMARKABLY PERSONAL PSALM

Psalm 16 would probably be considered an unremarkable one.  If MANY have memorized Psalm 23, I imagine that very few have made any attempt to memorize Psalm 16.  Yet, as I read it this morning, I experienced God's blessing.  Let me unpack some of it for you.

In verse 1, David acknowledges:

"Protect me, God, for the only safety I know is found in the moments I seek You."

[All quotes from The Voice Bible unless otherwise noted]

I realized that the calmest moments of my day are when I sit in the darkness of my study early in the morning and have a talk with God.  Even then, however, my mind is beginning to churn with thoughts about my day and things on my 'to-do' list.  Repeatedly, I have to return to my conversation with Him apologizing for my wandering mind.  But He's patient with me.  :-)  It's a cuddling time and I highly value it!

In verse 2, David speaks directly to God:

I told You, Eternal One, "You are my Lord, for the only good I know in this world is found in You alone."

I was taught to pray when I was quite young by my mother.  "God is good.  God is great!"  He has never let me down!  In spite of living a blessed life, Debbie and I have faced some pretty serious challenges.  I could start to enumerate them here, but you'd quickly get tired of reading.  Suffice it to say that I used to always open worship with the phrase:

GOD IS GOOD - ALL THE TIME!

 The congregation quickly learned to respond:

AND ALL THE TIME - GOD IS GOOD!  😊

 In verse 3, David expresses gratitude for his fellow believers.

"The beauty of faith-filled people encompasses me.  They are true, and my heart is thrilled beyond measure."

Our Christian family and friends have proven to be faithful to us over the years!  

• They've blessed us with financial help so many times!
• They've comforted us in times of deep sorrow!
• They've shared their resources with us!
• They've inconvenienced themselves so many times to help us!
• They've proven their love for us so many times and in so many ways!

Verse 5 is David's testimony of confidence in God!

"You, Eternal One, are my sustenance and my life-giving cup. In that cup, You hold my future and my eternal riches."

Although I don't know for certain, I suspect that David may be an older man when he writes this.  As I grow older, I find my trust in God growing more and more significant.  I'm more aware now than I've ever been that my days are limited.  Debbie and I have had 'the talk' repeatedly about who will go first, and what life will be like for the one who remains.  

But we mutually agree that God has been so good to us! And we know - with certainty - that according to John 11:36, [Jesus speaking] "...And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die.”  You see, we believe we have built up treasure in Heaven AND the possibility of rewards as well!  

In verse 6, David speaks of his home.

"My home is surrounded in beauty;  You have gifted me with abundance and a rich legacy."

After living most of our lives in parsonages, we now - in retirement - have our own home!  We can put a nail in the wall anywhere we want!  We're currently remodeling our living room!  Our home is nestled into a hillside of pines and other trees.  We look out over two lovely ponds and fields of grazing sheep!  David would love this place!  

Our kids love and serve the Lord!  We have so much to be thankful for!  

In verse 8, David senses God's presence.

"He is ever present with me; at all times He goes before me.  I will not live in fear or abandon my calling because He stands at my right hand."

Although I am not aware of God's presence in my life every minute - or even close to that.  However, I believe His Word and trust in His protective and guiding hand!

In verse 9, David is satisfied.

"This is a good life - my heart is glad, my soul is full of joy, and my body is at rest.  Who could want for more?  

True contentment is a wonderful thing!  All is well!  This experience is never more complete than when you have experienced peace with God and are walking in His ways!

Well, this has gone on long enough.  Oh, just one more!  😂

In verses 10-11, David's peace is based on the fact that he is eternally secure in the promises of his God!

"You will not abandon me to experience death and the grave or leave me to rot alone.  Instead, You direct me on the path that leads to a beautiful life. As I walk with You, the pleasures are never ending, and I know true joy and contentment."

David's walk with God has brought him to a place of assurance that has taken away any fear of death!  His mind seems to be on Heaven as he writes these words.  Although - at this point in his life - David does not have much to go on regarding Heaven, he seems to intuit that he will somehow not be separated from God.

We - on the other hand - have loads of information about Heaven in our Bibles!  Detailing that information is for another time and place.  However, just a hint from I John 3:2,

"Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is."

IN THE DAY OF DISTRESS

David is a character from the Old Testament who serves both as a good and bad example.  Yet he is described by God most notably as a man after My heart, who will do all My will [Acts 3:22 NASB].

We tend to remember Bathsheba and his conspiring to kill her husband.  But there is a plethora of wonderful examples by this same man!  God forgets the sin and commends the righteous behavior.  Oh that we could do the same!

In I Samuel 30. We find David living among the Philistines.  This is one of those times when he is not a particularly great example.  He is living a life of deceit.  He pretends to be loyal to a Philistine named Achish.  He pushes this deceit so far that he is ready to go to war with the Philistines against Judah!  However, the Philistine commanders refuse to allow him to go – they don’t trust him and think he’ll turn on them in battle! 

David and his six hundred men return to their home in Ziklag only to find it burned to the ground by an Amalekite band of thieves.  Their wives and children have all been abducted.  David’s band of men are completely distressed!  There is even talk of hanging David. 

Then this:  David strengthened himself with trust in his GOD. 

What does this mean and how can we replicate it in our lives?

How does one strengthen him/herself with trust in his/her God?

I think it simply means TURN TO GOD!  Instead of allowing despair to ruin us, we must simply learn to turn to the One who can change things and make a difference.  The group ‘Third Day’ sings these words:

There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
And love for the broken heart
And there is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus

In a moment when every one of David's men were in turmoil and despair, he alone turned to God!

He asked for the priest and together they consulted God, who told them to go after the Amalekites.  They pursued them for days and eventually caught up with them.  After a day of battle, they defeated almost the whole Amalekite force (400 young men escaped on camels). 

They regained all their children, wives and possessions!  They returned home joyfully!  David even returned some of the loot to the cities of Judah that had also been raided by the Amalekites. 

____________________________________

Do you keep a calm head when distressing times come?

Do you cry out to Jesus when all seems lost?

Is Jesus your first or last resource?

Do you lead others toward God or do you just add to the cacophony of complaining?

David was not supernatural!  He was just a man;  the runt of his family.  He started out as a mere shepherd boy that tuned his harp and played it for the glory of the Lord. 

It doesn’t matter where you came from, who you are, who your parents were, how you were raised, whether or not you’ve gone to church.

What matters is which way your heart is bent!  Is it bent toward God? 

Tie a string around your finger today to remind you – when things begin to crumble – cry out to Jesus!  He knows the way back to peace and victory!

A STORY OF A FOOL

What kind of mother would name her son ‘Fool’?  I don’t think I’d want to meet her.  Seems like a good chance that she was a fool herself. 

We find this man Nabal (means ‘fool’) in I Samuel 25.  Surprisingly, he was quite successful, owning at least 1,000 goats and 3,000 sheep.  His enterprise required the help of a large number of farm hands.  His wife was loyal to him and quite a beauty.

David had been hiding out in Nabal’s territory trying to elude the pursuit of King Saul.  During this time, he and his 600 men offered protection to the area farmers – including Nabal.  When shearing time arrived, David sent men to ask for a gift from Nabal in exchange for the protection he had received.  Nabal insulted David’s men and sent them away empty-handed.

David was furious and vowed to kill Nabal and all his men.

Nabal’s wife is told about the exchange and leaps into action preparing a huge feast and delivering it to David as he approaches the farm.  He is overwhelmed with her gift, her words and her wisdom!  She implores him to stay his hand against Nabal and keep his reputation unstained from unnecessary violence.  David accepts her gift and is truly grateful that she stepped in and stopped him from his impulsive actions.

That evening, Nabal feasts and drinks well into the night;  so Abigail (his wife) waits till morning to tell him what she had done.  This is another testimony to her truthfulness and willingness to accept responsibility for her actions. 

Although the scripture is not perfectly clear, it seems that Nabal had a stroke upon hearing what she had done.  He lived in this state for ten days and then died. 

When David heard that Nabal had died, he sent messengers asking Abigail to become his wife.  She agreed.

In verse 17, we read a description of Nabal:  “He is such a wicked man that no one can talk to him.” 

Chances are, you’ve run into someone like this.  Descriptive terms would be:  hostile, angry, sarcastic, bitter, unkind, stubborn, vindictive, hateful… 

We can’t help but notice that Abigail’s actions correct David’s misdirected intentions.  A righteous woman can have a dynamic impact on the lives of those around her!  Abigail shows us that destroying the evil person is not the way to deal with them.  She is forthright and honest with Nabal and leaves the results to God.  Interestingly, Nabal’s death is attributed to God’s action:  “About ten days later, the LORD struck Nabal and he died.”  (v.38)

When we are forced to deal with unrighteous people, we must maintain godly standards.  We don’t have the option of using their tactics.  We live by a higher standard.  We stay righteous and trust God to work it out.  He will! 

LONGING FOR HOME

In the story of David, he exhibited great patience in waiting for God to install him as the king of Israel.  King Saul (the first king of Israel) sought to find and kill David for nearly a decade.  Both grew weary of this pursuit.  

In II Samuel 23, David is hiding in a cave with his men.  He is tired of living the life of a fugitive.  It's one of the few times we seem him feeling down and disheartened.  In this weak moment, he makes a statement that his 'mighty men' overhear:  "Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem."  [Remember, Bethlehem is the "City of David".]

His 'mighty men' are deeply devoted to David!  

So the three mighty men broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David.  [v.16]

What a symbol of devotion for a man they loved, admired and trusted.  They literally risked their lives for the sake of their leader!  

David was overwhelmed, shocked and unhappy with the tremendous risk they had taken on his behalf.  

...he refused to drink it;  instead, he poured it out before the LORD.  "Far be it from me, O LORD, to do this!" he said.  "Is this not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?"  And David would not drink it.  [vs.16-17]

_________________________________________

Christmas is a time of longing for home for many.  It's a nostalgic time of remembering fond people and activities from our past.  Those memories are embedded in our minds and are a formative part of who we are.  

Many of us would love to revisit times past when loved ones were still with us and where life seemed simpler.   We may get reflective during these weeks of preparation and celebration.  That's partly why many churches are offering a special worship opportunity called 'Blue Christmas'.  It allows - even encourages - us to experience the somber side of this celebrative season and own our feelings of despair and sadness.

This attitude of reflection is evident in the music of the season.  

I'll be home for Christmas

You can count on me

Please have snow

And mistletoe

And presents 'neath the tree

Christmas eve will find me

Where the love light gleams

I'll be home for Christmas

If only in my dreams

[by Robin Bernheim]

It seems to represent a longing for the familiar - the things and people that formed and shaped us. It's a desire to be with those whom we love - or have loved.  This is not a bad thing!  It is a simple recognition that life has been good and we have enjoyed wonderful people and pleasurable times.  

Loneliness is exacerbated when we see families and friends making merry.  Many people no longer have the pleasure of companionship or family to comfort them.  When we reach out and enfold them, we bless them with acceptance.

Christmas 2020 magnifies this phenomenon by ten times!  Many states are trying to prohibit us from getting together - even with our family!  We long for a drink from Bethlehem's well, but are not allowed to travel to Bethlehem!  We've never experienced this before!  All of us are incredulous.  We didn't see this coming - never even imagined it!  

Let's pray about this:

Kind and loving Lord,

We lift those who may be longing for home, but unable to go.

Bring people into their lives who can facilitate joy and camaraderie for them.

We pray for our military who are often required to be on duty in far distant places.

Comfort them as they celebrate with their loved ones via phone or computer.

Comfort them and keep them safe as they reflect on those they love and miss.

Bless - Oh God, bless our many parents, siblings, aunts, uncles and other family and friends

who are trapped in hospitals and nursing homes as a result of Covid-19.

Many of them have had no physical contact for over nine months.

Some must surely feel abandoned. 

Gracious God, be near to them, watch over them, protect them and comfort them.

Send Your angels to assure them that they are loved and appreciated.

Strengthen front-line workers, Lord, who are growing weary.

Reassure them that the end is in sight.

Heal those who have become infected.

Comfort those who long to be with loved ones for the celebration of Your holy birth!

Give us hope that this year's Christmas is an anomaly and that things will soon return to some semblance of normal.  

Thank You for Your many blessings!

You are an awesome God, and it is our pleasure to serve You!

May Your name be praised forever!

Amen.