I Chronicles 14-16; Acts 24

David consulted God before going against the Philistines in two battles. “Shall I go out…” “Shall I go up…” Each time, God gave a specific answer which led to David’s victory over his enemies. What an illustration of how God is intimately involved in the details of our lives. Why do we not pray about everything?

The first time that David attempted to bring the ark into Jerusalem, he did not consult God which led to the death of Uzza who put out his hand to hold the ark when the oxen stumbled. David learned the hard way that implementing his plans without consulting God resulted in disaster. After his victory over the Philistines, David again sought to bring the ark into Jerusalem. This time, David said, “No one may carry the ark of God but the Levites, for the Lord has chosen them to carry the ark of God and to minister before Him forever…for because you did not do it the first time, the Lord our God broke out against us, because we did not consult Him about the proper order.” (I Chronicles15:2-13) Why are we surprised to learn that God is intentional in His plans for us?

In Acts 24, Paul’s life is in the hands of his enemies, Jews from Asia, who sought to put him to death using Antonius Felix, a slave turned governor of Judea. However, Paul was equal to the lawyer, Tertullus who had brought false charges against him to Felix. Paul’s life was not to be ended by this governor, for God had other plans for Paul. Paul was intelligent enough to know all his rights as a Roman citizen, and leaning on the wisdom of God, used his status to frustrate his adversaries. Paul was well aware that he was to witness to Felix in his time of imprisonment, but with an understanding that God would take him beyond this prison to the seat of Rome. Why are we impatient when praying for God’s will?

Shall I go out or shall I go up were questions of faith for David and for Paul. Not questions of uncertainty. What is my response to the uncertainties of life?

I am reminded that my life is not my own. This truth is especially important to me as I contemplate this season of my life and the urging I feel to ready myself for what is to come. I am not in control of what others are planning, much as David was not in control of what the Philistines had planned for Israel. Nor can I prevent the outcome of decisions made by others that relate to my work and desire to serve, much like Paul’s waiting in prison for his opportunity to go to Rome. But I am convinced that in the here and now, I can consult God knowing that my life is in His hands. Faith in His good pleasure and intention to accomplish His work for me is an exciting and liberating posture. I do not have to look back at what was but can look toward what is possible through Christ who strengthens me. All the victories God has given me are His assurance that He is for me.

David rejoiced with thanksgiving for God’s presence in his life. Dressed in a linen ephod rather than a kingly garb, he danced among the musicians, “whirling and playing music…” (I Chr. 15:29) I see God’s promises to me being fulfilled. I will pray for His will; I will wait for Him to answer me; I will rejoice with thanksgiving for His presence in my life.

Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him; sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works! Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord! (I Chronicles 16:8-10)

jansuwilkinson

2 Samuel 6, 1 Chronicles 13, Psalm 60 & Acts 23

The ark of the covenant is brought to Jerusalem.

“And David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the Lord, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals. And when they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and told hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. And the anger of the Lord was kindled against Uzzah, and God struck him down there because of his error, and he died there beside the ark of God.” (2 Samuel 6:5-7 ESV)

Uzzah did not show reverence to God. He knew it was not to be touched. Therefore, God punished him to make a point with everyone who witnessed it. God is to be worshipped with humility.

In Acts 23, Paul is accused of being irreverent.

“And looking intently at the council, Paul said, ‘Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.’ And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, ‘God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?’ Those who stood by said, ‘Would you revile God’s high priest?’ And Paul said, ‘I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, ‘You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.” (Acts 23:1-6 ESV)

Paul was defending himself, but humbled himself before the counsel when he realized to whom he was speaking.

And now part of a Psalm of David when Joab struck down 12,000.

“O God, You have rejected us, broken our defenses; You have been angry; oh, restore us.

“You have made the land to quake; You have torn it open; repair its breaches, for its totters.

“You have made your people see hard things; You have given us wine to drink that made us stagger.

“You have set up a banner for those who fear You, that they may flee to it from the bow.

“That your beloved ones may be delivered, give salvation by Your right hand and answer us!” (Psalm 60:1-5 ESV)

Lord, let us come to You boldly, but always with proper reverence and humility. We are nothing without You or compared with You. Thank You for loving us so!

~Kellie

2 Samuel 3-5; 1 Chronicles 12; Psalm 122; Acts 22

David had an army behind him.

¹⁷ When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king of Israel, they mobilized all their forces to capture him. But David was told they were coming, so he went into the stronghold. ¹⁸ The Philistines arrived and spread out across the valley of Rephaim. ¹⁹ So David asked the Lord, “Should I go out to fight the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?”

The Lord replied to David, “Yes, go ahead. I will certainly hand them over to you.”

²⁰ So David went to Baal-perazim and defeated the Philistines there. “The Lord did it!” David exclaimed. “He burst through my enemies like a raging flood!” So he named that place Baal-perazim (which means “the Lord who bursts through”). ²¹ The Philistines had abandoned their idols there, so David and his men confiscated them.

²² But after a while the Philistines returned and again spread out across the valley of Rephaim. ²³ And again David asked the Lord what to do. “Do not attack them straight on,” the Lord replied. “Instead, circle around behind and attack them near the poplar trees. ²⁴ When you hear a sound like marching feet in the tops of the poplar trees, be on the alert! That will be the signal that the Lord is moving ahead of you to strike down the Philistine army.” ²⁵ So David did what the Lord commanded, and he struck down the Philistines all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. (2 Samuel 5:17-25, NLT, emphasis added)

Paul was tied down to be lashed with whips to bring forth a confession. He was physically unable to defend himself, so he used his words.

²⁴ The commander brought Paul inside and ordered him lashed with whips to make him confess his crime. He wanted to find out why the crowd had become so furious. ²⁵ When they tied Paul down to lash him, Paul said to the officer standing there, “Is it legal for you to whip a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been tried?”

²⁶ When the officer heard this, he went to the commander and asked, “What are you doing? This man is a Roman citizen!”

²⁷ So the commander went over and asked Paul, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?”

“Yes, I certainly am,” Paul replied.

²⁸ “I am, too,” the commander muttered, “and it cost me plenty!”

Paul answered, “But I am a citizen by birth!”

²⁹ The soldiers who were about to interrogate Paul quickly withdrew when they heard he was a Roman citizen, and the commander was frightened because he had ordered him bound and whipped. (Acts 22:24-29, NLT)

In each case, these men knew their lives were held in God’s hands. They moved forward into potentially perilous situations because they knew God, trusted him, and obeyed him.

This is a reminder to me that following God and obeying him doesn’t mean there won’t be battles. It means he’s with me in the battle. The battle is his. The victory is his. (My life is his.) He will equip me, but most of all, he will be with me. Whether I stand in an army or stand alone, may my exclamation echo David’s: The Lord did it! He burst through my enemies like a raging flood!

Courtney (66books365)

2 Samuel 1-2; 1 Chronicles 11; Psalms 96, 106; Acts 21

When I can connect the dots, I get pretty happy and it is hard to keep things to myself. I just finished another conversation this morning with a pastor and we talked about the importance of peace and my decision to look at the Bible this year learning to be a peacemaker. Worship was an important element as David described in Psalm 96:6-10.

It goes further as this kind of peace cannot happen without obedience in my walk with God. This is what Moses tripped over.

The people also made the Lord angry at Meribah,
    and Moses was in trouble because of them.
The people turned against the Spirit of God,
    so Moses spoke without stopping to think. – Psalm 106:32-33 NCV

I mean, we are in the Psalms and we are still talking about what took place at Meribah! This insight is instructive to me when facing conflict. My need is not only to keep my spirit from becoming bitter and avoid being governed by anger, but also to believe the Lord will uphold me as holy before those I lead. Moses failed to meditate and he became what he was before his relationship with God – his old self showed up. He used his way to accomplish what God wanted done.

I could say that he needed someone to walk with him on this and help him along his way, but look what happened to Paul. He had all kinds of people telling him what to do in Acts 21:1-6 that did not match what God had told Paul to do. Paul had to obey, although to obey must be to suffer. In the end, faith conquered. This might have helped Moses.

I cannot imagine that Paul gets more of the same conversation as he moves along in Acts 21:7-14. I noticed that although they forewarned, the Holy Spirit had spoken to no one that Paul should not go to Jerusalem. My voice and human voices sometimes need to be resisted when I have receive a word from God.

But he said, “Why are you crying and making me so sad? I am not only ready to be tied up in Jerusalem, I am ready to die for the Lord Jesus!” – Acts 21:13 NCV

This is the secret to resolution, the place where peace reigns. This is where I want to be. The needle points unerringly and without a quivering deflection, and moral resolution touches the point of moral sublimity.

Father, may Your peace reign in my heart – may Your words be strong and may my faith match with resolve. May my life be one of worship.

Erwin (evanlaar1922)

1 Samuel 30-31; 1 Chronicles 10; Acts 20

Sunday morning in church I was reminded again how important it was to acknowledge God, to walk with Him and to be sure that I am not so self-sufficient to realize that I do not need God every day, every hour of the day and with every breath I take.  He cares so much and protects me from falling away from my relationship with Him.

My friends, don’t be so greedy with what the Lord has given us! The Lord protected us and gave us victory over the people who attacked. – I Samuel 30:23   CEV

It was a vivid sermon for I was thinking of a friend of mine, a leader in our church community who left his wife for another woman.  No one can fathom how it happened.  What a legacy this 70-year-old man has left after years of following Jesus.

Saul died because he was unfaithful and disobeyed the Lord. He even asked advice from a woman who talked to spirits of the dead,  instead of asking the Lord. So the Lord had Saul killed and gave his kingdom to David, the son of Jesse. – 2 Chronicles 10:13-14   CEV

I was thinking of my own legacy and my own pride.  I was reminded that I too can fall away unless I put myself in God’s care.  I want to finish the work Christ gave me to do.  I want to tell people the good news of following Jesus.  I want to disciple those who are searching and those who have just began their journey.

But I don’t care what happens to me, as long as I finish the work that the Lord Jesus gave me to do. And that work is to tell the good news about God’s great kindness. Look after yourselves and everyone the Holy Spirit has placed in your care. Be like shepherds to God’s church. It is the flock that he bought with the blood of his own Son. I now place you in God’s care. Remember the message about his great kindness! This message can help you and give you what belongs to you as God’s people. – Acts 20: 24,28,32   CEV

Father, I want to be under Your care.  Your kindness is more than I can imagine.  Sometimes I wonder why I take advantage to sin thinking I can just ask for forgiveness later. These steps away from You do not keep me walking with You, they take me away from You. If I am going to be able to give to the Church Your message of kindness and the good news that comes from following Jesus, I must make that decision myself and I must walk with You, closely, and not from a distance.  Thank You for Your Word has challenged my heart once again and has kept me and changed me.  

Erwin (evanlaar1922)

From the archives. Originally published May 9, 2018.