When I Consider thy heavens...

"When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest (care for) him?" (Psalm 8: 3-4).

Voltaire, a French philosopher from 18th century wrote, "God made man in his image, and man returned the favor." Judging by Voltaire's disdain for the word of God, he obviously did not have a correct view of God himself. But there is certainly a lot of truth in his statement. There are many today that have a distorted image of God. Even Christians are loosing a sense of Holy reverence for God and do not stand in awe of who he is. The Psalmist wrote, "Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him" (Psalm 33:8).

The implications of a shallow view of God is a shallow Christianity that makes very little impact for the cause of Christ in our world. Notice what helped to give the Psalmist a high view of God and a humble view of himself. He wrote, "When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest (care for) him?" (Psalm 8: 3-4).

In addition to reading and meditating of the scriptures, which is an absolute must, do you take time to look up--to admire--to ponder upon the glories of God's creation?" Consider His heavens and the works of God and stand in awe of him.

Set apart for God himself

"But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him" (Psalm 4:3).

In this Psalm the godly are exhorted to know in their hearts not just in their heads one of the most profound truths that one could ever know. This realty that the Psalmist David speaks of is true of every one who has trusted Jesus as Lord and savior of their lives. The glorious truth that we are exhorted to "know" is that "the Lord has set apart him that is godly for himself." Do you know that? To know it doesn't mean to just give mental assent to it, but to be convinced of it to the point that it renews your mind and transforms your life. Paul wrote, "For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" (1 Cor. 6:20). The saved are set apart not just to serve God, but for God himself. Do you know that this is true of you?

"One of the results of being convinced of this is found at the end of verse 3 where David writes, “the LORD will hear when I call unto him.” If I meditate on the truth that I am set apart by God… for God… then having confidence that He hears when I call unto Him seems to be a logical outworking of Scriptural truth" (LCM).

May the reality that we've been set apart for God himself lead us to shun all worthless and meaningless pursuit to enjoy and treasure fellowship with Jesus. Commune with him, walk with Him and live to glorify His name.

I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food"

"Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food" (Job 23:12).

What kind of testimony do you have before God? Job had a testimony that God could brag about and that put the devil to shame. Concerning Job, the Lord said to Satan, "Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?" Job was not sinless but he was blameless. There was not an area in his life where Satan could accuse him of dishonoring God.

What kept Job from backsliding away from God. Job said, "I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food." There is absolutely no way that we can keep from backsliding unless we recognize that as food is vital to the nourishment of our bodies, the word of God is even more vital to the nourishment of our souls.

when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold

"Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold" (Job 23:8-9).

Job was on top of the world until suddenly his life was turned upside down. While Job was in this furnace of affliction God seemed awfully silent. But God's silence does not mean His absence." Job knew that God was not unaware or unconcerned about what he was going through, but was using it to purify his life.

Whether we like it or not our faith is strengthen not so much in prosperity, but in adversity. God allows adversity in our lives for our ultimate good and His glory.

It been said that when God puts His own people into the furnace, He keeps His eye on the clock and His hand on the thermostat. He knows how long and how much." Trust him to bring you through shining forth like gold.

"For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another..." (Job 19:25-27).

When Job said the above words he was going through some heavy trials and tribulations. And what made it worse for him was that he had three friends that, rather than lifting him up and encouraging him, kicked him while he was down. Its been said that the Christian army is the only army that shoots its wounded. That statement contains much hyperbole, but there is certainly some truth to it. And it was certainly true of Job's friends. Job called them miserable comforters and God agreed with him. Its good to have good friends who will help carry our burdens but we can't always depend upon others. Thankfully Job did not totally have to rely on his friends and neither do we. Despite Job's severe trials and his unsympathetic friends, he could say with great confidence, "For I know my redeemer liveth...Whom I shall see for myself."

If you've been born again you too can say with great hope and confidence, "My redeemer lives." The author of Hebrews wrote of our redeemer and savior Jesus Christ, "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25)." Are you going through tough times right now? Your redeemer lives! He's seated on the throne of heaven making intercession for you. He will see you through and one day you will see him face to face and declare, "it was worth it all."

Pray for your sons and daughters

"And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually" (Job 1:4-5).

Job was a man that was exemplary in his integrity and righteousness before God and man. In addition, Job did not only care about his own testimony before God, he had a sincere and genuine concern for his sons and daughters standing before God. When his children were out from under his watchful care, he made intercession before God on their behalf continuously.

When our children are beyond our reach they're never beyond the reach of God. And by faith and prayer we can move heaven on their behalf. Pray for your sons and daughters.

Moving the hand that moves the world:

But there's a power, which man can wield
When mortal aid is vain'
That eye, that arm, that love to reach,
That listening ear to gain.

That power is prayer, which soars on high,
Through Jesus to the throne,
And moves the hand which moves the world,
To bring salvation down.

J. A. Wallace, quoted by Arthur Wallis, In the Day of Thy Power, p139

More than a reason for hardship we need God's revelation of Himself

"Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place...for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him." (Job 2:11-13).

Life is not always a bed of roses. Like Job we have and will experience loss, suffering and deep anguish in our lives. Many people often ask when they are suffering, "Why me?" There are scriptural answers to these questions, but we will not always know what those answers are this side of heaven.

Job started off praising God when he first experienced the great heartache and pain of loosing his children. But after some time his faith wavered and he began to ask the question, "Why me?" His "why me" questions caused him to lose the focus he had on the Lord, which led him to curse the day he was born. But later when God showed up he didn't give Job a reason for hardship but a revelation of Himself (Job 38-42). And it was that knowledge of God that lifted Job from his despair. When you can't understand God's hand learn to trust His heart.

For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power

"For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance (conviction); as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake" (1 Thess. 1:5).

Paul was an effective witness for Jesus Christ. God used him to turn many "from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God" (Acts 26:18). What made Paul such an effective witness? Paul wrote to the believers that he led to Jesus, "For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power..." In other words, it wasn't Paul's own communication skills that persuaded men to turn to Christ, but the power of the Spirit that was at work in him and in the hearts of the hearers.

Paul also wrote that the effectiveness of his gospel ministry was in the Christ like manner in which he lived his life before those he was ministering to. What about you? Is your witness for Christ more than mere words? Pray for the power of the Spirit to make you a bold witness for Jesus in words and deeds.

Totally abandoned to God

"But when Esther came before the king, he commanded by letters that his wicked device, which he devised against the Jews, should return upon his own head..."(Est. 9:25).

Esther was an orphan girl that God raised up to the position of queen in the Persian empire. When her people were facing extermination, Esther's cousin Mordecai encouraged her to plead for her people. She was fearful at first, but when Mordecai suggested that God had made her queen for such a time, she yielded to God's will. And before she did she said, "Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast ye for me...I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish."

Esther did receive favor before the Persian King and saved her people, but not before leading her people to fast and pray before the King of kings and Lord of lords. Esther is an excellent example of what it means to be totally abandoned to God. And because she was, the Lord mightily used her.

When we surrender to God's will and rely upon Him in prayer with total abandonment, we can trust that He will have our backs--that God will be with us and accomplish his purposes in us and through us for our good and His glory.

God resisteth the proud

"So Haman came in. And the king said unto him, What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour? Now Haman thought in his heart, To whom would the king delight to do honour more than to myself" (Esther 6:6).

Haman is the epitome of a prideful and self centered man. When the King of Persia learned that Mordecai had uncovered an assassination plot against him, he desired to honor him. Therefore he called Haman in and asked, "What shall be done unto the man whom the king delighteth to honour?" Being the man that he was, Haman thought the King wanted to honor him. Therefore he suggested that he be paraded around in royal apparel on the kings horse, while being hailed as the man the king delighted to honor.

Haman's bubble was busted when he found out that Mordecai, who he hated, was the man the King wanted to honor. In addition to finding out that Mordecai was the man the king had in mind, Haman was given the responsibility to publically parade Mordecai around to his humiliation. Later Haman would be hung on the gallows that he built to hang Mordecai. "God resisteth the proud, but he gives grace to the humble" (James 4:7).

Who will stand in the gap?

"They forgat God their Savior, which had done great things in Egypt; Wondrous works in the land of Ham, and terrible (awesome) things by the Red Sea. Therefore he said that he would destroy them, had not Moses his chosen stood before in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them" (Psalm 106:23).

Although God freed Israel from bondage and did many miracles before them, they rebelled against Him. God would have brought judgment by allowing the enemies of Israel to destroy them had not Moses stood in the breach through intercessory prayer.

A breach speaks of where a fortified wall, designed to keep the enemy out, has been compromised. A breach is a gap that allows the enemy to penetrate and get inside the fort to bring ruin and destruction. Our nation has turned away from God and are churches have been weakened by the onslaughts of the enemy. Who will stand in the gap? Who will pray?

God is going to call your number...

"For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14).

Due to Haman's influence, the King of Persia made a decree that called for the destruction of the Jewish people. Upon learning of the coming genocide, Mordecai appealed to Esther, who had providentially become queen, to go before the king to plead for her people. She advised Mordecai that going before the King without first being invited could put her life in jeopardy. But Mordecai, who trusted in the promises of God to preserve his people, reminded Esther of the Lord's strategic providence to place her in the position that she was in to accomplish His purposes. He said, "...and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this? By faith Esther was willing to put her neck out to fulfill God's plan for her life and as a result her people were saved from annihilation.

Esther faithfully and humbly served the Lord before becoming queen. Although she had what many women in her day could ever dream to have she never forgot who she was. She could have long forgot about her godly cousin Mordecai and lived "the good life" but instead she continued to submit to his godly wisdom. No doubt God placed Esther in position as queen because she had proven herself faithful. Jesus said, "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much" (Luke 16:10).

Do you realize that God has you on this earth, in this hour for his divine purposes--for such a time as this? Trust that he is able to strategically place you where he desires to make an eternal difference and be willing and ready for your life to count. God is going to call your number. Will you be faithful?

The devil is out to destroy you

"And when Haman saw that Mordecai did not bow down or pay homage to him, Haman was filled with fury. But he disdained to lay hands on Mordecai alone. So, as they had made known to him the people of Mordecai, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews, the people of Mordecai, throughout the whole kingdom of Ahasuerus." (Est 3:5-6).

Haman, an evil and prideful man was given a high position by the King of Persia. In his time men in his position were revered as gods. But Mordecai, a devote Jew, refused to bow down to Haman. As a result, Haman hated Mordecai and his people and sought to exterminate them. But by the providence of God Haman's murderous intentions and diabolical schemes were discovered and defeated.

God's people today also have an evil adversary and his name is Satan. The Apostle Peter exhorted the believers in his day to,"Be sober, be vigilant for your adversary the devil as a roaring lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8). The devil is out to destroy you. God is able to make his schemes against you to work for your good, but you must remain under God's authority. "Submit yourself therefore to God, resist the devil and he will flee for you" (James 4:7).

Are you on God's active or inactive list?

"And next unto them the Tekoites repaired; but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their LORD" (Nehemiah 3:5).

When Nehemiah heard that the walls of Jerusalem were in ruin he prayed for God to make it possible for him to go to Jerusalem to repair the walls that were broken down. When he arrived in Jerusalem he shared the burden of the Lord with God's people and they united together to rebuild the walls.

In chapter three Nehemiah was inspired by the Spirit of God to list the names of the families that worked side by side to repair the walls which helped to keep the enemy out. Sometimes we get bogged down by reading list of names in the bible. But the reason we find these list of names in the bible is because God takes notice of what people do in his name and he honors them.

There is a repeated phrase that is found in the list of the families that worked to build the walls and the phrase is, "And next unto him." This phrase refers to the fact that the families that worked on the walls worked next to each other. And this was one of the keys to why they were able to accomplish the work of repairing the walls. In the same way if the Church today is going to effectively do the work of the Lord each member must take their place and work side by side with there fellow brothers and sisters.

Notice also that not only did the Lord inspire Nehemiah to list the families that faithfully worked side by side building the walls but he also listed the people that refuse to work. He wrote, "...but their nobles put not their necks to the work of their LORD." When it comes to God's work are you listed as active or inactive?

Seasons of extraordinary prayer

"The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace, 2 That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. 3And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire. 4 And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of heaven..."(Nehemiah 1:3).

Nehemiah was not a prophet, priest or King and yet God used him to not only rebuild the walls of Jerusalem that were broken down, but to bring great spiritual and social reformation to his people. Nehemiah was born during the period of Israel's captivity to the Persians.

Under the Reign of Cyrus the King of Persia, he allowed the Hebrew people to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple and restore the worship of God. Around 49,000 Israelites accepted the call to return to Jerusalem and despite much opposition they were able to rebuild the temple. But after a number of years the walls of Jerusalem, that helped to keep Jerusalem from being over run by the enemy, fell in disrepair. The opposition that the Israelites were experiencing, along with their sinful deeds contributed to their neglect of the walls. The neglect of the walls by the Jews made them vulnerable to the enemy and in danger of being destroyed, along with the temple.

When Nehemiah, a cup bearer to the King, heard about the grave conditions in Jerusalem, his heart was broken and he sat down and began to weep. But Nehemiah didn't just weep. With great anguish of heart Nehemiah fasted and prayed for a number of days to the God of heaven. God heard the prayers of this one man that cried unto God with great anguish of heart, and God moved the heart of the King of Persia, who gave Nehemiah the opportunity to travel to Jerusalem. With the help and backing of the king, Nehemiah made it to Jerusalem where he led the people to repair the walls of Jerusalem. From the moment he arrived in Jerusalem he was met with much opposition, which continued during the building of the walls. But Nehemiah kept on praying and leading the people to keep on working and in a record 52 days the walls were repaired; followed by a period of spiritual revival among the people.

The great preacher Jonathan Edwards shared these thoughts on the revival in New England in 1740: “It is God’s will through His wonderful grace, that the prayers of His saints should be one of the great principal means of carrying on the designs of Christ’s kingdom in the world. When God has something very great to accomplish for His church, it is His will that there should precede it the extraordinary prayers of His people; as is manifest by Ezekiel 36:37 and it is revealed that, when God is about to accomplish great things for His church, He will begin by remarkably pouring out the spirit of grace and supplication (see Zechariah 12:10).”

Where are the Nehemiah's today who in anguish of heart pour out their souls in prayer unto God to bring spiritual awakening to the lost and revival to the church. If we do not see in the church today believers in great anguish crying out to God in seasons of extraordinary prayer over lost souls and the weakness and powerlessness of the church, we can not expect to see a revived church or a great harvesting of souls. The condition of our world, the lost and the church is calling for seasons of extraordinary prayer. May God begin to remarkably pour out the spirit of grace and supplication and raise up some Nehemiah's today.

Going all out for God

"All this, said David, the LORD made me understand in writing by his hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern" (1 Chron 28:19).

Before David died he put down in writing, as God gave him understanding, the plans for building the house of the Lord. One of the reasons for putting down what the Lord showed him in writing was in order that his son Solomon would know how to carry on the work of building the house of the Lord after David's death. What David set out to do for God wasn't ever done haphazardly. David had a clear plan from God that he wrote down. He did his part in gathering all that was needed for the construction of the temple. What he could not do himself by God's decree, he left for his son to do with detailed instruction for how to get it done.

When David wanted to build God a house, God would not allowed him to construct it because of all the wars and blood shed that David participated in. God said he would allow his son to build it. But David had to do something to honor God. He couldn't just do nothing. So he gathered all the material and made all the preparations necessary for Solomon to build the house of the Lord. David was the kind of man that didn't do anything half way. He did everything for God with passion, and zeal. He gave it all he had. He went all out. When he knew what God wanted him to do he did it with all his might and heart. "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men" (Col. 3:23).

Unity that overthows the kingdom of darkness

"All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king" (1 Chron. 12:38).

The mighty men of David's army were successful in battle because they were united--they fought together and never broke rank. No matter how hot the battle, they stood as one against the enemy and prevailed. And the key to their unity was their singleness of purpose, which was to make David King.

"Let us learn to keep rank, shoulder to shoulder, and in step, with our brethren. Too many like to break the ranks, and do God’s work independently. Fifty men who act together will do greater execution than five hundred acting apart. There is too much of this guerilla fighting. Unity is strength; and in their efforts to overthrow the kingdom of Satan it is most essential that the soldiers of Christ move in rank and keep step" (F.B. Meyer).

Unity among us Christians that overcomes the Kingdom of darkness, can only be achieved when our singleness of purpose is to exalt the name of Jesus and advance his kingdom not our own. Let's fight the good fight of faith shoulder to shoulder for the fame and glory of our King and Savior Jesus Christ.

What is the highest goal of the gospel?

"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit" (1 Pet. 3:18).

What would you say is the highest goal and greatest blessing of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the salvation that He provides? Before reading on think about and answer that question in your own heart. Your answer could reveal whether or not you have truly believed the heart of the gospel. In 1 Peter 3:18 we find both the heart of the gospel and the highest goal of the gospel. The heart of the gospel is that Christ suffered and died on the cross for our sin (1 Pet 3:18), and was raised again from the dead for our justification (Romans 4:25; 1 Cor. 15:1-4). On the cross where Jesus suffered bled and died, he absorbed the curse of sin that we deserved and satisfied the wrath of God on our behalf. Christ crucified for us in the flesh is the heart of the gospel, but it is not the final aim of the gospel. Peter wrote that Christ suffered to "bring us unto God."

The apostle John wrote, "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent" (John 17:3). "In other words, the gift of the gospel called eternal life, is not the mere extension of every earthly pleasure. It is the extension and perfection of the pleasures of knowing God and his Son Jesus Christ" (John Piper). More than escaping hell, more than gaining heaven, God himself is the greatest blessing of the gospel. "If we do not see Him and savor Him as our greatest fortune, we have not obeyed or believed the gospel" (John Piper).

What is your life saying about Jesus?

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria and unto the uttermost parts of the world" (Acts 1:8).

Before Jesus' ascension he revealed to his disciple that the prime directive for why they were being left on the earth was to "be witnesses" unto Him by the power of the Spirit. While I was meditating on Jesus' words, "and ye shall be witnesses," a couple of Jehovah witnesses rang my door bell. I admire the courage that a J. W. has to go door to door. But is that what Jesus meant when he said, "ye shall be witnesses unto me?" Notice that Jesus didn't say, "and ye shall "do" witnessing, he said, "and ye shall "be" witnesses. A witness is not simply something a Christian is suppose to do, its who they are suppose to be. Do you realize that most unsaved people do not come to believe in Jesus unto they first come to believe in a follower of Jesus? What is your life saying about Jesus? "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).

Forward your burdens to God.

"And Hezekiah received the letter of the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD. And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said, O LORD God of Israel...thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth. LORD, bow down thine ear, and hear: open, LORD, thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God" (2 Kin 19:14-16).

After receiving a threatening message concerning an Assyrian invasion and knowing about the many nations that the King of Assyria had destroyed, Hezekiah the King went up to the house of the Lord and prayed. While praying, he took the threatening letter and spread it before the Lord. In other words, he didn't answer the letter. Instead, he forwarded it to God and trusted him to answer it. Forward your burdens to God.

"The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; 2 Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion; 3Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah. 4 Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel. 5 We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions. 6 Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. 7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. 8 They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright. 9 Save, LORD: let the king hear us when we call" (Psalm 20).

Asking is the rule of the Kingdom

"And they were helped against them, and the Hagarites were delivered into their hand, and all that were with them: for they cried to God in the battle, and he was intreated of them; because they put their trust in him" (1 Chron 5:20).

On more than one occasion someone has said to me, "If you needed help, why didn't you just ask?" The answer to that question most of the time is pride. God is always ready, willing and wanting to help his children. But we have to ask for help. Jesus said, "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" (Matthew 7:11).

"Whether we like it or not, asking is the rule of the Kingdom. If you may have everything by asking in His Name, and nothing without asking, I beg you to see how absolutely vital prayer is" (C. H. Spurgeon). James wrote, "Ye have not because ye ask not." If asking is the rule of the Kingdom, why do so many Christians admit that they have an inadequate prayer life? The answer is pride. When you truly recognize your need for God, you will pray.

We need more than the instructions of a man, we need intimacy with the father

"And Jehoash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all his days wherein Jehoiada the priest instructed him" (2 Kin 12:2).

Jehoash did right in the eyes of the Lord as long as Jehoiada the Priest was their to instruct him. But later in his life we learn the following from the word of God: "Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them. And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass" (2 Chron. 24:17-18). Jehoash followed the instructions of Jehoiada, but his faith in God was not passed on to the King. Jehoash followed the instructions of Jehoiada but it doesn't seem that he ever develop any intimacy with Jehovah. Jehoiada gave him instructions but he could not give him intimacy--he could give him rules but he could not give him a relationship with God. Therefore, when Jehoiada died, the King was easily influenced by those around him to turn away from God, who he didn't know personally, unto idols.

In order to influence the next generation for Christ, we must do more than teach them rules. We must encourage them to develop their own relationship with God. And in addition, if we desire to stay faithful to God, we must be sure that we are not simply following the instruction of a man, but we must grow in our intimacy with the father. If we desire to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus we must not only be under the preaching of God's word, but we need to get in the word, on our knees and pursue God for ourselves.

To do right in the eyes of the Lord and stay right, we need the help of others. Thank God for those who take time to teach us and encourage us in the Lord. But we need more than the instructions and encouragement of others who know the Lord. We need to know God for ourselves, we need to learn to preach to ourselves and encourage ourselves in the Lord. Do you know him?

And the man of God wept

"And he (Elisha) fixed his gaze and stared at him...And the man of God wept. And Hazael said, "Why does my lord weep?" He answered, "Because I know the evil that you will do to the people of Israel" (2 Kings 8:11-12).

When Hazael came to Elisha on behalf of the King of Syria to inquire about whether or not he would recover from his sickness, Elisha began to weep. He wept when he saw Hazael, because God had revealed to Elisha that Hazael would become King of Syria. And as king, Elisha also knew, by God's divine revelation that Hazael would inflict great evils against Israel. Elisha wept when he saw Hazael because God gave him eyes to see deeper into his life and destiny.

The author of 2 Kings makes it a point to write, "And the man of God wept." So too will men and women of God today weep if they are close to the heart of God and have been given eyes to see what God sees when he looks at the souls of men. When Jesus entered Jerusalem before his crucifixion, Dr Luke records, "And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, 42 Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes. 43 For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side, 44 And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation" (Luke 19:41-44).

Jesus, knowing the judgment that would befall Jerusalem because of the their sin and rejection of the messiah, wept over the city because of what he knew would happen to its residents. Where are the Elisha's today? Where are the preachers today that will not only preach on the judgment that is to come upon all who are lost and without Christ, but do so with anguish in their hearts and tears in their eyes.

While D.L. Moody's was on an Evangelistic tour in London, he was visited by several British clergy men. They wanted to know what made this poorly educated man from America such an effective evangelist. Moody had the men look out the window of his hotel and asked them what they saw. Each man took turns describing the people they saw in the park. When Moody looked out the window at the people down below, tears began to roll down his cheeks. Then the men asked, "What do u see, Mr. Moody? He replied, "I see countless thousands of souls that will one day spend eternity in hell if they do not find the Savior."

Ask God to give you eyes to see the lost souls of people around you, and for boldness to share Jesus with them.

"And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain..."

"Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit" (Jam 5:16-18).

Why did Elijah pray that it rain not? And after God held back the rain for three and a half years in answer to Elijah's prayer, why did he pray again for God to end the drought? Elijah prayed for it not to rain because the people of God had turned away from the Lord to worship idols. Elijah wanted them to repent of their idolatry and turn again to God. Therefore, he prayed for the rain to cease. During the drought, Elijah had a contest with the false prophets of Baal, which demonstrated who the true God was when fire from heaven fell in answer to his prayer. As a result, the people began to turn to God. Afterwards, Elijah prayed for rain and God sent showers of blessings.

Like in Elijah's day, barrenness in our lives could be the result of idols in our hearts. Do you have idols in your heart? Have you allowed something or somebody take the place of God in your life and as a result your spiritual life has become unfruitful? Idolatry was not just an Old Testament problem. The Apostle John exhorted the believers in his day, "Little children, keep yourselves from Idols. Amen." (1 John 5:21). In Idolatry Condemned, Martyn Lloyd Jones wrote, "How am I thus to guard myself from idols?" He then gives three principles. The first "thing we must always do is remember the truth about ourselves." That is we are a child of God’s and "if we are of God and belong to God, then we must live for God, and we must not live for any of those other things." The second principle is "I must remember the true nature of idols." An idol is only temporary but God is eternal. We must remember that an idol, no matter what it is, is transitory! The third principle is "remember the truth about God and live in communion with Him." Jesus said, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my father glorified that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples" (John 15:7-8). If we allowed the things of this world to compete with our affections, devotion and love for God, we will not be fruitful.

The underlying motivation for Elijah's earnest prayer concerning rain was not about going on a picnic or even to end a famine. What was behind Elijah's prayer was a desire for revival to break out among his people. He desired for his people to turn back to God. Is your life spiritually barren and unfruitful? Repent of the idols in your heart and pray earnestly for the Holy Spirit to rain down upon you and make you fruitful to the glory of God.

Where is the LORD God of Elijah?

"And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted...and Elisha went over" (2 Kings 2:14).

Elisha was the faithfu apprentice of Elijah, one of Israel's greatest prophets. Elijah, knowing he would be taken to heaven, said to Elisha, "Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee?" And Elisha responded, "I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me." In other words, Elisha wanted what Elijah had, namely the power of God upon his life and ministry, which he laid hold of through prayer. Later, before crossing the same waters that had previously parted miraculously before Elijah, Elisha said, "Where is the LORD God of Elijah?" Elisha recognized that Elijah was really just an ordinary man who trusted, served and prayed to a great God.

After writing about the power of prayer, James said the following about the prophet Elijah, "Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit" (James 5:16-18). Elisha didn't just want to wear the mantle of the prophet Elijah. He didn't just want to have the title of a prophet. He desired to experience the same power from God to carry out his responsibilities as a prophet and man of God. It was evident that Elijah trusted in God and as a result God's hand was on Elijah's ministry. And Elisha knew that apart from God working in his life he could accomplish nothing for God. May the cry of our hearts be, "Where is the LORD God of Elijah."

Stirring one another up

"But there was none like unto Ahab, which did sell himself to work wickedness in the sight of the Lord, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up" (1 King 21:25).

It's been said that behind every great man is a great woman. In the case of King Ahab, the opposite was true. There was no other King before Ahab that was as wicked as he was in the sight of God. And one of the main reasons why he sold himself to do evil was because he allowed his evil wife to stir him up to do so.

We need to be aware that others, especially those who are closest to us, can influence us for good and for evil. The author of Hebrews writes, "And let us consider one another to provoke (stir up) unto love and to good works" (Heb. 10:24). To achieve greatness in the eyes of God we need others in our lives that will stir us up to do what is right. But we also need to be prepared to stand against those who would influence us to do evil. May we always be used of God to stir others up for good and not for evil.

Give your whole heart to God.

"And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness... Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom" (1 Kings 9:4-5).

God appeared unto Solomon and promised him that if he would walk before God as David his father "in integrity of heart" that He would establish his kingdom. Solomon started well, but later the bible says, "For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father" (1 King 11:4). Solomon allowed his heart to be turned away from God and as a result the kingdom would be divided during the reign of his son.

Note that Solomon started well but he didn't finish well because his heart was not like David his father. But didn't David sin by committing adutery with Bathsheba and murdering her husband in an attempt to try and cover up his sin? When the bible says that Solomon's heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father, it does not mean that David was sinless--it doesn not mean that David never gave in to fleshly impulses. David not only sinned but he suffered serious consequences. But in the end of the day--when it was all said and done--David wanted more than anything else to please God. David trusted God with all his heart and continually sought God guidance and direction.

When David did sinned the Psalms clearly show that he experienced deep conviction (Psalm 51; 34). When David sinned he might have experienced the temporary pleasures but it wasn't long before he becamed greived and broken over his sin. When there was sin in David's life he was the most miserable man on the earth. He prayed, "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. 5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice" (Psalm 51:1-8). God was very aware of David's weaknesses but he also knew David's heart. And God knew that David desired above all else to please and honor God with his heart.

Solomon on the other hand didn't just give in to fleshly impulses, he allowed his whole heart--his affections--his love to be turned away from God by his many wives and their idolatry. What or who has your heart today? What or who do you love and deisre to please more than anything else? What ever has your heart will shape, control and determine the outcome of your life. Give your whole heart to God.

Nauseating Christians

"So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increase with goods, and have need of nothing"(Rev.3:16).

Are you a lukewarm Christian? Concerning Jesus' words about the Lukewarm condition of the Laodicean Church, John Piper writes,"His indictment against the church is that they are half-hearted in their relation to him. They do not have the fervor and warmth and zeal of a true lover of Christ; nor are they outright unbelievers who flatly reject Jesus and make no pretence of faith. They are halfway in between. Christ has a moderate influence on their lives. They are not uninfluenced by the Lord; but neither do they go overboard nor get very excited about the Creator of all. In relation to prayer, it would be safe to say that they probably pray at meals and pause for two or three minutes at bedtime. But they do not burn with a desire for more of God. They do not go hard after him in the secret place. They do not fling the door wide and welcome him into the innermost places of their emotions. But they keep him just outside the door and do their business with him coolly, lukewarmly, through the mail-slot. They like the ancient (but very unbiblical) proverb: Moderation in all things...The essence of lukewarmness is the statement, "I need nothing." The lukewarm are spiritually self-satisfied. To find out whether you our among that number... look at your prayer life...the test of whether we our in bondage to spiritual self-satisfaction is how earnest and frequent and extended our prayers for change are. Do you seek the Lord earnestly and often in secret for deeper knowledge of Christ, for greater earnestness in prayer...for sweeter joy in the Holy Spirit, for deeper sorrow for sin...for more divine power to love?"

Prayer is the vehicle by which God meets all of our needs. Are you lukewarm? God is standing at the door of your heart. Open it with prayer, repent of your lukewarmness and ask the Lord to set you ablaze for him.

Starve the flesh to death and nurture your spiritual life.

"Now therefore, as the LORD liveth, which hath established me, and set me on the throne of David my father...Adonijah shall be put to death this day" (1 Kings 2:24).

Adonijah, the spoiled prince and son of David had previously exalted himself as King over Israel against God and his fathers wishes. Up to this point his father had allowed him to do whatever he wanted. But when David, who still had the respect of his people, publicly installed Solomon as the next king with his blessings, Adonijah's rebellion was thwarted. When Adonijah found out that David had exalted Solomon to the throne, he feared for his life. But after pleading for mercy and paying homage to the new King, Solomon allowed him to live and go back to his house. Later, Adonijah would make a move to once again take the throne and was put to death.

When dealing with our sinful flesh we must take extreme actions. Who is on the throne of your heart, self or the savior? Does if feel like the flesh has gained momentum in your life? The apostle Paul wrote, "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof" (Romans 13:14). Are your fleshly appetites dominating your life? Starve the flesh to death and nurture your spiritual life.

"Two natures beat within my breast.
One is cursed, one is blessed.
One I love and one I hate.
And the one I feed will dominate!

Enthrone the savior and he will dethrone the flesh.

"Now Adonijah...exalted himself, saying, "I will be king." And he prepared for himself chariots...and fifty men to run before him. His father had never at any time displeased him by asking, "Why have you done thus and so?" (1 Kings 1:5-6).

Although Solomon was the rightful heir to the throne of David, Adonijah, David's other son exalted himself, saying, "I will be king." Adonijah was a rival to the throne of David. The author of first Kings gives the following insight for why this usurping of the throne went as far as it did. He wrote, "His father (David) had never at any time displeased him by asking, "Why have you done thus and so?" David did nothing to try to correct his son at anytime. In other words, Adonijah was a rich, spoiled prince who all his life did whatever he wanted and his father never disciplined him. Adonijah didn't know what no meant. In doing so David created a little monster who grew up to become a big monster. And one day he decided that he wanted to be king. After being encouraged to do so, David finally did something to deal with his son. Notice, in first Kings chapter one that the way he stopped the rebellion was not by killing or imprisoning Adonijah, but by enthroning the rightful King. And David was the only one who had the power to do so. When David was made aware of the rebellion of Adonijah, he enthrone Solomon, the rightful King, and the rebellion was thwarted by him. The rightful king took care of the rivalry to the throne. Later Adonijah would be put to death by the Kings order. (1 Kings 2:24-25).

Adonijah's rebellion is a picture of the rivalry that is taking place in our hearts. There's a battle going on in the heart of every believer between the Spirit of God and the flesh for the throne of our hearts. Paul wrote, "This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would" (Gal. 5:16-17).

Like Adonijah (who was totally given to his flesh) our flesh (who we are apart from God) wants to rule our lives and the more we give in to it--the more that we allow the flesh to go unchecked, the stronger it becomes. The flesh will never be satisfied. The more you feed the flesh the more it wants. When our flesh goes unchecked and is unrestrained it will take us deeper into sin, farther away from God and into the bodage of it's insatiable lust.

Let me tell you something about our flesh. It cannot be rehabilitated, reformed or restored. It must not be fed, cuddled or pampered. Rather than accommodated it must be assassinated. The Rebellion must be put down immediately or before you know it the little baby will grow up and want to call the shots. There is only one way to deal with the rivalry for the throne of our hearts and that is to put the flesh to death. And there is only was person who can do that in us and that person is none other then the Lord Jesus. And there is only one place in our lives that Jesus, through the Spirit mortifies the deeds of the flesh and that place is the throne of our hearts. In you want the flesh to be dethrone, Jesus must be enthrone. "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify (put to death) the deeds of the body, ye shall live" (Rom. 8:13; Gal. 2:20).

Paul said, "Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh" (Gal. 5:16). We must daily depend on the power and yield to the control of the Spirit. Do you realize that much of the unhappiness and misery in the lives of people and in the world is a failure to exalt God to His proper place? Enthrone the savior and he will dethrone the flesh.

"Social religion is perfected when private religion is purified"

"Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world..."(2 Tim 4:9-10).

Paul was calling on Timothy to come to him and join him in the work of the ministry. He was calling on Timothy to come and help him because Demas had forsaken him, "having loved this present world." If God's work of bringing the lost into a saving and growing knowledge of Jesus is going to be done, God's people must stay united in love for that purpose. But in order for that type of unity to be achieved, God's people must not only keep from falling in love with this world, and love one another, but they must first love God. John wrote, "if any man love the world the love of the Father is not in him." Demas forsook Paul, not just because he loved the world, but because the love of God was not in him. As important as it is for believer to dwell together in love and harmony for the sake of Christ, that loving harmony will not be achieved unless individual believers are first seeking and experiencing loving fellowship and intimacy with the Lord.

"Has it ever occurred to you that one hundred pianos all tuned to the same fork are automatically tuned to each other. They are of one accord by being tuned, not to each other but to another standard to which one must individually bow. So one hundred worshipers meeting together, each one looking away to Christ, are in the heart nearer to each other then they could possibly be were they to become unity conscious and turn their eyes away from God to strive for closer fellowship. Social religion is perfected when private religion (devotion) is purified. The body becomes stronger as its members become healthier. The whole church of God gains when the members that compose it begin to seek a better and higher life" (A.W. Tozer).

I'm convinced that the reason believers are forsaking each other--the reason they are not experiencing harmony and unity is because their eyes are not fixed on the Lord and His love for them--they are not themselves cultivating an intimate and dynamic love relationship with Jesus. We can not strive for closer fellowship with one another unless we are striving for closer fellowship with the Father.

Christians know how to do the religious thing, but they are weak on the relationship thing. We can play the part on Sunday morning without a close relationship with the Father, but as soon as there's a problem, a disagreement or an offense our superficial relationships will break down.

Let's turn our eyes from this world, and even one another and turn them to the Lord. Let's gaze on the beauty and love of Jesus until His love overflows in our hearts toward one another.

He often refreshed me,

"The Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain: But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently, and found me" (2 Tim. 1:16-17).

This second epistle of Paul to Timothy was written to strengthen Timothy in the Lord in the face of increasing opposition and persecution. It appears that Timothy was becoming fearful and reluctant in standing for Christ and fulfilling his calling as a minister of the gospel. Therefore Paul, under the inspiration of the Spirit, encouraged Timothy with words like, "Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 2:1). In order to over come fear Timothy needed to be reminded not to trust in himself, but in the grace and power of God. Paul wrote, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Tim 1:7).

Thank God for those in our lives, who like Paul, encourage us in the Lord. We all need it. Paul himself wrote about a faithful friend who often refreshed him by visiting him when he was a prisoner in Rome. Paul wrote of Onesiphrous, "...he sought me out very diligently, and found me" (2 Tim. 1:17). When was the last time you visited someone in a nursing home, hospital or prison? Jesus said, "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me" (Matthew 25:34-40).

May we often be found diligently seeking to be a refreshing blessing to others for Jesus sake.

Worship that cost nothing is worth nothing

"But the king said to Araunah, "No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God that cost me nothing." So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. And David built there an altar to the LORD and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings" (2 Sam. 24:24-25).

David set out to buy the threshing floor of Araunah in order to raise up an altar to the Lord as He commanded. But out of respect and honor to the King, Araunah wanted to give the King whatever he needed at no cost to the King. However, David would not allow Araunah to just give him what he needed to build an altar for free. Therefore David said to Araunah, "I will not offer burnt offerings to the LORD my God that cost me nothing." In other words David wanted his act of worship to cost him something.

When one truly worships God he/she recognizes the infinite worth and value of God. And in seeing the Lord's supreme worth, beauty and excellent majesty they can't help but want to give their all, their life their best to God. But sadly what many professing Christians and churches call worship today has very little to do with God and more to do with self. Worship is about being impressed with God not with how good the worship team sounds or the dynamic personality of the preacher.

Worship is more than an event that we participate in on Sunday morning. Worship is a lifestyle of surrender and sacrifice to a worthy God. When we truly worship God on Sunday morning it will carry over into the rest of the week and affect how we live our lives. When we truly worship the one who "although he was rich yet for your sakes he became poor that you through his poverty might become rich"---when we truly worship the one who gave his life as a ransom for many we will desire for our Christianity to cost us something. When we truly appreciate and value the love that Jesus demonstrated when he suffered and sacrificed himself on the cross to redeem us from sin, we will gladly suffer for the cause of Christ if need be.

When our eyes are opened to who God is and all that he has done for us in Christ we will desire for our Christianity to cost us something. Concerning Moses the author of Hebrews wrote, "By faith Moses when he was come to years refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward" (Hebrews 11:24-26).

Worship that cost nothing is worth nothing. Give your best, your all, your life to the God who is above all, deserves all and is worthy of all. Praise His name!

Thy gentleness hath made me great

"Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great" (2 Sam. 22:36).

David is known in history as one of the great kings of Israel. There are many things that we can point to about David's life that contributed to his greatness and success. But its interesting to note that one of the things that David himself pointed to was the "gentleness" of God. David certainly experienced God's disciplining hand. But David also experienced the love, mercy and gentleness of God.

Sometimes we think that the only way to help others (like our children) to become the person(s) we think they need to become is by stern discipline, strict rules and even harshness, although we might not call it that. There is a place and time for some of these things. But do you also exhibit tenderness, kindness and gentleness in your dealings and relationships with others? If you desire to be an encouragement to others and help others grow in the Lord? If you want to help bring out the best in others and help make others become great in God's eyes, gentleness must characterize your life?

The Apostle Paul when speaking about how he related to the believers in Thessalonica wrote, "For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: 6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children: 8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us" (1 Thess 2:5-8) The Thessalonians believers were great Christians and one of the reasons why was because of how others like Paul cared for their spiritual lives. Paul said of them, "But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children." The word gentleness speaks of being sensitive and considerate in our dealings with others. It means that we treat others with dignity and respect rather than with harshness, impatience and partiality.

Do you want to help others reach their full potential in the Lord? How about displaying some genuine holy spirit produced gentleness.

If you really want to know how I'm doing ask me twice

"And Joab said to Amasa, "Is it well with you, my brother?" And Joab took Amasa by the beard with his right hand to kiss him. But Amasa did not observe the sword that was in Joab's hand. So Joab struck him with it in the stomach and spilled his entrails to the ground...and he died" (2 Sam. 20:9-10).

Joab, who was for many years the captain of David's army, was a very prideful and vindictive man. Although he was a valiant leader, he could not handle someone else being promoted in his place or doing what he believed to be an affront to him. On more then one occasion he took out (killed) other men in David's army that he felt did him wrong or that were chosen over him by the king. In second Samuel chapter 20 we find one such case. It appears that David felt that Joab had been disloyal to him and therefore he called on Amasa to lead his military into battle instead of Joab. Joab felt slighted and subtly and treacherously killed Amasa. Pretending to be his friend, Joab kissed and greeted Amasa with the words, "Is it well with you, my brother," before stabbing him in the stomach. "Kind words often proceed from cruel hearts. Hatred is frequently covered with deceit. This was the case with Joab, and with many others since his day. But a bad man may furnish us with a good text, and what was wickedly used at first—may be kindly employed by us now" (James Smith).

Joab's life and actions present a profound contrast to the way true Christians ought to relate to others. Christians ought to be genuinely concerned for the well being of their brothers and sisters in Christ. We ought to be regularly asking, "Is it well with you, my brother?" And this type of inquiry should not be mere words. In the case of Joab his kind inquiry were simply disguising his hatred and treacherous intentions. Our kind inquiries might not be covering a bitter and resentful heart, but too often they are just mere words that are said with no heart. We often greet one another with inquires such as "How are you doing" but often this kind of inquiry are just empty words that are nothing more then a polite greeting. And often the person receiving our polite inquiries receive it as such. In others words they are not really believing that we are really wanting to know or that we really care how they are doing.

If you really are concerned about how someones is doing ask the question more than once. Ask the question and gently pull the person to the side and ask it again. Ask the question more than once and be willing and ready to help do what you can. In fact we should not only inquire of the well being of another more than once, but we should offer our help if their is a need more than once. Why? Because most people will politely refuse and dismiss our first offer to help as just polite words. The Apostle John wrote, "But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth" (1 John 3:17-18). Real Christians don't just talk the talk they walk the walk.

Say to the slanderer, "Get thee behind me Satan."

"And it came to pass, when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the king, that the king said unto him, Wherefore wentest not thou with me, Mephibosheth? And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant (Ziba) deceived me...And he hath slandered thy servant unto my lord the king; but my lord the king is as an angel of God: do therefore what is good in thine eyes" (2 Sam 19:26-27).

David had showed great mercy and kindness unto Mephibosheth. But when David went into exile because of his son Absalom, Ziba slandered Mephibosheth to David. Ziba did so not only to gain the favor of the King but to get over on Mephibosheth. Ziba's slanderous words led to division and caused David's heart to mistrust the one who had previously sat at the kings table.

The bible refers to Satan as the devil, which means slanderer. Slander and gossip, which often seem to go hand and hand, are two of Satan's chief weapons in bringing disunity to relationships and churches.

A church were gossip and slander is allowed to go unchecked is a church where the devil has gained a foothold. Concerning the destructiveness of gossip and slander Pastor Jim Cymbala wrote, "I know what most easily destroys churches. It is not crack cocaine, government oppression, or even lack of funds. Rather it is gossip and slander that grieves the Holy Spirit." If a church is going to be a healthy and thriving church slander and gossip must be seen for what it is, the work of the enemy. Christians who want to see their churches growing and impacting the world for Christ must be committed to not partaking in gossip either by speaking it themselves or listening to it.

If you care about and really understand how detrimental this sin is to the work of God's church, then the next time someone tries to slander or gossip about another person to you say to them, "In the name of Jesus get thee behind me Satan." And if the person ask why you said that, tell them that they are being used of the devil. May God help us and keep us from acting like the devil.

Trust God to turn cursings into blessings.

"Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head...And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him" (2 Sam. 16:9-12).

How many of us when faced with false accusations or when being cursed like David was being cursed, would not want to defend ourselves, set the record straight or even get even? But rather than allowing Abishai (one of David's loyal and valiant men) to take off Shimei's head, (who cursed David), he said, "let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him" (2 Sam.16:12). One of the keys to David's success was that he could see beyond the intensity of a moment or a crisis to the faithfulness and Sovereignty of his God. I've witness on more then one occasion someone being cursed, or insulted and having to be held back or told to let it go. In David's case not only was he the one being curse but he was also the one telling someone else that was taking up his offense to let it go. What enabled David to exercise such restraint? David knew that God was ultimately in control. He knew that God ruled over the affairs of men. The Psalmist wrote, "For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. 7 But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another" (Psalm 75:6-7).

David knew that if God willed for him to continue to be the King he would be in spite of the curses of Shimei. In fact David knew that God could take even the evil intentions of others and used them to bring about his plan and purpose for his life.

Remember that Joseph was sold into Egypt because of the evil actions of his brothers who envied him. But God promoted Joseph from a slave to a ruler in Egypt not only in spite of the evils of his brother but through them. When Joseph was promoted he said to his brothers, "What you meant for evil God meant it for good. David defended himself and fought many battles. But David knew that there were times when he just had to step back and let God be God. He could trust God to be the one to vindicate him and repay the evil that was done unto him. Like David, there will be times when we too will need to look past the evil intentions of others to the Sovereignty of a faithful God. Trust God to turn cursings into blessings.

"...Let him do to me as seemeth good unto him"

"And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation: But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him" (2 Sam. 15:25).

When David's son Absalom conspired to usurp his throne, David fled from Jerusalem. And when the Levites fled with him bearing the ark of the covenant he advised them to carry back the ark into Jerusalem. He believed the ark belonged in Jerusalem. David didn't view the ark as a lucky charm that you carry around in order to bring God's blessings on your actions and schemes. David didn't come up with a plan that seemed good to him and tried to get God to go along with it. Instead, David entrusted himself to whatever seemed good to God.

"How blessed to be able to say, as we go forth to meet our Father's will, Behold, here am I! and to look beyond the plottings and machinations of our enemies to One who loves us infinitely" (F B Meyer). Trust that whatever God wills for you is best.

A dirty heart defiles discernment

"As the LORD lives, the man who has done this deserves to die, and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity." 7 Nathan said to David, "You are the man!" (2 Sam 11:6-7).

It had been around one year since David committed adultery with Bathsheba and killed her husband to cover his sin. David could hide his sin from others but he could never hide it from God and neither can we. God loves his children to much to turn a blind eye or a deaf ear to the sin in their lives. Therefore God sent Nathan the prophet to confront David about his sin. And Nathan started by telling David a story about a man who although he was rich, took the only lamb that a poor man had to feed a visiting friend. When David heard of this injustice he became infuriated and said that the man deserved to die. According to the law death was not the proper judgment for stealing a lamb. But it appears that the unrepentant sin in David's own life led to him being severe and extreme in his judgment.

Jesus said in John 7:24, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” Jesus said those words to the Pharisees who were complaining because he healed someone on the Sabbath. In the eyes of the Pharisees Jesus couldn't do anything right. Why couldn't they see anything good in the one who was good incarnate? Because we see through our hearts not just our eyes. And the hearts of the Pharisees were filled and defiled with the sin of envy.

A dirty heart will defile ones ability to discern and make righteous judgments. The bible is not against individuals making a judgment call. Nathan said to David, "Thou art the man." But before having to make a judgment call make sure your heart is clean and your motives are right before God.

I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake

"So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem: for he did eat continually at the king's table; and was lame on both his feet" (2 Sam 9:13).

In the time of David when a King was overthrown and replaced by someone outside the royal family the remaining potential heirs would be sought and killed. This was done to eliminate any rival to the throne. But rather than kill any rival to the throne, King David wanted to show kindness to the house of Saul the former deceased King. I believe the reason why he desired to show kindness to the house of Saul was because He too was blessed by the mercy and kindness of God and others. Concerning Solomon and the house of David God said, "But my mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. And thine house...shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever" (2 Sam 7:15-16).

When David wanted to show kindness to the house of Saul, Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan was found and brought before the King. And David restored unto him all the land of Saul his grandfather and gave unto him Saul's former servants to till the land. In addition, David gave him the royal priviledge of eating at the King's table continually. Now David bestowed these blessing unto Mephibosheth not only to show kindness to the house of Saul, but to do it for Jonathan's sake. When Mephibosheth first came to David he fell on his face and did reverence. And David said, "Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually" (2 Sam. 9:7).

Jonathan was David's close, intimate and loyal friend. Jonathan love David extravagantly. He loved him so much that when his own father wanted to kill David he stood up for him risking his own life. In 2 Samuel 18:1 we read that "Jonathan loved him as his own soul." David never forgot the love, kindness and mercy of God and his beloved friend Jonathan the prince.

Jesus is the true Prince and lover of our souls. In Revelations John the Apostle wrote, "And from Jesus Christ, who is faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen" (Rev. 1:5-6).

If you trusted Jesus as Savior and Lord of your life--if your sins have been washed in the blood of Jesus, God's mercy will never depart from you. And you have been made a king and a priest unto God to sit at his table in heaven forever. If your thankful for God's mercy and kindness to you for Jesus sake, show some mercy and kindness to others. Tell somebody that Jesus loved them enough to shed his blood to wash their sins away. Proclaim that whosoever will turn to him in repentance and faith we be saved. Bless the name of the Lord whose mercy endures forever.

God is the friend of the honest doubter

"Judge (vindicate) me, O God, and plead my cause...O deliver me from the deceitful and unjust man. For thou art the God of my strength: why dost thou cast me off? Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles. Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God. 5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God" (Psalm 43:1-5).

In the middle of the Psalm writer's petitions we find a cry of lament. He cries out to God saying, "why dost thou cast me off..." "God is the friend of the honest doubter who dares to talk to God rather than about him. Prayer that includes an element of questioning God may be a means of increasing one's faith. Expressing doubts and crying out about unfair situations...show one's trust in God and one's confidence that God should and does have an answer to humanity's insoluble problems."

Before the Psalmist gave his honest lament he affirmed that God was his strength. And then he followed his lament with, "Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy." I wonder if the Psalmist is questioning God again or himself for his lack of trust in God? But then he makes this request to the Lord, "O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles." The Psalmist is praying and asking God to open his eyes and ears—to reveal himself to him in a way that brings him into God's Holy presence. Do you regularly pray in this way? Too often when we pray we are just seeking God's hand and not God's face. To see and savor the glory of God is what we were made for. But sadly most Christian when and if they do get around to praying are only seeking to benefit from what his hand can give and not longing for God Himself.

After praying for God to send His light and truth the Psalmist describes what he will do when he comes into the presence of God. He says, "Then will I go unto the altar of God, unto God my exceeding joy: yea, upon the harp will I praise thee, O God my God." Notice that when we seek God and affirm who he is, when we honestly cry out to him and express how we feel, when we ask him to send us his light and truth and see him for who he is, we will desire to lay our lives down on the altar. We will surrender to him and we will know the exceeding joy of God and praise him for who he is.

The Psalmist closes his Psalm of petition, lament and praise by preaching to himself—by talking to himself saying, "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God." It’s been said that most of our unhappiness is the result of us listening to ourselves rather than talking to ourselves. Is your soul cast down? Petition the Lord, tell him that you long for and desire to see Him and know Him. Be intimately honest with God about how you feel. Come into his presence with praise and thanksgiving. And in His presence present yourself as a living sacrifice, Holy and acceptable unto Him. Preach to yourself and encourage yourself in the Lord, who is your hope, who is the health of your countenance and your God.

Are you more like David or Saul?

"And David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up to the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto David, Go up: for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into thine hand" (2 Sam. 5:19).

In contrast to Saul, God said of David, "I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will." What made David such a great king? Unlike Saul, who was self willed, David continually sought the heart and will of God for his life and kingdom. Only once does the bible record that Saul inquired of God. This instance is found in 1 Samuel 28:6 where we read, "And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets" (1 Sam. 28:6). When Saul did inquired of the Lord while facing an invasion from the Philistines it was after God had rejected him from being King. And it appears that when he did inquired of the Lord he already knew what God's will was. Because of his rebellion Samuel the prophet had already pronounced to SAUL the following: "But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee" (1 Samuel 13:14).

Saul knew what God's will was but fearing an invasion by the Philistines, which was God's judgment upon him, he inquired of the Lord any how in order to know what to do. In order to know what to do? How about repent, plead for mercy and accept the consequences of your poor choices? David wasn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but when he sinned against the Lord and was confronted by a prophet he did not make excuses for his sins or try to justify himself. David took responsibility, repented of his sin and threw himself at the mercy of God.

When Samuel confronted Saul about his sin and told him that his kingdom would not continue why didn't he just humbly accept the consequences, step aside and allow David to take the throne? He never did. In fact he saw David as an adversary and tried to kill him even though he knew God had chosen David to be the next king. Saul wanted to remain the King regardless of what God's will was. What Saul should have prayed when facing the Philistine invasion was, "Lord, I deserve to die for my stubbornness and rebellion. I'm wrong God. I've sinned against you. Please forgive me. Whatever your will is I accept it. Have mercy upon me oh God. According to thy tender mercies blot out my transgression and wash me from my sin. Lord, not my will but thine be done. I don't want to be King anymore. I surrender to you God and if I perish before the Philistines I perish." Instead of praying a prayer like that Saul inquired of the Lord only to know what to do against the Philistines. In other words he wanted to save his kingdom even though God said, "thy kingdom shall not continue." He wanted to continue as the King against God's will and on top of that he wanted God's help--God's blessing against the Philistines. People today including Christians can be just like Saul. They know that they have unrepentant sin in their lives but when they're facing a problem that is often the direct consequence of their sin they turn to God for Help. "What do I do Lord? How do I overcome this problem? We want to sin against God, make a mess of our lives and then ask God to bless our mess.

When David sinned he prayed, "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest" (Psalm 51:1-4). Are you more like David or Saul? Like David, may we be men and women after God's own Heart.

The power of a good word

"Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad" (Prov. 12:25).

So many in our world today are weighed down with anxiety and depression. And one of God's remedies and means to helping those who are weighed down is the power of a good word.

The other day I was asked if I ever feel down. In the ministry there are highs and there are lows. I love being a Pastor. I love preaching and strengthening others by the good word of God. But sometimes we preachers are the ones in need of a good word from a caring Christian. The point is that none of us are exempt from getting weighed down by life. And not only do we need to be very aware of this but we need to be looking out and reaching out to those who are.

Anxiety, which can lead to depression is a very serious matter. There are folks that you may know right now that don't want to even get out of bed because they feel so burdened down. And the power of a good word spoken by you might just be what they need.

Love covers a multitude of sins

"Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses" (Prov. 10:12).

Repeatedly the bible exhorts believers to love one another. In fact Jesus said that in order for the world to know that believers are genuine followers of Jesus their love for one another most be visibly evident (John 13:35). And this love for one another must abound in spite of the flaws, faults and failures that exist in every believer and church. Peter wrote, "Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins" (1 Pet. 4:8).

There are believers today that are hopping around from one church to another because they're so easily offended by the faults and flaws of others. But the church that impacts the world for Christ is always a church where love for one another abounds not only in spite of but especially when we fail and offend one another. How we relate to eachother with all are flaws and how we respond to eachother when there is an offense between brethren is the greatest test of genuine, and compelling love. Jesus said, "For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?"

Concerning 1 Peter 4:8 John Piper writes, "Peter is saying that bona fide, authentic love and fellowship is based, in part, on the covering of many sins. This is not sweeping things under the rug. It's not endorsing keeping skeletons in the closet. It's not renouncing church discipline. It's saying at least this -- probably more: When we've done all the confrontation -- when we've done all the argumentation and exhortation -- we cover it. Whatever side we are on we cover it; we give it up; we bury it as a cause of murmuring." True love covers because love is patient, and longsuffering, because it seeks to resolve conflicts not stirred them up. Love covers because love forgives and moves on. Love others like Jesus loves you.

When Jesus returns will you be shamefully surprised or gladly ready?

"But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that day should overtake you as a thief" 1 Thess 5:1-4).

Paul made it clear that the faithful believers in Thessalonica understood that Jesus would return as a thief in the night. But although they knew that Jesus will come as a thief in the night, (meaning no one knows when he will come), Paul also said that beacause they were not in darkness the day would not overtake (surprised) them as a thief. "Instructed Christians will not be surprised by the coming of this day. Not just because they have been told it is coming, nor simply because it cannot take believers by surprise since they will by then be with the Lord (1 Thess. 4:13-18; 5:9), but because they are to be living differently from the “this generation” kind of people mentioned above. Christians are to be living as alien ambassadors and not as the worldling who seeks all the gusto he can from this life." In addition, he wrote of those who will not be ready when Jesus returns and as a result will experience sudden destruction that will come upon them without warning, remedy or escape.

The Apostle John wrote, "And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming" (1 John 2:28). If Jesus would come today will you be shamefully surprised or gladly ready?

I have found...a man after mine own heart

"And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron" (2 Sam. 2:1).

Although David knew that it was God's will for him to be the next King he waited for God's timing. "Twice the life of Saul was in his hand, but the man who had heard God speak was leaving the issues with God." King Saul on the other hand did just the opposite. Saul struggled to wait on the Lord and continually took matters into his own hands. Only once does the bible record that Saul sought the will of God, but he did so only after God had already rejected him from being King.

In contrast God said of King David, "I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will" (Acts 13:21-23). What made David such a great king was that he repeatedly sought God's direction. In fact, the first action that the bible records about David after the death of Saul was that he "inquired of the Lord." Solomon, David's son wrote, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him and he will direct thy paths" (Proverbs 3:5). Seek God's direction at all times and in all thy ways. You will never go wrong when you do.

When heaven seems silent

"And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets" (1 Sam. 28:6).

As a Christian I can hardly think of anything worse than God not speaking to me. In Saul's day God spoke through dreams, prophets and Urim. Urim was like a casting of lots that would reveal a yes or no answer from God. It was not like rolling dice in the sense that there was an understanding that the outcome was controlled by God not chance.

Today God primarily speaks to us through his word. Although Urim is not a New Testament practice for knowing God's will, God can and does use circumstances to speak to us. God can use a dream and he most definitely speaks to us through others. However, God's word must remain the final authority for knowing the mind and will of God. But like Saul heaven can go silent on us. Heaven went silent on Saul because when God did speak to Saul he repeatedly did his own thing. When God called him on it he made excuses or blamed others for not listening and obeying the Lord's instructions.

Has God spoken to you about areas of your life that you have yet to do anything about? And now your seeking direction from God and your wondering why God seems silent? Does your time in the word seem like a barren desert? Perhaps the reason you can't hear from God is that he has decided to cease speaking to you until you obey what he's already directed you to do. Does heaven seem silent? Examine your heart. Repent of your disobedience without excuses. And obey what God has already said for you to do.

Intervention

"And David said to Abigail, Blessed be thou Lord God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me: And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which have kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand" (1 Sam 25:32-33).

Nabal, Abigail's husband was a wealthy but stingy man. Although David had provided protection for Nabal's herdsmen, he denied David's request for provision for him and his men. Nabal's selfishness and greediness angered David to the point that he was on his way with his men to wipe Nabal off from the face of the earth and all that belong to him. But Abigail heard about the situation and her intervention and wise advice thwarted what otherwise would have been a massacre. Sometimes others need our loving, and careful intervention. Other times we need the intervention. Whatever the case may be, seek to be part of the solution not the problem.

Jonathan... went to David...and strengthened his hand in God

"And Jonathan, Saul's son, rose and went to David at Horesh, and strengthened his hand in God. And he said to him, "Do not fear, for the hand of Saul my father shall not find you. You shall be king over Israel, and I shall be next to you" (1 Sam. 23:16).

David has been on the run from Saul and as a result has experienced many difficulties, dangers and despondency. During this time Jonathan seeks out his great friend David in wilderness of Horesh to encourage him in the Lord. "Encouragement is the ability to sense fear or faintheartedness in others and to minister to them in a way that inspires courage." Jonathan did so by encouraging David's "hand in God." The word "hand" here represents David's ability to carry out his God given assignment. How did Jonathan encourage David's hand in God. Perhaps Jonathan reminded David that the Lord was with him--that he did not need to fear because God had chosen him to be the next King. Perhaps he reminded David of his own words that he spoke before defeated Goliath when he said, "The battle is the Lords."

Like David, today there are many in ministry that because of difficulties are waning in spirit and in need of encouragement. Encourage someone in the Lord today.

Even when we wander he comes for us.

"The three oldest sons of Jesse had followed Saul to the battle...but David went back and forth from Saul to feed his father's sheep..." (1 Sam. 17:14-15).

When Samuel was sent by God to the house of Jesse to anoint the next King, Jesse's seven sons were brought to him. While Samuel searched for the next king among them, God's choice (Jesse's youngest son David) was out keeping his father's sheep. The bible records more than once that when somebody was looking for David he was out tending to the sheep. Even after he became the armor bearer to King Saul David continued to travel back and forth to care for his father's sheep. And on more than one occasion the bible records that David risked his life to protect the sheep entrusted to his care. Knowing what it means to care for sheep David wrote, "The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want." God will never cease caring for his sheep.

Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd" (John 10:11-15). Even when we wander the good shepherd comes for us. Praise His name!

Don't just point out the sin in others, point others to the Savior

"So Samuel called unto the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel. 19 And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for thy servants unto the LORD thy God, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king. 20 And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart; 21 And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain. 22 For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people. 23 Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: 24 Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you" (1 Sam 12:18-24).

After a display of God's power the Israelites realized that they had sinned against the Lord in asking Samuel for a king. Therefore fearing God's judgment, they asked Samuel to pray for them. Samuel responded, "Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart; 21 And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain. 22 For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people." And after reminding them that God hadn't forsaken them and that it pleased the Lord to make them His people, Samuel said, "God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you. Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you."
Sometimes when we hear that a brother or sister has fallen into sin (especially when they sin against us) we feel like writing them off. But thank God that He never writes us off when we sin. We are sometimes quick to rebuke others but slow to remind them of who they are in Christ and what he has done for them? When others sin we are quick to point out their sin rather than to point them to the savior.

In an article entitled "Reminders Are More Effective Than Rebukes" TULLIAN TCHIVIDJIAN wrote, "Our calling is not to fix one another! So stop trying! You stop trying to fix me and I’ll stop trying to fix you. Instead, why don’t we “stir one another up to love and good deeds” by daily reminding one another, in humble love, of the riches we already possess in Christ. All the “good stuff” that is ours already in Christ settles at the bottom when we focus on ourselves more than Jesus (after all, Peter only began to sink when he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on his performance). John Owen said, “Holiness is nothing but the implanting, writing, and realizing of the gospel in our souls.” And what is the gospel? Not my work for Jesus, but Jesus’ work for me. In other words, holiness happens, not by looking at ourselves but by looking at Jesus. Therefore, it takes the loving act of our Christian brothers and sisters to remind us everyday of the gospel–that everything we need, and look for in things smaller than Jesus, are already ours “in Christ.” When this happens, the “good stuff” rises to the top. The Puritans used to say that far too many Christians live beneath the level of their privileges. Therefore, I need to be told by those around me that every time I sin I’m momentarily suffering from an identity crisis: forgetting who I actually belong to, what I really want at my remade core, and all that is already mine in Christ. The only way to deal with remaining sin long term is to develop a distaste for it in light of the glorious riches we already posses in Christ. I need my real friends to remind me of this–every day. Please tell me again and again that God does’t love me more when I obey or less when I disobey. Knowing this actually enlarges my heart for God and therefore shrinks my hunger for sin. So, don’t let me forget it. My life depends on it!"

The next time you find out someone you know is struggling with sin don't be so quick to just rebuke them. Remind them of the victory they have in Jesus. Remind them that their sin no longer has dominion over them--that they are "dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom. 6:11). Remind them that "if we confess are sins He (God) is faithful and just to forgive us of our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). Have you sinned against the Lord. Turn to Him in repentance. He's waiting for you with open arms.

They got what they wanted and lost what they had

"And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day. Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us; That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles" (1 Sam. 8:18-20).

After a battle with the Philistines, which they won, the Israelites turned to Samuel their spiritual leader and said, "Give us a King." Up to that point God ruled the nation and he used men like Samuel to guide his people. Therefore when Samuel heard their request for a King he turned to God in prayer. God said, they haven't rejected you they have rejected me. In other words, "don't take it personal Samuel. There problem is not with you but with me." God went on to tell Samuel to give them what they wanted with a warning of the cost of having a human king ruling over them. Although Samuel did warn them they continued to insist on a King. So they got what they wanted and lost what they had.