December | 2019 | Continuing The Work

Archive for December, 2019

The Good Hand of the Lord (II Samuel 15-19)

December 31, 2019

²⁵Then the king said to Zadok, “Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the Lord, he will bring me back and let me see both it and his dwelling place. II Samuel 15:25

I sit here at my desk writing this blog as I reflect on the last decade of my life. I can honestly say, “God has been good to me!” The truth is, our nation should be saying, God has been good to us. No matter where you live in this world, you should be saying, God has been good to me.

As I continue to read David’s story, I realize the sections we have been reading cover more than a decade in David’s life. As we read the stories of the good times and bad, it is with the understanding, David knew God’s hand had been upon his life:

Even when David’s son conspired and took over the throne, David knew God had been good to him, (15:25).
Even when David’s enemies tried to make things worse, David knew God’s hand had been good to him, (16:12).
Even when David had no clue of God’s hand, David knew God had been good to him (17:14).

For over a decade, David knew, God you are good!!! Because of this reality, David had no problem in being good to his own enemies, Chapter 19.

As you and I consider the last decade of our lives (if you have been alive this long), let us rejoice and give thanks for the good hand of our Lord. Yes it is true, our enemy has over and over conspired to overthrow our lives (Eph. 6:10-13). And yes it is true, our enemy had placed trial after trial before us (I John 5:18), but our Lord has walked with us every step of the journey (Rom. 8:31).

In a few hours the clock will strike midnight wherever you are in the world. Join with your brothers and sisters in giving great thanks to the God who has given you victory in Him (I Cor. 15:57).

Take time to read David’s Words in Psalm 61

Hear my cry, O God,
    listen to my prayer;
²from the end of the earth I call to you
    when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock
    that is higher than I,
³for you have been my refuge,
    a strong tower against the enemy.

⁴Let me dwell in your tent forever!
Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah
⁵For you, O God, have heard my vows;
you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

⁶Prolong the life of the king;
may his years endure to all generations!
⁷May he be enthroned forever before God;
appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!

⁸So will I ever sing praises to your name,
as I perform my vows day after day.

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If you could? (II Samuel 13-14)

December 30, 2019

¹⁷And your servant thought, ‘The word of my lord the king will set me at rest,’ for my lord the king is like the angel of God to discern good and evil. The Lord your God be with you!” II Samuel 14:17

If you could go back into this year, would there be anything that you would change? This question plagues my mind this morning. I knew before I even got up that I was going to read one of the most difficult sections in the Bible’s account of David’s family. These chapters cover the upbringing of David’s children (13:1 “after a time…”) as well as an eight year fight between his children as well as with David.

I believe there are no less than three things David would have changed if he could have gone back in time:

I believe David would not have been so disconnected from his family.

When it came to Amnon, David did not keep a watch on his son’s heart or his friends. David also failed to protect his daughter. David failed to disciple his son and he failed to help Absalom get beyond the hatred he had for Amnon.

I believe David would have fought to overcome the disfunction in his family.

Incest, hatred, unforgiveness, and murder were only a few of the disfunction’s in David’s family. But all the while David was a man after God’s own heart. David was a man who clearly knew how to discern good from evil. So how could all this happen?

I believe David would have surrendered his past into God’s sovereign hand of purpose.

I think that maybe David felt, because of his own past, that he could not instruct those who knew him the most. I see this often in so many of my friends. It was as if David had authority everywhere but in his home. It was as if David was a problem-solver everywhere but at home.

Footnote: These are only my opinions.

Here is what is not my opinion: The Devil is a liar (John 8:44). The Devil knows if you and I confess our failures (I John 1:9) God will create a clean heart (slate for us), (Psalm 51:10) in us. The Devil knows the Lord can use our failures of the past to teach others how to live successfully in the present (Psalm 51). The Devil knows the Lord will reach our families when we give our families over to Him (Psalm 56:4, 12,13).

The truth is, life is not if you could, but if you will!!! I John 1:9

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Forgiveness, more than I can comprehend (II Samuel 11-17)

December 27, 2019

32 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
²Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit. Psalm 32:1-2

The above Psalm was written after David’s actions recorded in II Samuel 11. Anyone familiar with David’s life knows the story of David’s adultery with Bathsheba and David’s murder of her husband, Uriah.

There are some points of emphasis in David’s story in II Samuel 11-12 that beg our mentioning:

David became idol in his walk with the Lord, 11:1.

The Bible makes mention that it was the season when kings go out to battle. David should have been redeeming his time (Eph. 5:15), but he was being lax in his leadership.

David became indefensible in his walk with God, 11:2-12:15.

David saw sin, just as Eve did all those years earlier (Gen. 3) and David stepped into sin without any check in his spirit. David had chosen in days gone by to break God’s commandment by marrying more than one wife. David, in this area of his life, had taken off his spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:13-19). David took Bathsheba as a king conquerors an opposing army. David tries in vain to cover up his sin. All seems to be going his way, however chapter 11 ends with God being displeased with David (11:26-27).

Chapter twelve begins with David being called out by God through His prophet Nathan (12:1-10). What happened with David? He became idol through years of despising (12:8) God’s Word concerning personal sexuality. David got in an indefensible position when he desired the wrong instead of the right. God never blesses sin. David’s sin left unchecked would lead to a nation despising the Lord.

When David is confronted, he repents before the Lord.

David is forgiven by the Lord, 12:13-14.

I can never grasp this truth deep enough. Why did God forgive David? He forgave David because David confessed his sin. He admitted to God, I am a rebel. He admitted to God that He had missed the mark of God’s direction. He admitted to God that he was wrong.

Notice, David does not promise to pay back the wrong because he could never do so. David does not bargain with God, because David had nothing to bargain with. Day threw himself on the mercy of God.

God’s greatest mercy was in sending Jesus to be the payment for David’s sin and for the sin of the world. Enjoy the words of the old hymn “At Calvary.”

Years I spent in vanity and pride,
Caring not my Lord was crucified,
Knowing not it was for me He died
On Calvary.
- Refrain:
  Mercy there was great, and grace was free;
  Pardon there was multiplied to me;
  There my burdened soul found liberty
  At Calvary.
By God’s Word at last my sin I learned;
Then I trembled at the law I’d spurned,
Till my guilty soul imploring turned
To Calvary.
Now I’ve giv’n to Jesus everything,
Now I gladly own Him as my King,
Now my raptured soul can only sing
Of Calvary!
Oh, the love that drew salvation’s plan!
Oh, the grace that brought it down to man!
Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span
At Calvary!

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The Kindness of God (II Samuel 7-10)

December 26, 2019

¹¹Then Ziba said to the king, “According to all that my lord the king commands his servant, so will your servant do.” So Mephibosheth ate at David’s^[a] table, like one of the king’s sons. II Samuel 9:11

The day after Christmas often turns into a nightmare for the multitudes of people who attempt to get in on the day after Christmas sales. Often people who were kind on Christmas Eve become not so kind the day after Christmas.

This days readings shows us the opposite view of people when we see David’s kindness to one of Saul’s descendants. David’s kingdom is firmly established (II Samuel 8). But instead of focusing on himself David focuses on sharing God’s kindness with others.

I took time yesterday to reflect on God’s kindness in my personal life. As I sat in the midst of my family opening presents I lifted my heart to the Lord in praise for His undeserved kindness. As I felt the warm air coming from our heating system, again I praised God for His undeserved kindness. Finally as I opened my Bible just a little bit later, I was again reminded of what David was reminded of:

“Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me thus far? II Samuel 7:18

When I consider all He has done, I am called to remember as God has blessed me with kindness, so am I to bless others with His kindness. I pray the Lord fills you with His kindness as you live your life today. I leave you with the words of the prophet Micah:

Micah 6:8

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

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Struggling to find the best gift (Luke 24)

December 25, 2019

³⁸And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Luke 24:38

It happens every Christmas season, not just once but many times. You ask, what happens? There are countless people who wait until the last minute to buy that special person a perfect gift. I have heard stories of people who literally both grabbed the same gift at the same time and even argued over who saw the gift first.

As you get up this morning, I want to remind you of this truth: God did not struggle to find the best gift for humanity when Jesus came 2000 years ago. God tells us in His Word that before He created the world, He planned to send Jesus (Ephesians 1:4).

So for all eternity, God knew, Jesus is the best gift of all time for everyone in the world.

In Luke 24, we read the story of two disciples who were discouraged because they had seen the crucifixion of Jesus and it had been three days since Jesus death (Luke 24:31). They had hoped that He would have arisen from the dead. But as of yet they had not seen Him. On that appointed day, Jesus came to them and began to teach them about Himself.

When their eyes were opened to the truth, they recognized Jesus (Luke 24:31). It was in that moment that everything changed for them (Luke 24:32). They began to go everywhere and tell people, Jesus is risen from the dead!!!

These two disciples no longer struggled with purpose or with the perfect gift. They had Jesus!!! If you are struggling with life today, Jesus came to be your liberator. If you are struggling with sin, Jesus came so you could repent and be forgiven. If you are in bondage, Jesus came to break the power of sin.

Christmas reminds me, I no longer have to struggle. I have the perfect gift!!!

For my family to your family, Merry Christmas!!! May the gift of Jesus keep on giving for all eternity.

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Greater Than Our Tribulation (I Samuel 26-31)

December 24, 2019

²⁴Behold, as your life was precious this day in my sight, so may my life be precious in the sight of the Lord, and may he deliver me out of all tribulation.” I Samuel 26:24

It has been truly refreshing for me personally to read I Samuel. Each day I have approached my Bible with excitement about the truth God would bring back to my mind and heart as well as the new truth He has led me to discover. One the truths I have discovered is the title of our blog:

GOD IS GREATER THAN OUR TRIBULATIONS

The book of I Samuel has its fair share of tribulations. From the beginning with Samuel’s mother crying out in tribulation to Saul’s great fear in consulting a medium to find answers for his trials (29). Sandwiched in between these tribulations is the early life of David. Surely we have recognized his trials. The greatest of these has been the ten plus years he has been hunted by King Saul.

David’s faith in these chapters has been amazing, but at the same time, David’s times of fear have over and over reminded me of my own inability to overcome the deepest of tribulations.

As I have poured over these chapters I have learned several things:

God always, in His time, rewards the righteous and faithful, 26:23.
God always, in His time, judges those who live in unrighteousness, I Samuel 31.
God always walks with His people through tribulations, I Samuel 28.
God is the strength I need in ever tribulation, 30:6

In chapter 30, David found himself facing great tribulation, when he and his warriors returned to their home base and found their city burned to the ground and their families had been taken captive. Even worse, his own team turned on him and blamed him for their present tribulation.

Notice what David has learned:

⁶And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul,^[b] each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.

Brothers and sisters, I need this truth today and every day. Jesus is the strength of my life. He is the source of my success. Without Him I would be lost and without Him I would be a lost ball in high weeds in this world of tribulation.

As we celebrate Jesus first coming tonight (Christmas Eve) and tomorrow (Christmas Day), remember Jesus came to rescue the perishing and care for the broken. He is greater than any tribulation you and I may face!!! Jesus is truly the gift that keeps on giving throughout eternity!!!

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Leaving it all in God’s Hands (I Samuel 21-25)

December 23, 2019

¹²May the Lord judge between me and you, may the Lord avenge me against you, but my hand shall not be against you. I Samuel 24:12

As many times as I read I Samuel 21-25 I am always amazed at the heart of David in this season of his life. One cannot read this text apart from seeing David’s pursuit of God. This pursuit of God kept David grounded in the tough days of being on the run from Saul.

Take a moment and walk with David during these chapters (21-25) of his life:

David walked in integrity before others, 20:1-2.
David sought the Lord’s direction over and over in his life, 22:15.
David served and did battle at the pleasure of the Lord, 23:4.
David was protected by the Lord, 23:27.
David lived with spiritual discernment as the Lord was in control of David’s heart, 24:5.

Even King Saul spoke the following of David: “You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, where as I have repaid you evil,” 24:17.

Question: What season of life do you find yourself in?

During the Christmas season our hearts are often revealed at their most open point. It is in this season of the year when we are faced with, what is really in our hearts. Many people struggle hard during this season of the year with broken relationships or sad memories of the past.

Here are some questions that need your attention:

Is your life the byproduct of good or bad decisions?
Is your life better or worse by your decisions?
How much different would your life be if God had your entire heart?
Does God have you in this season (as He did David) so that you can shine the brightest for Him?

I Samuel 20-25 were gigantic moments in David’s life. I believe your present season of life can be a gigantic moment in your life as well, if you will simply pursue God and leave the tough things in His hands!!!

³¹Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. ³²Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32

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Will He do it again? (I Samuel 17-20)

December 20, 2019

³⁷And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!” I Samuel 17:37

There are times when I open my Bible and read stories of great leaders and I wonder, could God really work this way in our day? For example, as David faced Goliath, who was a towering nine feet plus figure, it was God who brought Goliath down. I see such moments and I have encouraged faith to stand before my Goliath’s. But then as I draw near to the moment of battle I begin to think, this is more than I can handle.

In such moments I have to decide either to attempt to defeat the enemy with my efforts or with a surrendered love for God. David surrendered himself to God’s chosen purpose because he had learned to live in God’s miracle timeline.

We see this in 17:37. When King Saul challenged his ability to win, David responded by sharing stories from his past about how God had won victory after victory. In David’s mind, God had not changed. So now He (God) would do it again.

2000 years ago Jesus came to this earth to seek and save the Lost. For the last 2000 years He has been saving the lost. As we approach Christmas we must ask, can He do it again? Brothers and sisters, I know He can.

I watched Him do it yesterday in a woman’s life who had no hope. When Jesus showed up the weight was lifted as she surrendered her life to Jesus Christ. I believe there may be people God is placing in your path who are asking, can God do it again.

Let me challenge you to open your mouth for God to fill it with His Word. Stand before your Goliaths with the Word of the Lord. He will do it again!!!

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A Monument to self (I Samuel 12-16)

December 19, 2019

¹²And Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning. And it was told Samuel, “Saul came to Carmel, and behold, he set up a monument for himself and turned and passed on and went down to Gilgal. I Samuel 12:15

One would think a king who was coming to conqueror would come with a show of power. One would imagine such a king would have monuments built for himself. Such is the way of earthly kings.

However, this was not the way of King Jesus. When Jesus came to this world He came in the lowest of ways. His first bed was a lonely manger. The prophet Isaiah wrote of His coming in Isaiah 42:1-4; 52:13-53:12. Here is an exert from Isaiah 53:

53 Who has believed what he has heard from us?^[a]
    And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
²For he grew up before him like a young plant,
    and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
    and no beauty that we should desire him.
³He was despised and rejected^[b] by men,
    a man of sorrows^[c] and acquainted with^[d] grief;^[e]
and as one from whom men hide their faces^[f]
    he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Jesus came as a servant choosing as His only monument an old rugged cross!!!

This was a far cry from how King Saul lived his life. Saul obeyed the voice of self-elevation.

Saul wanted the spoils of battle, 15:9-10.
Saul wanted the honor of men, 15:12.
Saul heeded the voice of men who carried out his own desires, 15:21.

The truth is, king Saul rebelled against God and presumed it would be ok (15:23). The kingdom was removed from him.

Yesterday, I asked, who is king in your life. Today I place the question before you once again. Is the king in your life like Saul? Could it be that you are your own king? Paul writes about King Jesus in Phil. 2:5-11. This is the King I follow.

The writer of Revelation reminds us of King Jesus Second-Coming. In 1:7 everyone will bow before Him.

This Christmas season reminds us to live in a way that makes our lives a monument for Jesus!!!

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At What Cost? (I Samuel 8-11)

December 18, 2019

²⁰that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” I Samuel 8:20

As we get closer to the advent of Christ, my heart and mind are drawn closer to the great cost of our salvation. On that first Christmas the King of Heaven clothed Himself in the robes of humanity in order to become our substitute. Romans 3:25 reads as follows: “God put forth (Jesus) as a payment by His blood.” The King of Heaven died the death of a common rebel taking the place of all rebels. Yes, Jesus paid the greatest price for all who are called by His name.

In I Samuel 8, God’s people lost sight of who was their eternal king. The nation wanted to turn to life with a king like all other nations. But what was the cost?

Was it that God had failed them? The answer is no! God had always fought for His people when they obeyed Him and often He fought for them when they did not obey Him. But now, in the days of Samuel, they wanted a king like the nations of the world (8:21).

God heeded their wishes, but it was at a great cost (I Samuel 9). Little did these people know what they were doing. In 10:29 they proclaimed, “long live the king.” Oh my what they would have to live with.

Question: Who is king in your life and at what cost did you pay for whoever is king in your life?

In my life, Jesus is King. I do not write this arrogantly or with self-esteem. My king came into my life, not at a great cost to me, but at a great cost to Him. John 10:14-17, He laid down His life for me. I did nothing and He did everything!!!

This Christmas season reminds me to come and bow down before the God who came giving everything from the start. The writer of Away in a Manger said it best: “Away in a manger no crib for a bed…”

This Jesus is worth my all!!! How about you? Is He worth your all?

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Continuing The Work

Archive for December, 2019

The Good Hand of the Lord (II Samuel 15-19)

If you could? (II Samuel 13-14)

Forgiveness, more than I can comprehend (II Samuel 11-17)

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The Kindness of God (II Samuel 7-10)

Struggling to find the best gift (Luke 24)

Greater Than Our Tribulation (I Samuel 26-31)

Leaving it all in God’s Hands (I Samuel 21-25)

Will He do it again? (I Samuel 17-20)

A Monument to self (I Samuel 12-16)

At What Cost? (I Samuel 8-11)

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