Up All Night

2 Samuel 12:16 "David begged God to spare the child.  He went without food and lay all night on the bare ground."

David had slept with Bathsheba, gotten her pregnant, and murdered her husband Uriah.  In response to this, God punishes David and kills he and Bathsheba's son.  David's sin has affected Bathsheba and her son.  It did not just affect him.  This is one of the dangerous aspects of sin.  It reaches out and touches others. 

This verse describing David being troubled all night hit me.  I can identify with a sick child.  You would do anything to save them from the pain.  But sometimes there's nothing you can do.  And here David could do nothing.  He had already done too much.  How does my sin affect those closest to me?  Do my sins affect my children?  They do. 

Dear Jesus, keep me from sin for my sake, but more so for my children's sake.  Amen.

Say Mephibosheth Five Times Fast

2 Samuel 9:7 "I intend to show kindness to you because of my promise to your father Jonathan."

Chapter eight describes many of King David's military conquests.  He beat up, wiped out, and killed a lot of dudes!  Then in chapter nine, he decides to do something a bit more gracious and kind and asks if any of Saul's relatives are still living.  He finds the crippled grandson of Saul named Mephibosheth, and decides to bless him and have him eat with him at the king's table. 

Within two chapters we see David go from slaughtering tens of thousands of people (I particularly am fascinated with 8:2!) to caring for and being kind to the cripple Mephibosheth. For now I'll focus on chapter nine.  David goes out of his way to show kindness to an old friend's (Jonathan) son.  When was the last time I specifically went out of my way to be kind?  Sure I'll be nice to people I happen to run into, but how often am I this intentional?  Today I need to spend the extra time and effort and show kindness to someone. 

Dear Jesus, help me be like David and not be like David (you know what I mean).  Help me be kind today.  Amen.

God Did It

2 Samuel 5:20 "'The Lord did it!" David exclaimed."

David has recently become king over all of Israel and the Philistines want to take him out.  David asks the Lord if he should go fight them and God tells him to go ahead and they will be handed over to him. So the Philistines advance and at a place called Baal-perazim David defeats them.  Instead of taking credit and gloating David says the "Lord did it."

Youth ministry at Crossroad is rocking!  We 've seen nearly 400 kids show up each week including 238 alone at HangTime last Wednesday!  I must remember that God has done this.  I couldn't do it.  It's not about me.  Just like God won the battle for David, God is drawing kids to himself here at Crossroads.  I pray I do not forget this.

Dear Jesus, help me remember you did it.  Amen.

Peace

2 Samuel 2:26 "Must we always solve our differences with swords? Don't you realize the only thing we will gain is bitterness toward each other?"

King Saul has died and in the aftermath much violence and warfare occurs between the various tribes.  At one point Abner gets a clue and realizes that revenge and violence never accomplish anything. In fact, they only lead to more revenge and violence.

Violence usually doesn't get us anywhere.  Yet it was so prevalent in the Old Testament!  Christ wants us to be peacemakers and put down our swords.  I can help do this.  I can be a peaceable person and treat others with respect and kindness.  I can instill this in the lives of my kids. 

Dear Jesus, help me be a peacemaker today.  Amen.

Nothing Compares

Philippians 3:8 "Yes, everything else is worthless compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord."

Philippians chapter three is amazing!  In verse eight, Paul considers everything he's earned and achieved as worthless compared with the relationship he has with Christ.  And Paul had earned and achieved a lot!  Yet none of it, not one line on his resume comes close to the value of knowing Jesus.

I've read this verse dozens of times. I've memorized it.  Yet today it hit me like a ton of bricks-scripture has a way of doing that.  Everything I've accomplished and attained really doesn't matter one iota unless I know Jesus.  That's all that matters.  This helps put things in perspective.  Thanks Paul.  Today I need to focus on what matters most and it's not my resume or my bank account, it's Jesus.

Dear Jesus, thank you for your word.  Become greater in my life.  Amen.

Weak in September

1 Samuel 30:6 "But David found strength in the Lord his God."

David and his army have just returned home and discovered their families have been taken.  His men are crushed and some of them want David's head.  In the midst of this mega tragedy, David "found strength in the Lord." 

It's often in our weakest and saddest moments when we turn to God.  When we can't do anything ourselves, when we can't fix it, when we're powerless, it's then we find our strength in God.  It's the first week of school with kickoff around the corner, and I'm tired already!  I feel somewhat overwhelmed with so much to do.  I know I can't do it all so I need to find my strength and energy in God today.

Dear Jesus, in my weakness and exhaustion, help me find my strength in you. Amen.

A Witch and a Ghost in a Place Called Endor

1 Samuel 28: 15 "'Why have you disturbed me by calling me back?' Samuel asked Saul."

Saul is worried about David, the Philistines, and his kingdom's future-at least his reign of that kingdom.  In his desperation, he consults a witch in Endor and asks her to call up Samuel's spirit.  Samuel's ghost shows up and tells Saul it's game over!

What a great story!  I'll have to read this one again at Halloween!  In desperation we do stupid things.  How often have I felt like I was at the end of my rope and acted in haste and did something I knew I'd regret?  I won't answer that.  With Christ in our lives, we should never feel desperate or hopeless or worried.  We have Jesus, we don't need to talk to ghosts! 

Dear Jesus, help me rely on you and not my horoscope.  Not that I ever read horoscopes...Amen.

Faithful in Grand Marais

August 1

1 Sam. 26:23 "The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness."

David has for the second time, had the opportunity to kill Saul and has passed on it.  David shows great self control, faith in God, and right acting.

God rewards us for acting rightly and being faithful.  Most of the time, our faithfulness is displayed in the small things-during every day life.  Sure, every now and then maybe we're tempted to kill the king and we pass!  But most of the time, we are called to be faithful in our small every day choices.  How can I be faithful in the small things this week while camping?  I can be faithful in how I treat my wife and my kids.  I can be faithful in how I treat Grand Marais and my neighbors here.

Dear Jesus, help me act rightly and live with faith today.  Amen.