Tag: David

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The root survives.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

“Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot— yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. He will delight in obeying the Lord. He will not judge by appearance nor make a decision based on hearsay. He will give justice to the poor and make fair decisions for the exploited. The earth will shake at the force of his word, and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked. He will wear righteousness like a belt and truth like an undergarment.” ‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭11‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In the language of ancient agricultural days, everyone would know what the “root” represents. In more modern concepts, we might think of it as kind of a sourdough “levain,” or “starter.” Of course using leaven or yeast is probably not the best object lesson because yeast was often compared to sin in the Bible. You can see how this mysterious mold is alive and incredibly enduring, but no one knows why.

The root survival object lesson is much more aligned with spiritual endurance. Plants or tree roots can be dormant for years and even appear to be dead. If you’ve ever cut down a tree in your yard, but did not pull up the roots, you know how durable the tree can be. The root was a common illustration used to describe the nation of Israel, the people of God.

The once flourishing, life- giving tree would be burned or cut down, but underneath there would be this enduring root. In Biblical writings this type of durable root was called the “root of Jesse.” Jesse, being King David’s father, the patriarch that began the kingly lineage so long ago. The unique and amazing thing about the particular family lineage, this “root” survival is that it would endure until its spectacular reemergence as the tree of life, otherwise known as the Messiah – Jesus.

The root illustration always gave the people of God hope, that although things looked awful, dead in fact, they knew that one day a young, healthy, green shoot of life would come out of this root, this promise of God. The reality is this root would not just survive, it would wait until the proper time to burst into new life, thriving, giving shade and bearing fruit for all of humankind!

This is yet another ancient illustration that gives hope still today. Even cooler than that, this glorious tree of life, personified by the Son of God means that we as non-Jews, heathens – Gentiles can be grafted into this tree! This would become our own heritage, our adoption, our salvation! The Apostle Paul extensively writes about this powerful miracle that God planned before the world began in Romans 11. So whether the tree is trimmed, burned or destroyed, the root of our faith – Jesus, yet endures!

Prayer

​Dad,
As I have discovered in the later days of life, your stories are VERY long. To think about the eternal story-arch of the Bible is amazing, yet hard to grasp. This idea of our human effort and cyclical failure, even after Jesus’ work on the cross is both expected and disappointing. We are broken, and healed… but not yet fully so. It does make me ache for finality, fulfillment and truly an end to my ​constant disorder desires and failures. Come quickly Lord Jesus! Amen.

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Earnest eagerness of our youth.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Solomon was about twenty years old when he became King of Israel. He followed his father, David, in a stable and flourishing kingdom. Solomon admits he has no idea just how ginormous his kingdom was, but it is estimated at 800 thousand to possibly a million people. Later, it was noted in 1 Kings 4:20, “There were so many people living in Judah and Israel while Solomon was king that they seemed like grains of sand on a beach. Everyone had enough to eat and drink, and they were happy.”

Being young and given the responsibility of ruling over such a vast amount of people humbled Solomon. One of the things Solomon decided to do came right out of David’s playbook – massive and public sacrifices to God in one of the most popular of tabernacles – at Gideon. A thousand sacrifices, in ancient days, were seen as a “King’s” sacrifice, acknowledging his submission to deity – this was an expensive, seven-day example of honoring Solomon’s one true God. He also made those sacrifices, in Gideon, where it had been known for sacrificing to Idols – one of the many “high places.” In one massive demonstration of humility and repentance Solomon showed the people where his heart and financial motives were coming from.

This decision pleased God, which is why it prompted God to ask Solomon what he wanted. “That night the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “What do you want? Ask, and I will give it to you! ‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬.” As a young man, a young leader of a large, thriving kingdom, filled with God’s people, he wanted to do what was right above all else. Yet, even with the gift of wisdom from God, Solomon was not able to hold fast to righteousness and to continue to lead the nation in godly ways!

I remember being full of great ideas, technological advancements and more efficient systems to get things done. But I was serving in a culture that was resistant to change! As I have gotten older, I still feel the positive pressure of the future coming towards us faster than ever. However, my lesson, my observation from scripture, especially from the lives of David and his son, Solomon is this; to grow consistently in my spiritual maturity. Systems, cool ideas and flashy programs will not make it to eternity. People are worth investing in, so I want to work to stay humble. I choose to serve others well, praise and promote those around me and give all glory to God. I want to be able to give my own thousand sacrifices well into my elder years.

Prayer

Dad,
It’s not about finishing first, it’s about lasting to the end. It’s a race to the bottom, the end of the line, to see others cross before me. The crown that awaits us is those who have turned their hearts towards you and join with me in heaven praising you! Amen.

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David’s moral wishlist.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

I will sing of your love and justice, Lord. I will praise you with songs. I will be careful to live a blameless life— when will you come to help me? I will lead a life of integrity in my own home. I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar. I hate all who deal crookedly; I will have nothing to do with them. I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil. I will not tolerate people who slander their neighbors. I will not endure conceit and pride. ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭101‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

It is believed that Psalm 101 was inserted toward the end of David’s life, but it’s obvious that he wrote it when he was young, likely before becoming king. I like what one commentator used as the word that described David’s intentions to rule his country well, DETERMINATION.

David was determined to do right. David was anointed king three times. Samuel anointed David in his youth, (1 Samuel 16:13). After Saul’s death he was anointed king over the tribe of Judah at Hebron (2 Samuel 2:4). Seven years later he was anointed king over all the tribes of Israel (2 Samuel 5:3). But as life unfolded in David’s life, he lost sight of his original passion for God and justice. What was it that cooled or shifted his focus of being this righteous standard he had set for himself. David had a front row seat to observe what power, authority and wealth had done to his predecessor. He watched Saul’s spiritual life unravel right in front of him, throwing a spear at David because of the king’s spiritual torment. Is seeing a bad example of leadership helpful to guide one’s own idea of a good leader? I think it is. Yet, it is clearly not enough to be different. A great leader has to grow beyond just doing better than the person before them.

David’s own words in this Psalm must have haunted him as he looked back, he wrote, “I refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar!” Or, “I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil.” These are evidence of a young man’s battle to control his own thoughts, disorder desires and overcome temptations that come his way. Job declared that he had made a covenant with his own eyes, “not to look with lust at a young woman,” (Job 31:1). When David was coming into his years of being a king at 30 years old, his intention, his determination was to NOT put up with conceit or pride. As it turned out, David’s moral wishlist ended up becoming his downfall. What he hated at thirty, he succumbed to at fifty. What do you think caused such a shift from passion to do right to passion to do whatever he wanted? Twenty years of battle victories led to kingdom wide peace and wealth. David no longer needed to go to lead his army against his enemies. He was too valuable, too important, too busy? In the spring when kings go off to war, David stayed home, (2 Samuel 11:1). Everything had been conquered in David’s life, except the desires within his own soul!

I get why this Psalm was inserted into the songs of praise at the end of David’s life, it is a reminder to guard our hearts and stoke the righteous passions of our youth even when we’ve made it, especially if we’ve won.

Prayer

Dad,
There are so many lessons to be learned from great men and women in the Bible. The heroic stories, the rags to riches stories, the famous “such a time as this” stories, all of them are so inspiring. Yet, David’s extraordinary life is one example of how quickly things can turn when I lose sight of the most important thing, the number one priority relationship in my life – you! I had wild and crazy expectations of changing my world and Your Church when I was young. Now, I just want to fulfill my calling and tend to my most precious relationships. I need your grace and mercy to finish strong and end well.

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Paralleling the Psalms.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

You welcomed him back with success and prosperity. You placed a crown of finest gold on his head. He asked you to preserve his life, and you granted his request. The days of his life stretch on forever. Your victory brings him great honor, and you have clothed him with splendor and majesty. You have endowed him with eternal blessings and given him the joy of your presence. For the king trusts in the Lord. The unfailing love of the Most High will keep him from stumbling. Psalms‬ ‭21‬:‭3‬-‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

When one reads the about the life of Israel’s ancient king David, then reads through the psalms, you’ll find an uncanny parallel between the words of David and the prayers and quotes of Christ! Jesus not only quoted frequently from the law and the prophets, he exclusively spoke from the psalms. But not just any of the psalms – specifically, the psalms of David.

Jesus had most of the books of the law memorized and it was obvious that he had amazing recall of the psalms. Jesus quotes the Old Testament so often, it seems as if he is just teaching and speaking his own thoughts and words. When I read the agonizing, painful reality prayers of David, I find that Jesus used these to express his own thoughts and understanding of God the Father, and himself as the messiah. Peter Johnson says, “the psalms helped Jesus to carry through with His redemption purpose. Psalms are believed to express deep emotions and full surrender to God.”

When I read this psalm and see David realize that his past days of running and hiding from Saul are gone. David looks forward to his life, now filled with abundance and blessing. Can you see the overlay of this wonderful sense of hope in Jesus’ own life as well. In complete faith that God will help him and see him through death and the hope of redemption and resurrection, Jesus himself can hang on to these ancient words penned by David himself. “You placed a crown of finest gold on his head!”

Can you see these heavenly exchanges; removing the crown of thorns, the mocking crown of shame and suffering and replacing it with a crown of gold, of victory and freedom. When we read of David’s days in life – stretching on forever, can you see the parallel of David’s past, running for his life, living in caves, but now his days are free and full – seemingly with no end! Jesus was buried in a cave, his life from our temporary understanding was over, but his resurrection brought everlasting life! David, in his past, wore tattered, borrowed clothes while dodging death, but as king he was clothed with splendor and majesty. A dynamic picture of rags to riches, funeral shrouds to kingly robes! Jesus lived this same version of David’s life and most likely quoted and prayed these psalms to fortify his own faith in God’s plan, his own mission. Jesus’ life paralleled the psalms!

We are not David nor Jesus, but wouldn’t you think these psalms – memorized, meditated on, and PRAYED would give us hope as well? God saw us through our darkest times, maybe for some literally running for our life. God was there in the darkness of caves and doubts. Our hope is that God is also with us now, giving us eternal blessings and the joy of his own presence! Why? Because God truly loves us and proved it through Jesus’ own life, death and resurrection. We too can pray the psalms! We too can parallel and track with the lows only to come out with the highs of unfailingly love of the Most High!

Prayer

​Dad,
No wonder Jesus was such a fan of the psalms! He lived them. No wonder Jesus’ hope and faith was encouraged by memorizing the psalms, he used them when praying for strength while he was earthbound. Thank you for Your word. It is a lamp, a light and the hope of my salvation! Amen.

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Experience and the examined soul.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Then all the tribes of Israel went to David at Hebron and told him, “We are your own flesh and blood. In the past, when Saul was our king, you were the one who really led the forces of Israel. And the Lord told you, ‘You will be the shepherd of my people Israel. You will be Israel’s leader.’” So there at Hebron, King David made a covenant before the Lord with all the elders of Israel. And they anointed him king of Israel. David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in all. He had reigned over Judah from Hebron for seven years and six months, and from Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah for thirty-three years. ‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭5‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Coming into power and authority too quickly can be detrimental to a leader and those who follow. David spent much of his young life learning how to care for and protect the family sheep. When the sheep went out to pasture, there were weeks that David would be on his own. He learned most of his vital lessons being a shepherd, a veterinarian, a musician and a warrior. David was also skilled in writing poems and songs while living under God’s big sky with miles of country hills.

The prophet Samuel had secretly anointed David as the future king while he was just a teenager. And David got his first big break when word got out that he was an excellent guitar player, well more like a harpist, ‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭16‬:‭18‬. His faith and somewhat exaggerated confidence landed him a confrontation with a Gathean mercenary conscripted by the Philistines – the giant, Goliath! So at the age of about 15 years old he became super famous. It didn’t hurt that Saul had offered his daughter’s hand in marriage and the family’s tax free life to the person who defeated the Philistine champion ‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭17‬:‭25‬. David even led several successful campaigns on behalf of Saul and became the commander of Saul’s armies.

However, because God had abandoned Saul and he was loosing his grip on reality, things turned ugly on young David, now about 20 years old. For anywhere from 8-10 years, David spent his life on the run. From being a legend to becoming an outlaw, was a struggle for David. He used those times growing closer to God, and writing about his darkest moments in the Psalms. By the time he finally became king over Israel, David had all the highs and lows of notoriety, infamy, and contempt. But as he was hiding and dodging Saul all those years, God was further developing David’s character.

As you are well aware, by the time David was about 50-55 years old he got Bathsheba (22-25 yrs old) pregnant and had her husband murdered and in battle. What happened to all that character development? When things got easy, did David get soft and morally weak. One clue is in Samuel, where he writes, “In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites.” Being that David’s warrior years and his thirst for conquest and victory had subsided. It turned into wandering around on the roof of the palace after taking a midday NAP! This midlife-misstep cost him the kingdom, his own family and his reputation of being the man after God’s own heart. God wouldn’t even let him build the temple (which God didn’t want nor need by the way) because David’s hands were just too bloody.

What an extraordinary life though. So many lessons in life and leadership. So many deep concepts about God and so much self awareness to be gleaned from the writings about David. What can we learn from all of it? Certainly there is a lot of leadership lessons to be learned in different seasons of one’s own life.

Prayer

​Dad,
There is SO MUCH to learn from David’s life! I read these stories when I was young and it was fascinating and conflicting. Now that I am old, it is very different. From the angst of youth and proving oneself, to the wisdom and nurturing of a solid legacy to leave for children and grandchildren. Finishing well is just about all I think about these days. It’s not about me, it’s about the lives that you have placed in my care, in my capacity to lead. This is what becomes valuable in this season. Experience? Yes, but definitely with an examined soul! Amen.

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A friend in deed to a friend in need.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

One day near Horesh, David received the news that Saul was on the way to Ziph to search for him and kill him. Jonathan went to find David and encouraged him to stay strong in his faith in God. “Don’t be afraid,” Jonathan reassured him. “My father will never find you! You are going to be the king of Israel, and I will be next to you, as my father, Saul, is well aware.” So the two of them renewed their solemn pact before the Lord. Then Jonathan returned home, while David stayed at Horesh. ‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭23‬:‭15‬-‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The friendship between Jonathon and David is a legendary picture of camaraderie and commitment. The problem is most folks (myself included) visualized the two as equal in age. They were not. Jonathon was at least twenty years older than David. I know we read the stories and see two young twenty-somethings hanging out in the palace, dodging dear old king Saul as he went through his mental collapse. But do the math, Jonathan was in his forties!

Two things about these “hide-n-seek” scenarios with David that are amazing. One, God spoke directly to David when he needed an answer! Up a few verses David asks God if he should go and help a neighboring city fend off the Philistines. “Should I go?,” David asks. “Yes, you should go,” says God. Another time David asked God, “I heard Saul is coming obliterate Keilah because of me, and the leaders of Keilah will betray me – is that true?” God says “Yes they will betray you and yes Saul is coming.” Can you imagine this? David is running for his life and it’s looking like everything is out of control, yet God is right there with him! Would I want to walk through the crazy circumstances that David did, having the highest level of authority chasing me with a bounty on my head? No! But, wouldn’t it be wild to be on the run while having a two way conversation with the God of all things? Heavens yeah!

Two, the other aspect I love about these true stories is the fact that Saul’s own son, is besties with David, giving him the inside-man advantage. Between God telling David exactly what will happen and Jonathan providing Saul’s movements – it’s an exciting real life drama of good verses evil. Jonathan knows exactly where David is hiding out and goes to him to simply encourage him. Jonathan says, “don’t be afraid,” and “you will be king.”

There are so many stories and scriptures about the importance of having trusted friends encourage us when we walk through valleys with shadows of death. The Apostle Paul writes to the churches in Galatia (6:2), “share each other’s burdens…because in doing so you fulfill the law of Christ.” Ecclesiastes 4:12 says “a cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” A single-strand life is a constant struggle! Carrying a heavy load alone will kill you, but shared with a friend makes it lighter. We don’t need friends to fix things for us, we just need them to show up and bear the burden with us.

Be that friend that shows up! Be that friend that randomly texts encouragement when you know someone is struggling. Be the voicemail that leaves a prayer and a good word. You will be the friend that joins God and comes alongside in someone’s darkest, loneliest moments.

Prayer

Dad,
I truly believe the verse that says that there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother – and that friend is you! Through the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit, you are always there. You see, you hear, you know, what my life can bear. But, I also know what it’s like to have friends check in and let me know they are standing with me, available for whatever I might need. These friends are load-lifters and I am deeply grateful when they join in to carry the weight of emotions too much for me to handle alone. Thank you for them as well. Amen.

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With handsome heart.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel‬ ‭16‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Samuel, being God’s king-maker, heads out on a secret mission to find the next king of Israel – while Saul is still the sitting king! Saul’s own story of coming from obscurity to opulence and the highest position in the land is outrageously funny and sad, like a dark comedy. Saul was tall and very handsome, he LOOKED like a king in making, until he opened his mouth. Now Samuel is once again on a search, this time for a successor.

He arrives in Bethlehem under the ruse of sacrificing to God. A plan God gave Samuel as a coverup. Sneaky God! The little town of Bethlehem leaders were nervous when God’s spokesperson shows up. What’s wrong? The elders ask. Nothing, Samuel smoothly replies. Can’t a prophet come to a tiny, insignificant town, with a heifer in tow just to randomly sacrifice to the Lord? Geez…suspicious much? Of course it’s not normal, but look over here at this amazing feast.

Jesse brings his family to the sacrifice party, as instructed. As Jesse’s boys file in, Samuel immediately takes one look at the eldest son and says, “bingo,” that’s the one. Eliab was a looker! Job done, right? Nope. God says to Samuel a comment that’s been used thousands of times over the eons – “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” ‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭16‬:‭7‬ People judge by looks, but God judges by the heart. Eliab may be pretty, but his heart is lacking.

Jesse brings up all seven of his sons – I’m sure they were all handsome men! But, none of them are who God was looking for. Samuel is puzzled. “Is this all your sons?” he asks. Jesse then remembers he’s got an eighth son. The eighth boy is so young and seemingly insignificant that it never even crosses Jesse’s mind to invite him to a “family” sacrifice party; not common today for the “baby” of the family. Jesse tells Samuel, “oh yeah, there’s one more, but he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.” Samuel tells Jesse, “send for him, we’ll wait to eat until he gets here.” I am sure the entire family were beside themselves trying to figure out what Samuel is really there for and what he is really looking for. Young David was probably about 12 years old, if not younger!

David arrives from the fields and it is Samuel who comments on HIS looks! “He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes.” Fact is, Jesse and his wife, Nitzevet, made eight hunky, handsome dudes! And the Lord said, “This is the one; anoint him.” So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on.” It would take 18 years before David actually became king of Israel. David’s handsome looks got him in a ton of trouble while serving as king, but it was eventually his handsome heart that God saw in him all along. Oddly enough David had good looking sons as well – Absalom was VERY handsome (2 Samuel 14:25) and so was Solomon! Which would you choose, handsome looks or a handsome heart?

Prayer

Dad,
I can understand how you look at the heart more than you look at our appearances, but people DO look at appearances. And, there are good looking people across all ethnicities and cultures. It cannot be that beauty is only in the eye of the beholder, as Shakespeare wrote. It can’t be that all judgement of beauty is subjective. Sure with art forms and perceptions it may be true, but with such views as faces and stature, it seems that these features have always been honored. I have personally met folks with a beautiful soul as well. And sometimes it’s as though their innate persona gave off a particular glow of beauty about them. It seemed as though I was smitten by their inner grace, mercy and humility. Beauty from what is not seen and beauty from what is seen. What a mystery! I am thankful that we are all image bearers of Yours! Amen.

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Doeg must die.

Reading Time: 3 minutes

O Lord, oppose those who oppose me. Fight those who fight against me. Psalms‬ ‭35‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

David writes this Psalm while reflecting on the horrific slaughter of innocent men, women and children in the ancient city of nob. David himself, a shepherd turned warrior, is in the unique position to understand when a man breaks from reality, from a sense of morality, and a code of honor even in times of war – it is devastating.

Doeg also went from a being a shepherd, to being Saul’s chief shepherd. Then suddenly in a moment, with little warning, he gets caught up in Saul’s obsessive rage to pursue David at any cost, and Doeg becomes a mass murderer. The story is all in 1 Samuel 21 & 22. David finds refuge, some food and the famous Goliath sword at the tabernacle in Nob, where Ahimilech served as priest. Doeg also happened to be at the tabernacle at the same time as David and his men. Doeg immediately reported the incident to King Saul. Saul then summoned Ahimilech and his family to the palace to hold him accountable for what he considered to be treason. When Saul asked Ahimilech why he harbored and abetted a criminal of the crown, Ahimilech told him the truth – he said, You mean David? “Who among all your servants is so faithful as David, who is the king’s son-in-law, and captain over your bodyguard, and honored in your house?” Ahimilech was openly declaring his innocence.

Saul became enraged and ordered the palace guard to immediately kill the priests of the LORD – all of them, while standing there in the court. But the guard refused the King’s direct order! Saul then turned to Doeg and ordered him, “You turn and strike the priests.” And Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests, and he killed on that day eighty-five persons who wore the linen ephod.”

But Doeg wasn’t done.

For some reason, he didn’t stop with slaughtering innocent priests. Doeg then rode off, back to Nob, the city of the priests, and killed every man, woman, child and baby. He even killed the city’s animals, the oxen, donkeys and sheep. Whoa. Doeg, like his King went full on demonically mental to become a mass murderer.

David, feeling remorse and responsibility for their deaths, writes this Psalm, pleading with God to bury Doeg. Doeg became known as the “priest slayer.” Jewish legend says that David himself took Doeg’s life.

The backstory to the Psalms are so full of triumph and tragedy. They are all reflections of the good, bad and ugly of our human nature and the beauty of God’s mercy and justice. Only God is perfectly capable of wielding both. When we don’t understand the why behind the stories we see or hear about, there is often a backstory. God knows what He is doing!

Prayer

Dad,
The Old Testament is filled with such raw voracity, a hunger for evil. It reveals the true nature of what sin can do to the human heart – anyone could be a Doeg! I hear about the rampant evil currently accelerating in our cities and I think, “Dear God, we need you!” We need you to pour out your Spirit, confronting the anarchy, corruption, suffering and brokenness in our dark hearts. Help us Oh Lord! Answer our cries for peace in our communities and countries. We repent of our self-determined wills that rise up against you. We repent of our lusts for more. Hear our prayers today God. Have mercy to soften and turn our hearts towards you once again. We don’t want to be a Doeg. Amen.

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Surrounded by a shield of favor.

Reading Time: 2 minutes

“But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭5‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

David ran and hid from his enemies for many years of his life. He fled from the mad-king Saul, David’s onetime boss, and father-in-law. Many of the Psalms are written while he pursued. Then, in a sad, dysfunctional turn within his own family, David finds himself running for his life again. This time from his own son, Absalom. David and his son, Absalom have a complicated relationship. Absalom had murdered one his brothers in revenge for the terrible act of raping his sister, Tamar. Obviously David’s own sons had plenty of character issues. You should read about it in 2 Samuel 13-15.

Handsome Absalom had stolen the affection of the people right under David’s nose. When the time came, Absalom declared himself to be king and David knew he and the entire royal court had to run for their lives. David writes these Psalms, 3-5, while Absalom was in pursuit to take David’s life.

Knowing that, we can see David’s words jump off the page and become a reality under this massive conflict and stress. Here he is the King and he’s still running for his life! It is amazing to see David’s faith, confidence and determination in these words. He declares this idea of taking refuge in God and while safely hiding and he praises God with singing! Wow. Isn’t it amazing, while under threat, loss and fear, those who know God can find safety, protection and even favor from God?

David poetically writes, “you surround them with favor as with a shield.” Thou, Oh Lord, are a shield about me! His banner, His presence surrounds me! Whew, gives me chills to compare and contrast David’s desperate situation with the shielded love of favor surrounding him. That can be ours as well. In the darkest, most deadly circumstances, the righteous can find peace, rest, love – even singing in confident joy because the Lord also surrounds us with His favor. I know our family situations can get sideways and so dysfunctional it becomes overwhelmingly dangerous. I would say my own family background had some terrifying moments. It’s good to know that David, full of sin and yet still a man after God’s heart, experienced the highest of highs, as well as the lowest of lows. In those really awful moments, he cried out to God and God listened. God protected David many times over. God can also do that for us today.

Prayer

​Dad,
How wonderful to read the tragic stories of real chaotic family situations in your Word. These stories have always been encouraging, not because it glorifies the decisions of those who determined to do evil, but because it glorifies you in your mercy, grace, forgiveness and salvation! You are great Oh Lord, and greatly to be praised! Thank you for similar times of surrounding me with favor even when I did not deserve it.

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Relationships on the dark planet called earth.

Reading Time: 3 minutes 
“Then David took an oath before Jonathan and said, “Your father knows perfectly well about our friendship, so he has said to himself, ‘I won’t tell Jonathan—why should I hurt him?’ But I swear to you that I am only a step away from death! I swear it by the Lord and by your own soul!” 1 Samuel‬ ‭20:3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This scene that takes place with David and Jonathon takes place with an “in-between” moment, a now but not yet. God has already yanked His Spirit from Saul and put it on David. God has already renounced and even regretted Saul being king and has anointed and appointed David as successor. But God allows Saul to live on and allows this whole drama to play itself out.

One of the big mysteries of God is all about this kind of scenario. Why doesn’t God step in, intervene and just kill Saul himself? I don’t think we’ll ever fully understand until we enter eternity. God takes on the questions and “bad press” but it doesn’t bother Him in the least. God has ways we will not understand.

David had this ability to read people and situations incredibly well. It’s one of his gifts as a leader. He starts as a shepherd, living in opens fields caring for the sheep and ends up in the palace in preparation to serve as Israel’s second king. He’s found a true friend in Jonathan. Remember, Jonathan is much older than David, likely by at least 20 years! So if David is in his twenties, Jonathan is in his forties at this point. David knows Saul wants him dead but also doesn’t want to begin the inevitable “run for his life” outlaw lifestyle.

Jonathan just can’t believe his own father has the capacity to kill someone like David, an innocent, gifted young man that has only done good for the king and country. Jonathan’s own codependency just thinks, “Dad has some anger issues,” and seriously underestimates the real danger within his own family. Jonathan had been covering for his own Dad for several years and did not understand the shift that took place when the Spirit of God left his Dad! How is that possible? How can a son or a wife or daughter or even a father miss the cues of behavioral change in the family? Because we want to believe in the best in our loved ones and often can minimize the red flags because it means that some serious work needs to happen before a family member truly goes off the rails – hurting themselves or others. There were signs and warnings all along but they were ignored!

Jonathan tells David, “You’re not going to die. He always tells me everything he’s going to do, even the little things. I know my father wouldn’t hide something like this from me. It just isn’t so!” Did you see that? I KNOW MY FATHER. Jonathan may have KNOWN his father, but didn’t recognize or chose to minimize when his behavior radically changed.

Until Saul turned on his own son and made it clear, “Saul boiled with rage at Jonathan. “You stupid son of a whore!” he swore at him. “Do you think I don’t know that you want him to be king in your place, shaming yourself and your mother?” Jonathan tried to reason with his dad and actually defended his friend David. That did not go well! “Then Saul hurled his spear at Jonathan, intending to kill him. So at last Jonathan realized that his father was really determined to kill David.” Saul, the king, the spear hurler and father explodes with uncontrollable anger. Who in their right mind let this guy have access to weapons when he has lost his sanity? Saul didn’t have the courage to spear-hurl Goliath, but he now he’s throwing a man-tantrum at his own son!

God lets humanity’s choices play out and rarely overrides free will, even to the point of allowing crazy leaders to make horrible decisions. I am glad this story and others are left IN the Bible and IN God’s grand story from creation, to redemption, to the final end when true justice and grace will make all things right again. Personally, I get a little sick of living on the dark planet. It is filled with beauty. And there is good amidst evil. I’m just weary of our own arrogance of denial.

PRAYER:

Dad,
I agree with the cry “come quickly Lord Jesus,” but not to get out of this existence or have a callous heart towards humankind. I ache for the end. For godly justice to be served instead of these weak imitations and excuses for justice that is just a smokescreen for more selfish, self-serving ideologies pretending to help or advance our culture, our world. Let your light shine bright through my life and the lives of true followers of Jesus.