Dark Days for David

-
1 Samuel 30 tells the story of David and his victory over the Amalekites.  In those days David lived among the Philistines because he had fled from Saul who was seeking to kill him.  But, the Philistines still mistrusted David because he had at one time been in Saul's army and leader of his forces.  So, when they are preparing to go into battle against Israel, they tell David that he cannot go with them.

So, it happens that as David returns home he finds that the village that his family lives in has been attacked.  All of his children and wives and those of his army have been taken captive.  In 1 Samuel 30:5-6 it says that the men were in so much distress that they thought of killing David by stoning him.  But, then it goes on to say that "David strengthened himself in the Lord his God." verse 6.  David then took steps to seek God's face by calling for the priest and what is called the ephod.

David's question to the Lord at that time was "Shall I pursue this band?  Shall I overtake them?" verse 8  I like it that David doesn't assume anything.  David asked for God's guidance and was prepared to wait on God's word to come to him.  It seems that when God's people do make assumptions as to God's will they get into trouble.  But, when they wait on the Lord they grow stronger.  It is easy to be impatient and to assume.  Or to neglect to even ask what God wants in the matter.  But, that is what David took the time to do.  God not only answers him, but tells him that he will achieve a victory and rescue "all".  Important words of comfort to a man who is worried he just lost his entire family.

A good example of a time when the people of God didn't seek the guidance of God is found in Joshua 7.  The people are really feeling proud of themselves for the victory over the people of Jericho.  Immediately after that battle they faced a place called Ai.  Joshua sends spies out to Ai to see how big the city is.  A report comes back from the spies that says in essence, "Don't send all the people.  Just a few thousand will be enough to defeat them."  Joshua never does seek guidance from God.  As a result, the people are chased home in defeat.  It is an example to us of the importance of giving our plans and goals to God.  Allowing him to change them, bless them or reject them as he sees fit. 

Popular posts from this blog

Some thoughts about the church in Corinth

-
Image
    Since March of this year, I have been doing a verse by verse study of the book of 1 Corinthians.  I have also listened to the class on 1 Corinthians taught on the bibleproject web site.  In that class, the teacher spends some time speaking about the controversy of chapter 11 and Paul's role of women in the church.  Though Dr. Lucy Peppiatt has some different views than mine it is a very interesting class that I would recommend.        I have found it encouraging that though the Corinth church had many problems Paul still had a lot of good things to say about them.  For example, in chapter 1 verse 4, he says that he always thanks God for them because they have been enriched in every way.  It says that they do not lack in any spiritual gift.  He never questions their salvation, though he does describe them in chapter 3 as "infants in Christ".  Paul may have written another letter to Corinth which remains lost that was possibly more direct and harsh.  But, he never gives
Read more

The wise men Matthew 2

-
    Matthew chapter 2 starts like this 2  Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold,  [ a ] wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,  2  saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”   3  When Herod the king heard  this,  he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.  4  And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.   5  So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: 6  ‘But   you, Bethlehem,   in   the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’  ” I've always thought that there were three wise men who came to find Jesus, but the scripture doesn't actually ever say that there was 3 men.  It says that there were wise men who gave Jesus three gifts
Read more

Introduction and chapter 1 of 1 John notes

-
  Study of 1 John started November 5, 2023 1 John Introduction The author- John was possibly born in Bethsaida (John 1:44) and was a son of Zebedee and Salome.  It appears his mother helped with the financial support of Christ (Mark 15:40,41).  He and his brother James were called “sons of thunder” Mk 3:17.  John lived in Ephesus, the capital of the province of Asia Minor, the Roman proconsul resided there.  John may have been battling against Gnosticism during his later years.  It said that deity cannot unite itself with anything physical such as a body.  It understood that knowledge is superior to virtue.  John battled against this by saying that Christ came in the flesh.  It is possible that 1 John may have been written around 90 A.D.   Wycliffe divides the book up into these sections Fellowship’s conditions 1:5-10 Fellowship’s conduct 2:1-29 Fellowship’s characteristics 3:1-24 Fellowship’s cautions 4:1-21 Fellowship’s cause 5:1-21 1 John 1 John begins by saying that which was from
Read more