What a God! His road
stretches straight and smooth.
Every God-direction is road-tested.
Everyone who runs toward him
Makes it. - 2 Samuel 22:31 (The Message)
Not much commentary on the verse today, I just felt like I needed to post it. I read this last night and was so encouraged by this idea. Everyone who runs toward him makes it! Everyone!
Start running....
Showing posts with label David. Show all posts
Showing posts with label David. Show all posts
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
King David's Magic 8 Ball
So, since we're reading through the bible in a year, both my wife an I are in 2 Samuel. This weekend, we were discussing the use and purpose of the ephod. The ephod, at face value, was a piece of clothing, but not a complete outfit in itself. It is usally described in the bible as being worn, and is often mentioned as being linen. However, in the story linked above, and later in others, King David is seen consulting the ephod like it's some kind of Magic 8-Ball. I almost expect the conversation to go like this:
David: Should I attack the Philistines
Ephod: All signs point to yes
David: (Leaves to attack the Philistines)
David: Should I kill King Saul?
Ephod: Ask again later
David: (Cuts section from Saul's robe)
Does anyone have any insight into the ephod? How about the Urim and Thummim, which appeared to be a part of the breastplate, and which Saul used to help discern God's will?
Just one of the mysteries I may have to wait for heaven to learn....
David: Should I attack the Philistines
Ephod: All signs point to yes
David: (Leaves to attack the Philistines)
David: Should I kill King Saul?
Ephod: Ask again later
David: (Cuts section from Saul's robe)
Does anyone have any insight into the ephod? How about the Urim and Thummim, which appeared to be a part of the breastplate, and which Saul used to help discern God's will?
Just one of the mysteries I may have to wait for heaven to learn....
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
A father's unconditional love
Then Ahimaaz called out and said to the king, "Peace!" Then he bowed deeply before the king, his face to the ground. "Blessed be your God; he has handed over the men who rebelled against my master the king."
The king asked, "But is the young man Absalom all right?"
Ahimaaz said, "I saw a huge ruckus just as Joab was sending me off, but I don't know what it was about."
The king said, "Step aside and stand over there." So he stepped aside.
Then the Cushite arrived and said, "Good news, my master and king! God has given victory today over all those who rebelled against you!"
"But," said the king, "is the young man Absalom all right?"
And the Cushite replied, "Would that all of the enemies of my master the king and all who maliciously rose against you end up like that young man."
The king was stunned. Heartbroken, he went up to the room over the gate and wept. As he wept he cried out,
O my son Absalom, my dear, dear son Absalom!
Why not me rather than you, my death and not yours,
O Absalom, my dear, dear son! - 2 Samuel 18:28-33 (The Message)
It's natural for a father (King David) to mourn the death of his son. But, maybe the world didn't expect the kind of love David had for his son, Absalom. To understand the depth of his devotion, you first must understand what Absalom had done to David leading up to this point. In order to take power from his father, he first stirred up a rebellion in Israel. Then, taking some poor advice, he slept with his father's concubines. Finally, to add injury to insult, Absalom raised up an army in an attempt to kill his father. So, I think I would understand if David were a little teed off at his son at this point.
Obviously, Joab felt the same way, which is why he took the opportunity to kill Absalom against the king's wishes. So, you know his response catches Joab and the others off guard. While David wept and mourned over the loss of his son, most of us think he would have had every right to celebrate.
Well, as I've mentioned before, David was a man after God's own heart. It's no wonder he viewed his children in much the same way God views His own children. With love that is not at all dependent on how we act or what we think or how we feel about Him.
If you're a father, how are you doing at demonstrating unconditional love for your kids? Do they know you love them? All the time? Even when they're screaming and crying? Even when they don't do their homework? Even when you're telling them to pick up their toys for the millionth time? Even when you're ignoring them? Even when you're at work? Even when they've screwed up so bad you don't think you can forgive them? I'm not always so good. But, I can learn from David.
Peace.
The king asked, "But is the young man Absalom all right?"
Ahimaaz said, "I saw a huge ruckus just as Joab was sending me off, but I don't know what it was about."
The king said, "Step aside and stand over there." So he stepped aside.
Then the Cushite arrived and said, "Good news, my master and king! God has given victory today over all those who rebelled against you!"
"But," said the king, "is the young man Absalom all right?"
And the Cushite replied, "Would that all of the enemies of my master the king and all who maliciously rose against you end up like that young man."
The king was stunned. Heartbroken, he went up to the room over the gate and wept. As he wept he cried out,
O my son Absalom, my dear, dear son Absalom!
Why not me rather than you, my death and not yours,
O Absalom, my dear, dear son! - 2 Samuel 18:28-33 (The Message)
It's natural for a father (King David) to mourn the death of his son. But, maybe the world didn't expect the kind of love David had for his son, Absalom. To understand the depth of his devotion, you first must understand what Absalom had done to David leading up to this point. In order to take power from his father, he first stirred up a rebellion in Israel. Then, taking some poor advice, he slept with his father's concubines. Finally, to add injury to insult, Absalom raised up an army in an attempt to kill his father. So, I think I would understand if David were a little teed off at his son at this point.
Obviously, Joab felt the same way, which is why he took the opportunity to kill Absalom against the king's wishes. So, you know his response catches Joab and the others off guard. While David wept and mourned over the loss of his son, most of us think he would have had every right to celebrate.
Well, as I've mentioned before, David was a man after God's own heart. It's no wonder he viewed his children in much the same way God views His own children. With love that is not at all dependent on how we act or what we think or how we feel about Him.
If you're a father, how are you doing at demonstrating unconditional love for your kids? Do they know you love them? All the time? Even when they're screaming and crying? Even when they don't do their homework? Even when you're telling them to pick up their toys for the millionth time? Even when you're ignoring them? Even when you're at work? Even when they've screwed up so bad you don't think you can forgive them? I'm not always so good. But, I can learn from David.
Peace.
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