David

Happy in Forgiveness

/ Tim A. / 1 Comment

“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” Psalm 32:1 (KJV)

Another Psalm of David with a “Blessed”.  The word means Happy.  However in a world where everyone wants happiness we must understand that the happiness men and women, boys and girls are wanting and for the most part having; is sadly lacking in merit and quality.

The happiness which the Psalmist is writing of is from God; it is not fleeting.

There are people today who say something like this, “God wants me to be happy” so they set about seeking happiness in anything that they believe will make them so.  A man who is unhappy with his wife knows a woman he works with, they talk, they share secrets, they encourage and comfort one another; he believes he can be happy with her.  That is not the Happiness which God gives.

Notice in the verse above the four other words which are given; two of which are essential for “Happiness”.  “Forgiven” and “Covered”.  “Transgression” is rebellion against God.  “Sin” is transgression.  The word “Forgiven” carries the meaning of being carried by another.  The word “Covered” has the meaning of concealing never to be revealed again.

There can only be true, God given happiness when our transgressions are forgiven and our sins are covered.  That has been given all who will believe and receive it through God’s gift of His Son Jesus Christ dying on the cross for our sins – our transgressions – being buried carrying our sins away, and His bodily resurrection from the dead.  Believe Him and receive His free gift of grace.  That is “Happiness” beyond human understanding.

Trusting the Righteous LORD

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“In Thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in Thy righteousness.” Psalm 31:1 (KJV)

For David trusting the righteous LORD was not even questioned.  In who else, or what else was one to trust?  He knew that you cannot even trust yourself without reservation, or second guessing one’s self.  He knew there was nothing righteous in himself, or anyone else.  He also knew there were times he was ashamed of things which he did; but never the works of GOD, or His acts.

In whom do you trust?  Are trusting that your place of employment is secure?  It is not.  Are you trusting your spouse without reservation?  He/She is human, and can fall and fail just as you can.  I pray you do trust your spouse as we are called to, but not for eternity, and eternal reasons.  Men, you will not get to heaven on the “Train” of your wife’s wedding gown.  Ladies, you will not get to heaven on the strength and faith of your husband.

Because our LORD is a righteous LORD we can trust Him implicitly.  Because the human race is a sinful race we cannot trust God on our own.  He has made a way through the righteousness of His only Son.  He was crucified on a cross for our sins, was buried, and bodily arose from the grave, and ever lives calling all who will hear to follow Him.  He is our only access to the righteousness of GOD.

Then, we can, with David say, “In Thee, O LORD, do I put my trust…”  Trust Him.

Lifting Up the Name of the LORD

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“I will extol Thee, O LORD; for Thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.” Psalm 30:1 (KJV)

According to this Psalms title it is a song at the “Dedication of the house of David”.  The LORD had lifted David to heights he had never dreamed.  He was the king of Israel.  He had wealth, subjects, soldiers, and worth.  David, however, knew from whom these things had come.

He says in this song, “I will extol Thee, O LORD…”  To “extol” means to lift up, to praise and adore.  God had lifted him up, and he now lifts up the name of the LORD, so that all may know the LORD.

We live in a world and/or a culture which is absorbed with self fulfillment.  I have some news for you.  This life is not about you.  It is about GOD.  It is about His greatness, His grace, His mercy, His love, and Him sending His Son to die for us.

Let us be content to be like David; whether we have been exalted to greatness in a palace or whether we live in a fallen down shack in the woods; let us exalt, extol – lift up – the name of Jesus.  He is the “exact representation” (Hebrews 1:1-3) of the Father.

Lift up His name by believing Him.

Judgment You can Trust

/ Tim A. / 1 Comment

“Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.” Psalm 26:1 (KJV)

No one of us enjoy the thought of being judged by another human being.  We can be the worst, and the harshest of judges.

The Psalmist (David) goes to Jehovah, and request His judgment.  Would I do that?  I will say this; I do desire His judgment over yours.  It is a good thing to desire the judgment of GOD.  His judgment is holy, just and righteous.

As David; if we come to Him with with a moral integrity that is based on the grace of God, then you or I have nothing to fear in God’s judgment.

You will notice that David comes to make this request based on his trust in the LORD – “I have trusted also in the LORD…”

Let me give you some thoughts concerning judgment. First, when we have trusted the LORD we can know that His judgment is right.  Second, when we are trusting the LORD we can judge ourselves: “If we would judge ourselves we would not be judged” (1 Corinthians 11:31).  Third, we can be free of the fearful judgment of GOD by trusting in the One who took our judgment for us; that is, His Son  Jesus Christ.

Knowing Him, trusting Him, and He keeps us from the “Slide” ie., from falling.

Go to the One and Only

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“Unto Thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.” Psalm 25:1

The Psalmist knew to whom he would go in prayer.  He knew the LORD would accept only his whole being.  Lifted hands, and adoring hearts are great in worship, but only if you are giving the soul of your being in that worship as well.

Charles Haddon Spurgeon, of this verse, wrote in THE TREASURY OF DAVID,

“Unto thee, O Lord.” – See how the holy soul flies to its God like a dove to its cote. When the storm-winds are out, the Lord’s vessels put about and make for their well-remembered harbour of refuge. What a mercy that the Lord will condescend to hear our cries in time of trouble, although we may have almost forgotten him in our hours of fancied prosperity. “Unto thee, O Jehovah, do I lift up my soul.” It is but mockery to uplift the hands and the eyes unless we also bring our souls into our devotions. True prayer may be described as the soul rising from earth to have fellowship with heaven; it is taking a journey upon Jacob’s ladder, leaving our cares and fears at the foot, and meeting with a covenant God at the top. Very often the soul cannot rise, she has lost her wings, and is heavy and earth-bound; more like a burrowing mole than a soaring eagle. At such dull seasons we must not give over prayer, but must, by God’s assistance, exert all our power to lift up our hearts. Let faith be the lever and grace be the arm, and the dead lump will yet be stirred. But what a lift it has sometimes proved! With all our tugging and straining we have been utterly defeated, until the heavenly loadstone of our Saviour’s love has displayed its omnipotent attractions, and then our hearts have gone up to our Beloved like mounting flames of fire.

From e-Sword edition

Come to the LORD.  He has made the way, and that way is the way of the cross of Jesus Christ.  There and there alone can you worship the One and only GOD.

The Shepherd’s Song

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“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1 (KJV)

David was a shepherd, who at an early age realized that he needed a shepherd.  It would seem that as David provided for the sheep which he had in his care he realized how much he was also needy of the One who is the Great Shepherd to watch over him.

As David we too need to see Jehovah [YaHWeH] as our Shepherd.  He guides us to green pastures, clean water, and protects us from the wolves.  We often hear someone say, “It is only weak and needy people who need the crutch of believing in God.”  That is usually someone who is self dependent, self righteous, and self condemned.  Every human being no matter how strong, independent, or self reliant they are is weak, headed for the morgue, and an urn or a coffin.  If you are not prepared for what is on “The other side”, then you are in a heap of trouble.

Jesus Christ is the Great Shepherd.  He gave His life for the sheep.

I can say with the shepherd David, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”  When I have nothing but Him; He is all I need.  When I have everything and Him; He is all I need. He is my Sustenance, my Shield, my Song and my Salvation – eternal and otherwise.  How about you?

Has God Forsaken His Own???

/ Tim A. / 1 Comment

“My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me? Why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?” Psalm 22:1 (KJV)

The writer of this Psalm was feeling as though Go had forsaken him.  David is the Psalmist who was feeling so.  It must have been a trial of epic proportions.  Let us remember that it is faith which  causes him to cry out to God at this time.

This Psalm, at least the first verse, was quoted by our Saviour while He was hanging on the cross (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34).  It was as He came through the darkest part of the crucifixion.  For three hours there was a complete and total darkness, which the earth experienced during those hours; but O the darkness which our Lord endured was far greater than any physical, or temporal darkness of the earth.

Jesus had taken upon Himself the sins of the whole world.  We are told in Scripture that God does not look on sin with favor; thus the judgment of God was upon His Son.  There is no way we can understand the events of that dark time in our Lord’s dying; however I believe I can say that it was the most dark time of His life and death.

Because Jesus was forsaken by His Father for that time He will never forsake those who are His own.  We can hear the promise, “I will never forsake you or leave you”, and know that He is always with us.

You are His only when you come to Him believing that He died for you on the cross, was buried, and rose again bodily from the grave.  Believe in Him.  Call on Him believing.

The Glory of God

/ Tim A. / 1 Comment

“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handywork.” Psalm 19:1 (KJV)

The Bible speaks of the “Glory of God” quite frequently.  As I read the Scriptures it seems to me that is what the Bible is all about.  The GOD who has made all things, including humanity, wants us all to know Him and His glory.  He even has provide the fallen race with the way to Himself.

The Psalmist saw it in his day.  David was out under the stars most of the time as a shepherd boy guarding sheep, protecting the sheep, and leading them to clean water.  Every evening as the sun would be setting in the west he could and would lift up his eyes and watch for that first star; and behold it in wonder.

People who love God have an appreciation for God’s handiwork.  We can see it in the stars.  We see it in all of creation.  We see God’s working even in our farm animals, our pets, and the people who are our neighbors.

I love watching the stars.  I sometimes refer to them as “The floor joists of heaven”.  If the floor joists of heaven are so beautiful; I cannot begin to imagine what God’s heaven is like, except for what we are told by Scripture.

As I am writing this it is still dark out, the sky is partially clear, the moon is hanging in the west, and there are a few stars which can be seen.  “The heavens declare the glory of God…” and so will I.  Will you join me today in declaring the glory of God.

Begin by believing God.  His Son Jesus tells us, “I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but by Me.”  And He also tells us, “This is the work of God; that you believe on Him whom He has sent.”  Do so today declaring the glory of God.

Earnest Prayer

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“Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.” Psalm 17:1 (KJV)

Reading the Psalms we can very easily come to the conclusion that David was a man of prayer.  He is also known as “A man after God’s own heart”; and the two go together; for the prophet Amos has written, “Can two walk together except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3) You are not, neither can you be in agreement with God if you are not a praying individual.

What ever the test was from which David was praying in this Psalm he felt it was an urgent one thus it was an earnest prayer.  David desired that God hear the righteous, the just cry of the one who is praying.  The words “Hear”, “Attend” and “Give ear” all have to do with hearing; so we can tell that the Psalmist is earnest in this prayer.

This prayer also, is not coming from lips of treachery or deceit.  One thing we must remember when we pray is that we cannot deceive God.  It has been tried.  Every time it leads to failure.

Do you have an urgent need today?  Ask God to hear your prayer from a heart heavy with need.  The most urgent need we have is drawing nearer to God.  You can do that by calling on His Son Jesus for salvation.  If you are already His pray faithfully in His name.

The One Who Keeps

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“Preserve me, O God: for in Thee do I put my trust.” Psalm 16:1 (KJV)

Of this Psalm it is written in The Treasury of David that it has been called “The Psalm of the Precious Secret” explaining the title “Michtam of David”.  Yet the meaning of the word is not fully known.

However, the secret, even the precious secret is one which is found only in trusting the God to whom David is praying.  He is the living God.  He is the God of the living.  He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and all who will trust in Him.

“Preserve me” is request for the keeping hand of God.  Does God hear such requests?  Most definitely.  When God begins a work in you or me He never quits it.  Jesus Christ God’s holy Son went all the way to the cross to finish the work He came to do.

Just as there is grace for salvation; there is grace in sanctification so that we might finish our course.  Trust in Him. Believe Him and live.

Feeling Forgotten

/ Tim A. / 1 Comment

“How long wilt Thou forget me, O LORD? For ever? How long wilt Thou hide Thy face from me?” Psalm 13:1 (KJV)

David was feeling much anxiety.  No one knows the particular reason for his anguish in this Psalm, but it is here.  It can apply to any circumstance of feeling forgotten, forsaken, and maybe a reflection of all the times he has felt this way.

Many may believe this is not the response the “Man after God’s own heart” ought to be experiencing; yet here we have it.  David was a man, a human being.

Have you ever experienced this anguish?  Have you ever felt that God has forgotten you, and it feels as though it will be for ever?  You are in good company.

When we hear the question “How long will You hide Your face from me?” we should be reminded of His presence, and glory.  We, like David should desire His presence, His glory – His face.  Of course we know that no one can see the face of God and live.  To look into the face of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is to look into the face of God.

He has not forgotten you.  He has not forgotten us.  He has not forgotten any who are His through the blood of His Son Jesus.  Take the time you are experiencing this anguish, and think of the power, the glory, and grace and mercy of GOD.  Be encouraged in Him today.

Trust in the LORD

/ Tim A. / 1 Comment

“In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain?” Psalm 11:1 (KJV)

Of this verse C. H. Spurgeon in THE TREASURY OF DAVID, has written,

When Satan cannot overthrow us by presumption, how craftily will he seek to ruin us by distrust!  He will employ our dearest friends to argue us out of our confidence, and he will use such plausible logic, that unless we once for all assert our immovable trust in Jehovah, he will make us like the timid bird which flies to the mountain whenever danger presents itself.  How forcibly the ease is put!  The bow is bent, the arrow is fitted to the string; “Flee, flee, thou defenceless bird, thy safety lies in flight: begone, for thine enemies will send their shafts into thy heart;  haste, haste, for soon wilt thou be destroyed!  David seems to have felt the force of the advice, for it came home to his soul; but yet he would not yield, but would rather dare the danger than exhibit a distrust in the Lord his God.

Are you in a difficult position, situation or circumstance today?  God is with you.  Do not heed the “advice” of those who would tell you to “Flee” by doubting the LORD. Be as David.  Trust the LORD.

Begin at the cross of Jesus Christ.

Whole Heart Praise

/ Tim A. / 1 Comment

“I will praise Thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all Thy marvellous works.” Psalm 9:1 (KJV)

The Psalmist David will praise the LORD.  That is what his heart desires.  We know from Biblical history that David was not a sinless man, yet he had a heart for God.  He heard God, and when he realized he had sinned he confessed, repented, and received forgiveness.

Whole Heart Praise would be the giving of one’s self to the praise of the one and only who is worthy of praise.  True praise is more than words spoken.  It is a life lived.

The “Marvellous works” are the works which God is continually doing.  Jesus says,

“This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent.”
(John 6:29)

We can show for the marvellous works of God through the wonderful works Jesus does in our own lives.  Beginning with trusting Him for your eternal salvation.

Trust

/ Tim A. / 1 Comment

“O LORD my God, in Thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me:” Psalm 7:1 (KJV)

We people put our trust in things and people everyday.  Every time we sit in a chair we are trusting that the chair will not fall or break in pieces.  We get in our cars, and trust that it will start (of course sometimes they do not). We do those things without so much as a second thought most of the time.

Is it not amazing that we can put so much trust in things made and built by human kind, but when it comes to God we cannot trust Him to the same extent.

The Psalmist did.  God is more trust worthy than any object made by man.  He may not always deliver us from our situation, tragedy, or circumstance in life; as we ask Him to, but trust goes much further than deliverance from situations.  With God it goes to His character, and who He is.

There is a question which has been asked:  “If God never answered another one of your prayers would you still trust Him?”

My answer to that question is Yes.  He is still God.  He still loves me.  I can still trust Him for my future, and for today.  He knows what is best for you and me.

Be as the Psalmist.  Put your trust in the LORD God through the death, burial and bodily resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ.

Is GOD Angry?

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“O LORD, rebuke me not in Thine anger, neither chasten me in Thy hot displeasure.”

To answer the title question; David the Psalmist thought God could be angry.  To ask, “Is God angry?” makes it sound as though one is thinking that He is angry all the time, through all eternity.

The Psalmist is asking for mercy.  Do I need mercy?  Definitely.  Do you need mercy?  Yes.  The human race needs mercy.  Jesus said,

“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” (Matthew 5:7).

There seems to be a mistaken belief that God could never be angry.  “How could a loving God be angry?” is the assumptive question.  How could a loving God never be angry? would be my question and thought.  If you love and someone hurts what you love does that not make you angry?

God loves His children.  He has proven that by the cross of Christ.  He poured out His anger upon His only begotten, sinless, spotless Son as He bled and died on the cross.  Now He declares all who come to Him through Jesus Christ “Righteous”.

The writer of Hebrews has written,

“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).

I am blessed to be in the hands of the living God.  I do not want God to be angry with me.  Like David I ask for His mercy.  It is found in Christ.

Call for a Hearing

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“Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.” Psalm 4:1 (KJV)

David the Psalmist had a great heart for calling on the LORD.  This appears to be his first action when facing difficulties.  Rather then complaining and being angry toward men he would often take his anxieties to the LORD, and receive comfort.

Now, David was by no means perfect.  He had his sins to deal with, and God chastised him for his sins; as God chastises all those who are His.

The man of God desires to have the ear of God.  Desires to have it during the bad times and the good.  He desires the righteousness of God.  Praises God for His blessings, and appreciates the mercy of God.

Call on God through His Son Jesus Christ today.  He will hear you.

When You are Troubled

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“LORD, how are they increased that trouble me! Many are they that rise up against me.” Psalm 3:1 (KJV)

This Psalm is said to have been written by David while fleeing for his life from his son Absalom.  Absalom had taken over the kingdom or at least  part of it in anger, even hatred for his father.

What man, who loves his son or daughter, would not rather flee than to harm one of their children?  Yet it grieved the heart of David, and he felt as though his world was coming after him.

If you will note, however; David went to God about the situation.  That is the place we need to go when it seems the world is against us.  When the world is against us, or even only one is against us let our destination be before the face of the LORD.  Go now.

Thus saith the LORD… 012614

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“For thus saith the LORD; ‘David shall never want a man to sit upon the throne of the house of Israel; neither shall the priests the Levites want a man before Me to offer burnt offerings, and to kindle meat offerings, and to do sacrifice continually.’  And the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah, saying, ‘Thus saith the LORD; ‘If ye can break My covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, and that there should not be day and night in their season; then may also My covenant be broken with David My servant, that he should not have a son to reign upon his throne; and with the Levites the priests, My ministers. As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of David My servant, and the Levites that minister unto Me. Moreover the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying, ‘Considerest thou not what this people have spoken, saying, ‘The two families which the LORD hath chosen, He hath even cast them off?’ ‘Thus they have despised My people, that they should be no more a nation before them.’  Thus saith the LORD; ‘If My covenant be not with day and night, and if I have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth; then will I cast away the seed of Jacob, and David My servant, so that I will not take any of his seed to be rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: for I will cause their captivity to return, and have mercy on them.'”  Jeremiah 33:17-26

Jesus and Labor on the Sabbath

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“And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that He went through the corn fields; and His disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands.  And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, ‘Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days?’  And Jesus answering them said, ‘Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him; how he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone?’ And He said unto them, that ‘The Son of Man is Lord also of the sabbath.’”  ~Jesus addressing the Pharisees concerning the sabbath  (Luke 6:1-5)

Jesus and the Sabbath Day

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“Have ye not read what David did, when he was an hungred, and they that were with him; how he entered into the house of God, and did eat the shewbread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them which were with him, but only for the priests?  Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?  But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.  But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.  For the Son of Man is Lord even of the sabbath day.”  ~Jesus (Matthew 12:1-8)

Rest and Worship for Mankind

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“And it came to pass, that He went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and His disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn.  And the Pharisees said unto him, ‘Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful?’  And He said unto them, ‘Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him?  How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him?’  And He said unto them, ‘The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: therefore the Son of Man is Lord also of the sabbath.’” Mark 2:23-28

Two Sticks, David, and The Sanctuary

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The word of the LORD came again unto me, saying, ‘Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, ‘For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions:’ then take another stick, and write upon it, ‘For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions:’ and join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand.  And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, ‘Wilt thou not shew us what thou meanest by these?’  Say unto them, ‘Thus saith the Lord GOD; ‘Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in Mine hand.  And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes.  And say unto them, ‘Thus saith the Lord GOD; ‘Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land: and I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all: neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwellingplaces, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be My people, and I will be their God.  And David My servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in My judgments, and observe My statutes, and do them.  And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children’s children for ever: and My servant David shall be their prince for ever.  Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set My sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore.  My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be My people.  And the heathen shall know that I the LORD do sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for evermore.'”  Ezekiel 37:15-28 (KJV)

The LORD of hosts will accomplish His purposes for His people.  No matter how difficult it may seem; or how far out the way His people may get; He will bring them to Himself again.

-T.A.

God’s Word Today 081512

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And the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah, saying, ‘Thus saith the LORD; ‘If ye can break My covenant of the day, and my covenant of the night, and that there should not be day and night in their season; then may also My covenant be broken with David My servant, that he should not have a son to reign upon his throne; and with the Levites the priests, My ministers.  As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, neither the sand of the sea measured: so will I multiply the seed of David My servant, and the Levites that minister unto me.’  Moreover the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying, ‘Considerest thou not what this people have spoken, saying, ‘The two families which the LORD hath chosen, He hath even cast them off? Thus they have despised My people, that they should be no more a nation before them.’  Thus saith the LORD; ‘If My covenant be not with day and night, and if I have not appointed the ordinances of heaven and earth; then will I cast away the seed of Jacob, and David My servant, so that I will not take any of his seed to be rulers over the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: for I will cause their captivity to return, and have mercy on them.”  Jeremiah 33:19-26 (KJV)

-T.A.

Flame of the LORD

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Flame Of The LORD

2 Samuel 11:6-17

In this story of the fall of king David is also the story of a man who was faithful, to God, to his wife, to his country and to his king. In this event in the life of David, Uriah is a contrast to David, and gives those of us who aren’t born into a godly home, or godly atmosphere some hope.

It is very likely that Uriah, being a Hittite; had come to believe and trust in the God of Israel and David; and had given himself to the service of God, the people and the king. His name means, “Flame of Jah”, thus the title to the message being “Flame Of The LORD”. Oh, that the Christian of today had the fire of Uriah.

I. URIAH WAS FAITHFUL; THEY KNEW WHERE HE WAS (vv. 3, 6).

A. “It is 10-O-Clock. Do you know where your children are?”

B. Uriah was known as a good soldier, even a “mighty” soldier (23:39).
1. He is called one of David’s “thirty mighty men” (23:8-39).

C. God is faithful; He will always be faithful to His Word, His will, His children and His promises.

“Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” 1 Thessalonians 5:24 (KJV)

“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13

“This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck…” 1 Timothy 1:18-19 (KJV)

II. URIAH WAS OBEDIENT TO THE KING’S COMMANDMENT TO RETURN HOME (v. 7).

A. Uriah was probably wondering about the purpose of his being called back to Jerusalem.
1. He may have thought, “The king desires that I get some rest and relaxation”, but his heart had no desire for it.

B. Uriah was obedient to the king’s call.

C. Christian, let us who have been called by our King, hear His voice, do His bidding and when He calls us home do so with the earnestness of this hero of Jerusalem, Israel and Judah.
1. We can rest assured that when our King Jesus calls us to His home He will not have some devious intent in His heart and mind.

III. URIAH WAS LOYAL TO THE KING AND ALL THE OTHER SOLDIERS WHO WERE FAITHFULLY FIGHTING THE BATTLES (vv. 8-13).

A. He is not only loyal to his king, but loyal and faithful to the other soldiers who are not getting the call from the king that he received.
1. Uriah would have made a good United States Marine Corp Officer or soldier. “Semper Fi” or “Always Faithful” is the motto of the Marine Corp, and that seems to have been Uriah’s creed as well.

B. Uriah would not go home to his wife, his heart was on the welfare of the king and his troops on the field.
1. The good soldier is thinking about the safety of the others, and their leader and nation.
2. The heart of Uriah at this point in time puts the heart of king David to shame.

C. David jumped headlong into this adulterous relationship with Uriah’s wife, because he was not doing what he should have been doing.
1. The first verse of chapter eleven includes the following words, “at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah.
2. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.”

IV. URIAH IS FAITHFUL TO GOD, HIS WIFE, HIS COUNTRY AND HIS KING EVEN UNTO DEATH – CARRYING HIS OWN DEATH WARRANT (vv. 14-17).

A. King David upon realization that he would not convince Uriah to get home anytime soon; sent a death warrant by Uriah’s own hand to the General in the field – Joab.
1. Unknowingly, most likely, Uriah takes the hand written message written by the hand of the king that would cause him to die.

B. We have a Savior who was faithful to His Father; all the way to Jerusalem; all the way to Calvary; all the way to the cross; all the way to the tomb; and all the way to His glory which He had with the Father from the beginning (John 17:5).
1. We by faith in Him and His finished work on the cross put on His righteousness, His garments, and take on the characteristics which led Him to the obedient, faithful, loving life that led to His cross; His place of death and dying for the sins of the world.

C. Uriah means “Flame of Jah” or “Flame of the Lord”, and surely he was the flame of God burning in Israel when the “man after God’s own heart” had plunged into darkness of sin.

D. Oh, Christian when we see a brother or sister in Christ; who has plunged headlong into sin; whether they be a church leader, leader’s wife, or the man or woman in the pew; that is the time to be the “Flame of the LORD”. (Galations 6:1-2)
1. Stand as an example of faith and light, be faithful to God, and don’t let the darkness of sin pull you in and down.
2. Jesus said, “I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?” Luke 12:49 (KJV). His Holy Spirit within His followers are the possessors of that Fire; and that Fire possesses us as well. Let us walk in the light of that flame.

Life is Short

/ Tim A. / Leave a comment

We hear of  people living to be 90 to 100+ years of age.  We marvel at reaching such ages.  We read, however, in the Scriptures of people living to be hundreds of years in age, then dying.

The Psalmist wrote,

“Behold, Thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before Thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.”  Psalm 39:5 (KJV)

And these are words that we know and hear.  Every human being knows that life is short, and many seek to live much longer.  We read in Psalm 90,

“The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is there strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.” (90:10)

The measure of a “handbreadth” is probably one of the shortest physical measures of man.  It is used to measure the height of a horse.  We are told that a horse is 14 hands high, and that means at the top of  their shoulder.  David says, “Life is short.” and it is.

A few years ago I was reading where the Psalmist had written, “So teach us to number our days…” and I began to think seriously about how old I was in days.  I did some calculations and came to a conclusion, and I still number my days.  To this day I am now 20,950 days old.  In days, at least to me, that does not seem so long.  I was just thinking if I had a dollar for every day, it would not equal a poverty level annual income.

Life is short.  So we best be sure that our lives are in connection with the LORD of Hosts through His Son Jesus.  The Psalmist has written the word “Selah” at the end of this verse.  I take that word to mean, “Pause and reflect” on what has just been said.  Life is short.  Let us reflect the image of God in a dark and dying world.

-Tim A. Blankenship