And I Was Gentle Today

Scripture: And I was gentle today, though anointed king. 2 Samuel 3:39

Observation: Abner, in a fit of passion, decides to abandon the house of Saul and give that kingdom to David. All because Saul's son disrespects him. Joab, in a fit of passion, kills Abner with a punch to the gut. All because Abner had murdered his brother.
David, in a restraint of passion, holds a national funeral for his enemy Abner, where he calls him a “prince” and a “great man.”
Two men let their passions get out of control. One man chooses compassion over passion, gentleness over his gut.

Application: I love the word passion. I think all people ought to be fired up and driven by passion in life. But my passions will either be my downfall, or they will be under my dominion. I will be undone by passion or chose to be gentle. Passion out of control can lose kingdoms and curse families, leaving legacies of pain. Passion in control and tempered by gentleness will win the day.

Prayer: God, may I go to bed tonight saying, “And I was gentle today.” May I have the passion of David, but the restraint of gentleness.

Attain to The Three

Scripture: Then the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate and took it and brought it to David. But David would not drink it. He poured it out to the LORD 1 Chronicles 11:18

Observation: David, sitting in a cave near Bethlehem, muses aloud about his longing to have a drink of water from the well in Bethlehem, currently held by the Philistines. Three men, three mighty men, risk their lives to bring their commander a drink. David is so moved by this act of loyalty that he feels undeserving and pours out the water to the Lord.
David inspires such loyalty for his men that they go above and beyond the expectation to serve their king. But David is astute enough to realize that only God deserves such loyalty, and directs his men’s eyes back to God.

Application: Reading through this passage, I am pretty impressed with David’s mighty men. These guys were the Dirty Dozen of their day. Some killed lions and giants. Others killed armies with only a spear. These were heroic brothers. Yet these heroics did not enable these mighty men to attain to “The Three.” Apparently, these three men who risked life to secure the drink for David were a part of some inner circle. Perhaps loyalty to David drew them where heroic deeds had not.
I am not sure what God is saying here to me. Certainly, I want to inspire such loyalty in those I serve with. Of course, I also want to direct people to devotion to God. But I also wonder what it takes to attain to the three. What sets a man apart from simple renown, to attain to the three? I want to take some more time and think about David’s mighty men, and what God has to say to me through it.

Prayer: God, I want to be one of your mighty men. I want to serve you with devotion and loyalty. With honor and bravery. Help me grow in manhood to become Your man.

Gus and Woodrow

Scripture: Jonathan lies slain on your high places. I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; very pleasant have you been to me; your love to me was extraordinary, surpassing the love of women 2 Samuel 1:25,26

Observation: David composes a heroic ode to Saul and Saul’s son Jonathan. He reserves special remarks to his friend, Jonathan. Some have tried to pervert this friendship into something sinful, but it is a true friendship of men. Jonathan’s devotion to David was so great that he gave up his shot at the throne and even risked his life for his friend. This is an epic friendship, one that few men find in life outside of a spouse. This is Woodrow and Gus territory.

Application: I once heard Chuck Swindoll teach on the friendship of David and Jonathan. He remarked that this is a once-in-a-lifetime type of relationship, and that few men find it. While on an 8-hour drive back from hunting with friends last year, I reviewed the friendships in my life. I saw few that had survived the years. God spoke to me about some specific steps I needed to take to continue to peruse these. I don’t have a David/Jonathan friendship yet, but I hope God allows me one before I die. It is easy for men to back away from these kinds of battle-forged friendships. But if we are to truly embrace our manhood, we need to maintain them for our souls and model them for our sons.

Prayer: God, help me reach out to friendships with other men. I pray you help me find a David and Jonathan, a Woodrow and Gus type friendship. And help me teach my sons the value of godly friendships with men.

With One Stroke of the Spear

Scripture: The LORD rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness, for the LORD gave you into my hand today, and I would not put out my hand against the LORD's anointed. 1 Samuel 26:23

Observation: Saul is still persuing, to take his life. David learns Saul is camping in the wilderness, and sneaks over one night with Abishai. They see Saul asleep, along with all of his guards. With one stroke of the spear, Saul’s terror campaign against David would end. And even better, David doesn’t have to get his hands dirty—Abishai volunteers to do the deed himself.
But David knew better than to take the life of God’s anointed. Saul may have been a murderous jerk, but he was still the king. David had respect for the office, if not the man. Instead, he steals Saul’s spear, then calls out to him from a distance. Saul and David talk and Saul ends up apologizing for his sin and calling David to return. He would no longer chase David.
David trusted the hand of God more than his own. He knew that if he stuck to God’s ways, things would work out. He thought they would work out through Saul’s death. He had no idea Saul would end up offering peace. Doing things God’s way instead of his own brought reward. The LORD rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness.

Application: I have been discouraged lately with some struggles I am having with one of my kids. I keep stooping down to his level in our arguments. I keep trying to do the techniques and strategies from people that I see are teaching God’s way. But when they don’t work, I get frustrated and want to tell those people, “I did that and it didn’t work.” I think God is telling me today that just like David, I have a choice. I can either take things into my hands and do them my way (which may seem to solve the problem, but really only multiplies them). Or I can continue to be courageously patient, faithfully obedient, and let God do his work. God could work in Saul more than David ever could dream. God can work in my kid’s life more than I could ever dream.

Prayer: God, help me stick to your way with my parenting. Regardless of the response, let me not stoop to doing things my way. Help me keep the high road and trust you can work it out.

Goals in Marriage

Scripture: But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33

Observation: Jesus is giving us his priority—first, the kingdom.

Application: Last night, our small group started a bible study on building teamwork in marriage. We agreed that having shared goals is a major starting point for two being better than one. If we do not agree on goals, it can cause all kinds of problems. And while there are many important goals in marriage, from parenting and financial goals, to retirement and career goals, the most crucial goal is the primary one. That both agree that serving Jesus and seeking first the kingdom in marriage comes first. Without this shared goal, every other goal suffers.
Jessica and I realized we are pretty good at setting secondary goals, like vacations, or fixing bathrooms, but we don’t often step back and talk about the greatest goal, “How can our marriage seek first the kingdom?” We agreed to share more of this with each other.

Prayer: God, my marriage is your grace to me. Help me steward it well by keeping the main thing the main thing. Show us how we can seek first your kingdom in our marriage.

Swinging Goliath's Sword

Scripture: And the priest said, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you struck down in the Valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you will take that, take it, for there is none but that here.” And David said, “There is none like that; give it to me.” 1 Samuel 21:9

Observation: David, fleeing from Saul, leaves without gathering supplies, such as bread and weaponry. He asks a priest if he has any weapons, and the priest pulls out Goliath’s sword, which had been hidden and preserved. David takes this and goes forth, using the sword of the enemy he and God vanquished.

Application: A sword that had been used to defy God was now going to be used by David in his many battles as king. I imagine it was a huge sword, difficult to carry and wield. But nonetheless, David swung it with power.
As we are nearing the middle of our series on Sacred Sexuality, I have been discouraged by what I see happening in our world. I feel the enemy has taken the sword of sex and is using it to swing such harm and pain and deception. Everyone I know has been wounded by it. Yet in this story, I see the hope that God is the ultimate victor. And Jesus has already defeated Satan in every area, including his abuse of sex. So maybe we can pick up Goliath’s sword and use it to fight for good and healing and restoration. Maybe we can use it to rebuild what Satan has tried to destroy. We can use this sword, because God has slain its previous owner.

Prayer: God, I pray you will allow us to reclaim Goliath’s sword. That we could take the same subject of sex and use it for You. Help us to stay true to the battle and to love people to Christ, especially those wounded by sex.

Won't Somebody do Something?

Scripture: For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God? 1 Sam 17:26

Observation: David is taking bread and cheese to his big brothers on the battlefield. Once there, he hears Goliath calling for someone, anyone, to come and fight him to decide the battle. David sees the armies of God fleeing in fear. When he wonders why, the people reply, “Have you seen Goliath?” Well, David had. But instead of an unconquerable giant, he saw only an uncircumcised Philistine. Instead of a physical opponent, he sees simply a man who is defy\ing God. David sees this is primarily a spiritual battle. And in that sense, the only thing he needs to “see” is that there is Goliath on one side, and God on the other. And armed with this, David decides to do something about it.

Application: I am sure David was frustrated at the armies of God quivering in defeat. He must have felt like he had fallen through the looking glass. Were the armies of God really afraid of this guy? Sure Goliath was big, but David must have wanted to scream, “Have you seen our God?” David had a bias towards action based on his belief in an Almighty God. Size didn’t matter. Sides did. And Goliath was on the wrong side; David was on the right. To David, this was no contest.
I love when people act. Especially when that action is an act in faith. What probably keeps me from acting is I am looking at Goliath and not at God. I see the flesh and blood, but not the spiritual force of God. I see the hundred pound armor, and my puny sling, and actually think I am outmatched.

Prayer: God, the battle belongs to the Lord. Help me act in faith. Show me the true score in the battles I face. Not the armor and weapons, but your power. Fill me with the simple faith of David.

God Still Speaks to Those Who Listen

Scripture: And the LORD came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel! 1 Samuel 3:10 I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me. In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord; in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying. Psalm 77:1-2

Observation: We see two examples of late night conversation with the Lord. First, in Samuel, we see God speaking to young Samuel in the middle of the night. Then, we see Asaph in Psalm 77 stretching out his hand in prayer to God in the night, wondering if God’s love has ceased.

Application: Last night, my youngest son cried out in the night. He was having cramps in his foot. My wife and I rushed in with foot rubs and ice packs. And later, he awoke crying out again. Both times we came in and I am not sure we eased the pain, but we did get him back to sleep. When it is 3:30 in a dark house with pain in your body, you want your father and mother to listen to your cry.
Sometimes we doubt God speaks to us. Sometimes we wonder if he listens to us. Scripture is replete with examples like these two of a Father who speaks and listens. With Samuel, God is speaking to someone who is not asking for it. With Asaph, God does not seem to speak, but as the night goes on, Asaph realizes that God has already spoken through the great deeds of salvation he has already done in the lives of his people, the “years of the right hand of the Most High.”
Sometimes God speaks to us through His voice of the Holy Spirit, who lives in our hearts. Sometimes he speaks through the reviewing of his mighty deeds, through his word. Either way, we have a God who does speak, who does have much to say.

Prayer: God, may I be like Samuel, who is ready to listen as a servant to a master. May I be like Asaph, who is unafraid to cry out to God from a place of pain and doubt. Show me the next step in my growing conviction that you speak when we listen.

Walking Away

Scripture: Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:17-18

Observation: Paul is explaining what it means to be a follower of Christ. Part of what it means is that we are to go out, be separate, and touch not. This is an intentional separation from evil. And he also lays out what God will do: God will welcome, God will be a father, and we will be His sons and daughters.

Application: I am seeing this call to purity in my preparation for the Sacred Sexuality series. As much as I might wave the banner of freedom and grace, there still is a call for me to follow Christ into going out, separating from, and touching not. I need to tighten up my laxness in the area of purity. I can see how I have let things slide in to where I no longer am sensitive to them.

Prayer: God, make me sensitive again. Point things I need to go out from, separate from, and touch not. I want to please you more than I want to fulfill my desires. Show me where I need to walk away.

An Idle Tale

Scripture: But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. Luke 24:11

Observation: Christ has risen. The disciples have seen the empty tomb, spoken to the angels. They have come back to tell the good news to the rest of the group…but they do not believe. The resurrection seemed to them like an idle tale. Except for Peter, who rose and ran.

Application: It feels odd to read about the resurrection on Good Friday. But it puts this day in focus. Good Friday is only the middle of the story that Jesus said would happen to him(he would be delivered to sinful men, crucified, and risen). And as we look forward to Sunday, we know that for some, the resurrection is an idle tale. For others, they rise and run to the truth. I feel like God is reminding me that there will be different responses to the resurrection. But what people will run and rise to is not the promise of better life, stronger marriages, fuller finances. What people will rise and run to is the power of the resurrection. I need to keep that message in the forefront of my witnessing.

Prayer: God, your resurrection is everything. Thank you that you called me to rise and run to you. I pray you help me speak more of the reality of your resurrection to those I share your name with.

He Did Not Save Himself

Scripture: He saved others; let him save himself…If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself! … Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us! Luke 22:35,37,39

Observation: Jesus deliberately chose to not save himself at the cross. He would not save himself to prove a point. He would not save himself to confirm his identity. He would not save himself to stop his pain. He would not save himself to stop the suffering of others. Jesus Christ was committed to the Father’s will, and just because he could save himself did not mean he would. His focus was to do the will of his father.

Application: As someone who likes to fix things, I am often tempted to “save myself” in many situations. To prove that I was right, to say I told you so, to exercise my authority, or to maintain control. And in many cases, I have the power to do so. But just because I can does not mean I should. I need to be crystal clear on what my Father’s will is, and do that. Saving myself in this way cannot trump his plans. Knowing God’s will helps me maintain focus and gives me freedom from the need to save myself. I can do what he said and let the jeers, the suffering, the consequences go. They are not my job to fix.

Prayer: God, help me keep my eye on the ball, to know when to stand and when to submit. To not be concerned about the opinions of others, or try to save myself. My salvation in a situation is not my job, it is yours. My job is to do the will of my father who has sent me. So help me know what that is. Thank you for the utter commitment of Christ upon the cross. He was able to save me because he did not save himself.