I Kings 1:28-53 - Solomon Anointed King

I Kings 1:28-53

Zadok the priest then took the horn of oil from the tent and anointed Solomon. They they blew the trumpet, and all the people said, "Long live King Solomon!" (verse 39)

Message: Solomon Anointed King

Time: The author of 1&2 Kings (originally 1 book) is not known. First Kings follows the history of this divided kingdom from the death of David around 971 BC through the year 853 BC. First Kings reveals Solomon’s relationship with Yahweh and introduces the prophet Elijah who pronounces judgment on the evil northern king Ahab. Like other books, it helps us to understand the history of Israel and Judah. 

What the Lord is Saying: In the first part of 1 Kings 1 one of David's sons is interested in being the next king and tries to self-proclaim himself king while his father David is simply hanging on for dear life, weak and disoriented. A pretty nurse is sent to care for him and despite her beauty and care he did not go into her or have sexual relations which seemed to be permitted at the time. Meanwhile Adonijah was having a feast and trying to get support for him being King. But Nathan the prophet and Bathsheba went to David to confirm that in fact it was promised for Solomon to be king next. 

In verse 28, David calls Bathsheba and confirms with her what she was saying that 'Your Son Solomon shall be king after me.' Bathsheba is happy and relieved. 

David directs Zadok, Nathan and Benaiah to have Solomon ride on his mule blowing the trumpet, "Long live King Solomon. Then you shall come up after him, and he shall come and sit on my throne and be king in my place; for I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and Judah." This was the public acknowledgement that Solomon needed David to make of him being king, the riding in on the mule. Jesus, naturally, will one day parallel this when he enters Jerusalem on a donkey. The mule in these times was a prestigious animal and represented the kings royalty and leadership. 

This is what they did. Had him ride on King David's mule. "And all the people were playing flutes and rejoicing with great joy." 

In verse 41, Adonijah heard this wondering why the City is making such an uproar. After hearing all that was going on, with the riding in on the mule and King David placing Solomon on the throne and announcing him as king, "the guests of Adonijah were terrified; and they arose and each went on his way." Thus his support base has collapsed. People fear that their allegiance to Adonijah will cause problems for them so they flee. 

Adonijah even feared for his life but King Solomon said to him, "Go to your house." David shows him mercy, allowing him to live even though he had been rebellious. David allowed many others to live despite their rebellion but it was other men like Joab that ended up killing those other lives. David was a man of mercy. 

The people knew that the Lord had anointed Solomon previously, so based upon this they did not wait any more and made sure that Solomon was being presented as the new king. The lesson today from Tabletalk mentions this: "We need to act wisely, but we need not wait for a “sign from heaven,” nor are we to “let go and let God.” When the right thing needs to be done, we need to do it."

Summary: In response to Adonijah trying to be king, David proclaims Solomon as king, has him ride in on a mule, sit on his throne and the people respond while the supporters of Adonijah flee and David has mercy on him. 

Promise: James 4:17 tells us that when we know the right thing to do and fail to do it, we have sinned. We need not wait for a special sign to do the right thing. It is always the right time to obey the Lord.

Prayer: Lord God, indeed it is always the right time to obey the Lord and do the right thing. I see this and help me in these days to do the right thing, to make phone calls to the men I have been led to do that with, to visit people that need to be visited that are in need. Help me to not delay in doing those right things. Give me the passion and the desire to go forward well and do those things. Help me to not delay. Thank you for these lessons. Help me to not delay as well. There is much I can be doing. Help me to do it. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

TABLETALK - May 2019

2019 looks at the history of Old Testament Israel showing that the failures and successes of the Israelites led to the coming of Jesus, the Savior who redeems us from sin and empowers us by His Spirit to bear spiritual fruit in obedience to Him. 

January 2019 (October 25, 2024 - January 23, 2025) - Joshua 1-14 - How the Lord brought Israelites into Canaan

February 2019 (January 24, 2025 - July 6, 2025) - Joshua 15 to Judges 11 - God calls his people to finish driving out the inhabitants of Canaan, but they fail. God disciplines them and saves them from destruction. 

March 2019 (July 7, 2025 - August 24, 2025) - Judges 12 to I Samuel 1 - God's people may fall into great sin, but there is always a righteous remnant. 

April 2019 (August 25, 2025 - January 20, 2026) - I Samuel 2 to I Samuel 17 - Israel transitions from the eras of the judges to the monarchy. And also see Israel's ongoing conflict with the Philistines. 

May 2019 (January 21, 2026 - February 19, 2026) - I Samuel 17 to 2 Samuel 5 - David is on the run between his anointing and his assumption of the throne of Israel. 

I Samuel 17:38-58 - David Versus Goliath - David defeats Goliath stating the battle is the Lord's and brings his head before Saul and declares he is the son of Jesse.

I Samuel 18:1-16 - David Ascendant - David is now in Saul's court. Jonathan and David's friendship is marked by a covenant between them. Saul does not like David being near and puts him in command of his army. 

I Samuel 18:17-30 - Saul Becomes David's Enemy - A daughter is promised to David after Goliath victory, but David wants a different daughter. Saul tries to get David to fail but he is even more victorious and gets Michal and Saul becomes more bothered by David. 

I Samuel 19 - Saul among the Prophets - Saul wants David dead. His children Jonathan and daughter Michal protect David but eventually God intervenes in the lives of his non-chosen one's to also thwart Saul's attempts. 

I Samuel 20 - Jonathan's Covenant with David - As David continues to flee from Saul, Jonathan and David make a covenant of mutual friendship and protection. Saul still wants David dead, but David is able to get away. 

I Samuel 21 - David on the Run - David flees to Nob and then Gath. In Nob, the ceremonial law is broken so that David's life can be preserved and he pretends to be insane in order to keep him free from custody of the king in Gath. 

I Samuel 22 - Saul Kills the Priests at Nob - David continues to flee but he makes sure his parents are safe in Moab while he goes back to Judah. Saul meanwhile apprehends Ahimelech and has Doeg kill him and his entourage while Ahimelech's son Abiathar goes to David and has refuge. 

I Samuel 23 - David Escapes Saul - God is still directing David as David continues to call on him for guidance as Saul continues to pursue David. David is escaping though and each time God's providence is evident. 

I Samuel 24 - David Spares Saul's Life - David shows grace toward Saul in not killing him. Instead bows to him and Saul tells David he will be king and David swears he will not hurt Saul. 

I Samuel 25 - Abigail Saves David - David sends men to Nabal's camp in hopes of receiving something while he is having a feast. But they are rejected. Nabal's wife Abigail intercedes and prevents a bloodbath. Nabal dies and Abigail becomes one of David's wife. 

I Samuel 26 - Davis Spares Saul Again - Saul begins to pursued David again, but God allows David to come upon Saul sleeping and David spares Saul's life, trusting instead in God to take care of Saul in his time. Saul and David part ways.

I Samuel 27:1-28:2 - David Deceives Achish - David seems to take a detour and run off to Achish to flee from Saul and in the process conquers and kills people south of that place in Judah. 

I Samuel 28:3-25 - Saul's Final Rejection - Once again, fearing the Philistines, Saul asks God, but grows impatient and seeks a medium and receives confirmation that David is to be the new king, replacing him. 

I Samuel 29 - The Philistines Reject David - David is with Achish following the Philistines, but those leaders recognize this and say this can't be good, so David returns to Ziklag. 

I Samuel 30 - David Rescues the people of Ziklag - David returns home to a raided Ziklag at the hands of the Amalekites. He takes men and slaughters these foes and returns home and all receive the gift of the spoil from the fighting. 

I Samuel 31 - Saul Falls to the Philistines - Saul and his brothers and the men of Israel are defeated by the Philistines, killing Saul and his brothers, parading his head throughout the land. 

2 Samuel 1:1-16 - A Lying Amalekite - An Amalekite shows up on the scene saying he helped kill Saul, but David saw through him and had him killed for even saying he would assist in killing the Lord's anointed.

2 Samuel 1:17-27 - Lament for Saul and Jonathan - David now brings a lament of sorrow, grief, but also celebration of Saul and even more notably his honored friend Jonathan. David has loved well. 

2 Samuel 2 - War Between the Houses of David and Saul - Following Saul's death, David is anointed king over Judah in Hebron, leading to a divided kingdom and a civil war against Saul's son Ish-bosheth, whose forces are defeated by David’s army. 

2 Samuel 3 - Abner's Negotiations with David - Ish-bosheth servants and David's are in conflict. After David makes a covenant with Abner, Joab shows up and has vengeance on Abner for killing his brother. David laments Abner's death.

2 Samuel 4 - Justice for Ish-bosheth - Ish-bosheth hears of Abner's death and two commanders of Saul go and kill Ish-bosheth in his home, wanting a reward from David, but end up being killed as a judgment for their actions.

2 Samuel 5:1-10 - Israel Anoints David - David is anointed king over Israel, and eventually moves into Jerusalem, the strong hold for his reign as king for 40 years.

2 Samuel 5:11-25 - The Lord Established David - David is established as King over Israel. He takes many wives though and many children, so not of it is good. He looks to God first before going to battle, for His direction. 

This issue has its theme being "the Nineteenth Century." 

An Overview of the Nineteenth Century - The thinking of the 19th century is in many ways the aftermath of the French Revolution of 1789; driven by an Enlightenment devotion to the sovereignty of reason in human affairs. The French tried to reform the calendar stating 1789 as year 1 no longer recording time by the Savior's redeeming birth. Believing in original sin means humans cannot be rational for long. The defeat of Napoleon led to redrawing the map of Europe. Friedrich Schlei)ermacher (1768–1834), Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770–1831), and Søren Kierkegaard (1813–55), are mentioned as men who had influence on the Protestant world. Objective truth, and subjective appropriation of that truth are married together. It’s not amicable to rational thinking, such as the incarnation in which Jesus is both God and man. Meanwhile, in Britain, Anglo-Catholicism emerged in response to the church of England subordinating to the English state. John Henry Newman was its most eloquent spokesmen and he left for Roman Catholicism. Then came the Brethren movement - corporate lay eldership including pastor, open style of worship, dispensationalism. Also Catholic Apostolic Church where Christ had a propensity to sin but was held in check by the Holy Spirit. In America, the 2nd Great Awakening from 1795 to the 1830s or 1840s resulted in Revivalisn including Charles Finney. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

2 Samuel 5:1-10 - Israel Anoints David

2 Samuel 5:1-10

So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them before the Lord at Hebron; they they anointed David king over Israel. (verse 3)

Message: Israel Anoints David

Time: Second Samuel is set in the land of Israel during the reign of David and follows the course of his forty years as king of Israel (1011–971 BC). It chronicles the establishment of the Davidic dynasty and the expansion of Israel under God’s chosen leader. 

What the Lord is Saying: Ish-bosheth was killed in 2 Samuel 4 by two commanders of Saul's army almost for sport as the men that did it thought David would want that. But David saw this as capital punishment and those men were sentenced to death. With Ish-bosheth now passed, and the people acknowledge David now as their King remembering that the Lord said to him, "You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be a ruler over Israel." And so "King David made a covenant with them...they anointed David king over Israel." 

"David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned 40 years" splitting that reign between Judah for 7 years and in Jerusalem for 33 years over Israel and Judah. 

David takes residence in the stronghold of Zion. "David became greater and greater, for the Lord God of hosts was with him." 

The Lord had first anointed David as king back in I Samuel 16, several years prior. With the death of Saul, David lived in Hebron, anointed as King over Judah. However, Ish-bosheth was given Israel by Abner. Abner has now died, as well as Ish-bosheth and so the people rally behind and around David and declare him as King. The Lord previously anointed him, but now the people are involved in also declaring him as king. The Lord anoints and the people approve. 

David and his men now are to inhabit Jerusalem and make it the central place of power for his kingship. The Jebusites are there in Jerusalem and in fulfillment of a prophecy back in Genesis, David and his men seize the Jebusites and take the reign of Jerusalem.

Summary: David is anointed king over Israel, and eventually moves into Jerusalem, the strong hold for his reign as king for 40 years.

Promise: God’s timing is not our timing but we can continue to pray and trust that his promises will come to pass.

Prayer: Lord God, you are the king overall, but you place leaders in this world. At times some of those leaders don’t end up serving you or making decisions your ways, but they are still there for your glory. I pray that there would be Godly leaders throughout our lands. Help us as your people to remain confident in you, trusting in your mighty hand and your providence. Challenge me to be a leader, at work, at home, with my kids, and even as you call me to at church. Thank you for the friendships you have given me and the encouragement my friends provide me. Keep us focused on glorifying you always.

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

I Samuel 16:1-13 - The Anointing of David

I Samuel 16:1-13

But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not look at his outward appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (verse 7)

Message: The Anointing of David

Time: This book is a biography of Samuel's life and career up to his death. It took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC).

What the Lord is Saying: Now that the Lord has regretted Saul as King (15:35), he tells Samuel to not grieve (v.1) over something God has done. I think that's an important idea that sometimes we dwell on something that is over and complete. God has made a decision so we simply need to move on. 

Samuel fears his life. But The Lord plans a ceremony to show Saul who will choose - a sacrifice. God has "selected a king for Himself among his (Jesse the Bethlehemite) sons (verse 1)." 

No more playing the game of letting Israel select their king that ended up not being a man that will follow God. Israel had selected someone that looked good, was tall. He had the right appearance. The Lord confirms that He chooses people based upon their heart (verse 7). I think this is the first time I have read verse 7 and realized the first part of the verse was speaking about Saul. 

Samuel arrives in Bethlehem (verse 4) and invited Jesse and his sons to the sacrifice (v.5). It says in verse 5 in the NASB he consecrated those present. KJV says sanctified. To sanctify is "By the usual ceremonial purifications, such as washing the body and clothes, the outward symbols of spiritual preparation" (Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges). 

As the sons come in and come before Samuel, each son is presented - Abinadab, Shammah - in total "7 of his sons passed before Samuel (verse 10)."

Then it is discovered that the youngest is not even present. The youngest wasn't even thought to be included. And yet the youngest is who the Lord has his eye on. But he showed up and received the anointing by Samuel "in the midst of his brothers. (verse 13)" 

A lot went in to set David apart as king. All of the initial work, consecrating the gathering didn't even include the one person God set aside to be his king. But it was done. So far there isn't any mention of what David thought of this. But God has chosen him.

Summary: After Saul, the Lord shows Samuel perhaps an unlikely successor for king in David, as someone chosen by God and seen by God in His way, 

Promise: The Lord looks on the heart when He evaluates a person.

Prayer: O God, you are Holy and True. Thank you for reminding me the way you look at people and value them - looking at the heart. I want to have a good heart that honors You. Thank you for choosing me and calling Me to be Yours. Be glorified in me. Thank you for the people you have placed in my path. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

John 12:1-8 - The Anointing of Jesus

John 12:1-8

1 Jesus, therefore, six days before the Passover, came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. 2 So they made Him a supper there, and Martha was serving; but Lazarus was one of those reclining at the table with Him. 3 Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. 4 But Judas Iscariot, one of His disciples, who was intending to betray Him, said, 5 “Why was this perfume not sold for three hundred denarii and given to poor people?” 6 Now he said this, not because he was concerned about the poor, but because he was a thief, and as he had the money box, he used to pilfer what was put into it. 7 Therefore Jesus said, “Let her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of My burial. 8 For you always have the poor with you, but you do not always have Me.”

Message: The Anointing of Jesus

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)." 

What the Lord is Saying: After raising Lazarus from the dead in Chapter 11, the Pharisees plot to seize Jesus to kill him. Jesus goes to Ephraim (v. 54). The Passover is at hand (v. 55) and now in chapter 12 Jesus returns to Bethany (v. 1). Mary and Martha prepare a supper for him there with Lazarus reclining at the table (v. 2). [Note: from other Bible passages this is the home of Simon the Leper, who is likely part of this family.] The disciples seem to be present (v. 4) when Mary takes costly perfume and anoints Jesus' feet, wiping His feet with her hair filling the house with the fragrance of the perfume (v. 3). [Note: Matthew and Mark state the perfume is anointed on his head, so perhaps there is so much perfume that it is on his feet as well, pouring down or done separately.] Judas however is amazed because he says the perfume (equal to 11 month's wages) could have been sold and the money given to the poor, he says (v. 5). His words sounds noble, but John provides us more information here about Judas Iscariot, namely that he was the keeper of the money or rather he had the money box and he really wasn't concerned about the poor, rather he wants to hold onto to the money so he can take some of it for himself (v. 6). 

Jesus responds to the statement by Judas stating that Mary should be left alone. And the perfume should be kept for his burial. Poor will always be present but Jesus being with us is temporary. Thus, there is a correct time to give to the poor, but at this time, this is the time for Jesus. This anticipates His burial when it will once again be used at the day of His burial. 

It is not clear at first why Mary does this. Her family must be wealthy for her to even have this flask of perfume. She is still thankful for the raising of Lazarus. She must have some extravagant love for Jesus. 

Summary: Jesus is anointed by Mary after a meal is served and cites this is His time for this rather than giving to the poor from the proceeds of the sale of perfume. 

Promise: We are to use our resources to honor Christ and His church at the appropriate time, as we are led. 

Prayer: Lord, give me wisdom about the timing of giving to those in need. I have people in my life that have monetary needs. I have befriended them and they continually look to me to rescue them. They are young. Help me to know when it is appropriate to give and when I need to teach them. Help me in other circumstances to know when to give of my time in ministering to others and sharing with others the truth of Your love. Give me this wisdom. Help me to be a good stewards of all of the gifts that You have given me. Be glorified always in my life. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

Mark 14:3-9 - Jesus' Anointing in Bethany

Mark 14:3-9
3 While He was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, and reclining at the table, there came a woman with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard; and she broke the vial and poured it over His head. 4 But some were indignantly remarking to one another, “Why has this perfume been wasted? 5 For this perfume might have been sold for over three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they were scolding her. 6 But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you bother her? She has done a good deed to Me. 7 For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you do not always have Me. 8 She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial. 9 Truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her.”

Message: Jesus' Anointing in Bethany

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - It is two days before the Passover, before the appointed crucifixion. The priests and scribes are wanting to seize Jesus and kill him but being the Passover they also are concerned about many coming to his defense. God is sovereign. His plans will prevail.

While He was in Bethany - Jesus is residing here often in Bethany. Bethany is outside of Jerusalem and seems to be a home base for Jesus. Bethany is about 1.5 miles from Jerusalem. Jesus is at the home of Simon the leper. Simon has probably recovered from leprosy and he is most likely the father of Mary, Martha and Lazarus. While Jesus is in the house, there came a woman with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard; and she broke the vial and poured it over His head. In the gospel of John the woman is identified as Mary. The explanation of what she did sounds simple. But, the why of what she did was probably a little bit of a mystery as the disciples were probably present. But some were indignantly remarking to one another,“Why has this perfume been wasted?

There is wonder of what has occurred. It doesn't make sense that the perfume, the costly perfume would be used in this way. My guess is odors were common place in this day. There were probably many with offensive smells. It might be even possible for Jesus to have an offensive smell. And so there was probably bewilderment at various levels regarding why someone would pour an entire vile on one person. Mark says it was poured over the head. In John, it is said that in addition to the head, it went on Jesus' feet and Mary then wiped it off with her hair. Either Mary knew that Jesus needed to be anointed or the Holy Spirit moved her to do this in one way or another.

It was remarked, the Gospel of John says the remark came by way of Judas, For this perfume might have been sold for over three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.” And they were scolding her.  To give to the poor means that it had value they thought for anything better than what has been done.

It is interesting here that the men once again get it wrong while the women, namely Mary, gets it right. How often do the men stumble in these situations with Jesus. And yet Mary gets it right. I think that is interesting because I think in this day and age where women are continually at the forefront regarding their rights, it is thought that women don't reach women well and yet Jesus points out that it is the women that are getting it. But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you bother her? She has done a good deed to Me. Jesus remarks that what she has done is good. She has been told by others it has been a waste, but it is done and Jesus praises the act. He says - For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you do not always have Me. It is not that the poor don't need the funds but Jesus is really saying that the poor are always present so it should be understood that they are always able and should be receiving donations.

She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial. She has seized the day, the moment. This time will not occur again. She must have known something significant was occurring in Jesus' life. Perhaps she was led by the Holy Spirit and now in Jesus' words she hears that it is true, Jesus will be buried. So, to her it is confirmed that it is true.

Truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her. Jesus' words is correct. This story will be remembered and has been remembered. This devotion to Jesus has gone on in history. She had the right motives and Jesus recognized this.

Summary - Jesus is anointed in Bethany, which is about a mile and half outside of Jerusalem. It is getting closer to Passover and therefore his death. He has predicted it. Perhaps the disciples didn't want to accept it. But, word of it has gotten to Mary and she now uses this as opportunity to anoint Jesus' head and feet. People like Judas think this is a waste of resources and could have been spent on the poor. But, Jesus calls this a good thing that Mary has done. This was the time.

Promise: We show our gratitude to God by our gifts to him. Anytime we give, it is a good thing.

Prayer: O Father God, you are holy and true. Thank you for this good message about Mary's love for you and the moving of the Holy Spirit to give this sacrifice. She had little and it was all given to you, at that time. Thank you Lord for your sacrifice and then giving all of You to us. Lord, I praise your name.

Psalm 132:1-10 - A Commitment to Worship

Psalm 132:1-10
¹ Remember, O Lord, on David’s behalf, all his affliction;
² How he swore to the Lord and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob,
³ “Surely I will not enter my house, nor lie on my bed;
⁴ I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids,
⁵ Until I find a place for the Lord, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.”

⁶ Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah, we found it in the field of Jaar.
⁷ Let us go into His dwelling place; let us worship at His footstool.
⁸ Arise, O Lord, to Your resting place, you and the ark of Your strength.
⁹ Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness, and let Your godly ones sing for joy.

¹⁰ For the sake of David Your servant, do not turn away the face of Your anointed.

Message:  A Commitment to Worship

Time: Based upon authorship and subject matter, Psalms cover a range of centuries. David is mentioned 73 times, Solomon 2, Moses 1, and 50 designate no specific person. It is believed they were compiled around 537 BC. The psalms deal with such subjects as God and His creation, war, worship, wisdom, sin and evil, judgment, justice, and the coming of the Messiah.

What the Lord is Saying: A man after God's heart is someone that loves God, trusts His commands, and is willing to be obedient to His Word. He recognizes his sin. And when he sins, he recognizes that God forgives sin and that he is to turn from that sin and desire to please God in all that he does. David was not perfect and this is true. But still he believed God.

I am seeing that God sustains my life and permeates all of it. He rescues me and he sets me on the course that is most pleasing to me and him and so I worship him. I do notice that my worship of God is not consistent. Or I wonder if it is part of my life and just not in the way I normally identify worship.  

I spent much of my time in prayer, asking. Praising God for who he is and what he has already done is often absent from my lips. I need to praise God and also in scripture I see the importance of places of worship. The temple is mentioned repeatedly in the Old Testament. It is important in our life that I continue to worship God and we gather at a place of worship, a place that is separate from where I reside and live. This is who I am in Christ, separated from the world. 

Psalm 132 overview
The first 10 verses deal with David's praise to God to build Him a house in Jerusalem. It is most likely a Psalm from the lips of Hezekiah. 

Lord remember David, and all his afflictions. Lord, David is anxious. He desires to build a temple for God in Jerusalem. All of his works were dedicated to this. 

How he swore to the Lord and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob. At Bethel, Jacob was running away from home. But, as he ran, he suddenly realized that this God who had been the God of Isaac his father and Abraham his grandfather, could also be His God. Thus, he makes a vow to God, a solemn vow and here Hezekiah agrees with this vow. David made it. Jacob made it. And I can make it as well. 

Surely I will not enter my house, nor lie on my bed; I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids. Am I tireless in my purpose in securing this place of worship? Do I take spiritual things in my life seriously? God desires that from his people. I am not sure I have a real self-abandoned approach to worship and entering the house of the Lord. Once again, the ease with which anything happens, including attending church in which churches are numerous, makes one think that attending church is not that difficult. But, difficulty is not the issue here, but rather passion and desire. 

Until I find a place for the Lord, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob. It would take David years to find this place. But, he never gave up. He found it, a mighty rock on Mount Moriah.

Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah, we found it in the field of Jaar.  The news of David vow to the Lord was heard throughout the kingdom. Let us go into His dwelling place; let us worship at His footstool. Ephrathah was where David's kinfolk or family members reside. And here is their desire to go also to this dwelling place, to agree with David. Family can be the most difficult to win over, but David's family now embraced his vow to the Lord. 

Arise, O Lord, to Your resting place, you and the ark of Your strength. These same words were used by Solomon in 2 Chronicles 6:41 when dedicating the temple he had built. And here similar words are ascribed to the Lord because the temple had been cleansed; and the work of purifying and rededicating the temple was finished. 

Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness, and let Your godly ones sing for joy. Here he asks God to now clothe his priests with righteousness. He urged them to be right with God, but it was God's work to make them righteous. 

For the sake of David Your servant, do not turn away the face of Your anointed. Hezekiah pleads before the Lord not his own life and name, but the name of one greater than himself -- David. It was the greatest name he knew. For his sake, he asks God to keep his face toward His anointed ones. He knows that he must come to the Lord not on his own merit. And we also plead the name of Jesus, a greater name than David, to rescue us from ourselves. 

Promise: Worship is a time to rest and relax in the presence of the Lord. 

Prayer: Lord, help me to be more concerned about coming to the temple of you Lord. Lord, you are true and I want to consecrate myself to you. Help me to get excited about worshiping you. Help me to focus and concentrate myself on worshiping you and going to the house of worship. Lord, you can rest, for myself and the people of God are before you, worshiping you, giving you praise, setting aside all that they are to come before you.

Psalm 89:19-37 - God's Eternal Covenant with God

Psalm 89:19-37

 ¹⁹ Once You spoke in vision to Your godly ones, and said, “I have given help to one who is mighty; I have exalted one chosen from the people.
²⁰ “I have found David My servant; with My holy oil I have anointed him,
²¹ With whom My hand will be established; my arm also will strengthen him.
²² “The enemy will not deceive him, nor the son of wickedness afflict him.
²³ “But I shall crush his adversaries before him, and strike those who hate him.
²⁴ “My faithfulness and My lovingkindness will be with him, and in My name his horn will be exalted.
²⁵ “I shall also set his hand on the sea and his right hand on the rivers.
²⁶ “He will cry to Me, ‘You are my Father, My God, and the rock of my salvation.’
²⁷ “I also shall make him My firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.
²⁸ “My lovingkindness I will keep for him forever, and My covenant shall be confirmed to him.
²⁹ “So I will establish his descendants forever and his throne as the days of heaven.

³⁰ “If his sons forsake My law and do not walk in My judgments,
³¹ If they violate My statutes and do not keep My commandments,
³² Then I will punish their transgression with the rod and their iniquity with stripes.
³³ “But I will not break off My lovingkindness from him, nor deal falsely in My faithfulness.
³⁴ “My covenant I will not violate, nor will I alter the utterance of My lips.
³⁵ “Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie to David.
³⁶ “His descendants shall endure forever and his throne as the sun before Me.
³⁷ “It shall be established forever like the moon, and the witness in the sky is faithful.” Selah.

Message: God's Eternal Covenant with God

Time: The psalms were written by many different people across a period of a thousand years in Israel's history. They are thought to have been compiled and put together in their present form by some unknown editor shortly after the captivity ended about 537 B.C.


What the Lord is Saying:

Lord, in the past, You spoke in vision, as was your normal way of speaking to the Holy prophets, Your godly ones, you have given help to one who is mighty, a singular one, whom you have properly qualified and exalted one chosen one from the people, for so great of an undertaking. There is scarce a man to be found among all men. I have found out of all the people, David My servant, and with My holy oil I have anointed him producing the Spirit of the Lord upon him. Thus, My hand will be established in him, constantly able to protect and assist him and support him in all that he does. He may be persecuted, but no advantage will be made against him.  The enemy will not deceive him, nor the son of wickedness afflict him or overthrow him. The enemy will not conquer him. There will always be enemies and adversaries before God's anointed ones, but God shall crush and strike those who hate him. And Lord, your faithfulness will be with your servant. You always make good on your promises. Your lovingkindness and mercy are present in that you always do more than you promise. You pardon our sins. In Your name your horn (power) will be exalted. You set your hand on the sea and your right hand on the rivers. You establish your dominion over the waters. The waters are vast but you are in charge. They are deep but you understand. You power is established farther than we can see. We cry to You, 'You are my Father, My God, and the rock of my salvation.'  You are a true and kind father, my father, my God, and you can complete salvation in me.Thank you Father for making me as a firstborn, the highest kings of the earth. The firstborn had privileges above all other sons. But David here is the highest of kings over the earth. For David, My lovingkindness (mercy) Lord God will keep for him forever nothing will alter your kind intentions. God you will establish his descendants forever and his throne as the days of heaven (without limit). Lord, if your sons forsake Your law and do not walk in Your judgments, if they violate Your statutes (rules) and do not keep Your commandments then you will punish their sin with the rod and their iniquity with stripes, but You will not break off Your mercy (lovingkindness from him, nor deal falsely in My faithfulness. Lord, your promises will continue. We can hold firm on this one and only promise. Your covenant You will not violate. You will not alter the utterance of Your lips. Your word remains true, no matter what. Yes consequences from sin will result, but Your word remains. Lord, you added a promise or oath or have sworn by Your holiness. You will not lie to David. Your descendants shall endure forever and your throne as the sun before Me. It shall be established forever like the moon and the witness in the sky is faithful. As the moon and sky never depart from our lives, we can be reminded that your merciful promises will remain. 


Promise: God's promises remain, forever, like the moon, like the sky, for he has made an oath, sworn that it would be so.

Psalm 78:40-66 - Idolatry and Restoration

Psalm 78:40-66

^40-44 How often they rebelled against Him in the wilderness and grieved Him in the desert! Again and again they tempted God, and pained the Holy One of Israel. They did not remember His power, the day when He redeemed them from the adversary, when He performed His signs in Egypt and His marvels in the field of Zoan, and turned their rivers to blood, and their streams, they could not drink.
^45-51 He sent among them swarms of flies which devoured them, and frogs which destroyed them. He gave also their crops to the grasshopper and the product of their labor to the locust. He destroyed their vines with hailstones and their sycamore trees with frost. He gave over their cattle also to the hailstones and their herds to bolts of lightning. He sent upon them His burning anger, fury and indignation and trouble, a band of destroying angels. He leveled a path for His anger; He did not spare their soul from death, but gave over their life to the plague, and smote all the firstborn in Egypt, the first issue of their virility in the tents of Ham.
^52-55 But He led forth His own people like sheep and guided them in the wilderness like a flock; He led them safely, so that they did not fear; but the sea engulfed their enemies. So He brought them to His holy land, to this hill country which His right hand had gained. He also drove out the nations before them and apportioned them for an inheritance by measurement, and made the tribes of Israel dwell in their tents. 

^56-58 Yet they tempted and rebelled against the Most High God and did not keep His testimonies, But turned back and acted treacherously like their fathers; they turned aside like a treacherous bow. For they provoked Him with their high places and aroused His jealousy with their graven images. 
^59-64 When God heard, He was filled with wrath and greatly abhorred Israel; So that He abandoned the dwelling place at Shiloh, the tent which He had pitched among men, And gave up His strength to captivity and His glory into the hand of the adversary. He also delivered His people to the sword, and was filled with wrath at His inheritance. Fire devoured His young men, and His virgins had no wedding songs. His priests fell by the sword, and His widows could not weep.

^65-66 Then the Lord awoke as if from sleep, like a warrior overcome by wine. He drove His adversaries backward; He put on them an everlasting reproach.

Message: Idolatry and Restoration

Time: The psalms were written by many different people across a period of a thousand years in Israel's history. They are thought to have been compiled and put together in their present form by some unknown editor shortly after the captivity ended about 537 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

In some ways not much is different in this passage than what was presented in the previous reading from Psalm 78. This Psalm continues to speak of people rebelling, the Lord continues to guide them and yet people respond by turning their back on Him. And so God puts forth his wrath on people. And still he is merciful toward them.

There is an idea in these verses that seems a little baffling to me and that is that God isn't forcing himself on people. He is providing for them over and over and he believes that through this providence and his rescuing that people will find their refuge in Him. Sometimes his wrath will be displayed. He is a God who is to be praised, but the goal is for people to respond to Him. The goal is for each of us to turn from our ways and acknowledge Him as Lord and God.

They did not remember his power
In verses 40-44 this is the message I see. People did not see His power. We do this today. We look at weather and we have an explanation. We look at storms and we have an explanation. We look at all these events and we simply say there are patterns of weather that are making things happen. Sometimes we call this "Mother earth" but there is a growing trend to not call them acts of God. Our rebellion towards God must grieve Him. Man just doesn't acknowledge God's power. 

They went their own way
Also in verses 40-44 is the action of turning away from God. They rebelled against Him. They tempted God. They did not remember all God did for them. I get too distracted with the immediate and I forget the good times.

He tried to get their attention
In verses 45-51, God did things to these people. He used animals and weather, bad things to get their attention. If they don't acknowledge God, he will show them his power. But, no one wants to say these tornadoes or tsunami's or hurricanes come from the Lord. They only want a God that does good things to them. I don't blame them. When good happens, we are fine, but when bad happens we often turn away. It is only when the matter gets beyond our control that we turn to God.

He led his own people. 
There is a contrast here that God led his own people in verses 52-55. So far what I have read in this section is the people did not remember his power and they went their own way, yet God tried to get there attention and through it all he led them. God is leading us. God is leading us and often I need to remember this. I think I get too focused on what I see. He uses the sheep and shepherd idea here. The shepherd is always leading, but at times I go off track or I wander, but this doesn't mean God has stopped leading. I need to trust in God more through each day, each moment. I need to believe that He is at work. I stare too much at my surroundings and not enough at God. I live too much of my life focused on what I want and sometimes I forget to see what God has already provided and I forget to be thankful.

Yet, we turn aside
Verses 56-58 speak that even though God led his people, we rebel. I am a sinner. I sin. I doubt and I question God. He knows this is going to happen. He knows I will rebel and not keep commandments, turn back and act unbecoming to people around me. And through it all I also start looking to other things that I think will satisfy me. 

God can get mad
And I need to remember that God can be bothered at times by my actions as it describes in verses 59-64.  I need to remember that I measure myself each day not against other people but against Jesus and his standard. And if I'm not perfect, I'm a sinner and I deserve his wrath. I spend too much time looking at other people and what they have and wonder why I don't have the same thing. Help me God to be more focused on my relationship with you and not on other people and what they have or don't have. Everyone is different and my job is to trust you with where I am at right now. I can pray for something better and it may result but through it all I can trust you. And if bad things happen, you have your reasons. This nature gets further from you and we now have more natural disasters and more people killing one another and you are showing us racism is a problem and yet we act surprised when things don't go well. Lord, could you be mad at us? If so, help us see that the answer is us to follow you.

God hasn't left
In these final 2 verses, I remember God that you are still there. You haven't left. From my vantage point, you coming to the rescue looks like to me that you finally woke up. But you never sleep. Again, Lord, help me trust in You.


Promise: No matter what, God rescues His people.

Psalm 45:1-9 - The Divine and Davidic Throne

Psalm 45:1-9 

My heart overflows with a good theme; I address my verses to the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer. You are fairer than the sons of men; Grace is poured upon Your lips; Therefore God has blessed You forever. Gird Your sword on Your thigh, O Mighty One, In Your splendor and Your majesty! And in Your majesty ride on victoriously, For the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; Let Your right hand teach You awesome things. Your arrows are sharp; The peoples fall under You; Your arrows are in the heart of the King’s enemies. Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of joy above Your fellows. All Your garments are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; Out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made You glad. Kings’ daughters are among Your noble ladies; At Your right hand stands the queen in gold from Ophir.

Message: The Divine and Davidic Throne

Time: The psalms were written by many different people across a period of a thousand years in Israel's history. They are thought to have been compiled and put together in their present form by some unknown editor shortly after the captivity ended about 537 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying: 

This Psalm is a love song, written for the celebration of marriage between king and queen, though in the NASB (above) God is recognized throughout this Psalm as the ultimately the God who appoints kings.

This Psalm is also a hard Psalm. I am struggling a little with it, not real sure what I am supposed to get out of it. I have been looking at it for the past couple of days now and I'm not real sure about it.

This is a King or a monarchy that follows the Lord: You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Again, something I have struggled with or rather, found challenging, as I read these Psalms is how my prayer life often doesn't praise God or acknowledge God for who He is. My prayers are all about supplication and requests and needs versus praise and being satisfied for who God is and what He has done.

In a way, this is a Psalm that praises the King that we have in the King of Kings. He is fair. He is upright. His reign is forever and ever. He anoints people and gives His power to them. Grace is on His lips. He blesses earthly kings. He is full of splendor and majesty. People bow down before Him.

Lord, I want to serve You and speak to You through my prayers in a way that honors You correctly. Forgive me for simply coming to you with requests and what I need and not starting out singing your praises. Lord, you are the King of Kings. You are fair. You are upright. Your reign is forever and ever. You anoint people and give them power. Grace is on Your Lips. You bless us and all earthly kings. You are full of splendor and majesty and we bow down before you. You are great indeed.

Promise: Look for leaders that humbly serve God and His people. 

Psalm 23: The Lord, Our Shepherd (Part 4)

Psalm 23 - The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Message: My Shepherd, So I don't have a want

Time:  The psalms were written by many different people across a period of a thousand years in Israel's history. They are thought to have been compiled and put together in their present form by some unknown editor shortly after the captivity ended about 537 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

Today I continue with verse 5 of this celebrated Psalm. I've often wondered why so many people revert back to this Psalm and call it out as their favorite passage in scripture. As I study it, I see that it is in fact a fantastic lament and promise from God. It makes me wonder if people really comprehend its words.

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." On the heels of seeing that the shepherd will walk me through, showing me the right way and right path, difficult times or sadness or sorrow or low points of my life, I see now that He will prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. From the first verse was the statement, "I shall not want," and ever since there has been the idea that God provides for my needs and he is there with me in the low points of life. And He is also there for me in the presence of my enemies.

God, the Shepherd, provides a feast for me in front of my enemies. My enemies may want the feast but God has provided it for me. God will provide for my needs. It feels sometimes like people that are enemies of God or have no regard for God, get everything they want or desire. They live a happy life, it seems and have discovered through things or ambition, that life can be fulfilling. They have found their answers.

God anoints my head with oil. This is a customary act of pouring oil on a persons head with abundance to the point of making fat. There is abundance of God's provision.

My Cup Overflows. From Spurgeon:

The intention of the Psalmist was to picture himself as a favored guest in the house of the Lord. When you are entertained in an Oriental house, a portion of meat is served out for you which constitutes your mess or portion; to highly esteemed and welcomed guests, a further honor is given, oil is poured upon the head; and yet further, a certain cup is placed before the favored one containing the portion which he is to drink. Now David felt himself to be not a beggar knocking at the door of Mercy, receiving a crust and a sip by the way, but he felt that he had been received by the great Master of the feast, and permitted to sit down to receive the supply of all his necessities, and what was more, to receive of the luxuries of the feast as one who was thoroughly and heartily welcomed to all that was provided. Brothers and Sisters, a little while ago you and I were among the blind, and the halt, and the lame lurking in the hedges and the highways, far off from the heavenly banquet—but Eternal Mercy has brought us, by living Faith, to sit down at the feast which Mercy has prepared! This day ours is the lot of those who are saved! Ours is a portion with the Justified! We sit at the table, this day, with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob—having been made children and heirs of God, even as they were. We participate in the pardon, the Justification, and the security which God gave to His saints in the olden times, and which Christ clearly revealed to His Apostles in the latter days. All heavenly things are ours! We are denied none of the luxuries of the Banquet of Mercy. Whatever belonged to any child of God belongs to us; whatever was enjoyed by the brightest of the saints may be enjoyed by us, if by Faith we are sitting at the table of Divine Grace! 

Promise:  God has set me apart and made me more special than I will ever know.

Psalm 2:1-6 - Opposing the Lord's Anointed

Psalm 2:1-6
¹ Why are the nations in an uproar
And the peoples devising a vain thing?
² The kings of the earth take their stand
And the rulers take counsel together
Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,
³ “Let us tear their fetters apart
And cast away their cords from us!”

⁴ He who sits in the heavens laughs,
The Lord scoffs at them.
⁵ Then He will speak to them in His anger
And terrify them in His fury, saying,
⁶ “But as for Me, I have installed My King
Upon Zion, My holy mountain.”

Message: Opposing the Lord and His Anointed

Time: The psalms were written by many different people across a period of a thousand years in Israel's history. They are thought to have been compiled and put together in their present form by some unknown editor shortly after the captivity ended about 537 B.C.
 

What the Lord is Saying:

The Plot

At my first glance, this is a Psalm written about the Lord and His Anointed. The world or non followers are not pleased with the Lord. They are in an uproar, devising, taking their stand and counsel against the Lord and His Anointed. 

Can I take it? Am I willing to accept that my faith will be unwelcome by many but the Lord will give me strength?  The non-Israelites assemble together and get in a rage. They are angry. They are bothered. It is the heathen, the kings, the rules that are forming this opposition. They were engaged in designing something but the result would be in vain. 

I wonder sometimes if I somewhat dance around my faith because to be completely authentic would be unpopular. I think of people like Kirk Cameron who has been very clear about his beliefs and proclaiming his faith and that is unpopular. People make fun of him. It's kind of like the atheist guy I've been talking to. He says I can believe what I want, "Go Ahead," but keep it to myself. 

Verse 1 refers to the nation or heathen. It is broad, but verse 2 is more specific and refers to the kings of the earth and rulers coming together. Rulers generally have each their own agenda, but here in this matter, they are coming together. They are against God. And they are against who is has anointed. Many believe that the Anointed One is Jesus or the Messiah. It is definitely someone that, at this time, the people were against. It was someone designated by God. 

Verse 3 mentions, "Let us tear their fetters apart" or "Let us break their bands asunder." There was a goal that God and His anointed had, a unity, a coming together that the rulers were threatened by and wanted to break apart. And there was concern of the cords that would be bound by those following the Lord and His anointed. People would come together and make a strong cord following the Lord and His anointed. 

So, this is the situation. What is the response I am to have to people that oppose truth, that oppose the Lord and His anointed? This opposition is a daily occurrence as I witness people constantly speaking against God. 

 

The Plot Thwarted

God allows the plots of man to work out their infinite folly to their own shame. 

While men rage and are tumultuous in opposing his plans (verse 1 and 2), God sits calm and undisturbed in his own heaven (verse 4 and 5). I see this very often as people will attach religion and faith over and over. People spend their lives discrediting it while just assuming that their way is the right way. God laughs. He proceeds in a calm manner executing his plans. 

 

I find that it is interesting here in that the response to the rulers devising a plan is the Lord reasserts His plan. We can trust that God has things under control. I think often we are too quick to feel like we must defend God and belittle people. God has it in his control. He knows what to do. We are to follow His commands and continue to love people and share the Gospel truth with them. 

 

God will speak to them. He will terrify them. They are to submit and surrender to Him and it is very important that they get the right message of the Gospel. God will deal with people's sins. 

 

God has installed My King or My Messiah (verse 6). This is spoken like it is already completed. The nations, kings of the earth, rulers had their plans, but God has his. The holy hill of Zion is the highest point of the hills of Jerusalem.

 

Promise: God will defeat His enemies and ours.