2 Samuel 22:32-51 - Kindness to the Lord's Anointed

2 Samuel 22:32-51

He is a tower of deliverance to His king, and shows lovingkindness to His anointed, To David and his descendants forever. (verse 51)

Message: Kindness to the Lord's Anointed

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: The author of 2 Samuel starts to conclude the life of David by offering here a song of praise with God as David's deliverer, fully expressing God's intervention in David's life. David continues his song to God showing how his righteous living results in good outcomes. And now in today's lesson is the conclusion of this song or hymn to the Lord. 

We express our thanks to God. As we walk with God in life, we recognize His hand of providence and for this we express our thanks. 

"For who is God, besides the Lord? And who is a rock, besides our God? God is my strong fortress. And He sets the blameless in His way. He makes my feet like hinds' feet, and sets me on my high places." I can navigate difficulties in my life because God is God. Because he is my rock, my strong fortress. He anchors me. I can navigate difficulties because God is present. I have His support. The difficult terrain is there and part of my journey, but God stabilizes me. He will lift me up. 

"He trains my hands for battle, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. Thou hast also given me the shield of Thy salvation, and Thy help makes me great. Thou does enlarge my steps under me, and my feet have not slipped. I pursued my enemies and destroyed them, and I did not turn back until they were consumed. And I have devoured them and shattered them, so that they did not rise, and they fell under my feet. For thou has girded me with strength for battle; Thou hast subdued under me those who rose up against me. Thou hast also made my enemies turn their backs to me, and I destroyed those who hated me." David recognizes that he is strong because of the Lord God. That God makes him great. That God prepares him on his path so that his feet do not slip off target. That he is victorious over his enemies because of God's strength. That they fell under his feet because of His working. He places enemies below him and those that hate him are destroyed. Thus, David constantly is thankful to God for any and all victories in his life. God is the reason for his greatness and doing great. Lord, help me be more thankful in life for all that you are doing. 

"They looked, but there was none to save; even to the Lord, but He did not answer them. Then I pulverized them as the dust of the earth. I crushed and stamped them as the mire of the streets. Thou hast also delivered me from the contentions of my people; thou hast kept me as head of the nations; a people whom I have not known serve me. Foreigners pretend obedience to me; as soon as they hear, they obey me. Foreigners lose heart, and come trembling out of their fortresses." There are those that are chosen by God and there are those that are not. God saves some and some He does not. David is a chosen one and with God by His side he delivers him from the contentions of his people. People might look like they are on David's side but He can only count on God. 

"The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock; and exalted be God, the rock of my salvation, the God who executes vengeance for me, and brings down peoples under me. Who also brings me out from my enemies; thou dost even lift me above those who rise up against me; thou dost rescue me from the violent man. Therefore I will give thanks to Thee, O Lord, among the nations, and I will sing praises to Thy name. He is a tower of deliverance to His king, and shows lovingkindness to His anointed, To David and his descendants forever."  Once again, David returns praise to God. Blessed be God. Exalted be God. God who takes care of my enemies. God who pulls me from my enemies. God rescues me. Therefore I give thanks to Him. He sings praises to His name. He shows me lovingkindness, both for me and all His anointed. 

Summary: God stabilizes me. I am only strong because of God. David is one of his chosen one's, but not all are chosen. David praises God. I give thanks to Him. 

Promise: In this life, we will have trouble, but God is with us. 

Prayer: Lord, you make me stand firm. You stabilize me. You work out my good and you protect me from those that are against me for there are always. Lord, it is true that not all are your chosen ones and some are not in your favor. You defeat them and I return my praise to You always. Your name is great. I praise You. I thank You. In life there will be trouble but You are with me. Thank you God and praise You God. 

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

I Samuel 19 - Saul among the Prophets

I Samuel 19

So he proceeded there to Naioth in Ramah; but the Spirit of God came upon him also, so that he went along prophesying continually until he came to Naioth in Ramah. (verse 23)

Message: Saul among the Prophets

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: David continues to make a name for himself. It was back in I Samuel 16 that the Lord told Samuel to go to Bethlehem (16:1 - I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, because I have chosen a king for Myself among his sons). Samuel had 8 sons. The seven oldest were paraded before Samuel but none were it. He was directed to David. And yet even though David was chosen, his time to be king had not arrived.  What follows is David coming forward to slay Goliath, Jonathan (Saul's son) starting a special bond with David, David and Jonathan looking to the Lord for guidance and direction, and David getting the opportunity to slay Philistines, and getting married to Saul's daughter Michal. While all of this is going on Saul is not happy. He probably sees what is going on. He sees David as a rival. The people of Israel are noticing David and giving him credit now instead of Saul getting all of it.  

For Saul, an evil spirit is being mentioned now, sent by God (16:14, 18:10). In Chapter 16, David's harp playing soothes Saul. In Chapter 18, Saul tries to get rid of David with a spear, pinning him against a wall, but he escapes. Saul also puts David in charge of his army (18:13), but more likely to put him in harm's way and it backfires. What David has is being chosen by God. He has victories and Saul is jealous. 

In chapter 19, verse 1, "Saul told his son Jonathan and all his servants to put David to death." No more playing around Saul. Plain and simple. He wants David dead. "But Jonathan...." David has an ally in the family in Jonathan and and Jonathan told Saul all that David had done in conquering Philistines and how much this helped Saul. So Saul agrees before David and Jonathan not to kill David. But these words are empty. He really has no reason to keep this vow (verse 6). 

Verse 9 mentions the evil spirit from the Lord again and once again while David is playing the harp, Saul tries to pin him against the wall, but David escapes. Saul sends messengers to David's house but Michal helps David, as he goes out a window on a rope and she wraps an idol in a blanket to act has David lying down. But Saul has his men go back to retrieve the sleeping David and the caper is exposed. They find out where David has fled (Ramah) but David is now with Samuel. Saul's messengers show up but in the process the Spirit of God moves in Saul's messengers and they also prophesied with Saul. Three times Saul sends messengers and then finally goes himself and the same thing happens, he starts prophesying.

God can use anyone to accomplish his purposes. The Messengers and then Saul were diverted by the Lord to prophesy or sing hymns. David was able to get away. Just as the Lord had sent an evil spirit, he also sends to Saul's messengers and Saul the ability to prophecy. This is an important distinction. God at work in others does not mean that those individuals are called by Him, set apart as His favored Children or chosen one's. At any time God can work in people's lives for His good purpose. I think that's a compelling idea and also a little bit of a warning that even though we might see someone with the appearance of acting in the name of God, it doesn't mean they have been called by God and yet that can still be a person that God uses to impact others or keep His children safe and protected. 

Summary: 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. 

Promise: Matthew Henry, "serving in ministry is in itself no proof of conversion."    

Prayer: O God, you are the protector of your people. You will not let anything happen to your people and will save them from eternal harm. It is hard at times to see people not trust in You that appear to have trusted in You in the past. I know I am always trying to figure out who is saved and who isn't. But, that isn't my job. My job is to be faithful to Your calling on my life and be a faithful ambassador. Help me to stay in my lane and trust You always for the work You do. Thank you for protecting me and giving me so many blessings. Bless others. Give many comfort that are striving and having tough lives.  Be glorified always and keep me rooted in You. 

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

Judges 15 - Samson Avenges Himself on the Philistines

Judges 15

Then Samson said,

“With the jawbone of a donkey,

Heaps upon heaps,

With the jawbone of a donkey

I have killed a thousand men.”

Message: Samson Avenges Himself on the Philistines

Time: Judges covers about 250 years from death of Joshua to birth of Samuel (1360-1110 BC). The people of Israel largely divided with different local triable judges. It was a period of stirring interventions by the Lord and also great disobedience on the part of the Israelites. Without a king, everyone did right in their own eyes (Judges 21:25). 

What the Lord is Saying: As I continue to study Joshua and now Judges, one thing that stands out is while God used these men and worked his will through them, many of the men he used were not necessarily men of piety that I am to emulate. It also makes sense that in the last 20 years, there have been biblical like TV shows chronicling these individuals and to good reason, they lived sordid lives. They had difficulty often with temptations from women that we have today. They did not stay true to God's ways but entered into relationships with people of the world. On one level, their imperfect ways is encouraging for me, for I am far from perfect. Somewhere in Joshua I recorded that certain leaders from tribes allowed the non-Israelites to remain in the land. 

The Philistines are one of those groups that remained. Samson's first wife, Timnah, was a Philistine, though he later abandons her. 

This chapter begins with a back and forth of fighting fire with fire. It starts with Samson approaching the abandoned wife, Timnah, bringing a gift of a young goat, and wanting to sleep with his wife. But the father intercedes with the idea, "That ship has sailed but I can offer her younger sister." Samson doesn't like that idea. He therefore plans an attack, grabbing foxes, torches between the tails, end to end, lighting fire to the torches and releasing the foxes to run and burn themselves and the all of the crops. Naturally, the people did not like this. They find out the reason for him doing this is vengeance toward his wife and her father for not getting what he believes is his. The Philistines then kill the father and daughter. Samson did not like that and responded by striking many people and then hid in a cleft of a rock (1-8). Samson's remark, "As they did to me, so I have done to them" (v. 11). 

The Philistine go to Judah but Judah shows up to Samson wondering why the Philistines have been come to them with anger when the Philistines rule over them. Samson agrees to allow Judah to tie him up and hand him over to the Philistines. But the Lord was not done with Samson. His death probably loomed so the Spirit of the Lord came upon him (v. 14) and used a jawbone from a donkey to kill a thousand men. He goes to the Lord for provision of water and the Lord makes a way for him to have water and his strength returned to him. 

There is a good way to serve the Lord and a not so good way. I am not to emulate this episode in Samson's life. There is also the reminder, that God's will is to be done, no matter what the circumstances appear. God is in control. I think he obviously prefers Godly people, but either way he will carry out his purposes. His plan is bigger than we can see. 

Summary: Samson and the Philistines fight fire with fire. Eventually, Samson prevails, but only because of the Spirit of the Lord giving him the power. 

Promise: The Lord redeems us and uses us despite our sin. 

Prayer: You are Lord of All, God. I believe we need to be a people that honors you at all times, but your ways will occur whether we are faithful in all the areas we need to be. You choose your people to be your people. You have a purpose in that. I admit, it is not always clear. Maybe it seems clearer today amongst many because of the morality of the day, but there continue to be men of God that falter - struggling with sexual sin and/or other types of vices in their lives that often cause hurt and pain to many around them. I am not to condone that behavior and yet the work you have done through them is not null and void. Our culture does get caught up in cancelling them and everything they did and have done, but you still do great deeds through people who sin. I pray that people would see that your will is to be done. 

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

Jeremiah 12

I have been starting to read the Bible through - following the M'Cheyne Reading Plan "Secret."

Today I read from Jeremiah 12 and prepared this outline based upon my thoughts from Enduring Word. 

What the Lord is Saying:

JEREMIAH'S QUESTION AND GOD'S ANSWER

Jeremiah's question to God - verses 1-4

• You are righteous God (1)
• Why does the way of the wicked prosper (1)
• The wicked have fruit which you plant (2)
• These wicked know God (speak it) but far from Him (their mind) (2)
• But, you Lord know me (3)
• Prepare the wicked for slaughter (judgment) (3)
• Because meanwhile the land mourns as this seemingly unfairness continues (4)

God's answer to Jeremiah - verses 5-6

• The Lord points him to the real issue - namely he has asked Jeremiah to do something and his response is to look around at the wicked and question their fruit (5)
• The Lord points out that Jeremiah is therefore questioning this present challenge, so how will he fare when the Lord asks him to do something else (5)
• The small challenge was adversity from family (11:21), the larger challenge will be adversity from those outside of family (6)

JUDAH AND HER ENEMIES

God abandons His People to their enemies - verses 7-8

• Jeremiah speaks to the future when God will give his dearly beloved into the hand of their enemies (7)
• Lord - "My people roar against me" - they rebel so God rejects them for a time (7)
• Judah will be as conspicuous as a speckled bird to its enemies and will provoke their opposition (8)

The mournful harvest of the Land - verses 10-13

• As judgment comes the land will be desolate (10-12)
• But the enemies (Babylonians) should take no pleasure because their harvest is because of the fierce anger of the Lord (13)

A promise of retribution and a promise of restoration - verses 14-15

• Even though God used Babylon as an instrument of His judgment, He would nevertheless judge them for their free will evil and brutality against Judah (14)
• Then he will have compassion on Judah (15)

A merciful promise to the nations - verses 16-17

• The Lord extends his grace even to the opposing Babylonians (16)
• Turning to the Lord is great blessing; Turning from the Lord is great judgment (17) 

Summary: I thought this was an interesting reading, namely because it starts with a question many people voice and that is, why do the wicked prosper. But the Lord's response is to not answer the question, but instead wonder why the question was asked and is concerned for Jeremiah and if he is asking this question now, then how will he handle future challenges. Jeremiah then speaks of the Judah being given over to the Babylonians and the judgment which will come from Judah's rejection of God. Eventually, he will have compassion, but Babylon will be the instrument of his judgment, and yet he still holds them accountable for their actions. The Babylonians can return and embrace the Lord. 

Promise: Even though God used Babylon as an instrument of His judgment, He would nevertheless judge them for their free will evil and brutality against Judah.

Prayer: Thank you Lord for the way in which Your word speaks. Questions that we think are new are not. Keep my eyes focused on You. Bring healing to the enemies of God. Draw them to you. Thank you for saving me and providing me compassion. Help me to be faithful to that call. 

Mark 15:27-32 - Crucified and Reviled

Mark 15:27-32
27 They *crucified two robbers with Him, one on His right and one on His left. 28 [And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And He was numbered with transgressors.”] 29 Those passing by were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads, and saying, “Ha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, 30 save Yourself, and come down from the cross!” 31 In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes, were mocking Him among themselves and saying, “He saved others; He cannot save Himself. 32 Let this Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, so that we may see and believe!” Those who were crucified with Him were also insulting Him.
Message: Crucified and Reviled

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 - Jesus has arrived at the cross. He was too weak to carry the crossbeam after being beaten, scourged, spit on, mocked, so Simon the Cyrene was grabbed as he passed by and he carried the beam until it was joined with the upright post. Jesus' garments were divided among the soldiers.

They *crucified two robbers with Him, one on His right and one on His left. Jesus is not alone but has two robbers on either side of Him being crucified. By placing robbers on his right and left his reproach is equalized or ever worse than these two thieves. These men could have been part of the brigade of Barabbas. Yet, Jesus had not even sinned and still the rejection and mockery that he received was focused squarely on him. Mark does not even mention that they walked with Jesus to the cross bearing a crossbeam. Obviously the death on the cross is great, but for Jesus it went beyond physical pain to an attempt to hurt him emotionally and psychologically. [And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And He was numbered with transgressors.”] Isaiah 53:12 states, "Because He poured out Himself to death, and was numbered with the transgressors; Yet He Himself bore the sin of many, and interceded for the transgressors." The brackets around this verse are there because this verse is omitted from most manuscripts. But, it does show the fulfillment of prophecy.

Mark now talks of the emotional suffering that Christ endured by first, those passing by. This could have been a road or walkway or perhaps people made a specific trip to the crucifixion. Yet, there, seeing Jesus suffering isn't enough for them as they were hurling abuse at Him, wagging their heads, and saying, “Ha! You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself, and come down from the cross!” Again, it is interesting to me what Mark calls attention to here. Peter was there, witnessing this and making note of how people responded. For Peter he seems to be focusing on other people a lot in this gospel. And the remark from the people is again a misunderstanding of what Jesus had said. The temple he had mentioned was himself not the physical structure. In fact these words will be fulfilled. Their words are as Gil mentions, "thou poor vain miserable creature, that boasted of thy power, where art thou now? and what dost thou think of thyself?"

The second group that Peter mentions is the expected chief priests and scribes: In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes, were mocking Him among themselves and saying, “He saved others; He cannot save Himself. Let this Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, so that we may see and believe!” Their condemnation of Him seems more expected. Yet, unlike the passerby's the mocking is among themselves. But was not this their practice, to speak among themselves and instead motivate others be the ones assaulting him. Yes, they questioned Jesus, but this was more of a slanderous act they were doing.

And finally the 3rd group mentioned are those on the left and right of Jesus: the robbers who were also being crucified. This contempt is odd by all. Nothing more can be done to Jesus and yet there is an attempt to do more, by everyone around him continuing to mock him. The robbers were almost declaring that they were unlike him, but even worse. Those who were crucified with Him were also insulting Him. 

Summary - Mark will now take a moment to not talk about how Jesus is suffering physically on the cross, but how the passerby's or the people watching Jesus be crucified don't just watch, but continue to mock him and insult him.

Promise: R.C. Sproul writes, "Jesus was not about saving Himself. He was about saving His people, which required that He stay on the cross until the bitter end."

Prayer: Lord, you experienced pain that I will never know. I seek to escape pain. Thank you Lord. That's really the best I can do is thank you and try to pledge my life in service to You. You didn't deserve it and yet it fulfilled prophecy. None of this was needed and yet you endured whatever it took to save me, to save all of us.

Mark 14:10-11 - Premeditated Betrayal

Mark 14:10-11
10 Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went off to the chief priests in order to betray Him to them. 11 They were glad when they heard this, and promised to give him money. And he began seeking how to betray Him at an opportune time.

Message: Premeditated Betrayal

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 2 days before the Passover as Jesus is headed to the cross. The religious leaders are out to get him but with the Passover many will be in town so they wonder if this is the right time. Jesus is in Bethany and visiting Simon the Leper's house and someone in the house (Mary) breaks open a bottle of perfume and pours it on Jesus' head, signifying an anointing. Jesus remarks that this act was significant. 

In the Gospel of John, at this point, Judas is already on the scene and it states he was the one that questioned the use of the perfume that Mary had poured on Jesus, though the text does not attribute it to him in the book of Mark. Judas had remarked that the money could have been better served by selling it and giving it to the poor. But, Mark did not attribute those words to Judas. Perhaps Peter (who Mark bases his book on) didn't remember it was Judas or perhaps at the time Peter did not think it was important. At this time Judas is known to have left the twelve in order to betray Jesus.

Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went off to the chief priests in order to betray Him to them. I am sure Judas knew, as all the disciples knew, that at this point the chief priests were looking for a way to seize Jesus. Something motivated Judas at this moment to do this act. Perhaps his faith all along was weak. The disciples questioned Jesus at various times in His ministry and Judas might have been part of those groups, wondering why Jesus would be talking about death and resurrection, as it didn't make sense given how popular he was to the people and them. Perhaps Judas was motivated by money and feeling inside that the money could be used for other purposes, like helping those in need.

Judges 17:6 remarks that people without a king, without a leader directing them, these people did what was right in his own eyes. Paul says in Romans 1:21 that people began to turn away from God and started to not give thanks and in the process became futile in their own thinking. The human condition is interesting. Often, we do things for our own best interests and not for the benefit of others. We have many scriptures that have to remind us to trust in God and thank God or people and Jesus even said we must live for others. We have to be reminded continually to not do right in our own eyes. 

They (the priests) were glad when they heard this, and promised to give him money. And he began seeking how to betray Him at an opportune time. So we have the priests that were happy to hear about the betrayal. Most scholars state that Judas had already left the area. But the verse also mentions that Judas was planning when he would betray Him further, at the right time. This betrayal is interesting. While Judas is himself responsible for his actions—his actions ultimately were part of the plan of God for Jesus to be arrested, scourged, beaten and die. That's the puzzling dichotomy at times for me - man chooses, but God uses man's choice to accomplish His purpose. I read that and understand those pieces but still don't comprehend why it is that way. Perhaps I think it is that God creates, man departs from God, their are consequences, and while God knows the events that will occur and knew that things would end up in His son dying on the cross, it was more of a coincidence that it all worked out in this way. I mean, if there was no Judas it would have happened but maybe another way? I'm not sure.

Granted, in this instance Judas is responsible. John Calvin writes, "Judas was inflamed with the desire to steal; long practice had hardened him in wickedness, and now when he meets with no other prey, he does not scruple to betray basely to death the son of God, the Author of Life, and, though restrained by a holy admonition, rushes violently forward."

Summary - Judas was there watching Mary pour the vile of perfume on Jesus. Perhaps he cringed over this waste when he saw the worth of the vile and the money that could come from it. Meanwhile, Jesus is 2 days from Passover and is preparing for death. And now it seems the Judas is involved in that death. It is something God knew all along, but we are finding out now.

Promise: When evil desires creep up in us, we can indulge in them or turn from them. Consequences will result in each choice, one glorifying Man and his ways and the other glorifying God. Choose life.

Prayer: Lord, I read and understand this scene whereby Judas betrayed you. From my vantage point money was more important to him. And Lord perhaps I don't understand completely your sovereignty and I wonder if Judas was not the one would there be something else to get this carried out. Could Judas have chosen differently? Those are questions I have God and asking You for wisdom in understanding the answer. Meanwhile, I remain yours and seek to trust in You and Your ways, to love You and love my neighbor. Help me today in this. I'm struggling with that love toward others and how in fact to put them first while being fair. Work challenges me in my faith. And I look to you for guidance. Thank you for this time in Your word.

Mark 8:22-26 - The Blind Man at Bethsaida

Mark 8:22-26 -
22 And they *came to Bethsaida. And they *brought a blind man to Jesus and *implored Him to touch him. 23 Taking the blind man by the hand, He brought him out of the village; and after spitting on his eyes and laying His hands on him, He asked him, “Do you see anything?” 24 And he looked up and said, “I see men, for I see them like trees, walking around.” 25 Then again He laid His hands on his eyes; and he looked intently and was restored, and began to see everything clearly. 26 And He sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village.”

Message: The Blind Man at Bethsaida

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: After feeding 4,000, the disciples still talk among themselves when they get in the boat and realize they have no food. Jesus simply wants them to look to Him. He is there provider. He continues to show them his hand of providence in all things, they still struggle with anxiety and worry.

Now they (Jesus and the disciples) are in Bethsaida. Jesus was in the district of Dalmanutha, near Magdallan, just west of the Sea of Galilee. Bethsaida is north. There is not much distance between the two places. The sea of Galilee is 8 miles wide. My guess is that it is about 8 miles between the cities, perhaps one could get there in 1 day.

As he arrives, a blind man is brought to Jesus and they implored Him to touch him. The blind man didn't come to Jesus on his own, but was brought to him. He brought him out of the village. It is thought that the healing occurred outside of the City because Jesus was concerned about the town's unbelief and he would refuse to perform miracles before those who continued to not believe or accept His teachings. Jesus is ready to answer questions of anyone that asks, and yet answering people's questions is not his mission. He is on the scene to change hearts and those people's hearts just want to question, not necessarily be changed.

There has been a remark here that this particular healing is unique because of the stages. One, Taking the blind man by the hand. Two, He brought him out of the village. Three, spitting on his eyes. Fourth, laying His hands on him. It isn't immediate, but progressive. In other instances, by now, the person would be completely restored and yet, here, the person is not. As after doing all of this the man's sight was not fixed: “I see men, for I see them like trees, walking around.” He has been spit on by Jesus and Jesus has laid his hands on him. Previously, a woman touching the cloak of Jesus brought about immediate healing. So Jesus does not embody a transformation. So, it isn't that all you have to do is touch him and you are saved, but Jesus has something to do with the healing, in his time.

There is a moment when Jesus decides to heal and sometimes he doesn't decide. Sometimes I wish the Gospel had a story about someone coming to Jesus and him not healing the person. Because it happens in life. Not everyone is healed. Some people implore him but are still not healed. And this is a hard thing at times to reconcile in our lives. And people not getting what they want, often results in no belief. People expect everyone to be viewed equally. But, in this lesson, perhaps is the reminder that Jesus makes the decision.

It states again He laid His hands on his eyes; and he looked intently and was restored, and began to see everything clearly. Why did this healing need two touches? It didn't, but it seems Jesus was communicating something more here, perhaps to this man, perhaps to us, perhaps even to the disciples.

Also, the faith of the blind man is never mentioned here. 

Summary: Jesus heals a blind man, outside of the City of Bethsaida, a place of unbelief, so he heals outside of those that would question him. He heals with progression, after placing his hand on the blind man two times. In the same way, we need to implore Jesus repeatedly.

Promise: God does not always do what we ask, when we ask; he has reasons. Healing can be a process. It can take time. It may not happen at all or in the manner we think it should.

Prayer: Lord, keep teaching me through these readings. As I read about the lessons you were teaching people at the time, you still can have a lesson for me today. I admit, at times, I do not understand the way you work, the suffering that people experience, the healing of some, but not of others. But, I am still a follower. My following isn't about you doing what I want, for you show me that I can trust You no matter what. 

Psalm 132:11:18 - A Throne and Temple in Zion

Psalm 132:11:18

¹¹ The Lord has sworn to David a truth from which He will not turn back: “Of the fruit of your body I will set upon your throne.
¹² “If your sons will keep My covenant and My testimony which I will teach them, their sons also shall sit upon your throne forever.”

¹³ For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His habitation.
¹⁴ “This is My resting place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it.
¹⁵ “I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her needy with bread.
¹⁶ “Her priests also I will clothe with salvation, and her godly ones will sing aloud for joy.
¹⁷ “There I will cause the horn of David to spring forth; I have prepared a lamp for Mine anointed.
¹⁸ “His enemies I will clothe with shame, but upon himself his crown shall shine.”

Message: A Throne and Temple in Zion

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: I enjoyed the first 10 verses of this chapter, thinking about worship and the sacrifice of David took in his life of building a temple and taking an oath to focus on a place of worship. Now, as a move through these verses, using the Phillips books I have on the Psalms, there are 4 Promises: Regarding the Scepter, the Sanctuary, the Saints, and the Site. 

The Scepter (the Lord will govern righteously and enforce righteous behavior)
The Lord has sworn to David a truth from which He will not turn back. Hezekiah had taken care of the temple, now he mentions the promise or oath the Lord had made to David's dynasty. It was a bold statement, for Hezekiah was making it at a time he was childless. 

Of the fruit of your body (David) I will set upon your throne. If your sons will keep My covenant and My testimony which I will teach them, their sons also shall sit upon your throne forever. Hezekiah's father was not a good man (Ahaz). Ahaz reigned over Judah from 741-726. Ahaz was a man of idolatry. Hezekiah would reign for 29 years over Judah. In 2 Samuel 7:16, God's promise to David and his throne was unconditional, meaning David didn't have to do anything to get it. God made a promise to him without any work required of David, "Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever." (David was the 2nd king of Judah around 1000). After David was Solomon from about 970 to 931 BCE. Solomon's promise was conditional - And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life. - I Kings 3:14. Did Hezekiah wonder about this? David had 2 surviving sons from Bathsheba - Solomon and Nathan. Solomon's descendants included Hezekiah. Hezekiah's sons included Jeconiah (also called Jehoiachin and his name later shortened to Coniah). Jeconiah had 11 sons but none of them took on the throne and thus, the royal line to Christ though Solomon came to an end. Solomon's line is traced to Joseph. But David's other son Nathan, the legal line, is traced to Mary.

Could it be that Hezekiah, knowing what kind of father he had, wondered if the promise of God was still unconditional?

The Sanctuary
For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His habitation. Zion is the final resting place of the Ark, in Moriah. This is My resting place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it. God's resting place, as he states is Zion, not in a Muslim mosque. I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her needy with bread. The result of this place will be abundant and complete satisfying (possibly pointing to the Messiah). 

The Saints
Her priests also I will clothe with salvation, and her godly ones will sing aloud for joy. Here is a promise to the priests and that they would be made righteous, or have salvation. Before ministering, a man must be right with God and man. Again, these are now words from the Lord. Hezekiah makes this switch in verse in verse 14 and it continues to the end of this Psalm. God will make man righteous. He clothes them with salvation. And the response of man is singing with joy. 

The Site
There I will cause the horn of David to spring forth; I have prepared a lamp for Mine anointed. These verses continue to speak of the product of the temple residing in Zion, God residing in Zion: The Horn of David (The Messiah) will spring forth. A light or a lamp will shine forth for the anointed. I wonder what Hezekiah thought. He may have thought this would come from his seed. But, his seed would actually end this. Manasseh would come from his seed and Manasseh was not good. So these are words of confidence from the Lord, the Lord has prepared a lamp for His anointed.  

His enemies I will clothe with shame, but upon himself his crown shall shine. The dreadful things said of the Lord's enemies will be exposed and judged. There will be shame. Yet Jesus, the Lord, will be crowned. 

Promise:  This Psalm chronicles the Davidic covenant, as seen through Hezekiah and what Hezekiah put his hope and trust in. And it what I put my hope and trust in.

Prayer: Thank you Lord for your promises, that they never end. You fulfill them, even if at times, we think they may come about in our own way. Thank you for salvation and making us right before You, making us righteous and clean. Thank you for your promise and how it is interwoven throughout time. Thank you for the anticipation of the Messiah, to take away the sin of the world. There is hope in You. 

Psalm 110:1-3 - The King's All-Encompassing Reign

Psalm 110:1-3
¹ The Lord says to my Lord:
“Sit at My right hand
Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”
² The Lord will stretch forth Your strong scepter from Zion, saying,
“Rule in the midst of Your enemies.”
³ Your people will volunteer freely in the day of Your power;
In holy array, from the womb of the dawn,
Your youth are to You as the dew.

Message: The King's All-Encompassing Reign

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: I've been having trouble getting through some of these passages of late. It is March 2017 and I'm still staring at the October 2015 Tabletalk. Granted, I take it slow, studying each reading myself and then seeing what Tabletalk says. It keeps me accountable to studying the Word, but bugs me at times I can't stay on track, now 15 months behind. But, for 6 months or so in 2016 I really had trouble getting through texts. I've been on this October issue late January, once again, going at a slower pace.

The reality is some of these texts are just hard for me to understand and I want to understand them. Plus, since the 1st of the year, I've been doing all the cooking for the family and eating out maybe once every couple of weeks. But, really, that shouldn't be a big deal for my guess is there are many women out there that have been doing all the meals for 10-20-30-40 years and I'm bothered because its been 2 months.

As I read this text, first looking at TableTalk, the magazine devotional states that this is a Messianic Psalm or a prophetic Psalm that Jesus even quoted as recorded in Luke 20:41-43.

The emphasis here is on the comprehensiveness of the reign on the coming Davidic king. To make your enemies a footstool is the idea that in the ancient Near East, conquering kings and armies would often put their feet on the necks of their foes after they had subjugated these enemies --

Joshua 10:24 When they brought these kings out to Joshua, Joshua called for all the men of Israel, and said to the chiefs of the men of war who had gone with him, “Come near, put your feet on the necks of these kings.” So they came near and put their feet on their necks.

-- and from this came the idea of making your foes into your footstool. This image is one of full authority -- Sit at my right hand -- that encompasses even those who in vain oppose the Lord's chosen regent. Thus, verse 1 is pointing to the day when the rule on David's throne enjoys total rest from his enemies and unopposed control over them.

Jesus then in Luke 20:41-43 applies this to Himself.

⁴¹ Then He said to them, “How is it that they say the Christ is David’s son? ⁴² For David himself says in the book of Psalms,

‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
⁴³ Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”’

The king who David speaks must be more than a mere descendant of the son of Jesse. David addresses the king as My Lord. So the son to whom David refers is greater not only by nature but also in the kind of reign he exercises. David's reign ended when he died, but Jesus's reign continues forever because all of the Messiah's enemies are defeated.

Promise: Let our foes do their worst, we are safe in Christ forever.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the truth of Your Word. Thank you for the ministry of Tabletalk that helps me to understand your truths and helps to keep me accountable to the studying of Your Word. Bless their ministry and continue to use it to strengthen and bring Glory to Your Body.

Psalm 119:153-160 - Seeking God's Statutes

Psalm 119:153-160

¹⁵³ Look upon my affliction and rescue me, for I do not forget Your law.
¹⁵⁴ Plead my cause and redeem me; revive me according to Your word.
¹⁵⁵ Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek Your statutes.
¹⁵⁶ Great are Your mercies, O Lord; revive me according to Your ordinances.
¹⁵⁷ Many are my persecutors and my adversaries, yet I do not turn aside from Your testimonies.
¹⁵⁸ I behold the treacherous and loathe them, because they do not keep Your word.
¹⁵⁹ Consider how I love Your precepts; revive me, O Lord, according to Your lovingkindness.
¹⁶⁰ The sum of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting.

Message: Seeking God's Statutes

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: As I read through this passage the first time, on the heels of the last set of verses in Psalm 119 that spoke of the nearness of God and Your commandments are truth, and to know Your testimonies, the challenge here to me is to know the Word of God and it a light to my paths. But, again, in looking at that nearness and pondering it, the Word of God and God's Laws and his truths remain near to me. The true believer does not waiver in His beliefs because of difficult circumstances, but instead it makes him cling every more tightly to the truths and his total dependency on God. The way we got through affliction and how we are rescued is by not forgetting the Law and God redeems me. Set me right Lord, according to Your Word. 

 [Lord, I talk to many that are wanting out of circumstances they view bad or not of success, bring these people back to the Word of God so that they will see the truths and promises of what you have commanded and can then approach their circumstances in a new way. Daily, I walk with You Lord and throughout all of life's circumstances You breath life into them and you work them out for Your glory. I think of Derek and his smoking habit that he has gotten in at a young age. Lord, that has been a difficulty I wish on no one, yet through that challenge you reveal to me the importance of my relationship with my wife and with You, that I can remain committed to you and I must. And that these problems we have in our life are at the most basic level -- sin. And for any sin, I need to turn from it and recognize You as Savior and Lord. This is what I pray for My Son Derek, that he would know You as Savior and Lord. I pray that the truth of who you are would permeate his life so that he is defined by the truth of Gospel and his goal is to seek and follow You.]

[And, too, I look at my daughter, who is struggling with preparing for a wedding, while also navigating her own health challenges. Keep her on the right course. Give her hope and keep her instructed by Your word, and that you are fully capable of walking with her and healing her from this that ails her. Help her and Brandon to communicate better, not by text, but by talking. Cement that in their lives. Lord, we can thank you for these trials because you use them to align us more closely to You.]

In verse 155, I am reminded that Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek Your statutes. The truth of who you are is far from those who daily practice wickedness. Wickedness is subtle in this world, not because sin is less clear, but society has made it less clear. I was looking at this article yesterday in the WSJ and it was addressing titles of books that are made up of curse words and the author of the article stated that society has now deemed those words less offensive and so they can be used as titles for book. Lord, it is disheartening to hear of how sin is changed in its definition and moved more and more to acceptable behavior. May that be not so in my life. Keep me on the course where my words do not even hint at caving and marching to the tune of society. People so often do not keep your statutes as this verse states and yet we act surprised that they don't therefore align with our principles. I find it so tragic because our view of ourselves and our view of sin is what helps us to see our need for a Savior. Lord, may you help people see the truth of their sin. May you bring to light sin in this life. 

Great are Your mercies, O Lord; revive me according to Your ordinances. I Love this proclamation that the Mercies of God are great. Lord, you have had mercy on me a sinner, a law breaker, by allowing me to go free. Many are my persecutors and my adversaries, I do not turn aside from Your testimonies. Many are against me. That is the truth that we don't see because people present themselves like they agree with me, but many are my adversaries, but keep me charged and guided and not turned aside from Your testimonies. I behold the treacherous and loathe, because they do not keep Your word. I am saddened by those that do not keep your word. I have many, like Derek in London that spends his times denying you and not keeping your word and finds joy in religion washing away. Draw him to you. Help me be a lover of your precepts. Revive me (and him), O Lord, according to Your lovingkindness. It is your love that sets us free, your love for me from all eternity to know that I needed a Savior and substitute for my sin. The sum of Your word is truth, and every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting. You are truth and every one of your commands is everlasting.

Promise: The Law cannot save, but the Law does show us our need for a Savior.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for saving me and thank you for showing me my sin and my incredible need for You Lord, My Savior. Thank you for continually exposing the sin in my life and helping me see a sin of being unthankful or having anxiety or being discontent. Help me to accept and be content in any situation. Lord, I don't want to live in the realm that life is not complete unless I have freedom from financial situations, but true freedom is found in You Lord for you give peace in all circumstances.

Psalm 119:113-120 - The Single-Minded Law of God

Psalm 119:113-120

¹¹³ I hate those who are double-minded,
But I love Your law.
¹¹⁴ You are my hiding place and my shield;
I wait for Your word.
¹¹⁵ Depart from me, evildoers,
That I may observe the commandments of my God.
¹¹⁶ Sustain me according to Your word, that I may live;
And do not let me be ashamed of my hope.
¹¹⁷ Uphold me that I may be safe,
That I may have regard for Your statutes continually.
¹¹⁸ You have rejected all those who wander from Your statutes,
For their deceitfulness is useless.
¹¹⁹ You have removed all the wicked of the earth like dross;
Therefore I love Your testimonies.
¹²⁰ My flesh trembles for fear of You,
And I am afraid of Your judgments.

Message: The Single-Minded Law of 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:

This is really a wonderful chapter. The fact that it was written over 2500 years ago is amazing. It still is applicable today. Over and over the message is a love for God's love. That love really needs to be singular, meaning I am to desire God's word to hide in my heart and be my shield. I need to be careful all the time of having a love for something else that is not God's law. So, with a goal of being single-minded the Psalmist tells evil doers to "depart from me." Keep me safe. How often am I praying to keep me close to God's word and His commands? This the cry of the Psalmist over and over. God's word is the pinnacle and so staying single-minded is the key. God will take care of the wicked so I am to be far from that wickedness. The only thing I am to fear is God's judgments, God's wrath. 

Promise: Let God be in charge. Stay the course of single-minded thinking and God will take care of the evil ones.

Proverbs 16:7 - Granting Us Peace

Proverbs 16:7
When a man's ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Message: Granting us peace

Time: It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

According to the TableTalk reading on this passage for today, the fall of Adam and Eve introduced several wars into creation.

1. War with God - every thought of the fallen heart is only evil continually, and people seek to overthrow the Lord's rightful place as ruler over their lives. In Genesis 8:21, the Lord said that the intention of man's heart is evil, since his youth. In Romans 3:1-20 speaks of how the unrighteousness of man upholds the righteousness of God. Man does not want to do good; there is none righteous, not even one; no one understands, no one seeks for God; all have turned aside. Man's tongue, mouth, feet are swift to inflict evil. 
2. War with Himself - Romans 2 says the Law is written on our hearts; right and wrong is written on our heart and accuses us all of our days. This is a plain and simple reality, yet one that causes us tension all of our days. The pain is no matter how hard we try, we will never be fully good and proper. 
3. War with Other People - The moment after Adam and Eve sinned, Adam immediately laid the blame on Eve. Human society has been characterized by strife, disagreement, and hatred between people. 

The third point is the focus of today's passage from Proverbs with the result of this promise that man's enemies will be at peace with us when our ways please the Lord. And it is interesting because in this passage the way we have peace with our fellow man is not by being a better person towards them or having more sensitivity; this may be the result, but our focus is to be on pleasing the Lord. 

This makes sense, if I follow the Lord's commands to not lie, steal, commit adultery, murder, then it naturally will result in people not being harmed or feeling harmed. But, I cannot guarantee that all people all the time will be kind with me, no matter how I act. And yet Jesus pronounces a blessing upon those who are hated in Matthew 5 reminding us to look toward heaven and the hope we have with him there. And yet we do know that things will work out for good. Matthew Henry comment:

"God can turn foes into friends when he pleases. He that has all hearts in his hand has access to men's spirits and power over them, working insensibly, but irresistibly upon them, can make a man's enemies to be at peace with him, can change their minds, or force them into a feigned submission. He can slay all enemies, and bring those together that were at the greatest distance from each other." 

Promise: This is a good reminder. We are programmed to solve problems through time management, leadership development, becoming a better communicator, conflict resolutions -- but I must remember that the real focus of my heart should be doing things that please the Lord. 

Psalm 119:73-80 - God's Word, Affliction, and Glory

Psalm 119:73-80
Your hands made me and fashioned me; give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments. May those who fear You see me and be glad, because I wait for Your word. I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are righteous, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me. O may Your lovingkindness comfort me, according to Your word to Your servant. May Your compassion come to me that I may live, for Your law is my delight. May the arrogant be ashamed, for they subvert me with a lie; but I shall meditate on Your precepts. May those who fear You turn to me, even those who know Your testimonies. May my heart be blameless in Your statutes, so that I will not be ashamed.

Message: God's Word, Affliction, and Glory

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:
So after several stanza's on the need and love for God's word, the Psalmist takes a moment to mention that there was a time in his life when God was not on the throne and he turned away in his affliction. And in these verses he continues a little with those thoughts.

The first verse of each of these stanza's I notice end up being sort of a theme for the section. This is an acrostic psalm, a prayer, and each of the 22 stanza's begins with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

Lord, your hands made me and fashioned me

There is maybe a new thought here, but I also look back and the preceding verses where he says, "It is good for me that I was afflicted that I may learn Thy statutes. The law of Thy mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver." God's law is of the highest value in my life. It is in my afflictions that I get to know this law better, that I get to know God better. Lord, I do hope this is what comes of difficult times, more devotion to You and Your laws.

Give me understanding, that I may learn Thy commandments
As my maker and my creator, my understanding is dependent on Him. Lord, I yield to You and ask that You teach me. I desire to be obedient to Your commandments and to learn them, but I need Your understanding. Give my children and wife understanding, that they may learn Thy commandments. Give the people that I speak to online and the people at church; help us be a people that are following You all of our days.

May those who fear Thee see me and be glad because I wait for Thy word
I desire to be friends to those that serve and honor You. The Christian desires to be around other good Christians. People don't want to be like evil, but want to be around those that are good. Lord, keep me in the path of the saints and keep my children and wife in those paths. I pray their highest desire and goal would be to be around other strong in faith people.

I know, O Lord, that Thy judgments are righteous
Lord, afflictions are right; they are indeed the highest form of being right; they are righteous. The goal of each person it to be seen right in the presence of God. Jesus, in dying for us, transfers his righteousness to us by faith. It is here I think about God's dealings with me in times of affliction. It is a good thing. It's funny we see these people and do not want to be like them and yet they appear to be the strongest people around, such as Joni Eareckson Tada or Nick Vujicic. It is amazing to hear them talk about the ministry they have. O Lord, I want to run from the darkness, but not from hard times. Show me what it is to be close to You in hard times.

And that in faithfulness Thou hast afflicted me
What an amazing thought -- that in God's faithfulness to me he has afflicted me. It was in my best interest. The affliction is not done in malice or by chance; it was because God saw a good reason why it must be done. It needed to be done. Again, I do not think this way, but affliction is a sign of God's faithfulness.

O may Thy lovingkindness comfort me, according to Thy word to Thy servant
It is through the mercy of God that I am comforted. God will comfort me. Everything else in life is a placebo that provides momentary comfort, but true comfort comes from God. It is through God's mercy that I have any happiness. God and His word brings me peace. Give me comfort God according to Your lovingkindness.

May Thy compassion come to me that I may live
It is the Lord's tender mercies that I need...to live. What a great promise that is found here in God's words. Lord let me experience thy mercy and favor.

For Thy law is my delight
I will find my happiness in obedience to Your words. God, protect me in times of trouble. You are able. You are completely everything to me.

May the arrogant be ashamed, for they subvert me with a lie; but I shall meditate on Thy precepts
Light and darkness do not work together. It really should not be a big surprise when the lawless, arrogant, wicked ones treat God's children with contempt and lies. There is no reason that people should be mean and wicked, but they are. They do not like the light. The evil one does not want to change his ways so he will not be kind to the righteous.

May those who fear Thee turn to me, even those who know Thy testimonies
I need friends that are God's children. There may be those that are arrogant and wicked and living in darkness that do not desire my companionship, but O God, keep Your children near to me and in my sight. Keep me close to those that are near to You.

May my heart be blameless in Thy statutes, that I may not be ashamed
Lord, I pray that there is no defect in me, no imperfection in regard to Thy Laws and commandments; keep me close to them, guided by them because I do not want to be ashamed. Paul said he was not ashamed of the gospel meaning he had no reason to deny its power and his love for it as he speaks to others and so may my obedience to your statutes be in a way that I am not ashamed at how I live or am living.

Promise: Affliction sometimes is the result of evil people, not ourselves being evil.

Proverbs 5:1-14 - The Trap of Adultery

Proverbs 5:1-14
¹ My son, give attention to my wisdom, incline your ear to my understanding;
² That you may observe discretion and your lips may reserve knowledge.
³ For the lips of an adulteress drip honey and smoother than oil is her speech;
⁴ But in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.
⁵ Her feet go down to death,  her steps take hold of Sheol.
⁶ She does not ponder the path of life; her ways are unstable, she does not know it.

⁷ Now then, my sons, listen to me and do not depart from the words of my mouth.
⁸ Keep your way far from her and do not go near the door of her house,
⁹ Or you will give your vigor to others and your years to the cruel one;
¹⁰ And strangers will be filled with your strength and your hard-earned goods will go to the house of an alien; 

 ¹¹ And you groan at your final end, when your flesh and your body are consumed;
¹² And you say, “How I have hated instruction! And my heart spurned reproof!
¹³ “I have not listened to the voice of my teachers, nor inclined my ear to my instructors!
¹⁴ “I was almost in utter the midst of the assembly and congregation.”

Message: The Trap of Adultery

Time: It seems that Proverbs was written and then compiled sometime between the tenth and sixth centuries B.C. Proverbs was probably written during the reign of Solomon, 971-931 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

The focus of today's passage is on adultery. This is long because it is meant to be clear. This is not fire to play with.

One thing that I looked at and noticed in my study yesterday of Proverbs 1, was that people are enticed and taken away by something often in their life. I often call this a temptation or that I have wandered off path and are engaging in sin. In actuality, in the Bible, this is referred to as having an idol in our lives. Idolatry is anything in our lives that we do to bring us joy and we do it in order to give us peace about life. We do it to give us joy. Our joy is not found in Christ, but it is found in this other thing that isn't just a part of our life but it becomes often what keeps us going. It becomes what we spend our money on or what we spend most of our time on. It becomes what we think about. And over time, God and His word are replaced more and more. No longer am I surrendering to God and His word and thinking that God's word is the highest source of good in my life. Now, I see this idol as that which can give me joy.

Their is idolatry in: video games, TV watching, Movie watching, eating, shopping, music, smoking, drinking alcohol, drugs, friends. There are many different idols in our lives, some not even so sin apparent.

This is rampant in our lives. The idol could be anything and often with people, it is anything. And yet what most people find, when they are honest with themselves is this idol does not necessarily bring them lasting joy. There isn't a peace in life like there is when Christ is on the throne. Testimonies from people resonate this when they say, "I tried ........ and it never brought complete satisfaction, but then I turned my life over to Christ and let Him take the reins and life became fulfilled."

In Proverbs 1:10-19 the enticement was friends that lured the pupil away to do things that were impure. The passage spoke of evil things but that evil could be anything. The key was it was with the wrong people, doing bad stuff, and that bad stuff ended up having a consequence. The last phrase of verse 19 says, "It takes away the life of its possessors." It's end is death. And today in this passage is immediately an equal warning as Solomon says in verse 5, "her feet go down to death; her steps take hold of Sheol."

What is it that I have done in my life to try and replace God in order to give me the peace and enjoyment that only He can bring? For me, money comes to mind. It's not that I have a lot, necessarily, but I often think that if I just had enough then life would be simpler. I say this because our wants are abundant and so I think that by having those things that I desire, and my family desires, that then I will be satisfied. Yet, I know it will be momentary because our desires never cease.

Very Important Subject Matter
First of all, I like how Solomon begins. Son, (1) Give your attention to me. Not an easy task sometimes in life to get someone to concentrate on what the other person is saying. Solomon clearly is saying that "I have something important to say. (2) Incline your ear to my understanding. Bend your ear not just to listen, but understand. We hear a lot of things each day, but how much do we really internalize or then practice? Solomon is saying to his pupils, what I have to say is meant to be followed. (3) That you may observe discretion. Retain these words in your heart. These words are my counsel to you. (4) Your lips may reserve knowledge. Literally, this is "Thy lips shall keep." This is life long understanding. This is life long "watch out." This is not momentary or just for a season. This is long-term. You need to be able to speak these words back to me. This is how important these words are. You need to be able to state this in your own words.

Warning
Verse 3 is interesting for the translation I have used has translated the word zur to mean adulteress. Zur is translated in the KJV as strange. The meaning is this is an apostate Israelite woman gone over to the idolatrous impurities of heathen religion. The idea of adultery here is someone that has traded in something they have been called to be for something else. It is not necessarily speaking of a woman that has started out with a husband and decided that her husband did not satisfy her desires, for whatever reason, and so is seeking out something else, not God-given, but what man has provided. God has been traded in for what people think is something better.

James 4:4 is a verse I have tried to memorize. It says, "You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." James is speaking to people that have chosen to trade or replace God with the things of the world and for this he speaks to the people as adulterers.

This is significant because what is being spoken of here is not simply reserved for married people that are seeking after other people in their life and are practicing sex with someone else in their life. It is true that is adultery. God has given you a gift of a mate and you are saying to God, "The gift that you gave me is not what I think I need; I choose someone else and I think that person will fulfill my needs."

The application then for Proverbs 5 is far reaching. Adultery here is actually treason or any idol that we might have in our life.

And the idol or whatever we are being tempted to have in our life drips with honey. It is sweet. It is appealing. It suits my tastes. It drips honey and smoother than oil is her speech.  I can see why the word adulteress was chosen because this woman is using flattering speech, smooth talk, offering something which man desires, alluring speech. This is not, "Come over and clean the toilet" no this is come experience your wildest dreams. 

Not as it appears
Verses 4-6 then basically say, "things are not as they appear." Though this strange woman has spoken with flattery and allured you in her direction, in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death, her steps take hold of Sheol. She does not ponder the path of life; her ways are unstable, she does not know it. 

Wormwood is an herb and an eastern medicine this was looked upon as being poisonous. Wormwood is the complete opposite of wormwood. It reminds me of the movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the man that lured people by showing them sweet candy on his truck and then when they crawled in the truck it turned into a cell block. It went from sweetness to being a prisoner. 

Solomon says it affects the body (feet go down to death) and affects the soul (steps take hold of Sheol/grave/hell). Idols in our life don't just want a part of our life, but they want your entire life. She does not ponder the path of life. In her is not a big picture. If we could see our entire life in a moment, upon making a decision, it would affect our decision making. There are ramifications for our choices, but if we train ourselves into not looking at those consequences then over time we no longer have any long-term perspective thinking.

Heinrich Albert Schultens (1749-1793) stated that the design of the wise man seems to be, to point out the inconstancy, irregularity, and wickedness, of the strange woman's life. Her ways are inconstant; she is not attached to her husband, or to any one man, but abandons herself to the first comer; has neither knowledge, wisdom, nor discernment; she has no other rule than her passion, no other end than her pleasure. She is profligate, and wholly lost; affected neither by the fear of God, nor the care of her own salvation.

Second Warning
As if one warning was not enough, Solomon gives a second warning. This is a very significant event. In verse 7 and 8 he states further to: (1) Listen to me; He said previously that he wanted the pupil's attention and wanted his ear bent to understand. He says again, "listen to me." Listen to what I am going to tell you. The pupil will now hear of the consequence. (2) Do not depart from the words of my mouth; Don't choose the path; do not depart from my words. (3) Keep your way far from her; The last warning I saw in Proverbs 1:10-19 was Keep your feet from their path. With this issue the feet are to be far from the path. (4) Do not go near the door of her house. To clarify further, do not even go near the door of the house. We all know that going inside is a disaster, but do not even go near the door. 

A Hard Life
In a way this final part is similar to "God gave them over" found in Romans 1 (one of my favorite passages). The warnings have occurred. The danger sign is in place. "Keep Out" has been posted. But, if that isn't enough, he will now detail the results of going down that wrong path.

Or you will give your vigor to others and your years to the cruel one - Your strength; your person; your life and your future, will be handed over to the cruel one. The idea of vigor is what your life has meant thus far. Other translations use the word honor. Who you are is being given away. 

And strangers will be filled with your strength and your hard-earned goods will go to the house of an alien. Everything you have worked for is gone.  

And you groan at your final end, when your flesh and your body are consumed; And you say, “How I have hated instruction! And my heart spurned reproof! I have not listened to the voice of my teachers, nor inclined my ear to my instructors! I was almost in utter the midst of the assembly and congregation.” Pride has taken over. Recovery in this moment is practically hopeless. 

Promise: Beware. Beware. Beware. Adultery always has destructive consequences. 

Psalm 21 - God and King

Psalm 21
O Lord, in Your strength the king will be glad, and in Your salvation how greatly he will rejoice! You have given him his heart’s desire, and You have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah. For You meet him with the blessings of good things; You set a crown of fine gold on his head. He asked life of You, You gave it to him, length of days forever and ever. His glory is great through Your salvation, splendor and majesty You place upon him. For You make him most blessed forever; You make him joyful with gladness in Your presence. For the king trusts in the Lord, and through the lovingkindness of the Most High he will not be shaken. Your hand will find out all your enemies; Your right hand will find out those who hate you. You will make them as a fiery oven in the time of your anger; the Lord will swallow them up in His wrath, and fire will devour them. Their offspring You will destroy from the earth, and their descendants from among the sons of men. Though they intended evil against You and devised a plot, they will not succeed. For You will make them turn their back; You will aim with Your bowstrings at their faces. Be exalted, O Lord, in Your strength;
We will sing and praise Your power.

Message: God and King; How we are to pray for our leaders; it is not that God would change their hearts, but that God will work.

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 is a psalm written by David. He is writing or praying to the Lord about a king. 

David trusts in the Lord's power
He first says that the king will be glad because of the strength of the Lord and he will rejoice because of the salvation of the Lord. Salvation is an interesting word; God saves people, from themselves; He redeems man and sets Him apart. This is what I think about the word salvation. I don't think it is necessarily referring to an eternal salvation, but rather that God intercedes for this king giving him strength and help. Because of the Lord working in the king's life he can then be glad and rejoice. It is not through man's ability or control that makes himself glad and rejoicing. It is through the Lord. These words, though, refer to what the Lord will do. This passage goes back and forth between what God has done already and what He will do.

Past
You have given him his heart’s desire
You have not withheld the request of his lips. 
He asked life of You, You gave it to him, length of days forever and ever.

Present
For You meet him with the blessings of good things
You set a crown of fine gold on his head. 
His glory is great through Your salvation, splendor and majesty You place upon him. 
For You make him most blessed forever
You make him joyful with gladness in Your presence. For the king trusts in the Lord

Future Enemies
Through the lovingkindness of the Most High he will not be shaken.
Your hand will find out all your enemies
Your right hand will find out those who hate you
You will make them as a fiery oven in the time of your anger
The Lord will swallow them up in His wrath
Fire will devour them. 
Their offspring You will destroy from the earth and their descendants from among the sons of men. 
Though they intended evil against You and devised a plot, they will not succeed. 
For You will make them turn their back
You will aim with Your bowstrings at their faces. 

Be exalted, O Lord, in Your strength; we will sing and praise Your power.

The key to this passage is that it points to the reality that God is the one who works in the lives of people, and specifically in the lives of the leaders of nations as this is referring to the king of a people. David is trusting the Lord and declaring that He is in charge.

And this passage speaks a lot about enemies which are obviously normal in a leadership, but those enemies will not have a hold on the king or his kingdom because the Lord will be in charge of them.

I don't pray like this. I pray that God would change a leader's heart. I make it seem like the leader must be surrendered to God before God is going to do a good work in the nation.

Promise: God is in charge and He can take care of His people and kingdoms no matter the leader. We are not to trust in leaders, but trust in the Lord.