April 26, 2006 - II Samuel 23-24 and Luke 19:1-27
As we come to the end of David's life, we see several things that made him successful, even though he was not perfect. None of us are perfect either, but we can be successful in life with God's help. Let's see what it took for David, and let's apply these principles to our lives.
The beginning of chapter 23 is the last song David wrote. It says the last words, but I believe we are to understand this to mean the last words of a song. He had written so many that it was significant to hear the last one. David realized that God had lifted him up and anointed him as king. He also knew that God had spoken through him in his songs. We have much of the book of Psalms because God inspired David to write His Words for us. God even made a covenant with David that his family would retain the throne as long as they were faithful to God. In short, David was praising God for all He had done in his life. He knew it was not about David being so great, but it was all about God being so gracious to bless him. Take a little time today to reflect on how God has blessed your life.
The end of chapter 23 recounts the names of David's mighty men. He would not have been able to become king or to remain the king without them. We all need the help of loyal, brave friends. David was a great example of this truth. Consider the wonderful things that your friends have done for you in life. They are a blessing from God. Then, consider how good of a friend you have been to others in your life.
Chapter 24 tells us about David's sin, which was to take a census without God's direction to do so. This was probably done out of pride, and it made God angry, so He sent a plague that killed 70,000 people. Why would God do that? Pride and confidence in ourselves, lead us not to trust God. That is what God saw happening, and He had to stop it. Did you notice what David said when he was given the three options for punishment? He did not want to be given into the hands of men, but into God's hands, because he knew the mercy of God was great. That is a wonderful bit of wisdom for all of us. Also, the fact that David knew that true worship must cost us something is another great truth in this passage. What has your worship of God cost you?
Luke 19 is the story of Zacchaeus and a related parable. Aren't you glad that Jesus loves the unlovely people? Aren't you glad that He wants to know each of us personally, and He knows us by name? Aren't you glad that He changes hearts like He did for Zacchaeus? Well, the Jewish leaders were not glad, and they did not understand. (v.7) Therefore, Jesus told the parable of the minas. Why did He give that parable here? He wanted to emphasize that there will be fruit in our lives, if we come to know Christ and to trust His power. Zacchaeus showed this by paying back those he had wronged. The parable shows us this by the increasing of the minas, and the punishment of the one who did not have an increase. What about your life? Has there been a change since you came to know Christ? Have you seen fruit produced? If there is no change, there is no salvation. Christ makes us new creatures.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Kings 1-2 and Luke 19:28-48.
The beginning of chapter 23 is the last song David wrote. It says the last words, but I believe we are to understand this to mean the last words of a song. He had written so many that it was significant to hear the last one. David realized that God had lifted him up and anointed him as king. He also knew that God had spoken through him in his songs. We have much of the book of Psalms because God inspired David to write His Words for us. God even made a covenant with David that his family would retain the throne as long as they were faithful to God. In short, David was praising God for all He had done in his life. He knew it was not about David being so great, but it was all about God being so gracious to bless him. Take a little time today to reflect on how God has blessed your life.
The end of chapter 23 recounts the names of David's mighty men. He would not have been able to become king or to remain the king without them. We all need the help of loyal, brave friends. David was a great example of this truth. Consider the wonderful things that your friends have done for you in life. They are a blessing from God. Then, consider how good of a friend you have been to others in your life.
Chapter 24 tells us about David's sin, which was to take a census without God's direction to do so. This was probably done out of pride, and it made God angry, so He sent a plague that killed 70,000 people. Why would God do that? Pride and confidence in ourselves, lead us not to trust God. That is what God saw happening, and He had to stop it. Did you notice what David said when he was given the three options for punishment? He did not want to be given into the hands of men, but into God's hands, because he knew the mercy of God was great. That is a wonderful bit of wisdom for all of us. Also, the fact that David knew that true worship must cost us something is another great truth in this passage. What has your worship of God cost you?
Luke 19 is the story of Zacchaeus and a related parable. Aren't you glad that Jesus loves the unlovely people? Aren't you glad that He wants to know each of us personally, and He knows us by name? Aren't you glad that He changes hearts like He did for Zacchaeus? Well, the Jewish leaders were not glad, and they did not understand. (v.7) Therefore, Jesus told the parable of the minas. Why did He give that parable here? He wanted to emphasize that there will be fruit in our lives, if we come to know Christ and to trust His power. Zacchaeus showed this by paying back those he had wronged. The parable shows us this by the increasing of the minas, and the punishment of the one who did not have an increase. What about your life? Has there been a change since you came to know Christ? Have you seen fruit produced? If there is no change, there is no salvation. Christ makes us new creatures.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Kings 1-2 and Luke 19:28-48.