April 25, 2006 - II Samuel 21-22 and Luke 18:24-43
It is very important for us to realize that we must have God's blessings on our lives to be able to experience all He has for us in life. In this passage we see this truth very clearly. I pray that God will speak to all of us about how we can have His blessings and have a more fruitful life because of those blessings.
Chapter 21 tells us that David realized that Saul had sinned against the Gibeonites by trying to wipe them out, and God was withholding some of His blessings on Israel until this sin was made right. David allowed 7 men of Saul's family to be hanged to atone for this sin. That penalty is in line with the Old Testament practice of revenge for murder. Once David obeyed God, his prayers were answered, and his men were able to defeat the giants of the Philistines. This shows us how God punishes sin, but He blesses once the sin is confessed and restitution is made. If you have wronged someone, I pray that you will seek forgiveness and make restitution, so that God can fully bless you.
In chapter 22 we read David's song, which he sang to the Lord. When you sing, do you sing to the Lord? I hope that is always true, even if you sing a solo. We are worshiping God by praising Him and giving Him the glory like David did here, so we should sing to Him and not to people. Notice how David praised God for fighting for him. (v.15) He gave God credit for saving him and for bringing him into a broad place. That is a place of safety and acceptance by others. David thanked God for blessing him according to his righteousness or clean hands. He humbly thanked God for lifting him to high places and keeping him from the contentions of the people. (v.44) Because of David's heart of humble praise and giving glory to God, he received God's blessings, and so will we if we do the same.
Luke 18 ends with several truths about receiving God's blessings. We should believe that God wants to answer our prayers, and we should pray persistently. We should pray humbly realizing that God loves those type of prayers and He honors those who pray them. We must have the heart of a child to enter God's kingdom. That is a soft heart, ready to trust Him. We know that God can do anything, but it is hard to trust Him as Lord, if we are rich, because we will tend to trust in riches. Finally, we should know that Jesus can heal us, and He is always merciful. How great it is to serve a Savior like Jesus and to receive His blessings. That is what really matters in life.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Samuel 23-24 and Luke 19:1-27.
Chapter 21 tells us that David realized that Saul had sinned against the Gibeonites by trying to wipe them out, and God was withholding some of His blessings on Israel until this sin was made right. David allowed 7 men of Saul's family to be hanged to atone for this sin. That penalty is in line with the Old Testament practice of revenge for murder. Once David obeyed God, his prayers were answered, and his men were able to defeat the giants of the Philistines. This shows us how God punishes sin, but He blesses once the sin is confessed and restitution is made. If you have wronged someone, I pray that you will seek forgiveness and make restitution, so that God can fully bless you.
In chapter 22 we read David's song, which he sang to the Lord. When you sing, do you sing to the Lord? I hope that is always true, even if you sing a solo. We are worshiping God by praising Him and giving Him the glory like David did here, so we should sing to Him and not to people. Notice how David praised God for fighting for him. (v.15) He gave God credit for saving him and for bringing him into a broad place. That is a place of safety and acceptance by others. David thanked God for blessing him according to his righteousness or clean hands. He humbly thanked God for lifting him to high places and keeping him from the contentions of the people. (v.44) Because of David's heart of humble praise and giving glory to God, he received God's blessings, and so will we if we do the same.
Luke 18 ends with several truths about receiving God's blessings. We should believe that God wants to answer our prayers, and we should pray persistently. We should pray humbly realizing that God loves those type of prayers and He honors those who pray them. We must have the heart of a child to enter God's kingdom. That is a soft heart, ready to trust Him. We know that God can do anything, but it is hard to trust Him as Lord, if we are rich, because we will tend to trust in riches. Finally, we should know that Jesus can heal us, and He is always merciful. How great it is to serve a Savior like Jesus and to receive His blessings. That is what really matters in life.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Samuel 23-24 and Luke 19:1-27.