When God is Truly in It

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2 Samuel 6:14-15

New International Version

Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets.

For Encouragement

When we do things well, there is joy, and if it is in God’s vineyard, He pours abundant grace to bless our care and obedience in respecting His holiness. It shows we revere Him. Heaven responds favorably, the earth rejoices, and His people serve with open hearts. Godly praise and thanksgiving fill our hearts and mouths, transforming our worship for our Savior’s glory. So, allow your imagination to feast on the procession that finally brought the Ark to Jerusalem, a testament to God’s grace and our reverence for His holiness.

David, having learned from the tragic death of Uzzah, whom God struck down for touching the Ark (2 Samuel 6:6-7), made a significant change. He assigned the Levites their God-given roles, and they carried the ark, as God had designated, instead of a cart (1 Chronicles 15:1-3). This time, life reigned instead of death. God’s presence charged the atmosphere, and there was an overwhelming sense of joy. The music, the sacrifices, the dancing—all glorified the Lord. David’s obedience to God’s directives in reverence for His holiness led to a transformational experience.

David’s transformation was nothing short of remarkable. His previous neglect had caused him much pain and fear when God struck down Uzzah.

“How can the ark of the Lord ever come to me?”

Terrified, David was not willing to take the ark of the Lord to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite for three months (10-11). The Lord blessed Obed-Edom. Report of this awakened David and snapped him out of his fear. This experience led to a profound change in his attitude towards worship and reverence. Humbled, he obeyed the Lord by doing the right thing the second time amid celebration (1 Chronicles 15:1-3). He danced with exhilaration in God’s presence with abandon – a dance his wife, Michal, Saul’s daughter, frowned upon to her regret (2 Samuel 6:16, 20-23).

It is a dangerous path to scorn the worship of the Most High. God’s glory should inspire us to surrender in praise, not defiance. It is not distasteful for God’s children to lose themselves in praise and worship, to be so fully immersed in their devotion that they forget the world around them, acknowledging His worth and reverence. Christ, and He alone, deserves our all in worship.

As believers, this should instill in us a profound sense of respect and consideration for others’ unique expressions of joy in worship, acknowledging God’s holiness. We must admit each person’s worship as a personal and sacred experience.

Because of Him, We Live

2 Samuel 9:1

New Living Translation (NLT)

One day David asked, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”

For Meditation

Imagine the day Ziba broke the news of King David’s invitation to Mephibosheth in Lo Debar (2 Samuel 9:1-8). The city’s name signified a rebellious place with no leader or shepherd, without order or pasture, and barren—not a place for anybody to desire to live. Such was the spiritual condition of the city where the disabled son of Jonathan lived, cut off from the richness of the land his grandfather once ruled. I can see his surprise.

“Who, me?”

“Yes, you, Mephibosheth. King David has thrown a banquet and every prominent person in the nation has gathered in Jerusalem. They will not sit down to dine until you join them at his table. Hurry up; for we can’t keep his Majesty waiting,” Ziba said.

Over in the palace at Jerusalem, the king’s children, generals, and dignitaries waited for the dinner to start. Their appetites mounting as they waited for this person, without whom dinner would not begin. “Who is he?” General Joab asked Absalom.

The door swings open, and Ziba announces the entrance of Mephibosheth, the crippled son of Jonathan, the king’s deceased best friend.

“What! Is this cripple the reason for our long wait?” Joab angrily asked Absalom.

David said, “Mephibosheth!”

“At your service,” he replied.

“Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan … and you will always eat at my table” (2 Samuel 9:6-7).

The beauty of grace; how marvelous!

Mephibosheth bowed and said, “What is your servant that you should notice a dead dog like me?”

Mephibosheth had fallen as a baby and become crippled in both feet and rendered undeserving to sit at the king’s table. He considered himself a dead dog. Still, David showed him royal kindness because of his father, Jonathan!

When we read Ephesians 2:8-9, let’s picture this scene and see ourselves in Mephibosheth—crippled in both feet, a wasted dead dog—but God noticed us and called us to Himself because of Christ Jesus. It is all grace! As Paul wrote to Titus:

At one time, we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:3-6)?

As recipients of this grace, can we show kindness to one another for the sake of Jesus? Can we share this love with a dying world because of what Christ has done for us?

Only our actions motivated by love for Christ will stand before Him in judgment.

Shalom

Under His Wings

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1 Samuel 25:31

New International Version

 And when the Lord your God has brought my lord success, remember your servant.

For Your 

Was Abigail an opportunist—a gold digger, as some call her—for pleading to David to remember her when he came into his kingdom (1 Samuel 25:31)?

The beautiful woman needed someone to deliver her from her marriage to Nabal, a wealthy but senseless man. She was a woman hopelessly attempting to rescue her husband from his foolishness and self-destructive tendencies, and it was silently crushing her. 

The never-ending regret for the day she said yes to Nabal. The wet pillows, the anguished heart, the travail of prayers, and the cry for relief filled the throne of grace daily. Where was God? 

Does it strike a chord with you?

How many of us have experienced such moments in life? How many still suffer through their crucible and endure tears of regret and shame? It is grace, my friend. Grace has kept you to this point, and grace will see you through. 

Paul needed to know this truth through his thorn experience (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). His pain was excruciating, but relief had become a mirage despite his earnest pleas to God. All Paul heard from God was:

 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (9).

God does not show favoritism in His responses to His children’s prayers. It is all about His will for us and His ultimate purpose and glory in our lives. Abigail may have prayed for who knows when until God showed up.

Her moment was when she intercepted the murderous march of David and his men towards her home (1 Samuel 25:20-22). God had prepared a place for her in the life of David, the next king of Israel. That was all she needed—a place of relief and comfort under the shadow of the future king of Israel, and she maximized the opportunity it presented to her (1 Samuel 25:23-31). No wonder David is a type of Christ the King under whose wings the wearied soul finds safety and rest (Psalm 91:1-2). 

So do not worry if you are experiencing an unpleasant situation now. God knows your sorrow and anguished soul. He has prepared your deliverance and refuge in Christ Jesus. 

You are no fool for running to take cover under the umbrella of King Jesus. It is about life eternal, and He is the only source of it (John 3:16). Just as Abigail heard about the fury of David and sought refuge and redemption under the future king, hear the coming wrath of God on this godless and wicked world (Romans 1:18-20) and run to Jesus for refuge (10:9-10). God will rescue you and bring you into the kingdom of the Son He loves—Christ Jesus our Lord (Col. 1:12-13).

Give glory to Him this morning! Amen.

Shalom

The Paradox of Abuse

1 Samuel 25:13

New International Version

David said to his men, “Each of you strap on your sword!” So they did, and David strapped his on as well. About four hundred men went up with David, while two hundred stayed with the supplies.

For Meditation

It is interesting how our experience affects our thinking and actions.

King Saul had pursued David with a large army that became his experience. So, when Nabal turned down his request, David raised four hundred vigorous men to go after a single household, much like King Saul had come against him. How ridiculous!

We may hate our childhood experiences to the core and do not wish it on anyone. Yet, we perpetuate the same behavior upon others under us in our adult life. In our stressful moments, we realize we are acting like our abusive parents, domineering friends, or wicked bosses.

Take the example of abused children. They turn out to be the worst abusers as adults. I have observed how the poor children who roam the streets of some Islamic countries, begging for their cruel Marabous—Koranic teachers—crave the authority of their masters and want to grow to become like them. Many of them grow to maintain the oppressive system they must work to dismantle.

When David felt offended by Nabal’s rejection, all reason left him. Godly counsel disappeared, and the only thing he could call on was his cruel experience with King Saul—to raise a large army to obliterate a small household because of a perceived offense by one person. That is where Jabez becomes a role model for every child of God (1 Chron 4:9-11).

Jabez had a terrible childhood experience and hated it. He prayed to God to keep him from all trouble and pain (10), and God granted his request. The Holy Spirit calls Him more honorable than his brothers (9).

Maybe you are living the life of someone by close association and hate it. I pray the Lord to make you be like Jabez, and by the grace He accords you, avoid the situation of David when Nabal provoked him.

A Friend Indeed.

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Proverbs 18:24

New King James Version

A man who has friends must himself be friendly,
But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

For Encouragement

A true friend, who can find in this selfish world?

He was a friend to his father, a trusted warrior by his side. He was not deficient in loyalty (2 Samuel 1:23). Dignified and trusted by the men he led (1 Samuel 14:44-45), Jonathan did not hold on to his rank as king-in-waiting above righteous living.

Then came along a young man, brave and exuding faith in God like none Jonathan knew (17:32-55). Jonathan discerned the heart of David and loved him (19:1).

Our love is tested in the scales of sincerity when another person with everything we adore comes along in a relationship. Couples know this better than any other. Check the current statistics on divorce, and you will know my bearing. However, there are other relationships that also get tested on this scale of integrity. The friendship between Jonathan and David is one of them.

How could Jonathan care for David without betraying his loyalty to his father? Somehow, Jonathan did that refreshingly, and it demands our careful consideration and emulation.

Jonathan honored Saul as his father and king. As his father, he loved and respected Saul. His loyalty to Him as king remained firm.

His loyalty was not a blind one. It discerned and responded with nobility in honor of God’s holiness. When his father was wrong, Jonathan called him out, not fearing his wrath. Neither did he allow his love and loyalty to prevent him from making righteous decisions concerning his father (1 Samuel 20:30-33).

Though he was the legal successor to the throne, Jonathan did not allow that to cloud his spiritual perspective. He knew David had the anointing of God for the throne after his father, and that was enough for him to yield to God and not fight for his rights. Jonathan ceded to David as the anointed king of Israel after his father, without jealousy or malice (12-17). He went beyond and above to support, encourage, and protect David until his loyalty and respect for authority led him to die with his father in battle on Mt. Gilboa (31:1-6). What a man!

Solomon was right. “There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).

Do you have such a friend? More than that. Are you a friend who sticks closer than a brother to those who consider you their friend?

Jesus is the ultimate friend who is closer than our earthly kindred. He is the only Friend (John 15:13-15) and Brother (Hebrews 2:12), who never leaves our side nor forsakes us in troubled times (13:5-6).

Though it is difficult to love our friends with the sincerity of Christ, we can do it in the power His Spirit provides as we yield to Him with purpose.