167th Week, II Samuel Chapters 4-8 (Click on Title for Video Introiduction)

 

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Monday, II Samuel Chapter 4

II Samuel 4

Verse 11

Jane Jones

Verse 11:  “How much more--when wicked men have killed an innocent man in his own house and on his own bed--should I not now demand his blood from your hand and rid the earth of you!”

THOUGHT

David took charge and made two men accountable for their actions. In Genesis 9:5-6 we read the following:

“And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each man, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of his fellowman. Whoever sheds the blood of man by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man.”

To “demand an accounting” means that God will require each person to account for his or her actions. We cannot harm or kill another human being without answering to God. A penalty must be paid. Justice will be served.  Here God explains why murder is so wrong: To kill a person is to kill one made in God’s image.  When we interact with others, we are interacting with beings made by God, beings to whom God offers eternal life. God wants us to recognize his image in all people.

If a “demand of an accounting” was asked of you today, how would you stack up?

Our God is not confused, or discouraged. Receive His hope, won’t you?  Receive it because you need it. Receive it so you can share it.  Be accountable to our Lord!

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus, thank You for speaking to us through Your Word this week. We march into the week with needs of understanding on courage, strength and accountability. We thank You for hope.  We thank You for the Salt Shakers and the mission it is about. We pray for all our families.  Thank You for each of the daily teachings. AMEN 

Tuesday, II Samuel Chapter 5

II Samuel 5

Verses 6-7

Delores Little

Verses 6-7:  The king and his men marched to Jerusalem to attack the Jebusites, who lived there.  The Jebusites said to David, “You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off.”  They thought, “David cannot get in here.”  Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion, the city of David.

THOUGHT

This chapter deals with David becoming king of the tribes of Israel after 7 1/2 years being king of Judah and being king for 40 years altogether.

I cannot tell you the many times in my life I have said “never”, and it happens. Now, I say God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  We see this very thing in David’s life.  The Philistines want David out of the way.  David was uncertain if he should go up against the Philistines, but the Lord told him to do so.  God did hand them over to David.  The Philistines came back again.  David again inquired of the Lord.  God told him what to do.  The Lord went in front of David marching on top of the balsam trees, and David moved quickly and struck them down.

God is showing us how important it is to always pray about everything in our lives after we become Christians. I confess I have put God on a shelf many times and have gotten myself in so much trouble thinking I could figure things out.  WRONG THING TO DO. Take everything to Him in prayer with a thankful and praising heart.  Your Spirit will be so lifted up.

PRAYER

Father, thank You for who You are in our lives and forgive us when we do fall short.  Put a desire in our hearts to go to You when we need direction and support in our lives.  Help us be still and listen.  We pray we will also include You in our Joys.  AMEN  

Wednesday, II Samuel Chapter 6

II Samuel 6

Verses 6-7

Delores Little

Verses 6-7:  And when they came to Nachon’s threshing floor, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the ox stumbled.  Then the anger of the Lord was aroused against Uzzah, and God stuck him there for his error; and he died there by the ark of God.

THOUGHT

Here in this chapter David is bringing God’s ark to Jerusalem, and they were one merry group until the above event happened.  How many times have we in our life tried to keep something from falling?  These men were going against the instructions of God.  The Lord instructed certain people to carry it and do so with poles and not a cart.  They were carrying it in the wrong way.  That is why Uzzah was struck.

Again David moved the arch.  David was dancing before the Lord with all his might.  He was leaping and whirling before the Lord. He put on a linen ephod.  Then he offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord.  What is our burnt offering and peace offering before our Lord?  It is us confessing our sins in prayers, and God’s peace coming to us. Yes, we are to sing, dance and leap before God in worship. Then David gave gifts of food to the people, and they all went home.

There were certain wrongs and rights back when David was living and worshipping just as we have today.  However, we have the same God through Christ Jesus who is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.  

PRAYER

Lord, thank You for who You are in our lives. Forgive us when our actions are wrong in our walk.  Help us to keep our eyes focused on Your eyes and being.  AMEN

Thursday, II Samuel Chapter 7

II Samuel 7

Verses 2-3

Delores Little

Verses 2-3:  He(David) said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.”  Nathan replied to the King, “Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you”.

THOUGHT

This chapter has two prayers in it.  One was telling Nathan what to tell David and the other was David praying to God.

The Lord said that He would be great among his people.  He was to rule and not build a building for the arch.  I will raise you up for your sons to build My House.  In verse 16 it says, “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.”  We now know that God was talking about His Son, Jesus, who would do this forever.

How many times do we do something and not ask God first if we should do it? Sometimes we get ahead of God and fall right on our faces. But guess what, He doesn’t give up on us.  He picks us up and starts all over again.  This time – His Will and not ours.  

David’s prayer is really centered on God, and that is what He wants of us.  Not my will be done but God our Father’s.  God gave David battles to fight and then periods of rest.  He will do the same for us. 

PRAYER 

Lord, forgive us and teach us by Your Holy Spirit to do Your Will not ours.  Give us eyes to see like Jesus sees people. Help us be loving and compassionate.  AMEN

Friday, II Samuel Chapter 8

II Samuel 8

Verse 6b

Delores Little

Verse 6b:  The Lord gave David victory wherever he went.  

THOUGHT

In the 7th chapter of II Samuel David rested.  This chapter spoke of more fighting.  The Lord gave him victory wherever he went.  At times the killing is just too much for my mind to comprehend.  However, the Lord directed him and gave him the ability.  

What can we get out of this story?  God gives the victory not us. He uses us, but He goes before us.  We are to obey what He wants us to do and not what we want. The battle always belongs to God if we just let Him do it.

How I pray we could learn that and just do it, but it takes one day at a time to just let go and let God do it through us.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, it is awesome to read the story of David and see how You worked in his life.  We pray that the Holy Spirit would open our hearts and minds and souls and receive the instruction that You have for us.  Make us Your helpmates here on Earth.  Give us the abilities and desires that are needed.  We wait with expectation.   Loving You as You lead us!!! AMEN