Psalms 73: A Time of Repentance

But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped.  For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.  For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.
Therefore pride compasseth them about as a chain; violence covereth them as a garment.  Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish.  They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily.  They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them.  And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High?  Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches.

Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency.  For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning.   If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children.  When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me;

Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.  Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction.  How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.  As a dream when one awaketh; so, O Lord, when thou awakest, thou shalt despise their image. 

Thus my heart was grieved, and I was pricked in my reins.   So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee -Psalms 73:2-22 KJV

Most of us know exactly how the Psalmist felt.  We look around and wickedness seems to increase, the darkness seems to be overtaking the light, it feels like we are suddenly on the losing side.  But, that is not the truth of the situation.  God is still in charge, just as he always has been.  The world may mock God, they may try to destroy what is his, but they cannot touch Him.  He is still the creator of the universe and he still holds the world in his hands.  We are the ones at fault.  We are the ones that have taken our eyes off of our God.  We are the ones who have become judge and jury. We are the ones who have forgotten to be salt and light. We are the ones who have lost compassion.  We are the ones who have forgotten the fate that awaits those who don't trust in God.  Like the Psalmist, our hearts should be grieving for the world that is lost.  Our conscience should be pricked, we should be crying out for forgiveness and offering compassion.  We should be drawing near to the source and pleading for a world that is lost and dying.  It is a time of repentance.

Psalms 3: The Lifter of My Head

Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me.  
Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah.  
But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.   I cried unto the LORD with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. Selah.   I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustained me.  
I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about.  
Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.  
Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah. - Ps 3:1-8 NIV

This may well be the cry of God's people today.  I know it is my cry many times.  'Many are they that rise up against me!'  It's not just those who openly oppose the gospel and all it stands for.  Many of us could fight that off if that were the only case.  But, it's the internal warring that gets me down.  It's all of the ways that I have compromised.  It's all of the ways I have been trapped in idolizing what the world idolizes: my independence, my security, my prosperity.

I am so afraid sometimes, that I am being overcome by the world, of succumbing to its lure, of being caught in the lies until there is no way back to the Father.  But, David says, we are not to have those fears.  That God hears us, that he sustains us, that he smites our enemies, that he saves. He is not just interested in saving us, but he plants our feet on solid ground, he says to us, you don't need to fear that your actions are inadequate.  He reaches out and lifts our downcast face up.  He tells us we are his children.  We have nothing to fear and nothing to be ashamed of.  It's not my pride, but his glory that is the lifter of my head.

Job 20-31: The Words of Job Are Ended

(“Oh, that I had someone to hear me! I sign now my defense—let the Almighty answer me; let my accuser put his indictment in writing.
Surely I would wear it on my shoulder, I would put it on like a crown.
I would give him an account of my every step; like a prince I would approach him.)—
“if my land cries out against me and all its furrows are wet with tears,
if I have devoured its yield without payment or broken the spirit of its tenants,
then let briers come up instead of wheat and weeds instead of barley.” The words of Job are ended. -Job 31:35-40 NIV

Sooner or later, we all tire of defending ourselves, of defending our position, our righteousness.

You see, we have none.  We have no defense and just like Job, we have no accuser except for our own heart.  We may all cry out, 'it is not my fault', and it is only a partial truth.  It is not solely our fault that these calamities come upon us, it goes back to Eve in the garden.  That is the point at which we lost our relationship with God.  But, God did not abandon Adam and Eve.  He did not abandon Job and he has not abandoned us.  Like Job, we still bear some responsibility.  All we like sheep have gone astray.  Even Job.

God did not say that Job was perfect, only that he was blameless and upright.
Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” (Job 1:8 NIV).

Eventually we all come to the end, even those who are upright: the end of ourselves and our words.  We have no more defense, nothing more to prove.  The words are ended.

Job 1-19: I Will See Him

I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.
And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God;
I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! -Job 19:25-27

Poor Job.  Not only has he lost his family and his health, but his so-called friends are no help or comfort to him as well.  In spite of all of his protests, they assert that Job must have done something wrong and is now suffering the consequences that he deserves.  Job, meanwhile is convinced that he is blameless and if he could only reason it out with God, everything would be all right.

We may not have such unreliable friends, but how many times is our response the same.  Woe is me!  Why is God not hearing me?  What have I done wrong.  In the end, the only consolation is as Job expressed it.  I know that my Redeemer lives and one day I shall see him face to face.  What marvelous words!  I will see Him face to face.  I will see Him and all the confusion, problems and suffering of this finite world will no longer matter.  I will see  Him!

On a side note...I have not abandoned my daily bible reading, but I find that a lot of my devotions are taking on a more personal note or are not necessarily applicable to the scripture I am reading on any given day.  I'm not sure I want to share all of them, so my postings may be more erratic than I intended initially when I started this year.

Esther: A Prayer Covering

“Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” -Esther 4:16 NIV

Much has been written about Esther's words "If I perish, I perish", but little mention is made of her request prior to those words.  Esther knew that going into the king was not something to be taken lightly.  She knew that she was powerless against the whims of the king, that if he was not pleased with her appearance, she could be facing death.  She knew that there was only one thing that would keep her safe and it was not her beauty or pleasing personality.  The only thing that would keep her safe was God's covering, being surrounded by the presence of God.  She knew that if she was surrounded by his angels, she could face anything, even death.  It was the prayers and fasting of all of the Jews that changed the outcome.  It was their devotion that caused the king to wake during the middle of the night and discover that Mordecai had never been rewarded for saving the king's life.  It was their prayers and supplication that caused the king to lift his scepter to Esther.  It was their covering that changed the outcome of extinction that they were facing.  The covering of prayer saved a nation.

Nehemiah 8-13: Return

For many years you were patient with them. By your Spirit you admonished them through your prophets. Yet they paid no attention, so you handed them over to the neighboring peoples. But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God. -Neh. 9:30-31 NIV

Living in this day and age, we know what it is like to be handed over to the neighboring people's.  Our society has become u recognizable.  We have adopted all of the gods of the neighboring tribes.  Our sons and daughters have abandoned the truth and even those of faith have become cold.

Yet we have hope.  God is still the God of great mercy.  He has not abandoned us.  He is waiting for us to return, to turn our hearts toward him.  His heart cries out to us.  He cries our to us as a father waiting for his lost child to return.  Return, that is all he asks of us, return.

2 Chronicles 23-30: Everyone Who Sets His Heart on Seeking God

Although most of the many people who came from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun had not purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover, contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, “May the LORD,: who is good, pardon everyone who sets his heart on seeking God—the LORD, the God of his fathers—even if he is not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary.” And the LORD heard Hezekiah and healed the people. - 2 Chronicles 30:18-20 NIV

We often think that we have to live by all of the rules in order to incur God's favor.  This was not true for the Israelites during Hezekiah's time, when the people had become so estranged from their God that they no longer even knew what the rules were.  When Hezekiah came to power, he realized how far the people had departed from the right relationship with God.  Even when he, the king, sent messengers around to call the people back to the Lord, his entreaties were met with refusal.  Only a few chose to answer the call, and they were so far removed from the law, that they didn't even know that they needed to purify themselves in order to approach the sanctuary of God.  But, as always, it is our hearts, not our actions that God is interested in.  Hezekiah realized that it was a sinful people trying the best they knew to approach God and he asked God to forgive them, which he did...which he has always done.  Even today, even if our prayers and devotion are not what they should be, we can approach God.  God does pardon everyone who sets his heart on seeking God.

2 Chronicles 13-22: No Partiality

He told them, “Consider carefully what you do, because you are not judging for man but for the LORD, who is with you whenever you give a verdict. Now let the fear of the LORD be upon you. Judge carefully, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.” - 2 Chron. 19:6-7 NIV

How different would our decisions be, how different would our judging of others be if we realized that we are judging for God, that we are to be judging with God's heart as well as his eyes.  How often do we let our prejudices influence those that we judge.  We judge based on the color of a person's skin.  We judge based on their educational level.  We judge based on the church that they attend.  We even judge on their appearance down to the clothes that they wear.  In contrast, there is no partiality with God.  He sees all men through the eyes of love.   Nothing we do, can bribe God to see his creation differently.  He sees us with all of our faults, but he also sees the opportunity that exists for all of his creation to be reconciled to him.  While we see the screw ups, he sees the possibilities.  Oh, that God would allow us to see through his eyes for just a minute.  It would completely change how we view all others.  It would completely change how we mete out justice.  There would be no partiality.

2 Chronicles 13-16: How Does One Stop Trusting God?

For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. You have done a foolish thing, and from now on you will be at war.” 2 Chron. 16:9 NIV

Asa should be a lesson for us all.  He started out with a heart after God and his commands.  He destroyed the foreign gods, he stopped the influence of his  grandmother, Maacah and trusted God for deliverance. Judah was at peace and prospered.

Somewhere along the line, Asa decided that the God of his fathers, the God who had always been able, was not strong enough.  At least, not strong enough to deliver Judah from their fellow brethren, the  Israelites under King Baasha.  Rather than enlisting help from God, Asa took the gold and silver from the temple and gave it to Ben-Hadad to entice him to break his treaty with Baasha.  Everything went downhill from there.  He started oppressing the people he was supposed to protect and with a hardened and calloused heart refused to ask God for help, even when his feet became diseased.  How does one who started following God and enjoyed the blessing of God's faithfulness make such a dramatic turnaround?  How does one stop trusting God?

2 Chronicles 7-12: Worshipping God's Glory

When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. The priests could not enter the temple of the LORD because the glory of the LORD filled it. When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the LORD above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying, “He is good; his love endures forever.” - 2 Chron. 7:1-3 NIV

Israel, following the reign of David, abandoned the Lord and ignored the covenant made with him.  However, it did not start out that way.  Solomon finished the temple as his father David had planned.  No expense was spared and there was a great celebration to dedicate it when the temple was completed.  For once, the Israelites were united in their worship and thanksgiving....not because of anything that God had done, but merely because he showed up.  The glory of the Lord filled the temple and all they could do was say "He is good; his love endures forever."

We have a tendency to worship God, to give him thanks, when he has done something marvelous,  I believe what really warms the heart of God is when we worship him for what he is;  when we worship him for his universal power, not just that which is manifest in our lives.  Our greatest worship is worshipping his glory.

2 Chronicles 1-6: Our Sin Matters to God

“When famine or plague comes to the land, or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers, or when enemies besiege them in any of their cities, whatever disaster or disease may come, and when a prayer or plea is made by any of your people Israel—each one aware of his afflictions and pains, and spreading out his hands toward this temple— then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Forgive, and deal with each man according to all he does, since you know his heart (for you alone know the hearts of men), - 2 Chron. 6:28-30 NIV

It's awfully easy to blame the conditions of our world on others.  After all, they are the ones committing the gross sins that have allowed the enemy to take up residence in our society.  It is more difficult for us to accept responsibility on our part.  Our sins may not be as flagrant, but God never said that there is a gradation of sin.  Sin is sin.  It's all the same and false testimony, or  stretching the truth, is no different from murder.  While it may not seem a big deal to us, it is to God.  He sees and knows our hearts.  He knows our failures, and while our sins may be forgiven by the shedding of Christ's blood, they are still known to God.  Our response must be to plead for forgiveness.  It is only when each and every one of us confesses our part in the sin of the land that the land can be restored.
Our sin does matter to God.

1 Chronicles 23-29: An Inheritance Forever

“So now I charge you in the sight of all Israel and of the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God: Be careful to follow all the commands of the LORD your God, that you may possess this good land and pass it on as an inheritance to your descendants forever. - 1 Chron. 28:8 NIV

The formula for prosperity is not that difficult to understand, but it is extremely difficult to adhere to....follow all the commands of the Lord your God.  That's it...follow God's commands.  There were only Ten Commandments.  A lot of intrepretations were added to make it more specific, but there were only ten.   Later, Jesus narrowed those Ten Commandments down to only two - love the Lord your God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself.  How difficult can that be?  From my standpoint, it's not difficult, it's impossible!

I may think I am loving my neighbor, but all of my selfish wants and desires get in the way.  I love when it is convenient, but selflessly, never.  As for loving God with all of my heart, I wish I could say that I do, but, I'm afraid that most of the time I treat him like a gumball machine.  I put a little in and expect a good response in return.  I know he demands more of me than that.  If it were not for the cross, for God's own Son giving me access to His family, I would have no inheritance, earthly or heavenly whatsoever.  Only because of God's mercy, I have an inheritance forever.

1 Chronicles 18-21: Strength in Numbers

Satan rose up against Israel and incited David to take a census of Israel. So David said to Joab and the commanders of the troops, “Go and count the Israelites from Beersheba to Dan. Then report back to me so that I may know how many there are.”
But Joab replied, “May the LORD multiply his troops a hundred times over. My lord the king, are they not all my lord’s subjects? Why does my lord want to do this? Why should he bring guilt on Israel?” - 1 Chron. 19:1-3 NIV

When will we ever learn that God's might cannot be measured in earthly terms.  Over and over in the Old Testament, and even in the New, circumstances illustrate that numbers have nothing to do with anything.  One small stone was all it took to kill the giant, Gideon's army of 300 was all it took to defeat the Midianites, five loaves and two fishes was enough to feed five thousand.  Yet, like David, we're always trying to measure our strength.  If Christian candidates won every election would it prove anything?  Would that mean that we have turned back to God?  Hardly!  It would mean we are counting on our strength and power more than on God.  The results would be as disastrous as they were for David.  Anytime we think our strength is in numbers, we are being misled.

1 Chronicles 14-17: Who Am I?

Then King David went in and sat before the LORD, and he said: “Who am I, O LORD God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? And as if this were not enough in your sight, O God, you have spoken about the future of the house of your servant. You have looked on me as though I were the most exalted of men, O LORD God. -1 Chron. 17:16-17 NIV

If David, the greatest king in the history of Israel, a man after God's own heart, would ask these questions, what should our response be to the blessings of God in our lives?  First, we have to acknowledge that it is God himself that has brought us thus far.  It is God that has blessed us with our current circumstances whatever that might be.  Some might say, "Well, our situation is not that great right now".  Well, neither was David's.  He was pursued for years by a maniacal Saul who wanted to see him dead.  His own wife despised him.  His children would turn against him.  And on and on...just like our own lives.  Our lives do not have to be perfect to be blessed.

Which brings us to our second response, we have to realize that God looks on all of us, each and every one, as though we are the most exalted of men.  Can you wrap your mind around that?  God considers us right up there with the saints and angels.  We are that precious in his sight.  Just as with David, none of this is of our own doing.  It is only because of God's love for his creation that he made a way for us.

Who am I that God has brought me thus far?

1 Chronicles 10-13: Taking the Things of God Seriously

They moved the ark of God from Abinadab’s house on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding it. David and all the Israelites were celebrating with all their might before God, with songs and with harps, lyres, tambourines, cymbals and trumpets.
When they came to the threshing floor of Kidon, Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark, because the oxen stumbled. The LORD’s anger burned against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God.- 1 Chronicles 13:7-10  NIV

Even David, who was a man after God's own heart had to learn the lesson about that which belongs to God; the things of God are not to be taken or treated lightly.  God is real, his power is strong.  His power is greater than anything we can imagine.  The Bible is littered with stories of those who did not take God at his word or who did not give him the honor that was due.

Korath and his followers rebelled against Moses and they and all their families were swallowed up by the earth.  Eli sons treated the Lord's sacrifice with contempt and lost their lives as a result. Ananias and Sapphira, lied about proceeds from the sale of their land, and were slain on the spot.  God's possessions, whether they be human or material are not to be messed with.  He is that holy and therefore the things of God are holy as well.

1 Chronicles 1-9: God is Faithful

As I read the chronicler's list of the generations of each tribe of Israel, that old hymn, Great is Thy Faithfulness comes to mind.

“Great is Thy faithfulness,” O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

Through the ages, through all of the years of the lives listed in 1 Chronicles, God was there.  God was present in the lives of his people whether they realized it or not.  He was leading them, protecting them, delivering them.  God could not change his mind about his chosen people.  They were and have been forever his.  Even in the darkest times, even during the holocaust, even when Christians were burned at the stake or slaughtered by ISIS, God is there.  His compassion has not changed.  Just because we cannot see from an eternal perspective does not mean God is not there.  Even in the direst circumstances, God is faithful.

2 Kings 21-25: Great is the Lord's Anger

“Go and inquire of the LORD for me and for the people and for all Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the LORD ’s anger that burns against us because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written there concerning us.” - 2 Kings 22:13 NIV

When did the people of Judah start ignoring the words of the Lord?  Was it when they looked around and saw the prosperity of the other nations who followed other gods?  Was it when Manasseh, the evil son of Hezekiah became king.  Was it when Manasseh built all of the shrines to other gods?  Did they become fearful when they saw children being sacrificed to Molech and decided that it would be best to keep their mouth shut?  Did they observe all of the people visiting the male prostitutes at the temple and decide that God just didn't care what they did?  Or, did they just get lazy? Did it become too difficult to go to the temple on a regular basis?  Was it because all of their friends stopped going to make sacrifice and seemed to prosper anyway.

It really doesn't matter why they stopped paying attention to God's requirements.  The bottom line was their safety net was removed, their covenant with the God of their fathers was broken.  Josiah accurately saw that the consequence of their actions was dreadful.  The Lord wasn't just dismissive of their insult, he was angry.  As the writer of Hebrews states, "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Heb. 10:31 KJV  

The citizens and rulers of Judah would pay for their disobedience.  Everything they owned would be confiscated.  All but the very poorest would be driven into exile.  Their adopted gods would not protect them from the Lord's anger.

2 Kings 18-20: How Can He Not Deliver

Who of all the gods of these countries has been able to save his land from me? How then can the LORD deliver Jerusalem from my hand?” - 2 Kings 18:35 NIV

Things had been crumbling for a while when Hezekiah became king.  Israel was on the brink of being carried away to Babylon and Judah had been under the influence of ungodly kings as well.  Hezekiah knew that deliverance would not come from any other gods even though they appeared to be leading the enemy to victory.  Hezekiah had to endure the taunts of the enemy..."How can the LORD deliver?"

How can the Lord God deliver?  How can he not deliver?  He is a covenant keeping God.  With those who keep his covenant he remains constant.  With the faithful in Judah in the fading days of the kings, with the Christians in Iraq, with the Christians in Kenya, with the Christians in Egypt.  All over the world, when God's people keep their covenant, God upholds his side of the covenant as well.  It may not appear that way to the enemy,.  They may think they are winning, but those who are being persecuted know that God's covenant is firm.  They are at peace.  They rest in the shelter of His wing.  They know that following Christ may mean they have to pick up their cross, but the same God that carried that heavy cross up Calvary's hill is alive and living in their heart.  There is nothing any enemy can do to change that reality.  How can he not deliver?

2 Kings 13-17: No Other Gods

When the LORD made a covenant with the Israelites, he commanded them: “Do not worship any other gods or bow down to them, serve them or sacrifice to them. But the LORD, who brought you up out of Egypt with mighty power and outstretched arm, is the one you must worship. To him you shall bow down and to him offer sacrifices. You must always be careful to keep the decrees and ordinances, the laws and commands he wrote for you. Do not worship other gods. Do not forget the covenant I have made with you, and do not worship other gods. Rather, worship the LORD your God; it is he who will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies.”

They would not listen, however, but persisted in their former practices. Even while these people were worshiping the LORD, they were serving their idols. To this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their fathers did. - 2 Kings 17:35-41 NIV

What other gods do we idolize?  Do we even realize that Jehovah God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of the Universe, the Creator of all, is a jealous God.  Do we understand that when he says we are to have no other gods, that includes our possessions, our status, our entertainment?  Does he have to strip everything away from us as he did to Israel and later Judah in order to prove that he was serious when he said we should have no other gods.   Unfortunately, history shows that most of the time the only way God can get our attention and loyalty is to take everything away and send us into exile.  He did it to Israel, he did it to Judah.  We should not be surprised if that is our fate as well.  We have a choice.  We can come back to him, we can divorce ourselves from all that maintains our attention and loyalty.  We can tear down all of our idols and high places.  We can give him back the rightful place, the throne in our hearts.  Can we do it?   I don't know.  I'm working on it, but I still have a lot of things to let go of before my heart is solely and completely His.

2 Kings 6-12: Changing the Course of History

When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family. But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram and sister of Ahaziah, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the royal princes, who were about to be murdered. She put him and his nurse in a bedroom to hide him from Athaliah; so he was not killed. He remained hidden with his nurse at the temple of the LORD for six years while Athaliah ruled the land. - 2 Kings 11:1-3 NIV

Thank God for the brave ones who are willing to risk their own lives for righteousness.  Athaliah was evil with evil self serving intent.  We're it not for Jehosheba, Joash would never have become king and turned the nation of Judah back to God.  Jehosheba could not have foreseen the impact of her actions, but she was not afraid to act.  We need brave women and men like her today.  We need people who will recognize the evil going on and take corrective action.  Jehosheba could have told people what they were doing wrong.  She could have started a blog or written letters to the editor.  She could have taken to the airwaves, but she didn't.  Instead, she acted and it changed the course of history for Judah at that point in time.

2 Kings 1-5: The Workings of God

When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied.
“You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise not.” - 2 Kings 2:9-10 NIV

If you look at the miracles performed by Elisha, you will notice one thing; they were all performed for impoverished people.  They were not all in dire financial straits.  Some of they were wealthy, but could not have children, or were ravaged by leprosy.  If we wonder why God does not work today, perhaps it is because we don't need him that badly.  We have financial advisors, fertility clinics, doctors and hospitals that make sure we want for nothing.  There is no need for God to intervene in our lives.  Would we give up all we have, would we lead lives of poverty if it meant we could see the working of God in our lives?

1 Kings 15-22: Spoken by the True Prophet

So Obadiah went to meet Ahab and told him, and Ahab went to meet Elijah. When he saw Elijah, he said to him, “Is that you, you troubler of Israel?”
“I have not made trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied. “But you and your father’s family have. You have abandoned the LORD’s commands and have followed the Baals. - 1 Kings 18:16-18 NIV

It is so easy to dismiss God's true prophets, especially when they are prophesying doom and reminding the people of their sins.  No one wants to hear bad news.  We always want to believe that everything is going to be alright, that our sins are ok, that we can continue on as before.  We want prophets like those of Ahab who always told him what he wanted to hear.  We don't want prophets like Elijah, who hear the word of the true God.  Those who prophesy God's doom are always considered the kooks, the outsiders, the ones who don't know what they are talking about.

The prophets are not the problem.  The problem is and has always been sin; separation from God.  God gave his people ten, only ten, commandments which Jesus said could be further condensed down to only two:  love the Lord God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself.  If Israel could not keep those few commandments, how could they be expected to listen to the word of God spoken by the true prophet?

1 Kings 10-14:

In the fifth year of King Rehoboam, Shishak king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem. He carried off the treasures of the temple of the LORD and the treasures of the royal palace. He took everything, including all the gold shields Solomon had made. - 1 Kings 14:25-26 NIV

In spite of all his wisdom, everything that Solomon had amassed, all the wealth, all the tribute, disappeared within five years of his death.  Solomon may have been wise in an earthly sense, but not in a Godly sense, as a result all of his wisdom was in vain.

1 Kings 5-9 : God's Eyes and Heart Are Always There

The LORD said to him: “I have heard the prayer and plea you have made before me; I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting my Name there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there. - 1 Kings 9:3 NIV

Until you stand at the wailing wall in Jerusalem, you cannot fully understand these words to Solomon as the temple in Jerusalem was dedicated.  It isn't just being surrounded by all of the people worshipping there.  It isn't something you understand, it is something you know.  As God told Solomon, his eyes and heart will always be there.  That is why, when you write your prayer requests on a small sliver of paper, fold it and slide it into a small crack in the foundation you feel your petition has been received by God.  A powerful force still surrounds the place where Solomon created a permanent home for the Lord God.; where God ceased to occupy a nomadic tent and settled down to make his home with those he loved and who loved him.  When you stand in the remains of the temple, you realize that God meant it when he said "My eyes and my heart will always be there".

1 Kings 1-4: A Discerning Heart

So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both riches and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.”  - 1 Kings 3:11-14 NIV

For most of us, discernment is low on the list of things we ask of God.  We ask for healing, for provision, and perhaps even for wisdom in our financial decisions, but discernment, particularly as it relates to the will of God is not a priority.

Why is discernment so important?  Discernment, I believe, implies that we see things as God sees them, not as society, tradition, or prejudices see things, but as God sees them.  Discernment frees us from our own biases.  Discernment acts based not on what is best for us, but what aligns with the heart of God.  Our society might not be in the situation it is if more Christians had approached the world with a discerning heart rather than one of judgement and self preservation.  Discernment means that sometimes we ignore our own comfort zone and operate in the comfort zone of God.  That is after all the wisest and safest place to be.

2 Samuel 21-24: His Unfailing Love

“He reached down from on high and took hold of me; he drew me out of deep waters. - 2 Sam. 22:17. NIV

We live in times that are very much similar to David's time.  We are surrounded by enemies who not only do not follow the God that we follow, but who would also love nothing better than to destroy us all.  How do you live under those circumstances where there are constant threats against your survival and more importantly against your faith.  The  threat was constantly around David to abandon his faith:  to trust in anything other than the God of Israel, to trust in the size of his army, to trust in his possessions.

Whenever I get overwhelmed by the worlds situation or situations in my own life, whenever doubts creep in as to whether the gospel, the power of God, is real, all I have to do is recall how he reached down and rescued me; how he pulled me out of the depths and placed me feet on solid ground.  It is real!  I have seen him and his power.  I have seen his glory.  The land around me may be parched and weary, but I am in the presence of His unfailing love.

O God, you are my God;I earnestly search for you. My soul thirsts for you;my whole body longs for you in this parched and weary landwhere there is no water.  I have seen you in your sanctuary and gazed upon your power and glory.  Your unfailing love is better than life itself;how I praise you!  I will praise you as long as I live,lifting up my hands to you in prayer.- Ps 63:1-4 NIV

2 Samuel 14-20: Intrigue Upon Intrigue

Then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice, and they cut off the head of Sheba son of Bicri and threw it to Joab. So he sounded the trumpet, and his men dispersed from the city, each returning to his home. And Joab went back to the king in Jerusalem. - 2 Sam. 20:22 NIV

Sometimes the wisdom of one woman is greater than that of a thousand men.  David's kingdom was characterized by intrigue after intrigue.  Someone was always killing someone or trying to take what was not theirs.  Amnon rapes Tamar.  Absalom kills Amnon.  Absalom tries to take the kingdom from David.  David flees with the rest of his family from his own son.  Ziba betrays Mephibosheth.  Absalom dies going against David's forces and David mourns.  Sheba continues the revolt against the kingship of David.  Joab, the commander of Davis's army, kills Amasa who was still loyal to David.  Finally, Joab corners Sheba at Abel and besieges the city.

Sometimes it is a woman who sees the obvious and convinces the masses of the right course of action.  Who knows what the outcome would have been were it not for the one woman who saw that all of the intrigue and jockeying for position needed to stop somewhere.  "We are the peaceful and faithful in Israel," she says, "why are you trying to destroy us?"  She takes her message to the city's leaders and they decide that enough is enough.  Sheba was sacrificed for the peace of the city, and thus ended most of the intrigue during David's rule.

2 Samuel 6-13: Sins Will Find You Out

As he finished speaking, the king’s sons came in, wailing loudly. The king, too, and all his servants wept very bitterly.  Absalom fled and went to Talmai son of Ammihud, the king of Geshur. But King David mourned for his son every day.  After Absalom fled and went to Geshur, he stayed there three years.  And the spirit of the king longed to go to Absalom, for he was consoled concerning Amnon’s death. - 2 Sam. 13:36-39 NIV

David should not have been surprised when his son, Absalom, killed his first born son, Amnon, after Amnon raped then tossed aside Absalom's sister, Tamar.  After all, what kind of an example had David set for his sons?  In the case of Bathsheba, David took what he saw then took another life to cover up his tracks.  David paid the price for his indescretion with the death of his son.  Amnon paid for his indescretion, with his own life at the hands of his brother.  Absalom paid for killing his brother with his exile from David.  Round and round it goes.  While many of us today would be fascinated by the intrigue, which is as great as any of our current soap operas, it's really nothing more than a case of Moses' challenge from God to his people. "be sure your sins will find you out"  -Num. 32:23 KJV

2 Samuel 1-5: Love Conquers All

The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time. David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. - 2 Sam. 3:1. NIV

David did not become king over all of Israel in one fell swoop.  Although God had appointed him and Samuel annointed him, there were still battles to be fought with those who had been loyal to Saul.  David never tried to extract revenge from those who followed the remaining sons of Saul and Abner, the leader of Saul's armies.  Instead, David mourned for Saul and Jonathan and, later when Abner was killed by well-intentioned followers of David, they were punished and Abner was buried with respect.  All of these actions further endeared the people towards David and eventually resulted in a unified kingdom.

It was God's will that David become king over all of Israel.  That might have been a long and costly process were it not for David's heart which loved Saul, his family and his followers, even though most of them, with the exception of Jonathan, saw him as the opposition.  The message that Jesus was to give later of "Love your enemies, do good to those who despitefully use you," was not lost on David.  He reaped the rewards of loving.   Love conquers all!

1 Samuel 25-31: Being Faithful

“Here is the king’s spear,” David answered. “Let one of your young men come over and get it. The LORD rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness. The LORD delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the LORD’s anointed. As surely as I valued your life today, so may the LORD value my life and deliver me from all trouble.” - 1 Sam. 26:22-24 NIV

David knew one thing that Saul failed to discern.  It is the Lord who rewards every man for their faithfulness and righteousness.  David knew that his safety and his success depended on being righteous, on doing the right thing.  He was given several opportunities to kill Saul, but he never took advantage of Saul at those times because he knew that everything was God's doing and not his own.  While Saul was intent on killing him, David knew it was not his place to become Saul's judge and executioner.  That was in God's hands.

God honors our right actions even and especially in those situations where we would be able to justify any retribution but instead leave it in God's hands.  Whenever we don't take matters into our own hands, but leave it in the hands of God, we are being faithful.

1 Samuel 20-24: A True Friend

After the boy had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone and bowed down before Jonathan three times, with his face to the ground. Then they kissed each other and wept together—but David wept the most.  Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the LORD, saying, ‘The LORD is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.’” Then David left, and Jonathan went back to the town. -1 Sam. 20:41-42 NIV

Where would we be without our friends and brothers in the Lord.  We would have no one to comfort us, to pray for us, to love us unconditionally.   We would be all alone, vulnerable to the enemy.  David knew this.  He knew how Saul felt about him.  He knew how Saul would kill him if he had the chance.  He knew if it were not for God's protection, he would be a dead man.  He knew that Jonathan was God's instrument in providing that protection.  He also knew that everything that Jinathan did for him came at a cost to Jonathan, a price Jonathan was willing to pay because of his love for David.  Jonathan would willingly forfeit the kingdom in order to preserve David's life.  I believe that is the reason why David was even more sorrowful than Jonathan at their parting.  He knew that Jonathan was giving up his life for him.

Do we have that kind of a relationship with our brothers and sisters.?  Is there anyone we would be willing to sacrifice our well being for?  Is there anyone who would sacrifice their well being for ours?  Perhaps that's what it means to be a true friend.

1 Samuel 16-19: Facing Giants

All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” - 1 Samuel 17:47 NIV

Mankind has always had the propensity to confuse size and weaponry with power and might, but if God isn't on your side, or if you aren't on God's side, it is a moot point.  That is something that Golaith and even Saul did not understand.  David was the only one who knew he didn't need the mightiest sword or the best armour to go against the enemies of the Lord.  The battle would not be won by manpower.  It would be won by God's power.  We would do well to remember that when we find ourselves facing our own giants.

1 Samuel 11-15: Grieving the Heart of God

 Until the day Samuel died, he did not go to see Saul again, though Samuel mourned for him. And the LORD was grieved that he had made Saul king over Israel. - 1  Sam. 15:35 NIV

It's a sad thing when because of our inability to take the commands of God seriously, we become alienated from him.  It doesn't always happen overnight.  Perhaps we start taking the position that God has placed us in for granted.  Perhaps we begin to think that we are responsible for people's salvation.  Finally, we get to the place where we think we know better than God.

Such was the case with Saul.  This unassuming, shy, self effacing man who was chosen by God to become king lets the power go to his head.  Rather than destroying all of the Amalekites as God told him to do, he decided to save the best for a sacrifice to God.  At least, that's what he said he was going to do with the plunder.  But it didn't matter.  Even if his intentions were purely honorable, they were not what God had asked.  "Obedience is better than sacrifice"  God told him through Samuel.  When our ego gets so puffed up that we think we are going to do something for God in spite of what he has told us to do, we are in trouble.  No amount of self-justification will repair the breach in the relationship with God.  Nothing grieves the heart of God more.

1 Samuel 7- 10: Just What They Needed

They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.”
But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. And the LORD told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do.” - 1 Samuel 8:5-9 NIV

Israel had a hard time deciding who to follow.  First there was Moses, a relatively shy man who had difficulty speaking, yet heard the voice of God.  Then there was Joshua who was unafraid to follow God and led them into the promised land after their years of wandering.  After that, they had the priests who were supposed to be the representatives of the people before God and the judges who were to determine right from wrong.  None of these forms of government sat just right with the people.  They looked around at the other nations and saw that they were doing just fine without the priests or judges because they had a king.  A king!  They had someone they could look up to, someone who would be the leader, the authority and savior.  Someone who would keep them safe from their enemies.  Someone who they could rever and perhaps even worship.  A king, that was just what they needed.

They did not want to pay attention to what Samuel told them:  that a king would take their sons and daughters, their crops, their cattle and land.  As far as the people were concerned, that was a small price to pay to be like everyone else.

But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.” 1 Sam. 8:19-20

God was not enough.  He was not wise enough, he was not popular enough, he was not strong enough.  A king was the answer to all of their problems.  A king was just what they needed.

1 Samuel 1-6: Samuel, A Willing Heart

The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions.
One night Eli, whose eyes were becoming so weak that he could barely see, was lying down in his usual place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out, and Samuel was lying down in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was. Then the LORD called Samuel. Samuel answered, “Here I am.” And he ran to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” But Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.” So he went and lay down.
Again the LORD called, “Samuel!” And Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am; you called me.” “My son,” Eli said, “I did not call; go back and lie down.”
Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD: The word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. - 1 Samuel 3:1-7 NIV

"In those days, the word of the Lord was rare."  That phrase is reminiscent of the one repeated over and over again in Judges "In those days, there was no king, the people did as they pleased."  Of course, there is a correlation between the people doing as they pleased and not hearing from the Lord.    God only speaks to willing hearts, to those who will listen, and not just listen, but obey.

Most people really don't want to hear the word of the Lord.  They don't want to hear what God requires of them. They don't want for his word to be revealed.  Samuel was one of the rare ones who would listen when spoken to.  The slightest whisper from the Lord was enough for him to perk up his ears, ready to do whatever was asked of him.  At first, he thought it was Eli calling him.  He was eager and willing to serve the voice that called him.  When Eli tells him that it is the voice of God that is calling him, he is not afraid.  "Speak, Lord", he says, "for your servant is listening".  Finally the Lord has found someone willing to listen, someone who is concerned with the desires of God more than with his own well being; someone who is not afraid of the words he will hear, but who is ready for whatever action is required, who is willing to serve regardless.

Like Samuel, if we want to hear the voice of God, we have to be willing to act on what we hear.  If we don't hear from God, it is because he knows the willingness of our hearts.

Ruth 1-4: Such Favor

At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She exclaimed, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?”
Boaz replied, “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother–in–law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”  - Ruth 2:10-12 NIV

"Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me, a foreigner?"  That is the question we should all be asking.  Why has God favored us so, that he has brought us into his family, that we have been adopted and accepted as sons of God when we were born foreigners.  Whether we realize it or not, we have all left behind the land in which we were born, the homeland of this world, and we are now citizens, not by birth, but by a new birth, in a new kingdom.  We are now living in the shelter of the wings of the God of Iarael where we are sheltered and protected from all of the woes we were subjected to in that foreign land.  How different would our lives be if we saw ourselves as privileged sons and with such promise as Ruth?

Judges 17-20: The Saddest Story

Then the Israelites, all the people, went up to Bethel, and there they sat weeping before the LORD. They fasted that day until evening and presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the LORD. And the Israelites inquired of the LORD. (In those days the ark of the covenant of God was there, with Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, ministering before it.) They asked, “Shall we go up again to battle with Benjamin our brother, or not?” The LORD responded, “Go, for tomorrow I will give them into your hands.” - Judges 19:26-28 NIV

This is the ending of one of the saddest stories in the Old Testament; sad not only because all of the other tribes of Israel had to face the difficult decision to go to war against their fellow tribe of Benjamin, but even more sad because of the depths to which some of the Israelites had fallen.  The writer keeps repeating the phrase, "In those days there was no king, everyone did as he saw fit."  That was aptly illustrated by the story of the Levite and his concubine.  The men of the town of  Gibeah in Benjamin were so degenerate that when they could not abuse the Levite who had taken shelter in their town for the night, they raped his concubine to death.  Even more appalling was the response of the Benjamites who saw no problem and refused to punish the men of that city responsible for these vile actions.

Even then, although their ire had been raised, all of the rest of the tribes of Israel were unable to wreck revenge on the tribe of Benjamin for allowing such egregious acts to take place without  repercussions.  They were defeated by the Benjamites twice when they met in battle.  It wasn't until they fell prostrate before the Lord that God gave them victory and they were able to punish the tribe of Benjamin for allowing such sin to remain in their midst.  Just being appalled by sin is not enough, God requires contrite hearts before he is willing to work on our behalf.

Judges 13-16: Samson's Weakness

His father and mother replied, “Isn’t there an acceptable woman among your relatives or among all our people? Must you go to the uncircumcised Philistines to get a wife?” But Samson said to his father, “Get her for me. She’s the right one for me.” (His parents did not know that this was from the LORD, who was seeking an occasion to confront the Philistines; for at that time they were ruling over Israel.) - Judges 14:3-4 NIV

Just like most of the stories about the chosen ones that God uses to lead his people, Samson was mighty, but he had a fatal weakness...the temptation to lust after the forbidden overwhelmed the desire to to be what God created him to be.  He took the gift of strength for granted and used it for his own means rather than the intended purpose.  Perhaps, because his parents waited so long for a child, he was spoiled and always got whatever he wanted.  Appeasing his personal appetite figures more in the story than the redemption he was promised by God to bring to the beleaguered Israelites.

Israel may have had peace for twenty years while they were being judged by Samson, but Samson was testing the boundaries all of the time.  It was only fitting that all of his dalliances with the women of the enemy would one day lead to his demise.  Samson's life was characterized by his one weakness rather than by the promise which God had placed in him.  Samson' story is the story of the Children of Israel and our story as well.  God's promise of redemption, his power in our lives, often goes to our heads.  We begin to think that we own the power and we can do with it what we please.  We succumb to the desires of the flesh and all of the promise is lost as the illusion, that we were the one with power, comes crashing down at our feet.

Judges 9-12: Let Them Save You

But you have forsaken me and served other gods, so I will no longer save you. Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you when you are in trouble!”
But the Israelites said to the LORD, “We have sinned. Do with us whatever you think best, but please rescue us now.” Then they got rid of the foreign gods among them and served the LORD. And he could bear Israel’s misery no longer.  - Judges 10:13-16 NIV

The only consistent thing about Israel's relationship with God was their inconstancy.  As a result, their fortunes waxed and waned depending on who was in leadership.  It was only natural that their periods of prosperity would become shorter and shorter as their attention to God and his requirements became less and less.  Their concentration was on the power of their enemies and the ineffective gods they had surrounded themselves with, not on God and his protection.  What is it like to live in such a time, when the minute you put one leader in place, you realize that he cannot save you and you immediately start looking around for the next golden boy who will be your savior?  What is it like to be totally reliant on other gods, gods who have no power to save?  It might look a little like our situation today.

"Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen.  Let them save you when you are in trouble!"

Judges 6-8: In God We Trust

The LORD said to Gideon, “You have too many men for me to deliver Midian into their hands. In order that Israel may not boast against me that her own strength has saved her, 3 announce now to the people, ‘Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’” So twenty–two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained.
But the LORD said to Gideon, “There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will sift them for you there. If I say, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go; but if I say, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.”
So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the LORD told him, “Separate those who lap the water with their tongues like a dog from those who kneel down to drink.” Three hundred men lapped with their hands to their mouths. All the rest got down on their knees to drink.
The LORD said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the other men go, each to his own place.”  - Judges 6:2-7 NIV

I love the story of Gideon, because it illustrates how prone we are to confusing our strength with the power of God.  The enemies of Israel were the enemies of God.  They may have felt that the Israelites were weak and puny, but they had not reckoned with God's power.  The even more unfortunate circumstance was that God's people no longer trusted in their God to be all powerful.  They too were trusting in Baal and the other foreign gods.  No wonder they had to abandon their farms and villages and hide in mountain caves.  As long as they looked to other gods, their situation was going to worsen.

The only God that we can trust, the God of the universe, is not concerned with the size or the strength of the enemy.  As long as Israel sought the same gods as the enemy, they would be overpowered.  It took only one man, Gideon, to hear the true God's voice and suddenly the way out of their predicament became clear.  Victory would not be won by ten thousand men, by the largest and mightiest army.  It would be won by only three hundred men and one man who heard the voice of the living God.  It's one thing to say "In God We Trust", but it all depends on who or what that god is.

Judges 1-5: Praise God

“When the princes in Israel take the lead, when the people willingly offer themselves—praise the LORD!
“Hear this, you kings! Listen, you rulers! I will sing to the LORD, I will sing; I will make music to the LORD, the God of Israel.
“O LORD, when you went out from Seir, when you marched from the land of Edom, the earth shook, the heavens poured, the clouds poured down water.
The mountains quaked before the LORD, the One of Sinai, before the LORD, the God of Israel - Judges 5:2-5 NIV

When the princes take the lead, when those in charge seek the Lord and the people follow, it is a glorious thing.  It is something to praise the Lord about.  Praise God when our leaders seek him.  Praise God when the young men follow after him.  Praise God when the elderly look to him.  Praise God when children sing of his faithfulness.

Praise God!  Praise God!  Praise God!  There is nothing that can make the mountains shake like the power of the people praising God.  Circumstances change when the leaders and then the people offer themselves totally up to the Lord, the God of Israel!

Joshua 19-23: Every Promise Was Fulfilled

So the LORD gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their forefathers, and they took possession of it and settled there. The LORD gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their forefathers. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the LORD handed all their enemies over to them. Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled. - Joshua 21:43-45 NIV

God, our God is a promise keeping God.  He has shown that throughout history.  He keeps his promise.  Men, we are not so faithful.  Imagine what it is like to be the God of the universe, to have all things at your command, to be willing and able to give your people anything they would ask and yet they cannot hold up their end of the bargain.  Their eyes and hearts are always being captured by lesser things.  They offer themselves up to idols which cannot give them anything in return.

How can God hold back his wrath?  Even more so, how can he forgive his people when they repent. Not just once, but over and over and over again., and not only forgive, but keep the promise of heaven before them.  How great it is to serve a God whose promise of paradise is not based on our actions or consistency, but on his faithfulness.  There is no other God that that would be that faithful. There is none like him.  History shows that every promise of God has been and will always be fulfilled.

Joshua 24: Throw Away Your Foreign Gods

Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the LORD. He is a holy God; he is a jealous God. He will not forgive your rebellion and your sins. 20 If you forsake the LORD and serve foreign gods, he will turn and bring disaster on you and make an end of you, after he has been good to you.”
But the people said to Joshua, “No! We will serve the LORD.”
Then Joshua said, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen to serve the LORD.” “Yes, we are witnesses, ” they replied.
“Now then,” said Joshua, “throw away the foreign gods that are among you and yield your hearts to the LORD, the God of Israel.” - Joshua 24:19-21 NIV

I once had a friend who gave away all of his earthly possessions.  He lived in a studio apartment with only his clothes which he kept in a cardboard Box and a few books.  He was trying to live a godly life and didn't want to be distracted by worldly possessions, much like the early monks who escaped to their caves.

I look around at all of our possessions and think perhaps that is the way to go; that giving up all but the most essential earthly goods is the only way to not slowly succumb to other gods.  The Israelites must have learned that during their years of wandering.  It's hard, and unwise, to accumulate very much when you may have to pack up and move at any minute.  Any of us who have moved a lot know how beneficial and easy it is to get rid of things in anticipation of having to move them.  It is only when we get settled that things start piling up around us and eventually, just like the children of Israel, we start putting more faith in what we own than in the one who owns us.

Perhaps it is time for us to pare down our possessions, to throw away our foreign gods.

Joshua 11-18: How Long Will You Wait?

So Joshua said to the Israelites: “How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you? -Joshua 18:3  NIV

The Israelites had fled, wandered, crossed over and conquered.  They were where they were supposed to be.  They were in the promised land.  Yet, perhaps as a result of all their years of wandering, they still could not settle down.  They couldn't make a descision as to where they wanted to settle.  The land was theirs; all they had to do was claim it, take possession of it, and it would be theirs.

Sound familiar?  We follow God.  We ask for him to intervene on our behalf and he does.  He shows us his promises.  All we have to do is claim them, but we fail to do so.  What are we afraid of?  As Moses asked, "How long will you wait before you begin to take possession?"

Joshua 6-10: Devoted to Destruction

The LORD said to Joshua, “Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions. That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction.
“Go, consecrate the people. Tell them, ‘Consecrate yourselves in preparation for tomorrow; for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: That which is devoted is among you, O Israel. You cannot stand against your enemies until you remove it. - Joshua 7:10-13 NIV

God warned the Children of Israel that they were not to allow anything related to the heathen gods to remain in their presence.  They were not to marry from the people around them.  They were not to worship at their neighbor's sacred sites or worship their gods.  God was serious when he said that they were not to serve other gods and that included allowing any other gods to be in their midst.  God knew that the slightest encounter with other gods could entice his children to abandoning their devotion to him and in doing so, they would forfeit his attention.  As he told them, when he gave them the Ten Commandments:  You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sins of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me. - Ex. 20:4 NIV

Not only would the children of those who sinned be punished, but the entire population faced God's wrath for violating the sanctity of the relationship.  Achan's sin when he acted on his devotion to the plunder from the city of Jericho caused the Children of Israel to be soundly defeated when they tried to capture the city of Ai.  As Paul told the church at Corinth, "Don't you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough."  1 Cor. 5:6.

 Allowing sin into a nation, permeates it until finally God removes his presence.  Devotion to anything of the world becomes devotion to destruction.

Joshua 1-5: Going Out and Comng In

So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them. Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground. - Josh. 3:14-17 NIV

The entire journey of the Children of Israel, from captivity in Egypt to entering the land promised to their forefathers, was bookmarked by two identical events:  the crossing over of vast bodies of water on dry land.  First God parted the Red Sea as they were fleeing Egypt, then God parted the Jordan river when it was running at high tide so they could cross over into Canaan.  The mighty hand of God preserved their leaving and entering, just as the Psalmist noted in Psalms 121:  The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth.  Ps. 121:8 KJV

God has not changed.  He still preserves our going out and coming in.  He dictates and even reveals when it is time for us to leave any given situation, whether it be a bad relationship, a bad job, a toxic family situation, or the wrong neighborhood.  He tells us when it is time to go and leads us to our next destination.  That doesn't mean that every time we get frustrated with a situation, we should pack up and leave.  In fact, it is usually the opposite.  We are not to run willy nilly from one bad situation to the next.  We are to wait on him.  When he tells us to move, we are to move, not before.  If we fail to wait for him, we cannot trust that he will be there in our going out and coming in.

Deuteronomy 27-34: A Glorious Sword

Blessed are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD? He is your shield and helper and your glorious sword. Your enemies will cower before you, and you will trample down their high places.” - Deut. 33:29

The Children of Israel had it.  They had it all.  They had Moses and Joshua, great men, committed to leading an unruly, stubborn nation.  They had the promised land laid out before them.  They had God's blessing and his promise.  They had an unbreakable covenant with the God of creation.  Not only would the God of heaven and earth protect them, he would fight for them.  He would be their shield and helper. They did not have to rely on their own power, the power of God was enough.  He would slice their enemies to pieces.  He would be their glorious sword.

Deuteronomy 21-26: Be Generous

When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the alien, the fatherless and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow. When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the alien, the fatherless and the widow.  -Deut.  24:19-21 NIV

Being generous is more than giving, it implies leaving as well; leaving enough from what we harvest so that those less fortunate have something for themselves.  Notice that leaving a remnant behind does not rob the poor of their dignity.  These scriptures imply that the poor and less fortunate are still able bodied and ambitious enough to harvest the remains from the fields, trees, and vines that were left behind in the harvest.  Scripture does not say, go through the fields and harvest what was left behind to give to the poor so that you will show your generosity and make them ashamed of their situation.  It says, let them take the initiative to take care of themselves so they will be able to retain their pride.

These scriptures imply anonymous giving where the giver never knows the recipient of the gift and as a result is not able to lord themselves over the more unfortunate.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if all of our giving were so generous and free?

Deuteronomy 16-20: Don't Panic!

When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. He shall say: “Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” - Deut. 20:1-4 NIV

It was the priest who was to send the army into battle.  He was the one tasked with assuring them that they were not going to fight alone.  The Lord God was with them.

Whatever the battle, how can we be faint hearted or afraid?  The Lord God is on our side.  There is no enemy that is greater than him.  There is no one:  no terrorist, no gang member, no rouge suicide bomber, no disease, no financial calamity, that can not be subdued by the power of God.

We spend so much of our lives living in fear...to what end?  Fear conquers us, but it can not conquer our enemies.  Only the Lord God can do that and if he is on our side, we have nothing to fear.  God will go with us.  Don't panic!

Deuteronomy 11-15: Give Generously

Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to. There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land. -Deut. 15:10-11 NIV

Where would society be today if we all obeyed this command to give generously?  Would politicians view their responsibility to the citizenry differently if they were concerned about giving generously rather than increasing their war chest?  Would televangelists live such a high and exalted life if they obeyed this command?  Would we have all of the societal problems:  drugs, broken families, abandoned children gangs, terrorists, and overcrowded prisons if everyone gave generously?

"How would that make a difference?" you ask.  Giving generously reduces our self absorption.  It causes us to see ourselves as part of the whole, not the center, of the universe.  Giving opens us up.  It breaks down the fences we erect for protection.    It frees us to experience the blessings of God.  It has the power to change us and in turn change the whole tenor of society.

Deuteronomy 5-10: How Can the Simple Be So Hard?

Fear the LORD your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name.   He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes. - Deut. 10:20-21 NIV

The book of Deuteronomy is Moses' recitation of the events of the Children of Israel from their plight  in, and then subsequent flight from, Egypt to the edge of the promised land. It is the story of a faithful God and his not so faithful chosen people.  God did not choose them because of their faithfulness.  As a people they had none, but their ancestor, Abraham who heard the voice of God, who trusted God and walked with him.

Generations later, Moses has the same kind of relationship with God.  He hears his voice, he trusts him and God presents himself to him.  Moses certainly was not perfect.  He could get angry.  In fact, his anger resulted in his not being able to enter the promised land.  He could only view it from afar. But that did not change his relationship with God.  It did not change his walk with God.

Sometimes, we make something that is so simple, so difficult.  We put so many hindrances and requirements on salvation, when those who truly see God know that all he requires is that we hold fast to him.  That we fear him and serve him.  That's it.  Any other requirements are man made. The prophet Micah echoes this truth.  "He hath shown thee, O man, what is good: and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" - Micah 6:8 KJV

 How can anything so simple be so hard?

Deuteronomy 1-4: Sound Familiar

See, I have taught you decrees and laws as the LORD my God commanded me, so that you may follow them in the land you are entering to take possession of it.  
Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”  
What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him?  
And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today?  
Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. - Deuteronomy 4:5-9 NIV

As with any great nation that has been blessed by God, there is a tendency to forget, or as Moses told the Children of Israel, "let them slip from your hearts as long as you live," God's commands.  Israel was told not to forget that it was God's blessings that brought them to where they were.  They were not to forget that it was because of his love that they prospered.  They were not to forget to pass this wisdom on to their children.  They were warned not to think that it was all their own doing or they would be doomed.

In spite of Moses' commands, the righteous decrees and laws that were established would soon be forgotten.  Generations would grow up that didn't understand why they were born into such fortunate circumstances.  They would take all of God's blessings for granted until one day it would be too late, and their great nation would be lost.

Sound familiar?

Numbers 32-36: Polluting the Land

 “‘Do not pollute the land where you are. Bloodshed pollutes the land, and atonement cannot be made for the land on which blood has been shed, except by the blood of the one who shed it.  Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell, for I, the LORD, dwell among the Israelites.’” -Num. 35:33-34 NIV.

We have become so accustomed to bloodshed, so used to the nightly press reports of war, murder, school shootings, bombings and suicide, that we don't realize what a stench, what an anathema it is in God's sight.  Bloodshed does polite the land.  The corpses of the innocent cry out for revenge and only God is able to heal those broken and hurt.  None of us are immune.  I've lost more than my share of friends and even family to war, suicide, and murder.  The hurt never goes away.  What does God want from us on this issue?  Can we expect his presence to continue to dwell with us in the midst of the violence perpetuated on this land?

Numbers 25- 31: On the Edge of God's Promise

While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women, who invited them to the sacrifices to their gods. The people ate and bowed down before these gods. So Israel joined in worshiping the Baal of Peor. And the LORD’s anger burned against them. -Num 25:1-3 NIV

Even while the hand of God was protecting them, the Israelites were enticed by their neighbors to go against God's commands.  This is a new generation; the children of those who refused to enter the promised land.  They're camped on the outskirts of the land that will be theirs, yet that promise is not enough to keep them from turning to other gods and pleasures.  How did all of this come about?  Perhaps it is revealed in the following words of Moses.

“Have you allowed all the women to live?” he asked them. “They were the ones who followed Balaam’s advice and were the means of turning the Israelites away from the LORD in what happened at Peor, so that a plague struck the LORD’s people.  - Num 31:15-16 NIV

Baalam, just like Satan is wont to do, saw their vulnerability.  He was unable to get God to curse the Israelites, so his second attempt would be to entice them away from their God.  God is constant.  His people are not.  They were caught up in sin even as they were standing on the edge of God's promise. Perhaps the closer we get to all that God has created us for, all of his promises, the more vulnerable we become to the tempting lies of the enemy.

Numbers 19-24: Balak and Balaam

From the rocky peaks I see them, from the heights I view them. I see a people who live apart and do not consider themselves one of the nations.
Who can count the dust of Jacob or number the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and may my end be like theirs!” -Num. 23:9-10 NIV

When most people think of Baalam, they remember the story of his donkey speaking to him, but that is a minor story compared to his response to when Balak summoned him to curse Israel.

The Children of Israel had been wandering, waiting in the desert for forty years, until all of the rebellious elders had died, in order to enter the promised land.  This was not a small crowd, but they had been quiet and kept to themselves so they were not a threat to the others until they started to move.  That is when Balak started to get worried and he summoned Balaam to head them off at the pass.  Balaam may have been a pagan seer, but he saw things in the spiritual realm.


God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?
I have received a command to bless; he has blessed, and I cannot change it.
“No misfortune is seen in Jacob, no misery observed in Israel. The LORD their God is with them; the shout of the King is among them. - Num. 23:19-21 NIV

No matter how much Balak threatened Balaam, he would not, could not change his pronouncements. All he could do was bless the very people that Balak commanded him to curse.


When Balaam looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him and he uttered his oracle: “The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of one whose eye sees clearly,the oracle of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened:
“How beautiful are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling places, O Israel!
“Like valleys they spread out, like gardens beside a river, like aloes planted by the LORD, like cedars beside the waters.
Water will flow from their buckets; their seed will have abundant water. “Their king will be greater than Agag; their kingdom will be exalted. -Num. 24:2-7 NIV

 While the Israelites may have grumbled and rebelled, paying the price for their actions with plagues and sometimes even sudden death, they were still God's chosen people.  The Lord their God was with them.  The shout of the king was in their midst.  God's plan was going to be fulfilled and there was nothing that Balak or Balaam could do to stop it.  

Numbers 16-18: Offenses Against the Priesthood

Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and certain Reubenites—Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—became insolentand rose up against Moses. With them were 250 Israelite men, well–known community leaders who had been appointed members of the council.  
They came as a group to oppose Moses and Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! The whole community is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is with them. Why then do you set yourselves above the LORD ’s assembly?” - Num. 16:2-3  NIV

Why is it so easy and common to complain about those that the Lord has chosen to be his representatives.  Just like the Children of Israel, we complain about those that are in positions of leadership:  the pastors, televangelists, Christian writers, and Sunday School teachers.  We move from church to church looking for the perfect leader.  Do we ever consider how offensive this must be to God.  He puts people in their place. He is the one who chooses.  He is the one who exalts, so why do we think we know better.  The church today is strewn with the bodies of those who once felt they heard the call of God, but have become disillusioned and discouraged to the point where they leave ministry all together.  That is not what God designed.  I say this when I have often been as guilty as anyone else.

Rather than tearing our leaders down, we should be building them up.  Since, as the Apostle Paul says, all we, as believers, are now the priesthood, we should be carrying the weight of that responsibility and lifting up those who are in formal positions of leadership.  As God told Aaron, we should bear the responsibility for offenses against the priesthood.

The LORD said to Aaron, “You, your sons and your father’s family are to bear the responsibility for offenses against the sanctuary, and you and your sons alone are to bear the responsibility for offenses against the priesthood. - Num. 18:1 NIV

Numbers 13-15: In the Land of Giants

The LORD replied, “I have forgiven them, as you asked. Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the LORD fills the whole earth, not one of the men who saw my glory and the miraculous signs I performed in Egypt and in the desert but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times—not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it. But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it. Since the Amalekites and Canaanites are living in the valleys, turn back tomorrow and set out toward the desert along the route to the Red Sea.”  - Num. 14:20-25 NIV

It was just a little sin.  The Israelites were only trying to protect themselves and their children from the threat of others bigger and stronger than themselves.  So, they decided not to trust God any more, the God who led them out of Egypt, who parted the Red Sea, who gave them manna and quail and water from the rock.

Somewhere along the line, they got it in their heads that they were responsible for their own safekeeping.  They took matters into their own hands and all of a sudden, God's promises seemed impossible.  All the good things that God promised were at hand; they were even visible in the grapes and fruit that the spies brought back, but the threat of a few giants erased all hope.

Nothing has changed today.  We know God has kept his promises in the past, but now, now there are giants in the land:  fearsome, awful, ungodly, giants and our knees quake at the thought.  We'll not go there.  We'll not confront the enemy.  We'll not claim what is ours.

God's response has not changed either.  He forgives us, but we will not see the land he promised us.  Only the faithful  ones, the ones who take him at his word, will see all he has in store for us.  Only the faithful ones will dwell in peace in the land of giants.

Numbers 10-12: Talking with God

Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth? Why do you tell me to carry them in my arms, as a nurse carries an infant, to the land you promised on oath to their forefathers? Where can I get meat for all these people? They keep wailing to me, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ I cannot carry all these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me. If this is how you are going to treat me, put me to death right now—if I have found favor in your eyes—and do not let me face my own ruin.” - Num. 11:12-15 NIV

Poor Moses, one day he was minding his own business, tending his father-in-law's sheep, at an age when he was about to retire, and the next, he is wandering around in the wilderness with a host of ungrateful people.  How did it come to this, what did he do wrong?  Was he just in the wrong place at the wrong time, or was he specifically chosen for the task?  Why did God choose him to lead the people anyway.  He was not a great public speaker.  He did not have a special affinity for his fellow Israelites.  He wasn't a man of great patience.  Why did God choose him?

Perhaps it was nothing more than the fact that he heard God's voice.   As God himself told Aaron and Miriam, “Listen to my words: “When a prophet of the LORD is among you, I reveal myself to him in visions, I speak to him in dreams.  But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house.  With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the LORD. - Num. 12:6-8 NIV

Moses was not afraid of God, he was not afraid to dialog with God, to question God, to be honest with Him.  Most of us spend our lives arguing with everyone but God.  We challenge everyone else, we listen to everyone else.   We look to everyone else for their approval.  Our lives may be simpler as a result.  We don't have a bunch of whiney, wailing people trailing after us, but are we missing the voice of God?

Numbers 7-9: Led By a Cloud

At the LORD’s command the Israelites set out, and at his command they encamped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they remained in camp. When the cloud remained over the tabernacle a long time, the Israelites obeyed the LORD’s order and did not set out. Sometimes the cloud was over the tabernacle only a few days; at the LORD’s command they would encamp, and then at his command they would set out. Sometimes the cloud stayed only from evening till morning, and when it lifted in the morning, they set out. Whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud lifted, they set out. Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out. - Num. 9:18-22 NIV

Just imagine this vast host of people:  wives, children, livestock, and all of their tents and possessions being led by a cloud.  How orderly could that have been?  Who was in charge of traffic?  Where were the policemen?  The Children of Israel didn't need any of that.  They knew that they were God's chosen people.  They knew that he had brought them out of Egypt, out of oppression.  He had blessed them abundantly with the treasures that the Egyptians gave them as they left left slavery, with their bountiful herds of livestock and with their children who were spared from the Angel of Death.  They had seen the workings of God, so they were willing to be led by something as nebulous as a cloud.

It is counter-intuitive to think one could be led by a cloud.  Surely we need something more concrete than that!  Perhaps that's why we never get anywhere.  We're expecting God to show us something visible, when He is asking us to follow a cloud, when he's asking us to trust in the unseen.

Numbers 1-6: A Priestly Blessing

“The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.”  - Num. 6:24-26 NIV

What would life be like if we blessed our brothers in Christ with this blessing.  After all, we all are priests.  And, even more so, what would happen if we blessed our enemies with these thoughts.  Have we ever thought of asking God to keep our enemies safe?  Have we ever asked God to give our enemies peace?  Could that be what Jesus meant when he told us to love our enemies?  Did he mean for us to bless them?  Did he mean for us to love them into the kingdom?  Did he mean for us to make this priestly blessing our own?