This morning I talked about 2 Samuel 7, and the theme that I attempted to unfold was: WHEN GOD SAYS NO, HE HAS SOMETHING BIGGER, BETTER IN MIND. Anyway, I just so happened to check out a Rob Bell dvd called ‘Kickball’, and I think he says it better. So if you missed the message this morning,…
when God says ‘no’
SCRIPTURE: 2 Samuel 7 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: O LORD Almighty, God of Israel, you have revealed this to your servant, saying, `I will build a house for you.’ So your servant has found courage to offer you this prayer. [2 Samuel 7:27] In today’s reading I am struck by the fact that God says ‘no’ to David’s request to honour Him…
luteran airways
Although I am not Lutheran, this is funny because it sounds somewhat familiar.
deepest, tenderest fear
SCRIPTURE: 2 Samuel 6 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: David was afraid of the LORD that day and said, “How can the ark of the LORD ever come to me?” [2 Samuel 6:9] The line from C.S. Lewis Narnia books, that Aslan (who represents God) is not a tame or safe lion but he is good, goes through my mind as I read…
stepping in
SCRIPTURE: 2 Samuel 5 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: And he became more and more powerful, because the LORD God Almighty was with him. [2 Samuel 5:10] The Lord does not show favouritism [Romans 2:11], yet He favours some, not others [Genesis 4:4-5]. David is favoured and he becomes more powerful, but Saul is not. Isn’t this favouritism? We see a similar observation about Jesus:…
when ‘normal’ isn’t right
SCRIPTURE: 2 Samuel 4 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: 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!” [2 Samuel 4:11] David’s thinking was so different from the ‘normal’ thinking of the day. Other kings would thank whoever…
the view from above
SCRIPTURE: 2 Samuel 3 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: 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 Samuel 3:1] In today’s reading, we see God’s purpose unfolding in the midst of the turbulent day-to-day grind. From a God perspective, David…
(un)civil war
SCRIPTURE: 2 Samuel 2 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Abner called out to Joab, “Must the sword devour forever? Don’t you realize that this will end in bitterness? How long before you order your men to stop pursuing their brothers?” [2 Samel 2:26] A civil war is anything but civil. In this chapter, Israel is divided after Saul’s death, with David…
as He sees me!
SCRIPTURE: 2 Samuel 1 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Saul and Jonathan– in life they were loved and gracious, and in death they were not parted. They were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions. [2 Samuel 1:23] It is not uncommon after someone dies that their loved ones mostly remember the good things. Rarely during a eulogy will someone describe the…
what really matters
SCRIPTURE: Galatians 6 OBSERVATION/APPLICATION: Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. [Galatians 6:2] Paul concludes his letter with an appeal to focus on faith expressing itself through love, and not on being religious (whether a person is circumcised or not). God is much more concerned about how we treat…