Take Hold of What the Day May Bring

Because of this broken world, we face struggles in life but faith brings recovery and hope so keep the faith. Each new day, take hold of what the day may bring to help and pray that joy can reside as you strive to make the difficulty subside.

The key people in 2 Samuel 16 are David who faces two terrible humiliations in today’s chapter. The other is the steward of Saul’s household named Ziba who helps David with supplies and food as David was leaving Jerusalem when he was running from his son Absalom who was trying to take over Israel. Another person is named Shimei who provides the first humiliation when he curses David along the way.

Ahithophel is another key person in today’s passage who gives advice to both David and Absalom. In today’s passage, Ahithophel advises Absalom to sleep with David’s wives in front of all of Israel, so we then get today’s second humiliation of David.

David responds to the humiliations with some poise. He didn’t allow his nephew named Abishai to cut off the head of Shimei in the first humiliation. He also takes the second humiliation of being disgraced by Absalom having sex with his wives in broad daylight with some poise. David expected trouble within his household so he was prepared. Remember from 2 Samuel 12:11 that calamity was promised within the household of David as punishment for what happened with Bathsheba.

The lesson for each of us is that when faced with humiliation, we should respond with poise. In tough times, keep thinking about how God loves you. Know that he will bring you through. You can get through difficult experiences, things will get better, and you will be lifted up high again to do great things in the future.

This day with You Lord, help us to endure distress and know You will bless. Things in life can be disappointing and we can react in the wrong way but You are always available to remove the obstacles and bring recovery. Christ has entered in with grace and we are thankful that we can take hold of what the day may bring so we can overcome. Amen.

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Poetry Friday 01-13-2023

A poem posted at my other blog Step Ahead is inspired by the post with the same title at this link about the gift of Jesus appearing after He had risen. He gave instructions to the disciples and these instructions are still available to us today through God’s Word and the Holy Spirit.

We have the opportunity to tell others about this exciting gift available to all. The song Come to the Table by Sidewalk Prophets is about offering this food for the soul to others by meeting together to tell about the Good News of the gospel. Let us set out today to prepare more followers to be set free and step ahead on the road to victory.

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Questions for Reflection For Study of 2 Samuel 16-21

We live in a busy world with busy schedules and being able to share some thoughts about this journey with others across this world through the Internet is truly a blessing. The below Questions for Reflection will stimulate thought and offer ideas for applying biblical principles. At all stages of life, the Bible is helpful in providing what is needed to be successful. If you have not done so yet, click the follow button on the top right side of this page to be notified of future posts.

2 Samuel 16 – Who are the key people in this chapter? What two terrible humiliations does David suffer in this chapter? How does he respond? How do you respond to humiliation?

2 Samuel 17 – What is the difference in the advice of Ahithophel and Hushai? How does each picture David and his men? Why is Hushai’s counsel accepted over Ahithophel’s (See v. 14 with 15:31; 16:23)?

2 Samuel 18 – What does this chapter reveal about David’s character? What are possible reasons for Joab’s killing of Absalom against David’s orders (See 3:36-39)? How is Absalom’s pride indicated in this passage?

2 Samuel 19 – What is David’s problem? What is the national problem described in verses 8-10? To what extent do you help people because they need help, regardless of whether you get recognition?

2 Samuel 20 – In what ways is Sheba an opportunist? What can be inferred about the men of Israel and their powers of discernment? How is the woman of the city wise?

2 Samuel 21 – What drives David to seek God? What are examples from modern life in which the sins of past generations take their toll on future generations? What does this passage teach about God’s righteousness and judgment?

Feel free to respond with a short note or a comment about any of the questions above. Also, I welcome any other thoughts or ideas, favorite inspirational videos, photos, or favorite Bible verses. Just add them to the comments.

To store up thoughts that are good for the soul, listen to a sermon. Download the free app in the App Store or on Google Play. Look for First Waco.

Resources and Supplementary Helps Used in Posts

Adeney, Carol. This Morning with God: A Daily Study Guide to the Entire Bible. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1978. Print.

“Sermons.” Sermons | FUMC Waco. N.p., n.d. Web.  <http://fumcwaco.org/resources/sermons/>.

“Bible.” The Bible – The Word of God – ChristNotes. N.p., n.d. Web. 2017. <http://www.christianity.com/bible/>.

Nicholes, Lou. “Recent Commentaries.” Family-Times.net – Devotional Commentary Index. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.family-times.net/commentary/>.

“Bing.” Microsoft. N.p., n.d. Web. Images >.

“BibleGateway.” BibleGateway.com: A Searchable Online Bible in over 150 Versions and 50 Languages. N.p., n.d. Web. <https://www.biblegateway.com/>.

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Spiritual Journey Through 2 Samuel 10-15

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been looking at ways to apply the word found in 2 Samuel 1-9 and sharing some thoughts that not only can benefit you now but also help the next generation too! The greatest of all possessions one can hand off to future generations are the guiding principles taught by Christ Jesus.

Learned in reading God’s word are leadership qualities like in 2 Samuel 10. David’s men were embarrassed but rather than overreact, he patiently works out a strategy to settle the score in a winning way by trusting that God will make all wrongs right. Let us follow this example and seek ways to put unjust acts or criticisms aside so vengeance does not produce negative consequences.

Reading 2 Samuel 11, noted is how David has lost his sense of purpose for his nation and was not in his place of responsibility. Instead of going off to war like other kings in spring, he stayed at home. Boredom set in and David lost his focus. His attention turned to a beautiful woman named Bathsheba he saw from the top of the palace as she was bathing down below. Aimlessness leads to a lack of discipline which appeals to harmful desires that encourage wrongdoing but having a purpose keeps our thoughts on building a life that matters.

David made bad decisions and one thing led to another with Bathsheba. Then to cover for his sin, David committed more sin. The decisions we make can put us in a hole for the future but God has a way to pull us out of that hole. The Lord initiates action by sending out people to help. Reading in 2 Samuel 12, the Lord sends Nathan to help David.

We live in a broken world that puts us in a hole with inflation, health issues, and other difficulties faced but faithfulness brings recovery and hope. We can faithfully pray and trust in God that things will become forever better because we have access to more power than we could ever imagine. We can be pulled up out of the hole to experience new highs in life with the plan He has for us.

Reading in 2 Samuel 13, we see that judgment is fulfilled as calamity is brought to David’s household. David consoles with a friend or adviser. It can be good to seek advice from friends, but we need to continue to ask questions and seek answers; especially from our true friend Jesus who provides the Holy Spirit to counsel each of us in making decisions and taking the right path.

As explained in 2 Samuel 14, Joab initiates a plan to convince David to unify the broken relationship with his son Absalom. Throughout this passage, we see the lesson of what it takes to make things happen. In the plan of Joab and also the attention getter that Absalom used, we learn that there is a need to be persistent in creating new plans and maybe even go to extreme measures to get things going.

Reading 2 Samuel 15, we note that we can get in trouble by listening to those with ulterior motives who manipulate for personal gain, but success is obtainable for the person that has a life plan that is aligned with God’s plan, is persistent, and keeps praying for help until attainment.

This day with God, we know that the highest position in life is to be a follower of Jesus. Because of Jesus, we have grace like an ever-flowing stream, the Holy Spirit to guide our steps, and the power to finish victoriously.

The journey continues over the next few weeks as I go further into the book of 2 Samuel. Keep up with my spiritual journey over the next few weeks either through following this blog by clicking the follow button on the top right side of this page or by liking the Facebook page I’ve set up at this link: This Day With God – A Spiritual Journey. Let’s share thoughts or ideas about applying our faith as we step ahead along the path to victory.

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Ever-Flowing Stream

But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. –  Amos 5:24

Within this world, there is always this desire for power as people try to climb the ladder of success. We learned from “The Help to Finish Victoriously” that we can get in trouble by listening to those with ulterior motives who manipulate for personal gain.

This day with God, we know that the highest position in life is to be a follower of Jesus. Because of Jesus, we have on our team the person who will anchor the relay. We have grace like an ever-flowing stream, the Holy Spirit, and the power to finish victoriously.

As we go about our day today, we set out to get our advice from those with decency and respect. We are aware that there are some that have ulterior motives who manipulate for personal gain. Let’s be honest today starting with the song Truth Be Told by Matthew West. We need help and like the song says, “We admit it and know Jesus is the only way to fix it.”

Index of devotionals

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