A poem posted at my other blog Step Ahead is inspired by the post He Prepares the Way. Great things can be done with God’s help because He prepares the way. Those against us don’t stand a chance when we know God is our strength and we work together to advance His cause.
Take encouragement from the song You Say by Lauren Daigle. Like the sun that rises each morning in all its strength, take in the words of the song that God says you are strong. Step ahead today believing and achieving.
It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. - 2 Samuel 22:33
A thought from “Spreading Our Wings of Faith” is that our true strength is a relationship with God. The Bible talks about a counselor … the Holy Spirit. With the counselor, we have access to a helper that will assist and direct our path. All we have to do is lift our eyes and follow.
Be lifted today by the song Be Somebody by Thousand Foot Krutch. Like the song says, we may feel a million miles away but You Lord, connect us to your Way.
Faith without works is pointless. *What do you call a pencil that has two erasers? Pointless. God has given each of us talents and abilities so let us use them.
By spreading our wings of faith, we are lifted to a higher perspective by accepting the love of God in Christ. We are delivered from the enemy. Reading today in 2 Samuel 22, David was delivered from his enemies and praises God in a poem. The thoughts of this poem are that God is his strength and David calls to the Lord during distress.
The poem points out that the spheres of God’s activities are all encompassing. God’s strength and power is expressed in an earthquake or storm (v. 8-16). This same power kept David safe for he was right with God as he followed His Way and was rewarded by defeating his enemies.
The reason for David’s deliverance is because of his heart’s desire to have a relationship with God. He spent time in prayer before his battles and God gave him a heart of faith and courage. Even when others disappointed him like his son Absalom, he had a forgiving heart. He praised God enthusiastically and went all out for God.
We can learn from David’s poem today and take in these words for our own testimony. Think of difficulties faced in the past when your prayer has been answered. Faith in God gives us confidence and hope that we will be enabled with advantages. When blessed, give credit to God for victory, praise him, and give thanks for His love through Christ.
Like David, let us offer praises to God who reaches down from heaven and saves on earth (v. 17-20). Our true strength is a relationship with God. The Bible talks about a counselor … Holy Spirit. With the counselor, we have access to a helper that will direct our path and assist along the way. All we have to do is lift up our eyes and follow.
Our relationship with You Lord is our greatest strength, Lord. Your Spirit lives in us and will assist us and this gives us the ability to glorify You in all we do. Your way is the best way, and we lift our eyes to You today. We spread our wings of faith. With You, we know who we are and with You by our side we can go far … Amen.
*Jokes for days. (2021). Funny Editor – Jokes for Days. https://www.funnyeditor.com
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 thrive in life. 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 22 – What is described in verse 8-16? What are the spheres of God’s activity? What reasons are given for David’s deliverance? What had God done for David? Can you, from experience, take any of his words for your testimony?
2 Samuel 23 – How should a just ruler lead according to David? In what extent do you meet your responsibilities in such a way that God can illumine and bring growth through you? What do you learn about David from his sense of what belongs to God?
2 Samuel 24 – Why is numbering the tribes wrong? What evidence of David’s greatness are indicated in verses 17, 19, and 24? To what extent are intercession, obedience, and sacrifice part of your daily life with God?
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/>.
Over the last few weeks, I’ve been looking at ways to apply the word found in 2 Samuel 16-21 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.
The lesson in 2 Samuel 16 is that when faced with humiliation, you 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.
A thought from 2 Samuel 17 is who to go to for advice. When you pray and develop a plan each day with God, there is confidence because you know that you will do the right things that will lead to success. In making the right decisions, nothing provides more advantage than the one-on-one time with God.
We noted the character of David in 2 Samuel 18. At war with Absalom, he was willing to accept the help of his men. To take their advice and not let self-pride get in the way. On the other hand, Absalom let self-pride control his decisions and this led to his death. This day with God, take the pressure off yourself and accept the help of others, from the Holy Spirit, and the victory Jesus brings to your life.
One lesson from 2 Samuel 19 is that when there is conflict created in the situations you go through, have faith that God has everything in control. Maintain composure, say what needs to be said, and try to get everyone headed in the same direction.
The Bible is the textbook to the course on wisdom as pointed out in 2 Samuel 20. Within the passage, there is a wise woman who asked questions and found a practical solution to the issue faced. Give praise each day for the wisdom found in God’s Word.
Reading in 2 Samuel 21, there was a famine for three years in Israel. God’s wrath was upon them because of the broken covenant of peace between the Gibeonites and the house of Saul. Actions of past generations can take their toll on future generations. In current times, there are examples too, but you do have hope for debts being cleared. A positive future can be assured by accepting Jesus and getting on the right path.
The journey continues over the next few weeks further into the book of 2 Samuel. God has a purpose for us in all stages of life be it a teenager deciding what type of career they would like to pursue, a college student, a young professional, a leader within a business or organization, or someone nearing or already in retirement. At all stages of life, the Bible is helpful in providing what is needed. If you have not done so yet, click the follow button to be notified of new posts as we continue on the path to a brighter future.
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