A poem posted at my other blog Step Ahead is inspired by a sermon a long time ago. The main thought I received from the sermon is “Why put off a gift that you can use for a lifetime and beyond? The gift of God’s love for us through His Son”.
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. – Matthew 6:14-15
A strategy to settle the score in a winning way was given in “Trust God for the Outcome”. The plan for us is grace.
Take inspiration from the song Grace Wins by Matthew West. In a war between debase and grace, rise up in victory to win the race with grace.
Individuals and churches may differ in convictions or practice but there is one common thread that binds us; the power of Christ in what we believe and how we live. This day, let us invite more to accept Christ and receive grace. This blessing is like a flowing stream that always flows in one direction to bring people together and heal a whole nation.
In 2 Samuel 10, David demonstrates grace in his generous move to send a delegation to express sympathy concerning the death of the king of the Ammonites. Unfortunately, this caused suspicion among the Ammonite commanders. They thought the delegation was sent to spy on them in preparation for war so they humiliated them by cutting half their beards and the lower part of their clothing off.
Sometimes we may say things or offer help but people take it in the wrong way. They can respond in many ways that humiliate us in front of others. If this happens, the best response is to patiently trust God for the outcome.
That’s what we see in the type of leadership demonstrated by Joab in today’s passage. This type of leadership lets annoyances wear off and 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. The first step is prayer.
Lord, there is victory with grace. It wins all the time. We can have poise when annoyed. We pray for discipline in setting unjust acts or criticisms aside so that what annoys us wears off. Before vengeance produces negative consequences, give us a strategy to settle the score in a winning way today. Amen.
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 10 – Why does David’s generous move lead to war? Are you prone to mistrust the motives of others? What indicates that Joab is an able leader?
2 Samuel 11 – How does verse 1 imply that David is not in his place of responsibility? What is he doing instead? What is David trying to do when he sends for Uriah? What does Joab know about the situation? What does he do? Are there areas in which you operate unethically and what can you do to change?
2 Samuel 12 – How and by whom is action initiated in this chapter? How does God interpret David’s actions (See verses 9-14)? What can you learn from David’s attitude toward sickness and death?
2 Samuel 13 – What judgments (chap. 12) are fulfilled here? What kind of influence is David as father and leader? What is the character and quality of Jonadab’s friendship to Amnon? What do verses 32-33 indicate?
2 Samuel 14 – How and by whom is action initiated in this chapter? What does this chapter show about Absalom? To what lengths is Absalom willing to go to get his way?
2 Samuel 15 – What does Absalom set out to do? Do you ever give spiritual reasons for wrong or selfish actions? Why does David send the priests, ark, and Hushai back to Jerusalem?
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 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 of God taught by Christ Jesus.
In studying the relationship between Saul and David, good ideas are provided in how to handle our relationships with others. Rather than being angry with those who have caused much distress in our life, we need to let it go and hand it over to God. A good strategy is to pray first, ask for God’s help, and then say what needs to be said.
Lessons learned can be applied in our own life. We can use the same guidance and power that David used by asking help from God in Jesus’ name. There may be issues at work or health problems that make us feel that we are constantly fighting battles but through prayer, we have available the greatest power. By asking for help in Jesus’ name, we are guided towards solutions to overcome major problems that make us victorious over these battles.
Another quality of David noted is how he let God be the one to judge and punish. He demonstrated a personality that respects authority, had patience, and there was a pleasing open-mindedness about him. The trend of winning was on the side of David because he was following the guidance of God and had character traits that were helping him continue to step ahead along the path to success.
The Bible is our instruction manual and living the way many of the characters lived teaches us to lead a life that is meaningful and best make a positive impact on the world. David was careful even in the “minor” things because above all, he knew he was accountable to the Lord who knows all things. Leaders who are consistent in the way they handle wrongs done to others establish peace within societies because people know what is expected. Then there is justice, fairness, consideration, and cooperation.
David’s greatness came from the fact that he relied on God’s power and did as God instructed. David understood that God controlled the future and could give the proper direction. As David applied his faith in God, he provided leadership for the good of his people. The lesson for us is that our strength comes from God and we should apply our faith by following His word. The word provides us with food for the soul and what we need to take on the challenges we face.
We gain experience each day knowing there is a right way and a wrong way to live out our life. In the account of Uzzah showing disrespect to God by touching the arc, we are given a warning that there is a right way and a wrong way to do things. By following the right way, we can gain small wins that will eventually lead to the ultimate victory. Jesus provides the Way and the Light shines bright along the path so let us celebrate the ultimate victory that Jesus brings.
We all need friends and David’s was a friend named Nathan who was a prophet. David shared with Nathan about his thoughts of building a house for the ark of God. Nathan was a friend who affirmed that thought and today we have a friend in Jesus to affirm our thoughts as we go in prayer to receive direction in our daily walk to a future beyond what could be imagined!
Prayer gives us a chance to have an open exchange with God who believes in us and is interested in our future. He gives us a plan but it is up to us to fulfill our obligations towards the attainment of that plan. As we read God’s Word and pray, thoughts are given, ideas are brought out, and a pathway to our purpose removes any doubt about fulfilling that purpose.
David was kind to the handicapped son of Saul named Mephibosheth. Giving him land and then telling Saul’s steward to farm the land for Mephibosheth. Bringing in the crops so he would be provided for. In the same way, let us be kind and encourage each other to spread the seeds of God’s word one person at a time. Before long, a community and world will be impacted in a positive way.
Like a single wild flower in a field, over the years the seeds produce many flowers just like one act of kindness replicates in God’s people to produce a community of faith that grows year by year into a thing of beauty.
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.
Click the image above to Link to my other blog called "Step Ahead"
Click image & link to Bible Study Space Top 100
Click Image for More Info
This Day With God - A Spiritual Journey 