Done Wrong

Photo Credit – truthmattersblog.wordpress.com

This day with God, we are reading 2 Samuel 1. Today’s passage gives us good ideas for what to say and how to handle situations in which someone has done us wrong. Remember about the relationship between David and Saul as David had been on the run from Saul who wanted to kill David for years.

In today’s passage, a second version of Saul’s death is given. In the first version recorded in 1 Samuel 31:1-13, Saul was wounded and near death. He wanted his armor-bearer to kill him but he would not so Saul took his own sword and fell on it.

In today’s version, the story is told by a young Amalekite man. In this version, Saul was near death leaning on his sword when he saw the young Amalekite man. Saul requested the young man kill him so he did.

It seems that David believed the young Amalekite man was not truthful with what really happened. Perhaps the young man wanted to take credit for killing Saul who had been trying to kill David for years. The young Amalekite man underestimated the respect that David still had for Saul because David and his men were shaken by Saul’s death.

They mourned and wept showing genuine sorrow over the loss of their king. Then David had the young Amalekite man put to death for killing Saul. David chose to not hate Saul but showed respect to the king. He chose to look at all the good Saul had done by writing a poem and putting it to music.

The Bible gives good ideas 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.

This Day with You God, help us to say positive things about others. Tearing others down is a problem that begins in the heart. We pray for discipline in what we say even during times of anger. We pray that we give everyone the respect they deserve by allowing them to have the freedom to choose, to respond, and to change. In Jesus name … Amen.

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Questions for Reflection for the Study of 2 Samuel 1-9

The journey into Psalms 42-51 has given encouragement for the journey ahead that will now take us into 2 Samuel. We will be gaining insight into the victories of David and how God’s plan for us is fulfilled through David’s royal line.

The reading plan below will be used to hold me accountable as I share about God’s Word. To share about my study of 2 Samuel, it’s important to have a plan. I’m thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us and by accepting Christ as Savior; we have taken the steps necessary to make each day amazing!

Questions for Reflection

2 Samuel 1 – Why did the young Amalekite man change the version of the story of Saul’s death? What is David’s response to the news? To what extent do you practice saying what is positive about others who have hurt you?

2 Samuel 2 – What principle of guidance can you learn from David in verses 1-2? What do you learn about David’s character from his response to the brave deed of the Jabesh Gilead men (See 1 Samuel 31:8-13)? What causes Abner to stop running and sue for peace?

2 Samuel 3 – What do you think causes the trend in verse 1? What is David’s response to the murder of Abner? How far does your forgiveness extend?

Samuel 4 – How will David’s consistent response to opportunists affect the people as the kingdom is established? How should we react when tempted to profit from someone else’s cruel deed? Are you careless and undependable in “minor” things? Why?

2 Samuel 5 – What two reasons do the tribes of Israel give for anointing David king? Why do you think they take more than seven years to act on what they know? What accounts for David’s greatness?

2 Samuel 6 – Why is Uzzah killed (See Numbes 4:15)? What do David and the people learn about God from this experience (See 1 Chronicles 15:11-13)? In what ways does David express his zeal in the parade? What motivates Michal’s objection? Do you scorn people with “excessive” zeal? Why?

2 Samuel 7 – What precipitates Nathan’s vision? What does God want David to remember? What are examples within this passage of God’s divine intervention? What does David’s response reveal about prayer? What are things God has shown you for which you can dare to pray?

2 Samuel 8 – What is David’s task now? In what place does God want you now? How are you fulfilling your obligations there?

2 Samuel 9 – What motivates David’s kindness to Mephibosheth? What is the extent of David’s generosity? To whom do you show the kindness of God? Why?

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 or to a Facebook page I’ve set up at this link: This Day With God – A Spiritual Journey.

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.  <https://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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Looking Back at Psalms for Encouragement on the Journey Ahead

Over the last month, the journey has taken me through Psalms 42-51. On many occasions, the psalmist was discouraged, depressed or felt cut off from God. The Psalms give encouragement during these times. Below, is food for thought gained from these group of Psalms that provide encouragement on the journey ahead!

There may be discouragement and you may feel down at times. You may feel that there is no way out of a situation but you must keep hoping for better days ahead. You may be running this race called life and need that something extra to replenish your thirst.

To get over discouragement, be replenished by thinking about the greatness of God. Sometimes, an inspirational song or a good memory can switch your thinking and bring a change in your outlook. All it takes is one thought or idea for a breakthrough in your life.

God can satisfy your thirst with a never ending spring of water. All who accept Christ as Savior receive grace. Like the flow of this never ending spring of water, His grace keeps flowing and washes out the negative past.  

The Spirit of God lives inside and you are the temple of God where the Holy Spirit lives. This day with God, celebrate the victory of Christ and be clothed with virtues that can be used throughout a lifetime and beyond. You can then step ahead with discipline and seek the truth of God by following Jesus who demonstrates these positive steps to victory throughout the Gospel.

Things in this world can shake you up and fear can hold you back but you can walk through any fire with Godspeed and not get burned. Your trust in God is a big plus for He is with you so you have poise under pressure. You can let go, hand the crisis over, and know that He will do the work to get you through.

The currency of the Kingdom of God is grace. He’s an awesome King over all the nations of the world. He protects, knows what is best for you, and gives you the Holy Spirit to reign in your heart. He’s interested not only in your future but the future of generations to come so that the road to success continues.

The Lord protects and watches over you. He has great things planned for you but there is a responsibility for forming good character by having faith in His Word, hope in His church, and to accept His love through Christ.

The psalmist’s confidence is not in riches or wealth but in the understanding of God’s Way. That you should spend your time on building up spiritual treasures and sharing your faith with others rather than spending all your time making money or gaining worldly wealth.

Bible Study is similar to an athletic workout; helping those participating to step ahead with faith and passing this faith on to others. With unstoppable hope, apply your faith and build the winning tradition of accepting the love of God in Christ.

You can seize each day and keep pace with grace by being renewed day by day. Take the opportunity God gives through Jesus Christ to change the course of life. To run the race with service and worship towards the finish line.

Do away with a negative past that controls you and keeps you at a low point. Instead, desire to empty that from your mind by knowing Christ died for all the negatives in the past that weigh you down.

Pray that anything that is weighing you down be lifted off your shoulders so you can get to a higher plane. A higher place where your dominant aspirations are to empty worldly desires so you can replace them with godly desires that get you to a new level of faith, hope, and love.

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Poetry Friday 11-11-2022

A poem posted at my other blog Step Ahead is inspired by the post “Soar Higher with Resistance”. Going with the wind may get you somewhere faster but going against the wind lifts you to places higher and higher.

Today’s song Battle is the Lord’s by Rebecca St. James ft. Brandon Lake gives us the encouragement needed to take courage in this fight because the weapons of this war are praises lifted high! The future is not heavy on my soul because God is in control. He is here now and will show us how!

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A Future of Joy and Peace

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
   wash me, and I will be whiter than snow - Psalm 51:7

This photo from the winter storm that hit Texas in 2021 was taken near my garage after a night of snow which covers everything with a smooth layer just like God covers our sin. In the background is a garbage can. By accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, we can throw away our negative past and focus on a future of joy and peace.

Highlighted in the post “Higher Plane” is doing away with a negative past that controls you and keeps you at a low point. Instead, desire to empty that from your mind by knowing Christ died for all the negatives in the past that weigh you down.

Listen to the song Empty Me by Jeremy Camp and pray that anything that is weighing you down is lifted off your shoulders so you can get to a higher plane. A higher place where your dominant aspirations are to empty worldly desires and replace them with godly desires that get you to a new level of faith, hope, and love.

Index of devotionals

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