In Psalms 29, there are various attributes associates with the Lord. Many qualities ascribing His grand splendor, the power of His voice.
His voice can accomplish many things beyond our imaginations.
He can strip the forests bare and create life from nothing.
He is like a king, presiding forever.
He gives strength to His people.
He blesses His people for all time.
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
Sunday, March 18, 2018
A New King Is Named
In the book of 1 Kings, the first chapter, there is an interesting vie for power.
At this point, King David is old and needs much help. His servants appoint a young woman to take care of him. She was beautiful, and cared for all of his needs. However, given his past sins when it came to women, he did not allow himself to be aroused and have sex with her.
In another part of the kingdom, a man named Adonijah knew of David's limited time in power and proclaimed himself as king. David knew nothing of this man nor of his intentions. The prophet Nathan heard of this and was advised to go to David, for the Lord did not want Adonijah to be the next king.
In the end, David proclaimed his son Solomon to be the next king, as the Lord wanted. When Adonijah heard of this (he was celebrating his own victory with a grand feast when he heard the trumpets blowing with great vigor) he discovered the Solomon was named king by David. All of his guests were fearful and went their own way.
King Solomon, upon hearing of Adonijah's plea for mercy, told him that if he proved himself worthy, he shall be safe.
Adonijah paid homage to the new king, and was shown mercy.
At this point, King David is old and needs much help. His servants appoint a young woman to take care of him. She was beautiful, and cared for all of his needs. However, given his past sins when it came to women, he did not allow himself to be aroused and have sex with her.
In another part of the kingdom, a man named Adonijah knew of David's limited time in power and proclaimed himself as king. David knew nothing of this man nor of his intentions. The prophet Nathan heard of this and was advised to go to David, for the Lord did not want Adonijah to be the next king.
In the end, David proclaimed his son Solomon to be the next king, as the Lord wanted. When Adonijah heard of this (he was celebrating his own victory with a grand feast when he heard the trumpets blowing with great vigor) he discovered the Solomon was named king by David. All of his guests were fearful and went their own way.
King Solomon, upon hearing of Adonijah's plea for mercy, told him that if he proved himself worthy, he shall be safe.
Adonijah paid homage to the new king, and was shown mercy.
Wednesday, March 14, 2018
God's anger with Israel and David's compromise
In the last chapter of 2 Samuel, chapter 24, I find some of the strangest passages in the Bible so far. In fact, I had to read three different versions of the Bible to gain the proper knowledge as to what was being brought forth.
As you know throughout David's life as king of Israel, he had done some horrible things. Now it was time for his people to pay for those events. A census was taken, to give an exact count of the population. Joab, David's commander-in-chief, was against it. But he had to go with David's command.
Once the census was completed, God--speaking through the prophet Gad--gave David three choices: seven years of famine, flee the country for three months before his enemies would pursue him, or three days of a massive plague.
It was a difficult decision, but David chose the plague, for it was better to fall onto God's mercy than the mercy of men.
God ordered the death to stop at Jerusalem. There, David set up an altar to offer a sacrifice to the Lord. The owner of the nearby threshing floor even told David that he could have anything that he needed. But David refused and offered to pay for whatever he used.
The Lord answered David's prayer and stopped the plague completely.
As you know throughout David's life as king of Israel, he had done some horrible things. Now it was time for his people to pay for those events. A census was taken, to give an exact count of the population. Joab, David's commander-in-chief, was against it. But he had to go with David's command.
Once the census was completed, God--speaking through the prophet Gad--gave David three choices: seven years of famine, flee the country for three months before his enemies would pursue him, or three days of a massive plague.
It was a difficult decision, but David chose the plague, for it was better to fall onto God's mercy than the mercy of men.
God ordered the death to stop at Jerusalem. There, David set up an altar to offer a sacrifice to the Lord. The owner of the nearby threshing floor even told David that he could have anything that he needed. But David refused and offered to pay for whatever he used.
The Lord answered David's prayer and stopped the plague completely.
Sunday, March 11, 2018
Leading in the name of God
In the book of 2 Samuel, chapter 23, it starts with a brief speech by David. This speech brings one great comfort, and speaks of how a leader must lead: in the fear and awe of God. David speaks of God's word on his tongue, and when he rules in the name of God it is like the morning light at dawn, the sun shining on a cloudless morning, and rain causing the grass to grow.
All things with God, one prospers.
Men who are not worthy are like thorns.
Afterward, there are thirty-plus men who are named for their heroic deeds. And their deeds were only accomplished by worshiping and believing in God.
There is an interesting passage that one who leads should study: 2 Samuel, chapter 23, verses 15-17. David and his men have just fought a long battle and he said that he would like water from the well of Bethlehem near the gate. Three of his men broke through the enemy's camp, drew water from the well, and brought it to him. David was devastated when he heard this and poured it out in the name of the Lord, for he should not drink when lives were risked.
All things with God, one prospers.
Men who are not worthy are like thorns.
Afterward, there are thirty-plus men who are named for their heroic deeds. And their deeds were only accomplished by worshiping and believing in God.
There is an interesting passage that one who leads should study: 2 Samuel, chapter 23, verses 15-17. David and his men have just fought a long battle and he said that he would like water from the well of Bethlehem near the gate. Three of his men broke through the enemy's camp, drew water from the well, and brought it to him. David was devastated when he heard this and poured it out in the name of the Lord, for he should not drink when lives were risked.
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