Listening to the Word

2 Samuel 6; 1 Chronicles 13; Psalms 68; Matthew 17   “David was afraid of God that day and asked, ‘How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?’ He did not take the ark to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it aside to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house for three months, and the Lord blessed his household and everything he had.” 1 Chronicles 13:12-14 This is an astounding story! In transporting the ark of the Presence, a priest named Uzziah touched the ark and it was struck down by the Lord. The Hebrew word to describe God’s anger here is to “explode.” The Lord was burning with anger, and David was afraid of God. So the ark was set aside at the house of a a foreigner. Obed-Edom (son of Edom), from Gath, then hosted the ark of the Presence. However, rather than exploding, God blessed Obed-Edom, his family of eight sons, and everything he had. God blessed the foreigner so much that word of this testimony...

2 Samuel 4-5; Psalms 139; Matthew 16 “You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar…How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!” Psalm 139:2, 17 David understood that the Lord could know his thoughts and value the state of his heart (mind, will, and emotions). But David also knew the intimacy of knowing God’s thoughts through the Spirit of God. This level of intimacy and relationship with God as expressed through the Psalms (David’s prayer and worship journal) is now available to every Spirit-filled child of God. This communion with the Father and the Son through the Spirit when God makes his “home” within us is the greatest miracle on earth! This is the reason Jesus was so excited to send the Spirit of Truth to his disciples following the resurrection. The Spirit would make known to the disciples the truths, teachings, and will of the Father. How precious are God’s thoughts to us? “Lord Jesus, thank you for sending the Holy Spiri...

2 Samuel 3; 1 Chronicles 12; Matthew 15   “Then the Spirit came upon Amasai, chief of the Thirty, and he said: ‘We are yours, David! We are with you, O son of Jesse! Success, success to you, and success to those who help you, for your God will help you.’” 1 Chronicles 12:18 Those strong words from a warrior like Amasai must have given David courage while he waited for Israel to affirm his authority. When strong warriors pledge their allegiance to a leader, they are doing something God has created us to do and that is to offer our lives for a cause bigger than serving ourselves. David understood this impulse in other warriors because he had done the same thing to the Lord God. David had offered his life to the Lord, and now other leaders could see the strength of God’s Spirit in him. Who have we offered our lives to? Or are we still living for ourselves? We were created to sacrifice together for a greater cause, goal, and purpose than ourselves. Too many become distracted by politic...

2 Samuel 2; 1 Chronicles 11; Psalms 142; Matthew 14   “But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’ ‘Lord, if it is you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’ ‘Come,’ he said.” Matthew 14:27-29 When Jesus called his disciples from their occupations of fishing, tax collecting, or farming, he said, “Come, follow me.” When he walked to them on the water in the middle of the night, his word was still come, but the risk was greater. Are we still saying yes to Jesus’ call to come follow me, regardless the cost, direction, or context? Before we can go and make disciples of all nations, we must first learn to come and follow Jesus. These two rhythms of come and then go are repeated in the way Jesus trained his disciples and must also be a part of our rhythm of life as we follow Jesus in mission. As we come to be with Jesus we are renewed and transformed (even if it means “walking on water”). Our pursuit of the presence of Jesus gives us cou...

2 Samuel 1; Psalms 140; Matthew 13   “’How the mighty have fallen in battle! Jonathon lies slain on your heights. I grieve for you, Jonathon, my brother; you were very dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful, more wonderful than that of women. How the mighty have fallen! The weapons of war have perished!’” 2 Samuel 1:25-27 David’s lament for Saul and Jonathon revealed his love for them despite Saul’s insane jealousy and murderous rage. That kind of love can only come from God. When Jonathon renounced the throne and formed a friendship-covenant with David, he also expressed a depth of sacrificial love that could only come from God. Jonathon went to David in his most lonely, desperate times, and helped him find strength in God. Jonathon was willing to sacrifice his future, his inheritance, and even his life for David. This is a different level of love than the love of romance David referred to in his lament for Jonathon. This is not ‘eros’ or even ‘philos,’ but rather, ‘agape’ lov...

1 Samuel 30-31; 1 Chronicles 10; Matthew 12   “When the people of Jabesh Gilead heard of what the Philistines had done to Saul, all their valiant men journeyed through the night to Beth Shan. They took down the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth Shan and went to Jabesh, where they burned them. Then they took their bones and buried them under a tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and they fasted seven days.” 1 Samuel 31:11-13 Why did the valiant men of Jabesh risk their lives to recover the bodies of Saul and his sons from the celebrating Philistines? Many years earlier, in his first decisive act of leadership as a newly anointed king of Israel, Saul had delivered the residents of Jabesh Gilead from the invading Ammonites. The people of Jabesh never forgot their deliverance. They also didn’t want the enemies of Israel to mock the anointed king of Israel in his death. How do we treat fallen leaders? Do we join in the public shaming, or do we honor the work of God in their lives, ...

1 Samuel 28-29; Psalms 109; Matthew 11   “’And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths. If the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. But I tell you it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.’” Matthew 11:23, 24 Jesus denounced his hometown of Capernaum for not responding with repentance to the miracles they witnessed. The healing of the centurion’s servant, countless demonized people set free, the paralytic man healed and his sins forgiven, all took place in Capernaum. Jesus taught that towns and cities will be judged, not just individual people. The judgment of Sodom, a city ruled by homosexual passion, would be more bearable than the judgment of Capernaum, the town on the shore of Galilee. Why? Because God’s judgment would be received. To whom much has been given, much is required. Those who have the written Word of God, forgiveness of sin, mater...

1 Samuel 27; Psalms 141; 1 Chronicles 9; Matthew 10   “Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness…’As you go preach this message: The kingdom of heaven is near. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.’” Matthew 10:1, 7, 8 The message of the kingdom of heaven that Jesus gave his disciples to preach required them to receive the authority of the king before they were sent out. The disciples of Jesus were required to make their relationship with Jesus more important than any other family relationship. Their authority to represent the king came from their submission to the king. This message of the good news of the kingdom of heaven was then to be demonstrated by driving out evil spirits in the lives of those who came to them for healing. This kingdom authority was more than eloquent preaching; it set captives free and bro...

1 Samuel 25-26; Psalms 63; Matthew 9   “While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and ‘sinners’ came and ate with him and his disciples…On hearing this, Jesus said, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’” Matthew 9:10, 12, 13 The tax collectors of Jesus’ day were seen in the same category of uncleanness as the prostitutes. The betrayal of collecting taxes from fellow Jews for Roman occupiers was compounded by their abuse of this position of authority to demand even more and personally enrich themselves. To eat in a tax collector’s home was forbidden for an observant Jew. Yet Jesus defined this kind of social interaction as the focus of his ministry. He came to call sinners, the unclean, to the good news of the kingdom. However, this approach to ministry and life would require “mercy not sacrifice.” Are we living wit...

1 Samuel 24; Psalms 57-58; 1 Chronicles 8; Matthew 8 “’See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. Now understand and recognize that I am not guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion…’” 1 Samuel 24:11 Saul’s robe represented his authority and covering. David was conscience-stricken at cutting off a piece of Saul’s robe because he understood what that represented. When Saul desperately grabbed for Samuel’s robe (authority), it tore. This act symbolized God’s removal of the kingdom from Saul (1 Samuel 15:27).   Are we grasping at authority, or cutting it away from others the Lord has put in place? It is the Lord who provides the covering (robe), or authority, and calls us to serve under his authority for our own protection. When Jesus declared he had been given all authority in heaven and on earth, he, too, was reminding his disciples that he was in submission to the Father. It was because of his submission and obedienc...

1 Samuel 23; Psalms 31, 54; Matthew 7 “How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. In the shelter of your presence, you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues.” Psalm 31:19, 20 David found refuge and relief, not in a physical retreat center, or a fortified castle, but in the presence of the Lord. In God’s presence, David experienced God’s goodness, his protection, and his favour. However, it was up to David to seek the presence of the Lord no matter where he was physically. While fleeing Saul, David lived as a hunted fugitive. Betrayal was a potential fate every day. Who could he trust? The words of those around him were like arrows of accusation. Only in the presence of the Lord did David find relief. Worship and meditation on the promises of God restored the strength and peace of his heart. David lived with an audience of one, ...

1 Samuel 22; Psalms 17, 35; Matthew 6 “Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me. Take up shield and buckler; arise and come to my aid. Brandish spear and javelin against those who pursue me. Say to my soul, ‘I am your salvation.’” Psalm 35:1-3 David processed his feelings and response to Saul’s campaign against him in his prayer journal. David believed that God literally would be a warrior contending with those who sought to kill him.   In our tests, do we look to fight flesh and blood? Or do we, like David, call on the Lord to deliver us and fight our battles for us? David relied on the inner voice of the Holy Spirit speaking salvation to him. This inner peace was based on the reality of God’s presence in David’s life. David’s humility released God to come to his aid. Will we, too, humble ourselves before God and in conflict, forgive and release others, and ask the Lord to fight our battles for us? When we process our feelings in pr...

1 Samuel 20-21; Psalms 34, Matthew 5   “I sought the Lord and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears…The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them…Fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.” Psalm 34:4, 7, 9 Fear of man is a snare that traps us and keeps us from the freedom Christ has won for us. The fear of the Lord is the key to walking in wisdom and understanding. The fear of the Lord is a reverence for God’s presence and a commitment to walk in God’s ways. As David fled the presence of King Saul, he wrote about the fears he was fleeing from. However, David’s greater focus was his fear of the Lord and his desire to honor God in how he lived, even as a fugitive. David did not return evil with evil. Instead, he determined to “keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it” (Psalm 34:13, 14). When we fear God, we trust him to deliver us from our fe...

1 Samuel 19: 1 Chronicles 7; Psalms 59, Matthew 4 “Jesus answered, ‘It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God!’” Matthew 4:4 Jesus’ response to Satan’s temptation to turn stones into bread to satisfy his physical hunger was to quote Deuteronomy 8:3 and Moses’ words to Israel regarding their hunger in the desert. God humbled Israel, causing them to hunger in order to reveal to them their need for daily bread/manna which only he could provide. We, too, share the same need to be satisfied by God alone. When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread…,” he was speaking about more than food. He was speaking about manna and the provision of life which we can only find from God. Listening to the Word - every word that comes from the mouth of God - is a privilege for the sons and daughters of God. We were made to listen and obey God’s Word and in doing so, find our life comes from him. Listening to the Word i...

1 Samuel 18; 1 Chronicles 6; Psalms 11, Matthew 3   “Saul was afraid of David because the Lord was with David but had left Saul. So he sent David away from him…When Saul realized that the Lord was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days.” 1 Samuel 18:12, 13, 28, 29 Spiritual jealousy is deceptive because it can be justified by spiritual language and hidden by seemingly honorable actions. Saul used military campaigns and even marriage to his daughter in his attempt to destroy David. He was jealous of God’s evident presence with David. Jealousy and fear work together to form bitterness if we allow them access to our heart. If we enjoy the anointing of the Spirit of God in our lives, we, too, will face jealousy like Saul. How we respond will determine whether we will continue to walk in the Spirit’s anointing, or whether we will become like Saul. “Lord Jesus, I choose to forgive and bless...

1 Samuel 17; Psalms 9; Matthew 2 “David said to the Philistine, ‘You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I will strike you down and cut off your head.’” 1 Samuel 17:45, 46 David might not have had a sword in his hand the day he faced Goliath, but the sword of the Lord was in his mouth as the faith-filled word of the Lord was proclaimed. As Paul described the armour of God, he included the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions…” (Ephesians 6:17, 18). Those filled with the Spirit as David was, speak the word of the Lord with great boldness. This “sword” defeats giants of fear, greed, lust, and pride that are opposing the people of God and the work of God. As we “listen to the word” our hearts grow in faith, and we have a word in season no matter what context or battle...

1 Samuel 15-16; 1 Chronicles 5; Matthew 1   “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’” 1 Samuel 16:7 What does the Lord see when he looks at us? The world focuses on our outward appearance and so do we. Huge industries are focused on updating and improving our outward appearance. Some of the top surgeons in the world are focused on cosmetic surgery, not on saving lives; however, God’s eyes are on the heart. David was a man after God’s own heart. Yet even David sinned and he let fear, murder, and lust fill his heart. In his prayer of repentance, David asked God to create in him a pure heart and to renew a steadfast spirit within him (Psalm 51:10). He prayed, “Search me, O God, and know my heart…” (Psalm 139:23). David knew God’s value on his heart.   Do we? Today, what is our response to God’s gaze ...

1 Samuel 14; 1 Chronicles 4; 2 Corinthians 13   “Finally, brothers [and sisters], good-by! Aim for perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.” 2 Corinthians 13:11 In Paul’s final words to the Corinthian church, he called them to joy, to full restoration from the influences of sin, to encouraging each other, to unity, and to peace. How would all this be possible? The God of love and peace would be with them - and with us. Most of Paul’s final words focus on relationships with each other and with God. Paul was their spiritual father and he wanted his children to love each other and love God who had birthed them into his family. Are these our priorities as we reflect on our life and the church in which we are a part? Are we walking in joy in the most important relationships in our lives? Who can we encourage today? Where are we being invited into a “one mind” unity with others who love and follow Jesus? In what ways ...

I Samuel 13; I Chronicles 2-3; 2 Corinthians 12   “’…the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.’” 1 Samuel 13:14 The Lord sought out a man after his own heart, one who would obey his commands and live under his authority. Samuel declared this intention of the Lord to Saul at the beginning of his leadership of Israel. Insecurity, fear of man, and other pre-existing strongholds in Saul’s life grew because of his awareness of the requirement. Saul knew that the Lord was not pleased with his heart and would eventually replace him. How attentive are we to the state of our heart? Are we more interested in God’s perspective than that of others? It is the Lord who pursues leaders to fill strategic positions in his kingdom. David replaced Saul because the Lord sought out David’s heart and it pleased him. When the Lord is our focus, he will position us in his kingdom where he chooses. Let the Lord ta...

I Samuel 11-12; 1 Chronicles 1; 2 Corinthians 11 “’…serve the Lord with all your heart. Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. For the sake of his great name, the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own.’” 1 Samuel 12:20-22 “I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ…Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.” 2 Corinthians 11:2, 28) Both Samuel and Paul ended their public ministries with a call to God’s people to be faithful to the Lord. Both Samuel and Paul were clear that the people of God belonged to the Lord, not to these leaders. When leaders who plant churches or begin ministries believe people are serving them rather than the Lord, they lose their way. Few dynamic ministries finish well. To finish well we must continue to die to self and follow Jesus so that he becomes greater a...