God's Presence - he comes in his terms

Do not be lax before a holy God.

God's presence comes. But he comes on his own terms. He comes when commands are revered, hearts are cleaned, and confession is made.

He looks for more than sacrifices or clever slogans. He looks for reverence, obedience and God hungry hearts.

God's greatest gift is himself. God loves us too much to leave us alone. Whatever we are going through, worries, sickness and even death; he is with us.

Therefore, be joyful. Dance like David. 2 Sam 6:14

Facing the Giant-size Questions of Life

David inquired of The Lord many times when faced with difficult decisions.

Eg 2 Sam 2:1 when Saul was killed, David inquired of The Lord about his options.

He does it with a fascinating tool the Ephod.

Today we do not need an ephod.

We know that the God who guided David will guide us.

Ps 32:8

Prov 3:6

Isa 30:21

You have a bible? Read it. It is living and active.

You have a family of faith? Consult it. Hebrew 13:7 prov 12:15

You have a heart for God? Heed it. Phil 2:13

Facing a Giant called Grief

Death robs you ...

Of the moments and memories not shared.

When death happens to one of our loved ones, we face a giant called Grief.

2Sam 1:4 David's messenger send him the bad news that King Saul and Jonathan are killed in battle.

What did David do?

He lamented. He did not run away from grief. 2 Sam 1:17

Face your grief. Weep, tore clothing, mourn, whatever. Flush out grief, again and again.

Jesus wept over the death of Lazarus. John 11:35

Tears relieve the hurts.

Grief takes time.

Seventy percent of the Psalms are poems of sorrow.

Remember God has the last word on death. There is the joy of resurrection coming our way.

The Story of Brook Besor

 Samuel 30:1-3 (ESV)
1  Now when David and his men came to Ziklag on the third day, the Amalekites had made a raid against the Negeb and against Ziklag. They had overcome Ziklag and burned it with fire
2  and taken captive the women and all who were in it, both small and great. They killed no one, but carried them off and went their way.
3  And when David and his men came to the city, they found it burned with fire, and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive.

1 Samuel 30:9-10 (ESV)
9  So David set out, and the six hundred men who were with him, and they came to the brook Besor, where those who were left behind stayed.
10  But David pursued, he and four hundred men. Two hundred stayed behind, who were too exhausted to cross the brook Besor.

1 Samuel 30:21-25 (ESV)
21  Then David came to the two hundred men who had been too exhausted to follow David, and who had been left at the brook Besor. And they went out to meet David and to meet the people who were with him. And when David came near to the people he greeted them.
22  Then all the wicked and worthless fellows among the men who had gone with David said, “Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except that each man may lead away his wife and children, and depart.”

The story of Brook Besor is a story of grace. As David's 600 men were pursuing their enemy who took away their wives and children and property, they came across Brook Besok - a refreshing stream and idea place of rest. Some 200 men were so tired that they decided to stay there while the remaining 400 men and David continued to pursue their enemy to recover their wives and children.

Eventually they caught up and defeated their enemy, recovered what belonged to them and got hold of the spoils of the enemy. When they returned, David has division within his ranks.  The 400 who had gone with him did not want to share with the 200 who had stayed behind. 

23  But David said, “You shall not do so, my brothers, with what the LORD has given us. He has preserved us and given into our hand the band that came against us.

24  Who would listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage. They shall share alike.”

25  And he made it a statute and a rule for Israel from that day forward to this day. 

David knows Victory is a gift and blessing from God. Let us remember the same - show grace and bless others irrespective whether they deserve it or have earned it.

Brook Besor blesses rest.

Brook Besor also cautions arrogance.

Are you tired/ Catch your breadth ... it's ok.

Are you strong? Reserve passing judgement on the tired. Odds are we grow tired one day too.

And when we do, remember Brook Besok.