2 Samuel 3 "God's Promise To David Fulfilled"

“All the people took note and were pleased; indeed, everything the king did pleased them.” (v.36)

Here in chapter 3, Abner had come to David promising him the northern tribes in return for a place in David’s kingdom. David had agreed and sent Abner away “in peace” (vv. 22, 23). Just when things seemed to be coming together for David, Joab stepped in and threatened disaster for the hope of a united kingdom. Acting from personal vengeance over his brother’s death, and using David’s peaceful promise as a cloak, Joab summoned Abner and ruthlessly murdered him in private.

Joab carefully engineered this murder so that the killing was done outside the gate of Hebron. This was because Hebron was a city of refuge (Joshua 20:7), and it was against the law for Joab, as Asahel’s blood avenger, to kill Abner inside the city. This carefully concieved plot to murder Abner outside the city of refuge made the murder all the darker. It showed Joab knew that Abner had a rightful claim of self-defense and was protected inside the city of Hebron, yet he killed him anyway. David did not want his kingdom established by violence. He wanted God to establish his kingdom and to punish his enemies. David still believed that vengeance belongs to the Lord. 

Would Joab’s blood vengeance thwart the promises God made to David about his kingdom? Surely the northern tribes would cry foul at the murder of their top general! And yet, even in the face of such circumstances, God’s plan slowly continued to move forward. 

David responded with genuine grief over Abner’s death. He made public declarations of his innocence; he called curses upon Joab and his family (v.30); he called for a public funeral to mourn Abner’s loss; he wrote a lament in Abner’s honor; and even in private he refused to eat out of respect for Abner’s death.

All this led to the surprising result: “All the people took note and were pleased; indeed, everything the king did pleased them” (v.36). Despite Joab’s selfish action and his growing power, Scripture subtly reminds us that God’s promises cannot be thwarted. The northern tribes were coming around; a united kingdom was beginning to develop.

The Truth: “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” (2 Corinthians 1:20) 

2 Samuel 2 "David Anointed In Judah"

 It happened after this that David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?” And the LORD said to him, “Go up.” David said, “Where shall I go up?” And He said, “To Hebron.” So David went up there, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite. And David brought up the men who were with him, every man with his household. So they dwelt in the cities of Hebron. Then the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. (vv.1-4)

Here we see the key to success in David's life. With rare exceptions, he constantly inquired of the LORD. David wanted more than God’s blessing on his plans; he wanted to be right in the middle of God’s plan. Therefore he inquires of the LORD, “Shall I go up to any of the cities of Judah?” 

At this time David was still in Ziklag, in the territory of the Philistines. Out of great discouragement and despair, he left the land of Israel and lived almost as a Philistine among the Philistines. Now that David was restored to the LORD, he wondered if it was time for him to go back to his homeland. And the LORD said to him, "Go up to Hebron."

God was faithful to answer when David inquired. Since David had just come out of a period of spiritual decline, God could have put him on “probation” and refused to speak to him for a while. Instead, the LORD spoke to David and gave him guidance. So David went, he and all his household - including all his mighty men of valor and their households, and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron. There they (the men of Judah) anointed David king. 

This shows that David did not seize the throne. The elders of Judah approached him. David knew that it was better to let God lift him up through others than it was to strive to advance himself. We should strive to take a page from David's life here, to advance God’s Kingdom and leave the advancement of self in God's hands.

The Truth: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (James 1:5)

2 Samuel 1 "David Mourns For Saul"

"Then David and all the men with him took hold of their clothes and tore them. They mourned and wept and fasted till evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the army of the Lord and for the nation of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.” (v.11-12)

Here in chapter 1, David is given the news that both Johnthan and King Saul have been killed by the Phillistines in battle. The death of these two persons, one a friend and the other an enemy, made way for his accession to the throne. The average man might rejoice at such news and begin making his plans for rulership. But David was not average.

That David and his men should mourn for Jonathan, a good man, and a valiant one, and a dear and faithful friend is no wonder. But, that they should mourn for Saul, a wicked man, and a persecutor of David without cause, may not seem so clear. 

However, no matter how Saul had treated David, nothing could change the fact that Saul was God’s anointed, David’s king, and father-in-law. He never lost sight of that and did not dwell on the negative in Saul's life, but always looked upon Saul through a lens of respect, at his positive qualities of courage, valor, title and kinsman-ship (v. 23). 

Accentuating the positive qualities of those who trouble us is a good way to deal with resentment, and to transform our negative attitude into one of love.

The Truth: “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44) 

Ephesians 6 "Armor Up"

"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (Ephesians 6:11)

In our reading today, the Apostle Paul shows that the Christian faces spiritual forces - rulers, authorities, and powers of darkness and wickedness (vv.12-13). These spiritual forces (not of flesh and blood), are directed by an even greater power, Satan himself - intended to further his schemes. With enemies like this, only spiritual defenses will do.

Fortunately, God in His grace has provided us with a complete suit of armor that can enable us to stand against these powers of evil; the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit (vv.14-17).

Although we may seem to lose an occasional skirmish, the fact that God has already provided us with salvation guarantees that we will ultimately win the war. Satan can oppose us but he will never be able to defeat us. And though we may lose an occasional skirmish, God has already provided us with salvation which guarantees that we will ultimately win the war. Satan can oppose us, but he will never be able to defeat us.

Therefore, armor up every day in His Word as faithful soldiers in this battle, and you will become conquerors over the dark forces of evil.

The Truth: “But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39) 

Ephesians 5 "Walk In Love"

"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” (vv.1-2)

In our reading today Paul calls us to embody the love that God has shown us in Christ. Jesus gave His life as a fragrant offering to the Father on our behalf (v.2). As imitators of God, we are called to love one another just as God and Jesus have loved us. When we love one another, the world senses the presence of God in our lives.

Living out sacrificial love is one of the highest and most difficult callings that we have as children of God, especially in a culture that teaches us to demand our rights. Even in the church we can get caught up in wanting everything to revolve around our preferences. By voluntarily surrendering our own desires—even our rights—for someone else, we are imitating Christ. This has consequences beyond our own spiritual life, for God uses this kind of love to attract unbelievers to Himself.

Pride calls us to walk in self love, self promotion, self recognition. But none of that points others to Christ, who gave Himself for us. Therefore, may we walk in the love of Jesus, imitate Him, that those around us may know the love of God. 

The Truth: “I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.” (John 17:20-21)

Ephesians 4 “Forgiveness”

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (v.32)

Many people struggle with forgiveness and hold on to grudges for years. And some find it difficult to apologize, even though their words or actions have hurt others deeply. They simply can not see anything or anyone other than themselves. Even to the point of alienating family for their own self-righteousness.

While struggling with either side of this issue, it would do us all good to remember; our own sins against God were even greater, yet He forgave us. Then, having tasted His forgiveness for sin, how can we withhold our forgiveness from another person, who has inflicted such unreasonable pain against us? Love says, we can not.

Forgiveness for others reveals the extent to which we have grasped the significance of God's forgiveness in our own lives (vv. 32-35). He holds no grudges. Once we confess our sin He simply forgives and remembers our sin no more. But the key is to have a heart of love, for love conquers all. Love is gentle and kind, not rough or insensitive toward others, it does not demand its own way. Therefore brothers and sisters in all that you do, show compassion to one another and treat others as you would desire to be treated and you will cover a multitude of sin.

The Truth: “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15)

Ephesians 3 "Paul's Prayer For The Ephesians"

"For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height; to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. (vv.15-19).

The basis of Paul’s prayer was his knowledge of God’s purpose. This means he confidently prayed according to God’s will. We can’t pray effectively if we do not have insight into God’s purpose and will. Our text records that Paul prayed in the posture of bowing his knees. This position of utmost humility was in contrast to the more normal posture of prayer in that culture, to pray standing with hands raised up. 

While scripture records that Solomon prayed on his knees (1 Kings 8:54). Ezra prayed on his knees (Ezra 9:5). The Psalmist called us to kneel (Psalm 95:6). Daniel prayed on his knees (Daniel 6:10). People came to Jesus kneeling (Matthew 17:14, Matthew 20:20, and Mark 1:40). Stephen prayed on his knees (Acts 7:60). Peter prayed on his knees (Acts 9:40). Paul prayed on his knees (Acts 20:36), and other early Christians prayed on their knees (Acts 21:5). Most importantly, Jesus prayed on His knees (Luke 22:41). So does one need to be kneeling when praying? No. The Bible has enough prayer not on the knees to show us that it isn’t required, but it also has enough prayer on the knees to show us that it is good. 

Paul directed his prayer to the Father, who is presented as the “planner” among the members of the Trinity. In the Bible, prayer is usually directed to the Father, through the Son, by the empowering and direction of the Holy Spirit. In remembering that all God’s family is called after His name, Paul showed that his mind was rather taken with this idea of the essential unity of the Body of Christ. God is Father of both Jew and Gentile.

In his prayer Paul asked that they (the church) would be strengthened with might, and that the strength would be according to the riches of His glory (a most generous measure). He also prayed that the strength would come through the Holy Spirit and that it would be put into their inner man. Paul asked that Jesus would live in these believers, even as Jesus promised in John 14:23: If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. And that they would be rooted and grounded in love. The meaning seems to be that they should be rooted and grounded in their love for one another, more than being rooted and grounded in their love for God and the knowledge of that love.

In his pyayer Paul goes on to request that they be able to, comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height; to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. In other words, Paul asked that they might be able to understand together in community every dimension of the love of Jesus. Paul wanted them to know it by experience and not just in words. This isn’t speculation, guesswork, emotions, or feelings. This is something we can know.

Finally Paul asked God to fill these Christians unto all the fullness of God. The word unto is a better translation than the word with. Paul wanted Christians to experience life in Jesus Christ, the fullness of God (Colossians 2:9), and to be filled to their capacity with Jesus, even as God is filled to His own capacity with His own character and attributes. “Among all the great sayings in this prayer, this is the greatest. To be FILLED with God is a great thing; to be filled with the FULLNESS of God is still greater; but to be filled with ALL the fullness of God utterly bewilders the sense and confounds the understanding.” (Clarke)

The Truth: "For God so loved the world that He gave (us) His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

Ephesians 2 "The Blood Of Christ"

“You who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.” (v.13)

The presentation of the blood in Old Testament sacrifices by the high priest, provided cleansing and purity for the people of God. It provided atonement, and allowed the high priest to enter the Most Holy Place once every year. However, it had to be repeated continually. For without the shedding of the blood (bulls and goats,) their existed no other atonement for sin.

However, Jesus did what the high priests before Him could never do: He entered a better tabernacle (that was not of this earth), as a superior high priest, and He offered a superior sacrifice. The presentation of His own blood brought eternal redemption that could cleanse us spiritually, and needed to be offered only once. For He was the perfect sacrifice, the spotless lamb of God, whose innocent blood was shed for the remission for all sin. 

The work of Jesus on the cross became the common ground of salvation for both Jew and Gentile. Therefore, there is no longer any dividing wall between them, for Jesus broke that wall down. 

In the temple, in between the court of the Gentiles and the court of the women, there was a physical barrier, an actual wall of separation between Jew and Gentile. Paul was, at the time of this writing, under house arrest in Rome, awaiting trial because he was falsely accused by the Jews of taking a Gentile into the temple past the literal wall of separation dividing Jew and Gentile. Paul made it clear that in Jesus, the wall is gone because the common Lordship is greater than any previous division. If the Lordship of Jesus Christ is not greater than any difference you have with others – be it political, racial, economic, language, geography or whatever, then you have not fully understood what it means to be under the Lordship of Jesus.

Therefore, Gentiles and Jews are brought together into one body, the Church, where our unity in Jesus is far greater than our previous differences. And both enjoy the same access to God, access that comes by one Spirit to the Father. Not only are Jews and Gentiles saved by the same gospel, but they also have the same essential walk with God and access to Him. One group does not have a greater access than the other does. There are no  “second-class citizens” in God’s kingdom in any regard. There are only full citizens, who are full and equal members of God’s household.

The Truth: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perrish, but have eternal life in His kingdom." (John 3:16)