Psalm 3

LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me! Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.”
But you, LORD, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. I call out to the LORD, and he answers me from his holy mountain. I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me. I will not fear though tens of thousands assail me on every side.
Arise, LORD! Deliver me, my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked. From the LORD comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people.
Psalm 3

I love how David describes God.

But you, LORD, are a shield around me

A shield doesn't just protect a warrior, it defines him.

In the middle of a battle, everyone is wearing similar armor; they look the same...so how would someone know if their friend was approaching them or an enemy? By their shield. The shield bears the warrior's family crest it protects them against attackers, but it also protects a warrior from his own friends.

When people look at us, they should see faithful bearers of God's mark. That's people identify us.

I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.

How often do you wake up and praise God because he gave you another day to live, another day to bear his crest? Life is a beautiful gift. Don't live fearful of the day your life ends, but don't forget to praise God for the life he's given you. 

my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior— from violent people you save me.
2 Samuel 22:2

Photo Credit:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Carpenter,_3rd_Earl_of_Tyrconnell

Micah: Israel's Judge (Part 9)

Listen to what the LORD says: "Stand up, plead my case before the mountains; let the hills hear what you have to say. "Hear, you mountains, the LORD's accusation; listen, you everlasting foundations of the earth. For the LORD has a case against his people; he is lodging a charge against Israel.
Micah 6:1-2

This is a strong opening. God is making a case against Israel. God is obviously going to be the judge in this case, but who does it say the witnesses are? The mountains, hills, and the very foundation of the earth. Hosea, who prophesied around the same time Micah did, also speaks of a case against Israel:

Hear the word of the LORD, you Israelites, because the LORD has a charge to bring against you who live in the land: "There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land. There is only cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed.
Hosea 4:1-2

Hosea gives us a bit of insight on why God is bring a case against Israel, which helps us understand why God is so angry.
Micah chose to omit the details of Israel's sin, but he still has something really important to say in the verses spends 

"My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened you? Answer me.
Micah 6:3

God wants to know what he did from them to sin against him. And he is a judge who does have a right to make an inquiry. What has God done to Israel, but love them?

I brought you up out of Egypt and redeemed you from the land of slavery. I sent Moses to lead you, also Aaron and Miriam. My people, remember what Balak king of Moab plotted and what Balaam son of Beor answered. Remember your journey from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of the LORD."
Micah 6:4-5

Balak and Balaam's story is in Numbers 22, but Balaam is mentioned in many places.

No Ammonite or Moabite or any of their descendants may enter the assembly of the LORD, not even in the tenth generation. For they did not come to meet you with bread and water on your way when you came out of Egypt, and they hired Balaam son of Beor from Pethor in Aram Naharaim to pronounce a curse on you. However, the LORD your God would not listen to Balaam but turned the curse into a blessing for you, because the LORD your God loves you.
Deuteronomy 23:3-5

When Balak son of Zippor, the king of Moab, prepared to fight against Israel, he sent for Balaam son of Beor to put a curse on you. But I would not listen to Balaam, so he blessed you again and again, and I delivered you out of his hand.
Joshua 24:9-10

because they had not met the Israelites with food and water but had hired Balaam to call a curse down on them. (Our God, however, turned the curse into a blessing.)
Nehemiah 13:2

These three verses are about how God protected Israel by his power. In Micah 6, there two examples of how God protects and delivers Israel, so this is obviously an important story. A donkey saved Balaam's life and then God used Balaam to bless Israel. 

With what shall I come before the LORD and bow down before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand rivers of olive oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:6-8

Micah is hitting on an important point here, but he's a bit more subtle about in than others.

To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices."
Mark 12:33

But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
1 Samuel 15:22

Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.
Hebrews 10:11

Micah is saying that God has told us what to do, so why aren't we doing it?

Some Christians sin and sin over and over again because it's ok, God forgives our sins. God loves us no matter what. But that's the wrong attitude about life. Yes, God forgives us, but obeying is better than a sacrifice. If you are one of those people who thinks sin is fine, your wrong. Just remember than Jesus suffered for you. He was whipped, beaten with a staff, mocked, slapped, spat on, they divided up his cloths by casting lots, and even crowned him with thorns, which formed to remind us of sin (Genesis 3:18).
Jesus suffered for you. Every time you sin, you beating, spitting on him and even as your adding to the load of sin Jesus died for, Jesus has already forgiven you.

Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."
Luke 23:34

Sources:
http://biblehub.com/micah/6-6.htm

Photo Credit:
http://candy-jesusesmidulcerefugio.blogspot.com/2011_09_01_archive.html

Goliath had a brother?

I normally use the NIV translation of the bible on my blog, but in this post, I am using the KJV because it is the first translation into English and these passages are easiest in the KJV. 

• Giant #1: Ishbibenob

Moreover the Philistines had yet war again with Israel; and David went down, and his servants with him, and fought against the Philistines: and David waxed faint. And Ishbibenob, which [was] of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear [weighed] three hundred [shekels] of brass in weight, he being girded with a new [sword], thought to have slain David. But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel.

2 Samuel 21:15-17

• Giant #2: Sippai

And it came to pass after this, that there arose war at Gezer with the Philistines; at which time Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Sippai, [that was] of the children of the giant: and they were subdued.

1 Chronicles 20:4

• Giant #3: Lahmi

And there was war again with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair slew Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, whose spear staff [was] like a weaver's beam.

1 Chronicles 20:5

And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew [the brother of] Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear [was] like a weaver's beam.

2 Samuel 21:19

• Giant #4: Saph

And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the Philistines at Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which [was] of the sons of the giant.

2 Samuel 21:18

• Giant #5: The 12 Finger Man

And yet again there was war at Gath, where was a man of [great] stature, whose fingers and toes [were] four and twenty, six [on each hand], and six [on each foot]: and he also was the son of the giant. But when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea David's brother slew him.
1 Chronicles 20:6-7

And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of [great] stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant. And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea the brother of David slew him.
2 Samuel 21:20-21

• Conclusion

These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.

2 Samuel 21:22

These four were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men.

2 Samuel 21:22 NIV

These were born unto the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand of David, and by the hand of his servants.

1 Chronicles 20:8

These were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men.

1 Chronicles 20:8 NIV

Here are a few things I got from these verses:

1. These 5 are brothers 
2. Lahmi (Giant #3) is the brother of Goliath the Gittite (a Gittite was one from Gath)
3. Goliath from 1 Samuel 17:4 (The "David and Goliath" giant) is from Gath

Therefore, these five giants are brothers of Goliath.

Have you ever wondered why David chose five stones?
Check out this post!

Photo Credit:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goliath

David and Absalom: God and Us

I've been reading though 1st and 2nd Samuel and I noticed some things in those passages that I'd like to point out to you.

In 2 Samuel 14 and 15:1-12, we see that Absalom, David’s son, rebels against his father. This is us. We as princes and princesses of the king, but we want more. We want to be ruler. Like Absalom, we people to follow us instead of God. We lead a rebellion against God every time we sin. And we plan things out. We have our followers and our warriors. Sin is saying that your God. The rest of chapter 15 of 2 Samuel 15 is about David running away from Absalom. God doesn’t run away from us, but when we have as big a rebellion as Absalom did, we ignore God and so, God doesn’t flee, it’s more like we flee. We get out of God’s holy presence and grab out warriors. Then we fight. In 2 Samuel 18, Absalom fights.

How much of a fight do we put up? That’s our choice. David wanted his son to come back and return home, but Absalom didn’t. He was so determined to take his father’s place that he died. David mourned his son’s death, even though he died rebellious.

If only I had died instead of you-O Absalom, my son, my son!”

2 Samuel 18:33b

I picture God mourning over the loss of all his children, and then Jesus sees his broken hearted father and say “I will.” I see Jesus saying “I will die instead of you…” Then you fill in the blanks “O _____, my sister/brother my sister/brother!” I’m kind of iffy on if it would be “sister/brother” or “son/daughter” speaking in earthly terms, it would be sister/brother because Jesus is God’s son and we are God’s adopted children.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.

Romans 8:26

But the groaning language system might work a bit differently. I’m getting a bit off track, though.

So back to the original topic, I thought that David must really love his son after Absalom tried to kill him and all. Then, David was very distressed that Absalom was dead and he mourned a lot.

Just like God mourns a lot when one person rejects him and burns up in hell. We all are Absalom at one point, but as Christian we at least say we’re sorry for attempted murder. That makes us all good, right? (I’ll come back to that question in a bit). So God mourns for every soul maybe a wishes he could burn up for them. God even postpones Jesus’ second coming until everyone has had a chance to become a Christian.

We all are Absalom at one point, but as Christian we at least say we’re sorry for attempted murder. That makes us all good, right? In a way, yes…but Absalom shows through every day. And we need to be forgiven daily of our sins.

Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it.

Luke 12:23-24;27-29

But God cares for us by giving us what we need and we all need forgiveness. We all need to forgive too (that’s something I’m still working on). God will give us what we need, but forgiveness comes when we ask for it, so make sure you ask God for forgiveness, and don’t expect it to come whenever you want it to.

Daily Reminders #1

Hey everyone! No, I am not going to post one of these daily, but every now and then, I’ll decide to post a verse that stood out to me. Maybe there will be a devotion…maybe not, but who knows how many of these there will end up being…enjoy!

Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? How great you are, O Sovereign LORD! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.

2 Samuel 7:18b; 22

David and his Lament

David took up this lament concerning Saul and his son Jonathan, and ordered that the men of Judah be taught this lament of the bow (it is written in the Book of Jashar): "Your glory, O Israel, lies slain on your heights. How the mighty have fallen! Saul and Jonathan--in life they were loved and gracious, and in death they were not parted. They were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.
2 Samuel 1:17-19; 22-23

I know I said last post I'd be doing a blog post on Kindness and Goodness, but I really don't care. I read 1 Samuel 1 yesterday in my quiet time, devotional, or what you want to call it. Verse 23 really stood out to me. I encourage you to read through all of 2 Samuel 1, but I you need to look at the beginning of the 23rd verse one  more time. Saul and Jonathan--in life they were loved and gracious. Perhaps your not so familair with you bible. If so, then that fine...but if you read through 1 Samuel, you'll see that Saul tries to kill David, and he's very blunt about it...He doesn't go into stealth mode, but simply attempts to kill him several times and is quite clear about it. His son Jonathan was kind to David til the end and deserved a lament, but I'll be honest...if someone tries to kill me, they aren't going to be called gracious in my little song about them. That's just me being honest.
David refused to kill Saul twice when he could have (he cut off a portion of Saul's clothing), but David refused to kill God's anointed.
I just am amazed that David had so much strength and courage. If I was David, the Saul would have been murdered in his sleep. But anyway, Saul was anything but gracious. He refused to give up search for the anointed king of Israel. And in his hatred for David, he went to a witch and told her to bring up the spirit of Samuel (who was dead at this point).
David sure has a good heart (even though his actions were sometimes less than good).
-Ruth

Trees: The Cedar

He is then to take the live bird and dip it, together with the cedar wood, the scarlet yarn and the hyssop, into the blood of the bird that was killed over the fresh water.
Leviticus 14:6

he said to Nathan the prophet, "Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent."
2 Samuel 7:2

In this way Hiram kept Solomon supplied with all the cedar and pine logs he wanted, and Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand cors of wheat as food for his household, in addition to twenty thousand baths, of pressed olive oil. Solomon continued to do this for Hiram year after year.
1 Kings 5:10

The inside of the temple was cedar, carved with gourds and open flowers. Everything was cedar; no stone was to be seen.
1 Kings 6:18

Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs, stonemasons and carpenters to build a palace for him.
1 Chronicles 14:1

Look at the behemoth, which I made along with you and which feeds on grass like an ox. His tail sways like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are close-knit.
Job 40:15 and 17

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
Psalms 92:12

What shall we do for our sister for the day she is spoken for? If she is a wall, we will build towers of silver on her. If she is a door, we will enclose her with panels of cedar. 
Songs of Songs 8:8b and 9

You who live in 'Lebanon,' who are nestled in cedar buildings,
Jeremiah 22:23a

They made all your timbers of pine trees from Senir; they took a cedar from Lebanon to make a mast for you.
Ezekiel 27:5

Wail, O pine tree, for the cedar has fallen; the stately trees are ruined! Wail, oaks of Bashan; the dense forest has been cut down!
Zechariah 11:2



Cedars can live to be 2,000 years old! I think it's easy to see that God uses these trees to represent strength and might. And God is even strong than his cedars


The Acacia
The Cedar
The Palm
The Fig
The Olive