365 Reflections

Fresh off the disaster with Uzzah touching the Ark, David must have felt like a failure. After all, it was his idea to go get the Ark and bring it home. By 1 Chronicles 14, I would have been ready to listen to God more closely than ever as a result of such a horrific tragedy. This chapter sends a clear message that David learned his lesson. As soon as David is established as King of Israel, the Philistines attack not once but twice. In spite of their defeat at his hands, they keep attacking. David is diligent in NOT doing what made the mess in 1 Chronicles 13 that cost Uzzah his life. He isn't seeking anyone's approval or advice. He is seeking clear direction from the Lord.  In the first attack, David seeks God for whether or not he should fight at all.  1 Chronicles 14:9–11 (ESV) Now the Philistines had come and made a raid in the Valley of Rephaim. 10 And David inquired of God, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will you give them into my hand?” And the LORD said to hi...

When David confronts Saul after not taking his life, he says something quite interesting to the King. 1 Samuel 24:9–10 (ESV)   And David said to Saul, “ Why do you listen to the words of men who say, ‘Behold, David seeks your harm’? 10 Behold, this day your eyes have seen how the Lord gave you today into my hand in the cave. And some told me to kill you, but I spared you. I said, ‘I will not put out my hand against my lord, for he is the Lord ’s anointed.’ You only pick up this theme in 1 Samuel as you study through the book. David's condemnation of Saul's actions here are not simply, "Why do you try to take my life?" But rather, "Why do you listen to the words of men...?" That is an interesting way to put it and yet it lines up well with what we have read of the contrast between David and Saul thus far. The true king will learn to listen to the voice of God first and foremost. The false king will listen far too much to those he is called to lead...

1 Samuel 23:2 (ESV) Therefore David inquired of the LORD, "Shall I go and attack these Philistines?" And the LORD said to David, "Go and attack the Philistines and save Keilah." David is going to enter the training of the Lord. How so? He’s going to be betrayed by the very people he is sent to save. The training will begin even before he gets to them. For after David inquires of God here about attacking the Philistines and saving Keilah his own men are afraid. 1 Samuel 23:3 (ESV) But David's men said to him, "Behold, we are afraid here in Judah; how much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?" Remember these are that rag-tag group of rejects from the kingdom of Saul who haven’t go much strength or experience with victory. But when they show fear David prays again... 1 Samuel 23:4-5 (ESV) Then David inquired of the LORD again. And the LORD answered him, "Arise, go down to Keilah, for I will give the Philistine...

Numbers 14:39–40 (ESV) When Moses told these words to all the people of Israel, the people mourned greatly. 40 And they rose early in the morning and went up to the heights of the hill country, saying, “Here we are. We will go up to the place that the Lord has promised, for we have sinned.” This is the last segment of the defining moment in Numbers 14 for the generation that would die in the wilderness. Why were they to die in the wilderness? Because they disobeyed the voice of the Lord. They were told to get take the land. Then they asked to spy int out (see Deuteronomy 1). They came back fearful and disobedient to God's voice. God brings judgment. The men who spread the bad report died of plague. God tells the nation through Moses that all those 20 years old and older will die in the desert. Their response is very revealing. They "mourn greatly." Then they do an about face and decide to go into the land. Surely this is of the Lord, He had just told them to go....

One of the most interesting passages in Acts has to come from chapter 16. Paul is trying to preach the Gospel in some places and the Holy Spirit says no. Acts 16:6–8 (ESV) And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. It is weird to consider Paul wanted to preach somewhere and instead is diverted elsewhere. Troas was an important city for sure. It was almost the capital of Rome under Julius Caesar.  But by going further at the vision's leading in Verse 9 Paul ends up in Macedonia where the churches of Philippi and Corinth are established. Certainly these cities would weigh in on theological understanding even still today as we have letters to them canonized in our Bible. I thought of a few things: 1. Following the Lord is a ...

Acts 13:2–3 (ESV) While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” 3 Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off. These verses are packed with incredible insight into the Holy Spirit. First, the Holy Spirit speaks to us in worship and times of fasting. What are we doing in worship? We are exalting God in our mouths and letting Him know how wonderful He is. Worship brings God's voice to our lives. Fasting is denial of self for the purpose of hearing God's Word - the true bread. When we don't know what to do, we should consider both for the sake of hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit.  Second, the Holy Spirit speaks in a corporate setting of the church. This didn't happen in the setting of one or two... there were several people from all kinds of backgrounds. Consider that "Simon who was called Niger" was ther...

Peter wanted to stay.  He wanted to build tents there... He even offered to build three tents for Jesus and His special guests Moses and Elijah.  The tent is where Moses when to meet with God.  Peter is sure it's a good thing to build a tent when Jesus is transfigured and meet with God. But two things happen to Peter to illustrate an important reality for us... 1. God interrupts Peter to tell Him who Jesus is and that Peter should spend more time listening to Him. I love how Luke inserts a little unspoken humor in this passage: Luke 9:34–35 (ESV) As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” God just disregards Peter's speech to give the more important word! You don't need a tent, you need Jesus... Jesus is the TRUE AND BETTER TEMPLE.  You can go to Him and you can listen to Him.  You meet ...

Does God speak preemptively?  I'm sure He does. After all, He knows what you're thinking so He will make sure to warn you of what you need to hear before you look stupid. The timing of the parable of the vineyard workers in Chapter 20 comes right before James and John are about to really lose serious street cred with the other disciples. That parable illustrates those hired first will receive the same as those hired last.  That the kingdom is a steady stream of new workers and some benefit from the labor of others bearing the burden in the heat of the day. In other words, don't think that because you're hired first, you're going to get special treatment.  This is God's movement, not yours. After the parable, Jesus makes it clear what He come to do for the third time  in Matthew: Matthew 20:17–19 (ESV) And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside, and on the way he said to them, 18 “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And t...

Matthew 3: Just obey, even when it doesn't agree with you. When Jesus comes to be baptized by John, John tries to talk hm out of it. He disagrees with what Jesus wants to have him do... This is JOHN THE BAPTIST.  He thinks the world of Jesus.  He's one of the few that knows who Jesus is.  In Verse 11, “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." But this time, Jesus' plan to get the ministry started has the baptist tripped up. But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?” (Matthew 3:14 NLT) Have you ever try to talk God out of something? Are there parts of the Bible that you don't agree with? - You aren't alone. Many of the Bible's greatest saints argued and fussed and disagreed with God's calling and God's command ...