The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing,
majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Samuel 11:27b,
"The thing David had done displeased the Lord."
This observation of the writer of 2 Samuel follows the well known
account of David's adultery with Bathsheba and murder of her husband:
David had displeased the Lord.
However, Paul quotes God's observation of David, "I have found David
son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want
him to do." Acts 13:22. We also read of David being one of the great
heroes of faith in Hebrews 11:32. Much of Old Testament history
documents the activities of David, his origins, his ascension to the
throne, his love for the Lord.
David was clearly a man of great faith. In addition to being hand
selected by the Lord to be Israel's second king (when Saul didn't work
out), he was instrumental in God's hands to finally establish Israel
as a great nation in preparing the world for her coming Savior a
millenia later. David wrote the bulk of the book of psalms which
documents the inner struggles of man, the adoration, love and worship
of God, the complete and entire reliance upon the Lord in facing
challenges in life while looking to God as our great refuge and
strength.
How do we reconcile our understanding of David as a great man of
faith, and, yet, a man who commits adultery and murder? We need to
recognize our understanding of faith and of our current condition as
the people of God as David was.
Faith does not make us perfect. Our embracing the Lord in faith and
trust brings us his forgiveness of our sins, as well as his welcome of
us into his family. But... it does not make us perfect. That comes
later, following our leaving this life. It will only be in the
resurrection that we will be in our eternal bodies sans that ugly
sinful nature we all currently struggle with. As Paul points out in
Galatians 5:17, "For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit,
and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh." As believers we have
inner conflict and we might just find ourselves in David's shoes. Not
that we might find ourselves guilty of adultery and murder, as David
was, but in one way or another, at one time or another, displeasing
the Lord.
As believers we may find ourselves displeasing the Lord, disappointing
ourselves, and possibly others around us. What to do in that
circumstance?
The apostle John addresses this point, "My dear children, I write this
to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an
advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the
atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the
sins of the whole world." 1 John 2:1-2. We need to recognize we have
an advocate on our behalf before God the Father: Jesus Christ, who
already provided an atonement for any sin we may ever commit. He
speaks to the Father on our behalf. Believers can never lose God's
love and acceptance.
It is the enemy who attempts to convince us we are estranged from God
for something we may have done. He is always attempting to get us
side-tracked.
Our job is to get up, dust ourselves off, embrace God's forgiveness of
us as we confess our sin, and press ahead in our walk with the Lord!
As Paul points out, "He [God] will also keep you firm to the end, so
that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is
faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus
Christ our Lord." 1 Corinthians 1:8-9.
Just how great is that?!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to
hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send
me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are
receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just
respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Monday, February 29, 2016
Friday, February 26, 2016
Pray, and then act! - Ruminating in the Word of God
The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Samuel 10:6,
"When the Ammonites realized that they had become obnoxious to David, they hired twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth Rehob and Zobah, as well as the king of Maakah with a thousand men, and also twelve thousand men from Tob."
I laugh as I read this. It is the way it is cast in 2 Samuel. David sent envoys to the new king of the Ammonites to express his sympathy at the death of his father. The envoys were mistreated and humiliated by the Ammonites: they cut off half their beards and "cut off their garments at the buttocks and sent them away", verse 4. "When the Ammonites realized that they had become obnoxious to David..." is the humorous part to me. What was their first clue???
In any event, we see David spring into action. We know David was a devout man of prayer as exemplified in the book of psalms. However, what ever prayer David may have implored the Lord with on the matter, we read, "On hearing this, David sent Joab out with the entire army of fighting men." Verse 7.
"When the Ammonites realized that they had become obnoxious to David, they hired twenty thousand Aramean foot soldiers from Beth Rehob and Zobah, as well as the king of Maakah with a thousand men, and also twelve thousand men from Tob."
I laugh as I read this. It is the way it is cast in 2 Samuel. David sent envoys to the new king of the Ammonites to express his sympathy at the death of his father. The envoys were mistreated and humiliated by the Ammonites: they cut off half their beards and "cut off their garments at the buttocks and sent them away", verse 4. "When the Ammonites realized that they had become obnoxious to David..." is the humorous part to me. What was their first clue???
In any event, we see David spring into action. We know David was a devout man of prayer as exemplified in the book of psalms. However, what ever prayer David may have implored the Lord with on the matter, we read, "On hearing this, David sent Joab out with the entire army of fighting men." Verse 7.
I am quite certain that, short of the Lord telling David to not retaliate, David knew that action was required. Here David becomes a model for us in our dealings that may require prayer. What I don't read of here is that David would make his challenge an issue of prayer and then do nothing while expecting the Lord to take care of things for him.
I realize I am reading a few things into the text, but I do feel confident David prayed about it. I am certain David took decisive action on it as the text tells us, and thus, for me, becomes an example of how a man of faith should face challenges in life. Pray, and then act!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Who are we that God should care for us? - Ruminating in the Word of God
The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Samuel 9:8,
"What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?"
This was Mephibosheth's response to David when David followed through on his promise to Saul - that he would be kind to his family after David replaced him on the throne of Israel.
The humility expressed by Mephibosheth may certainly have been motivated by self-interest. He would not have wanted to offend David in any way as David blessed Mephibosheth with enormous recognition and care. On the other hand, given Saul's treatment of David and the way the Lord played things out with the throne of Israel, Mephibosheth may have felt a genuine humility given the circumstances.
Mephibosheth's response to David reminds me of a question David himself would ask the Lord, "When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?" Psalm 8:3-4.
"What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?"
This was Mephibosheth's response to David when David followed through on his promise to Saul - that he would be kind to his family after David replaced him on the throne of Israel.
The humility expressed by Mephibosheth may certainly have been motivated by self-interest. He would not have wanted to offend David in any way as David blessed Mephibosheth with enormous recognition and care. On the other hand, given Saul's treatment of David and the way the Lord played things out with the throne of Israel, Mephibosheth may have felt a genuine humility given the circumstances.
Mephibosheth's response to David reminds me of a question David himself would ask the Lord, "When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?" Psalm 8:3-4.
It is not difficult to find this question on our own lips as we gaze at God's enormous creation, the complexity, the beauty, the design. We may at times forget our estate in this life, our fallen nature, our proclivity to turn against our Creator, our penchant for pursuing what satisfies and gratifies us on a lower level.
However, as we expose ourselves to the grand nature of God's creation and consider him, the question David asked becomes ours.
And, the amazing thing, the breath-taking thing is - is that God loves us so! He has sent his Son to atone for our sins! He has made a way for each and every one of us to find our way into his eternal family to enjoy pleasures at his right hand! Psalm 16:11. All he asks is that we embrace him in faith.
Who are we that God has extended his hand to us in such a way? I'll never understand that - but, what a love this is! Not to be passed up!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
God: angry in the OT and love in the NT? - Ruminating in the Word of God
The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Samuel 8:13,
"David became famous after he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt."
In this chapter we read of David's military conquests. Twice in the midst of recounting some of his exploits we are told "The Lord gave David victory wherever he went." Verses 6 and 14.
We read:
David defeated the Philistines.
David defeated the Moabites. He put to death 2/3 of them.
David defeated Hadadezer, king of Zobah. He captured a thousand chariots, seven thousand charioteers and twenty thousand foot soldiers.
David defeated the Arameans of Damascus, killing twenty-two thousand of them.
He defeated Edom, the Ammonites and Amalek. We are told he killed eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.
David brought quite a slaughter to the area. And, we are told that it was the Lord himself that brought all the victories. Perhaps this is why we hear from time to time that the god of the Old Testament was an angry God but the god of the New Testament is a God of love.
If we were to look at 2 Samuel 8 versus John 3:16 ("For God so loved the world that he sent his one and only Son...") I can see how that dichotomy might exist in the minds of some people who are not well informed of all the Scriptures..
However, lets take a look at "the God of the New Testament":
"By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly... the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare." 2 Peter 3:7,10.
"But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." Revelation 21:8.
And, a second look at "the God of the Old Testament":
"The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin." Exodus 34:6-7a.
"How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light." Psalm 36:7-9.
You get the thought here. God never, ever changes. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Our God is God alone and has always communicated his character and nature, his qualities throughout all history. As he says of himself, "Let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight." Jeremiah 9:24.
"David became famous after he returned from striking down eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt."
In this chapter we read of David's military conquests. Twice in the midst of recounting some of his exploits we are told "The Lord gave David victory wherever he went." Verses 6 and 14.
We read:
David defeated the Philistines.
David defeated the Moabites. He put to death 2/3 of them.
David defeated Hadadezer, king of Zobah. He captured a thousand chariots, seven thousand charioteers and twenty thousand foot soldiers.
David defeated the Arameans of Damascus, killing twenty-two thousand of them.
He defeated Edom, the Ammonites and Amalek. We are told he killed eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.
David brought quite a slaughter to the area. And, we are told that it was the Lord himself that brought all the victories. Perhaps this is why we hear from time to time that the god of the Old Testament was an angry God but the god of the New Testament is a God of love.
If we were to look at 2 Samuel 8 versus John 3:16 ("For God so loved the world that he sent his one and only Son...") I can see how that dichotomy might exist in the minds of some people who are not well informed of all the Scriptures..
However, lets take a look at "the God of the New Testament":
"By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly... the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare." 2 Peter 3:7,10.
"But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death." Revelation 21:8.
And, a second look at "the God of the Old Testament":
"The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin." Exodus 34:6-7a.
"How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light." Psalm 36:7-9.
You get the thought here. God never, ever changes. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Our God is God alone and has always communicated his character and nature, his qualities throughout all history. As he says of himself, "Let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight." Jeremiah 9:24.
Our God does not express himself as only a god of judgment, an angry god, in the Old Testament, only to loose his anger and replace it with love in the New. Our God is both a god of righteous anger and incomprehensible love in both the Old and New Testaments. He has always expressed himself consistently for who he is and what he is like throughout all history.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Friday, February 19, 2016
Expressing worship - Ruminating in the Word of God
The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Samuel 7:2,
"Here I [David] am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent."
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
"Here I [David] am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent."
David found it inappropriate, unsettling, unbecoming, unseemly, amiss and certainly unsuitable that he would be living in a "house of cedar" while the ark of God sat in a tent. Although the king of all Israel, David clearly felt uncomfortable that he should enjoy a good thing when something of God, in this case the ark of the Lord, was not.
I can't help but think of David's perspective on the things of God and my own. Do I have an outlook remotely approaching David's? How much do I care about the things of the Lord? Certainly how I might treat those things speak louder about my priorities than anything I might claim for myself. Quite convicting!
It does bring to mind the issue of worship in our lives. How do we express our worship of God when it comes to the things we own, to how I might spend my income, how I might invest my time and energy. How do I utilize the talents and abilities the Lord has blessed me with?
Do I utilize those things under my control in such a way as to express my love and adoration of the Lord and all he has done for me? David certainly did.
What an example God has provided us in David! An imperfect man, yet a man of faith! A man at times that made decisions that disappointed not only the Lord but himself as well, yet a man who thought the Lord deserved the place of importance in his life.
A lot for me to consider here...
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Thursday, February 18, 2016
On celebrating the Lord - Ruminating in the Word of God
The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Samuel 6:21,
"David said to Michal, 'It was before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the Lord's people Israel—I will celebrate before the Lord.'"
This was David's response to his wife, Michal, when she rebuked him for acting in what she felt was an undignified manner for a king to conduct himself in. He was dancing and celebrating the arrival of the ark of God as he brought it to Jerusalem. We read in verse 16, "As the ark of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised him in her heart." And so, when David came home to bless his household afterward, Michael said, "How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, going around half-naked in full view of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!" Verse 20.
We are told repeatedly that Michal loved David, and that David paid double the bride-price to her father, King Saul to marry her. In 2 Samuel 3, as Abner plotted with David as to how he would help David assume the throne over all Israel, David demanded first that Michal be returned to him as his wife. (During the time King Saul attempted to apprehend David and kill him, he had taken Michal back and given her in marriage to another.)
Yet, here we have some marital discord. The discord was over the manner in which David chose to celebrate the Lord upon the arrival of the ark of the Lord. David's response to Michal was that he would celebrate before the Lord, and, possibly in a more "undignified" manner, if the opportunity presented itself, verse 22.
Clearly, David made his choice in this life: he embraced the Lord, first and foremost. Above and beyond any one else in this life, he would embrace the Lord and celebrate him. Even if doing so might be the cause of humiliating himself in his own eyes as he did so.
Peter encourages us, "However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name." 1 Peter 4:16. Paul also said, "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord..." 2 Timothy 1:8.
May we all celebrate the Lord and live our lives as believers without fear of shame, reproach or anything the world or anyone at all may attempt to use to humiliate us. We are the ones who understand the important things in life! We are the ones who have subordinated all others to our Creator God. We are the ones who know what is appropriate, what is fitting.
After all, look at the Lord's perspective toward us, "Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters." Hebrews 2:11.
"David said to Michal, 'It was before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the Lord's people Israel—I will celebrate before the Lord.'"
This was David's response to his wife, Michal, when she rebuked him for acting in what she felt was an undignified manner for a king to conduct himself in. He was dancing and celebrating the arrival of the ark of God as he brought it to Jerusalem. We read in verse 16, "As the ark of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised him in her heart." And so, when David came home to bless his household afterward, Michael said, "How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, going around half-naked in full view of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!" Verse 20.
We are told repeatedly that Michal loved David, and that David paid double the bride-price to her father, King Saul to marry her. In 2 Samuel 3, as Abner plotted with David as to how he would help David assume the throne over all Israel, David demanded first that Michal be returned to him as his wife. (During the time King Saul attempted to apprehend David and kill him, he had taken Michal back and given her in marriage to another.)
Yet, here we have some marital discord. The discord was over the manner in which David chose to celebrate the Lord upon the arrival of the ark of the Lord. David's response to Michal was that he would celebrate before the Lord, and, possibly in a more "undignified" manner, if the opportunity presented itself, verse 22.
Clearly, David made his choice in this life: he embraced the Lord, first and foremost. Above and beyond any one else in this life, he would embrace the Lord and celebrate him. Even if doing so might be the cause of humiliating himself in his own eyes as he did so.
Peter encourages us, "However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name." 1 Peter 4:16. Paul also said, "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord..." 2 Timothy 1:8.
May we all celebrate the Lord and live our lives as believers without fear of shame, reproach or anything the world or anyone at all may attempt to use to humiliate us. We are the ones who understand the important things in life! We are the ones who have subordinated all others to our Creator God. We are the ones who know what is appropriate, what is fitting.
After all, look at the Lord's perspective toward us, "Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters." Hebrews 2:11.
Let us emulate David in our celebration of the Lord. Something greater than the ark of God has come to us: the Lord himself!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
The incomprehensible love of God for rebellious mankind! - Ruminating in the Word of God
The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Samuel 5:1-2,
"All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, 'We are your own flesh and blood. In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the Lord said to you, "You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler."'"
All the tribes of Israel knew all along the Lord had Samuel anoint David to be King Saul's replacement. Yet, following Saul's death, they had followed Ish-Bosheth, Saul's son, who Abner manipulated onto the throne.
What does this tell us about Abner? What does this tell us about Israel? It could not be more clear that the nation had turned its collective back on God and gone their own way. They simply did not care what the Lord wanted, what his intentions were.
It was not just Israel. All mankind is afflicted with the disease of rebellion and rejection of their Creator. As astonishing as this is- from the standpoint of stark reality, it simply points to the schizophrenia that dominates what we think, do, and say as fallen creatures. "There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." Romans 3:10-12.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son."
"All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, 'We are your own flesh and blood. In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the Lord said to you, "You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler."'"
All the tribes of Israel knew all along the Lord had Samuel anoint David to be King Saul's replacement. Yet, following Saul's death, they had followed Ish-Bosheth, Saul's son, who Abner manipulated onto the throne.
What does this tell us about Abner? What does this tell us about Israel? It could not be more clear that the nation had turned its collective back on God and gone their own way. They simply did not care what the Lord wanted, what his intentions were.
It was not just Israel. All mankind is afflicted with the disease of rebellion and rejection of their Creator. As astonishing as this is- from the standpoint of stark reality, it simply points to the schizophrenia that dominates what we think, do, and say as fallen creatures. "There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." Romans 3:10-12.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son."
What an incomprehensible love this is! How remarkable that God would express his love of us such that he would send his Son to save rebellious mankind from his own judgement!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Don't lean on your own understanding - Ruminating in the Word of God
The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Samuel 4:7-11,
"They [Rekab and Baanah] had gone into the house while he [Ish-Bosheth, Saul's grandson] was lying on the bed in his bedroom. After they stabbed and killed him, they cut off his head. Taking it with them, they traveled all night by way of the Arabah. They brought the head of Ish-Bosheth to David at Hebron and said to the king, 'Here is the head of Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, your enemy, who tried to kill you. This day the Lord has avenged my lord the king against Saul and his offspring.'
David answered Rekab and his brother Baanah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, 'As surely as the Lord lives, who has delivered me out of every trouble, when someone told me, "Saul is dead," and thought he was bringing good news, I seized him and put him to death in Ziklag. That was the reward I gave him for his news! How much more—when wicked men have killed an innocent man in his own house and on his own bed—should I not now demand his blood from your hand and rid the earth of you!'"
Thus came the end of Rekab and Baanah. David had given his promise to Saul that he would honor Saul's family after he had been removed from the throne, which happened at his death. The man that put Saul out of his misery, as he lay dying was put to death by David, and now these two, for taking the life of Saul's grandson, was put to death.
Since Ish-Bosheth was occupying the throne over all Israel - which was now rightfully David's, apparently Rekab and Baanah thought David would be pleased with their killing of Ish-Bosheth. Unfortunately for them, they found otherwise.
How could Rekab and Baanah have been so mistaken? How could they have possibly thought they might endear themselves to David in carrying out such a deed? Perhaps they were looking for some kind of placement in David's reign over Israel, or some other form of good will from David- expressed in a reward or???
One thing is certain. They could not have been more self-deceived. It seems to me we all have the potential to deceive our own selves, and even when doing so leads to something painful we do not see headed our way.
I am reminded of Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." I suspect Rekab and Baanah failed to trust in the Lord and leaned on their own understanding that lead to their undoing.
"They [Rekab and Baanah] had gone into the house while he [Ish-Bosheth, Saul's grandson] was lying on the bed in his bedroom. After they stabbed and killed him, they cut off his head. Taking it with them, they traveled all night by way of the Arabah. They brought the head of Ish-Bosheth to David at Hebron and said to the king, 'Here is the head of Ish-Bosheth son of Saul, your enemy, who tried to kill you. This day the Lord has avenged my lord the king against Saul and his offspring.'
David answered Rekab and his brother Baanah, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, 'As surely as the Lord lives, who has delivered me out of every trouble, when someone told me, "Saul is dead," and thought he was bringing good news, I seized him and put him to death in Ziklag. That was the reward I gave him for his news! How much more—when wicked men have killed an innocent man in his own house and on his own bed—should I not now demand his blood from your hand and rid the earth of you!'"
Thus came the end of Rekab and Baanah. David had given his promise to Saul that he would honor Saul's family after he had been removed from the throne, which happened at his death. The man that put Saul out of his misery, as he lay dying was put to death by David, and now these two, for taking the life of Saul's grandson, was put to death.
Since Ish-Bosheth was occupying the throne over all Israel - which was now rightfully David's, apparently Rekab and Baanah thought David would be pleased with their killing of Ish-Bosheth. Unfortunately for them, they found otherwise.
How could Rekab and Baanah have been so mistaken? How could they have possibly thought they might endear themselves to David in carrying out such a deed? Perhaps they were looking for some kind of placement in David's reign over Israel, or some other form of good will from David- expressed in a reward or???
One thing is certain. They could not have been more self-deceived. It seems to me we all have the potential to deceive our own selves, and even when doing so leads to something painful we do not see headed our way.
I am reminded of Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." I suspect Rekab and Baanah failed to trust in the Lord and leaned on their own understanding that lead to their undoing.
Quite the cautionary tale here.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Friday, February 12, 2016
"Even the wicked for a day of disaster" - Ruminating in the Word of God
The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Samuel 3:9-10,
"May God deal with Abner, be it ever so severely, if I do not do for David what the Lord promised him on oath and transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and establish David's throne over Israel and Judah from Dan to Beersheba."
These words were spoken by Abner, the commander of Israel's troops, when he was confronted by King Ish-Bosheth for sleeping with one of the king's father's concubines. Whether he did so, the text doesn't say, but this is the response from Abner. The response shook Ish-Bosheth, to the point where Ish-Bosheth feared Abner and dropped the matter, "Ish-Bosheth did not dare to say another word to Abner, because he was afraid of him." Verse 11.
Abner was an ambitious man. "During the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner had been strengthening his own position in the house of Saul." Verse 6. As it turns out, Abner, as the commander of the army of late King Saul, was the person responsible for Ish-Bosheth's ascendance to the throne of Israel, "Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul's army, had taken Ish-Bosheth son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim. He made him king over Gilead, Ashuri and Jezreel, and also over Ephraim, Benjamin and all Israel." 2 Samuel 2:8-9.
As I say, Abner was a man of ambition, and his move to place Ish-Bosheth on the throne of Israel when he knew quite well that David had been appointed by God to replace Saul as king shows that he was not necessarily a man who feared God.
Yet, throughout this account we see God achieving his purposes and accomplishing what he desired through those who did not fear him. Such is our God. He does everything he desires to and he doesn't just use those who fear him, who have placed their faith in him. He uses anyone, including sinners, evil people, the weak, the unbelieving. He uses both the godly and the ungodly. All of the acts of Abner eventually led to David taking the throne.
Paul makes this point when he proves that God is free to make his own choices and does whatever he wants through whomever he wants, "For Scripture says to Pharaoh: 'I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.'" Romans 9:17. We see the Lord using Satan in Job's life for his purposes, Job 1:12, "The Lord said to Satan, 'Very well, then, everything he [Job] has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.'"
The Lord seems to transcend anything we may feel we understand about him - but he does want us to know him and he has revealed to us much about himself, what he is doing in the world, his agenda and his designs for us. I love this proverb: "The Lord works out everything to its proper end— even the wicked for a day of disaster." Proverbs 16:4.
The account of Abner and how it plays into the hands of the Lord's purposes for David to assume the throne of Israel reminds me that this is just like the Lord..
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
"May God deal with Abner, be it ever so severely, if I do not do for David what the Lord promised him on oath and transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and establish David's throne over Israel and Judah from Dan to Beersheba."
These words were spoken by Abner, the commander of Israel's troops, when he was confronted by King Ish-Bosheth for sleeping with one of the king's father's concubines. Whether he did so, the text doesn't say, but this is the response from Abner. The response shook Ish-Bosheth, to the point where Ish-Bosheth feared Abner and dropped the matter, "Ish-Bosheth did not dare to say another word to Abner, because he was afraid of him." Verse 11.
Abner was an ambitious man. "During the war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner had been strengthening his own position in the house of Saul." Verse 6. As it turns out, Abner, as the commander of the army of late King Saul, was the person responsible for Ish-Bosheth's ascendance to the throne of Israel, "Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul's army, had taken Ish-Bosheth son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim. He made him king over Gilead, Ashuri and Jezreel, and also over Ephraim, Benjamin and all Israel." 2 Samuel 2:8-9.
As I say, Abner was a man of ambition, and his move to place Ish-Bosheth on the throne of Israel when he knew quite well that David had been appointed by God to replace Saul as king shows that he was not necessarily a man who feared God.
Yet, throughout this account we see God achieving his purposes and accomplishing what he desired through those who did not fear him. Such is our God. He does everything he desires to and he doesn't just use those who fear him, who have placed their faith in him. He uses anyone, including sinners, evil people, the weak, the unbelieving. He uses both the godly and the ungodly. All of the acts of Abner eventually led to David taking the throne.
Paul makes this point when he proves that God is free to make his own choices and does whatever he wants through whomever he wants, "For Scripture says to Pharaoh: 'I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.'" Romans 9:17. We see the Lord using Satan in Job's life for his purposes, Job 1:12, "The Lord said to Satan, 'Very well, then, everything he [Job] has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger.'"
The Lord seems to transcend anything we may feel we understand about him - but he does want us to know him and he has revealed to us much about himself, what he is doing in the world, his agenda and his designs for us. I love this proverb: "The Lord works out everything to its proper end— even the wicked for a day of disaster." Proverbs 16:4.
The account of Abner and how it plays into the hands of the Lord's purposes for David to assume the throne of Israel reminds me that this is just like the Lord..
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Thursday, February 11, 2016
Contrary ambitions - Ruminating in the Word of God
The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Samuel 2:8-9,
"Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul's army, had taken Ish-Bosheth son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim. He made him king over Gilead, Ashuri and Jezreel, and also over Ephraim, Benjamin and all Israel."
Abner was aware that the Lord had chosen David to succeed Saul on the throne of Israel. Yet, as the commander of the dead king's army, instead of accepting David as the new king, he placed Saul's son, Ish-Bosheth, as king over the northern territories of Israel.
Possibly due to David fleeing Israel and finding safe harbor among the Philistines (enemies of Israel) as Saul pursued David to kill him, Abner thought David was no longer in the picture. However, I suspect he had more devious motives for doing so: motives born of selfish ambition.
We read in 2 Samuel 3:6, "Abner had been strengthening his own position in the house of Saul." Next we read of Ish-Bosheth confronting Abner with news that Abner had been sleeping with one of Saul's concubines. To sleep with the dead king's woman was tantamount to seizing the throne for himself.
Having been caught in the midst of plotting against his own placeholder on the throne (Ish-Bosheth) that he had manipulated into place, he responded by turning against Ish-Bosheth and attempted to align himself with David. Now he would attempt to manipulate David into the throne over all of Israel.
However, this was God's choice and God's plan. God would do it his own way and not in a way to facilitate Abner's own ambitions. Abner confesses he knew all along the Lord wanted David to replace Saul when he had manipulated Ish-Bosheth on to the throne of the northern territories. He told the elders of Israel, "For some time you have wanted to make David your king. Now do it! For the Lord promised David...". 2 Samuel 3:17-18a.
As I read of the account, I am mindful that there are many who pursue their own ambitions, apart from, and at times, contrary to what they know the Lord intends. The insanity of pursuing what we may desire in opposition to what God desires is illustrative of our sinful and fallen nature. Given over to that nature, we find ourselves doing the unthinkable.
Such, I believe, was the case for Abner, and it causes me pause to ask myself how I might be pursuing things in contradiction to what I know what the Lord desires.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
"Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul's army, had taken Ish-Bosheth son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim. He made him king over Gilead, Ashuri and Jezreel, and also over Ephraim, Benjamin and all Israel."
Abner was aware that the Lord had chosen David to succeed Saul on the throne of Israel. Yet, as the commander of the dead king's army, instead of accepting David as the new king, he placed Saul's son, Ish-Bosheth, as king over the northern territories of Israel.
Possibly due to David fleeing Israel and finding safe harbor among the Philistines (enemies of Israel) as Saul pursued David to kill him, Abner thought David was no longer in the picture. However, I suspect he had more devious motives for doing so: motives born of selfish ambition.
We read in 2 Samuel 3:6, "Abner had been strengthening his own position in the house of Saul." Next we read of Ish-Bosheth confronting Abner with news that Abner had been sleeping with one of Saul's concubines. To sleep with the dead king's woman was tantamount to seizing the throne for himself.
Having been caught in the midst of plotting against his own placeholder on the throne (Ish-Bosheth) that he had manipulated into place, he responded by turning against Ish-Bosheth and attempted to align himself with David. Now he would attempt to manipulate David into the throne over all of Israel.
However, this was God's choice and God's plan. God would do it his own way and not in a way to facilitate Abner's own ambitions. Abner confesses he knew all along the Lord wanted David to replace Saul when he had manipulated Ish-Bosheth on to the throne of the northern territories. He told the elders of Israel, "For some time you have wanted to make David your king. Now do it! For the Lord promised David...". 2 Samuel 3:17-18a.
As I read of the account, I am mindful that there are many who pursue their own ambitions, apart from, and at times, contrary to what they know the Lord intends. The insanity of pursuing what we may desire in opposition to what God desires is illustrative of our sinful and fallen nature. Given over to that nature, we find ourselves doing the unthinkable.
Such, I believe, was the case for Abner, and it causes me pause to ask myself how I might be pursuing things in contradiction to what I know what the Lord desires.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
A Lament - Ruminating in the Word of God
The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Samuel 1:19,
"How the mighty have fallen!"
This phrase occurs three times in David's lament for Saul and Jonathan following their deaths. The lament both begins with the phrase (here) and ends with it in verse 27. David had known Saul's day was coming as the Lord had already tapped him to replace Saul on the throne of Israel, but David loved Jonathan, Saul's son, as himself. He lamented both their deaths.
I am fully convinced of the sincerity of David's short lament of nine verses for Saul and Jonathan. Although Saul had pursued David in a misguided effort to kill him, David nonetheless recognized Saul as God's own anointed man to be Israel's first king. The things of God were of utmost importance to David, including the man that preceded him on Israel's throne.
I am reminded that in spite of the bereavement and loss David felt at the announcement of the deaths of Saul and Jonathan, the Lord's agenda strongly marched on. The Lord continued his pursuit of the nation of Israel as his chosen people to be his vehicle to prepare for the coming of his Son, Jesus Christ, a millennium later.
Perhaps it is instructive for us to recognize that when death occurs, when a loss is experienced, when bereavement has its strongest grip, that the Lord continues on in his mission of building his kingdom, an enterprise we are all engaged in, one way or another. David would one day be reunited with his friend, Jonathan, in Paradise (however, I'm not so sure about his father Saul.) Until that time, David was used by the Lord in important ways as God continued on in his progression to bring about the redemption of all of mankind.
As horrific as death is, it is never the end of those important things in life. The bereavement is appropriate, legitimate and necessary, but the Lord's purposes continue on, just as those who remain continue on.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
"How the mighty have fallen!"
This phrase occurs three times in David's lament for Saul and Jonathan following their deaths. The lament both begins with the phrase (here) and ends with it in verse 27. David had known Saul's day was coming as the Lord had already tapped him to replace Saul on the throne of Israel, but David loved Jonathan, Saul's son, as himself. He lamented both their deaths.
I am fully convinced of the sincerity of David's short lament of nine verses for Saul and Jonathan. Although Saul had pursued David in a misguided effort to kill him, David nonetheless recognized Saul as God's own anointed man to be Israel's first king. The things of God were of utmost importance to David, including the man that preceded him on Israel's throne.
I am reminded that in spite of the bereavement and loss David felt at the announcement of the deaths of Saul and Jonathan, the Lord's agenda strongly marched on. The Lord continued his pursuit of the nation of Israel as his chosen people to be his vehicle to prepare for the coming of his Son, Jesus Christ, a millennium later.
Perhaps it is instructive for us to recognize that when death occurs, when a loss is experienced, when bereavement has its strongest grip, that the Lord continues on in his mission of building his kingdom, an enterprise we are all engaged in, one way or another. David would one day be reunited with his friend, Jonathan, in Paradise (however, I'm not so sure about his father Saul.) Until that time, David was used by the Lord in important ways as God continued on in his progression to bring about the redemption of all of mankind.
As horrific as death is, it is never the end of those important things in life. The bereavement is appropriate, legitimate and necessary, but the Lord's purposes continue on, just as those who remain continue on.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
God brings his wrath - Ruminating in the Word of God
The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Samuel 31:7,
"When the Israelites along the valley and those across the Jordan saw that the Israelite army had fled and that Saul and his sons had died, they abandoned their towns and fled. And the Philistines came and occupied them."
As King Saul was vanquished, all of Israel suffered. Everyone. Not some, but everyone. I have seen over the years an attitude that since one goes to church, since one does not do terrible things but does good things, since one engages in various spiritual disciplines, there is nothing to fear personally as the nation runs off the tracks.
When a nation turns its back against God, he will often bring heavy consequences to bear. We see this displayed often for us in the Scriptures. It is God's way of drawing a nation back to him, "Whenever God slew them, they would seek him; they eagerly turned to him again." Psalm 78:34. The suffering God causes is an expression of his love in that the outcome is achieves his agenda of building his kingdom. We find our refuge and salvation in him when we are threatened and life becomes unbearable: we seek our refuge in him.
As we read the Scriptures we find that all people in a nation suffer. Not just the culprits, not just the abortionists, not just the homosexuals, not just those who pull the culture into a downward spiral. We all suffer.
"When the Israelites along the valley and those across the Jordan saw that the Israelite army had fled and that Saul and his sons had died, they abandoned their towns and fled. And the Philistines came and occupied them."
As King Saul was vanquished, all of Israel suffered. Everyone. Not some, but everyone. I have seen over the years an attitude that since one goes to church, since one does not do terrible things but does good things, since one engages in various spiritual disciplines, there is nothing to fear personally as the nation runs off the tracks.
When a nation turns its back against God, he will often bring heavy consequences to bear. We see this displayed often for us in the Scriptures. It is God's way of drawing a nation back to him, "Whenever God slew them, they would seek him; they eagerly turned to him again." Psalm 78:34. The suffering God causes is an expression of his love in that the outcome is achieves his agenda of building his kingdom. We find our refuge and salvation in him when we are threatened and life becomes unbearable: we seek our refuge in him.
As we read the Scriptures we find that all people in a nation suffer. Not just the culprits, not just the abortionists, not just the homosexuals, not just those who pull the culture into a downward spiral. We all suffer.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Monday, February 8, 2016
Finding strength in the Lord - Ruminating in the Word of God
The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Samuel 30:6b,
"But David found strength in the Lord his God."
Some of us fancy ourselves as being pretty sharp, fairly intelligent with skills and abilities. We may feel we see things others don't, that we are not easily fooled or deceived. As a matter of fact, in our sinful condition, we may often feel fairly confident in ourselves because we are so sharp.
The problem with such an attitude, such an outlook, (not even considering how odious we may become to those around us) is that we feel we are self-sufficient. We can handle things, we can figure things out on our own. This being the case, we may find ourselves fiercely independent. We don't need the help of anyone else.
One who is caught up in such thinking never feels they have need of anyone, even God. It is hard to embrace a savior when we do not feel the need of a savior. As such the Lord has his own ways of showing us our need of him. It is in this kind of way the Lord draws us to himself. He shows us we have great need of him.
I'm not suggesting David had troubles in this regard particularly, however the Lord is relentless in his pursuit of cultivating within us a strongly felt need we have of him. In this way we look to our Savior as the One we find our strength in, our hope in, our confidence in. This is true whether we happen to be a great man of faith as David was or if we are simply a newbie with the Lord.
In this passage we find the Lord renewing David's sense of dependency upon him by placing him in a very difficult spot. Not only was David suffering the loss of his family to the Amalekites, his own warriors began to talk of stoning David for leaving their families unprotected.
In the midst of what must have been a very difficult spot for David, we see the Lord's goal of it all playing out, "David found strength in the Lord."
Quite possibly the very difficult circumstances we face at times (and we all face them at points in our lives) are those things the Lord "works for the good" in our lives, Romans 8:28. It is in this way the Lord helps us believers find our strength in him.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
"But David found strength in the Lord his God."
Some of us fancy ourselves as being pretty sharp, fairly intelligent with skills and abilities. We may feel we see things others don't, that we are not easily fooled or deceived. As a matter of fact, in our sinful condition, we may often feel fairly confident in ourselves because we are so sharp.
The problem with such an attitude, such an outlook, (not even considering how odious we may become to those around us) is that we feel we are self-sufficient. We can handle things, we can figure things out on our own. This being the case, we may find ourselves fiercely independent. We don't need the help of anyone else.
One who is caught up in such thinking never feels they have need of anyone, even God. It is hard to embrace a savior when we do not feel the need of a savior. As such the Lord has his own ways of showing us our need of him. It is in this kind of way the Lord draws us to himself. He shows us we have great need of him.
I'm not suggesting David had troubles in this regard particularly, however the Lord is relentless in his pursuit of cultivating within us a strongly felt need we have of him. In this way we look to our Savior as the One we find our strength in, our hope in, our confidence in. This is true whether we happen to be a great man of faith as David was or if we are simply a newbie with the Lord.
In this passage we find the Lord renewing David's sense of dependency upon him by placing him in a very difficult spot. Not only was David suffering the loss of his family to the Amalekites, his own warriors began to talk of stoning David for leaving their families unprotected.
In the midst of what must have been a very difficult spot for David, we see the Lord's goal of it all playing out, "David found strength in the Lord."
Quite possibly the very difficult circumstances we face at times (and we all face them at points in our lives) are those things the Lord "works for the good" in our lives, Romans 8:28. It is in this way the Lord helps us believers find our strength in him.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Friday, February 5, 2016
On faith and prayer - Ruminating in the Word of God
The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Samuel 28:5,
"When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid; terror filled his heart. He inquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets."
The Philistines arrayed themselves against Saul and his army, and Saul became filled with terror.
Saul was the first king over God's chosen people, the people of Israel, so why was he so fearful? The answer lies in the accounts provided us about Saul. Saul was not a man of faith. Consequently, when he "inquired of the Lord" the Lord did not answer him. Saul was truly not one of those who, "live by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7. The accounts of Saul demonstrate the opposite, he lived by sight, not by faith.
I am reminded that when we approach God in prayer, it must be couched in faith. "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. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do." James 1:5-8.
I am also mindful for myself that, "In him [Jesus Christ] and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence." Ephesians 3:12. If we lack that faith, as James says, we should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such was the case for King Saul.
However, when we do approach God in faith, look what he can and might do for us! Jesus taught us, "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:22.
"When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid; terror filled his heart. He inquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets."
The Philistines arrayed themselves against Saul and his army, and Saul became filled with terror.
Saul was the first king over God's chosen people, the people of Israel, so why was he so fearful? The answer lies in the accounts provided us about Saul. Saul was not a man of faith. Consequently, when he "inquired of the Lord" the Lord did not answer him. Saul was truly not one of those who, "live by faith, not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5:7. The accounts of Saul demonstrate the opposite, he lived by sight, not by faith.
I am reminded that when we approach God in prayer, it must be couched in faith. "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. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do." James 1:5-8.
I am also mindful for myself that, "In him [Jesus Christ] and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence." Ephesians 3:12. If we lack that faith, as James says, we should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such was the case for King Saul.
However, when we do approach God in faith, look what he can and might do for us! Jesus taught us, "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:22.
How wonderful is that?!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Thursday, February 4, 2016
On measuring up - Ruminating in the Word of God
The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Samuel 27:8,
"Now David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites, the Girzites and the Amalekites."
While living under the protection of the Philistine king, Achish, in Gath for sixteen months, David raided outlying non-Jewish peoples friendly with Israel. In order to keep King Achish from finding out what he was doing, David killed all the people of the towns and villages he pillaged. He left no one to report what he was doing.
David had been anointed by God to replace Saul as king of Israel. At some point David would assume the throne, but for now he had to find his refuge elsewhere. David's activities at this time bring to mind the choices God makes about the people he chooses for his purposes.
I might tend to think that God would choose those who appear to be religious, upright, without faults for the big things he does. Someone who manifested in their life a greatness that separated them from the pack when it came to taking the high moral ground, etc.
David doesn't seem to fit that just exactly. Not in the way he slaughtered people, not in the way he committed adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband killed, not in the way he employed devious ways as he escaped the king of Gath earlier by feigning mental illness, etc.
I am reminded, however, that not only did God choose David for big things in his agenda, he also chose me to spend an eternity in his family. David may have had his shortcomings... but when I think God has allowed me into his family with my shortcomings... I am just astonished!
This brings to mind what Paul had to say in his letter to the Corinthian church, "Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him." 1 Corinthians 1:26-29.
David was a great man of faith, one that God extolled as being a man after his own heart. Yet, David was a man of bloodshed, a man with faults. As such, it makes clear to me that there is a place within the family of God for someone such as me, someone undeserving, someone unaccomplished in the things of God.
I love the way Paul completes his thought in 1 Corinthians. He says, "It is because of him [God] that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: 'Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.'" 1 Corinthians 1:30-31.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
"Now David and his men went up and raided the Geshurites, the Girzites and the Amalekites."
While living under the protection of the Philistine king, Achish, in Gath for sixteen months, David raided outlying non-Jewish peoples friendly with Israel. In order to keep King Achish from finding out what he was doing, David killed all the people of the towns and villages he pillaged. He left no one to report what he was doing.
David had been anointed by God to replace Saul as king of Israel. At some point David would assume the throne, but for now he had to find his refuge elsewhere. David's activities at this time bring to mind the choices God makes about the people he chooses for his purposes.
I might tend to think that God would choose those who appear to be religious, upright, without faults for the big things he does. Someone who manifested in their life a greatness that separated them from the pack when it came to taking the high moral ground, etc.
David doesn't seem to fit that just exactly. Not in the way he slaughtered people, not in the way he committed adultery with Bathsheba and had her husband killed, not in the way he employed devious ways as he escaped the king of Gath earlier by feigning mental illness, etc.
I am reminded, however, that not only did God choose David for big things in his agenda, he also chose me to spend an eternity in his family. David may have had his shortcomings... but when I think God has allowed me into his family with my shortcomings... I am just astonished!
This brings to mind what Paul had to say in his letter to the Corinthian church, "Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him." 1 Corinthians 1:26-29.
David was a great man of faith, one that God extolled as being a man after his own heart. Yet, David was a man of bloodshed, a man with faults. As such, it makes clear to me that there is a place within the family of God for someone such as me, someone undeserving, someone unaccomplished in the things of God.
I love the way Paul completes his thought in 1 Corinthians. He says, "It is because of him [God] that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: 'Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.'" 1 Corinthians 1:30-31.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
God may be right next to us - Ruminating in the Word of God
The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Samuel 26:12c,
"They [Saul and his troops] were all sleeping, because the Lord had put them into a deep sleep."
Saul and three thousand "select" troops went to search for David when they were tipped off by the Ziphites that David had come to their area. Saul intended to kill David, who had been selected by God to replace Saul as king of Israel..
After Saul arrived, David and Abishai sneaked into Saul's camp and took Saul's spear and water jug while Saul and his army slept. This editorial comment helps explain why David and Abishai were able to pull it off without being caught - "the Lord had put them into a deep sleep."
I don't know- and the text doesn't tell us- that David knew the Lord had put Saul and his men in a deep sleep. But it doesn't take long in reading of David's exploits that we might expect it would be just like David to do something like this without the assurance that he would be protected by the Lord in this way.
It causes me to wonder... how many times in our lives does the Lord act on our behalf without us knowing anything about it? I just suspect we all may be stunned to find out how often the Lord has answered prayers in ways we didn't expect, so we didn't see him act. I suspect we all may be stunned to find out how often the Lord has acted on our behalf without us being aware of it. How often he may have provided us some kind of protection, some kind of open door for us, some kind of involvement in our lives.
As Paul told the folks at the Areopagus, "he [God] himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else... he is not far from any one of us." Acts 17:25, 27.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
"They [Saul and his troops] were all sleeping, because the Lord had put them into a deep sleep."
Saul and three thousand "select" troops went to search for David when they were tipped off by the Ziphites that David had come to their area. Saul intended to kill David, who had been selected by God to replace Saul as king of Israel..
After Saul arrived, David and Abishai sneaked into Saul's camp and took Saul's spear and water jug while Saul and his army slept. This editorial comment helps explain why David and Abishai were able to pull it off without being caught - "the Lord had put them into a deep sleep."
I don't know- and the text doesn't tell us- that David knew the Lord had put Saul and his men in a deep sleep. But it doesn't take long in reading of David's exploits that we might expect it would be just like David to do something like this without the assurance that he would be protected by the Lord in this way.
It causes me to wonder... how many times in our lives does the Lord act on our behalf without us knowing anything about it? I just suspect we all may be stunned to find out how often the Lord has answered prayers in ways we didn't expect, so we didn't see him act. I suspect we all may be stunned to find out how often the Lord has acted on our behalf without us being aware of it. How often he may have provided us some kind of protection, some kind of open door for us, some kind of involvement in our lives.
As Paul told the folks at the Areopagus, "he [God] himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else... he is not far from any one of us." Acts 17:25, 27.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Participating in the agenda or just taking up space? - Ruminating in the Word of God
The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Samuel 25:2-3,
"A certain man in Maon, who had property there at Carmel, was very wealthy. He had a thousand goats and three thousand sheep, which he was shearing in Carmel. His name was Nabal and his wife's name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband was surly and mean in his dealings—he was a Calebite."
Here we are introduced to a rich man that David approached for food for his men. David was God's anointed man to replace King Saul, but had not assumed the throne yet. Living in a wilderness, he helped keep "law and order" in place that Nabal benefited from. Nabal was a rich man and should have been able to provide for David and his men.
Unfortunately, as we read above, he was a surly and mean man. When approached for help, Nabal responded, "Who is this David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants are breaking away from their masters these days. Why should I take my bread and water, and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men coming from who knows where?"
Nabal knew who David was of course, but chose not to help him out of his wealth.
In viewing this from God's perspective, I'm thinking the Lord simply decided that if there was a man who was hoarding everything he had and was unwilling to help support the things the Lord was doing, what good was he?
Nabal's wife, Abigail, provided what David needed. But about ten days later, since Nabal proved himself as worthless to God's agenda, he simply took his life, "About ten days later, the Lord struck Nabal and he died."
"A certain man in Maon, who had property there at Carmel, was very wealthy. He had a thousand goats and three thousand sheep, which he was shearing in Carmel. His name was Nabal and his wife's name was Abigail. She was an intelligent and beautiful woman, but her husband was surly and mean in his dealings—he was a Calebite."
Here we are introduced to a rich man that David approached for food for his men. David was God's anointed man to replace King Saul, but had not assumed the throne yet. Living in a wilderness, he helped keep "law and order" in place that Nabal benefited from. Nabal was a rich man and should have been able to provide for David and his men.
Unfortunately, as we read above, he was a surly and mean man. When approached for help, Nabal responded, "Who is this David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants are breaking away from their masters these days. Why should I take my bread and water, and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men coming from who knows where?"
Nabal knew who David was of course, but chose not to help him out of his wealth.
In viewing this from God's perspective, I'm thinking the Lord simply decided that if there was a man who was hoarding everything he had and was unwilling to help support the things the Lord was doing, what good was he?
Nabal's wife, Abigail, provided what David needed. But about ten days later, since Nabal proved himself as worthless to God's agenda, he simply took his life, "About ten days later, the Lord struck Nabal and he died."
I am reminded that the only thing that matters in this life is the Lord's agenda. This life is not about me, my needs, my desires, my wants. It is about what the Lord is doing in the world and, just as Nabal, I have a choice as to whether I choose to participate in what the Lord is doing... or simply to take up space.
This life is very, very temporary and we all die at some point. "Feathering my bed" is a fool's errand as I have a singular purpose for being here - and that is to participate in what the Lord is pursuing in this age.
By the way... in case there is any question about what exactly the Lord is doing in this age, it is to build his kingdom. My life has value as I participate in that effort. Otherwise, I'm just taking up space as Nabal was (but without all the wealth.)
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
Monday, February 1, 2016
Developing strength of character - Ruminating in the Word of God
The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Samuel 24:21-22,
"'Now swear to me [Saul] by the Lord that you [David] will not kill off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father's family.' So David gave his oath to Saul."
David had strength of character. Here he gives his word to Saul, who was pursuing him to kill him. David had an opportunity to kill Saul but didn't. After an exchange between the two, David made the above promise to Saul.
We see David following through on his promise in passages like 2 Samuel 9:3 following Saul's death, "The king [David] asked, "Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God's kindness?" David was a man with strength of character, following through on promises made, etc. Something not often seen in our day.
Where does strength of character for believers in Jesus Christ come from? Some prefer to imagine the Holy Spirit sprinkles pixie dust on our lives and Presto! Chango! That is not how God works and that is not what the Scriptures tell us.
What we find are passages like, "And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." Romans 5:2-4. Paul tells us that believers have strength of character developed in their lives through suffering. We certainly read of suffering in David's life... we can expect some suffering ourselves as God intends to build within us character.
How is strength of character developing in your life? As we face difficulties and suffering in our lives, remember the Lord is growing and stretching us... for our good! Keep in mind what the writer of Hebrews tells us, "If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all." Hebrews 12:8.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
"'Now swear to me [Saul] by the Lord that you [David] will not kill off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father's family.' So David gave his oath to Saul."
David had strength of character. Here he gives his word to Saul, who was pursuing him to kill him. David had an opportunity to kill Saul but didn't. After an exchange between the two, David made the above promise to Saul.
We see David following through on his promise in passages like 2 Samuel 9:3 following Saul's death, "The king [David] asked, "Is there no one still alive from the house of Saul to whom I can show God's kindness?" David was a man with strength of character, following through on promises made, etc. Something not often seen in our day.
Where does strength of character for believers in Jesus Christ come from? Some prefer to imagine the Holy Spirit sprinkles pixie dust on our lives and Presto! Chango! That is not how God works and that is not what the Scriptures tell us.
What we find are passages like, "And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope." Romans 5:2-4. Paul tells us that believers have strength of character developed in their lives through suffering. We certainly read of suffering in David's life... we can expect some suffering ourselves as God intends to build within us character.
How is strength of character developing in your life? As we face difficulties and suffering in our lives, remember the Lord is growing and stretching us... for our good! Keep in mind what the writer of Hebrews tells us, "If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all." Hebrews 12:8.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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