Posts that reference the book of 2 Samuel

2 Sam

Isn’t there someone I can show the kindness of God to?

And the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness of God to him?” 2 Samuel 9:3

This was a risky, even ill-advised move on David’s part.
He had replaced Saul’s dynasty and it wasn’t a completely smooth transition.
In fact, it took seven years for David’s rule to be solidified.

But kindness is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)
It is the mark of a follower of Christ. (Colossians 3:12)
It is an act of grace.
It is an imitation of God Himself.
And it is extremely rare these days.

Which makes it all the more remarkable
When we follow David’s lead.
So today, every day, ask yourself

Isn’t there someone I can show the kindness of God to?

Facing Monday Renewed

By Paula Wiseman

Want renewed? Check this out.

Therefore You are great, O Lord GOD. For there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 2 Samuel 7:22

Therefore
Recall all that God has said and done in the past.

You are great
Reaffirm the meaning of great. Disconnect it from its watered-down common usage.

O Lord GOD
Reestablish that He is your Lord and your GOD by the covenant relationship established in Christ.

For there is none like You
Recommit to the One who is uniquely, singularly God.

Nor is there any God besides You
Renounce anything that competes for your loyalty

According to all that we have heard with our ears
Rehearse the times you have witnessed God’s greatness.

Amen

Now, go face your day, your week… renewed.

When God Says No

By Paula Wiseman

The king summoned Nathan the prophet. “Look,” David said, “I am living in a beautiful cedar palace, but the Ark of God is out there in a tent!” 2 Samuel 7:2

King David had in his heart to build a temple, a permanent temple so Israel could worship Jehovah. It was a good idea. David’s motives were honorable. Yet, God said no.

Let’s be honest, when we talk about God answering our prayers, what we really mean is God answering our prayers the way we want Him to. We rejoice and testify when He gives us what we asked for, what we want. Everything gets derailed when we don’t receive. We worry about our relationship with God. Our faith wavers. We grumble that He’s distant, uncaring, or untouched by our situation.

Scripture assures us that God hears every prayer we utter. Every single prayer. Sometimes the answer is just ‘no’. That ‘no’ and how we receive it can reveal more about our relationship with God than a ‘yes’ ever could.

It will tell us whether we love God Himself or just the things He does for us.
It will tell us whether we are surrendered to God’s agenda, or we expect Him to follow ours.
It will reveal if we feel entitled to God’s favor rather than clinging to His grace.
Do we truly believe God has our best interests always at heart?

Do we genuinely trust His plan for our lives?

Is our faith real or fake?

We find out when God says ‘no.’

Darkness and Light

By Paula Wiseman

You are my lamp, O LORD; the LORD turns my darkness into light. 2 Samuel 22:29 NIV

My darkness…

My despair.

My hopelessness.

My disappointment.

My Lord doesn’t remove it. He doesn’t replace it.

He TRANSFORMS it.

What We Learn When God Says No

By Paula Wiseman

King David had in his heart to build a temple, a permanent temple so Israel could worship Jehovah. He prayed, sought the Lord’s will. In 2 Samuel 7, God said no.

No.

Let’s be honest, when we talk about God answering our prayers, what we really mean is God answering our prayers the way we want Him to. We rejoice and testify when He gives us what we asked for, what we want. Everything gets derailed when we don’t receive. We worry about our relationship with God. We grumble that He’s distant, uncaring, or untouched by our situation.

Scripture assures us that God hears every prayer we utter. Sometimes the answer is just ‘no’.

How we receive that ‘no’ can reveal more about our relationship with God than a ‘yes’ ever could.

It will tell us whether we love God Himself or just the things He does for us.

It will tell us whether we are surrendered to God’s agenda, or expect Him to follow ours.

It will reveal if we feel entitled to God’s favor rather than clinging to His grace.

Do we truly believe God has our best interests always at heart? Do we genuinely trust His plan for our lives?

Is it real faith or fake? Persevering or put on? We find out when God says ‘no’.

Study Tip: 1&2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles

By Paula Wiseman

I'm considering 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles together because they cover the same main subject – the life and times of David. Volumes have been written about David and I can't possibly cover him in one quick blog post. However, if you undertake this study there are a number of different ways to approach it.

Character study – David's life divides into three phases: Shepherd, Renegade and King. What kind of man is he? How does he grow and change through each phase? What is the dominant aspect of his relationship with God during each phase?

David's triumphs and failures – He had plenty of both. Note how he responds to God in each situation.

A who/what study – Who does David come in contact with? What happens? What does he take away from the encounter?

David's prayers – What prompts the prayer? What does he say about God? What does he ask for?

Consequences – None of these books shy away from portraying sin or its effects. Keep track of the sins – not only of David, but others like Eli, and Saul – and how the individual sins impact others and even the nation itself.

If you're really ambitious, follow your footnotes and read the Psalms that are cross-referenced to the events in David's life. This gives a uniquely intimate look at his relationship with God. I love being able to look at his "journal". Also the range of emotions he records is reassuring.

David's walk with God wasn't all hearts and rainbows, and by allowing us to see his failures as plainly as his great victories, we see God's mercy and grace on full display.

What's your favorite story about David?