2 Sam. 6 [The Message]

The Ark of the Covenant was held up at the home of Abinadab for three months. David desperately wanted God’s presence to be back in Zion. While they were transporting it, the tragedy of Uzza occurred … he reached out to steady the Ark as it started to slide off the cart. God struck him dead because he was not of the tribe God had specified to handle the Ark. So, the lyeft the Ark there at the home of Obed-Edom. His home was SO BLESSED while it was there that David observed the blessing and desired it for Zion.

As we carry God’s presence with us, we abide under a special unction that beings God’s rich blessing. A young girl named Lauren Daigle has discovered this truth and it has transformed her life. Now, she goes all over the world singing about God’s presence. Here, listen to her sing about it.

2 Sam. 4, 5 [The Message]

David consulted the Lord before he went to war against the Philistines. God would divinely give him a plan for victory. David would rely on this method of direction for the rest of his life, always depending on the Lord for wise direction.

We can also rely upon God’s Holy Spirit for guidance, whether it be war or mowing the lawn. He sees the continuum of time and can advise us how best to conduct our lives.

The more you listen and pay attention to the Lord, the better your spiritual ear will become. By the way, if a voice says “Go out and lay down in the middle of the street,” IT’S NOT GOD!

2 Sam. 3 [The Message]

David was the ultimate example of honorable leadership (until Christ). Even at the death of Abner, King Saul’s military general, David displayed honorable conduct by his respect of Abner’s life and position by his grieving at Abner’s funeral.

Funerals are a valuable window in the lives of people where leaders can show respect and compassion for the life of a saint. We are about people … their lives, their families, their memory … and when they pass away we can put focus on the important things in life … what they did for God, their deeds of compassion, their stand for Christian values.

When leaders attend significant spiritual events, they are putting their stamp of approval upon that event’s focus.

1 Sam. 31; 2 Sam. 1,2 [The Message]

After King Saul and his sons were killed in the war, David mourned them bitterly. He wrote a song about them. Shortly thereafter, Joab and Abner, the captains of the armies of Judah and Israel, continued the bloodshed.

STUPID! War is STUPID. Each casualty is some mother’s son, some wife’s husband, some child’s father. Wars generally arise from the arrogance of men (King Saul, Hitler, Putin) and claim a cost that is too painful to endure. We should pray that wars would end and that lives could be spared.

I’m personally grateful to my wife, my mother, and my grandmother whose prayers kept me out of the Vietnam war. I was headed there when President Nixon announced the cutbacks. My infantry training company was one of the very first to be rerouted away from Vietnam. Thank you Jesus. I grieve for the men who had to go.

1 Sam. 30 [The Message]

One of the most tragic passages in scripture; the wives, children and belongings of David and his men were stolen by the Amalekites. Surely, every man was deeply grief-stricken when they returned from a mission and found their families GONE. David’s men wanted to strangle him at the very least. What did David do? He ran to God. He cried out to the Lord to strengthen him and give him the wisdom on what to do.

The rest is history. They pursued and recovered ALL.

Friend, do you find yourself at the end of the rope? Are life’s circumstances about to drown you? Withdraw yourself from the fray and seek the face of God. He will lift you up and point you in the right direction. By His strength you will win and not lose.

1 Sam. 27-29 [The Message]

The disobedient King Saul was terrified of the Philistine army he was to face in battle. He inquired of the witch at Endor. God was not answering him. In this strange passage, he evidently had the medium call up from the grave the spirit of the prophet Samuel. Samuel was upset by the process, nevertheless spoke of Saul’s death to come the next day in battle. This totally devastated Saul. In all, this was a sad ending for the man God had exalted to be the king of Israel.

To me. this all points up to the importance of obedience to God to maintain a right relationship with Him. Our relationship with God is through Christ Jesus. When we need answers, we first clear up the sin issue by confessing to God and being forgiven. We have bold access to God’s throne through Christ.

If we confess our sins, He (Christ) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [1 Jn. 1:9]

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. [Heb. 4:16]

1 Sam. 26 [The Message]

Years ago (maybe 50) Patty and I were attending a Bill Gothard conference in Detroit with our pastor and some folks from the church. The pastor pulled up and parked in a no-parking zone and made the remark, “The Lord saved this space just for us.” To me, his comment was presumptive and I openly criticized him to a young couple who were riding with us. That critical statement did me in. I developed a terrible belly-ache and i KNEW it was because of my critical spirit. A short time later I apologized to him in front of the whole church for being critical.

In Revelation 1 the 7 stars in God’s Hand were the pastors of the 7 churches. They were IN GOD’S HAND, not ours. He adjusts them, not us. Since that little lesson I have gained a better understanding of how to respect God’s anointed.

1 Sam. 23-25 [The Message]

Abigail, the wife of foolish Nabal, discovered that her husband had greatly insulted David and his men. Nabal had been totally unreasonable toward David. Actually, David was well on is way to eliminate the man when Abigail wisely intercepted him with a gesture of reconciliation and appeasement. David declared, “You have prevented me from committing a great evil which would have had a disastrous effect upon my life.”

The prompt actions of this wise woman warded off a sure calamity for Nabal. As it turned out, he died shortly of a heart attack .. in essence, God gave him his due.

Wise women have saved MANY a man from reaping the consequences of his stubborn and self-serving ways. Wise women also teach their children to avoid paths of destruction. They are LIFE PRESERVERS.

1 Sam. 22 [The Message]

Saul had become a corrupt king. He, in his own political interest, labeled David a traitor and enemy of the kingdom. These accusations were not true. Saul, in his jealousy of David, had the innocent priests who had offered David assistance, all murdered. In his delusion, Saul manipulated facts to serve his own interests.

Sadly, politicians can alter facts and speak untrue accusatory remarks that cast a negative light upon their rivals. God can put up with this hypocrisy only so long. At some point down the road, David avenged the death of the innocent priests. (Revenge is not ours to take. We must defer to God’s own methods rather than draw conclusions upon only what we see and hear)

God’s reckoning process may be slow, but it’s just and accurate. Meanwhile, we pray for our leaders with respectful deference to God.

1 Sam. 21 [The Message]

While David was fleeing from Saul, running for his life, he found himself in Gath where Goliath was from. The servants of the King of Gath recognized him – David, the mighty warrior. Found out and fearing for his life again, David acted like he was insane. It worked. He got out of there asap!

Although the association here is a stretch, it does make room for play acting to achieve a Godly purpose. The Apostle Paul alluded to being flexible in his approach to issues when he said, “To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” [1 Cor. 9:19-23]

Many times, I have seen Christian drama open the hearts of people to get God’s message. Use it. We can be creative!