Jan. 31st, 2012
And David realized that the Lord had confirmed him as king over Israel and had greatly blessed his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel. I Chronicles 14:2
This short chapter includes a couple decisive battles that David successfully waged against the Philistines. Each time David first consults God, and gives God the praise upon completion of the bloody task. But what really struck me today is this verse where David seems to stumble upon this realization, this reality that God has now confirmed him as the king over Israel. It seems that David was so preoccupied with building God’s kingdom and restoring it to its healthy spiritual prominence – he doesn’t realize until this moment that God is blessing him and has confirmed his stature in life as Israel’s King for this time. It seems he failed to realize who he was becoming, and what he had become!
I wonder if we do the same. Do we fail to realize how significant we are to God and God’s plan? Do we ever just coast along sometimes in a faithful stupor, unaware of just what God is up to, in and through our lives? Do we ever get so busy working for God, that we haltingly realize that that work is forming us into some more usable tool for the building of God’s kingdom? Do we ever just stop and consider for a moment what it means to be a Child of God – to be called by God – to be gifted and empowered by God to make a difference in our world, and to make our world different? It seems that was David’s revelation at this moment.
And note one more thing – what was the ultimate purpose of David becoming aware of God’s confirmation and blessing? Did you notice it? For the sake of his people Israel. Let us be clear – God didn’t elect and empower and bless David so he could live a cushy life – no God chose David to be his faithful and successful King – for the sake of His people.
I think I must learn that lesson again today. God has not put me in this place right now for any other primary reason – but for the sake of His people in this community, and this church. I am not here to build my resume, or enhance my personal stature or status. I have not received these gifts from God to make myself anything other than what I am, a servant of God. I have not been blessed to serve with these great people for some self-aggrandizement – but so God might use me to lead and teach, and bless these people; God’s people! Certainly I enjoy and appreciate all God’s confirmations and blessings – but I must be reminded today that those are not the ends for which I work – but the means to an end that God desires – the sake of His people.
God…I’m humbled that you would save, call, and use such a sinner as me. Help me realize how you have confirmed me and my position in life for this moment – but ultimately help me understand and even appreciate – that all your blessings in my life – (for which I am grateful) are not just for my enjoyment or enrichment – but that I might be a more worthy and helpful servant for the sake of all Your people!

Jan. 5th, 2012
[ i]But when they arrived at the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the Ark. Then the Lord’s anger was aroused against Uzzah, and he struck him dead because he had laid his hand on the Ark. So Uzzah died there in the presence of God. David was angry because the Lord’s anger had burst out against Uzzah…David was now afraid of God, and he asked, “How can I ever bring the Ark of God back into my care?” So David did not move the Ark into the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-edom of Gath. The Ark of God remained there in Obed-edom’s house for three months, and the Lord blessed the household of Obed-edom and everything he owned. 1 Chronicles 13:9-11 & 12-14
I am struck today by the harshness of God – and David’s anger because of it. It seems perfectly sensible to me that Uzzah would do all within his power to protect the Ark from falling off the stumbling oxen-cart – but apparently God’s law about not touching the Ark takes precedence over Uzzah’s innocent attempt to do the right thing. I wonder if David was thinking - “Uzzah and I should have just let the dang thing fall on the floor!” It just seems so uncaring and compassionless for God to act so rashly against Uzzah. It is no secret to me how/why David now became afraid of God, and refused to continue the move to bring the Ark back to Jerusalem.
There is a telling phrase in this whole difficult story, though – found at the end of verse 12 - “How can I ever bring the Ark of God back into my care?” I don’t want to try and super-spiritualize any of what seems a preposterous story in order to “get God off the hook” – for what from my perspective seems an inappropriate punishment for what also from my perspective seems not only an innocent, but even an attempt to helpfully do the right thing. But, there may be more to what David said than meets the eye. Was it really David’s responsibility to “care” for God’s Ark? Maybe God wanted to do some miracle for Uzzah, or David or the people as the Ark fell off the cart. Maybe God wanted to teach some other lesson that we now have no way of learning, because a human intervened, innocently, but without regard for God’s greater law. Maybe David was never supposed to bring the Ark of God into or under “his” care at all. Maybe God is quite capable of handling His own holy things and does not need our help at all. I don’t know, and again, can’t presume to feel like even my skeptical (doubtful) questions in any way make sense of this story.
My “take away” today is to pay attention to God’s law, and regardless the outward circumstances, do my best to do the right thing. If I end up like Uzzah, dead, for mishandling the holy, but my intentions were good, right, honest and honorable – so be it – I can accept that. But if I, like David, have ever thought that handling God’s holy business was my personal responsibility – God go ahead and strike me dead. I know God is capable of handling His own affairs, and probably doesn’t “need” my help! I’m just glad God enlists my help, occasionally, and allows me to handle His holy matters – even when I don’t always understand his ways, and too often disregard His commands. I’m also glad the New Testament, and Jesus, help finish the portrait of God begun in the Old Testament.

Jan. 4th, 2012
This is another interesting chapter listing, numbering and naming all the soldiers who came to join David’s army, and force the crown upon David’s head. At one point David’s growing army is described: Day after day more men joined David until he had a great army, like the army of God. (vs. 22) That is pretty heady stuff – must have been an amazing sight. What I also found interesting were the descriptions used of the various groups of soldiers joining David’s army – I’ll give you some samples: all of them were expert archers, and they could shoot arrows or sling stones with their left hand as well as their right hand. (vs.2) Some brave and experienced warriors…they were expert with both shield and spear, as fierce as lions and swift as deer on the mountains . (vs. 8) These warriors were army commanders. The weakest among them could take on a hundred regular troops, and the strongest could take on a thousand! (vs.14) But I found this description most interesting: All these men understood the signs of the times and knew the best course for Israel to take. (vs.32)
I would love to be noted for any of those valiant characteristics – I’d love to be ambidextrous, I’d love to be fierce as a lion and swift as a deer. But the one listed quality from which I think I’d most benefit is the last – to understand the signs of the times, and know the best course to take. I think understanding the signs of the times is more valuable today than then. We have so many competing voices trying to decipher and dispel their version of reality that it makes it hard to really know which course of action to take sometimes. We have 24 hour media coverage that instead of reporting and clarifying the issues, more often confuses them. They are wholly incapable of presenting an unbiased report on any subject of any kind. We have a massive governmental machine that seems wholly incapable of making one decision for the good of the people that elected them, instead thinking only of being reelected. And we now have this invasive social network that allows individuals to claim an elevated status of intelligence based on how many “likes” their latest post receives. It is a pseudo sense of ill-gotten fame generated by some so-called “friends”.
These are the “signs” I read today. Faith in God is not seasonal or subjective – it is the core of life. Family are indispensable and irreplaceable – the most important people on this earth. Friends are not those who like you on Facebook, but those who walk with you in good and bad times; without judgment, without answers, without hurry. Truth is not shaded by degrees of interpretation – it exists independent of any twisted sense of personal justification. Authenticity is a core value of human existence that shines when all else is dulled. I want to use these signs to guide the way I live today. What signs are guiding your way?

Jan. 3rd 2012
David remarked longingly to his men, “Oh, how I would love some of that good water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem.” So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew some water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But David refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out as an offering to the Lord. “God forbid that I should drink this!” he exclaimed. “This water is as precious as the blood of these men who risked their lives to bring it to me.” So David did not drink it. These are examples of the exploits of the Three. I Chronicles 11:17-19
David has been anointed by God to be the new King of Israel. He immediately sets out to shore up the fledgling nation by securing some courageous soldiers to lead his army – and provide him security. This chapter names the Three men (and note that each time the Three are mentioned, as a group, the word Three is capitalized – a notation usually reserved in the scriptures as a reference for someone who is divine.) These Three men serve as officers in David’s growing army, but they also serve as loyal guards, comrades, and likely, friends. The story listed above is one of their exploits, and it is remarkable. In the middle of an ongoing and mighty battle against the dreaded Philistines, while resting one evening, David makes an off-handed remark about desiring water from a well in Bethlehem. The mighty Three take it as a command, break through the enemy lines, retrieve some of that water, and give it to their beloved King…and what does he do with it? He pours it out on the ground!
How would that make these men feel? They have just risked life and limb for their knucklehead friend/king, and he repays their grand act of love and devotion, by pouring the water out on the ground. Don’t miss the meaning. David didn’t carelessly spill this precious water, no, he fully understood the devotion and risk these men ventured; and realized that even as much as they loved him, and he undoubtedly appreciated their sacrifice – it was not justifiable – that kind of devotion ought not be offered to any human being – but reserved only for God. Therefore David offers the token of their gift to the only one who is worthy to receive it – God – and pours out their gift as an offering to God.
There are many levels of meaning one could draw from this story, but I choose the simplest today: the power and need for good friends. David began his reign recognizing his need for close confidants who would share his load, and secure his ‘back’. These men were selected and became his most trusted allies. Their exploits are mentioned throughout this chapter. They could not do all that was required, and 30 other soldiers are also named in this chapter, but these Three dominate the drama. Their willingness to die for a cup of water for their King is just plain remarkable.
I wonder if I have friends like that in my life. But probably an even more important question…I wonder if I AM that kind of friend to some folks in my life! We’d all like to have those kind of friends – and I’m certain that having them…requires first…being one! I am blessed beyond what I deserve to have good friends, many GOOD friends…and I can count 2 or 3 or 5 or 6 who stand out as GREAT friends, and for that I’m humbly grateful. But rather than count my blessings as I number them today – I want to consider what more I can do to be a good friend…even a GREAT friend to so many that God has placed in my life. Am I willing to risk blood to be a loyal friend? That is what I want today. You?

Saul groaned to his armor bearer, “Take your sword and kill me before these pagan Philistines come to taunt and torture me.” But his armor bearer was afraid and would not do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it. When his armor bearer realized that Saul was dead, he fell on his own sword and died. So Saul and his three sons died there together, bringing his dynasty to an end. I Chronicles 10:4-6
Saul’s glorious death has been immortalized throughout history, recorded in many books, and woven into the plots of many movies; not his death personally, but other selfless examples have followed Saul’s Oscar winning performance – yet I wonder this morning if it was really all that glorious. Yes, it is impressive that this once great man had the courage to fall on his own sword as his enemies came close to capturing him. Yes, it is impressive that this man commanded such loyalty that his servant was unwilling to kill his master; yet fell on his own sword after seeing his master’s selfless example. Yes, it is amazing that this leader of the nation of Israel was unwilling to die at the hands of the godless Philistines…and so took his own life in this scene right off the big screen. But was this death all that glorious? Look at the last verse from this chapter:
[ b]So Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord. He failed to obey the Lord’s command, and he even consulted a medium instead of asking the Lord for guidance. So the Lord killed him and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse. I Chronicles 10:13
I would like to think I am willing to die for God, and the cause of Christ – but I want to be careful, not to just throw my life on some convenient sword, while I’m missing the real sacrifices that are more manageable and less bloody! I am willing to give my life to this great calling – but I’m not willing to be unjustly abused because someone doesn’t like me, or the decisions this calling have authorized me to make. I am willing to generously give away my resources, time, talent, and energy – but I’m growing tired of being used to fill someone else’s schedule of events. I’m willing to work hard – but I also desire to play hard and balance my work with Sabbath, and even some silliness. I am willing to pay attention to people who legitimately need Jesus, but I grow weary of people who use me for a convenient meal ticket, or bus pass, or one more bottle.
I want to be careful to understand, and make certain to practice this “dying for Christ” existence I live, is exactly that – and not some unfaithful and useless sacrifice that reigns only in my mind as glorious – when in reality, is nothing more than God being faithful and me being unfaithful. Lord, help me to live for and with you today. I choose obedience and faithfulness, I choose to consult only you for guidance. I am willing to die for you – and help me not throw my life away unnecessarily