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King David

Learning How to Worship God

With the passing of King David, it is only fitting that we examine one of his great legacies from God, and for God. That would be the book of Psalms, which is a vast treasure trove of songs to God to teach us how to worship Him, which brings us closer to our Creator.

                  In the Hebrew, the book is titled Tehillim, meaning ‘praises’. These were psalms written by King David, and a handful of other authors under the direct inspiration of the Holy Spirit. These authors wrote them over a period of 1000 years.

                  The book of Psalms was also collated into five ‘books’, each of which sequentially carry thematic underpinnings similar to the five books of the Torah.

                  There are psalms calling for judgment against one’s enemies, laments for deliverance in times of affliction, and those for praise / thanksgiving.

Book one: (Ps. 1 – 41)

            Ps. 1 & 2 introduces the book of Psalms:

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.

But not the wicked! They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind. They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly.
For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction. Ps. 1:1 – 6. NLT

            As you can see, Ps. 1 speaks to being obedient to God and to the rewards for doing so. And then it contrasts that, to display the ultimate condemnation of God upon those who choose rebellion.

Why are the nations in an uproar [in turmoil against God], and why do the people devise a vain and hopeless plot? The kings of the earth take their stand; and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord and His Anointed (the Davidic King, the Messiah, the Christ), saying, “Let us break apart their [divine] bands [of restraint] and cast away their cords [of control] from us.”


He who sits [enthroned] in the heavens laughs [at their rebellion]; The [Sovereign] Lord scoffs at them [and in supreme contempt He mocks them]. Then He will speak to them in His [profound] anger and terrify them with His displeasure, saying, “Yet as for Me, I have anointed and firmly installed My King upon Zion, My holy mountain.”


“I will declare the decree of the Lord: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son; This day [I proclaim] I have begotten You. ‘Ask of Me, and I will assuredly give [You] the nations as Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth as Your possession.

‘You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall shatter them [in pieces] like earthenware.’”


Now therefore, O kings, act wisely; be instructed and take warning, O leaders (judges, rulers) of the earth. Worship the Lord and serve Him with reverence [with awe-inspired fear and submissive wonder]; rejoice [yet do so] with trembling.

Kiss (pay respect to) the Son, so that He does not become angry, and you perish in the way, for His wrath may soon be kindled and set aflame. How blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] are all those who take refuge in Him!  Ps. 2:1 – 12. AMP

            Thus, the second psalm is where God begins to center the focus of His people upon the promise that He made guaranteeing them a Messiah, and how they should be obedient to Him (Jesus) as well. Indeed, Jehovah has a conversation with Jesus within this psalm.

                  So now we’ve been introduced to the psalms and their overriding purpose. Thus, I’m now going to take the liberty to cherry pick them, (as there is no way to present all 150 of them in this venue).

I will not be intimidated or afraid of the ten thousands who have set themselves against me all around. Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheek; You have shattered the teeth of the wicked.

Salvation belongs to the Lord; may Your blessing be upon Your people. Ps. 3:6 – 8. AMP

                  Again, stressing the ability of God’s deliverance even in what seems are impossible odds. If we are delivered, what then?

In peace [and with a tranquil heart] I will both lie down and sleep, for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety and confident trust. Ps. 4:8 AMP

            Yes, being right with God brings His protection to His loved ones:

…let all who take refuge and put their trust in You rejoice, let them ever sing for joy;
because You cover and shelter them, let those who love Your name be joyful and exult in You. For You, O Lord, bless the righteous man [the one who is in right standing with You]; You surround him with favor as with a shield. Ps. 5:11, 12. AMP

            The psalms also remind us of the magnificence of God and His magnanimous dealings with His favorite creations:

 When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers – the moon and the stars you set in place — what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?


Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor. You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority — the flocks and the herds and all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and everything that swims the ocean currents.

O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!  Ps. 8:3 – 9. NLT

            And they speak of God’s faithfulness:

…the Lord reigns forever, executing judgment from his throne. He will judge the world with justice and rule the nations with fairness. The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed,
a refuge in times of trouble.

Those who know your name trust in you,  for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you. Ps. 9:7 – 10.  NLT

            There are so many blessings from God for those who obey Him:

The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the Lord are right,
bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living. Reverence for the Lord is pure, lasting forever. The laws of the Lord are true; each one is fair. They are more desirable than gold…a great reward for those who obey them. Ps. 19: 7 – 11. NLT

            King David also wrote psalms that contain messianic prophecy. This one focuses on Christ’s crucifixion, where we get a description of it by Jesus Himself:

My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning? Ps. 22:1 AMP

But You are holy, O You who are enthroned in [the holy place where] the praises of Israel [are offered]. In You our fathers trusted [leaned on, relied on, and were confident]; they trusted and You rescued them. Ps. 22:3, 4. AMP

But I am [treated as] a worm [insignificant and powerless] and not a man; I am the scorn of men and despised by the people. All who see me laugh at me and mock me; They [insultingly] open their lips, they shake their head, saying,

“He trusted and committed himself to the Lord, let Him save him.
Let Him rescue him, because He delights in him.”


Yet You are He who pulled me out of the womb; You made me trust when on my mother’s breasts. I was cast upon You from birth; from my mother’s womb You have been my God.


Do not be far from me, for trouble is near; and there is no one to help. Ps. 22: 6 – 11. AMP

Many [enemies like] bulls have surrounded me…They open wide their mouths against me, like a ravening and a roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax; It is melted [by anguish] within me. My strength is dried up like a fragment of clay pottery; and my [dry] tongue clings to my jaws;
and You have laid me in the dust of death.

For [a pack of] dogs have surrounded me; a gang of evildoers has encircled me,
They pierced my hands and my feet. I can count all my bones; they look, they stare at me. They divide my clothing among them and cast lots for my garment. Ps. 22:12 – 18. AMP

            Jehovah loves every human being. It is up to us to connect with Him, to receive His great bounty of a wonderful life. This psalm is very well known, and a personal favorite of mine:

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.


Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.


You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. Ps. 23 NLT

            How can we be assured of this promise? Through diligent obedience to our Creator:

The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness of it, the world, and those who dwell in it. For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the streams and the rivers.

Who may ascend onto the mountain of the Lord? And who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to what is false, nor has sworn [oaths] deceitfully.


He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. Ps. 24:1 – 5. AMP

            God wants to share eternity with you; so, He shows you the way:

Good and upright is the Lord; therefore He instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in justice, and He teaches the humble His way.

All the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness and goodness and truth and faithfulness
to those who keep His covenant and His testimonies. Ps. 25:8 – 10. AMP

            King David beckons us to come worship our Father, especially when we mess up:

Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones! Praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime!

Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. Ps. 30:4, 5. NLT

Sing a new song of praise to him; play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy. For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does. He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth. Ps. 33:3 – 5. NLT

The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him [with awe-inspired reverence and worship Him with obedience] and He rescues [each of] them.


O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good; how blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who takes refuge in Him. Ps. 34:7, 8. AMP

The Lord is near to the heartbroken and He saves those who are crushed in spirit (contrite in heart, truly sorry for their sin) …The Lord redeems the soul of His servants,
And none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned. Ps. 34:18 & 22. AMP

            How much does God love you? So much that it is immeasurable in human terms; and He gives that love continually to those who do their best to walk in His ways:

How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! The children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings. They drink their fill of the abundance of Your house; and You allow them to drink from the river of Your delights.
 

For with You is the fountain of life [the fountain of life-giving water];
In Your light we see light. Ps. 36:7 – 9. AMP

Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Ps. 37:3, 4. NLT

The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.
Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. Ps. 37:23, 24. NLT                  

Thus, ends book one of the book of Psalms. Stay tuned! Goodnight and God bless.

The Perils of the Rooftop

                  After the death of King Saul, David was made king over the southern part of Israel (Judah), and then coalesced his rule over the entire nation. And God was with King David. His military prowess, (a gift from God), garnished him many victories, and Jehovah graced him with an eternal covenant for his lineage. King David was sitting on top of the world (see A King After God’s Own Heart).

How the mighty have fallen

            It happened in the spring. David’s armies were engaged in military campaigns. He’s home alone. The weather is warm, and he steps out onto his rooftop, looking for a cool breeze. But what he sees fills him with an uncontrollable heat of lust. For on the rooftop of an adjacent house, David sees an extremely comely woman who is bathing…

                  The King decides that he wants in on this action and sends someone to find out who she is. Who she is, is Bathsheba, daughter to one of David’s ‘mighty men’ and granddaughter to his spiritual advisor. Furthermore, she is the wife of one of his soldiers, Uriah the Hittite.

                  Does David seek higher ground? Far from it. He has Bathsheba brought to him and has his way with her. Weeks later, she turns up pregnant.

                  David tries to cover his butt by having Uriah sent home, so that she would have sexual relations with him, and Uriah would think the baby was his. However, Uriah would not lie with his wife, while his fellow soldiers were away at battle.

                  Frantic, the King sends a letter to his military commander, Joab, and instructs him to place Uriah on the front lines of a battle, where he would most likely be killed. He was.

            So, what has the ‘king after God’s heart’ got himself into? Covetousness. Rape. Adultery. Murder.

                  Bathsheba mourns the death of Uriah but marries David and bears him a son. David mistakenly thinks that he got away his ruse. Not hardly:

But the thing that David had done [with Bathsheba] was evil in the sight of the Lord. 2 Sm. 11:27 AMP

            God sends His prophet Nathan, with a message excoriating David for his sins:

Then Nathan said to David, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘I anointed you as king over Israel, and I spared you from the hand of Saul. I also gave you your master’s house, and put your master’s wives into your care and under your protection, and I gave you the house (royal dynasty) of Israel and of Judah; and if that had been too little, I would have given you much more! Why have you despised the word of the Lord by doing evil in His sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and have taken his wife to be your wife. You have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. Now, therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’ 2 Sm. 12:7-10. AMP

                  That is the description of David’s immorality. Now, comes the punishment:

Thus says the Lord, ‘Behold, I will stir up evil against you from your own household; and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your companion, and he will lie with your wives in broad daylight. Indeed you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, and in broad daylight.’” 2 Sm. 12:11, 12. AMP

                  David confesses his sin. God forgives the sin, removing the death penalty that the sin demands. Yet, he didn’t totally get away with it. We see that there will be killing in his family, and now, Jehovah will add one more blow:

Nevertheless, because by this deed you have given [a great] opportunity to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme [Him], the son that is born to you shall certainly die.” 2 Sm. 12:14 AMP

            Die he does. One year later, they give birth to Solomon. And the Bible tells us:

And the Lord loved the child; and He sent word through Nathan the prophet, and he named him Jedidiah (beloved of the Lord) for the sake of the Lord [who loved the child]. 2 Sm. 12:24, 25. AMP

                  But the king is not out of the water yet. One of his sons, Amnon, rapes his half-sister. Her full-blooded brother, Absalom, finds out. David does nothing. Absalom orders his servants to murder Amnon. When King David found out, Absalom fled, but his father allowed him to return to Jerusalem, but doesn’t reconcile with him until two years pass.

            With the death of Amnon, Absalom is now the immediate heir- apparent to David. So, he begins to try to enlist the favor of the people. Four years pass, and Absalom builds a following.

 

                  David gets wind of Absalom’s conspiracy. So, David and his servants beat it out of town. King David also hears that his spiritual advisor Ahithophel, is in cahoots with Absalom as well. In fact, he told Absalom to have sex with David’s ten concubines.

                  Absalom has a tent set up on David’s rooftop and fornicates with all ten for all of Jerusalem to see (demonstrating the king’s weakness.) Then, Ahithophel offered to lead 12,000 men himself to capture David and bring his body to Absalom.   

            But that idea is thwarted by another advisor, Hushai, who tells Absalom to gather all the armies loyal to him and attack David and his army immediately. They went with this idea because there was a heavenly influence:

For the Lord had ordained to thwart the good advice of Ahithophel, so that the Lord could bring disaster upon Absalom. 2 Sm. 17:14 AMP

                  Hushai got word to David to cross over on the other side of the Jordan River and lay low.

                   David’s armies lay in wait for Absalom and his goons. David did not go to battle because his men did not want him to be at risk. Before he left, he asked his army to go easy on Absalom.

            Absalom lost 20,000 men. He got his hair tangled in a tree and Joab found him and shoved 3 spears into his heart. When David found out, he was smitten with grief. Joab chided David for acting it out on a day when thousands came to protect him.

At this time David composed a psalm to thank the LORD for His deliverance[1] In the next chapter, King David wrote his last psalm.[2]

In hot water again

            David decided that he wanted to take a census of all the males, 20 and over, to see how many he had to take to battle. This drew the ire of God because he put more trust in his human resources than in Jehovah’s ability to deliver him out of any circumstances.

                  The king realized his error / sin and confessed it. David was then given the chance to choose between three punishments. He chose to fall into God’s hands and depend upon His mercies.

King David counts his blessings

O Lord, there is no one like You, nor is there any God except You, according to all that we have heard with our ears.And what one nation on the earth is like Your people Israel, whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people, to make a name for Yourself by great and awesome and terrible things, by driving out nations from before Your people, whom You redeemed out of Egypt? You made Your people Israel Your own people forever, and You, Lord, became their God. 1 Ch. 17:20 – 22. AMP

Thus the Lord helped David wherever he went. 1 Ch. 18:13 AMP

                  Nevertheless, God did send a plague and people were dying. Again, David repented and offered to be the recipient of all the punishment that was laid upon the people. Jehovah was moved and told him to build an altar right where he was standing.

            David did so, and made a sacrifice to Him, which God consumed with fire. This same spot, which was a threshing floor in Jerusalem that he purchased, would become the foundation of the Temple that Solomon would build.

                  To help his son facilitate that, David presented the instructions God had given to him, to Solomon, and began gathering the materials and workers that would be needed:

So David gave orders to call together the foreigners living in Israel, and he assigned them the task of preparing finished stone for building the Temple of God. David provided large amounts of iron for the nails that would be needed for the doors in the gates and for the clamps, and he gave more bronze than could be weighed. He also provided innumerable cedar logs, for the men of Tyre and Sidon had brought vast amounts of cedar to David.

David said, “My son Solomon is still young and inexperienced. And since the Temple to be built for the Lord must be a magnificent structure, famous and glorious throughout the world, I will begin making preparations for it now.” So David collected vast amounts of building materials before his death. 1 Ch 22:2 – 5. NLT

                  And then, David commissioned Solomon to build it by telling him what God had told him:

“…you will have a son who will be a man of peace. I will give him peace with his enemies in all the surrounding lands. His name will be Solomon, and I will give peace and quiet to Israel during his reign. He is the one who will build a Temple to honor my name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. And I will secure the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’ 1 Ch. 22:9, 10. NLT

                  David gathered the priests for their duties in the temple, an administrative staff, the military, and appointed elders over each tribe.

            Then David officially appointed Solomon to be king and charged him with his duties:

“And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. So take this seriously. The Lord has chosen you to build a Temple as his sanctuary. Be strong, and do the work.” 1 Ch. 28:9, 10. NLT

                  And then David praised the LORD:

“O Lord, the God of our ancestor Israel, may you be praised forever and ever! Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength.” 1 Ch. 29:10, 12. NLT

God does not lie:

                  All of David’s older sons were dead, but his fourth surviving son, Adonijah, decided that he wanted to be king. And Joab the general and Abaiathar the priest supported him. Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet did not.

            Adonijah invited all the other sons of David except Solomon, or the prophet Nathan, to plan his strategy to usurp his father’s will.  

                  So, Nathan goes to Bathsheba to give her counsel:

“Haven’t you heard that Haggith’s son, Adonijah, has made himself king, and our lord David doesn’t even know about it? If you want to save your own life and the life of your son Solomon, follow my advice. Go at once to King David and say to him, ‘My lord the king, didn’t you make a vow and say to me, “Your son Solomon will surely be the next king and will sit on my throne”? Why then has Adonijah become king?’ And while you are still talking with him, I will come and confirm everything you have said.” 1 Kg. 1:11- 14. NLT

                  Bathsheba goes to King David to ask that very question. With Nathan joining them, David assures Bathsheba that Solomon will be king, and has Nathan mount Solomon on the king’s mule and anoint him, King Solomon.

When Adonijah’s party hears of this, they all scatter. King Solomon has him brought before him. Adonijah repents and Solomon forgives…

The passing of Israel’s most beloved king:

                  David knew he was soon to die, so he leaves his son Solomon with some final advice:

“I am going where everyone on earth must someday go. Take courage and be a man. Observe the requirements of the Lord your God, and follow all his ways. Keep the decrees, commands, regulations, and laws written in the Law of Moses so that you will be successful in all you do and wherever you go. If you do this, then the Lord will keep the promise he made to me. He told me, ‘If your descendants live as they should and follow me faithfully with all their heart and soul, one of them will always sit on the throne of Israel.’ 1 Kg. 2:2 – 4. NLT

Then David died and was buried with his ancestors in the City of David. David had reigned over Israel for forty years, seven of them in Hebron and thirty-three in Jerusalem. Solomon became king and sat on the throne of David his father, and his kingdom was firmly established. 1 Kg. 2:10, 11. NLT

                  Next time, the adventures of the wisest man on earth…

                  Goodnight and God bless.

[1] Ps. 18.

[2] 2 Sm. 23

Being Wise

Oh, that they were wise and could understand this! Oh, that they might know their fate! Dt. 32:29 NLT

            The pinnacle focus of this blog is to show you how much God cherishes you. We began seeing that in the Garden of Eden and unfortunately, how our progenitors messed that up, (see What God Had in Mind and (A Devilish Indoctrination). Yes, the fall of humankind was devastating; but God’s love for them / us, never wavered. He immediately commenced His salvation path, that took shape over thousands of years.

            We have also seen how so many people rejected God and took the dark road. In addition, we have clarified how damaging the world’s ways have taken their toll upon every aspect of our lives.

Recently, (see Right and Wrong Relationships, and Right and Wrong Relationships – part 2, and part 3), we have looked at Jehovah’s guidelines for getting out of the world’s clutches and from the collateral damage it produces when we walk that path.

            That is all well and good. However, if we don’t become conscious of the unconscious character flaws that we have taken on, we will keep falling back into the cycle of ‘rinse and repeat.’

            It’s all about being wise. So, let us ask ourselves, ‘What is wisdom?’ The word is translated from the Hebrew chakam, meaning ‘intelligent, skillful, artful, and cunning.’ From the Greek saphes, it is translated as ‘to be clear.’ Also, English dictionaries define wisdom as ‘the quality of having experience, knowledge and good judgment.’

            Thus, wisdom is a (good) character trait that you learn from having experienced what life has to teach you, as well as being able to process these lessons and to astutely apply the beneficial elements, with a mind and heart that is clear from misconceptions.

One who listens to life-giving rebukes will be at home among the wise. Pr. 15:31 CSB

            When King David was near death, he turned the kingdom of Israel over to his son, now King Solomon.  In addition, he passed on some wisdom of his own:

“As for me, I am going the way of all of the earth. Be strong and be a man, and keep your obligation to the LORD your God to walk in his ways and to keep his statues, commands, ordinances, and decrees. This is written in the law of Moses, so that you will have success in everything you do and wherever you turn…” 1 Kin. 2:2, 3. CSB

            King David had also been inspired by Jehovah to draw up plans for a grand temple in Jerusalem and directed him to have Solomon build it. After his father’s death, King Solomon assumed rule, and God was pleased:

Solomon the son of David established himself in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him and made him exceedingly great. 2 Chr. 1:1 NKJV

            God then came to Solomon in a dream and asked him how He could gift him. He would have given Solomon anything that he wanted, as long as it aligned with His will. Yet, the only thing that King Solomon asked for, was wisdom, so that he might better rule the children of God. His request was granted, and them some:

“Since this was in your heart, and you have not requested riches, wealth, or glory, or for the life of those who hate you, and you have not even requested long life, but you have requested for yourself wisdom and knowledge that you may judge my people over whom I made you king, wisdom and knowledge are given to you. I will also give you riches, wealth and glory, unlike what was given to the kings who went before you, or will be given to those after you.” 2 Chr. 1:11, 12. CSB

            Just how wise was Solomon? Jehovah tells us that he was the wisest man to ever live (1 Kin. 3:12), and that the whole world would seek him out for that divine wisdom (1 Kin. 10:24).

King Solomon recorded much of the wisdom that he received, in the book of Proverbs.

            He begins by speaking of the necessity of gaining that wisdom:

Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just and fair. These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young. Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance… Pr. 1:2 – 5. NLT

            So, we find wisdom by studying God’s word:

…be wise, and direct your heart in the way [of the LORD]. Pr. 23:19 AMP

…those who seek the LORD understand all things. Pr. 28:5 NASB

            It makes sense, right? When we read the word, the Holy Spirit provides revelation:

…there is a spirit within people, the breath of the Almighty within them, that makes them intelligent. Job 32: NLT

            Jehovah wants the best for everyone. We need wisdom for that to happen; and He asks us to go to Him to get it:

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Jas 1:5, 6. NLT

            So, we need faith, just as we do for all things that we ask of God. We also need to be in right-standing with Him, in order to receive our wisdom:

He stores up success for the upright; he is a shield for those who live in integrity so that he may guard the paths of justice and protect the way of his faithful followers. Then you will understand righteousness, justice and integrity – every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will delight you. Discretion will watch over you, and understanding will guard you. It will rescue you from the way of evil… Pr. 2:7 – 12. CSB

            Wisdom then, when applied, grants us the potential for having a great life with our Creator. But what happens if your spurn it?

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Hos. 4:6 NKJV

Why? Because human knowledge cannot compare with godly wisdom:

For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. 1 Cor. 3:19 NLT

There is no [human] wisdom or understanding or council [that can prevail] against the LORD. Pr. 21:30 AMP

Wisdom from God is decidedly different:

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. Jas. 3:17 NLT

            Lastly, when you use all that wisdom, wrap it up in love, and don’t let it go to your head:

“Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom…But those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the LORD who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth… Jer. 9:23, 24. NLT

            Be wise. Next time, we will look at how to apply our divinely gained wisdom…

            Goodnight and God bless.

Right and Wrong Relationships

God loved King David. He called him a ‘man after His own heart’ (1 Sam. 13:14). Jehovah established his throne and united Israel under his rule. Furthermore, He granted David an eternal dynasty:

“…the LORD declares that he will make a house for you – a dynasty of kings!…Your house and your kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will be secure forever.” 2 Sam. 7:11 & 16. NLT

            There is no physical house / throne that will last forever. God is referring to the eternal kingdom of Jesus Christ, whose earthly body will be birthed from the lineage of King David. The favor of God continued to follow him…

            Outside of Jesus however, there is no one who is above falling down. On a warm spring evening, King David decided to cool off on his rooftop, (He was married to Saul’s daughter at this time). Looking out over the rooftops, he sees a beautiful woman bathing on hers.

            Filled with lust, he has her (who is also married) brought to him for an adulterous tryst. The woman, Bathsheba, was subsequently impregnated. King David had her soldier husband sent to the front lines of battle, whereupon David knew that he would lose his life. Then, he married Bathsheba – definitely a wrong relationship. This did not get by Jehovah:

But the thing that David had done [with Bathsheba] was evil in the sight of the LORD. 2 Sam. 11:27 AMP

            God then sent his prophet Nathan, to let David know his deed is known, and to deliver His penalty. Nathan said that David’s house would be troubled for the remainder of his days and that the deed he had hoped to keep secret, would be played out in public.

            (Indeed, David and Bathsheba’s first child was taken by sickness – leading to death. One of his subsequent sons rapes his half-sister, and the half-sister’s brother takes the rapist’s life in vengeance. That same son publicly commits adultery with one of King David’s wives, and also lays a plot to kill his father, but dies himself in the attempt.)

            King David confesses and repents, and God forgives him…

            Obviously, adultery is injurious (not to mention murder, in David’s case) to relationships. God gave us guidelines for having right relationships; and anything outside of those standards must be considered wrong relationships.

Let’s begin by examining how to have our first conscious right relationship – the one with our parents:

“Honor (respect, obey, care for) your father and your mother, so that your days may be prolonged in the land that the LORD your God gives you.” Ex. 20:12 AMP

            This is the fifth of the Ten Commandments and is the only one of them that offers you a blessing of long life when you obey it.

            God also has designs for the right relationship of marriage. After all, He invented it:

“Therefore, a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” Mk. 10:7 – 9. ESV

…among the Lord’s people, women are not independent of men, and men are not independent of women. For although the first woman came from man, every other man was born of a woman, and everything comes from God. 1 Cor. 11:11, 12. NLT

            Thus, we see that marriage is between a man and a woman; and with the exception of unrepentant adultery, abuse, or abandonment, it is meant to be a life-long relationship of equality and interdependence.

“…marriage is a gift from God- it is a gift that God bestows on human beings as His servants – and secondly, that marriage is for God – it is a gift to be used for God’s service and the service of His kingdom.” William J.U. Philip: Aspects of Love

            The husband is blessed from God through his wife:

A virtuous and excellent wife [worthy of honor] is the crown of her husband… Pr. 12:4 AMP

He who finds a [true and faithful] wife finds a good thing and obtains favor and approval from the Lord. Pr. 18:22 AMP

Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. Pr. 31:10 – 12. NLT

            Both the husband and wife have a heavenly mandate to live together interdependently, but with distinct established roles:

Wives be subject to your husbands [out of respect for their position as protector, and their accountability to God], as is proper and fitting in the Lord. Husbands love your wives [with an affectionate, sympathetic, selfless love that always seeks the best for them] and do not be embittered or resentful toward them [because of the responsibilities of marriage]. Col. 3:18, 19. AMP

            What then about how the marriage serves the kingdom of God?

And did not God make [you and your wife] one [flesh]? Did not One make you and preserve your spirit alive? And why [did God make you two] one? Because He sought godly offspring [from your union]. Therefore take heed to yourselves and let no one deal treacherously and be faithless to the wife of his youth. Mal. 2:15 AMPC

            This is a two-fold command: to have children, and to keep the marriage solvent. The children are to cover the earth, to fill God’s paradise, to be a good steward of it, to be a blessing to their family, to become children of God, and to repeat the cycle.

Your wife will be like a fruitful grapevine, flourishing within your home. Your children will be like vigorous young olive trees as they sit around your table. That is the LORD’s blessing for those who fear (revere) him. Ps. 128:3, 4. NLT

Behold, children are a gift from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them… Ps. 127:3 – 5. NASB

            Like any other blessing from God, the responsibility of good stewardship accompanies raising children:

Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. Pr. 22:6 NLT

For he issued his laws to Jacob; he gave his instructions to Israel. He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, so the next generation might know them – even the children not yet born – and they in turn will teach their own children. So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands. Ps. 78:5 – 7. NLT

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to the point of resentment with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by showing favoritism or indifference to any of them], but bring them up [tenderly with lovingkindness] in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Eph. 6:4 AMP

            Our mandate as Christians, is to teach our children about God, who He is, what He’s done through Christ, what He is still doing, and how they must behave to secure their heavenly hope, as well as spreading the gospel to their own children.

            You see that God has singled out the fathers in the third scripture. This is not to diminish the mother’s influence in their children’s upbringing, but to point to the father’s tendency to be sterner in their discipline.

            However, the family doesn’t flourish unless the marriage flourishes. More to come…

            Goodnight and God bless.

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