Ephesians 1:1-14   We bless God, the Father of Jesus Christ.. we praise Him and speak of His greatness.. we honor Him... for Who He is and for what He has done.  It is our heavenly Father, Elohim, our Creator and Sovereign God, Who has blessed us with "every spiritual blessing".    He has provided "every spiritual enrichment needed for spiritual life" ( Bible Knowledge Commentary).
Every blessing that has been provided for us and to us is based on the work of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

The Father elected and predestined us. 
The Son died for us. 
The Spirit sealed us. 

God chose us. "Salvation is God's doing, not man's" ( BKC)  It is by His Grace.  This election was completed in eternity past.  He chose us so that He could make us holy and blameless.  He predestined us to be His sons and daughters, adopted through Jesus Christ.  This  is " according to the kind intention of His will".  He took pleasure in choosing us, in giving us a glorious destiny, and in making us His children.  This work should and will result in "the praise of the glory of His Grace". 

The Son, Jesus Christ, is the sphere, the cornerstone, the way, that God brings about the plan of His redemption. It is through Jesus that we are adopted.  It is "in" Him that grace has been "freely bestowed".  It is in Him that we have redemption, "through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses".  God's will and pleasure is to bring everything "in heaven and on earth" under the headship of Jesus Christ.  Jews and Gentiles alike are brought into one body through Christ.  This is the mystery, the secret or hidden Truth, now revealed in Him.   Again this results in the "praise of His glory "

The Spirit is the instrument of God's sealing.  He secures us, authenticates us, and certifies our genuineness  in Christ.  He is the "deposit that guarantees our inheritance".  He is the downpayment.  It is by Him that we are guaranteed salvation and heaven... to the praise of the glory of God.

Holy God, our Father and Jesus Christ , our Lord, Precious Spirit of the Living God, we come to give You praise.  We praise the glory of Your Grace.  You have chosen us to be Your own children, by Your grace, and You give us faith to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, our Savior.  You give to us Your own Holy Spirit, a deposit of Your Grace to come in eternity.  You have even given us the wisdom and understanding to begin to grasp the greatness of Your Truth.  Open the eyes of our hearts, that we might "know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints."  Fill us, Lord, with Yourself, to know You more.  Amen.

2 Samuel 23-24  David, once again showing his flawed humanity, takes a census in Israel.  He finds our that there are 800.000 fighting men in Israel, and 500,000 more in Judah.  After receiving this information, David realizes his sin and repents.  The Lord gives him 3 options - 7 years  of famine; 3 months of being pursued by enemies, or 3 days of pestilence in the land.  David choses the last one because he trusts the Lord's mercy more than an army of men. 70,000 men die of this plague.  Who knows how many women and children died also.  Yet, God did have mercy and stopped the plague before it  reached Jerusalem. David saw "the angel who was striking down the people" while he was standing on the threshing floor of Araunah.  David purchases this land and builds an altar as instructed by the Lord. "Thus the Lord was moved by entreaty for the land, and the plague was held back from Israel." 

David's eyes were opened to see the consequences of his personal sins.  He took responsibility and made the sacrifices.  But, that did not change the fact that many people died.  The results of our sins may not be as drastic as David's, but there are still consequences.. and God still desires our repentance.  He still punishes sin.  He still requires a sacrifice.  Oh, how wonderful to know that Jesus Christ the Lord, has paid it all!  How much we owe Him!  Thanksgiving and praise and honor belong to our Wonderful Redeemer and Savior.

" Jesus paid it all!  All to Him we owe! Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow!"

Father, remind us again of the depth of Your love and the Greatness of Your redemption!  Let us not grow complacent or take for granted the salvation that You provided, nor the precious blood that was shed to pay the great price.  Stir our hearts anew with praise and thanksgiving.  Open our eyes to see You and our ears to hear Your voice.  May we worship and serve You in spirit and in truth, with whole hearts devoted to You, loving You with all of our hearts and minds, and souls.  For the glory and honor and power is Yours!  Blessed Jesus, it is in Your Name we pray. Amen.

2 Samuel 21-22 David is getting physically weaker, but spiritually stronger.  His last battle is again with the Philistines and the giants of Gath, just as his first battle was.   This time though, others slayed the giants.  

David's psalm is recorded here and in Psalm 18.  David makes clear his confession by declaring that God is:  
His rock.
His fortress.
His deliverer.
His God.
His refuge.
His shield.
The horn of His salvation.
His stronghold.
His refuge.
His savior.
His support.
His lamp.
His tower. 

David called on the Lord, he obeyed the Word of the Lord,  he worshipped the Lord, and He gave thanks to the Lord.  All through this journey that David has taken, from shepherd boy to king of Israel, David has clung to and trusted in the Lord.  He takes no honor or credit for his own actions, but gives all glory to God.
" He heard my voice."
" He bowed the heavens and came down.." 
" He rescued me.."
It is God who executed vengeance and brought down nations.  It is God who showed lovingkindness to David.

Father in heaven,  You are the same with each of us as You were with David.  You alone are our hope and salvation, our refuge and deliverer.  Thank You for showing lovingkindness to us also. Thank you for hearing our calls for help and for leading us in Your ways.  Be our rock and salvation forever.  Be glorified about all the earth, for You alone are God.  Our God, our help in ages past, our help in the days to come.  Fill us with Your Spirit once again that we might serve You fully.  In the Name of Jesus we pray, amen.

2 Samuel  14-20   This section covers the whole story of Absolom and how David brings him back from his self-imposed exile, only to then refuse to see him.  We read about how Absolom sneaks behind David's back and woos others to follow him.  How this results in David and his followers leaving Jerusalem and Absolom declaring himself king.  There is so much disfunction and betrayal and sorrow in these chapters...  a son against a father; cousin against cousin;  servants against masters...  conflict within and conflict without.

David returns to Jerusalem as king, but is more sorrowful for the loss of his son than anything.  Victory doesn't mean anything to him at this cost.

There are some interesting characters throughout these chapters.  We hear of David's sister Abigail, whose father is an Ammonite, Nahesh, not Jesse.  We hear of her son Amasa who is made captain of the army by Absolom, and then killed by his own cousin, Joab.  There is more to their stories...

So, what are the lessons to learn here? What does the Shepherd speak to us through this sad experience in David's life?  This world is full of hard choices and sad circumstances. Yet, the Lord is in control, and even these events held a purpose for David's life and for Israel. We can be assured that God is with us no matter what the newspaper reports say, or the problems we face today.  Our hope is in the Lord our God, even as David held on to his faith, we must hold on also.

Father in heaven, You are Elohim, Almighty God, our Creator .  You are Jehovah, the Lord Who has revealed Himself to us and Who has given us hope.  Guide us today, Great Shepherd.  Heal us and make us holy as You are holy.  We yield to Your will for You are Adonai.  Thank You for showing us such great love and kindness in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

2 Samuel 12   This chapter tells the story of Nathan's rebuke and the Lord's judgement against David for his sins of adultery and murder.  Nathan tells David of two men, one rich and one poor, and how the rich man took the poor man's only sheep to offer to a stranger, not wanting to give from his own large flock.  David instantly recognizes the evil of this man's actions and judges him to death.  Then Nathan reveals that the real character in this story is David... who took another man's wife, even though he had all that he needed ( and more) of his own.

David responds appropriately... repenting from his sin. But the consequences are still to come.  The Lord strikes the child that Bathsheba bore.  David fasts and prays, but the child dies.  It is after this that Bathsheba has Soloman, also called Jedidiah, the beloved of the Lord.

Chapter 13 tells the story of Amnon and Absolom and their sister Tamar.  Amnon is not a good man.  He lies, rapes, and abuses Tamar.  Absolom takes in his sister and avenges her by having Amnon killed.  Then Absolom flees from his family.  David mourns the loss of Amnon, but it seems like he misses Absolom even more.

Again we see that David was far from a perfect man.  He faltered as a husband and father.  He faltered as king sometimes too.  Yet, we know that David loved the Lord with all his heart.  He responded with repentance when confronted with his sins.  We can learn from David's experiences.

We are all like sheep.. the Word tells us.. we have all gone astray.  Yet we have a Great Shepherd who has promised to seek and save those who are lost.  Our good shepherd will lead us in right paths, will provide our every need, and will defend us from the enemies.  But, we must not be like those who refuse to follow.  We must look to Him and listen for His voice.  We must take everything to Him in prayer.  What a privilege we have, as the song says, ".. to carry everything to God in prayer."  Trials, temptations, troubles, discouragement, sorrows, weaknesses, heavy burdens, and loads of care... "Take it to the Lord in prayer"

Father in heaven,  You are our Adonai, our faithful Master, who provides for our needs; and we are Your servants who listen for Your voice and obey Your Word.  Help us in our weaknesses and failings to have the heart of David that seeks You.  Help us to be the good and faithful servants that You have desired for us to be.  Once again we present ourselves as "living sacrifices, holy and acceptable" to You, our spiritual service of worship.  We praise You and love You, for You are our God.  Amen.

2 Samuel 8-9  David was a warrior king.  He subdued his enemies and reigned over Israel with "justice and righteousness."  He received much gold, silver, and bronze from the nations that he conquered and he dedicated it all to the Lord.  David remembered his friend Jonathan and their covenant with each other, so he inquired about any remaining family members.  Jonathan's son Mephibosheth remained, but was lame in both feet.  David restored all of Saul's land to Mephibosheth and took him in to eat at his own table, like a son.

David's character and integrity are revealed in these actions.  He is known for justice and mercy... reflecting the character of his Lord.  Until... he sees Bathsheba.

Chapters 10-11  When  the king of the Ammonites died and his son Hanun becomes king, David sent some of his servants to console him.  David liked and respected Nahash, but Hanun listened to some of his advisors who thought that David was trying to spy out their land.  So they humiliated David's servants and sent them packing.  David was furious.  The Ammonites quickly gathered their army and  hired some Arameans to come help.  When Israel's army came against them, both groups ran away .  David and his army end up defeating the Arameans and  they wouldn't come to Ammons help any longer.  In the spring, David sent Joab and the army to go back to Ammon and defeat them. But David stays in Jerusalem and this is when he sees Bathsheba.  We know the story, Bathsheba becomes pregnant, David sends for her husband, Uriah.  Uriah won't go see his wife.. David sends him back to battle with a letter for Joab.. Uriah dies is battle.

We don't understand how David could do this thing.  He may have thought the same thing... Evil comes from the heart we are told.. and although David loved the Lord his God, there was still a sinful nature that enslaved him.  How many times did Jesus warn his disciples... be alert?  Even in the last minutes together before His death, He told them, " Keep watching and praying, that you may not enter into temptation, the spirit is willing , but the flesh is weak".    Paul writes about this is Romans 7 ".. but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind, and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members." 

But, Paul does not leave us hopeless... "Thanks be to God though Jesus Christ our Lord!"   Christ sets us free from the bondage of sin.  By His Spirit we are given life.  We must set our minds on Him,  laying down our lives, presenting our own bodies as living and holy sacrifices, in worship and surrender to our Adonai.

Father in heaven, take our lives and let them be consecrated Lord to Thee.  Take our hands and feet and minds and heart. We present ourselves to You... we're all in Lord.  Have Your way in us.
We pray this in Jesus' name. amen.

2 Samuel 7  There finally comes a time in David's life that he can rest. No battles to be fought, no enemies to pursue. The Ark is in its place and the nation is being led back to the Lord.  Now David desires to build a temple, a house of cedar for the Ark of the Lord.  At first David is encouraged to do so, by Nathan, the prophet, but then God turns that around.  Instead God, Who has something much better in mind, makes a promise to build a kingdom for David.  A kingdom that will never fail.

David's prayer, written here, shows us his heart for God.  "David the king went in and sat before the Lord.."  What a wonderful picture of prayer!  When we pray, it can often become a ritual, or a quick run down of our loved ones' names, asking for His blessings.   Even if we use the wonderful pattern of the Lord's prayer, a model given us by our Lord Jesus Himself, it can become a recitation... words spoken by our minds but not our  hearts.  What would happen if we started our times of prayer like David?  If we really come into our prayer chamber or closet or whatever.. and "sat before the Lord" ?

The first words David prays are also striking, " Who am I, O Lord God...."  Humbly, David confesses his own unworthiness and God's greatness.  He is overwhelmed with the blessings of God's promises.  He doesn't have anything else to ask for... but wholly receives all that God has offered.

Blessed are the poor in spirit, the meek, the ones that hunger and thirst for righteousness,  and the pure in heart.. Jesus taught on the mount,  and we see David's likeness there.  He was not perfect, like Jesus is, but in his prayers and psalms, we hear his longing for the heart of the Father, His Shepherd and His God.


Father in Heaven, blessed is Your Name in all the earth!  You are the only True God and You alone are worthy of our worship and service.  Thank You for redeeming us, for forgiving us, and for giving us righteousness through Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Son of David.  Father, change our thinking, transform us by renewing our minds and giving us Your thoughts, especially when it comes to prayer.  Forgive us for making it all about ourselves.  Help us in our weakness to come to You, to sit down before You and receive from You all that You long to give us.... Your Presence, Your Love, Your Life, Your Spirit, and Your peace.  All that we need is in Your Hands.  Oh Lord, teach us to pray.
Amen.