The Years the Locust Have Eaten

“I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—”  Joel 2:25a

Loss. There are many losses in a lifetime. Some are minor and are soon forgotten. Others are harder to accept and harder to forget. And then there are some losses that are so devastatingly painful that they will never be forgotten.
If you are a rabid sports fan, it disappoints and hurts when your teams loses. But that kind of loss fades into insignificance when natural disasters such as tornadoes or hurricanes come through and leave houses in shreds and personal possessions scattered everywhere.

We can experience loss of health, loss of vigor and vitality, and loss of independence. One night my husband, who was living with congestive heart failure, pitched a little fit. He said, “No one ever told me about old age. Why didn’t somebody warn me? I didn’t know it would be like this.” My sister-in-law, Ann Eyster, said, “After age forty the body becomes a maintenance problem.”

The most painful loss of all is the loss of someone you love very much, through distance, disputes, divorce, or death. My smart, beautiful mother was my best friend. After she died following a short illness, I thought to myself, “I didn’t know it was possible to hurt this much and still live.  Theloss of a beloved person can be excruciating. And yet, unfortunately, death is a part of our world, an integral part of life on planet earth.

Whatever our loss, the grief that follows can be almost overwhelming. And there is no way around grief. We just have to go through it. We can ignore it for periods of time. We can focus on something else and forget about it for awhile, but then it washes over us again like ocean waves pound against the shoreline. Even when the edge of grief has been dulled by the passing of time, missing the person who is gone never ends. Sometimes I think our hearts must look like chunks of Swiss cheese, with so many holes in them from the losses of life.

These are sad, mournful thoughts. I have been looking at the empty part of the half full glass. But we can concentrate on the half full part. Certainly we do well to focus on what we do have and be grateful for it rather than continuing to mull over our losses. If there are some things we can no longer do because of age and/or infirmities, we can forget about what we can’t do and enjoy what we can do. And we can remember that what we have lost on earth we will regain in heaven along with so much more. Sometimes the most we can do is to hold on tightly to God’s hand through our losses and grief, do the best we can while are are on earth, and anticipate eternity.

Father, when the winds of heartache and loss blow in our lives, may we hold tightly to Your hand and eagerly anticipate our reunions in heaven. Amen.

The Temple Solomon Built

1 Chronicles 28-29, 2 Chronicles 1:1-7:10

“Then Solomon began to build the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem on Mt. Moriah, where the Lord had appeared to his father David. It was on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, the place provided by David. He began building on the second day of the second month in the fourth year of his reign.”  2 Chronicles 3:1-2

David had wanted to build a temple for God, but God designated David’s son Solomon as the one who should build the temple.  When David heard God’s plan, he began to amass great quantities of materials to go into the building.  After David’s death, Solomon ordered large amounts of wood from Hiram, king of Tyre, and asked Hiram to send him a skilled artisan, which he did. God had given David the design for the temple, and David had passed the plans along to Solomon.  The temple was to be built much like the tabernacle, except on a much grander scale.

Preparations were finished and work on the temple was started during the fourth year of Solomon’s reign. It was a magnificent structure. The labor force was enormous. There were 70,000 carriers, 80,000 stone cutters and 3600 foreman involved in the erection of this building. The construction took seven years.

The dedication of the temple was accompanied by Solomon’s speech to the people and his prayer. These were followed by an enormous offering of 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep and goats.  A great public feast that lasted seven days was the final event in the celebration.

After Solomon finished praying, fire from heaven ignited the offerings on the altars and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. 2 Chronicles 7:3 tells us, “When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the Lord above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the Lord, saying, ‘He is good. His love endures forever.’”

The Israelites, and especially David and Solomon, had given very lavishly to provide the materials for the temple. They wanted it to be the best, the most beautiful, it could possibly be because it was for God.  How about us? Do we give our best and give lavishly for the causes of Christ?

I heard a minister not long ago say that, when he was a boy and there was a family dinner, the children ate last, and he was grown before he knew chicken had pieces other than wings and backs. Since he has been grown, customs have changed, and now the children eat first. He is still eating the wings and the back, the trimmings. What is God receiving from us? The best of our time, energy, and other resources or what is left over, the trimmings?

“Give of your best to the Master; give of the strength of your youth;

Throw your soul’s fresh, flowing ardor into the battle for truth.

Jesus has set the example, dauntless was he, young and brave:

Give Him your loyal devotion; give Him the best that you have.”

--by Howard B. Grose

David and Bathsheba

2 Samuel 11:1-12:25

“So, you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall.” 1 Corinthians 10:12

In the King James translation of the Bible, 1 Corinthians 10:12 is worded this way, “Let him who thinks he stand take heed lest he fall.” We all walk with feet of clay. We are all vulnerable to temptation. What can we learn from David’s adultery with Bathsheba and his murder of Uriah?

First, David was idle, perhaps bored. It was spring, the time when kings go out to war. But, David sent Joab out with the troops, and he remained in his bedroom. There is an adage that says, “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.”

Second, David the shepherd boy had become David the king. He had power, wealth, position--he was on top of his world. In times of great success there is a tendency to become proud and greedy and independent. It is when we are struggling for survival that we realize how completely we are dependent upon God. So, if everything in life is going your way right now, take heed. Be careful. Be on the watch for temptation.

Third, no doubt Bathsheba could see the rooftop of the palace from her house, and she must have known she could be seen from there as she bathed. Not only are we instructed not to sin ourselves, but we are also told not to be a stumbling block to others, not to tempt other people to do wrong. In this situation it “took two to tango”, so Bathsheba may not have been entirely blameless.

Fourth, there is another adage that applies in this situation, “Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.” David’s attempt to cover up his part in Bathsheba’s pregnancy led to the murder of one of his most loyal soldiers. David had added more sin to his original sin. When we sin, we need to confess as quickly as possible, not try to cover up.

Fifth, the attempt to cover up the sin didn’t fool everybody. Joab certainly knew. The palace servant who brought Bathsheba to David knew. And God knew!!! The Bible tells us to be sure our sins will find us out. What men do in the dark has a way of being revealed in the light. David took Bathsheba to be his wife, but when their baby was born, the timing was obvious. Swindoll:  “It’s been my observation that most adults can count to nine.”

Sixth, there are adverse consequences to sin, even sin that has been forgiven. You can read how David was affected inwardly by his guilt in Psalms 32 and 51. But there were outward consequences as well. For one, David’s reputation as a godly man was tarnished. When a Christian sins, it gives ammunition for God’s enemies to use. It is not only the sinner who suffers the consequences of sin. Many innocent people get caught in the fall out as well. David and Bathsheba’s little baby died. Nathan told David that the sword would never depart from his house because of what he had done, and Nathan’s prophecies were fulfilled over and over, much to David’s grief.

Father, thank you that, when we are tempted, You always give us a way to escape. May we take Your way out and flee when temptations come. Amen.

David the Psalmist

"The Lord is my shepherd..."  Psalm 23:1a

Most people write about what they know.  John Grisham is a lawyer, and he writes a great deal about lawyers and courtrooms and juries.  David was a shepherd, and his best known and best loved psalm, the 23rd Psalm, is about shepherds and sheep.  However, David had a variety of experiences in his lifetime, and other psalms were written in different circumstances.  Some were written when Saul was chasing him and trying to kill him.  Some were written after David had sinned with Bathsheba, and he writes about how he felt before he confessed his sin and the relief confession brought him.  David wrote Psalms of praise during the happy times in his life.  He praised God for protection, for provision, and for victories.  In the lowest times of his life he pleaded with God to hear him and help him.  He had all the emotional highs and lows during the ups and downs of his life that we all experience.  That's one reason the Psalms speak so deeply to us.  David has been where we are, and he poured out his heart to God in all kinds of situations.  He is transparent, letting us see his joys and his sorrows and sharing in our joys and sorrows as well.  He is one of the most beloved characters in the Bible because his writings minister so greatly to us.

In a way, David is a foreshadowing of Jesus' ministry to us.  Jesus has been where we are.  He experienced both highs and lows in His life.  He got hot and tired and hungry and sleepy and sad and discouraged and tempted just like we do.  He knows how we feel, and He cares.  "Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil--and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.  For surely it is not angels he helps but Abraham's descendants.  For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.  Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted."  Hebrews 2:14-18.  "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin."  Hebrews 4:15.

When we are faced with a great problem or a tragedy, we want to talk to someone who has been there, someone who understands our pain and can empathize with us and give us practical advice as well.  Reading the Psalms is like talking to a friend who encourages our spirits.  But talking to Jesus, our very best Friend, is even better.  He pours His love and power and peace and encouragement into our hearts and enables us to keep on keeping on despite difficult circumstances.

Father, thank You that David wrote about the struggles in his life, and his writings minister to us in our struggles.  Thank You that Your Son came to earth and struggled just as we do.  He knows how we feel, and He is ready at all times to help us in our struggles.  Amen.

David and Mephibosheth

2 Samuel 9:1-13

“David asked, ‘Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?’” 2 Samuel 9:1

This sweet story is a beautiful picture of grace, the kind of grace that God shows toward us.

In the days of Saul and David, when a new regime would come into power, everyone in the old regime would be put to death. But Saul asked David to promise that he would not exterminate Saul’s family when he became king. David promised, and he kept that promise. David also made that promise to his best friend Jonathan.

After David became king, he asked the people in his court if there was anyone left in Saul’s family to whom he could show kindness.  He didn’t ask if there was anyone qualified or anyone worthy. He asked if there was any body. Swindoll calls that “unqualified acceptance based on unconditional love”.

There was someone. Jonathan had a son named Mephibosheth, who was five years old when his father and grandfather were killed in battle. His nurse scooped up the lad into her arms and was running with him to save him from being killed by the new king. But she stumbled, and he fell from her arms and became crippled in both feet. A former servant of Saul’s told David, “There is still a son of Jonathan who is crippled in both feet.” David didn’t ask how badly crippled he was. He just asked, “Where is he?” Swindoll, “That’s the way grace is. Grace isn’t picky...grace is God giving Himself in full acceptance to someone who does not deserve it and can never earn it and will never be able to repay.” Ziba told David that Mephibosheth was in a place called Lo Debar.

David sent his soldiers to fetch Mephibosheth and bring him to the palace. I imagine Mephibosheth was trembling with fear when he was ushered into David’s presence. No doubt he was afraid for his life. David greeted him with these words, “Do not fear, for I will surely show kindness to you for the sake of your father Jonathan, and will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul; and you shall eat at my table regularly.”

Mephibosheth responded with gratitude, humility, and amazement, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?” 2 Samuel 9:8b

God invites us to become His children and partake at His table. And we are as helpless and hopeless in our sins as a dead dog. It is by God’s grace that He offers us forgiveness and eternal life. He offers it not because we deserve it in any way but on account of His Son, just as David offered Mephibosheth a place at his table on Jonathan’s account. Where are you living today--in Lo Debar or in the king’s palace? Have you accepted God’s gift of grace for you? There’s a place card at God’s table with your name on it.

Thank you, Father, for Your grace, for adopting us as your children and for setting us a place at Your table in heaven. May we each one accept Your gracious invitation. Amen.

David Wanted to Build a Temple

2 Samuel 7:1-29

“After the king was settled in his palace and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies around him, he said to Nathan the prophet, ‘Here I am, living in a palace of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.’” 2 Samuel 7:1

When the dust settled and David had a little breathing spell, he sat in his beautiful new cedar home, and his thoughts turned toward God. He wanted to build a beautiful house for God and a place appropriate for the ark. Our thoughts during our leisure time tell much about us.

I can imagine David’s excitement and enthusiasm as he told Nathan the prophet what he wanted to do. It sounded like a good plan to Nathan, and he said, in essence, “Go for it, David!” Notice:  the two men thought this was a good idea but neither of them had consulted God. Not every dream we have comes from God, not even if it is a noble dream and not even if it is confirmed by God’s people. Only God knows the plans He has for our lives.

That night God told Nathan He didn’t want David to build a temple. God also told Nathan that He planned to build a dynasty for David that would last forever. God did not guarantee that the rule by David’s descendants would be uninterrupted, and it has been, but the ultimate fulfillment of God’s covenant with David will come in the eternal reign of Jesus, who came into the world in the family line of David.

God was redirecting David. Sometimes God says no to our plans and dreams to use our energy and resources for a greater cause or one more fitted to our abilities, one in line with God’s plans for us. God had given David administrative ability and military genius, and He wanted David to function in those areas. And David had shed much blood. God planned to give Solomon a peaceful reign and allow him to build the temple.

How would you feel and what would you do if you had volunteered to do something great for God and He had said, “Thanks, but no thanks?” God sometimes says “no” to devout people who are considering very worthy endeavors, but He is redirecting them into the stream of His will for their lives.

How did David react? He sat before the Lord and prayed a beautiful prayer of praise, of thanksgiving for what God had promised him, and of acceptance of and submission to God’s will. Then he gathered many of the materials for his son Solomon to build the temple. He didn’t pout about what God didn’t allow him to do but he what he could do. He was willing to lay a foundation on which others could build. No wonder he was called, “a man after God’s own heart.”

Father, may we, too, be submissive and love and praise and thank You in all circumstances. Amen.

King David Brings the Ark to Jerusalem

2 Samuel 6:1-19, 1 Chronicles 13:1-14

“Let us bring the ark of our God back to us, for we did not inquire of it during the reign of Saul.  the whole assembly agreed to do this, because it seemed right to all the people.”  1 Chronicles 13:3-4

How many times do people decide to do what seems right--what seems like a good thing--rather than asking God what He wants us to do?  We tend to plan and then ask God to bless our plans rather than asking God to show us His plans.

During Saul’s reign the ark had been in the house of a man named Abinadab in the town of Kiriath-Jearim.  Saul had left it there, and now David wanted to bring it to the capital city of Jerusalem.  Israel’s spiritual life had been neglected for many years and David wanted to refocus the attention of the nation on God.

The instructions for moving the ark had been forgotten.  The Levites were to carry the ark by its poles.  Instead David had the ark placed on a cart pulled by oxen, led by Abinadab’s sons, Uzzah and Ahio.  He was following the example of the Philistines when they returned the ark after they had captured it.  We get in trouble when we follow the example of the world rather than God’s Word. David and the people with him were celebrating, singing, and playing musical instruments, thinking all was well. Then the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah put his hand on the ark to steady it and keep it from falling.  But not even the priests were supposed to touch the ark.  It was the most holy piece of furniture in the tabernacle. When Uzzah touched the ark, God struck him dead. David was angry because he was trying to do something he thought would please God. He meant well. David left the ark in the house of a man named Obed-Edom until he could find the proper way to get it to Jerusalem.

David prepared a place for the ark in Jerusalem and set up a tent to house it. Then he discovered that he and his men had not followed God’s instructions on how it should be moved. So this time they did as God had said. The Levites carried the ark by its poles and did not touch it. With great celebration the ark was brought to its special place in the city. This time David and the people had done things God’s way instead of copying the way the Philistines had moved it. Wiersbe, “When God’s work is done in man’s way, and we imitate the world instead of obeying the Word, we can never expect the blessing of God...God’s work must be done in God’s way if it is to have God’s blessing.”

The death of Uzzah emphasized the holiness of God and the need for men to approach Him with reverence and awe. All too often, in every generation including ours, there is an attitude of careless familiarity with Divinity.

Father, may we approach You with confidence in Your love for us but also in reverence and awe because You are a holy, mighty, awesome God. Amen.