Let God Be Your Guide 04.13.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Sunday April 13, 2008 and today we are continuing our study on the book of II Samuel. Please read chapter 6-9 in your Bible or you can Click Here to read. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=II%20Samuel%206-9&version=9

Today we will read and learn about David bringing the Ark of God into Jerusalem; God making a covenant with David; David's prayer of thanksgiving; his victories; & David's kindness to Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son. Today's message focuses on the importance of staying in God's Word daily and seeking Him for guidance in all things.

David was now king of the united kingdom. He desired to honor God by bringing the Ark of the Covenant, the dwelling place of God on earth, to Jerusalem, which would be the religious and political capital of David's kingdom. For about 75 years, during most of Samuel's leadership and during Saul's 40-year reign, the Ark had remained with Abinadab at Kirjath-jearim.

David often inquired of the LORD about what to do, but he saw no need to pray about moving the Ark to Jerusalem. David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel and they set the Ark of God upon a new cart, as the Philistines had done many years before when they had captured it, and they proceeded toward Jerusalem with great rejoicing. David made the procession a national day of rejoicing to impress all Israel with the importance of putting God in the center of their national life."Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubims. And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart. And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of God: and Ahio went before the ark." (II Samuel 6:1-4). However, this caused a problem as Uzzah died from trying to keep the Ark from toppling off the cart. "And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God." (6:6-7).

David was humiliated and displeased, he was sincerely seeking to honor God, but he had overlooked two very important instructions in the Word of God: The Ark had to be carried by poles on the shoulders of the priests, and the penalty for touching the Ark of God's Presence was death" (See Exodus 25, Numbers 3,4). This incident should teach us that it is a serious error to believe that, as long as a person is sincere, it makes no difference what he believes or does. It should also teach us the importance of knowing God's Word. "If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself. Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting (undermining) of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (II Timothy 2:13-15).

Despite some errors David was still the greatest king ever to rule the nation of Israel as he was a man after God's own heart. The key to his greatness was two characteristics that are available to everyone: (1.) His love for the Word of God. 2.) His prayers for guidance. When he discovered his error he went to God and prayed for guidance. "And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, How shall the ark of the LORD come to me?" (II Samuel 6:9). However, he was not made great for his own sake, but because of his loyalty to God regardless of circumstances.

As King David sat in his palace of cedar, God reminded him of the days when, as a youth, he faithfully had cared for his sheep. During all the years that had intervened, and in all the many experiences through which he had passed, he recognized God's special care. A dim outline was given to Nathan by prophetic vision of a kingdom far more glorious than that which David ruled, through whom all the families of the earth would be blessed. "Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime, And as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house. And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom." (II Samuel 7:10-12).

The name of David held preeminence among the kings of Israel. But One who descended from David according to the flesh has the transcendent glory of His kingdom, and the depths of His sacrificial love caused the name of David to sink into nothingness in comparison. King Jesus is God and His throne is in the heart of each of us that has Jesus, the Christ, as Lord and Savior of our lives.

God has still much more for His people for whom the Great King laid down His life. We cannot begin to comprehend all the plans and accomplishments of the reign of Christ within the person who holds nothing back from fulfilling His will. "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:1-2).

In today's lesson Jesus Christ is revealed through the Ark of the Covenant, (II Samuel 6:17). The Ark contained God's Word given to Moses (See Deuteronomy 10:1-5), and God dwelt above its Mercy Seat. Today, Christ is the living Word of God. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.....And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." (John 1:1,14).

Today's Psalm: 119:96-98
"I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.".

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
We choose to follow You all the days of our life. We find great assurance as we’re reminded that we will not be engulfed by the surrounding evil, but instead Your light will guide us to eternal blessing. Help us to walk by faith and not by sight holding onto Your promises as we continue to build a solid foundation through Your Holy Word. It is in the Name of Jesus that we pray.....Amen

Have a blessed Sunday and week.
God Bless,
Christina

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