God's Timing For Everything 04.11.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Friday April 11, 2008 and today we begin our study on the book of II Samuel. The book of II Samuel is the tenth book of the Old Testament and contains 24 chapters. The author of the book was Samuel and the purpose of the book is to continue the historical record of God's dealing with His people. It focuses on the importance of realizing that God carries out His plan through those obedient to Him in spite of their human frailties.

Please read chapters 1-2 in your Bible or you can Click Here to read. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=II%20Samuel%201%20--%202&version=9 Today we will read and learn about David mourning the deaths of Saul and Jonathan; David being crowned king of Judah; and Ish-bosheth, Saul's son being made king of Israel. Today's message focuses on the importance of learning that God times everything in our lives perfectly, He blesses us with what He promises when He sees that we are prepared to handle them.

Saul had driven David from his family, his wife, his friends, and then into exile as a fugitive far from the palace. An Amalekite nomad, who carried in his hand the crown of Saul, mistakenly thought David would be pleased that he had executed him. "Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag; It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance. And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped. And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also. And David said unto the young man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead? And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him." (II Samuel 1:1-6). The Amalekite could not conceive of David not rejoicing over the death of such an enemy. But, David mourned, and wept, and fasted until the evening.

Now that Saul was dead, who would reign in his place? Israel was without a king. David had been anointed long ago by Samuel the prophet to be the next king of Israel (See I Samuel 16:13). However, Abner, Saul's cousin and the powerful commander of Saul's army, was determined to retain his position. He persuaded the elders of Israel to put Saul's only surviving son Ish-bosheth on the throne over the 10 tribes. David could have felt justified to face Abner in battle for his right as God's chosen successor. Instead he seeked the Lord for guidance, "And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron. So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal's wife the Carmelite. And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron. And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, saying, That the men of Jabeshgilead were they that buried Saul." (2:1-4). David continually waited upon God, making no effort to seize the kingdom, even after he was to be king.

We learn from David's conduct that God knows the best time to fulfill His promises. God prepared David to receive the kingdom with the right attitude. His confidence and dependence upon God were not marred by any intrusion of his own desires and ambitions. We cannot do justice to David's full surrender to the Lord unless we contemplate the desire which he must have had to return to his own country, and the opportunity which Saul's death seemed to open to him to seize the throne and become king of Israel.

The greatness of a man is measured by his patient surrender to the will of God. It is not a question of who you are or of what your abilities are, but whether or not You allow God's will for your life. God's timing is always perfect. Like waiting for a seed to grow, we must wait patiently for the harvest.

In today's message Jesus Christ is revealed through David's noble poem of sorrow (II Samuel 1:17-27). David forgot all his years of suffering at the hand of Saul and considered only the pleasant things. Here David typifies Christ, who loved us even when we were dead to sin, "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 2:1-6)

Today's Psalm: 31:15
"My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me."

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
You reign over all the earth and You also reign in my heart. What an awesome blessing this truth brings to me today. As I consider that it is not by my might, nor by my power, but by the Spirit of the Lord that I am able to endure my struggles . Lord, I know that many of the struggles I face are not just blown away by a simple prayer of faith, but these struggles are often the very essence of how You work through my life to reveal Your faithfulness and Your power in the midst of them. You develop godly character as I am challenged to remain steadfast and faithful to You. Help me to practice patience and to trust You completely. Help me to seek You for guidance and understaning Your will for my life. In Jesus' name, I pray....Amen.

Have a fantastic Friday and weekend.
God Bless,
Christina

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