Patience & Perseverance 05.16.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Friday May 16, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of I Chronicles. Please read Chapters 11-13 in your Bible or Click Here to read.

Today we will read and learn about David being made king over Judah; all of Israel anointing David king; and his reigns in Jebus (Jerusalem). Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that no matter how big things look with patience and perseverance through God all things are possible.

David did not see any possibility that he could ever be king of Israel when Saul, the first anointed king of Israel, with all his authority and other resources, was determined to kill him. Saul was also far from being an old man, and he had sons who were the expected heirs to the throne. However, a new era in the life of David begins as he is finally anointed king over both Judah and Israel. "Then all Israel gathered themselves to David unto Hebron, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh. And moreover in time past, even when Saul was king, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD thy God said unto thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be ruler over my people Israel. Therefore came all the elders of Israel to the king to Hebron; and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the LORD; and they anointed David king over Israel, according to the word of the LORD by Samuel. And David and all Israel went to Jerusalem, which is Jebus; where the Jebusites were, the inhabitants of the land." (I Chronicles 11:1-4).

The ten tribes of the Northern Kingdom did not decide to make David king even after Saul and his sons were killed, not until Abner and Ishbosheth were both dead. They waited until there was no one left who belonged to the house of Saul except crippled Mephibosheth, who was then only twelve years old. When it appeared they had no other choice, they anointed and desired that David be their king.

In many respects, David's problems parallel situations that some of us face today. Just as surely as the Lord gives us a desire to accomplish something for His honor, obstacles will appear. It may be a financial situation that seems hopeless or simply a feeling of inability to cope with problems. For some of us, not much opposition is needed before we feel there is no use in trying. Whatever the case, overcoming these difficulties may seem as impossible for us as it was to David becoming king.

When one recognizes God's authority and yields to His will, then he will see that all personal influence and abilities of every kind are gifts of the sovereign God, bestowed lovingly by Him for rewards in heaven for all eternity. It meant waiting patiently many years and going through difficult circumstances.

The Lord never promised an easy road for any of His followers. In fact, Jesus said, "And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." (Luke 9:23). The way of the cross is often long and lonely and it is never popular. Once we submit to the authority of Christ over our lives, we will patiently look to Him for direction and strength. "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed." (James 1:22-25). It is not what we do for God that matters, but how faithful we are when doing it that matters.

In today's message Jesus Christ is revealed through David, the anointed king (I Chronicles 11:3). Christ is the Anointed One who will soon reign on earth as KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS, " (Revelation 19:16).

Today's Psalm: 37:7-9
"Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. "

Today's Prayer:
Dear Lord,
Lord Jesus, You reign over all the earth and also in my heart. What an awesome blessing you have given me. As I consider that it is not by my might, nor power, nor works, but by Your Spirit in me that my personal mountains are moved and I am able to serve You. I may struggle to get the mountains to move, but my faith in You along with patience and not giving up on You will break them down and turn them into sand. Help me, Lord to stay focused on You and not the problems or challenges before me so that I can receive the blessings that You have in store for my perseverance. In Jesus' name......Amen.

Have a Fantastic Friday and Weekend too!
God Bless,
Christina

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