Praise God Always 04.19.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Saturday April 19, 2008 and today we are continuing our study on the book of II Samuel. Please read Chapter 21-22 in your Bible or you can Click Here to read. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=II%20Samuel%2021%20--22&version=9

In today's message we will read and learn about God punishing Israel with a 3-year famine; seven members of Saul's family being put to death; and victories over Philistine giants. Today's message focuses on the importance of praising God through all circumstances.

The days of harvest had once again come, but there was nothing to eat because there was a famine in the land which lasted for 3 years. "Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David enquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites." (II Samuel 21:1). Saul had violated the covenant that Israel had made with the Gibeonites 400 years earlier. That treaty was still sacred because the covenant had been sworn to in the Name of God (Joshua 9:3,15-19).

The surviving Gibeonites did not ask David for silver or gold to compensate for the murder of loved ones or for the loss of their property. Instead, they asked permission to hang seven men who were descendants of Saul. "And the Gibeonites said unto him, We will have no silver nor gold of Saul, nor of his house; neither for us shalt thou kill any man in Israel. And he said, What ye shall say, that will I do for you. And they answered the king, The man that consumed us, and that devised against us that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the coasts of Israel, Let seven men of his sons be delivered unto us, and we will hang them up unto the LORD in Gibeah of Saul, whom the LORD did choose. And the king said, I will give them." (21:4-6). Therefore, David was responsible before God to deliver the seven men to the Gibeonites. Because of his covenant with Jonathan, an exception was made for his crippled son, Mephibosheth, "But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the LORD's oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul." (21:7).

Throughout the Old Testament, we learn the value God has placed on keeping our promises. Let us recognize the danger of disregarding our moral and spiritual responsibilities. In God's eyes, not even the king of a nation is above its laws.

Although David's life was filled with many disappointments, sufferings, and sorrows, he readily acknowledged that it was the Lord who gave every deliverance from his enemies. Because of his many years of prayerful conversation with the Lord, it was natural for David to write a song for Him. (II Samuel 22). David teaches us to give praise to God in the midst of stressful times regardless of our circumstances. Such a testimony may be God's means of letting others come to know Him.

There are times when believers pray without getting immediate answers from God. "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31). Consider your motive when praying, God cannot answer prayers that are out of harmony with His will. Therefore it is in our best interest that we come to know and then live in harmony with His revealed Word.

Today's Psalm:18:49
"Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name."

Today's Prayer: From Psalm 18
1I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.

2The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

3I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.

4The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.

5The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.

6In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears.

Have a great and wonderful Saturday night and enjoy the rest of your weekend. I apologize for the delay in the message today.
God Bless,
Christina

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