Then the spirit came upon Amasai, chief of the Thiry and he said, "We are yours, O David; and with you, O son of Jesse! Peace, peace to you, and peace to the one who helps you! For your God is the one who helps you." Then David received them, and made them officers of his troops. I Chronicles 12: 18 NRSV
David is unsure of the loyalty of these newest warriors who have joined him in his stronghold. Are they friend or foe? Can they be trusted? David leaves the final judgment to God - if they betray him, it is God who will carry out their punishment. However, these men promise peace to David and to God who is David's helper.
How interesting that these warriors proclaim peace to David and to God. What would a warrior know about peace? Peace is the total opposite of what a warrior knows.
Yet, it is possible that peace would be something that a warrior does know intimately. If peace is the total opposite of what a warrior does and who a warrior is - then they would know very well what peace is about. In addition, peace may be what they truly desire -- a rest from constant fighting, even if that means a lack of livelihood.
I'm no warrior. Can I know what peace is? Can I recognize peace when it comes upon me? Can I even bless others with peace?
God, peace be to you this Easter Monday! May we know true peace this day. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
Showing posts with label David. Show all posts
Showing posts with label David. Show all posts
Monday, April 5, 2010
Sunday, April 4, 2010
You Shall be Ruler
The Lord is Risen! The Lord is Risen, indeed!
Then all Israel gathered together to David at Hebron and said, "See, we are your bond and flesh. For some time now, even while Saul was king, it was you who commanded the army of Israel. The Lord your God said to you: It is you who shall be shepherd of my people Israel, you who shall be ruler over my people Israel." I Chronicles 11: 1-2 NRSV
The people of Israel commit themselves to be David's people. They ask for him to be their ruler. And they don't ask just because David is a good warrior and has been leading the troops. They want David as their King because God has made David the shepherd of God's people.
What kinds of commitments do you have right now? This would include those to people or institutions.
How many of these commitments have you made because God asked you to make them?
What would it look like if you only committed yourself to doing just what God asks you to do?
God, on this Easter Sunday, we re-commit ourselves to what you ask us to do in our lives. Help us to weed out all those commitments that are not of you nor are asked by you. In Jesus' Holy name we pray. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
Then all Israel gathered together to David at Hebron and said, "See, we are your bond and flesh. For some time now, even while Saul was king, it was you who commanded the army of Israel. The Lord your God said to you: It is you who shall be shepherd of my people Israel, you who shall be ruler over my people Israel." I Chronicles 11: 1-2 NRSV
The people of Israel commit themselves to be David's people. They ask for him to be their ruler. And they don't ask just because David is a good warrior and has been leading the troops. They want David as their King because God has made David the shepherd of God's people.
What kinds of commitments do you have right now? This would include those to people or institutions.
How many of these commitments have you made because God asked you to make them?
What would it look like if you only committed yourself to doing just what God asks you to do?
God, on this Easter Sunday, we re-commit ourselves to what you ask us to do in our lives. Help us to weed out all those commitments that are not of you nor are asked by you. In Jesus' Holy name we pray. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Love For Your Children
When King David heard of all these things, he became very angry, but he would not punish his son Amnon because he loved him, for he was his firstborn. II Samuel 13:21 NRSV
This is a really hard scripture for me to tackle, but it has been on my heart lately. What do you do when your children make you really, really angry? I don't mean breaking a valuable object, I am talking about doing something morally or socially wrong and making you angry. I think the question is, how can you show your children love yet punishing them for their behavior? That is tough love and it isn't always easy. This can be especially true if you have let them get away with small things when they were younger. Sometimes our children need boundaries and we are unable to set firm boundaries. Our excuse is often our love but really it is about how hard it is to keep firm boundaries.
David is not a good boundary setter when it comes to his kids. Amnon raped his sister (!) Tamar and David did nothing to punish him, even though he was angry. Here is a man who is supposed to dispense justice in the entire kingdom and he can't even act justly in his own household. In the end, all of this will come back to haunt David and cause some great divisions in the country.
Sometimes God calls us to show tough love. And it isn't easy.
God, you have set boundaries for us, even as you deeply love us. Help us to do the same with our own children. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
This is a really hard scripture for me to tackle, but it has been on my heart lately. What do you do when your children make you really, really angry? I don't mean breaking a valuable object, I am talking about doing something morally or socially wrong and making you angry. I think the question is, how can you show your children love yet punishing them for their behavior? That is tough love and it isn't always easy. This can be especially true if you have let them get away with small things when they were younger. Sometimes our children need boundaries and we are unable to set firm boundaries. Our excuse is often our love but really it is about how hard it is to keep firm boundaries.
David is not a good boundary setter when it comes to his kids. Amnon raped his sister (!) Tamar and David did nothing to punish him, even though he was angry. Here is a man who is supposed to dispense justice in the entire kingdom and he can't even act justly in his own household. In the end, all of this will come back to haunt David and cause some great divisions in the country.
Sometimes God calls us to show tough love. And it isn't easy.
God, you have set boundaries for us, even as you deeply love us. Help us to do the same with our own children. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Seeing the Truth Hurts
Achish replied to David, "I know that you are as blameless in my sight as an angel of God; nevertheless, the commanders of the Philistines have said, 'He shall not go up with us to the battle.' Now then rise early in the morning, you and the servants of your lord who came with you, and go to the place that I appointed for you. As for the evil report, do not take it to heart, for you have done well before me. Start early in the morning and leave as soon have light." I Samuel 29: 9-10 NRSV
Ever have anyone write "an evil report" about you? Has anyone ever verbally blamed you for something you had not done?
How did that feel?
Even when we don't have physical evidence that we are being made a scapegoat, the feelings of betrayal do not go away easily nor quickly.
The most interesting thing here is that David is living among his enemies and the enemies of the people of Israel. He has been playing a most deceptive game. He goes out with his own followers and attacks those who are enemies of Israel yet he tells the King of the Philistines that he has attacked Israelites. David leaves no person alive so that no one can tell what he has actually done. He therefore receives favor from King Achish while destroying Israel's enemies.
The evil report was probably closer to the truth than King Achish realized.
We don't want those evil reports or blaming to be true - we would deny it all if asked directly. But we must be aware of when there are parts of the reports or the spirit of the blame may fall on our own actions or inactions. Ouch.
God, we want to be seen as blameless in the eyes of others. But more important we need to be blameless in your eyes. Help us to recognize our own responsibility and to see the truth as you see it. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
Ever have anyone write "an evil report" about you? Has anyone ever verbally blamed you for something you had not done?
How did that feel?
Even when we don't have physical evidence that we are being made a scapegoat, the feelings of betrayal do not go away easily nor quickly.
The most interesting thing here is that David is living among his enemies and the enemies of the people of Israel. He has been playing a most deceptive game. He goes out with his own followers and attacks those who are enemies of Israel yet he tells the King of the Philistines that he has attacked Israelites. David leaves no person alive so that no one can tell what he has actually done. He therefore receives favor from King Achish while destroying Israel's enemies.
The evil report was probably closer to the truth than King Achish realized.
We don't want those evil reports or blaming to be true - we would deny it all if asked directly. But we must be aware of when there are parts of the reports or the spirit of the blame may fall on our own actions or inactions. Ouch.
God, we want to be seen as blameless in the eyes of others. But more important we need to be blameless in your eyes. Help us to recognize our own responsibility and to see the truth as you see it. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Opportunity for Revenge
The Lord rewards everyone for his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the Lord gave you into my hand today, but I would not raise my hand against the Lord's anointed. I Samuel 26: 23 NRSV
God truly did give Saul into David's hand. God caused a deep sleep to fall on everyone in Saul's camp and David and Abishai snuck in and stood over Saul. They had every opportunity to kill Saul in his sleep. Certainly, David had every right to kill Saul; wasn't Saul after David's own life? David had done nothing to deserve Saul's hatred. Didn't Saul just kill the priestly family and town where David had taken Goliath's own spear? With an opportunity such as this, I don't think there are many of us who could have held back from taking our revenge.
But David is a man after God's own heart. He refuses to kill the King. And it isn't just about a question of honor - killing a man while he sleeps verses in a battle or fight. It is all about God. God's hand is on Saul. Saul is God's anointed king. God chose Saul and David is not about to second guess God's decision. Even though David knows he too has been anointed, he doesn't see that as negating the first anointing. In taking Saul's spear and water jug, David proves for a second time what an honorable and God-fearing man he is. Instead of killing Saul, he shows all the people that he, David, is the better man.
What situation is before you where God has given you an opportunity to do something? Will you do it or do you feel God holding you back? Listen carefully to God's own heart.
God, you provide opportunities for us. Some of them we need to grasp and others we need to let slip by. Help us to know the difference. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
God truly did give Saul into David's hand. God caused a deep sleep to fall on everyone in Saul's camp and David and Abishai snuck in and stood over Saul. They had every opportunity to kill Saul in his sleep. Certainly, David had every right to kill Saul; wasn't Saul after David's own life? David had done nothing to deserve Saul's hatred. Didn't Saul just kill the priestly family and town where David had taken Goliath's own spear? With an opportunity such as this, I don't think there are many of us who could have held back from taking our revenge.
But David is a man after God's own heart. He refuses to kill the King. And it isn't just about a question of honor - killing a man while he sleeps verses in a battle or fight. It is all about God. God's hand is on Saul. Saul is God's anointed king. God chose Saul and David is not about to second guess God's decision. Even though David knows he too has been anointed, he doesn't see that as negating the first anointing. In taking Saul's spear and water jug, David proves for a second time what an honorable and God-fearing man he is. Instead of killing Saul, he shows all the people that he, David, is the better man.
What situation is before you where God has given you an opportunity to do something? Will you do it or do you feel God holding you back? Listen carefully to God's own heart.
God, you provide opportunities for us. Some of them we need to grasp and others we need to let slip by. Help us to know the difference. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
Monday, March 8, 2010
Distress, Debt and Discontent
Everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him; and he became captain over them. Those who were with him numbered about four hundred. I Samuel 22: 2 NRSV
We think of David the King. What we fail to imagine is David's life as Saul's Most Wanted. David is now a refugee. And in gathering this group around him, he also begins to take on the appearance of a terrorist.
Think about it. Who comes to him? Those who are in distress - are they murderers or simply those unhappy with their lives? Those who owe money come to them - perhaps escaping from being made a slave. Those who are discontent - they are not happy with the current administration, life or God.
David is a natural leader - of men and armies. He is well-liked by all but Saul (and that is perhaps because of the evil spirit upon Saul). He is now running from the King. He naturally draws those who are escaping something in their own lives.
If you could escape from something in your own life right now, what would it be? Let's pray to God for deliverance from that thing in our lives.
God, we pray for deliverance from the thing(s) in our lives that we would very much like to run away from. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
We think of David the King. What we fail to imagine is David's life as Saul's Most Wanted. David is now a refugee. And in gathering this group around him, he also begins to take on the appearance of a terrorist.
Think about it. Who comes to him? Those who are in distress - are they murderers or simply those unhappy with their lives? Those who owe money come to them - perhaps escaping from being made a slave. Those who are discontent - they are not happy with the current administration, life or God.
David is a natural leader - of men and armies. He is well-liked by all but Saul (and that is perhaps because of the evil spirit upon Saul). He is now running from the King. He naturally draws those who are escaping something in their own lives.
If you could escape from something in your own life right now, what would it be? Let's pray to God for deliverance from that thing in our lives.
God, we pray for deliverance from the thing(s) in our lives that we would very much like to run away from. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
Saturday, December 19, 2009
The Family Tree
An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham.... and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called the Messiah. Matthew 1: 1, 16 NRSV
One of the most skipped parts of the Bible is probably the lists of ancestors. Matthew's beginning is no exception. But while it may seem dull, it is important to see that Matthew traces Jesus' ancestry through Joseph. It is Joseph after all who must return to his family's town for the census. Tracing the bloodline to David involves looking at Joseph's, rather than Mary's, family tree.
You see, Joseph is far more important than we tend to give him credit for.
We often see Mary as the one with the important role in Jesus' beginnings. But Joseph must have played a much stronger role in Jesus' life than we tend to give him credit for. Because of the connection with Joseph, Jesus is born in the same city as King David. It is Joseph who keeps King Herod from finding the baby Jesus. Because of his work as a builder, Joseph is able to travel - to Judea and to Egypt. For someone to be able to embrace God as not just Father but Daddy, Jesus must have had a wonderful relationship with Joseph.
We have much to be thankful for in the fatherhood of Joseph. Beyond sharing his ancestry, Joseph had an important role in raising the son of God.
God, we thank you for Joseph who often gets overshadowed by Mary, the shepherds and the wise men. Help us to be thankful for our own earthly fathers, even when our relationship with them may not have always been the best. Thank you for being our loving Heavenly Father! Amen.
One of the most skipped parts of the Bible is probably the lists of ancestors. Matthew's beginning is no exception. But while it may seem dull, it is important to see that Matthew traces Jesus' ancestry through Joseph. It is Joseph after all who must return to his family's town for the census. Tracing the bloodline to David involves looking at Joseph's, rather than Mary's, family tree.
You see, Joseph is far more important than we tend to give him credit for.
We often see Mary as the one with the important role in Jesus' beginnings. But Joseph must have played a much stronger role in Jesus' life than we tend to give him credit for. Because of the connection with Joseph, Jesus is born in the same city as King David. It is Joseph who keeps King Herod from finding the baby Jesus. Because of his work as a builder, Joseph is able to travel - to Judea and to Egypt. For someone to be able to embrace God as not just Father but Daddy, Jesus must have had a wonderful relationship with Joseph.
We have much to be thankful for in the fatherhood of Joseph. Beyond sharing his ancestry, Joseph had an important role in raising the son of God.
God, we thank you for Joseph who often gets overshadowed by Mary, the shepherds and the wise men. Help us to be thankful for our own earthly fathers, even when our relationship with them may not have always been the best. Thank you for being our loving Heavenly Father! Amen.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Not a King, a Singer Nor a Warrior
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, the gospel concerning this Son, who was descended from David, according to the flesh, and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord ..." Romans 1: 1-4 NRSV
Paul claims that Jesus was a descendant of King David according to the flesh.
In the Gospels of Luke and Matthew, Jesus' lineage back to David is actually traced through Joseph. Matthew gives a geneology while Luke says that Joseph returns to the city of David as that is where his family was originally from. More signifcantly, both gospels tell the story of Christ's birth in the city of Bethlehem.
Jesus was not born a son of Herod or any of his family.
Jesus was not born into the families of Annas, Caiaphus or any of Aaron's priestly descendents.
Jesus was born into the family of David.
Is there significance in terms of being a warrior? No.
Is there significance in terms of being a singer and song writer? No.
Is there significance in terms of being a king? Only in a Spiritual sense.
Is there significance of being a man after God's own heart (see I Samuel 16:7) ? Definitely.
God, Jesus was truly a man after your own heart. Thank you for the gift of Jesus. Help me to be a person after your own heart. In His name. Amen.
Question for the day: How much are you living as a person who is after God's heart?
Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims
Paul claims that Jesus was a descendant of King David according to the flesh.
In the Gospels of Luke and Matthew, Jesus' lineage back to David is actually traced through Joseph. Matthew gives a geneology while Luke says that Joseph returns to the city of David as that is where his family was originally from. More signifcantly, both gospels tell the story of Christ's birth in the city of Bethlehem.
Jesus was not born a son of Herod or any of his family.
Jesus was not born into the families of Annas, Caiaphus or any of Aaron's priestly descendents.
Jesus was born into the family of David.
Is there significance in terms of being a warrior? No.
Is there significance in terms of being a singer and song writer? No.
Is there significance in terms of being a king? Only in a Spiritual sense.
Is there significance of being a man after God's own heart (see I Samuel 16:7) ? Definitely.
God, Jesus was truly a man after your own heart. Thank you for the gift of Jesus. Help me to be a person after your own heart. In His name. Amen.
Question for the day: How much are you living as a person who is after God's heart?
Copyright 2009 Amelia G. Sims
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