God Is Not Done with Israel

Deuteronomy 4:31  (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.

These words were spoken by Moses to the children of Israel.  They communicate one general fact and three facts which are specific to the nation of Israel.

The general fact is that God is merciful.  This is true for the Jews and the Gentiles.  Regardless of who you are, God is merciful. Continue reading

From Patience to Praise

Psalm 40:1-3 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.  2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.  3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

Like David, we often find ourselves in a “horrible pit”.  Sometimes it is a pit that we have dug ourselves.  Other times, the pit is dug for us and we’re pushed in!  Regardless, it is a terrible feeling to be stuck and unable to get out of the “holes” we find ourselves in.  Continue reading

The Kind of People You Want on Your Side

When I was a kid, we would often play games where we would have to pick teams.  We would elect two captains who would begin to take turns picking who they wanted on their team.  The picking was often strategic.  For example, the captain not only wanted good players, he also wanted team members who would be loyal to the team and would follow his leadership. Who would you want on your side?

When Saul was king of Israel and after he had rebelled, God told Samuel to anoint David to be king.  Saul, being who he was, continued in his rebellion and tried on a number of occasions to kill David.  David stays on the run during this time and gathers an army of followers.  These men help him evade capture and also fight the enemies of Israel.  The ultimate goal, however, was to turn the kingdom over to David as God desired.

1 Chronicles 12:23 And these are the numbers of the bands that were ready armed to the war, and came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the LORD. Continue reading

Where Do You Turn for Help?

Psalm 55:16-17 As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.  17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

David spent a good portion of his life running from his enemies. Psalm 55 chronicles his reaction to one such instance.  He calls upon the LORD in his time of trouble.  This is a very wise thing to do.  Difficult times are when the people of God should draw close to God, seeking protection and strength.  It is at these times when we recognize very clearly our weakness and dependence.  Continue reading