The Lord Tests Hearts--Day 144 Through the Bible

                            It is God's desire that we enjoy an abundant life rather than suffer devastation.
                            John 10:10--"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."   

David inquired of the Lord about the famine that had gone on year after year for three years.  God revealed to him the reason for the famine and David proceeded to make atonement for the Gibeonites that Saul had killed.  It would be extraordinary indeed if we in this country sought God and asked Him to reveal the cause behind the devastation that is becoming nothing new. Too often we hear defiance rather than humility and repentance.

David was a man of his word.  He gave over seven of Saul's descendants to the Gibeonites as they asked, yet he honored his promise to Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, and spared him. When the rain came, the bodies were taken down (See Matthew Henry's Commentary).  David also saw to it that Saul and Jonathan's remains were buried in the tomb of his father in the country of Benjamin in Zelah. "And after that God heeded the prayer for the land".  We have many sins we could deal with before God on a national level.  (God gives us the formula for the healing of our land: "If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and forgive their sin and will heal their land" (2 Chronicles 7:14).  It is not uncommon to hear this verse quoted as devastation continues to plague our country.)

David's men would no longer allow him to go to battle, "lest you quench the lamp of Israel", due to David having to be rescued from death during a battle with the Philistines.  In chapter 22, David recalls the many times God rescued him.  In this song, David pictured the Lord hearing his voice from His temple, and gives a detailed account of God coming to rescue him--no drama spared! (This is one of my favorite passages of scripture.)  This a powerful account of God's deliverance and it would no doubt personally inspire us to review the times God has rescued or spared us.  We should also have an exciting history with God if we are walking with Him as David did.  We could come closer to being men and women after God's own heart if we used more of our thoughts meditating on what God does for us.

Jesus reveals the source of the Jews' desire to kill him as well as the source of all lies. According to verse 30,  Jesus was addressing "those Jews who believed in Him".  Why was he addressing them in this manner if they believed in Him?  Dr. Stanley comments, "But it's one thing to believe that Jesus can set you free from patterns of sin.  It's quite another to experience that freedom in your own life".  Rather than accepting the truth Jesus was telling them and acting on it, they were responding to Him with defensive statements.  This escalated until they took up stones to throw at Him.  There were no fruits of repentance--they could not admit their error.  They did not recognize the I AM--they did not see themselves in need of a Deliverer from their captivity. 

What about us?  Do we recognize the extent we are held captive by our own sins? Do we connect what we reap with what we sow?  Do we follow David's example and inquire of God when we face problems and difficulties in our lives?  Do we take action as David did and do our part to show God we are serious?  Psalm 68:6, gives us reason to rejoice when we humble ourselves and become obedient to God: "He brings out those who are bound into prosperity; but the rebellious dwell in a dry land".

Keeping Our Hearts--Day 115 Through the Bible

Although we may appear strong and dedicated on the outside, is there an area in our hearts that persistently causes us grief and results in sin?  Samson was dedicated to keeping the vow of a Nazarite, yet as we read his story we see weaknesses that continually plagued him. Before he suffered physical blindness, he was a victim of spiritual blindness. Women and vengeance took their toll on Samson's life.

While reading about Delilah's attempts to discover the source of  Samson's strength it is so obvious to us what she is doing.  However, Samson was blinded by his "love" for her and could not see the obvious.  We are reminded to draw the lines far away from our points of weakness.  Samson would not drink of the fruit of the vine, but allowed himself to fall in love with the enemy.  He was so comfortable lying in Delilah's lap that he eventually gave her the information she was seeking.  His love affair was all one-sided and Samson was so wrapped up in what he wanted, he could not recognize imminent danger. 

King David also fell prey to his desire for a woman and committed adultery and murder in order to fulfill his desires.  God forgave David and granted Samson's request, however, both men experienced miserable times in their lives that could have been avoided by obedience to God.  In contrast, Joseph set a tremendous example of obedience to God and fled when Potiphar's wife desired him.  Regardless of our weaknesses and sins God loves and forgives us when we turn to Him in repentance.  It is comforting to know that Samson is listed among the faithful in Hebrews 11, and that God considered David a man after His own heart.

We are reminded in Proverbs 4:23, to "Keep your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life".
We are all different and may not be tempted by the same desires that tempted Samson and David.  However, we have our own strongholds and sins that bring us comfort and the appearance of fulfillment.  We hopefully ask God to help us recognize and deal with these weaknesses rather than taking pleasure in them and being oblivious to them--until it is too late. 

In Luke 18, the writer mentions that Jesus spoke a parable "to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others".  The Pharisee went on to list all the things he did that were religiously oriented.  He used the word "I" five times in his dissertation.  The tax collector humbly recognized his need for God.  May we not judge Samson, David, or anyone else, but rather recognize our own need for God and seek His input and guidance in our lives.