“I SHALL GO TO HIM!”

2 Samuel 12:13-23                              (ESV)

“13 David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." And Nathan said to David, "The LORD also has put away your sin; you shall not die.

14 Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the LORD, the child who is born to you shall die."

15 Then Nathan went to his house And the LORD afflicted the child that Uriah's wife bore to David, and he became sick.

16 David therefore sought GOD on behalf of the child. And David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground.

17 And the elders of his house stood beside him, to raise him from the ground, but he would not, nor did he eat food with them.

18 On the seventh day the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, "Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spoke to him, and he did not listen to us. How then can we say to him the child is dead? He may do himself some harm."

19 But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David understood that the child was dead. And David said to his servants, "Is the child dead?" They said, "He is dead."

20 Then David arose from the earth and washed and anointed himself and changed his clothes. And he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. He then went to his own house. And when he asked, they set food before him, and he ate.

21 Then his servants said to him, "What is this thing that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive; but when the child died, you arose and ate food."

22 He said, "While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, 'Who knows whether the LORD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?'

23 But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? “I SHALL GO TO HIM”, but he will not return to me."”

Last week was a trying time for me and my family.  One day a dear friend was healed from Dementia.  That evening a 25 year old wife of a friend died.  A couple of days later a family patriarch entered her Heavenly reward.  So evidence of how uncertain this life can be has once again been brought to the forefront of my thoughts.  

King David was in this particularly uncomfortable position a time or two during his life.  When his child with Bathsheba was born, the child became sick, so badly sick that he died when he was seven days old.   During the sickness King David was inconsolable, he was unable to be ministered to by his servants.  When the child died, it was if ALMIGHTY GOD removed the burden of the child from David, allowing him to eat and function again.  

While I am not able to identify with King David failure to uphold his marriage vows regarding Bathsheba, I have been unfaithful to GOD in more ways than I care to admit.  King David was spared having to surrender his life for the adulterous affair with Bathsheba, he had to live with the pain of that sin for the remainder of his life.  However, the history of sin in my life is such that I wouldn’t be shocked if GOD would elect to skip over me to use another of HIS servants?  

GOD ALMIGHTY is capable of using even a murderer for HIS GLORY.  Remember Moses, or maybe the Apostle Paul, or any other number of examples that could be stated??  None of us are “qualified” to be used by our CREATOR for HIS GLORY.   We don’t deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as GOD, but because of the NAME OF JESUS we are.  We cannot go and change our past, but “I SHALL GO TO HIM” one day and Worship HIM FOREVER!!!

“THY WORD!”

Psalms 119:11-16                                     (KJV)

“11 “THY WORD” have I hid in mine heart, that I MIGHT NOT SIN against THEE.

12 Blessed art THOU, O LORD: teach me THY statutes.

13 With my lips have I declared all the judgments of THY mouth.

14 I have rejoiced in the way of THY testimonies, as much as in all riches.

15 I will MEDITATE in THY precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.

16 I will delight myself in THY statutes: I will not forget “THY WORD”.”

The current society we live in, as a whole, is so disconnected from ALMIGHTY GOD and HIS precepts that we can have no direction on how to act according to HIS WORD, nor how to avoid the pitfalls of the enemy.  The only deterrent that anyone can blame is ourselves.   We CHOOSE to read the newspaper, or watch the television news, engage in Social Media, rather than immerse ourselves in GOD’s WORD and ultimately changing our lives for HIS GLORY.  

As I was growing up, I envisioned myself memorizing Scripture and quoting it when the enemy would tempt me to follow his paths.  That is not how reality has unfolded in my life though.  Nowadays I just recall certain verses out of using them so frequently that they are a part of my fabric, something that I was unaware that I had in my proverbial pocket.  You know when you discover a dollar in a pocket of a jacket you are wearing that you were totally oblivious to?  That is how GOD typically reveals “THY WORD” to me, amazingly enough.   

The only part that I am ashamed of is that the closer I get to “THY WORD”, the more I discover how unworthy I am as I reflect on HIS WORD.  My only HOPE is that “I will MEDITATE in THY precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.  I will delight myself in THY statutes: I will not forget “THY WORD”.”  Maybe GOD will Supernaturally do a work in my life that can only be credited to “THY WORD” being hid in my heart?  HE is that good to me!!!

“I AM JESUS!”

Acts 9:1-9                                  (ESV)

“1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the LORD, went to the high priest

2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to THE WAY, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him.

4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?"

5 And he said, "Who are you, LORD?" And HE said, "”I AM JESUS”, WHOM you are persecuting.

6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do."

7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.

8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, “HE SAW NOTHING”. So they (Saul’s entourage) led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.

9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.”

The day was Sunday January 08, 1978.   Being a 17 year old young man, I thought I was a bit invincible.   I was a senior in high school and my stature was already 6’6” in height and I weighed 225 lbs., or so.   There wasn’t many things I feared, but most of that was because I was ignorant, not because I was wise!  When I got home following church service that Sunday evening, I was miserable from the “unsettledness” in my life!  I remember begging for GOD to give me direction and purpose in my life........and HE did!!!

The conversion of Saul was a bit more dramatic.  He was going “... to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to THE WAY, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.”   Persecuting those following THE WAY was exactly what I would have been doing in the first century.  Ignoring the Spiritual and advancing the Physical was the way, aw far as I could SEE!  However, Saul was about to have his eyesight adjusted, and by Heavenly means!  For three days he “fasted and prayed”, not due to Spiritual Intervention, but rather because his life was being turned upside down!  

“This world” seems to have the opinion that Believers in JESUS CHRIST are “more holy” than others, people with NO SIN in our lives?  Saul would soon be renamed to Paul, and in 1 Timothy 1:15 states that “.....CHRIST JESUS came into the world to SAVE SINNERS, OF WHOM I AM THE FOREMOST (or CHIEF)!”  Being one who is nowhere close to Saul/Paul in his Spiritual walk, admitting that I AM the FOREMOST of sinners isn’t something that I Glory in, but Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 12:10, “...for when I am weak, then I am strong”.  As a matter of fact, Paul writes in the preceding verse “...Therefore I will BOAST ALL THE MORE GLADLY of my weaknesses, so that the power of CHRIST may rest upon me”.  

Don’t be shocked when I am found imperfect in my example of living for CHRIST.  Yes, I am a poor example of living for HIM and sometimes I get very frustrated that I am not the servant that I need to be.  NO, I am not one who YET can Glory that I BOAST THE MORE GLADLY of my weaknesses!  But I am trying to be used of HIM to be exactly what HE is calling me to be and going where HE wants to use me!  “I AM JESUS” is WHO I want others to SEE when they are SEEING me, not myself!!!

“SHUT THE DOOR!”

Matthew 6:5-6                                           (ESV)

“5 "And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

6 But when you pray, go into YOUR ROOM and “SHUT THE DOOR” and pray to your FATHER WHO IS IN SECRET. And your FATHER WHO sees in secret will reward you.”

Imagine if you will a greater Honor and Privilege than praying to our FATHER, GOD OF THE UNIVERSES, and having unfettered access to HIM at anytime?  It’s not as if we have to schedule an appointment with HIM, allowing HIM to clear HIS calendar to make time for us.  GOD ALMIGHTY allows us to bring our cares to HIM at any time, especially when we recognize that we cannot properly function without HIS Guidance and leadership in our lives.  

It seems very astute that when JESUS was instructing us on how to approach ALMIGHTY GOD that HE said to go into YOUR ROOM and “SHUT THE DOOR”, presumably blocking out all interference from “this world” and establishing that HE was the most important Person in our lives?  Of course, JESUS knew what we didn’t, and that was ALMIGHTY GOD was providing the very air that we breathe and we were simply tools to draw HIM Glory!  

Why then are we so set on doing what we want to glorify ourselves instead of Glorifying GOD?  The enemy causes us to have a predisposition to having praise directed towards us, instead of GOD, and doing it so stealthily that we don’t even recognize him!  When we go into our closet and “SHUT THE DOOR” we have a lot better opportunity to elevate GOD, and debase ourselves, therefore placing us where we really are before ALMIGHTY GOD.  Until we “SHUT THE DOOR” our focus is in danger of remaining on self, and that is where we get into trouble!  

When JESUS was hanging on Calvary’s cross (Mathew 27:50-51) the temple veil was torn from top to bottom, signifying that is was Divinely removed.  No longer do we require a Chief Priest to enter the HOLY of HOLY’s for us, but we can approach GOD, through JESUS, and “commune” with HIM.  Knowing that JESUS instructs us to “go into YOUR ROOM and “SHUT THE DOOR”” should not be forgotten.  It cost HIM a great price, and we should be reverent when accessing the THRONE.  

“LET NOT!”

Jeremiah 9:23-24                                  (ESV)

“23 Thus says the LORD: "”LET NOT” the wise man boast in his wisdom, “LET NOT” the mighty man boast in his might, “LET NOT” the rich man boast in his riches,

24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he UNDERSTANDS AND KNOWS ME, that I AM THE LORD WHO practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD."”

Very FEW WORDS are required to add to today’s Scripture.  “LET NOT” is telling us what we SHOULD NOT allow ourselves to be deceived into doing.  Any good thing we are caused to accomplish is because we are good people, but because HIS LIGHT is reflecting upon us.  “I AM THE LORD WHO practices love, justice, and righteousness in the earth” occasionally spills over onto HIS Creation.  

“LET NOT” people praise our works for good that we have done, but because we are simply reflecting HIS LOVE, JUSTICE, and RIGHTEOUSNESS with our actions.  HE IS CAPABLE OF HUMBLING US, IF HE IS REQUIRED!!!

“BEFRIEND FAITHFULNESS!”

Psalms 37:1-4                             (ESV)

“1 Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! 

2 For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. 

3 Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and “BEFRIEND FAITHFULNESS”. 

4 Delight yourself in the LORD, and HE will give you the desires of your heart.”

While I was searching this morning to SEE where ALMIGHTY GOD was directing my paths (Proverbs 3:5-7), I came across this study on the website of DesiringGod.org:

“The life of faith involves the miracle of seeing above your circumstances....

Have we confused American prosperity to be the norm of present Christian existence? Have we let all the good things that this world can give us blind us to the more important things that it can’t?

Maybe. But the psalms won’t let us go. They just won’t, especially Psalm 37.”

GOD has been working my life, similar to a farmer working the soil where HE is preparing to plant a crop.  HE has been adding fertilizer and minerals to the soil in an attempt to create a growing environment that HE can use for HIS Glory.   

My grandfather was a Master Gardener, not because he earned a degree from institutes of “this world”, but the EVIDENCE was made manifest by results every harvest!  One of the most painful things that I experienced was most mornings I had to “collect” cow manure onto a pile in the barnyard to be used as fertilizer when the crops needed it.  From experience he knew when the fertilizer would be best applied to the soil to reap the greatest rewards.  Very few times he was wrong because he seemingly always had a good harvest.

GOD has a far better understanding of when to apply fertilizer and minerals to apply fertilizer and minerals to our lives to produce bunker crops for HIS Glory!  Although we may not totally understand how placing the waste of a cow into the soils we use to grow our food, GOD can use anything for HIS Glory and purpose.  Far too many times in my life I have been guilty of being in TOO BIG OF A HURRY to even read an entire Bible Study.  GOD had to display that in my life this morning as I was attempting to “speed read” the devotional above in order to get through.  Until I grasped that GOD isn’t moved by my impatience and worldly tendencies, HE just keeps on making me collecting HIS manure for HIS Glory!

When I finally learn to “BEFRIEND FAITHFULNESS”, waiting on ALMIGHTY GOD to provide my needs, maybe I can continue my manure collecting, and allow GOD to be the ONE to make everything grow!!!

“DO NOT BE HAUGHTY!”

Romans 12:14-21                         (ESV)

“14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.

16 Live in harmony with one another. “DO NOT BE HAUGHTY”, but associate with the lowly. NEVER be wise in your own sight.

17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.

18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of GOD, for it is written, "Vengeance is MINE, I will repay, says the LORD."

20 To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head."

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

We are exposed to, no, SWAMPED by filthy and unGodly actions by “this world” CONSTANTLY, and then we raise our hands in disbelief that ALMIGHTY GOD will not BLESS our nation???  How can we expect a HOLY GOD to BLESS AMERICA when we are acting just like Sodom and Gomorrah?  And I am not just pointing the finger at others, I am including myself in this Judgement!  I don’t steal, kill, or cheat on my wife, but I resemble the Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 1:15 when he says “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that CHRIST JESUS came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost!!!”

Folks, we are instructed, maybe even ADMONISHED, to “DO NOT BE HAUGHTY” with our neighbors.  Yet we think our actions are somehow better than our brothers actions, when all that we have going for us is FAITH that JESUS CHRIST lived a perfect life and HIS Righteousness is IMPUTED on my wretched soul!  While it is true that we CHOSEN have for forgiveness etched beside our names, the Scripture above plainly states that EVERYONE of us is to “associate with the lowly”.  It is difficult to look down your nose at others when you are “associating with the lowly”!  

The only thing that I believe that “this world” has to be thankful for is that ALMIGHTY GOD is a merciful GOD and HE hasn’t YET blown HIS TRUMPET!  People who think that THE HOLY BIBLE is a Book of parables only and a Loving GOD would never allow harm to come upon HIS CREATION must not be familiar with Exodus 14, nor Isaiah 37:36 where the Angel of GOD killed 185,000 in one night?!?  Folks, Judgement IS COMING!  

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” is something that I am continually adapting to.  The HOLY SPIRIT must love a challenge, because I am proving to be a hard case!  Thinking too highly of ourselves is something that we must overcome daily.   “DO NOT BE HAUGHTY” isn’t just a self-help suggestion!  “Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.”   .....and “DO NOT BE HAUGHTY!!!”