Scripture

James 3:13

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

Observation – What does it say?

In his continuing instruction to believers everywhere, the brother of Jesus and now pastor of the church in Jerusalem, James, wants his audience to understand the marks of true wisdom. He makes a distinction between wisdom that is earthly, unspiritual and has demonic origin and the true wisdom that is from heaven.

Understanding – What does it mean?

True wisdom is displayed through a good life, good deeds and humility.

Many people are said to be wise and understanding because of their eloquent speech, good arguments, and ability to win verbal debates. But according to scripture, none of those things are included as characteristics of the wise.

Life Application

Honestly evaluate my wisdom.

Ask God for wisdom!

James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

Scripture

James 2:17

¹⁷ In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

Observation

James was written to the Jewish believers in Jesus as a letter of encouragement and teaching.  They had been victims of harassment of some kind and were being taken advantage of by their rich neighbors (1:2; 2:6).  He wrote these discouraged disciples to encourage them not to lose heart. But he also wanted them to understand that as disciples, it was not enough to simply have faith…but, rather, they needed to have “practical, living, everyday faith” – which, for James, equaled good works.

Understanding

We cannot call ourselves Christ followers just because we show up at church on a Sunday or because we believe there is a God (v 20) or just because we profess to be one.  We are called to be God’s hands and feet in the world, to serve others (1 Peter 4:10), to LOVE others – even those who make it difficult (Matt. 5:44).

Why?

God spreads the kingdom through the church.

Our good works are open to observation by others; faith is not; therefore good works make faith visible.

I remember hearing several years ago (here at DSC) that our mission in life is “to know God and make Him known.”  That has stuck with me to this day and it’s something I pray over my children almost nightly.  Faith is knowing God; but works is a part of making Him known.  As Christians, in pursuit of making Christ followers, we cannot have one without the other.

Life Application

We are called to take care of the poor, the down and out, the hungry, the widows and orphans…and not for the glory of us – to be known as “good people,” but for the glory of God and as an extension of His love.  (Matt 6:1-18, James 1:27; James 2:8).

So…go love on somebody! <3 

Dear God, it is such an HONOR to be used by you.  May I take TODAY to purposely look for ways to make you known…ways that I can pour out Your love and mercy and grace on those around me.  Please open my eyes to the opportunities.  Thank you for the resources you’ve provided for me to do so – whether that be time, talent or resources.  May I pursue both faith AND good deeds!…seeking both to KNOW you and MAKE YOU KNOWN.  In your name we pray.  Amen.

To check out the discussion or to join in click here.

– Rei

Scripture

2 Samuel 24:24

But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen and paid fifty shekels of silver for them.

Observation

Against the protest of Joab, David issues a census that all the fighting men of Israel should be counted. After doing so, David is convicted by, and confesses, his actions even though they were prompted by the Lord. Perhaps David was sensitive to the prideful motive with which he carried out the Lord’s decree or from the fact that he found his peace and security in the numbers of his army instead of the power of the Captain of the Host of Heaven. Whatever the reason, through the seer Gad, God offers David three options for atonement. David defers to the wisdom and mercy of the Lord’s decision; resulting in three days of plague over Israel that would have resulted in the destruction of Jerusalem had the Lord not relented and stayed the hand of the avenging angel. Gad then instructs David to erect an altar and offer sacrifices to the Lord at the threshing floor of Araunah. Though Araunah offers to give David the land, David insists on buying it; refusing to offer sacrifices to the Lord that costs him nothing. In doing so, David provides the model for sacrificial worship, service and giving that all God’s people should follow. David’s attitude and offering are acceptable to the Lord and God removes the plague from Israel.

Understanding    

David had no clue that this singular, apparently unconnected act obedience and humility before the Lord was intertwined with the past, present and future fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant.

It is by no coincidence that God instructs David to offer sacrifices at the threshing floor of Araunah…

Life Application

I am challenged to live in light of the truth that, as one of the redeemed of the Lord, my life exists within a greater plan than I can perceive. As opposed to what Darwin would suggest, I am so much more than a purposeless, albeit highly evolved, beast. I am wonderfully and fearfully made and, by God’s desire and design, I am part of history – His Story! That gives my life great import and significance and forces me to consider my actions and attitudes beyond the limited scope of my own personal existence but in view of the eternal plan of God in and through me. From God’s perspective, my obedience in the now has far reaching implications and is but one of the individual threads necessary for the master weaver to craft His tapestry of redemption for mankind.

Scripture

2 Samuel 22:1

David sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul.

Observation – What does it say?

David had just been at war with the Philistines. In this series of battles, David’s men killed 4 giants. In one instance, David himself was about to fall at the hands of the giant Ishbi-Benob when one of David’s men, Abishai, struck him down and rescued David.

At the end of all of it, rather than writing a song about his great leadership or the accomplishments of his men, he writes a song giving the Lord all the credit.

Understanding – What does it mean?

Although men fight the battles, it’s God who gives the victory.

It’s so common to find people who overcame addictions, climbed the corporate ladder, got rich or achieved great things and claim all the credit for themselves. It’s because they were determined, they worked hard, they were smart and talented. David could have tried to make the same arguments… if he was a fool.

Instead, David recognized that God was the source of everything good. It is God who gives a man strength and wisdom, it is God who fills a man’s heart with determination. And, it is God who – regardless of the strength, talent, wisdom, skills, etc. of the people involved – determines the victory. Remember when God used the little shepherd boy to bring down the giant and trained killer, Goliath.

Life Application

Give God the glory!

Scripture

2 Samuel 21:15-16

¹⁵ Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted. ¹⁶ And Ishbi-Benob, one of the descendants of Rapha, whose bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels^a] and who was armed with a new sword, said he would kill David.

Observation

Most people know the story of David and Goliath – when David, as a young boy, boldly killed the giant for the glory of Lord and protection of God’s people.  As you may recall, Goliath was a giant of the Philistine army.  Even now, towards the end of David’s reign, the Philistines continued to be a major source of conflict.  David had subdued them MANY times before, yet they continued to challenge them at every opportunity.  In vs. 15 they had once again begun a war.  David, though aged by now, joined his men in fighting; but he became exhausted and Ishbi-Benob was ready to take advantage.

By this time in life, David had gained more glory than any one man could need…yet, he continued to personally fight for the good of the kingdom.  It does not seem a prideful thing that David chose to join his men, but rather just another example of David standing against those who stood against God’s Israel.  His intent was good, but he found himself in harm’s way.  Ishbi-Benob, seeing his weariness, had every intention of taking full advantage and killing David; but as with the other Philistine giants that had fallen before, God was not in his thoughts (whereas He was in David’s) and, instead, Ishbi-Benob was killed.

Understanding

The enemies of God’s people are often strong and confident…but there’s a marked difference between human strength and confidence and one that is God-centered.  Ishi-Benob fought for his own glory and for the glory of a God-less nation; whereas David for the good of his kingdom, fought to protect God’s Israel and fought with God in his heart and mind.  What was the end result?  Ishi-Benob – not David – perished.  As we continue to read the next few verses, we see that Abishai – with those same God-centered desires – comes to David’s rescue.

Life Application

Dear God, may I find my confidence in you and you alone.  May I “fight” for the good of your kingdom in the way I live my life everyday – standing up for what is right in your eyes; speaking out for those who may not have a voice or the resources to do so; showing your love and kindness in ways big and small even if against the odds.  Thank you for putting in my heart to serve you and to honor you.  May I not grow weary, not grow prideful, not turn my thoughts from you…but to you be the glory in all I do.

To check out the discussion or to join in click here.

– Rei

Scripture

2 Samuel 19:6

“You love those who hate you…”

Observation

David receives the news that Absalom has died in battle. Joab informs David that his mourning is an affront to his men who risked their lives to eliminate Absalom’s threat to David’s life and throne. To encourage them, David holds court at the city gate as a show of gratitude and support. Absalom’s death means the return of the king to Jerusalem and this, depending on how one treated David while he was in exile, causes either rejoicing or terror. Instead of seizing the opportunity to exact retribution and vengeance, David chooses to forgive those who cursed him and bless those who blessed him. But the king’s return does not bring unity as the men of Judah and Israel argue over which kingdom David should rightfully rule over.

Understanding

God loves like we do not

In the midst of rebuking David for his misplaced loyalties, Joab inadvertently points out that David possesses one of the most glorious attributes of the Father. David’s love for his enemies reflects the heart of God that loves those who hate Him. He loves those who curse Him, who mock and deny Him; those who reject Him and ignore Him. He loved them so much that He sent His son to die for them and make reconciliation possible. And even when that love is spit upon, He still loves them. He doesn’t rejoice over the fact that their rebellion results in death, but mourns that they rejected all of the love that He longed to pour out to them. We so often have a picture of God that is made in our own image – a God who hates his enemies just like we do. We hate those who are sinners and rebels and lawbreakers; and think that God does too. We think that, like us, God rejoices when the bad guys “get theirs”. But wait a minute. Wasn’t that who I was when He called me out of the depravity and debauchery of my sin? I wasn’t looking for Him and certainly did not love Him when He found me. His love for me overcame my sin and made me alive when I was dead in my transgressions. He loved me when I hated Him. Didn’t I deserve to suffer the death penalty for my sin? Why do I demand wrath for them but mercy for me? How then can I be so grateful for the mercy that He to extended me and yet desire that He pour out His wrath on all those other sinners? The hypocrisy is too much to bear. God loves those who hate Him and so should I.

I will never be truly transformed until I can love as God loves.

The more I meditate on this truth, the smaller and pettier I see myself. I can hold a grudge for the slightest infraction and can hate you like I knew you “from the neighborhood”. Until I learn to love even those who hate me, curse me, talk about me behind my back and wound me, I will never be able to love others with the Father’s heart or experience the fullness of His love for me. Holy Spirit, I invite you to begin a work of conviction and healing in this heart of stone.