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JUNE 7 "KILLING THE INNOCENT"

    I am quite a fan of David, even in the midst of his atrocities. I understand that we cannot just let sin go by, restitution for sin must be made, one way or another, but I still find it interesting that David goes after Joab and demands that Solomon “not let his grey hair go down to the grave in peace” for the innocent blood that he (Joab) shed. It just seems a bit odd to me....think back with me years before, when Joab opened the letter, written by David, carried by the hand of Uriah himself, requesting Joab send Uriah to the front of the battle lines so Uriah would be killed. This was nothing less than cold blooded murder of an innocent man to cover up for David's impregnating Uriah's wife, while Uriah was out at war! This is the kind of drama and horror not even reality T.V. or movies can match. Not only is this a heinous sin, but David involves Joab in this murderous act. Joab must always live with this secret, that he was part of the murder of an innocent ma...
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JUNE 6 "HOW LONG IS LONG ENOUGH?"

    Opportunities to do wrong never stop knocking on your door. How long do I have to resist, how long do I need to keep saying “no”? I've been resisting temptation for so long, how much longer? Well, for the man and/or woman that finally gives in, the answer is…. “not long enough”.  For the man who finally gives in to the seductress at work, ruins his marriage and turns his kids against him, the answer will be, “it wasn't long enough”.  For the young girl who had vowed to God to maintain her purity, but one night, alone with her boyfriend, gives in to his advances, the answer for her will be, “not long enough”. Joab has been faithful to David for a long, long time but the bible says, “although Joab did not go after Absalom, he did go after Adonijah.  Joab resisted the temptation to defect and go with Absalom, the King’s son, when Absalom lead a rebellion, although I’m sure Joab was tempted, but yet resisted. Years go by and Joab has another opportunit...
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JUNE 5 "SHEEP OR SHEPHERD?"

    “For they are but sheep” Why does David refer to the people as “sheep”.  If they are sheep, what is he? By calling them sheep David is making a distinction between himself and them. In other words, “they are sheep” and “I am not”, so bring the affliction on me”.  So if David is not a sheep, what is he inferring, to God? And of course you already know the answer to that, David is inferring that he is a Shepherd and they are but sheep. Jesus looked over  Israel  and was grieved for the people, for they were lost sheep without a shepherd.  Jesus is also inferring that He is not a sheep, but a Shepherd.  Moses also made a distinction between himself and the people of  Israel . Moses was the Shepherd and the Israelites were the sheep that constantly went astray.  Isaiah writes, “all of us like sheep have gone astray”.  Amos made a distinction between himself and the people, he was a shepherd and they were sheep.  All 3 men, Mose...
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JUNE 4 "GREAT TASTE OF VICTORY"

         There are those that know neither the woes of defeat neither the joy of victory, they just dwell in a perpetual state of mediocrity . Who could be more qualified to write the words that are written in our text; other than David himself.   "with your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall...He trains my hands for battle....you armed me with strength for battle"   Ever wonder how David went into battle after battle and was never killed, not only was he never killed, he was never injured, not only was he never injured but he killed thousands in the process.  A warrior for God is either going to feel God's supernatural, sustaining Grace or he is going to feel abandoned. He will either kill or be killed himself in the process. David not only fought amongst warriors, he fought against barbaric, at times, demon possessed men, yet in all of his fights he was never killed, but he killed many. If I so...
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JUNE 3 "THE BAD GUY ISN'T ALWAYS THE BAD GUY"

         The bad guy isn't always the bad guy, sometimes he's the good guy.  It's easy to read this story today and read it dismissing David as the calloused killer, insensitive to the lives that he is affecting by having these innocent people murdered. These parents and citizens must be filled with hatred and animosity towards David. I seriously doubt that this is easy for David to do and the text does make mention to his sparing Mephibosheth from the slaughter. David is simply trying to help Israel, Saul is the culprit and the reason behind why David must do, what to many is, a senseless slaughter of innocent lives. David inquiries to God why the famine (which is also leading to the death of innocent lives) and God's response to David is, “ It is on account of Saul  and his blood-stained house; it is because he put the Gibeonites to death.” Saul is long gone now and David is left with the mess left behind by the previous King. A true leader is one th...
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JUNE 2 "LOVE BASED OFF OF WORKS"

        I may be overstating something here, but there are few scriptures, if any where Jesus compares his love to him, based on whether or not you do something. I thought only my wife did this (lol), but apparently not. Jesus says, "Peter, do you love me....then __________" and at this point we should all have open ears. Recently I ran into a Christian from another church and I asked him what he was up to and his answer to me was, "just luving Jesus man....just luving Jesus..." and he said it with this glazed look in his eyes. As I left that encounter I thought...."wow, that guy really loves Jesus...I think?" Rarely do I walk around with a glazed look in my eye telling people, "I'm just loving Jesus". Do I love Jesus? If it's based off of sentiment and a glazed look in my eye, I might have to say...no! However, if I base it off of what Jesus says love is for him, than I could say..."yes!". There are few things in Christendom th...
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JUNE 1 "CARING FOR THE WRONG PEOPLE"

        Joab sure gives David a tongue lashing, like nobody else could have. David is mourning over someone who has been trying to kill him (yes, even though it's his own son) meanwhile the men that care for David, love him, risked their lives for him are being dissed, unappreciated and ignored. If only we all had a friend in our times of insanity to come speak to us like Joab does to David. You see a parent give herself so much to the wayward child, while the other child that is loving, barely gets any attention. A woman obsessed in a relationship with an abusive man, while the man that loves her and would treat her right, is ignored and dissed. David is not the only one ever guilty of caring for the wrong people. As the saying goes, "the squeaky wheel gets the grease". It seems those that scream the loudest and make the most trouble, get the most attention. A good friend or even the Holy Spirit, whispering to us to "love those that care for you, don't ign...
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