Only One Way

470 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 7:23,24 "And who is like Your people, like Israel, the one nation on the earth whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people, to make for Himself a name-and to do for Yourself great and awesome deeds for Your land-before Your people whom You redeemed for Yourself from Egypt, the nations, and their gods? 24 "For You have made Your people Israel Your very own people forever; and You, LORD, have become their God. (2 Sam 7:23,24) God chose just one nation out of all the nations. He chose this nation (Israel) and then redeemed it. In Zodhiates Hebrew Greek Study Bible, this redemption is described as an intervening action which effects a release from an undesirable condition. David was talking about God's miraculous deliverance of His chosen people from Pharaoh. Then we read why he did it. He did this to make a name for Himself in the world as He continued to go before His chosen people with many miraculous deeds. This recounting of God's interaction with His chosen people is a beautiful picture of God's interaction with the new Israel, the church of Jesus Christ. First of all, we read that God chose just one nation. Understand what this is a picture of. Of all the people on this earth, there is only one person chosen by God to be redeemed. That one person is anyone who puts there faith in Jesus Christ alone for their salvation. Jesus said in Joh 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” Then Peter, speaking about Jesus before the council in Ac 4:12 said, "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." All roads DO NOT lead to heaven. There is only one way to salvation. There is only one “intervening action which effects a release from an undesirable condition.” that intervening action was the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ whom God sent to effect a release from our sins. Thank You Jesus for dying for my sins, and thank You for showing me the One Way to salvation.

Our God Speaks

469 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 7:22, “"Therefore You are great, O LORD GOD. For there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears. (2 Sam 7:22) There is no God like our God. This is a sentiment that is often expressed in the Scriptures. Moses sang it in Ex 15:11 "Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders? Hannah prayed it after the birth of Samuel, "No one is holy like the LORD, For there is none besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God.” 1Sa 2:2 The prophet Jeremiah proclaimed it in Jer 10:6 Inasmuch as there is none like You, O LORD (You are great, and Your name is great in might) Still another prophet (Micah) put it this way: Mic 7:18 Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in mercy. I like the way David says that this truth is according to all that we have heard with our ears. What is it that we have heard with our ears? We have heard God's Word. One of the things that sets our God apart from all others is the fact that He speaks to us through His Word. All other gods fall short in this area as the Psalmist says in Ps 135:15-17, “The idols of the nations are silver and gold, The work of men's hands. 16 They have mouths, but they do not speak; Eyes they have, but they do not see; 17 They have ears, but they do not hear; Nor is there any breath in their mouths. There is no life in man-made idols. But there is life in the words of God. As Jesus said in Joh 6:63 "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. David's faith in God came to him the same way it comes to you and I....... by grace, but grace arrives in the taxi of God's Word, Ro 10:17 says, “ So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Thank You Father for all we have heard from You according to our ears. May You continue to speak to us by the Holy Spirit through Your blessed Book.

No Other God

469 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 7:22, "Therefore You are great, O LORD GOD. For there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears. (2 Sam 7:22) David expresses a sentiment that is oft repeated in Scripture and we would do well to keep it in mind. There are many gods that have, and always will, vie for our attention. It's not by accident that God's first commandment given to His people is "You shall have no other gods before Me.” )Ex 20:3) Moses sang about it in Ex 15:11 "Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders? Hannah prayed it after the birth of Samuel, "No one is holy like the LORD, For there is none besides You, Nor is there any rock like our God.” 1Sa 2:2 The prophet Jeremiah proclaimed it in Jer 10:6 Inasmuch as there is none like You, O LORD (You are great, and Your name is great in might) Still another prophet (Micah) put it this way: Mic 7:18 Who is a God like You, Pardoning iniquity And passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, Because He delights in mercy. Yes, we need to be reminded of this fact often, lest we become complacent in our relationship with the Lord. What other god is willing to forgive your sins completely? What other god is willing to “pass over” your sins. What other god loved the world so much that HE gave His only begotten Son to die on the cross, and then promised that whosoever believed in His Son would have eternal life? There is no other god, who has done that! Therefore, let us bow down and worship Him and Him alone!. Father, thank You for being the only God. Let us ever acknowledge that fact in our day to day living, In Jesus Name, Amen.

How Can I Say Thanks

468 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 7:20,21, “Now what more can David say to You? For You, Lord GOD, know Your servant. 21 "For Your word's sake, and according to Your own heart, You have done all these great things, to make Your servant know them.” Ever feel like David? He has gone to the temple to spend some time in prayer, giving thanks to God, and he has this sudden realization that his words just aren't enough. In fact, he almost seems to be saying, “why do I bother to pray Lord? You know my words even before I can express them! David expressed this same sentiment in Ps 139:1-4, “O LORD, You have searched me and known me. 2 You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. 3 You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. 4 For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.” So why pray? Why keep on praying? The answer in part is found in v21, "For Your word's sake, and according to Your own heart, You have done all these great things, to make Your servant know them.” We pray to strengthen our faith in the veracity of God's Word, and to have more and more of God's heart revealed to us. We pray, because it is part of God's personal revelation to us. (Remember, prayer is a TWO-way conversation! As I read this prayer of David's, where he seems to be searching for words of thanksgiving, I am reminded of the classic hymn, “To God Be the Glory.” It goes like this: How can I say thanks for all the things you have done for me. Things so undeserved, yet You gave, to prove your love for me. The voices of a million angels, cannot express my gratitude. All that I am or ever hope to be I owe it all to Thee. To God be the glory. To God be the glory. To God be the glory. For the things He has done. With His blood, He has saved me. With His power, He has raised me. To God be the glory, for the things HE has done. Father, how can I say thanks? Even the words of thanksgiving that well up in me are a gift from You! Give me the words and give me the actions today and everyday that say “thank You” for all You've done for me.

God's Standard Procedure

467 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 7:19 "And yet this was a small thing in Your sight, O Lord GOD; and You have also spoken of Your servant's house for a great while to come. Is this the manner of man, O Lord GOD? This small thing in the sight of God goes back to 2Sa 7:8b and entails the entire Davidic covenant. "'Thus says the LORD of hosts: "I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people, over Israel.” God took this lowly shepherd boy and made him ruler over a great nation and then promised David that a King would come from his seed that would rule forever! This whole scenario seems like a fairy tale to David. Too good to be true, and yet he acknowledges that it is no big deal for a Mighty and Sovereign God. Then he asks a rhetorical question, “Is this the manner of man, O Lord God?” The obvious answer is no! Sinful man doesn't think or work that way, but this mode of operation of rewarding the humble is standard procedure in God's economy. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble! It is as Jesus said to His disciples in Mt 20:25-27, “ But Jesus called them to Himself and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26 "Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 "And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave-- And He reiterated that thought in Lu 14:8-11, “When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than you be invited by him; 9 "and he who invited you and him come and say to you, 'Give place to this man,' and then you begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 "But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, 'Friend, go up higher.' Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you. 11 "For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Father, pride is ever seeking to raise it's ugly head in our lives. Help us to learn true humility and give us a servant heart.

Who Am I

466 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 7:18 Then King David went in and sat before the LORD; and he said: "Who am I, O Lord GOD? And what is my house, that You have brought me this far?” Then David went in (probably into the tabernacle) and sat before the Lord. What a great example for all of us! He had just received some very good news from Nathan the prophet, then went to be alone with the Lord. In his quiet time with the Lord he asks a question that is seeping with thankful reality. “Who am I, that you have brought me this far?” Have you ever done that? Have you ever gone to your prayer closet, or sat all alone in a church, or beside a lake at daybreak or sunset, and just asked God, “Who am I that You have brought me this far?” Have you ever just sat before Jesus and counted your blessings? Maybe this would be a great question to ponder when we gather around the thanksgiving table. “Who am I Lord, that you would bring the Good News to my ears, and by Your grace, cause me to grasp it, and believe it? Who am I that You would rescue me from the road to hell, and set me on the path of righteousness? Who am I that ____________, and each and every one of us could spend a great deal of time filling in that blank. Material blessings, familial blessings, spiritual blessings and more! Even in our sufferings, the Holy Spirit speaking through the Apostle Paul reminds us of that God-given privilege. “For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, (Phil 1:29) I know that sometimes we don't feel so special, but we are, and it is at those times that we need to turn to God's Word for a dose of “Who am I reality. Ps 8:3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, 4 What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? 5 For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.” In this life, we are vapors, a molecule in the midst of a spritz, and yet God still cares for us! O Father, who am I? Let that thought never be far from me as I live out the days You have ordained for me.

Believe In the Light

465 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 7:16,17 "And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever."' 17 According to all these words and according to all this vision, so Nathan spoke to David. (2 Sam 7:16,17) The prophecy or Davidic Covenant concludes with the promise to David that not only his house, (his family) but also his kingdom would one day be set up forever! This promise was recalled and brought to Jesus' attention by an inquisitive crowd in Joh 12:32-36, "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself." 33 This He said, signifying by what death He would die. 34 The people answered Him, "We have heard from the law (this Davidic promise) that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'? Who is this Son of Man?" 35 Then Jesus said to them, "A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. 36 "While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light." The people could not comprehend the idea that the Messiah would have to die. How could a forever kingdom include the death of the king? This is a fair question, but Jesus doesn't answer it directly. Rather, in response to their question of “who is this Son of Man?” He replies that the Son of Man is “the light.” He then tells them to believe in the light, and they will have light. They will have understanding. It's called faith, and by the grace of God, (the influence of God) it's a leap we all have to make. Christ will not always be placed before us, but when Christ crucified for our sins is preached to our ears, we can either believe it or reject it. If you are reading this on the internet, or hearing it on the radio, the very light that Jesus is talking about is being placed before you. God's word says that all (that means you and I) have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and that the wages of sin is death. Jesus paid that wage when He died on the cross and as many as believe that truth, He gives the right to be called children of God. (Children of light.) Step out of the darkness, come to the light, believe the message of the cross and be saved!

A Simple Eternal Life Giving Confession

464 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 7:14,15, “I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. 15 "But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. (2 Sam 7:14,15) Nathan continues to speak God's promises to David, and this particular promise is restated in the latter portion of Heb 1:5, “For to which of the angels did He ever say: "You are My Son, Today I have begotten You"? And again: "I will be to Him a Father, And He shall be to Me a Son"? This passage is included in the Book of Hebrews because the Holy Spirit wants us to understand that Jesus is the Son of God! And as the Son of God, is one in essence with the Father. He is the incarnate Savior and King! Yet this Son of God would come in the flesh through the seed of David and Solomon. So Nathan is speaking of Solomon and his seed and to alleviate any fears that David may have about his posterity blowing it like Saul did and breaking this string of anointed succession. God promises to never withdraw His mercy from this lineage, and indeed we can trace the lineage of the Christ from David all the way to Joseph! (See Luke 3:23-38, and Mt 1:1-17) Oh yes, David and his lineage committed great iniquity and their sins brought them the pain that iniquity always brings with it. (Just read the stories!) But the great chastisement for their iniquity was poured out on God's Innocent Son, Jesus Christ, on Calvary. It was here that God chastened with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men, the iniquity of David, Solomon, Rehoboam, you, and I. But even in chastising His perfect Son for the sins of the world, God's mercy did not depart from Him and on the third day He rose again from the dead, and God said, “I accept my Son's sacrifice and will extend the same mercy to all who receive Him as Lord and Savior! This Davidic promise is summed up for us in Ro 10:9 “ if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” A simple eternal life giving confession that can only be wrought by the gift of faith. May God grant it to you today!

You Are Royalty! Live Like It!

463 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 7:11b-13, “Also the LORD tells you that He will make you a house. 12 "When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 "He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. ( 2 Sam 7:11b-13) The word “house” here is used in the same way we use it today to describe the royal family of England. It is known as the royal house of Windsor and Queen Elizabeth is it's reigning head. The difference is the Royal House of Windsor is temporary. One day it will fade away into oblivion, but not so for the “house of David.” God promised David here that His House, His Royal family, will live and reign forever! The monarch that would come from David's seed will sit on the throne and live and reign forever. That monarch of course is Jesus Christ, who is the King of kings, and the Lord of lords. We read about it in Re 19:16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. One thing most people miss in this passage is that God is talking about you and I . WE are the kings, that He is King of. WE are the lords, that He is Lord of. You might look at it as England has its “House of lords,” so does the kingdom of God, and as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we are that “house of lords!” We are seated with Christ in the heavenlies as it says in Eph 2:6 says, “and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,” We ARE that ROYAL priesthood spoken of in 1Pe 2:9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; You and I are royalty! Oh that we would learn to live the part! The crassness of sin does not belong in the royal family, but rather the dignity of royal behavior as laid out in Scripture. Thankfully when our behavior is less than royal, we can come to our king, confess our sins, receive forgiveness, and get back to the business of living in the royal light! Father, help us to live as your princes and princesses.

The Only One Who Can Deliver

462 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 7:11a "since the time that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel, and have caused you to rest from all your enemies. (2 Sam 7:11a) God raised up judges to deliver His people from oppression of enemies. You can read about these judges in the Book of Judges. Jg 2:16 says, “Nevertheless, the LORD raised up judges who delivered them out of the hand of those who plundered them.” And it was God who gave David victory over his enemies and this season of rest that he and his subjects were enjoying. Likewise He has raised up Jesus to deliver us from being plundered by our enemies, (the devil, our flesh, and the world.) and it is Jesus who grants us rest from these plunderers and grants us assurance that all is well with us and God. His role as Deliverer and “rest giver” was very evident in His dealings with the Gadarene demoniac. Remember the story. This man was tormented by the enemies of God ( So many demons resided in him, that his name was “Legion, for we are many!” Jesus cast out those demons, delivering this man from his oppressors and upon being delivered we are told that the man was found, sitting by Jesus, fully clothed, and in his right mind.” A picture of perfect peace and tranquility. So this verse from 2 Samuel is a picture of what God will do for you and me through Jesus! What then is it that the devil seeks to plunder? First and foremost our very soul which is spared by faith. He seeks to work disbelief in us just as he did in the Garden. “Did God really say?” But in shipwrecking our faith, he also plucks the fruits of faith from our lives. Things like, love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Gal 5:22,23) Do you lack love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control and even saving faith in your life? Then call on the only one who can stop the plunderers in their tracks. Call on Jesus. Father, I pray for those who have been bound by the plunderer, set them free through faith in the only One who can deliver...Your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ!

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

461 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 7:8-10, "Now therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts: "I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people, over Israel. 9 "And I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and have made you a great name, like the name of the great men who are on the earth. 10 "Moreover I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own and move no more; nor shall the sons of wickedness oppress them anymore, as previously, (2 Sam 7:8-10) What a contrast. God has taken David from a little boy tagging after the sheep in his father's house, to the position of king of an entire nation! He has been with David all along the way, cutting off or destroying his enemies before him. And now he is a well respected king among the nations of the earth. Then God makes another great promise for this nation that David now leads. Previously, as nomads, they were looked down upon by other nations, (The word afflict here means to browbeat) Now, they would have a land of their own, they would have the God-given respect of those around them! This promise of God is part of what is called the Davidic covenant. This covenant has not yet been fully realized, and is meant to be a picture of what is to come for the believer in the Son of David, Jesus Christ. Until the Lord returns, we are all indeed nomads, strangers and pilgrims on this sod. As the song goes, “I am but a stranger here, heaven is my home! In the meantime, with the help of God, we are to seek to live in such a way that will ultimately earn the respect of the unbeliever. 1Pe 2:11 Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.” In short, our kingdom is yet to come, but let's live in this life as if it is already here in the fullness foreshadowed by the promise of the Davidic covenant. Father, thank You for this promise. Help us to live today with our eyes on Your coming kingdom.

The Glory and Splendor of God In YOU

460 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 7:4 But it happened that night that the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying, 5 "Go and tell My servant David, 'Thus says the LORD: "Would you build a house for Me to dwell in? 6 "For I have not dwelt in a house since the time that I brought the children of Israel up from Egypt, even to this day, but have moved about in a tent and in a tabernacle. 7 "Wherever I have moved about with all the children of Israel, have I ever spoken a word to anyone from the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd My people Israel, saying, 'Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?'"' David has purposed in his heart to build a temple for God. This was a really nice gesture on his part and God later commended him for it in 1Ki 8:18, we read, “ "But the LORD said to my father David, 'Whereas it was in your heart to build a temple for My name, you did well that it was in your heart.” For now though, God makes it a point to tell David that He is okay with the situation the way it is. It's a great idea, but the timing isn't right. This lack of a permanent home for God on earth is a beautiful picture of the time that Jesus walked this earth. Mt 8:20 says, “And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head." Jesus, like His Father, tabernacled on this earth, and I think one of the reasons was to show us that He is indeed Immanuel, “God with us!” Like Father, like Son, roaming with His people. When the time was right, Jesus departed this earth and ascended into heaven to sit on the right hand side of God the Father, and again, when the time was right He sent His promised Holy Spirit who has set up shop in all believers. As a believer, YOU are the temple that Solomon built. As we read in 1Co 6:19, “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? All the glory and splendor of God in YOU! I wonder how believing this truth might impact the way we live? I wonder how it may affect our roles as caretakers? Of the Temple? Father, the scandal of it all! You making Your home in us! Help us to reflect Your glory and splendor in our daily living.

In A Van Down By the River

459 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 7:1-3, “Now it came to pass when the king was dwelling in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies all around, 2 that the king said to Nathan the prophet, "See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells inside tent curtains." 3 Then Nathan said to the king, "Go, do all that is in your heart, for the LORD is with you." (2 Sam 7:1-3) My heart is greatly warmed as I read these verses, and I pray that God would help me to have the grateful heart of David. I mean here he is, settled in this brand new luxurious home that he didn't pay one cent for and enjoying the good life of peace in the nation. It's been a struggle to get here, but he has arrived. Now he might as well just sit back and enjoy it right? He could be like that rich farmer Jesus told us about in Luke 12:19, “And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” But David looks around his plush surroundings, and maybe, while taking a walk around town, he comes to the tabernacle, and it hits him. “I'm living in a castle, God's living in a van down by the river.” It was on his heart to do something about that and so he comes to Nathan the prophet with his plan. David's response to the physical blessings that God has granted him, places a choice before you and I. What will we do with our blessings? Will we be like the rich fool farmer, who decided to hoard them and build bigger barns for himself, or will we be like David, seeking ways to bless God in return? Before we answer that question, let's see what Jesus had to say about the farmer. “This night your soul is required of you, and the things that you have prepared, whose will they be? So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” (Luke 12:20,21) As we enjoy living in this peaceful land of plenty, let us all be thankful as David was, and let us seek to understand what it means to be rich toward God.....then pursue whatever that may be. God, thank You for blessing me. Show me how I might bless you!

The Spiritual Recliner

458 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 7:1 Now it came to pass when the king was dwelling in his house, and the LORD had given him rest from all his enemies all around, (2 Sam 7:1) Picture David in his magnificent house that Hiram had built for him, enjoying his life to the fullest. The Philistines and all other enemies have been defeated and he is enjoying this time of rest in his life. The word rest here means “to settle down.” I get a picture of coming home after a days work and settling down in the comforts of my favorite recliner. Ahhh comfort, Ahhhh peace, Ahhh security. What a gift! Living in this world is not easy. There are so many problems that come our way simply because we live in a fallen world. We are always one doctor's exam away from unrest, one layoff, one break-up, one besetting sin, from disturbing our peace. Persecuted Christians are one regime away from suffering, pain, loss and even death. Where can we find rest from the day to day stress of living? Jesus said in Mt 11:28 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. The word “rest” here means to repose, and repose is just another word for settling into your favorite recliner. Come to Jesus and you will find a recliner for your soul! Let that word picture sink in for awhile! Take His yoke upon you, in other words, let Him share the load that comes your way by the mere fact of your existence in this sin-sick world. Cast your cares upon Him for He cares for you. David caught a break here from all his enemies. He was experiencing a time of rest, and note that this rest was a gift from God. There are times in our own lives when we might get a respite from those things that rob us of our peace. I have learned with David that these times are a gift from God, and I try to remember to thank Him for them, and at the same time, remain alert, lest I be lulled into spiritual apathy. When things are going well, and God has granted me peace, I think the best thing I can do is use that opportunity to pray for that same gift for those who's lives are in turmoil.

God Knows Life

457 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 6:23 Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death. What do we do when we see the word “therefore” in Scripture? We go back a couple of verses to see what the “therefore” is “there for.” Something happened in the preceding verses to cause God to close the womb of Michal. Wait a minute. You mean God can open and close wombs? Yes, He has the power to do this. He is the Creator of all life. He opened the womb of the aged Sarah, and she gave birth to Isaac. He opened the womb of Leah and she gave birth to Reuben. He opened the womb of Hannah and she gave birth to Samuel. He closed all the wombs in the house of Abimelech (Gen 20:18) It is as He says in De 32:39 'Now see that I, even I, am He, And there is no God besides Me; I kill and I make alive; I wound and I heal; Nor is there any who can deliver from My hand.' In Michal's case, this closing of the womb was a judgment of God against her. She would not experience the “reward of God” spoken of in Ps 127:3 Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.” I fear that the barren women of today can read this passage and assume that they have committed some terrible sin against God and that He is punishing them by closing up their wombs. Don't go there beloved. Don't mess with the sovereignty of God! The Holy Spirit included this incident in Scripture to show how displeased God was with Michal's attitude toward David's expression of joy. This punishment was His prerogative. This passage is not to be taken as God's preferred method of punishment for a sinning woman. If that were the case, there would be no more open wombs! All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. God knows life. He knows when to bring it, and He knows when to end it. Ps 139:16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them. He has purposes for the shortest life and the longest. Let us learn that truth, and believe, that in the matter of life and death, He knows best. Father, thank You for the gift of life. Help us always to remember that it is indeed....a gift.

Undignified, It's A Good Thing

456 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 6:20-22, “Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, "How glorious was the king of Israel today, uncovering himself today in the eyes of the maids of his servants, as one of the base fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!" 21 So David said to Michal, "It was before the LORD, who chose me instead of your father and all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel. Therefore I will play music before the LORD. 22 "And I will be even more undignified than this, and will be humble in my own sight. But as for the maidservants of whom you have spoken, by them I will be held in honor." (2 Sam 6:20-23) Two different perspectives here. Michal sees an undignified display put on by someone who is suppose to be the king. David sees it as a show of humility. David tells Michal that his outward display of shedding his kingly garments and dancing in the procession of the ark was meant only as an expression of joy and gratitude for the Lord who had appointed him ruler over Israel. The New King James Version of the Bible takes some liberty here in its choice of words. It says that David will “play music” but the word “play” in the King James, stands alone, and it means to laugh or rejoice. Friends, this is unbridled joy, not excluding being displayed in music, but not restricted to it either. Then in another poor choice of words, we see the term “undignified.” The word actually means to be light, with the idea of having less weight or importance. The connection to humility is obvious, and it matches up with the cliché we often hear, “More Jesus, less of me.” It also matches up well with the spiritual truth that Jesus shared with His disciples in Lu 14:11 "For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." David was merely saying that as he continues to lighten his opinion of himself, others, (the maidens in this case) will have a higher view of him. This is a simple fact of life, and one that we would all do well to emulate. God's grace comes to the humble, and His grace elevates every situation. Father, help me to not think more highly of myself than I ought. Give me that spirit of humility that opens the floodgates of Your grace.

A Royal Spat

456 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 6:20-22, “Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, "How glorious was the king of Israel today, uncovering himself today in the eyes of the maids of his servants, as one of the base fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!" 21 So David said to Michal, "It was before the LORD, who chose me instead of your father and all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel. Therefore I will play music before the LORD. 22 "And I will be even more undignified than this, and will be humble in my own sight. But as for the maidservants of whom you have spoken, by them I will be held in honor." (2 Sam 6:20-23) Oh my, it's not often that we get a glimpse of the home life of biblical characters. David pulls into the driveway after the big celebration and his wife comes out to meet him with a blast of sarcasm.. “Oh boy didn't you look great today. That's some king, dancing around half-naked. I'm sure you put on a good show for all the ladies!” “Oh yeah, well you're just mad because God chose me over your father to be the king of Israel. Therefore you better believe I'll dance and play music before the Lord! In fact, wait till next time! You don't like undignified....I'll show you undignified! Besides, I was just displaying my humility before the Lord, and as for those maidens, unlike you, they will hold me in high esteem!” Then they both slammed their doors as they went off to their rooms. Perhaps I'm being a little unfair here to this royal family, but those of you who are married can certainly identify with this little episode. It's a pretty good picture of some of the arguments that happen in all our homes. The husband comes home after having what he considered to be a great day at work, and he is greeted by a wife who has a bone to pick with him. She snips at him, and he roars back at her and words are spoken that are hurtful and unkind. It happens to the best of us....even in the royal family of Jesus. All I'm going to say about this is, please, be slow to speak, quick to forgive, and don't let the sun go down on your anger. Three biblical pieces of advice that can go a long way in dealing with marital flareups. Father, help us to work through our marital flareups, that we may continue to be a picture of Your Son's relationship with His bride...the church.

The Holy Happy Meal

454 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 6:17-19, “So they brought the ark of the LORD, and set it in its place in the midst of the tabernacle that David had erected for it. Then David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD. 18 And when David had finished offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts. 19 Then he distributed among all the people, among the whole multitude of Israel, both the women and the men, to everyone a loaf of bread, a piece of meat, and a cake of raisins. So all the people departed, everyone to his house. (2 Sam 6:17-19) Here we see some of the planning that David did this time around as he brings the ark to Jerusalem. He had properly prepared a tabernacle for the ark, and then made all the proper sacrifices. After this was completed, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord, and sent them all away, men and women, with a holy happy meal. What this “happy meal” consisted of is not totally clear as evidenced by the various translations given in different versions of the Bible. I personally prefer the Modern King James version which states, “And he gave out among all the people, among all the multitude of Israel, to the women as well as men, to each one a cake of bread and one raisin-cake.” The word for raisin cake here is “flagon” which can also be interpreted as a container for wine. With this interpretation, we can see this meal serving as a type of celebration of the Lord's Supper. God's community of believers gathered for worship, celebrating their restored fellowship with God through the sacrifice of Christ. Even the “cake of bread” mentioned here according to the Strong's Concordance, is a “punctured loaf!” With that “holy meal” comparison in mind, I have two quick questions for you: What was the mood of the people as they received this meal from David? What is your mood when you leave the Lord's house after receiving the Holy Supper? I hope it is as joyous as those who went home from this celebration! It should be! You are a child of God's. Your sins have been forgiven! This should be and is the happiest of happy meals for God's people!