The Perfect Storm

491 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 11:1 It happened in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, that David sent Joab and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the people of Ammon and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. (2 Sam 11:1) Once again we are introduced to a portion of Scripture with the words, “It happened.” These words always tell us that some important events are about to take place. Some very important lessons are about to be taught. Pay attention whenever you see the phrase, “It happened” in Scripture. Even the time of the year is worth mentioning in this instance. First and foremost it was in spring that armies went out to war. The impossible conditions of winter, now passed, armies could move about freely and array themselves for battle. Yes, spring was the time when kings went to war. But, let us not forget that spring is also a season when “Love is in the air.” The sights, the sounds, the aromas, of nature are noticeable everywhere, except on the battlefield. It's when we learn about the birds and the bees just by observing God's creation. Amore is ever placed before us and consequently, thoughts of romance are easily stirred. “But David remained at Jerusalem.” Away from the battlefield and left alone with his thoughts, David is about to become a willing participant in the perfect storm. Conditions are ripe for a nasty fall. Sexual temptation is all around us. It needs no help from the seasons, but there are some steps we can take to guard against our own nasty falls. First of all, don't isolate yourself. The devil roams around like a lion seeking those who have separated themselves from the herd. Keep connected to fellow followers of Christ. Talk with other warriors about those perfect storm conditions that give you trouble. This will help you to more readily identify them, and flee from them when they occur. Decide to remove yourself from those environments that cause you to stumble. Do not be a willing participant in your perfect storm. Get on your horse David and flee sexual immorality! Connect with the troops. Open up to them and find out that you are not alone in your struggles. Then pray up! And let the Lord provide the help you need to overcome! Father, help those today who are fighting sexual temptation. Help them to overcome.

Sin Has Consequences

490 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 11:1a “It happened in the spring of the year,” (2 Sam 11:1a) Today we begin one of the most noted accounts in all of Scripture. We begin the account of David's sin with Bathsheba. The Bible never sugar coats it's heroes. Even David, “the man after God's own heart,” was prone to temptation and sin. His sin would have devastating effects on very real people. There would be serious consequences in his family, in Bathsheba's family, and even in the families of his subjects. May this account help us to realize that our sin has far reaching consequences in the lives of others. And may it act as a curb to our own behavior, before we cross that line and bring ruin and pain to those whom we claim to love. It's true, not all of this account is bad news. For even in this situation, we find God working to redeem it. David's accounts of this incident, it's results on him personally, and the joy he experienced when he received the forgiveness of God are all recorded for us in various Psalms that we will visit in the days ahead. This is great news for those who have fallen into sin. There is hope! But it doesn't remove the fact that our sin has consequences. The end result turned out well. What the devil meant for harm God turned into good, but let us not use that as an excuse to give place to sin on our own lives. As the Holy Spirit speaking through the Apostle Paul reminds us in Ro 6:1-4, What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” The ripple effect of sin is inevitable, but we can prevent that effect, we can avoid the pain, by learning to live in the newness of life that comes with faith in Christ. Father, help us all to embrace the newness of life we have in Jesus. Guard our hearts from all manner of worldly lust.

Jesus The Victor!

489 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 10:13-19, “ So Joab and the people who were with him drew near for the battle against the Syrians, and they fled before him. 14 When the people of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fleeing, they also fled before Abishai, and entered the city. So Joab returned from the people of Ammon and went to Jerusalem. 15 When the Syrians saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they gathered together. 16 Then Hadadezer sent and brought out the Syrians who were beyond the River, and they came to Helam. And Shobach the commander of Hadadezer's army went before them. 17 When it was told David, he gathered all Israel, crossed over the Jordan, and came to Helam. And the Syrians set themselves in battle array against David and fought with him. 18 Then the Syrians fled before Israel; and David killed seven hundred charioteers and forty thousand horsemen of the Syrians, and struck Shobach the commander of their army, who died there. 19 And when all the kings who were servants to Hadadezer saw that they were defeated by Israel, they made peace with Israel and served them. So the Syrians were afraid to help the people of Ammon anymore. (2Sa 10:13-19,) What do we have here? Joab defeats the Syrians, Abishai defeats the Ammonites. The Ammonites retreat to their fortress and Joab returns to Jerusalem. But the Syrians aren't done, they amass for more warfare with Israel. When David heard that the Syrians were ready for one final battle, he gathered his troops and annihilated them, and the commander of the Syrian army was “done in.” Then all the kings became subject to Israel. I am reminded of the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. The devil tried to defeat Him with three temptations, but like the Syrians and the Ammonites was defeated. But we are told that the he backed off and waited for another opportunity. Lu 4:13 says, “Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.” Another opportune time came in the Garden of Gethsemane but Jesus prevailed again and went on to crush the enemy on a hill outside Jerusalem called Calvary. On that day, the devil was “done in.” And as followers of Jesus the devil no longer has power over us. The accuser has been cast down! And one day our conquering Savior will return and remove the enemy once and for all! Even so, come Lord Jesus!

Let's At Least Agree To Call Sin, Sin

487 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 10:10-12, “And the rest of the people he put under the command of Abishai his brother, that he might set them in battle array against the people of Ammon. 11 Then he said, "If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the people of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come and help you. 12 "Be of good courage, and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the LORD do what is good in His sight." (2 Sam 10:10-12) What a picture of Christian responsibility in the area of spiritual battles. When a brother or sister is in the midst of spiritual battle and they are being overcome by the enemy, we need to come alongside them with prayer, exhortation, and loving correction when necessary. Joab encourages his troops to “man up” and be strong not for themselves but for the sake of the people and the cities of our God.” The people and the cities of God is just another way of saying “the Church.” Do you get this? We need to be strong in the face of the enemy for the sake of God's Church. Again, this speaks of a unified front in prayer, exhortation, and loving correction. Let's, (like the Israelites,) “ get on the same page and see what God will do.” We see this same exhortation from the Holy Spirit in Paul's instructions to the Corinthians in 1Co 16:13,14, “ Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done with love.” It is imperative that we seek to guard all aspects of faith in our individual congregations, for the sake of God's church at large. And we are to do it with love. This includes taking steps against moral laxity as the Corinthians were instructed to do. The biblical commentator Lenski says that “faith is always endangered when the eye is sleepy or dulled against wrong conduct.” There will always be doctrinal differences in the church, but can we at least agree on calling sin....sin, and then deal with it in accordance with the Word of God......courageously, and with love. Father, help us to be loving and strong for the sake of Your church. In Jesus Name, Amen

Strength In Unity

487 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 10:10-12, “And the rest of the people he put under the command of Abishai his brother, that he might set them in battle array against the people of Ammon. 11 Then he said, "If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me; but if the people of Ammon are too strong for you, then I will come and help you. 12 "Be of good courage, and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the LORD do what is good in His sight." (2 Sam 10:10-12) What a picture of Christian responsibility in the area of spiritual battles. When a brother or sister is in the midst of spiritual battle and they are being overcome by the enemy, we need to come alongside them with prayer, exhortation, and loving correction when necessary. Joab encourages his troops to “man up” and be strong not for themselves but for the sake of the people and the cities of our God.” The idea of being strong here is that of fastening onto something and that speaks of unity. Joab is saying, “let's get on the same page and see what God will do. This fully aligns with that beautiful message in Ps 133:1, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments. 3 It is like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the LORD commanded the blessing-Life forevermore.” God loves a unified front in His church and commands a blessing wherever He finds it. Jesus emphasized this truth in His priestly prayer found in Joh 17:20 "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 "that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. So God not only commands a blessing for unity in His church, but this display of unity or strength is a great aid to evangelism! More on this subject of unity next time. Father, help us to develop this kind of strength in Your church, that the world may better know Jesus.

We Don't have To Wring Our Hands, Just Fold Them

486 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 10:7-9, “ Now when David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the army of the mighty men. 8 Then the people of Ammon came out and put themselves in battle array at the entrance of the gate. And the Syrians of Zoba, Beth Rehob, Ish-Tob, and Maacah were by themselves in the field. 9 When Joab saw that the battle line was against him before and behind, he chose some of Israel's best and put them in battle array against the Syrians. 2 Sam 10:7-9) Warfare is warfare, whether it be physical or spiritual. The people of Ammon and their hired thugs the Syrians, serve as a type of the the forces of our great enemy.....the devil. Eph 6:12 reminds us that “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” There is but one weapon that men of flesh have against spirit beings and that is prayer. When Joab saw that the battle was before him and behind him, he chose Israel's best warriors to meet the attack from behind. These warriors could be likened to the Christian prayer warriors of today. They are those who, moved by the Spirit, stand in the gap. They know full well that the enemy's greatest threat is from behind. His attacks are more subtle than frontal, and often catch us off guard. Eze 22:30 reminds us that God is looking for mighty men and women of prayer in His church! “So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land,” As Christians we are all called to pray without ceasing (1 Thess 5:17) and even if we don't not know how to intercede, we can always appeal to Jesus Christ, our great Intercessor, who has defeated death and the grave. Heb 7:25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. Christians in Muslim dominated countries today, are facing tremendous persecution. Unspeakable acts of violence are being carried out against them and even their children. How helpless we often feel in this situation. What can we do? Well, because of Jesus Christ, we don't have to wring our hands........ just fold them in prayer, and come to the True Seat of Power asking for His intervention. Father,we are helpless to come to the aid of our persecuted brothers and sisters. Please Jesus act with power on their behalf.

The Stench of Sin

485 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 10:6 “When the people of Ammon saw that they had made themselves repulsive to David, the people of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Beth Rehob and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand foot soldiers; and from the king of Maacah one thousand men, and from Ish-Tob twelve thousand men. (2 Sam 10:6) I like the way the King James puts v6, “and when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David.” These people were a stench in the nostrils of David! In my teen years I worked at a diner, and there was a regular customer who would come in for a meal after his shift at the local rendering plant. We lived downwind from that plant and I can still remember the putrid smell that would waft our way. But this man just reeked of the renderings, and the smell clung to his clothing. He was oblivious to it all, because he was used to it. But I literally would have to hold my breath when I approached him to take his order and deliver his food. It was a retching odor that I remember to this day. This is the way it is with sin. It reeks in the nostrils of God, and one of the dangers we face is we get comfortable with it. We forget how offensive it is in the nostrils of God, and unless we do something about it. The smoke of our sin clings to us and wafts up to God. Isa 65:5 says, “Who say, 'Keep to yourself, Do not come near me, For I am holier than you!' These are smoke in My nostrils, A fire that burns all the day” A holier than thou attitude is pride, it says to God, “I don't stink!” This attitude is repulsive to God! So what do we do about it? Well Jesus came to this garbage dump of sin, and touched the reeking lepers. He cleansed them and offers to cleanse us as we receive Him as Lord and Savior. Beware of becoming comfortable in your sin. Make it a practice to regularly wash yourself in the promises of God's Word. 1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, (admit that we reek) He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Father, thank You for cleansing me from the stench of my sins.

Helping Those Who Have Been Humiliated

484 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 10:3 And the princes of the people of Ammon said to Hanun their lord, "Do you think that David really honors your father because he has sent comforters to you? Has David not rather sent his servants to you to search the city, to spy it out, and to overthrow it?" 4 Therefore Hanun took David's servants, shaved off half of their beards, cut off their garments in the middle, at their buttocks, and sent them away. 5 When they told David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, "Wait at Jericho until your beards have grown, and then return." ( 2 Sam 10:3-5) David's gesture of kindness to Hanun is met with suspicion and an act of degrading mockery. In the culture of the day a beard was considered a man's greatest ornament. One could even swear by it. ( I wonder if that's where the three little pigs got their line, “Not by the hair on my chinny chin chin?”) A beard could even be offered as a pledge! You know, if I don't make good on this loan you may shave off my beard! Then to add insult to injury, they cut a hole in the back of their pants, exposing their buttocks, (another sign of degradation) and sent them away. The men could buy new britches, but it would take a while for the beards to grow back, so David tells the men to stay in Jericho until they grow back. Jericho was a city of ruins with fallen walls. It was like a deserted town and the men could avoid public shame. I think there is a lesson for us here in how to handle humiliation in the church. Allow me to use an example that unfortunately is becoming more and more prevalent in the church today.....divorce. Try to put yourself in the shoes of a man or woman who had such high expectations for their marriage, only to have the other party walk off. Think of the humiliation the spouse and children must feel. Here the church needs to step in and allow that person a place to recover from their wounds. We don't need to chatter about it and make a public display of it, just love on that person and give them the time and space they need to recover. We need to be their Jericho and help them rebuild the walls of their life. Father I pray for those who are enduring humiliation of any kind. Let us be a people that come alongside and be a part of the healing process.

When Grief Strikes

483 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 10:1,2 “It happened after this that the king of the people of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his place. 2 Then David said, "I will show kindness to Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father showed kindness to me." So David sent by the hand of his servants to comfort him concerning his father. And David's servants came into the land of the people of Ammon.” ( 2 Sam 10:1,2) It is not specified in the Bible as to what this act of kindness toward David was. We can only assume it was something done to him when Saul was chasing David. So David decides to repay that kindness by sending an envoy to comfort Hanun in the passing of his father. The word “comfort” here is interesting. It means to sigh. I think we could learn from that as we seek to comfort those who mourn. So often, well meaning people grasp for words to say to those who are grieving, and quite frankly, we wind up putting our foot in our mouth. Instead of consoling the person suffering the loss, we inadvertently wind up wounding them. There are no words in a sigh, but a sigh sends a strong signal of compassion. There is no judgment in a sigh, no condemnation, no advice, just a wordless pronouncement that I am here, I care, and I have no answers. In sending emissaries to Ammon, David was sending a message that he appreciated the kindness that Nahash had shown him. He was telling his son (Hanun) that his father would be remembered by David as a kind man. What a sweet statement to make at the passing of someone else's loved one. To let a grieving person know that your life was touched by the kindness of the deceased, goes a long way, especially when it is followed up with a sigh. Father, help us to be kind people. Let us leave a legacy of kindness, and help us to do a better job of comforting others. In Jesus name, Amen

Don't get Greedy

482 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 9:9-13, “And the king called to Ziba, Saul's servant, and said to him, "I have given to your master's son all that belonged to Saul and to all his house. 10 "You therefore, and your sons and your servants, shall work the land for him, and you shall bring in the harvest, that your master's son may have food to eat. But Mephibosheth your master's son shall eat bread at my table always." Now Ziba had fifteen sons and twenty servants. 11 Then Ziba said to the king, "According to all that my lord the king has commanded his servant, so will your servant do." "As for Mephibosheth," said the king, "he shall eat at my table like one of the king's sons." 12 Mephibosheth had a young son whose name was Micha. And all who dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants of Mephibosheth. 13 So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem, for he ate continually at the king's table. And he was lame in both his feet. (2 Sam 9:9-13) This is such a great story. We can't repeat it enough. David's kindness to Mephibosheth mirrors the kindness of the Lord to us. We like Mephibosheth are crippled. But our crippling is a spiritual one called sin. But Jesus came, sought us out, deals with our sin, and allows us to sit at table with Him in the heavenly banquet to come! Ziba is given charge by David to take care of Mephibosheth's estate. It's called stewardship. Seemed like a good idea at the time, but as we shall see, Ziba, with his 15 sons and 20 servants would get a little greedy and plot to keep the whole estate for himself and his family. This is something we all need to guard against. God has given us charge of His estate, He has made us stewards, and we are not to use that responsibility to build our own kingdoms at the expense of others. 1Co 4:2 says, “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.” Father thank You for the grace and mercy that allows us to sit at table with You. Help us to be good stewards of all that You have given us to manage, until Jesus returns.

We Are Royalty!

481 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 9:6-8, “Now when Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, had come to David, he fell on his face and prostrated himself. Then David said, "Mephibosheth?" And he answered, "Here is your servant!" 7 So David said to him, "Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father's sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually." 8 Then he bowed himself, and said, "What is your servant, that you should look upon such a dead dog as I?" (2 Sam 6b-8) I love the story of Mephibosheth! Once, a member of a royal family, but now deposed, and physically crippled to boot. He lived in a society that assigned little or no value to him. He knew it, and even referred to himself as a “dead dog.” But David seeks him out, restores his royal estate, and bestows the highest honor of always being welcome at the king's table. What a beautiful picture of what God has done for us through faith in Jesus. We too were once a member of the royal family, but then Adam and Eve sinned, they were deposed, and as their children we lost our estate. Crippled by sin, we were like Mephibosheth, “dead dogs.” But Jesus came, and like David, sought us out, restored our heavenly estate, and invites all of us who are crippled by sin to eat at His table continually. Note too, how Mephibosheth approached David as he was called into his presence. We too approach Jesus in true humility, with hearts willing to serve Him. And listen to His promise to us found in Lu 22:29,30, "And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, 30 "that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel." Jesus speaks to us as David spoke to Mephibosheth! And we like Mephibosheth are elevated from the status of a dead dog, to members of the royal family! Thank You Lord for including me in Your kingdom. Let me ever serve You with a glad and thankful heart.

At Your Service!

480 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 9:2-6, “And there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba. So when they had called him to David, the king said to him, "Are you Ziba?" And he said, "At your service!" 3 Then the king said, "Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, to whom I may show the kindness of God?" And Ziba said to the king, "There is still a son of Jonathan who is lame in his feet." 4 So the king said to him, "Where is he?" And Ziba said to the king, "Indeed he is in the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, in Lo Debar." 5 Then King David sent and brought him out of the house of Machir the son of Ammiel, from Lo Debar. 6 Now when Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, had come to David, he fell on his face and prostrated himself. Then David said, "Mephibosheth?" And he answered, "Here is your servant!"” David is bent on honoring his promise to Jonathan to extend kindness to his family and so he calls Ziba, a servant in the house of Saul to him to find out if there is anyone still alive in Jonathan's family. Pay attention to Ziba's response when he arrives at the palace. He tells David that he is “at his service.” In that one short phrase, he admits to David that he is an underling, and he is willing to take orders from him. This should be our attitude toward those authorities that God has appointed over us, unless of course they demand that we do something contrary to God's Word. In those cases we are to answer to the higher authority of God. Note too, the response of Mephibosheth when he is ushered into the presence of David. He says, “here is your servant!” The idea of willing obedience to the authority of God is woven throughout Scripture! Men like Abraham, Samuel, Isaiah, Peter, Paul, and so on have responded to God's call by simply saying, “Here I am,”which is another way of saying, “at your service!” The lesson is plain. God is looking for willing servants. None of these men approached their Master with “So what's this all about?” No, they simply put themselves at the disposal of their Master, and waited for further instructions. This is what we do when we surrender our lives to Jesus. He is our Savior, but He is also our Lord, and when we receive Him into our lives, we need the same attitude of Ziba and Mephibosheth. Thank You Jesus for calling me to You. Here I am, at Your service!

Always Remember Where You Came From

479 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 9:1, “Now David said, "Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?" (2 Sam 9:1) David has secured the borders of Israel. He has appointed his cabinet, and God has granted him a period of rest. It was during this time that David evidently had done some reflecting. He found himself considering a promise he had made to his beloved friend Jonathan many years ago. We read about it in 1Sa 20:14,15 "And you shall not only show me the kindness of the LORD while I still live, that I may not die; 15 "but you shall not cut off your kindness from my house forever, no, not when the LORD has cut off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth." Isn't that something? Jonathan's challenge to David was to be addressed “when the Lord had cut off every one of David's enemies,” well that day has arrived, and David seeks to make good on his pledge. The word “kindness” here is the equivalent of the New Testament word for grace. So David is wondering if there is anyone left in the family of Saul, that he can show grace or unmerited favor to. When you came to Christ, God, in a sense, gave you rest from your great enemy...sin. No more guilt, you now have peace with God through the blood of Jesus. Col 1:20 tells us, “having made peace (with God) through the blood of His cross.” And now with this God-granted peace, we are to look for ways to extend that same grace to others. Col 3:13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” So enjoy your peace, but always remember where you came from, and look for ways to extend that same kind of unmerited favor to others. Father, thank You for giving me rest from my sins, help me to have that same kind of gracious spirit in my day to day interaction with others. In Jesus name, Amen.

The Blessings of Good Government

478 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 8:15 So David reigned over all Israel; and David administered judgment and justice to all his people. 16 Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; 17 Zadok the son of Ahitub and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar were the priests; Seraiah was the scribe; 18 Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David's sons were chief ministers. (2 Sam 8:15-18) David, with the help of the Lord has secured Israel's borders, and now we read of how he has secured the day to day operation of his government. Under his leadership all judgments (governmental decisions) were carried out in a just manner. There was no partiality. In this sense we see once again that David serves as a type of Christ who makes war against the enemies of God and judges perfectly. “and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. (Rev 19:11) Then we read of how David delegated responsibilities n governing the people. We could call this his cabinet. Joab was made the Secretary of War, Jehoshaphat was the record keeper. (By the way, it's always a good idea to keep meticulous records in any administrative position. Whether you own your own business, or just keeping track of your family finances, good record-keeping can prevent a lot of problems down the road.) Zadok and Ahimelech were in charge of the priests, who basically performed religious duties designed to maintain and nurture Israel's relationship with God. Seraiah (sair A ah) was the chief scribe and the scribes duties were to study and interpret the Word of God, for the purpose of day to day application. Benaiah (Ben A ah) was in charge of David's personal bodyguards or what we would call the Secret Service, and finally David's sons carried out the duties of princes. Secure borders, secure system of government, what a gift from God! God thank You for the gift of secure borders and good civil government. Continue to guard our borders, bless our government when it is good and correct it when it is bad. In Jesus name, Amen.

Untouchable

476 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 8:6-14, “Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became David's servants, and brought tribute. The LORD preserved David wherever he went. 7 And David took the shields of gold that had belonged to the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. 8 Also from Betah and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took a large amount of bronze. 9 When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had defeated all the army of Hadadezer, 10 then Toi sent Joram his son to King David, to greet him and bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him (for Hadadezer had been at war with Toi); and Joram brought with him articles of silver, articles of gold, and articles of bronze. 11 King David also dedicated these to the LORD, along with the silver and gold that he had dedicated from all the nations which he had subdued- 12 from Syria, from Moab, from the people of Ammon, from the Philistines, from Amalek, and from the spoil of Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah. 13 And David made himself a name when he returned from killing eighteen thousand Syrians in the Valley of Salt. 14 He also put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became David's servants. And the LORD preserved David wherever he went. (2 Sam 8:6-14) David enjoys a tremendous amount of success in subduing Israel's enemies, and with that success comes material gain. He receives tribute from the nations he conquered. He received “shields of gold, a large amount of bronze, articles of silver, gold, and bronze, more silver more gold, and spoil.” What did he do with these material blessing? He brought them to Jerusalem and dedicated them to the Lord. The idea of dedicated here is to make something holy. And lest you have forgotten the incident with Uzzah, when something is holy, it is untouchable. All this loot, that God had delivered into his hand was brought to Jerusalem, where it would remain untouched until Solomon had use for it to build the Lord's temple. The lesson for us is obvious. God has blessed us with many material blessings and He doesn't ask for all of it. He just desires that we, like David would set some aside as untouchable, holy, reserved only for the Lord's use. Whether it's a tithe, or more, learn to set aside a portion of your God-given income for His Kingdom purposes. Father, give us the resolve and self-control, to dedicate a portion of what You have given us to invest in Your kingdom

Safe and Free

476 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 8:6-14, “Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus; and the Syrians became David's servants, and brought tribute. The LORD preserved David wherever he went. 7 And David took the shields of gold that had belonged to the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. 8 Also from Betah and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, King David took a large amount of bronze. 9 When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had defeated all the army of Hadadezer, 10 then Toi sent Joram his son to King David, to greet him and bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer and defeated him (for Hadadezer had been at war with Toi); and Joram brought with him articles of silver, articles of gold, and articles of bronze. 11 King David also dedicated these to the LORD, along with the silver and gold that he had dedicated from all the nations which he had subdued- 12 from Syria, from Moab, from the people of Ammon, from the Philistines, from Amalek, and from the spoil of Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah. 13 And David made himself a name when he returned from killing eighteen thousand Syrians in the Valley of Salt. 14 He also put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom he put garrisons, and all the Edomites became David's servants. And the LORD preserved David wherever he went. (2 Sam 8:6-14) All of these enemies of Israel, defeated, subdued, subjected to David. Again we see a picture of Jesus and the power that He wielded over the demons when He walked this earth. This same power is available to all who put their faith in Jesus. The Holy Spirit dwells in us and 1Jo 4:4 tells us that, “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” Twice in this passage we read that the Lord preserved David wherever he went.” The idea of preservation here is that David had complete freedom to move about in utter safety. Still another picture of the status of all believers as stated by Jesus in . Joh 10:29 "no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand.” The picture I get is one of an open hand and we are free to roam as long as we remain in that hand, safe and secure from the enemy. Father thank You for the security and safety we have in Jesus. Let us learn to use the power You have given us to give us victory over the devil, the world and our flesh.

So What's God Got Against Horses?

475 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 8:3-5, “David also defeated Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his territory at the River Euphrates. 4 David took from him one thousand chariots, seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand foot soldiers. Also David hamstrung all the chariot horses, except that he spared enough of them for one hundred chariots. 5 When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David killed twenty-two thousand of the Syrians. (2 Sam 8:3-5) David sets out to recapture territory that had been promised to Abraham back in Ge 15:18, "To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates-” He is successful and soundly defeats Hadadezer and the Syrians who came to help him. Then in what seems to us a cruel act, he hamstrings the captured horses. The hamstringing of a horse renders it incapable of running and totally useless in war. In modern terminology David scrapped the enemies weapons, but that's not why he did it. He did it because God forbade the king to accumulate horses. In De 17:16 we read, "But he (Israel's king) shall not multiply horses for himself,” That's why He told Joshua to hamstring the horses he captured in his battle with the kings of the north.” (Josh 11:6) But why would God forbid the accumulating of horses? The answer is found in Isa 31:1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, And rely on horses, Who trust in chariots because they are many, And in horsemen because they are very strong, But who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, Nor seek the LORD! Ps 20:7 puts it this way, “Some boast of chariots, and some of horses; but we boast of the name of the LORD our God.” Plain and simple God wants us to rely on Him. He says in Zec 4:6, “ Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts.” Father, I confess that sometimes I get impatient and turn to other things to help cope with my fears and my problems. Forgive me, and give me the patience and strength to wait on You and Your deliverance, that You alone may be glorified.

Will You Measure Up?

474 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 8:2 Then he defeated Moab. Forcing them down to the ground, he measured them off with a line. With two lines he measured off those to be put to death, and with one full line those to be kept alive. (2 Sam 8:2)Having defeated the Philistines, David now defeats the Moabites. Let's try to picture what this looked like. All the Moabites were forced to lie on the ground, and then they were judged. Two lines were used to measure those who would be put to death. Those who fell short of either of those two lines were executed. One “full” line (an exact measurement) was used to determine those who would live. This whole scenario is a picture for us of Judgment Day. As it is written in Ro 14:10b-12, “For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written: "As I live, says the LORD, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God." 12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.” With knees bowed to the ground, accounts will be given. Who will live, who will die? What are these two lines a picture of? What are these measurements? To what measuring lines can they be compared to in the New Testament? Mr 16:16 says, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” We find two measuring lines in the first part of this verse. Belief and baptism. Those who believe and are baptized will be saved. These are both vital units of measurement (lines) in the Kingdom of God and why we always see them together in the accounts of the early church. It's why all Christian churches through the ages have made faith and baptism a point of emphasis. But what do we make of David's second line of measurement? It is called a “full” line or a complete line. Those who measured up to the complete line were saved. In the New Testament, the one exact line of measurement spoken of here fits all of those who have by faith put on Christ, because in Christ, we are made complete. Col 2:10 says, “and you are complete in Him,” Some believe that Christ is put on in baptism and kept on by faith, others believe Christ is put on in by faith and the act of baptism is an affirmation of that faith. Both camps understand both faith and baptism to be important, and that certainly seems to be in line with God's Word. One thing we all know, we cannot measure up to salvation on our own, and so we thank God for His gift of faith by grace however and whenever it comes to us. Father, as we seek to sort these things out on earth, my prayer is simply this, that when all is said and done, I will be found in Christ.

Jesus Take the Wheel

473 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 8:1, “After this it came to pass that David attacked the Philistines and subdued them. And David took Metheg Ammah from the hand of the Philistines. (2 Sam 8:1) We start chapter 8 with the Holy Spirit showing us how David went forth and conquered his enemies, securing the borders of Israel. These Old Testament incidents serve as great pictures of New Testament spiritual realities. For starters, he conquers the Philistines who serve as a picture of the perpetual enemies of God. They can be likened to the devil and his forces of evil. As David was able to attack and subdue these enemies, so it is with our Lord Jesus Christ. 1Co 15:57 says, “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” So in the first part of this verse we get a picture of Jesus as Savior. In the latter part of the verse we get a picture of Jesus as Lord. Students of the Scriptures know that names of people and places are often very significant. This is the case here as we read that David “took Metheg Ammah from the hand of the Philistines.' Metheg means bridle. So David took the bridle from the hand of the Philistines. Which is just another way of saying he took control. This is a picture of what it means to receive Jesus Christ as Lord. He takes control of your life. He takes the reins. Jesus takes the wheel. Jesus has saved us from our sins and now we submit our lives to Him as Lord. We seek to live lives pleasing to Him by following His guidelines set forth in His Word! Ro 6:16-18 says, “ Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? 17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.” David saved Israel from sin (the Philistines) and took the bridle from their hands. (Wrested control away from the devil.) Jesus desires to do the same for you. Jesus thank You for saving me. Help me to turn the bridle over to you.

Did I Hear You Right?

471 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 7:25-29, “Now, O LORD God, the word which You have spoken concerning Your servant and concerning his house, establish it forever and do as You have said. 26 "So let Your name be magnified forever, saying, 'The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel.' And let the house of Your servant David be established before You. 27 "For You, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, have revealed this to Your servant, saying, 'I will build you a house.' Therefore Your servant has found it in his heart to pray this prayer to You. 28 "And now, O Lord GOD, You are God, and Your words are true, and You have promised this goodness to Your servant. 29 "Now therefore, let it please You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue forever before You; for You, O Lord GOD, have spoken it, and with Your blessing let the house of Your servant be blessed forever." (2 Sam 7:25-29) Doesn't this prayer of David's strike you as being redundant? He keeps repeating his grounds for giving thanks over and over and over. It's almost like he is trying to convince himself that what God has spoken to him through Nathan is really true. His prayer centers around the promise of God delivered to him through the prophet Nathan. We might rewrite it in this fashion. “OK God, You have made this promise to me and my house, now let it be done! You spoke it to me and now it has given me the courage to come before You with this prayer. Here's my prayer, “did I hear You right?” Your Word, (which is truth) has stated that my house, (my family) will continue ever before You? Oh God, if that's what You said, let it come to pass! Do you see the value in praying in this manner? God's Word contains over 3,000 specific promises. If you read God's Word and meditate on it, you will eventually stumble upon some of these promises. Some of them will make you feel like David felt. The promise will seem too good to be true. Your spirit will say something like, “You'd do that for me Lord?” And then like David, repeat the promise. Ask God, did I hear You right?” Here's a brief example. “God You said that You loved the world so much that You gave us Your Son, and that whoever believes in Him, should not perish but have eternal life! Did I hear that right? You mean that You would do that for a sinner like me? Then let it be done for me!

The Greatest Thing

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 Youself 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) Israel, a type of the modern day Church with a capital C. The Church (Capital C) is the One group of people that God has called with the gospel by which we understand and believe the redemptive work of Jesus Christ on the cross. He has done this as He did for the Israelites, to make a name for Himself, the idea being to establish a reputation. His reputation is greatly enhanced among mortals when they observe the changed lives of those who have put their trust in Jesus. Sometimes I think we forget how much God wants to enhance His reputation through us. We forget that truth found in 2Ch 16:9, “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.” God desires to exhibit His strength and power to the world through those whose heart is united with His. He wants to do great and mighty things through us, so the world will know that He has associated Himself with us. God granted many miraculous signs and wonders to the early church. They were awesome deeds just like the awesome deeds He performed for the Israelites. He is still performing these deeds today as He sees fit. As Jesus said in Joh 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” Greater works? Greater works than what was witnessed in the natural realm? What could those be? What greater things will God do through us to enhance His reputation? What greater things will He do through us to show the world that He is associated with us? The answer of course is love. Jesus said, the world will know that we are connected to Him by our love for one another. Oh God, grant me that perfect heart, that others will know that I am associated with You.