Getting Inked In the Book of Life

709 Today's Prime Time Devo comes from a wrap up of the list of mighty men given in 2 Sam 23:20-39. I'm not going to list all the names again, but I do want to remind you that God keeps books, and it is of eternal importance for you and I to be found in the Lamb's Book of Life. It is only those whose names are in that Book who will enjoy eternal bliss in heaven. The Good News is that as long as you or I have breath in our bodies there is room for us in the Book of Life. The thief on the cross is the classic example calling out to Jesus in a spirit of repentance and acknowledging Him as Lord and Savior as he hung dying on the cross. Lu 23:40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? 41 "And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." 42 Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." 43 And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." The thief on the cross did what was necessary in his final hour and Jesus inked his name in the Book of Life. What did the thief do? He admitted he was a sinner who justly deserved to die, and then acknowledged Jesus as Lord and King. The Bible assures us of life saving faith with these words found in Ro 10:8,9 “But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that 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.” The thief on the cross acknowledged that Jesus was Lord and King, and as a King He had a kingdom. This means he believed in a coming kingdom of Jesus which can only mean he believed in the resurrection! How about you? Do you believe you are a sinner? Do you believe Jesus died for your sins? Do you believe that He rose from the dead? Have you acknowledged Him as both your Savior and King? Don't wait till the end like the thief on the cross! Today is the day and hour of your salvation. Receive Jesus and be inked in the Book of Life!

When the Role Is Called Up Yonder

708 Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 2Sa 23:20 Benaiah was the son of Jehoiada, the son of a valiant man from Kabzeel, who had done many deeds. He had killed two lion-like heroes of Moab. He also had gone down and killed a lion in the midst of a pit on a snowy day. 21 And he killed an Egyptian, a spectacular man. The Egyptian had a spear in his hand; so he went down to him with a staff, wrested the spear out of the Egyptian's hand, and killed him with his own spear. 22 These things Benaiah the son of Jehoiada did, and won a name among three mighty men. 23 He was more honored than the thirty, but he did not attain to the first three. And David appointed him over his guard. 24 Asahel the brother of Joab was one of the thirty; Elhanan the son of Dodo of Bethlehem, 25 Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite, 26 Helez the Paltite, Ira the son of Ikkesh the Tekoite, 27 Abiezer the Anathothite, Mebunnai the Hushathite, 28 Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite, 29 Heleb the son of Baanah (the Netophathite), Ittai the son of Ribai from Gibeah of the children of Benjamin, 30 Benaiah a Pirathonite, Hiddai from the brooks of Gaash, 31 Abi-Albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite, 32 Eliahba the Shaalbonite (of the sons of Jashen), Jonathan, 33 Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam the son of Sharar the Hararite, 34 Eliphelet the son of Ahasbai, the son of the Maachathite, Eliam the son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, 35 Hezrai the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite, 36 Igal the son of Nathan of Zobah, Bani the Gadite, 37 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite (armorbearer of Joab the son of Zeruiah), 38 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite, 39 and Uriah the Hittite: thirty-seven in all. Quite a list of names. It's like reading one of those “begatting” chapters of the Bible. Why bother? Why make mention of these mighty men of David? For one thing it adds to the veracity of Scripture as real men from real families performed real deeds in service to their king. This is flesh and blood with names and names are important to God. In fact in Re 2:17, we read, “To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it."' This portion of 2 Samuel reads like a roll call and the question begs to be asked as the old hymn puts it, “When the roll is called up yonder will you be there?” Bow your knee to Jesus now! Receive Him as your Lord and Savior and be counted as one of His mighty men.

Don't Forget the Gospel

707 Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 2Sa 23:18 Now Abishai the brother of Joab, the son of Zeruiah, was chief of another three. He lifted his spear against three hundred men, killed them, and won a name among these three. 19 Was he not the most honored of three? Therefore he became their captain. However, he did not attain to notoriety of the first three. 2 Sam 23:18,19) The other three were mentioned in verses 8-12, but we don't find a lot of information about their exploits in Scripture. That's not the case for Abishai. We have read of him before and his exploits while serving David. The first mention was the time he volunteered to go with David into the camp of Saul. They were able to sneak in all the way next to a sleeping Saul and Abishai wanted to thrust Saul through with a spear, but David restrained him. Abishai and his brother were also involved in the slaying of Abner (who had killed his brother Asahel) It was Abishai who wanted to kill Shimei for his verbal outburst against king David, when they were fleeing Jerusalem, but again David restrained him. There were other exploits mentioned as well. There can be no doubt that Abishai was a great and mighty warrior, but sometimes a little over-zealous. We would do well to learn from the mistakes of Abishai and season our zealousness for the Lord with mercy and grace. I can't help but think of the Apostle Paul in his pre-conversion days and his zealousness as a Pharisee. He freely admitted in Php 3:6 his zealousness in persecuting the people of “The Way.” But then Jesus met him on the road to Damascus and everything changed. Jesus met him with grace and mercy and Paul became a spokesman for the grace and mercy of Christ to the Jew first and then the Gentile. From that day forward he determined to preach nothing but Christ crucified. Let us learn to do the same. Preaching Christ crucified involves the Law, (it is our breaking of the Law that put Him on the tree) but let us not leave out the sweet message of the Gospel, with the sure promise of forgiveness and eternal life for all who believe!

No Greater Love

705 Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 2Sa 23:15-17, “ And David said with longing, "Oh, that someone would give me a drink of the water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!" 16 So the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David. Nevertheless he would not drink it, but poured it out to the LORD. 17 And he said, "Far be it from me, O LORD, that I should do this! Is this not the blood of the men who went in jeopardy of their lives?" Therefore he would not drink it. These things were done by the three mighty men.” Imagine yourself as one of the three here, who risked life and limb to bring David a drink of his precious water from Bethlehem. You hand the flask over to him and wait in eager anticipation to see the enjoyment on his face as he takes a long draft of this precious water. But then he simply takes it and pours it out on the ground, and says “this is for You Lord!” What? That's how you show your gratitude to us David? Yes it is! He was basically saying “Guys this is so awesome it belongs to God rather than me!” As he pours out the water unto the Lord, he acknowledges the fact that these men were willing to risk it all for the sake of their love of another. This incident should cause us to reflect on the words of Jesus concerning greater love. Joh 15:12 "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. This is the love of Jesus and the kind of love He desires to awaken in us. Jesus is our greatest friend. He laid down His life for us, and now we ought to lay down our life for Him. We love Him (lay it down for Him) because HE first loved us (Laid it down for us.) Ro 12:1says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” Jesus, you poured out Your life for me, help me to learn to pour my life out for others. Let me like Paul understand what it is to be poured out in the service of faith. ( Php 2:17)

Living Water Is Not Cheap

705 Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 2Sa 23:15-17, “ And David said with longing, "Oh, that someone would give me a drink of the water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!" 16 So the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David. Nevertheless he would not drink it, but poured it out to the LORD. 17 And he said, "Far be it from me, O LORD, that I should do this! Is this not the blood of the men who went in jeopardy of their lives?" Therefore he would not drink it. These things were done by the three mighty men.” These three mighty men of David broke through the enemies camp in order to bring the water of Bethlehem to David. Much like God breaking through the enemy's camp and bringing His only begotten Son Jesus Christ, the Living Water of Bethlehem to the world. One lesson we can take from this incident is the price of this Living Water is expensive! It comes at the price of shed blood. As the writer in Hebrews states : Heb 9:22 And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission. (Heb 9:22) The water that gives eternal life to you and I through the forgiveness of our sins, came at the terrible price of the suffering and death of God's own Son! Who was poured out like a drink offering for us! David's water came at the RISK of bloodshed, and he poured it out on the ground as an oblation to the Father, how much more then should we esteem the offering of Christ! We are not at liberty to cheapen the offering of Christ. We are not at liberty to cheapen grace by spending it on fleshly lusts, (cheap grace) or attaching conditions to it. (legalism) Heb 10:29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? Living Water (Jesus) is precious and God desires us to treat Him that way. Forgive us Lord for those times we forget the price You paid for our redemption.

Heaven Is My Home

704 Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 2Sa 23:15 And David said with longing, "Oh, that someone would give me a drink of the water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!" David had been longing for a taste of home. He wistfully announced that he would like a drink of water from the well of his hometown of Bethlehem. This well water is meant to be a picture of the living water that came to the world through Jesus Christ who was born in Bethlehem. Every soul, every created being, has a vacuum in it that longs for it's true home. That longing can only be satisfied by Jesus Christ, and the homecoming can only be accomplished when He returns. Ro 8:19-22 says, “For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. (This will happen in all its finality when Jesus returns) 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.” It is as the old hymn goes: I’m but a stranger here, Heaven is my home; Earth is a desert drear, Heaven is my home; Danger and sorrow stand Round me on every hand; Heaven is my fatherland, Heaven is my home. Beloved, have you made your reservation? Underneath the layers of the trappings of this world is a deeper desire in your soul to know and be known by God. A deep desire for a quenching that can only come from the living water of Bethlehem. No need to be wistful about it like David. The living water is yours for the asking. Isa 55:1,2 says, "Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price. 2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance. No formula, no works, no hoops to jump through, just sincerely ask and your long parched soul will be satisfied as you receive Jesus as Lord and Savior! He is the Living Water of Bethlehem!

Oh That Someone Would Give Me A Taste of Home

703 Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 2Sa 23:13-15, “ Then three of the thirty chief men went down at harvest time and came to David at the cave of Adullam. And the troop of Philistines encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. 14 David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem. 15 And David said with longing, "Oh, that someone would give me a drink of the water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!" (2 Sam 23:13-15) The exploits of David's “mighty men,” continue to be recounted, but before we get to the next exploit, let's talk about David's yearning for the spring water of Bethlehem. David and his men were holed up in a cave, on the run from Saul, and the dreaded Philistines were in control of David's home town of Bethlehem. It's times like these that our thoughts often take us back to better days and David wistfully says, “oh that someone would fetch me some water from the well at Bethlehem.” In other words, “Oh that someone would give me a taste of home!” There is a spring located in the southern kettle area of Wisconsin where my father-in-law would take me after hikes or cross country ski outings. I cannot describe how delightful and refreshing that water was, and is to this day. Yet I know that it pales in comparison to the water at the well of Bethlehem. The water that David longed for at Bethlehem serves as a picture for us of the living water that would be born in Bethlehem and refresh the world...namely Jesus the Christ! It is the water that every soul has a longing for. The Apostle Paul spoke of it when he preached in Athens: Ac 17:26 "And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, 27 "so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; Men have been spread out around the globe since the days of the Tower of Babel, but one thing we all have in common is a yearning deep in our souls for God. The Christian mathematician and philosopher Pascal said, “ There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus. Friend, if you have not yet tasted Jesus, this offer is for you. Come to Bethlehem and drink, He is the living water and He promised in Joh 4:14 "whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life."

Standing on the Promises

702 Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 2Sa 23:11 And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines had gathered together into a troop where there was a piece of ground full of lentils. Then the people fled from the Philistines. 12 But he stationed himself in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. And the LORD brought about a great victory. Here we have another example of someone standing alone against the Philistines. Shammah stationed himself in the middle of the field. There were no trees or rocks to hide behind. No tower to offer protection. He was out in the open, vulnerable to all that the enemy wished to throw at him. Here's the thing about lentil plants. They grow to a height of 6 to 18 inches....that's it. The man had no covering except the covering of God! The ESV says that it was in this field that Shammah “took his stand and defended it AND THE LORD WORKED A GREAT VICTORY.” His victory was the Lord's doing and it happened because Shammah took a stand. This same kind of victory can be ours when we learn to stand on the promises of God! Remember the hymn, “Standing on the Promises?” It was written by Russel Kelso Carter. He was what we might describe as a “nominal Christian” even though he had serves as a minister and had written several hymns. This particular hymn was actually written BEFORE a major health crisis in his life at the age of 30. It was during this health crisis that he turned to God earnestly seeking help and healing. He knelt and made a promise that healing or no, his life was finally and forever, fully consecrated to the service of the Lord. It was from that moment that the written Word of God became alive to Carter. He began to stand upon the promises of healing, determining to believe no matter what his physical condition, no matter how he felt. Over the course of the next several months his strength returned, and his heart was completely healed! Carter lived another healthy 49 years. This song became his mantra for the rest of his life, may it be ours as well:” “Standing of the promises of Christ my King, through eternal ages let His praises ring. Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing, standing on the promises of God! Stand on the promises found in God's Word and you like Shammah will have victory over the enemy.

I'll Call Her Eleazer

701 Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 2Sa 23:9 And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel had retreated. 10 He arose and attacked the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand stuck to the sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to plunder. The second of David's mighty men was Eleazar. In a certain battle with the Philistines, all the other men retreated but Eleazer held his ground. He went on the offensive with his sword, (which we may liken to the Word of God.) and he clung to it to the point that his hand cramped up and literally became part of the sword! He won the victory and the others were welcome to the spoil. I saw a powerful picture on Facebook the other day concerning the event known as “See You At the Pole.” This annual event is an opportunity for students and teachers at schools throughout the world to gather at the schools' flagpole and pray. In this picture a lone girl was kneeling at the base of the pole and praying. She was alone! Her mother had even called the school asking that at least one teacher would join with her in prayer, but no one responded. This was the second year in a row that she prayed alone. The mother wrote, “I left work to get my baby and walked her to the pole... She dropped to her knees and prayed for them all!! God is moving in my girls life.. And I love it! Shes not afraid to let everyone know who she serves.. Even when it means standing alone!! I don't know this girls name but I will call her Eleazer because she stood on the battlefield of the school ground and prayed for others! I certainly don't know what or how she prayed. But the point of praying at the flagpole is to intercede for others and her mere presence at the flagpole was a prayer that said, “Your word matters and the souls of my classmates, and my country also matter to me O God.” What promises in God's Word was she clinging to as she prayed? One thing we know, God was certainly aware of her display of loyalty. 2Ch 16:9 says, "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” Bless you little girl at the flagpole, may God grant your every petition!

Lifting Up the Word of God

700 Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 2Sa 23:8 These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb-Basshebeth the Tachmonite, chief among the captains. He was called Adino the Eznite, because he had killed eight hundred men at one time. The King James says that Adino “lifted up his spear” against the enemy and slew 800. The action of a spear is that of being thrust through the enemy and this is descriptive of the power of the Word of God. In Heb 4:12 we read, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. In Eph 6:17 the Word of God is called the “sword of the Spirit.” This word needs to be “lifted up,” that is revered, honored, given a place of supreme importance. It is not to go in one ear and come out the other. Jas 1:22-25 says, “ But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.” Indeed, God's Word is to be treasured. Job put it this way in Job 23:12, “ I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth More than my necessary food.” This “treasuring” of God's Word is foreign to the Holy Spirit-less man. 1Co 2:14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. When we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, He brings a necessary reverence for the Word of God to us. What you and I do with this Word matters. Jesus said in Joh 12:48 "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. Let us be like Adino and “lift up” the Word of God!

Lift, Stand, Wield

699 Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 2Sa 23:8 These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb-Basshebeth the Tachmonite, chief among the captains. He was called Adino the Eznite, because he had killed eight hundred men at one time. 9 And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel had retreated. 10 He arose and attacked the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand stuck to the sword. The LORD brought about a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to plunder. 11 And after him was Shammah the son of Agee the Hararite. The Philistines had gathered together into a troop where there was a piece of ground full of lentils. Then the people fled from the Philistines. 12 But he stationed himself in the middle of the field, defended it, and killed the Philistines. And the LORD brought about a great victory. ( 2 Sam 23:8-12) These three mighty warriors are given special mention by David as it concerns their exploits on the battle field. One lifted up his spear and slew 800, another “arose and attacked the enemy holding onto his sword so tightly that his hand was literally stuck on it, and the third, stood his ground in the middle of a field and successfully defended it. I want you to pay special attention to the differing actions of all three. Adino “lifted up” his spear. Eleazar “clung” to his sword and arose (attacked) the enemy with it. And Shammah “stood” his ground. The actions of these three mighty warriors serve as a model for you and I even today. They show us what to do with the Word of God (represented by their use of the spear and the sword) Adino “lifted it up,” gave it honor and precedence in his battle. Eleazar clung to it as he attacked the enemy, and Shammah stood on the Word and persevered against the Philistines. Do this and you too will be counted as a “Mighty Man of David. Father teach my hands to war as I lift up, wield, and stand on Your Word.

The Mighty Men of Jesus

698 Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 2Sa 23:8 These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: (2 Sam 23:8) David's last words continue and here he singles out those mighty men who had served him so well. These courageous men had been victorious over David's enemies, against all odds. Before we begin to look at their individual exploits, let's look at the numbers. He starts out naming three of his mighty men. We might liken them to the three mighty men who served Jesus. (Peter, James, and John,) Then he names another batch of thirty men (v13) and finally mentions another 37 in v39. Do the math. 3+30+37 = 70. If we zoom ahead to the New Testament we read of the time that Jesus sent out seventy to do battle with the devil and his hordes. He sent them out by twos and though greatly outnumbered in the spiritual world, they came back victorious! We read about it in Lu 10:1 “After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go.” And in v3 we see the danger involved: “ 3 "Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.” They went out empty handed: (v4) "Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road.” They went forth healing the sick and casting out demons. And returned with great joy (V17) “Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name." These “mighty men” of Jesus were given authority and protection from Jesus, (v19) "Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 "Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven." The names of David's mighty men, who I believe foreshadowed the seventy, who in turn foreshadowed all believers, had their names forever inscribed in Scripture, and they serve as a reminder to all soldiers of the cross, (followers of Jesus) that their names are noted in heaven because they are inked in the Lambs Book of Life! The 70 warriors of David are forever linked to him, and the warriors of Jesus (believers) are forever linked to Him by faith. Our warrior status comes only from being found in Jesus. For He is the Ultimate Warrior! And if we endure the battle to the end in Jesus, our names will likewise be written in heaven!

Die To Self!

697 Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 2Sa 23:6 But the sons of rebellion shall all be as thorns thrust away, Because they cannot be taken with hands. 7 But the man who touches them Must be armed with iron and the shaft of a spear, And they shall be utterly burned with fire in their place." David has just talked about his own imperfections and how in spite of them he remains in the covenant grace of God. And so it is for you and I and all others who exercise their faith in Christ and His finished work on the cross. We acknowledge our imperfections and put them under the blood of Jesus, and then try again. But the sons of rebellion are not like that. Because of the hardness of their hearts they continue to reject the nail scarred hands of Jesus. The hands that long to embrace them, heal them, and forgive them, are kept away by the sharpness of their unbelieving hearts. Unless they repent their end is not pretty. For Jesus Himself foretold of their end in Mt 13:41,42, “"The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, 42 "and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Thorns are interesting. They are given to plants as a way to keep predators away. They are mentioned as part of the curse of sin that Adam brought into the world in Ge 3:18 “Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you,” Original sin brought thorns into play and they are a natural outgrowth of our flesh which fights against God seeking to preserve its selfish self. But God using the iron tool of the Law seeks to nullify the thorns, and break down our defenses. This breakdown makes way for the Gospel which throws the old man into the fire and brings forth the new man in Christ. Here's the thing to remember. We have free will and can resist this loving crushing act of God, but one way or the other the thorns need to go. We must reach a point of no longer pushing God away but allowing Him to embrace us with the hands of Jesus, for if the thorns aren't dealt with in this life they surely will be dealt with in the next.

When We've Got It Wrong

696 Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 2Sa 23:5 "Although my house is not so with God, Yet He has made with me an everlasting covenant, Ordered in all things and secure. For this is all my salvation and all my desire; Will He not make it increase? (2 Sam 23:5) David has just talked about living in the fear of the Lord and the natural flow of justice, (fair and merciful treatment of others) that comes from a right relationship with God. This just treatment is like a breath of fresh air in a world that is caught up in the effects of sin. When we (the church) get it right, the world is blessed by our presence! But David admits freely here that he often did not get it right. We need to do the same. The history of the church is rife with examples of the times we got it wrong. The Inquisition, the Salem witch trials, slavery, apathy toward the unborn, the poor, and the often imbalanced treatment of sexual sin that we see in the church today. We the church, are human. We often fall short, but God still offers forgiveness and restoration as we come before Him with godly sorrow over our shortcomings. The Good News is His church will stand in spite of its shortcomings. There will always be a remnant because His covenant stands forever. Jesus stands forever and our only hope is in Him. In Him we have forgiveness and in Him we have a church that will stand forever and the gates of hell shall never prevail against it! And when we fall short, we need to do as Daniel did. He prayed and took responsibility for the sins of the church. Da 9:4,5 says, “ And I prayed to the LORD my God, and made confession, and said, "O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments, 5 "we have sinned and committed iniquity, we have done wickedly and rebelled, even by departing from Your precepts and Your judgments.” Why did he do that? He did it based upon the promise of 2Ch 7:14 You see, when we get it wrong, God gives us the opportunity to get it right by following the advice of this verse: "if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Called To Practice Law

695 Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 2Sa 23:3-5, “The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me: 'He who rules over men must be just, Ruling in the fear of God. 4 And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises, A morning without clouds, Like the tender grass springing out of the earth, By clear shining after rain.' Those who rule over men must rule on the basis of the fear of the Lord, this fear, or respect of the Lord causes them to rule justly. An example of this kind of just ruling is found in Ne 5:15. In this verse, Nehemiah speaks of the unjust rule of his predecessors when he said, “ But the former governors who were before me laid burdens on the people, and took from them bread and wine, besides forty shekels of silver. Yes, even their servants bore rule over the people, but I did not do so, because of the fear of God.” Nehemiah ruled justly, he put no unfair burdens on anyone. All were treated fairly and he didn't use his position of power to line his personal pockets. But even as we link this just rule to secular authorities, the principle goes beyond that and carries over into the individual lives of the followers of Jesus. Saints, (believers) are to “rule justly” in all their dealings with others. The church is called to exercise rule here on earth as the Apostle Paul wrote in 1Co 6:1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? 2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? I'm not sure what this rule will look like for believers in heaven, but I know that God encourages us to put justice into practice in our daily dealings here on earth. And when we get it right, springtime breaks out in whatever environment we are in. Beloved, let's you and I learn to treat others in accordance with the Word of God.

What Does It Mean To Treat Others "Justly"

694 Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 2Sa 23:3,4, “The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me: 'He who rules over men must be just, Ruling in the fear of God. 4 And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises, A morning without clouds, Like the tender grass springing out of the earth, By clear shining after rain.' Have you ever heard someone say something like, “The Lord spoke to me?” What they mean is that God has laid some truth on their heart and they are about to share it with whoever is within earshot. Most of the time it is not an audible voice from God, but rather the Holy Spirit speaking to someone from the Scriptures. (By the way the test of whether someone has heard from God must always be measured against holy writ!) I am reminded of the Bereans who heard the words of Paul but then checked them out to be sure they were in accordance with the Word of God! Ac 17:11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” So, David has received a word from God that says those who are in position of authority should rule with the fear of God always in mind, and this, “fear of God,” is reflected in just treatment of others. But what does that look like? What does it mean to treat others “justly,”? Mic 6:8 says, “He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God? To do justly means to give others a fair merciful shake. In other words, it means applying what has become known as the Golden Rule “ which Jesus stated in Mt 7:12 "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. This is treating others “justly!” Look at the promise associated with such just treatment of others. Imagine a warm sunny, cloudless morning after a refreshing rain. You can almost see the green grass come to life. There is nothing bad in that picture. It is all good! Who wouldn't want to live in such an environment? Burn that picture in your mind and remember it in your treatment of others. Be a ray of sunshine in their lives as you learn to treat them as you desire to be treated. This is how God treated you in His mercy, now learn to be merciful to others!

Don't Twiddle Your Thumbs

693 Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 2Sa 23:2 "The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me, And His word was on my tongue. One thing I love about the Word of God is the fact that it never gets old. By that I mean that new discoveries, new, age old truths, are revealed to us as we spend time reading it, studying it, and applying it in our daily living. Case in point here is David's exclamation that the words that he penned in the Psalms came directly from the inspiration of the Holy Spirit! This was a new proof verse for me as I opened my Bible this morning. I never saw this before! I have always been familiar with proof verses like: 2Pe 1:21 “1 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” and 2Ti 3:16, “ All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,” But here we have still another declaration that God's Word is not the word of mere men! The Apostles knew this and cherished the thought, and used it as a guide as they made decisions concerning the early church: When they were gathered in the upper room, awaiting the promises Holy Spirit from Jesus, they didn't just sit there twiddling their thumbs! They looked to the Holy Spirit inspired words of David and acted! Listen to what took place: Ac 1:16 "Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; 17 "for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry.", and then in v20, "For it is written in the book of Psalms: 'Let his dwelling place be desolate, And let no one live in it'; and, 'Let another take his office.'” These passages from the Psalms moved the apostles to action because they knew the Holy Spirit had spoken through David in the Psalms. So they elected Mathias to take the place of Judas. Oh cherish the thought beloved. The Bible you have in your hands or the Bible on your shelf contains the words from the very mouth of God. Read it, learn from it, and don't twiddle your thumbs! Put it into practice, confident that you are following the desires, (the will) of God!

A Small Sample of the Great Music of the Church

692 Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 2Sa 23:1 Now these are the last words of David. Thus says David the son of Jesse; Thus says the man raised up on high, The anointed of the God of Jacob, And the sweet psalmist of Israel: “The sweet psalmist of Israel!” What an epitaph! Just think of the number of worship songs that have come to the church through the ages through the Psalms! Let's just name a few as a tribute today to “The Sweet Psalmist of Israel!” “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.” This hymn written by Martin Luther was taken from the 46th Psalm. “The God of Jacob is our fortress,” (Ps 46:7) “I Could Sing of Your Love Forever,” by Hillsong United based on Ps 89: “I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord forever!” “How Lovely Is Your Dwelling Place” by the Maranatha Singers based on Ps 84:1 The Graham Kendrick Song based on Ps 25, “To You O Lord, I Lift Up My Soul.” “Not To US O Lord by the Imperials based on Ps 115 Bless the Lord, O My Soul and all that is within me bless His holy name, right from Ps 103:1 Thy Word Is A Lamp Unto My Feet by Amy Grant (Ps 119:105) The classic hymn, “He Leadeth Me O Blessed Thought” based on the 23rd Psalm Still another classic hymn, “Our God, Our Help In Ages Past which is a paraphrase of the 90th Psalm written by Isaac Watts. “As the Deer Panteth For the Water based on Ps 42. Well, you get the idea. The sweet psalmist of Israel, inspired by the Holy Spirit has gifted the church with meaningful worship through the ages and will continue to do so until our Lord returns. Spirit filled followers of Christ sing, (sometimes it's just a joyful noise, but we sing! Eph 5:18, 19 says, “ And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,” Thank You Holy Spirit for the gift of the psalms and the gift of music!

A Strong Tower

691 Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 2Sa 22:47-51, "The LORD lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let God be exalted, The Rock of my salvation! 48 It is God who avenges me, And subdues the peoples under me; 49 He delivers me from my enemies. You also lift me up above those who rise against me; You have delivered me from the violent man. 50 Therefore I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the Gentiles, And sing praises to Your name. 51 He is the tower of salvation to His king, And shows mercy to His anointed, To David and his descendants” (2 Sam 22:47-51) David wraps up His Song of Deliverance with unbounded praise! It just pours from his heart and lips. The Lord lives! The Hebrew word is Chay, and I like what the Zodhiates Study Bible says about the word. It is a word not associated with abstract principles, but rather a set of experiences. These experiences have been enumerated by David in this song! The Lord lives! I have experienced Him! I adore Him because He has proven Himself to be my Rock, my refuge, indeed my very salvation. I don't have to worry about taking revenge on anyone. God will take care of that. I don't have to worry about enemies rising up against me, God will take care of them in due season. I don't need to stoop down to the level of my enemies, God delivers me by raising me up above their level. He has delivered me from the violent man (the one who seeks to live apart from God) that violent man, not only without, but within! Therefore (because You have delivered me Lord) I will give thanks and sing of Your praise to those who do not yet know You (The unbelievers) For You are the pinnacle (the tower) of salvation, rising above every other attempt of man to obtain it! And You will show mercy to all who run to You. It is just as it says in Pr 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe. In this world of sin and death beloved, there is only one safe place to be, and that is in the arms of Jesus. He is your strong tower, far above anything else you may seek to rely on. Run to Him. Be delivered! Be safe!

Jesus and Demons

690 Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 2Sa 22:44-46, "You have also delivered me from the strivings of my people; You have kept me as the head of the nations. A people I have not known shall serve me. 45 The foreigners submit to me; As soon as they hear, they obey me. 46 The foreigners fade away, And come frightened from their hideouts. (2 Sam 22:44-46) David states the facts of his reign in Israel. He survived civil war, he defeated Israel's enemies, foreigners submitted to him, often without a fight as his reputation preceded him. I read this and can't help but think of Jesus and first of all, his encounters with the Pharisees, Sadducee s, and scribes. The “strivings of His own people,” if you will. Joh 1:11SAYS, “ He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.” Then there's the matter of His numerous encounters with demons. These spirit beings are foreigners in the sense that they are not part of the kingdom of God and never can be. David said foreigners submitted to him as soon as they heard them, and this was the case in every instance that the Bible records concerning Jesus' meetings with demons. They obeyed Him immediately! They are still around for sure, wreaking havoc on souls where the gospel has not been received, but they, like David's enemies, fade away in the presence of Jesus. Even David's mention of theses foreigners who come frightened from their hideouts is a great picture of demons being cast out of their host. I think of the Gadarene demoniac, living in his hideout until he met Jesus, and Legion fearfully begged to not be cast into the abyss. (He came, frightened from his hideout!) This is who Jesus is! He is the head of the nations! No one is able to stand before Him. Mr 1:27b says, “He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him." This same Jesus is now seated in the heavenlies. Surrender to Him, and let Him rule your life with the love and power of God! Let Him help you keep the demons at bay.