Remember What You Know
Yesterday was one of those days that my bible study message matched up perfectly with other events of the day and sent a powerful message.
I was reading in 2 Samuel 24 about when King David chose to take a census of the fighting men in Israel and trust in numbers rather than in the Lord. The beginning of the chapter starts with, “Again, the anger of the Lord burned against Israel.” That is a terrifying statement.
The end result was up to David. The Lord gave him a choice of which punishment that would be given. The choices were:
- Three years of famine in the land
- Three months of fleeing from your enemies while they pursue you
- Three days of plague
David’s response was, “I am in deep distress. Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for his mercy is great; but do not let me fall into the hands of men.” So the Lord sent a plague that killed 70,000 people.
That seems so harsh and one might wonder why God punished so many people for David’s sin. But…. in studies like this we need to remember what we know of God.
- God is just.
- God is sovereign
- God knows all and sees all
- God is in control
- God is love
We many not understand His ways but we do know that they serve a greater purpose. Several scholars suggest God may have been judging Israel for their quickness to desert David, God’s sovereign choice, to follow Absalom.
Last night at prayer group a woman was praying for President Trump. A comment she made touched my heart and linked my earlier study with the prayer meeting.
She said, “It’s no surprise to You Lord that he (President Trump) is in this position of leadership over our nation, perhaps it’s to show us how disrespectful and complacent we have become to You Lord.”
As a nation and as individuals we are disrespectful to God, complacent and compromising. Please forgive us Lord and help us turn from our sinful ways.
In thinking about the story of David and the people rejecting him as their leader, God hadn’t rejected him so neither should they. When Saul was king, David showed restraint and wisdom in the way he treated Saul stating, “Don’t destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed and be guiltless?” The same is true of our president.
Knowing that God is in control and that He has placed President Trump in a position of leadership, we should be praying for him to lead with Godly wisdom and discernment. And we should be praying for his health and safety and the same for his family.
As a nation we are at a crossroad. We can follow the example of Moses who interceded for the nation and God’s judgement was partially revoked or we can do nothing and let history repeat itself.
At the prayer meeting a prayer request was also made for a gentleman that was growing more and more frustrated with the delay in receiving his VA benefits as he watched the news and all the political banter. The request was that he would watch other stations to get both sides of the story, but the same woman prayed that rather than watch other channels to get both sides of the story, she prayed that he would turn off the television and open his bible. Banter isn’t going to solve the situation, but God’s word will give peace, direction and promises from God that will be fulfilled.
I felt convicted about how I personally have shown disrespect, been complacent and compromising with God. The verse that reads, “If you have done it to the least of these, you have done it unto me,” reminded me that my actions towards others are taken personally by God.
There is hope. It’s found in 2 Chronicles 7:14, “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 I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
That verse was the final prayer of the evening. God’s love is reflected in that verse with His call to return to Him. He said, “I will hear, I will forgive and I will heal.”
My Prayer
Father, please forgive me for my disrespect of others and ultimately You Lord. I want to lift up the leaders of this nation and pray that they will use Godly wisdom and discernment in governing. I also pray for their health and safety along with their family members. Lord they are under attack from the very people they represent. Protect them and shield them from the enemy who wants nothing more than to divide this nation and see it crumble. Help us to call out to You and change our ways so that we can experience Your grace and promises. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Where does my help come from?
2 Chronicles 7:14
“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 I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”