2 SAMUEL MOMENT – (10APR19) David was in total grief and
despair over the lost of Absalom. David’s army came back from battle, but their
king was not initially there to welcome them due to his grief, which caused
them to have a low morale. Joab told David that he needed to pull himself
together because he had humiliated the ones who had risked their lives to
protect him and his family. Joab told David that if he did not go out to
welcome his men, he would not have anyone left to follow him, so David followed
his advice. Sometimes as leaders, rather of a family, military, church, or job,
we have to put on a strong face for the welfare of those we lead. David’s men
needed to know that he stood by them just as much as they stood for him. What
would it be like if our soldiers went to war only to have our president never
render a Thank You for their services? This was said by many soldiers to be the
tone of the nation when they came back from Vietnam, which was an unpopular
war. Our former president, Barrack Obama, was believed by man to be condescending
towards our nation by badmouthing America to foreign nations when he visited
abroad. Many felt that it was inappropriate for him to share such a negative
tone with the world about those he led. Everyone, however, desires to be
appreciated for the work they have done or the sacrifices they have made.
Sadly, we live in a society where soldiers, peace officers, and those who stand
for the right are mocked, ridiculed and scorned upon, rather than celebrated
and appreciated. Yes, David had a right to mourn his son even though his son
had done wrong, but nothing could undo what had already been done. Although
Joab was correct, he really had no right to speak to David in such a manner
because it was him who killed Absalom against David’s wishes. Yet, David had to
put all of that aside to lead his men and pull their divided nation together.
Leading in not always easy, but for those God has given the ability to do so,
He also gives the strength to succeed. Something to ponder…
QUESTION OF THE DAY – (10APR19) David found himself in a
situation of not really knowing who to believe. Ziba, Mephibosheth’s steward,
had come to David while he was fleeing from Absalom to tell him that his master
had gone to Jerusalem to see if he could get his grandfather’s throne. Now that
David had returned, Mephilbosheth told a different story where David found
himself not knowing exactly who is telling the truth. Mephilbosheth claimed
that he had every intention to saddle his donkey to come to David even though
he was lame, but Ziba slandered his name. Mephilbosheth said that he had been
very appreciative at all the things that David had done for him and that Ziba had
not been honest with how he led David to believe otherwise. Therefore, David
told him that he and Ziba would divide things, but Mephilbosheth told David to
let Ziba have it all, which may show that things were not as Ziba told it.
Mephilbosheth, in his despair over what had happened with David, did not take
care of his personal hygiene from the time David left till the time that he
returned, which may also prove that he had been telling the truth. Many
scholars hold to the opinion that Ziba was an opportunist and was lying about
what had taken place. Have you ever found yourself in a situation like David
where you did not know who exactly to believe? Have you assumed that a
narrative someone gave you was true only to find out later that the individual
may not have been forthcoming after all? It seems that David may have been to
quick to believe Ziba’s story in a time when he was under stress due to the
situation at hand. We must be mindful that we too can make false assumptions if
we do not take the time to find out both sides of the story. In David’s case,
he was not able to find out the whole story at the time, but unlike David, we
can oftentimes make the time to find out the facts before we judge. Many of us
have been guilty in being too quick to judge, so let’s try to study the facts
before making a conclusion. Something to ponder…
2 SAMUEL MOMENT – (10APR19) David had more battles that took
place against the Philistines. During several of those battles, they came up
against giants. Ishbi-Benob, a giant, tried to kill David, but was killed by
Abishai instead when he came to David’s rescue when he became exhausted. After
which, David’s army decided that he would no longer be on the battlefield with
them, so that the land would not be compromised by him being harmed. A total of
four giants that were descendants of Rapha in Gath were killed in separate
battles by David and his men. What giants are you currently facing? Do you
sometimes feel fatigued as David did where you feel as if you cannot fight
anymore? Many of God’s saints are wore out due to the everyday struggles of
life, and the giant(s) sometimes seem as if they will get the upper hand. Yet,
God has an Abishai nearby to help you when you feel your lowest. Sometimes Abishai
comes in the form of a friend giving you an encouraging word. Sometimes it is
picking up the WORD to hear what God has to say. There are other times when God
will use a message rather online or at church to give you fuel to keep going.
Then there are times when just going into your secret closet is what’s needed
to allow the Holy Spirit to revitalize you. Giants do fall regardless of what
shape they take. No giant is too tall for the Lord to give us the victory. Something
to ponder…
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