What’s Wrong With This Picture Part II – God Lost His First Place Position!!

– But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. (Mat 6:33)

Hey Neighbor!

I must apologize because unfortunately, our tea has cooled off…but I have plenty of ice…so grab a seat, let’s Sip and Enjoy!!

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You see when David finally became king, and God had given him rest from all of the running and hiding from King Saul, David finally got a chance to sit down to rest!!

Yes!! He deserved some time to himself to exhale and to relax a little…So Yes!!

David rested a little…and he relaxed…a little more!!

And over time, I guess his throne either got a little too cozy, or else it got a little too uncomfortable, because David exchanged his chair for his couch.

David abandoned the chair and laid down on his couch and before he knew it, dawn had turned into dusk!!

Obviously, this had become a reoccurring routine in David’s life…when we meet him again in 2 Samuel 11:2.

David was stuck in a pattern of idelness…kinda like Eli!!

I hope you are familiar with Eli, the priest/judge at Shiloh, from Hannah’s story….well if you are, you will understand my analogy and the progression of David’s idleness.

If not…this story will give you some beneficial background.

https://carenrcinesl.wordpress.com/2015/05/19/check-yourself-or-be-checked/

Eli, Was the high priest asleep on the job at Shiloh!!

You see, David had become sedentary, like Eli the high priest- who was caught lying down on the job, before the lamp of God had gone out in the temple….

If you can recall, when we first met Eli in 1st Samuel, he was sitting outside of the tabernacle, while Hannah was praying fervently…But Eli was kicked back and relaxed upon his seat.

• So Hannah rose after they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his seat beside a post of the temple (tent) of the Lord. (1 Samuel 1:9)

Eventually, Eli’s sitting turned into lying down…and soon after, Eli had lost his vision-literally!!

Remember when he (Eli) had accused Hannah of getting drunk, he could see then…because he noticed that her lips were moving…but now (in the subsequent verse below) we learn that Eli’s eyes cannot focus, as he has completely lost focus of his responsibilities in the tabernacle.

• At that time Eli, whose eyesight had dimmed so that he could not see, was lying down in his own place. The lamp of God had not yet gone out in the temple of the Lord, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was lying down (1 Samuel 3:2)

Day after day, it is very likely that this was Eli’s routine/pattern, until eventually he became blind and on the very same day that Eli died, he was still sitting down on the job!!

• And when he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell off the seat backward by the side of the gate.His neck was broken and he died, for he was an old man and heavy. He had judged Israel forty years. (1Sa 4:18)

Scripture tells us that Eli was a ‘heavy’ man and the legs of the chair that he was ‘sitting’ on had collapsed underneath his weight, and Eli fell out of it and broke his neck!!

Now let’s look again at David!! 

• One evening David arose from his couch… (2 Samuel 11:2)

Here we find David, laying down on the job…just like Eli!! Remember David was suppose to be away from the palace and on the battlefront!!

But David was upon his roof, walking around in the darkness, because the lamp of God had faded dim in his heart.

And now an unclean spirit, and probably seven more had come in and had taken up residency there!!

Now, instead of David looking up to the hills from which cometh his help, he was looking down from the height of his porch, for who might ‘becometh’ his next conquest!!

Yes!! David was now battling with the lust of the flesh, amongst other things…

And Like Eli, David had been sitting…and sitting…until he had finally laid down on God…and eventually, David had lost his vision as well!!

Let’s be clear, of course David had not been deprived of his physical ability to see…because he had clearly seen Bathsheba, bathing in her courtyard.

But like Eli, David had lost his focus and had lost his zeal for God!! Although David had once been active and alert in press and his praise of God, His worship had now grown cold – just like our tea😆

Have You ever found yourself pacing the floors like David, searching here and over there for something else to do, or for something to eat…or otherwise??

Well David had found himself restlessly, walking back and forth, pacing upon his rooftop, because David was no longer walking in his anointing, which had once flowed mightily in and through him; back when he had given The Lord first place in his life, and had surrendered his whole heart to God!!

Remember how David had danced before the Lord after they brought the ark of God back into the kingdom of Israel??

• And David danced before the Lord with all his might, clad in a linen ephod [a priest“s upper garment]. (2 Samuel 6:14)

When David had a pure and desperate heart for The Lord, his thirst for God had been unquenchable!!

He was like the deer that panteth after the water, and the lamp of God had burned bright in his heart.

When David had been haunting those caves in the wilderness, as a fugitive from Saul, his heart depended on God from moment to moment, and day by day!!

This was the David who knew God intimately, and affectionately; He was a man who had ‘faith-fully,’ regarded God daily!!

You see- David had become the man after God’s heart because, David had realized that his own (heart) could not continue to beat without God’s presence!!

But now David had became sedentary, because he had exchanged his chair for his couch, but he had also exchanged pens!!

You say…what does a pen have to do with this story??

Well, Remember in Part 1 of our story, David had been using the Power of the King’s pen for Evil!!

Well…what happened to David’s worship pen??

You know- the one that he used to use ‘on the regular,’ back when he used to write poetry to the Lord!!

Obviously…it had been long misplaced, or thrown out!!

And where was David’s lyre?? Most likely buried underneath his luggage, somewhere in the palace…covered in dust!!

Oh, and You know…David had once been pretty handy with a sling-shot too!!

Remember when Jesse had sent a young David to the battlefront with rations for his sons, and he heard the blaspheming mouth of Goliath, David had run to the battlefront with his handy-dandy sling shot in hand; He had been ready to put an end to Goliath’s affront against His God.

Wow!!

This was a difficult story for me…My Poor David!!😩

I Love💕 him so, but I had to spill the tea..

My Lord, Please Help Us…otherwise, this is what happens when we allow You to lose Your first place position, in the race for our hearts!!

Remember, we are suppose to seek God 1st!!

And His righteousness…

Then…all of ‘these’ things, God promises He will add to us, and for us!!

But I do at least have some Good News to Report: Next time when we meet, we will talk about David and his Penitent Heart, because even though God was terribly displeased with David’s evil behavior, He forgave David and put away his sin!!

– And David said to Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said to David, The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. (2 Samuel 12:13)

Now, Nobody can repent as woefully, and sorrowfully as David can!!

In this manner, at least I can say, we should be more like David!!

Let’s talk more about this, together in the comments section…

And Until Next Time,

God Loves💕You and So Do I!!

-Tam

Super- Faith Sunday Riddle: Who Am I??

Hey Neighbor!

Welcome Back to Super-Faith Sunday, where we highlight ’faith-full’ women from the bible.

Last week, our ’Faith-Full’ Female was Hannah!!

Hannah learned that God hears and honors our ’faith-full,’ fervent prayers. Hannah quickly progressed from a timid whisperer to a bold, high-praiser, and so can You!!

If you would like to learn more about Hannah and her story of faith…here is the link.

https://carenrcinesl.wordpress.com/2022/05/26/faith-full-hannah/

But For today, You must Solve My Riddle before We can reveal this week’s Super-Faith Female!!

Grab Your Bibles and Go!!

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It was evening time, when most were asleep

How could I have known overhead stood a creep

Gazing down as I washed in my private courtyard

Until at my door, knocked security guards

They had come with a summons, how could I refuse

I’m not a seductress, though I’m falsely accused

As was proper, I bowed myself low to the king

And I’m sure that he spotted my gold wedding ring

He knew I was wed, still he caused me to sin

I returned to my home, and I locked myself in

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Thanks For Stopping By!!

I will post your answer on Thursday, along with our female’s story of faith from The Bible.

But Until Then,

God Loves 💕You and So DoI!!

-Tam

Shake It Off & And Step Up!!

Hey Neighbor!

This is a little story I found online.

When Life Throws a Little Dirt at You…Encourage Yourself in The Lord!!

Here’s the story…

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This parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule.

The mule fell into the farmer’s well. After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. Instead, he called his neighbors together and told them what had happened…and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.

Initially, the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back, a thought struck him. It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back…HE SHOULD SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP! This he did, blow after blow. “Shake it off and step up…shake it off and step up…shake it off and step up!” He repeated to encourage himself. No matter how painful the blows, or how distressing the situation seemed the old mule fought “panic” and just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP! It wasn’t long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, STEPPED TRIUMPHANTLY OVER THE WALL OF THAT WELL!

What seemed like it would bury him, actually helped him…all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.

THAT’S LIFE!!

If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity – THE ADVERSITIES THAT COME ALONG TO BURY US USUALLY HAVE WITHIN THEM THE VERY REAL POTENTIAL TO BENEFIT US!

Be Encouraged…You are on the Winning Team!!

-What then shall we say to [all] this? If God is for us, who [can be] against us? [Who can be our foe, if God is on our side-
(Romans 8:31)

God is On Your Side!!

God Loves 💕You and So Do I!!

-Tam

God’s ’Faith-Full’ Daughter – Hannah!!

Hey Neighbor!

This week’s Super-Faith Female from the Bible was Hannah, and here is her story!!

1 Samuel 1-28

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So many tears she cried…her soul was bitterly vexed and anguished. She was incessantly taunted and agitated by her counterpart, Peninah…she did not have the wherewithal to endure the strife, so she rescinded into silence and shame!!

She was thoroughly troubled, so much so that she could not focus on her worship at the house of prayer…Her countenance reflected great sadness, for Hannah’s Peace was unsearchable!!

Hannah had lost her joy for the holy things of God, and had fallen into deep despair. She had lost her appetite and would not eat, and also she could not eat…for they were forbidden to eat of the Peace offerings in a spirit of mourning/sadness.

Her husband, Elkanah had blessed her with a double portion of the sacrificial meat, but she would not touch it…not until she had poured out her complaint before the Lord in prayer, and fully surrendered the pain of her affliction.

As Hannah was praying to the Lord through her grief and desperation…

Eli, the priest looked and saw Hannah’s red eyes…

For she had been restless, Hannah’s eyes were reddened from the many nights she lay awake, and because of the tears she had shed, like waterfalls.

Eli then saw Hannah’s lips moving, but no sound came forth…

Although Eli could not hear her words, Hannah was wailing loudly before God – on the inside!!

This was her secret prayer…from the depths of her broken spirit that could only be heard by God.

Eli perceived that Hannah was drunk…and she was- but not with alcohol. She was drunk with overwhelming sorrow. Hannah had tasted no wine at all, but her affliction made her a nervous wreck!!

Hannah believed that she could not go on living with the reproach and shame of being a motherless wife.

Although Elkanah loved her dearly, as much as ten sons could love their mother…He could not fill the barrenness of her womb…but God could!!

And as Hannah wrestled with God in prayer, she refused to let go until He blessed her womb. She had approached the throne of grace via the depths of her heart, pleading to God for a son.

Ah, Finally!!

Hannah perceived that her prayers and petitions had reached the ears of God…And although Eli could not hear them, God heard Hannah, and He comforted her spirit with Peace.

Eli sent her away, also blessing her with God’s Peace.

• So [she] went her way and ate, her countenance no longer sad. (1 Samuel 1:18)

And thus she could could now receive God’s Peace and eat His Peace offering.

A double portion of it had been prepared for Hannah, and God was watching and waiting!!

God wanted Hannah to receive His Peace with a happy countenance, a joyful spirit, and a heart of worship!!

When Hannah and Elkanah returned home, God confirmed and acknowledged her fervent prayer request, and blessed her with a son. She named her son – ‘Asked of God.’ (Samuel)

Hannah had made a secret vow to the Lord while she was @ Shiloh, promising to return the child to Him, dedicating him to service in the Lord’s house; Samuel was Hannah’s living sacrifice to God. 

And after she weened the boy, ‘Faith-full’ Hannah fulfilled her vow to the Lord, and she took him to Shiloh to minister before the Lord, all the days of his life!!

And the Lord continued to bless Hannah year after year, and Hannah joyfully bore her husband, Elkanah 5 additional children.

-And the Lord visited Hannah, so that she bore three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the Lord. (1Samuel 2:21)

This story just reminds us to keep the faith Neighbor – believing that if we will completely cast our cares on The Lord and delight in Him, He will give us the desires of our hearts –

Like ’Faith-full’ Hannah!!

Thanks For Stopping By Today!!

Until Next Time,

God Loves 💕You and So Do I!!

– Tam

Super-Faith Sunday Answer: Hannah!!

Hey Neighbor!

Does God hear and honor our heart prayers?? -These are mental prayers that are inaudible-

I believe that He Does!!

Let’s Look at ‘Faith-full’ Hannah’s Prayer.

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When we read the book of 1 Samuel, Chapters 1 and 2, we meet Hannah. Hannah was the childless wife of a Levite, named Elkanah.

Now Elkanah loved his wife dearly, but he took a second woman to wife, named Peninnah, because Hannah could bear him no children. Now Peninnah was both fertile and fruitful, bearing Elkanah sons and daughters; however she was not the adored wife.

She was envious of Elkanah’s love and adoration for Hannah and therefore despised and continually, taunted Hannah .

Now Hannah’s soul grew bitterly sorrowful, as she suffered the incessant provoking by her rival. So, Hannah brought her concerns before the Lord. She fervently, poured out her soul before The Lord in prayer.

Her inaudible, heart prayers were mixed with many, many tears, as she made her petitions known unto The Lord…asking Him to grant her a son.

Although Eli, the high priest, had mistakingly believed Hannah to be drunk, because she appeared to be talking to herself instead of praying (Eli could hear no utterance), he blessed her and she went away in peace and with a renewed hope (confident expectation).

Now, as the story goes on, The Lord remembers Hannah and in less than one year, she gives birth to a male-child. She names him Samuel…as his name means, “Asked of God.”

So Once Again…YES! I do believe that God hears and honors our heart prayers. Hannah asked God, and by faith, she received.

God heard Hannah’s heart prayer and granted her petition.

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The Lord is waiting to answer your prayer, Today… So whether you are at work, driving in your car, laying down in your bed, or even sitting in God’s house (the Church), God is waiting to hear from You!!

Your prayer need not be loud, long, nor eloquent; just fervent and faith filled.

So…Go Ahead and Ask…in Jesus’ Name and I dare You to Expect and Believe!!

As Always…
God Loves 💕You and So Do I!!

-Tam

What Is Wrong With This Picture?? – King David

One evening David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king’s house, when from there he saw a woman bathing; and she was very lovely to behold.( 2 Samuel 11:2)

Hey Neighbor! 

I want you to pay close attention to the scripture above…

I need you to notice that I have boldened and italicized the first clause in the sentence that reads: “One evening, David arose from his couch”

Now You might say….Tam, What is that all about??

Please bear with me for a moment…

Have you ever completed one of those fun kid activities from a magazine, where you have to search through a picture or photo to find: What’s wrong with this picture??

Well, that is my question to you today, regarding King David-

What’s wrong with him??

Is he sick or ill??

Why has the King of Israel/Judah been dozing the whole day away??

The sun is going down and David is just now getting up??

Scripture tells us that David was not sick, so he should not have been in bed, but he should have been away at war, with his commander, Joab and the remainder of his soldiers.

• IN THE spring, when kings go forth to battle, David sent Joab with his servants and all Israel, and they ravaged the Ammonites [country] and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem. (2 Samuel11:1)

Instead of David wielding his sling shot and/or his sword against the infamous Ammonites, David was at home wielding the wrong tools!!

They say, an idle mind is the devil’s workshop and trust me….this is not going to end well for David!!

You see, David had spotted the lovely Bathsheba, washing herself upon her roof, while he was lazily walking about upon his roof.

Had David gone up to the roof that evening, with his lyre in hand to play a pleasing tune for The Lord??

Had he gone up to the rooftop to write a psalm to the Lord, in praise for His marvelous works??

No!! You see, David had become an ‘idle’ king and the devil had therefore equipped him with an assortment of tools from his wicked workshop!!

So, David inquired about this lovely woman and learned that she was a married woman…She was the wife of Uriah, the Hittite.

This means that David could not take Bathsheba as his wife, nor could he take her into his harem of concubines, because this would be considered a heinous crime in Israel;

But….because David had become the most powerful person in Israel, he overstepped the Levitical law.

After all, he now sits in the highest position of power and authority in all of the land-

David is the Law!!

David sends for Bathsheba, commits adultery with her, and quietly sends her back home- probably to bathe again!!

And none should be the wiser – right??

Except that David and Bathsheba have made a baby!!

• And David sent messengers and took her. And she came in to him, and he lay with her–for she was purified from her uncleanness. Then she returned to her house. And the woman became pregnant and sent and told David, I am with child (2Sa 11:4)

Yes! David has gotten Bathsheba pregnant, and now he must dig deeper into satan’s tool-bag, seeking to find a weapon he can use to conceal his dirty little secret.

So David decides to call forth Uriah from the battlefront, under false pretenses…

• David sent to Joab, saying, Send me Uriah the Hittite. So Joab sent [him] Uriah. (2Sa 11:6) When Uriah had come to him, David asked him how Joab was, how the people fared, and how the war progressed (2Sa 11:7)

By no means does David need a foot soldier to give him a progress report from the battle!!

What David wants is for Uriah to go home and to sleep with his wife Bathsheba!!

David is wielding deception, in hopes that in nine month’s time, Uriah will believe that Bathsheba’s newborn belongs to him (Uriah) – and not to David!!

But here is the Problem: Uriah refuses to go home to sleep with his wife!!

So David tries several different tools, over several days, in attempts to trick Uriah into having intercourse with his wife…including getting Uriah drunk, but they all fail!!

• And David said to Uriah, Remain here today also, and tomorrow I will let you depart. So Uriah remained in Jerusalem that day and the next. David invited him, and he ate with him and drank, so that he made him drunk; but that night he went out to lie on his bed with the servants of his lord and did not go down to his house (2Sa 11:12)

So now the king must take direct counsel with the ‘subtil’ one….for he has many fiery arrows in his quiver!!

But this time, satan recommends that David put away his tool-bag, and instead suggests that the ‘king’ wield the power of the ‘pen!’

Well, What can David possibly do with a puny pen that could possibly fix this great big mess that he has made for himself??

Well David is going to have Uriah killed, and David has now pondered and has planned to sign Uriah’s death sentence – Literally!!

Yes!

King David is going to literally, write the sentence(s), sign the the letter, and seal the letter shut with his very own signet ring!!

• In the morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. And he wrote in the letter, Put Uriah in the front line of the heaviest fighting and withdraw from him, that he may be struck down and die (2 Samuel 11:14)

What’s even worse, is that in addition to the King sending Uriah to deliver his very own death notice, David has now made Joab an accomplice to the pre-meditated murder of an innocent man!!

You say what??.…Is this the same David??

The one who God has described as a man after His own heart??’

• But now your (Saul’s) kingdom shall not continue; the Lord has sought out [David] a man after His own heart…(1 Samuel 13:14)

Yes!!

This is That Same David!!

And You Know that I love him 💕dearly, but today I have to spill the tea on my favorite Bible character David, but I won’t spill it all…I’m going to save a little for tomorrow.

But Tomorrow, I am also going to attempt to explain where my poor, pitiful David went wrong…

You see…Something happened to David long before he laid on his couch that morning and dozed the day away…

So be sure to stop by tomorrow..

I will have the the tea brewing!!

Until Then,

God Loves💕You and So Do I!!

-Tam

Super-Faith Sunday Riddle 5/22 – Who Is She??

Hey Neighbor!

Welcome to Super-Faith Sunday, where each week we highlight a ‘Faith-Full’ female from the Bible.

On Sundays, I usually post the trivia question or sometimes a riddle, and On Thursdays, (as of 5/22) I post the Answer!!

Can You Solve This Week’s Riddle??

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Before me were set double portions of meat

Still I sat there and cried and I just would not eat

My husband adored me; He was loving and kind

But my rival, this woman indeed vexed my mind

Second wives, like we’ve read in scriptures before 

Brought jealousy and envy straight through my door

She had given him plenty of daughters and sons, which left me embarrassed..

Cause I just wanted one!! 

The priest suggested that my wine be abated

I was distressed in my soul, but not intoxicated

He saw my lips moving, but my voice was not heard. 

But the Lord, He was listening and He heard every word.

God gave me that son, I returned him instead

And I vowed that a razor would not touch his head 

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Grab Your Bibles and Have Fun!!

Thanks For Stopping By!!

I will post the Answer on Thursday – 5/26!!

Until Then,

God Loves💕You and So Do I!!

-Tam

Super-Faith Sunday Answer 5/15 – Abigail!!

• A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman–who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls (Prov 31:10)

Hey Neighbor!

Abigail was the answer to our Super- Faith Sunday Riddle, and just in case you missed it!

Here is the Link and Abigail’s Story!!

https://carenrcinesl.wordpress.com/2022/05/15/super-faith-sunday-riddle-5-15-who-is-she/

Hastily she went, though the road be crooked and the path be rough and rocky, but she must proceed hastily to right the wrongs of her husband and to make the paths smooth and straight if she was to save her family from death.

For David had sworn to avenge himself, and to kill every male of Abigail’s household because of her husband, Nabal. 

Now Nabal was a rich man in Maon, having acquired a wealth of possessions…though the greatest of his possessions was his folly!!

But what else can you expect when your parents have name you fool??

And unfortunately for Abigail and her household, this fool had a short fuse and had not been held accountable for his hostile temperament, nor his rash words. 

No- Nabal was never slow to speak!!

Nor was he slow to anger!! 

He was easily offended, snappy and quick to rail and rebuke; so much so that to commune with Nabal was like fanning the flame of a fire. 

Nabal was not a wise man!! 

But Abigail was both wealthy and wise!!

Quite Wealthy was she in both understanding and discretion, But Her greatest possession was not her wealth, but it was her fear of the Lord- 

And that profited her great Wisdom!!

And now Abigail must use her words of wisdom to calm and to pacify David’s unrelenting anger against Nabal. 

You see, a young shepherd from her household had warned Abigail that David had intended evil against her household, because of Nabal’s reckless tongue.

He had given Abigail a full report regarding Nabal’s selfish behavior and his wretched treatment towards David’s soldiers, who had come to him, humbly asking Nabal to show them kindness by sending meat, bread, and water to his soldiers who had faithfully protected Nabal’s shepherds from the thirst and lust for lucre of the Philistines. 

He told her how Nabal had ‘gone off,’ refusing to share his prosperity, but instead he aggressively sowed rebuke, rage, and defamation against David.

Nabal had accused David of being a worthless fugitive, on the run from his master and thus pretended as if he (Nabal) did not recognize the name of the boy who had killed Goliath, nor the valiant soldier who had slain 10,000’s, while his master (Saul) had only killed thousands.

But Abigail had heard of David’s great name in Carmel!!

And like the women in Israel, who had sang of David’s victories in battle, she had also heard of David’s many triumphs and of his valor, and she was convinced that God would cause David to prevail over all of his enemies in the land!!

Can you imagine being married to a hard-hearted man like Nabal??

How could he be so cruel to David, who had not only fought for all of Israel, prevailing against the Philistines, but David had also protected their personal property from being pillaged and taken into the hands of these same Philistines.

Nabal’s retort to David’s humble request had been sown in foolishness and folly, and now, in retribution, Nabal and all the males in his household were about to reap death!!

David had every intention of holding Nabal fully accountable for his words and for his folly!!

So now Abigail must not delay another moment, but she must make haste to rescue the lives of the men in her household and attempt to make amends for her husband’s reproach upon God’s anointed.

-Then Abigail made haste and took 200 loaves, two skins of wine, five sheep already dressed, five measures of parched grain, 100 clusters of raisins, and 200 cakes of figs, and laid them on donkeys. And she said to her servants, Go on before me; behold, I come after you. But she did not tell her husband Nabal (1Sa 25:18)

David’s humble request for rations, was only for that which Nabal could spare, after feeding his own sheep shearers in Carmel, but ‘Faith- Full’ Abigail came forth bearing an abundance of ‘foodstuffs’ for the Man of God and she had packed quite a feast to feed David’s 400 soldiers.

And at the risk of loosing her own head, for David was girded with his sword, she lighted off her donkey and dropped to her face and pleaded with David to permit her to even speak.

• Kneeling at his feet she said, Upon me alone let this guilt be, my lord. And let your handmaid, I pray you, speak in your presence, and hear the words of your handmaid.

Realizing that life and death are in the power of the tongue, she must now speak life, as opposed to the death-wish which had erroneously been spoken from her husband’s lips.

-Though man is risen up to pursue you and to seek your life, yet the life of my lord shall be bound in the living bundle with the Lord your God. And the lives of your enemies–them shall He sling out as out of the center of a sling (1Sa 25:29)

It was only 10 days later that the Lord avenged David’s reproach, slinging out Nabal’s soul from his foolish flesh.

And Because of Abigail’s calming demeanor and her soothing advice, David had relented from his oath to annihilate the males in Nabal’s household.

The Lord smote Nabal and took away his precious pearl (Abigail) that he had foolishly hidden away in a shell.

Not only was Abigail beautiful, understanding and wise, but she was like the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31…

She was worth more than rubies…

Who can find her??

Well Nabal had found her first, but because he was careless with her and unaware of her worth and value, he mistreated her and he eventually lost her.

But Nabal’s loss was David’s gain and David pounced upon the opportunity to take hold of such a rich woman in spirit and a most valuable and virtuous crown jewel!!

David took Abigail to himself to wife and to reign with him as his queen in Hebron and also in Israel.

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This is just another reminder to wait on God to avenge your enemies…Although wicked Nabal intended evil for David and his men, God turned it all around for David’s Good!

Thanks For Stopping By Today!!

God Loves💕You and So Do I!!

💕Tam

BELIEVE and GO-ON with GOD!!

-No king is saved by the great size and power of his army; a mighty man is not delivered by [his] much strength. A horse is devoid of value for victory; neither does he deliver any by his great power-(Psalms 33:17)

 

Hey Neighbor!

So We’ve been reading 1 Samuel 27-30 and We find in Verse 30:9-10 that 200 of David’s men, although mighty in battle, were not so mighty in faith as they were crossing the brook of Besor, with David to GO and reclaim ALL that God had promised to Restore into their hands.

Here’s The Story….

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So as David and his army of 600 men were leaving Ziklag in pursuit of those that had burned down their homes and had taken away their wives and children, David was confronted with yet another interpersonal issue amongst his comrades. 400 of the 600 were not physically, nor spiritually fit for battle. They were wiped out – physically, from the three day journey returning from the land of the Philistines and wiped out – spiritually, as they were still mourning for their loved-ones and did not possess the spirit to believe God for such a miraculous victory as that that David had spoken of.

Although God had spoken to David, reassuring him that every man would Recover ALL -including every man’s wife and every man’s child…missing NO-THING, great or small…yet they did not have the faith to GO-ON with God.

I’m sure this was quite a disappointment for David. God had told him to GO and pursue the raiders, but somehow David had imagined that the Lord would give him this miraculous victory with the strength and might of his army of 600 men vs. only 400.

I’m sure that David made every attempt to also encourage these faithless men in the Lord, as he had encouraged his own spirit in Verse 30:6…but at some point, David had decided that he must hold fast to his own Faith in God. He would Press-On, leaving the 200 behind and leading the 400 Forward.

David decided to Just Believe God…Going-On and trusting that He was still going to give him the victory, regardless of the size of his army…just as He had promised. Only this miraculous victory would not be obtained via the strength of David’s 600 mighty men, nor even by the power of David’s 400 men, but it would be obtained by God’s Ever-Abounding and Faithful Spirit to those Who Will Just Believe.

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-It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
(Zechariah 4:6)

Thanks For Stopping By!!
God Loves 💕You and So Do I!!

-Tam

God Called In David’s RSVP!!

-THE LORD said to Samuel, How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided for Myself a king among his sons-
(1Samuel 16:1)

Hey Neighbor!Today’s lesson is about David, my favorite bible character.

No doubt this lesson will be the first of many more relative to this ‘Awesome Dude.’

A few weeks ago, I shared a little humor about how God can use Us, although We are imperfect.

That Lesson (God Wants You 👈!!) showed Us that David, amongst many other bible characters, was imperfect…yet useable, in God’s economy.

David had these three strikes against him. But God didn’t count him out…Hallelujah!!

1. David had an affair w/Bathsheba
2. David was too young.
3. David’s Armor didn’t fit.

Today We will address Strike #2 –

David Was Too Young!!

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King David began to reign, as King of Israel when he was 32 years old, but He was anointed by God while still in his teens.

David was handpicked by God to replace King Saul, who God had rejected as King because of his continual disobedience.

In Verse 1 (1 Samuel 16:1), We see where God redirects Samuel, who was very disappointed with King Saul and was grieving, exceedingly over his friend, Saul because of his ‘Faith-Failures.’

So…God had sought out and had chosen David, a ‘man after His own heart,’ yet David did not receive an invitation to his own ‘Anointing Party.’ LOL!!

God had instructed Samuel to invite Jesse, David’s Father to the sacrifice…along with ‘ALL’ of his 8 sons, but Jesse neglected to invite David because he was just, too young.

See…David was the baby boy in the family, and had spent most of his time out in the field, tending to his father’s sheep.

Also…Jesse did not believe that the Lord would choose little David…

Nor did Samuel!!

In Fact…God did not even make Samuel aware beforehand, which of Jesse’s sons he was to anoint.

God was doing His ‘Walk by Faith’ thing again…

telling Samuel to – GO…

And I’ll show you ‘what’ you shall do…and ‘who’ you shall anoint, when You get there!!

I Love It…God is So Cool!!

So Samuel was ever ‘faith-full’ and obedient, as He went forth and waited for the Lord to confirm the identity of the ‘man’ after His own heart.

Prior to the Sacrifice, all of Jesse’s sons – minus David- had been, cleaned up…and consecrated for this most holy occasion…where each of the boys would be introduced, individually, and presented to Samuel, the Prophet.

First came Eliab, but…God rejected Eliab!!

Then came, Abinadab…but God rejected Abinadab!!

Then came, Shammah…but God rejected Shammah!!

So after seven of Jesse’s eight sons had passed before Samuel…God rejected each of them!!

Then Finally, Samuel realized that Jesse had failed to RSVP a seat for the youngest…yet… the chosen son.

-Then [he] said to Jesse, Are all your sons here? [Jesse] said, There is yet the youngest; he is tending the sheep. Samuel said to Jesse, Send for him; for we will not sit down to eat until he is here-
(1 Samuel 16:11)

When David arrived, in his shepherd’s clothing, not yet washed, nor consecrated, and as he passed before Samuel, The Lord confirmed the identity of ‘His Chosen Man.’

“The Lord said [to Samuel], Arise, anoint him; this is he” (1Sa 16:12)…with sheep smell and all…

So Samuel Arose and anointed David with oil, in the presence of his brothers and his father.

Although Jesse, Samuel, and his brothers had rejected David, deeming him unworthy and unfit to reign as King, because they looked at his outward appearance…

God saw David’s heart (his intents and thoughts) and had Approved and Accepted him!!

The World looked at David…and saw a ‘boy’ who was Too Young…Too Short…and Too Dirty…

But God looked at David…and saw a ‘Man’ with a ‘heart’ for God!!

God Saw that David was ‘Righteous.’

David believed in, trusted in, and relied on God!!

David would later, in his life, become the writer of most of the Psalms…where in so many of them, he revealed his heart to God and proclaimed His Love for God!!

Sure David may have appeared to be Young, dirty, and maybe a bit smelly, but God had chosen him…

hand-picked him…

prepared a table for him…

filled his cup…

and…

reserved David’s seat/throne…as ‘His Anointed’ King of Israel!!

WOW!!

-You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my [brimming] cup runs over- (Psalm 23:5)

God IS So Awesome!!

He Loves 💕You and So Do I!!

-Tam