The Valley of Death ~ 2

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me: Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4

There are so many people in the Old Testament who came to a bad end--not only individuals, but whole nations at times. So let's look at someone who came to a good end. David is a man whose sin changed the course of his life, but not his inevitable death. David is the shepherd boy who fought and killed the giant Goliath, because he had so much faith in God. When Saul told David that he was too young to fight a man of war, he said: "The Lord, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." Faith and trust are two of David's strongest characteristics.

And when Saul was struck with depression, it was David who played the harp and brought him out of it. Saul's advisors had told him that "the Lord is with him." And when Saul, as the first king of Israel, decided to follow his own way instead of God's, God rejected him as king and chose David. As king, David began building the greatest empire that had ever existed, but because there were so many enemies to conquer, which put blood on his hands, God wouldn't allow David to build the temple. But David didn't sit on his hands--he collected money, materials and plans for the building of the temple. There are so many significant facts about David, but for our lesson, we want to look at his death. Here are a few of his last words, which can be found in 2 Samuel 23.

The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me,

And His word was on my tongue.                                                                  

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. 

All of his last words are there, if you want to read them. I simply wanted to reflect the fact that David was within God's embrace at the time of his death. In fact, David left a legacy which continues, and which I list in a blog written September 21, 2010--10 Things You May Not Know About David & Prophecy. He was truly "a man after God's own heart."  

                                                                            

Now let's move to the New Testament, where you can learn about the life and death of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus was born in Bethlehem and grew up to be a carpenter, but he was a child who spent time in the temple, talking to the scribes and Pharisees. When Jesus was ready to reveal His purpose as the Son of God, John the Baptizer was sent to make way for Him. He chose 12 apostles to spead His gospel, and He had many disciples. Jesus had multitudes of people following Him as He taught them and healed them, and sometimes even fed them. Jesus had a message that had never been heard before--a message of hope, love, mercy, and victory in life and over death. And when His words and deeds proved that He was the Son of God, it made the leaders of the Jews indignant, and they decided He had to die.

When it came time for Jesus to die, and after the supper with His apostles, Jesus went into Gethsemane and prayed: "O my Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will." The agony that Jesus suffered is impossible for us to imagine, but by His willingness to die for our sins, we can have that same hope and trust in God's will to save us.

And when He died on the cross--a miserable, criminal death--He cried out to His Father. And at the moment of His death, the veil in the temple was split in two pieces, and there was an earthquake. Then He triumphantly rose again and was seen by His disciples, some of whom watched Him ascend into heaven. Our Savior's death was full of anguish, bitterness and sorrow, but he bore it all for you and for me. These truths, which show the love of God and His Son, should give you pause. God's great love should create a desire in you to live with Him forever.    

                                                            

Now after the death of Jesus, His apostles continued to teach, even though they were commanded by the Jewish council not to speak or teach in the name of Jesus. But they ignored the Jewish leaders and were persecuted because of their belief and teachings. In Acts 4:19-20, Peter and John answered the council's commands, saying: "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." They were threatened and let go because the miracle they'd performed made the people glorify God. And the leaders were afraid of the people. Then the disciples came together, and Acts 4:31 says: "And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness." 

And when the apostles were again brought before the Jewish council, Peter was asked why he had continued to teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and the other apostles said: "We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him."  Naturally, this infuriated the council and they determined to kill them. All of the apostles except John died because of persecution.
                            

And Paul willingly went to Jerusalem, knowing that "the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me." But what did Paul say as he faced his own death: "...nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God." What an attitude! And, of course, that's just the smallest example of Paul's life preaching Christ. He traveled and taught the gospel of Christ until his death, which he knew was coming, and accepted with the knowledge that his home was in heaven. Something for us to contemplate. 

This is a grand subject, which I have rather butchered in order to give you some thoughts to chew on. I encourage you to read and study further to strengthen your knowledge on the subject of death. While you are still living, you have the chance to enhance your life and prepare for your death through the study of God's word.

I hope you're all enjoying a beautiful Sunday afternoon with your family!

Blessings...Mimi  

The Valley of Depression ~ David

Who isn't familiar with the story of David and Bathsheba? Do you remember the depression David experienced when he was punished by God with the loss of his son? It's such a good story for us to think about because David represents the chinks in our armor too. Here is the shepherd boy David who had risen to be a king. David loved God and followed His ways. And God loved David. Who would believe that this godly man could fall so far...failing in his duty to lead his army, committing adultery, murder and cover-up?
~

Let's begin with the prophet Nathan's going before David at court. He tells him a story about a rich man and a poor man, which is actually a parable about the wrongs David had done. You might be wondering how this all came about--how was it that the king was so bored that he couldn't sleep. David was walking on his rooftop rather than leading his army, which was his chief duty. He had stayed in the city while he sent Joab and the army to finish the war Israel was fighting against the Ammonites. David the king was at home watching Bathsheba bathe. She was so beautiful that he sent for her and lay with her, and she conceived a child.

                                                                                                

When she learned that she was expecting his child, she sent a note to David telling him about it. David brought her husband Uriah home from the battle and did everything possible to get him to go home to his wife. But Uriah was a true soldier and refused to take pleasure while his men were fighting. So David sent him back to the war with instructions to Joab to put him in the front of the battle and pull back so that he would be killed.  What David did was to take care of the problems.  But in the very last sentence of 2 Samuel 11:26, it says: "But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord." So then, God sent Nathan the prophet before David to make him aware that he hadn't been as successful as he thought in dealing with his situation.

                                                               

But Nathan didn't tell David that he had sinned by committing adultery and killing a man. Rather, he told him a story about a rich man and a poor man. The rich man had many flocks and herds, but the poor man had only one little ewe lamb, which was much-loved by the family because it had been raised up with his children. In fact, the story says that "It ate of his own food and drank from his own cup and lay in his own bosom; and it was like a daughter to him." Then what happened? A traveler came to the rich man and rather than take of his own animals, he took the poor man's lamb to prepare for him.
~

Now David was greatly incensed, and said to Nathan very angrily: "As the Lord lives, the man who has done this shall surely die! And he shall restore fourfold for the lamb, because he did this thing and because he had no pity." But Nathan said to him, "You are the man!"

And then Nathan went on to tell David what the Lord God of Israel wanted to say to him. Nathan reminded David of what God had done for him:  He had made him king over Israel after delivering him from the hand of Saul, and had given David Saul's household. But David had killed Uriah and taken his wife. Then God's judgment was pronounced: The sword would never depart from the house of David, adversaries would arise in his own house, and his wives would be taken in the sight of all the people. 

And when David had heard this, he said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the Lord." And although God didn't cause David to die, in regard to the child conceived in adultery, God said: "However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die."

After the birth of the child of David and Bathsheba, God struck the child so that it became ill. Now comes the Valley of Depression for David. David pleaded with God for the child; he fasted and lay on the ground all night. After seven days, the child died. And when David knew that the child was dead, he got up off the ground, washed, and changed his clothes. His servants were puzzled, and he said to them: "While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, 'Who can tell whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me'."

Can you believe that David could suffer through this terrible sin against the Lord, take his punishment for it, and wholeheartedly  return to God? Remember that for the rest of his life,  he had many judgments playing out against him because of his sin. In fact, David's sin had far-reaching consequences for his kingdom in the future as well.  But rather than staying in the Valley of Depression, David comforted his wife, and God blessed them with another child whose name was Solomon. And God loved him. So even though David sinned as we all do,  his love of God and his  life are an inspiration to us forever!

Blessings...Mimi

  

The Story of David & Goliath

 The Story of David & Goliath

In a time long, long ago, in a little town called Bethlehem far, far away, there lived an Israelite of the tribe of Judah named Jesse, who had 8 sons. Three of his older sons--his firstborn Eliab, Abinadab, and Shammah--were in the army of King Saul of Israel. But David, his youngest son, was watching his father's sheep. One day, Jesse gave David grain and bread for his brothers, and cheese for their captain, and sent him to find out if his brothers were doing well. When David arrived in the camp of the armies of Israel, he saw before him two armies arrayed for battle: the Israelite armies stood on one mountainside, while the Philistine armies stood on the opposite mountainside with a valley between them.

                                                        

Suddenly, a giant Philistine came striding into the valley that lay between the two mountains. His name was Goliath. He was over 9 feet tall and dressed for battle. He wore a bronze helmet on his head, and bronze armor on his body and legs, and a coat of mail. He carried a bronze javelin between his shoulders and a heavy spear with an iron head. A shield bearer walked before him.

Goliath stopped and began to shout: "I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us!" Twice a day for 40 days, Goliath had come out to challenge the armies of Israel.

The armies of Israel were so afraid of him that they stayed in their tents! But when David heard his challenge, it only made him angry, and he asked: Who does this Philistine think he is, defying the armies of the living God? And King Saul was told that David would fight Goliath. But King Saul spoke to David, saying, "You are not able to fight with this Philistine because you are still a youth, and Goliath has been a man of war from the time of his youth."


Then David told King Saul that he used to keep his father's sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, he went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth. And when it attacked him, he caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. Now David said to King Saul that God had delivered him from the paw of a lion and the paw of a bear, and He would also deliver him from this Philistine. So David, who had killed both a lion and a bear, said that he would also kill this Philistine, because he had defied the armies of the living God.

King Saul said to him, "Go and the Lord be with you!" Then King Saul gave his armor to David, but it was much too big for him. So David took his staff in one hand and his sling in the other to go out to meet Goliath. He stopped at a brook that flowed through the valley and picked up 5 smooth stones and put them in his shepherd's bag.

When Goliath saw the youthful David coming to fight him, he said: "Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?" And he cursed David by his gods, thretening to feed him to the birds and the beasts.

Then David said to Goliath: "You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied." Then David said: "This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. Then all of this asembly shall know that the Lord does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord's, and He will give you into our hands."

Then, as the Philistine walked toward David to fight and kill him, David hurried and ran toward the army of the Philistines to meet Goliath. He put his hand in his shepherd's bag and took out one of the smooth stones. He put the stone in his sling and quickly slung it. It struck the giant Philistine and sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the earth. Then David ran and stood over Goliath, pulled the Philistine's sword out of its sheath, and cut his head off with it.

So David prevailed over the giant Goliath with a sling and a stone, which killed him. And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they began running away, leaving their tents with all their belongings behind. And the men of Israel and Judah ran after them and chased them out of the valley, but returned and plundered their tents.

David loved God and believed that He would keep him safe. And so the Israelites overcame their enemies and all the earth knew that there was a God in Israel!

Blessings...Mimi 

10 Things You May Not Know About Poetry & Psalms

It's very early, but I'm driving an employee of Steve's to Santa Fe at 7 A.M. Sometimes there's no other way to get a car to Albuquerque. It's a beautiful drive and takes about 45 minutes. Driving up and up, you go from around 5,000 feet in altitude here in Albuquerque to around 6,000 feet in Santa Fe. But before I leave the house, I'm going to give you 10 things that you may not know about poetry and David's psalms.

What is Mortality

But the things relating to the Body,

Which dies?

What is Immortality

But the things relating to the Spirit,

Which lives Eternally?
William Blake 1757-1827

In his book The Healing Power of Blake: A Distillation, Dr. John Diamond has taken Blake's very long poems and made them readable in this book. He uses poetry to heal his patients, and he believes that Blake was one of the best at writing poetry that heals, especially when it is sung. Diamond suggests to his patients that they write poetry, and also read the poetry of the masters out loud, and to sing the poems.

This suggestion from Dr. Diamond reminds me of the Psalms of David, who was a master of poetry writing, and who used his songs to heal King Saul's malady. In fact, here are 10 things that you may not know about poetry and psalms.

1) David gave us one of the most glorious collections of poetry ever written. We call it the Book of Psalms, and the Jews call it the Book of Praises. It is often called the Psalms of David.

2) David had a great talent for playing, singing, and writing poetry.

3) David's true character is revealed in his songs: his love of God, his care for people, his anguish at his own failings, and his trust and faith in God's forgiveness and deliverance.

4) David's poems serve as a journal of his life experiences and a history of his people.

5) David's love of God spills over in beautiful expressions of not only God's love and mercy, but His presence with him, His holiness, His power, and His faithfulness.

6) All of God's attributes can be found in the songs of David.

7) In the Psalms, we learn the value of knowing God, what it means to be righteous, as well as the vanity found in the way of the ungodly, and what their end will be.

8) David wrote 150 poems, which were written to be sung by a large choir accompanied by thousands of musicians.

9) David organized all the music for worship in Jerusalem.

10) The Psalms are read, chanted and sung every day of the year. No other book of hymns has been used for such a long period of time by so many people.

No wonder David is called "the sweet Psalmist of Israel." The Psalms have come down to us as a blessing--their healing power and influence is impossible to calculate. But even a cursory look at their depth and meaning will convince you that they are worth contemplating. Once again, we realize that we have been given great gifts from God. What will we do with them?

Blessings...Mimi

Graffiti of the Heart: Verbal Abuse~2

Well, it's Wednesday and I had a good day talking to two of my daughters and cutting out doll dresses yesterday. I know my life is simple compared to many people, and I'm very thankful. It hasn't always been that way.

I learned last night that my brother, Ron Roark, is leaving from Birmingham, AL, for Africa the 20th of October to teach and preach the gospel in Mozambique until November 9th. Please pray for him!


Now I want to continue telling you about the way David dealt with slander and betrayal. Remember how David asked God to help him get back at his enemies?
~

You cheer David on because you too have felt the hurt--maybe not of hatred, but of spite, or selfishness, or even an important difference of opinion. You want to feel better, and lashing back at your "enemy" will put salve on your wounds. Unfortunately, it doesn't heal them completely. But you can cover over the ugly words of grafitti with paint, and ugly abusive words with love. In fact, you may remember that the apostle Peter tells us to "Love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins."

Covers...yes, but what about forgetting those hateful words? It's because David wrote the 23rd Psalm that we know that he didn't allow vindictiveness to consume him. Writing the 23rd Psalm showed that no matter who came against him, he depended on God. "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies...Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Depending on God worked for David, and it will work for you!

And, of course, the best example of forgiving your enemies, your friends, or your relatives is Jesus. Betrayed by friends and hung on a cross by enemies, Jesus also looked to God and turned all His grief and pain over to Him, saying, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing?" Forgive them?!!! Can you really learn to be that commpassionate and forgiving? Certainly, you can be strengthened by realizing that God knows how much you have been hurt. Bearing the greatest slander, the greatest scorn, the greatest hatred the world has ever seen, Jesus said to God: "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit."

That is what you should do when you're faced with verbal grafitti--FORGIVE. To be like Christ, you must forgive and turn it over to your heavenly Father as He did. Sometimes you treat your family like the enemy, and your acquaintances like family. That is a false way of moving through the world. You must realize that you haven't been perfect either, and someone has undoubtedly covered your wrongs with their love. For God to forgive you, you must forgive others. We all forget that sometimes!

Have a good Wednesday and thank God for all your good gifts!

Blessings...Mimi

Graffiti of the Heart: Verbal Abuse

The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
Proverbs 15:4

Is there anyone who hasn't felt the sting of hateful, mean-spirited words spewing out all over their formally placid mind? The shock of those bitter words flows through you like no other feeling you can recall. We've all been there and know that feeling--the paralyzing quality of their meaning. And all of us ask the same questions: How could they say that? What are they thinking? What have I done?!!! Sometimes we can answer those questions, and sometimes we can't. We usually respond with anger and outrage. But should we?

In Chapter 3 of F. LaGard Smith's Meeting God in Quiet Places, he addresses this kind of desecration written on our mental walls. How do we cope with this kind of attack? Can we find a similar situation in the Bible? Yes, David's anguish at being attacked with slander by friends can be compared to our own. And who has suffered the most pain from slander and betrayal by friends? Jesus, our Saviour. 

I have often referred to the Psalms because within them lies all of the elements we experience in our own lives. In this parable, the same connection is made when David writes poems about his enemies speaking evil of him. Not great armies coming against him, but hateful words. David even prays for protection from the words of his enemies, many who hate him simply because he is "a man after God's own heart." Like our own enemies, David's were just waiting for him to fail, so they could heap scorn on him. Our enemies are waiting for us to fail, waiting for us to show our struggling faith, so they can express words of derision and hurt. 

But when you think about it, it isn't surprising that our enemies throw hateful words at us. Having no regard for anything spiritual, and by pointing out our faults, they justify their own sinful ways. That is the way it works in the world. 

However, it is when the one who has abused you is a loved one that you are most deeply hurt. This also happened to David, and we can only guess who he was talking about in one of his psalms: Was it King Saul, who loved him like a son, then tried to kill him? Or maybe his beloved son Absalom, who brought a rebellion against him? Two people close to David--people he loved--betrayed him!

Can you imagine how David felt, because you have also had this experience? Has a close friend or relative betrayed you? Your first reaction is to give back in kind. Like David, you feel totally validated in asking God to help you get back at them. David said of his enemy: "May his days be few. May another take his place of leadership. May his children be fatherless and his wife a widow. May his children be wandering beggars. May a creditor seize all he has. May strangers plunder the fruits of his labor. May no one extend kindness to him or take pity on his fatherless children." 

OUCH! Can this be the same David who wrote the 23rd Psalm?

You'll get the answer to that question tomorrow. I hope your week is going smoothly!

Blessings...Mimi 

10 Things You May Not Know About Poetry and Psalms

What is Mortality
But things relating to the Body,
Which dies?
What is Immortality
But things relating to the Spirit,
Which Lives Eternally?
William Blake 1757-1827

This poem is from a book by Dr. John Diamond, M.D., titled The Healing Power of Blake: A Distillation. Dr. Diamond has taken Blake's very long poems and made them readable in his book. He uses poetry to heal his patients, and he believes that Blake was one of the best at writing poetry that heals, especially when it is sung. Diamond suggests to his patients that they write poetry, and that they also read the masters of poetry out loud, and to sing the poems.

This reminds me of David, as he was a master of poetry writing, and used his songs to heal King Saul's malady. Here are 10 things you may not know about Poetry & Psalms:

1) David gave us one of the most glorious collections of poetry ever written. We call it the Book of Psalms, the Jews call it the Book of Praises. It is often called the Psalms of David.

2) David had a great talent for playing an instrument, and writing and singing songs.

3) David's true character is revealed in his songs: his love of God, his care for people, his anguish at his own failings, and his trust and faith in God's forgiveness and deliverance.

4) David's poetry serves as a journal for his life experiences and a history of his people.

5) David's love of God spills over not only in his expressions of God's love and mercy, but also His presence with him, His holiness, His power, and His faithfulness.

6) All of God's attributes can be found in the songs of David.

7) In the Psalms, we learn the value of knowing God, what it means to be righteous, as well as vanity found in the way of the unrighteous, and what their end will be.

8) David wrote 150 songs, which were written to be sung by a large choir accompanied by thousands of musicians.

9) David organized all the music for worship in Jerusalem.

10) The Psalms are read, chanted and sung every day of the year. No other book of hymns has been used for such a long period of time by so many people.

No wonder David is called "the sweet Psalmist of Israel." The Psalms have come down to us as a blessing--their healing power and influence is impossible to calculate. But even a cursory look at their depth and meaning will convince you that they are worth contemplating. Once again, we realize we have been given great gifts from God? What will you do with them?

Albuquerque has had more rain than at any time in the last 20 years! It's truly wonderful to experience the rain here, because it doesn't fall very often as we're a high desert. I love the sunshine and I love the dry air, but the rain is always very welcome!

Blessings...Mimi

10 Things You May Not Know About David & Prophecy

David was an unusal man for his times in so many ways, that I wonder if you understand the magnitude of his life. No king--before or after him--loved God as much... he was a man after God's own heart. And when he failed to please God and sinned, he was humble and contrite, begging forgiveness. But David was not only a king, warrior and ruler, he was also a prophet. In II Samuel 22:23, as David was about to die, he spoke these words: "The spirit of the Lord hath spoken by me and his word by my tongue." You may learn more about the importance of David and his reign from these 10 facts about his prophecies.

1) David's prophecies are Messianic.
2) David's prophecies refer to the suffering of Christ.
3) David's prophecies refer to the persecution of Christ.
4) David's prophecies refer to the triumphant deliverance of Christ.
5) David's prophecies refer to the hereditary rights given Jesus by the Father.
6) David's prophecies were written 1,000 years before Christ, but many make reference to and foreshadow him.
7) David was a king after God's own heart; his qualities are of the Messiah.
8) Foreshadowing of Christ: David & Christ both born in Bethlehem; David's shepherd life points to Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
9) Both David and Christ were betrayed by friends and had to make a sad passage.
10) The Davidic Psalms are clearly typical of the future Messiah, of which David was a type.

In the Psalms, David speaks as a prophet, which his last words acknowledge. Many of the 100 direct references to Jesus in Messianic passages of the Psalms are quoted in the New Testament. They are used to explain the character and message of Jesus as Messiah and refer to all of the above. When we think of David, we should think of him as a man after God's own heart, and a type of the Messiah.

I hope everyone is having a good week.
Blessings...Mimi