King James Bible Study – “And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” – Mark 8:34
Date: Saturday, May 11, 2019
Chapters: II Samuel 10, I Chronicles 19, Psalm 20
Message: Win Or Lose, We Have The Victory in Christ
Hello My Friend,
Growing up in Detroit, a person learns a thing or two about defending themselves. I can tell you many stories of how my street smarts enabled me to be able to defeat my attacker. Street smarts is something that comes natural to those who grow up in dangerous neighborhoods, we learn to be courageous, strong, independent, and to fight for everything. So, when we learn about Jesus, and find out that He wants us to depend on Him for everything, that does not come so easy, not at first anyway. By the way, did you know that everything you went through, even before you were saved, prepared you for the life you will live with Christ? As I look back on my life I see His hand in everything, which first led me to Him, then later on dedicate my life to Him. There is something amazing that we acquire from Christ that enables us to have both street and spiritual smarts, and that is grace. Christ’s grace enables us to find strength through Him as we learn to depend on Him to fight our battles for us.
“For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” – II Corinthians 12:8-10.
“for when I am weak,” Weakness does not come easy for us, well, some people tend to play on their weaknesses to get people to do things for them, but most of us find weakness rather daunting. In our flesh, we are too proud to admit that we are weak, and too strong willed to ask for help. However, if there is one thing about Christ to ever learn in walking with Him, it is that He wants us to depend on Him for everything so that we can be made strong through Him. Let me tell you, the bravest thing you will ever do is come to Christ, and once you do, He will be forever on your side. “We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.” – I Corinthians 4:10.
“ye are honourable, but we are despised.” As born again Christians, remember, there is a difference, those who truly are Christians are despised by the world, even though they are actually afraid of us. The king of Ammon showed kindness to David by sheltering one of his brothers when the king of Moab treacherously massacred the rest of his family. David and the king became allies, when Nahas died, David wanted to pay his respects by sending some of his servants to his son Hanun. However, after listening to some bad advice, Hanun did something foolish that would start a war between Israel, Ammon, and Syria.
“And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead. Then said David, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father shewed kindness unto me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And David’s servants came into the land of the children of Ammon. And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it? Wherefore Hanun took David’s servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away. When they told it unto David, he sent to meet them, because the men were greatly ashamed: and the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown, and then return. And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David, the children of Ammon sent and hired the Syrians of Bethrehob, and the Syrians of Zoba, twenty thousand footmen, and of king Maacah a thousand men, and of Ishtob twelve thousand men.” – II Samuel 10:1-6.
“And when the children of Ammon saw that they stank before David,” Hanun knew that he was foolish in what he had done, but instead of apologizing he manages to find someone else just as foolish to help him. Civil battles do not start over something worth fighting for, they are always over pride. Now, Israel has another battle to fight, the first thing David did was pray to God.
“To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion; Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah. Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel. We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions. Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright.” – Psalm 20:1-8.
“Grant thee according to thine own heart,” You know, we do not always know God’s will, it is obvious for us to believe that His will means we will be able to win our battles, but what happens if it is not? Sometimes it is not in God’s will that we have the victory, rather that we are defeated ourselves. Why? There is great learning, and insight that comes when God allows us to be knocked down once in a while. Also, He is actually preparing us for a bigger battle that we will have the victory over.
“For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” I Thessalonians 5:2-4,14-18.
“that that day should overtake you as a thief.” Yes, we have a much bigger battle awaiting us, and while the saved will not be in the battle, we need to be prepared because Jesus could return any day. Now, in every battle, God sends out His very best to fight, we may not want to fight, we may even want to hide, but if God has chosen us for the battle, whether it is to win or lose, we have to trust that He knows what He is doing and let Him lead us in the way He would have us go. David sent his best men out to the battle, and Joab led the pack.
“And when David heard of it, he sent Joab, and all the host of the mighty men. And the children of Ammon came out, and put the battle in array before the gate of the city: and the kings that were come were by themselves in the field. Now when Joab saw that the battle was set against him before and behind, he chose out of all the choice of Israel, and put them in array against the Syrians. And the rest of the people he delivered unto the hand of Abishai his brother, and they set themselves in array against the children of Ammon. And he said, If the Syrians be too strong for me, then thou shalt help me: but if the children of Ammon be too strong for thee, then I will help thee. Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in his sight. So Joab and the people that were with him drew nigh before the Syrians unto the battle; and they fled before him. And when the children of Ammon saw that the Syrians were fled, they likewise fled before Abishai his brother, and entered into the city. Then Joab came to Jerusalem.”- I Chronicles 19:8-15.
“then thou shalt help me:” David’s men were not defeated, in fact, they not only won, they earned the respect of the Syrians. We are all going to have times in our lives when we are weak or strong, when we are weak it is okay to ask for help, and when we are strong we ought to be willing to help those who are weak. And let me tell you, while we may not always win every earthly battle, we are never losers because we belong to Christ. “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” – Romans 15:1-4.
Jesus Christ Magnified: “Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in his sight.” – I Chronicles 19:13.
Today’s Prayer: God, As much as I understand that You are with me through every battle I face that still does not mean I am ready or willing to fight. Your timing is everything, and as long as I wait patiently, and trust You, Your grace is enough to help me endure whatever Your will for me is. I thank You for bringing me this far, to imagine what mess I would be in if You were not in my life would be frightening. I know You have more waiting for me as I patiently allow You to prepare me, strengthen me, and keep me depending on You for everything, even if I lose I know I have the victory because I have You. I ask You to give me Your power to wait on You, to not become discouraged, and to be strong, even if I am the only one trusting You. I trust that You will bring me to victory no matter what the outcome, my Lord, my strength, and my Redeemer. I pray this in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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