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: Wednesday, May 29, 2019
Chapters: I Kings 2, I Chronicles 29, Psalms 37, 71, 94
Message: The Steps Of A Good Christian
Hello My Friend,
God saw fit to wake me up at three o’clock this morning so that we can talk. I found myself, like I do from time to time, pitying myself, and then God just came out and told me to stop, and think about what He has asked me to do. You know, God’s will, while it can seem rather challenging, is obtainable, there is nothing that He asks of us that we are not capable of doing, and with a little patience, a little faith, some faithfulness, and a whole lot of trust, we can accomplish it. I asked God to answer my question on whether or not I am to keep praying for the thing I have been praying years for, and then He gave it to me.
“Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming. The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation. Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken. The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.” – Psalm 37:7,9,13-15,14-24.
“for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.” We were actually talking about this during Bible study last night, how despite our many trips and falls, we are still protected by the hand of Jesus. Christians can get caught up in some crazy things if their heart is not right with God, yet His hand is right there to catch us should we fall. The wicked do not have that luxury, they may prosper for a time, but it will not last, and God will not have to do a thing to destroy them because they will destroy themselves. Believe it or not, Jesus orders our steps, and while we may not understand them all, He gives us the strength and ability to walk them. Being a faithful Christian does not mean we are not going to trip up a time or two, it does mean that God will give us the means to be able to get back up, but we cannot do it alone, we need help. David faced many challenges in his life, he knew a thing or two about falling, and the LORD picking him back up. He calls the congregation and asks them to welcome Solomon and also give him some encouragement and help him out in making sure he would be a success.
“Furthermore David the king said unto all the congregation, Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great: for the palace is not for man, but for the LORD God. Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for things to be made of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and the brass for things of brass, the iron for things of iron, and wood for things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance. Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house, Then the chief of the fathers and princes of the tribes of Israel, and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers of the king’s work, offered willingly, And they with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of the LORD, by the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite. Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.” – I Chronicles 29:1-3,6,8-9.
“and the work is great:” Let me tell you, the work that God gives us is great, and it will be the most challenging and rewarding thing we will ever do. Jesus needs a few willing hearts who will step up and say, “LORD, Here am I.” We may be laughed at, despised, and rejected by those of the world, and we may have to endure some long and lonely days and nights, yet we are not alone, He will be with us every step of the way. “For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth. By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother’s bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee. I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge. But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more. My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof. I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only. O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.” – Psalm 71:5-7,14-17.
“I am as a wonder unto many;” There is not one person in the world who will not look at you like you are crazy if you were to tell them that God is the one who healed you, blessed you, and helped you. So, the world laughs and mocks us, despises and rejects us, who cares about them, we do not belong with them anyway. After all that happened with Adonijah trying to take the kingdom from Solomon, David did not know how the people were going to react, he was overjoyed by how well they received him, and the offerings they gave, as well as their willingness to come together as one. He says a prayer, and then everyone rejoiced, welcoming Solomon as king.
“Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever. Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name. But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. O LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, our fathers, keep this for ever in the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of thy people, and prepare their heart unto thee: And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for the which I have made provision. And David said to all the congregation, Now bless the LORD your God. And all the congregation blessed the LORD God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshipped the LORD, and the king. And did eat and drink before the LORD on that day with great gladness. And they made Solomon the son of David king the second time, and anointed him unto the LORD to be the chief governor, and Zadok to be priest.” – I Chronicles 29:10,13-14,18-20,22.
“And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart,” It gives us great joy to see the people we encourage and teach in the LORD doing something for God. God has never limited Himself to just the Jews, He has always given His strength, power, and might to anyone who willingly offers themselves to Him, and has a willing heart. The willing heart is not perfect, but follows a perfect Christ, even when it gets overwhelmed. And as much as we think we can walk these steps alone, we simply cannot, not without Jesus, and not without other faithful Christians who can encourage and lift us up so we do not get so weary that we trip and fall. David knew his end was near, that his success as king was not because of who he was, but who God is, which is why after Solomon was anointed king, he spoke to him, and gave him some words to live by.
“Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying, I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man; And keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself: That the LORD may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel. Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abner the son of Ner, and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet. Do therefore according to thy wisdom, and let not his hoar head go down to the grave in peace.” – I Kings 2:1-6.
“Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me,” David did not forget that Joab was the one who tried to overthrow Solomon becoming king, and he also knew all the wicked things he did. People think that they can live a secret life, but someone is always watching. Joab’s past caught up to him, he and all the men that conspired to make Adonijah king, except for the priest were executed. God has made each and every one of us for a purpose, and when He orders our steps there is no one who can stand in His way of making it happen. “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” – John 15:16.
Jesus Christ Magnified: “When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up.” – Psalm 94:18.
Today’s Prayer: God, You are the one who ordered our steps, may we be used to be a testimony of the life You have given us through Your Son, and not an example of what happens if we are not. You are my life, I am nothing apart from You, I do not want riches or fame, all I want is to know Your will for my life and how I am to obtain that. Lord, lead me and guide me, give me Your power to walk with You everywhere I go, the wisdom and understanding on how to make the right decisions and judgment of people, and give me the strength and help I need to take those steps all the way to the finished line. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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