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: Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Chapters: I Chronicles Chapter 20, Psalm Chapter 32, 86, 122
Message: Walking in Christ
Hello My Friend,
It does not take long for a saved, born again Christian to start thinking about all the sins they committed when affliction comes and there seems to be no reprieve from it. Not only do replays of the past come to mind, but we even start coming up with things in an attempt to figure out what is going on and how quickly we can make amends with God to stop it. Now, we sin every day, sometimes intentionally, sometimes ignorantly, and often without even thinking about it, but we do ourselves both a disservice to God and ourselves when we constantly come to Him seeking forgiveness for things that are already forgiven.
[Colossians 2:6,12-15 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.]
Wow! I needed that reminder today as I am sitting here staring at the computer screen attempting to put all these thoughts in my head together into something that makes sense for the both of us. There was a time when we were dead in our sins and there may be some reading this today that still are as without Christ we are dead spiritually, walking around in the flesh and bones that we are temporarily given. It was Paul who said, [2 Corinthians 5:1-3,17-18 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;]
Speaking of reconciliation, the reason we can become disconnected with God in the first place is that our heart is not right with Him. Perhaps one had become weary, complacent, lazy, or attempted to do so many things that they burned ourselves out. The temptation to sin does not come upon us out of the blue, it is something that had been working on us for quite some time. When David sinned with Bathsheba his heart was not right with God, we saw that because Nathan was the one who warned David about the repercussions of his sin, which really had more to do with Uriah. Now, after all that came to pass, and he got his heart right with God, and as we return to the Psalms we are reminded of just how merciful He is when we confess our sins.
[Psalms 32:1-4 A Psalm of David, Maschil. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. 3 When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. 4 For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.]
[When I kept silence, my bones waxed old] David knew he sinned with Bathsheba and that guilt alone weighed on him especially when he found out that she was pregnant. Add all the sins that he committed just to try and cover up that sin only added to the pain. God, actually wants us to get to the point to where the guilt is so bad that the only thing we can do is come clean. Of course, He does not want us to keep on committing sin to get to that point, but He will literally help us out of our troubles, which the Psalm reminds us of also.
[Psalms 32:5-8,10-11 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. 6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. 7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. 8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. 10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about. 11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.]
[I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go:] It always boggles my mind as to why God was so merciful to me when I had to deal with my own sin a few years ago and how He even protected me. The pain of sinning against God was more devastating on me than anything else. I believe that is why God not only forgave me, but helped me out of that mess as He does anyone else who comes to Him for reconciliation, [Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.]
Even though we are reconciled with God when we come to Him through our faith in His Son, there are always repercussions that come from sin that we cannot avoid. Now, if we are saved, then we are not condemned for our sins, but some chastening will occur although it is not so severe as if we had kept it to ourselves. As we return to the reading of 1 Chronicles, it gives a brief account of the war going on with Ammon when David decided to stay behind, but leaves out the details of his indiscretion with Bathsheba.
[1 Chronicles 20:1,4-7 And it came to pass, that after the year was expired, at the time that kings go out to battle, Joab led forth the power of the army, and wasted the country of the children of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried at Jerusalem. And Joab smote Rabbah, and destroyed it. 4 And it came to pass after this, that there arose war at Gezer with the Philistines; at which time Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Sippai, that was of the children of the giant: and they were subdued. 5 And there was war again with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair slew Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, whose spear staff was like a weaver’s beam. 6 And yet again there was war at Gath, where was a man of great stature, whose fingers and toes were four and twenty, six on each hand, and six on each foot: and he also was the son of the giant. 7 But when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea David’s brother slew him.]
[And yet again there was war at Gath,] Notice how Israel never had rest anymore, they were at constant war until David died. Sometimes I think that I am still suffering for the consequence of my past and even brought that to my family. I even told my husband that what we are going through now is all my fault because of my past. That is when God so kindly reminds me that I was forgiven and since I repented long ago I need to understand that I am not responsible for all the families afflictions.
[Ezekiel 18:20-22 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. 21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. 22 All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live.]
Do you see that? Even before Christ came here in the flesh and gave His life for them to save their soul from death they knew that salvation is only granted to those who come to Him. While sin actually does affect all those around us, each and every one of us is responsible for our own salvation and the messes that me make due to sin. Nevertheless, God, is faithful to forgive His people when they come to Him in sincere confession. I imagine that this is how David felt as well as he was constantly reminding himself that God is ready to forgive.
[Psalms 86:1-7 A Prayer of David. Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy. 2 Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee. 3 Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. 4 Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. 5 For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. 6 Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. 7 In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.]
[and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.] You know, calling on God is more than just for our salvation. Calling upon Him will be for the rest of our lifetime for everything that we need, especially when we are in trouble. It is only though our weakness that Christ can even show His strength through us.
[2 Corinthians 13:4-8 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you. 5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 6 But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates. 7 Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates. 8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.]
It takes our coming to Him in our weakness to discover that Christ is our power. We certainly can do nothing apart from Christ and well, and we ought to know by now that if we attempted to do anything in our flesh alone, even break free from sin, that it is impossible. While God will judge the sins of His people, He will not leave them in the hands of their enemy, this is the power of His mercy. God’s hand is in all that we do, even if we have messed up, but His assistance will help us overcome them. You see, God is out to change our heart.
[Psalms 86:8-13 Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works. 9 All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name. 10 For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone. 11 Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. 12 I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. 13 For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.]
[Among the gods there is none like unto thee,] David, is not talking about some false god or idol here, he is referring to the angels, pointing out that there is none like Him. David, is not comparing the Almighty God to the angels or saying that there are other gods, he knows there is only One God. Kings, queens, and princes are often referred to as gods or lords also, not because they have some special power, it is because they are a monarch. God’s hand in all that we do, even if we have messed up, His assistance will help us overcome and be a testimony for those who are struggling.
[Psalms 86:14-17 O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them. 15 But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth. 16 O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid. 17 Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me.]
[But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering,] Just think about what your salvation is, it has more to do with saving you from hell when you die, it is about saving you from a life of bondage. Before we knew Christ as our Saviour we were surely in bondage to sin, to the world, to whatever it is that we sought comfort in. The problem with seeking comfort in what the world offers is that it never lasts, we are always searching for the next thing that will give us hope and peace, [Romans 8:24-26 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. 26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.]
[because thou, LORD, hast holpen me,][Holpen; Protect; secure; help] The same help and comfort that God gives freely to us may freely be asked by all believers, for He is truly the God of everyone who puts their faith and trust in Him. With Jesus we do not need to seek the things of the world to bring us comfort as He is all we need for hope and peace, [1 Peter 3:15-16 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.]
People confuse religion with Jesus, it is not the same thing, if we did everything based on religion then no one would ever get saved because they would never see Jesus. Do you think that God wants His people to live in a bubble for the rest of their days, or in misery and be tortured all their days on the earth for their sins? He does not, He wants to bless us with peace, prosperity, and an abundant life while we are here as we await a much better one in His Kingdom. David’s heart delighted in God’s mercies and forgiveness toward Him, he wanted all of his brethren to experience the same joy and peace.
[Psalms 122:1-9 A Song of degrees of David. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD. 2 Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem. 3 Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together: 4 Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD. 5 For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David. 6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. 7 Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces. 8 For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. 9 Because of the house of the LORD our God I will seek thy good.]
[Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:] You heard about the recent attacks on Israel, we need to be praying for Israel, not because they are more righteous, it is because that is what God tells us to do. Many may not acknowledge Christ right now, but they will one day, and we wall be united, compact together, [Luke 13:29 And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.]
[For my brethren and companions’ sakes,] We are going to mess up, we are going to get chastened sometimes because of it. If we belong to Christ, then we belong to God, and when we belong to God, He wants the best for us, and only has our best interests at His own heart. He does the things that He does so that we might be walking testimonies of our faith. You see, those who are seeking Christ rather find Him through some bumbling sinner who needs Him every day rather than one who thinks they have no sin. Afflictions often come to keep us in check with our salvation and to separate the truly believers from the pretenders.
[1 Corinthians 11:26-28,31-33 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. 27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. 33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.]
Jesus Christ Revealed/Magnified: [Psalms 32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.]
Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You for Your mercy, no matter what I do or how many times I mess up You still love me and are merciful to me. I know that my heart is not always right, life has a way of making that happen, but I know that You can change my heart because You have already, and continue to do so. You already got me this far, I know that I am forgiven, and that I have the hope of Your Kingdom to look forward to. Lord, I do want to live a life that is pleasing to You, and one that shows Your Son in me, open my heart, remove anything from it that is competing with You. Fill me with Your grace, never let it depart from me so that I may walk in Your Spirit and lose my flesh. Teach me Your will for my life and help me to walk in Your truths continually so that my heart never sways. And use me to be a testimony to teach others Your truths. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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