God’s Faithfulness And Trials

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King James Bible StudyAnd 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 19, 2020
Chapters: II Samuel 19-21
Message: God’s Faithfulness And Trials

Hello My Friend,

Do you know what the most amazing thing about God is? No matter how many times we mess up, or how many times we question His methods, or how many times we do things against His will, He is always faithful to us. It seems like the past couple of weeks I have barely spoken to God, even though I pray every day. And let me tell you, the longer you go without talking to God, the more crazy the thoughts in your head get. You see, when we feel as though we have failed God, we kind of distance ourselves from Him as the thought of disappointing Him grieves us dearly. When we finally come to our senses and realize that God is still with us we start feeling that closeness again, [Isaiah 1:17-18  Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.  18  Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.]

Remember when, al-Baghdadi, the leader of ISIS, who orchestrated the death of thousands of people, including Americans was killed? Thousands of people protested what happened. They did not care that he was the one who led to so many terrorist attacks and deaths, all they were concerned about was this man being taken out. Well, this is sort of what happened after David found out that his son, Absalom was killed after orchestrating his death and thousands of people dying. After their victory, the soldiers returned from battle expecting to be welcomed by a glorious celebration. Instead, they get a king crying, and deeply mourning the death of his son. David’s actions were so great that it made him incapable of making any decisions. Joab confronts him, and reminds him that it was something that had to be done. Now the people are questioning him because he left.

[II Samuel 19:2-3,5-7,9   And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son.  3  And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.  5  And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, which this day have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines;  6  In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends. For thou hast declared this day, that thou regardest neither princes nor servants: for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well.  7  Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thy servants: for I swear by the LORD, if thou go not forth, there will not tarry one with thee this night: and that will be worse unto thee than all the evil that befell thee from thy youth until now.  9  And all the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, The king saved us out of the hand of our enemies, and he delivered us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he is fled out of the land for Absalom.]

[then it had pleased thee well.] In a war there is always death, we tend to lose sight of the fact that someone’s child, sibling, spouse, relative, or friend lost their lives in a battle, one that while they were prepared for, did not want to be in. Civil wars are not the same as when we fight the enemy, they take lives senselessly, all because of leaders who care less about our freedoms, and want the power to control our well being. Instead of focusing on the negative that this virus has contributed to the death of many people, it is time to focus on the positive, that many more have survived and are recovered. Believe it or not, Christians set the example that most people follow, and want leading them. While we do have a right to mourn and grieve, just like everyone else, we must not let it keep us from taking care of those who depend on us. Yes, it can seem a bit unfair, but that is what Jesus is for, He gives us the strength we need to get up, move forward, and lead us through every heartache.

[I Peter 3:13-16  And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?  14  But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;  15  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.]

Remember Shimei, he cursed David as he was passing by? As David heads back home he is greeted by Shimei, this time to seek forgiveness for cursing him. We can learn a bit about God’s faithfulness through David and Shimei.

[II Samuel 19:15-16,19,23-24,28-30,  So the king returned, and came to Jordan. And Judah came to Gilgal, to go to meet the king, to conduct the king over Jordan.  16  And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, which was of Bahurim, hasted and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David. 19  And said unto the king, Let not my lord impute iniquity unto me, neither do thou remember that which thy servant did perversely the day that my lord the king went out of Jerusalem, that the king should take it to his heart. 23 Therefore the king said unto Shimei, Thou shalt not die. And the king sware unto him.  24  And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace.  28  For all of my father’s house were but dead men before my lord the king: yet didst thou set thy servant among them that did eat at thine own table. What right therefore have I yet to cry any more unto the king?  29  And the king said unto him, Why speakest thou any more of thy matters? I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the land.  30  And Mephibosheth said unto the king, Yea, let him take all, forasmuch as my lord the king is come again in peace unto his own house.]

[that the king should take it to his heart.] If God took everything to heart that we said out of anger or grief none of us would be saved today. When we become distant with Him He knows it has to do with the circumstances we are facing, He knows everything we are going through and that we will find our way back to Him. Now, there are some people who do get angry and walk away from God completely, they in fact, get down right rebellious and hateful toward God. It is much easier to forsake God and turn to a life of shame than deal with the issues straight on, so they seem to think so. Let me tell you, anger and bitterness will destroy your life, unless you get a handle on it it will be the death of you. No sooner than he gets back to his palace, a man named Sheba starts another civil war.

[II Samuel 20:1,4,6,15-16,22  And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.  6  And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom: take thou thy lord’s servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fenced cities, and escape us. 15  And they came and besieged him in Abel of Bethmaachah, and they cast up a bank against the city, and it stood in the trench: and all the people that were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down.  16  Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear, hear; say, I pray you, unto Joab, Come near hither, that I may speak with thee. 22  Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast it out to Joab. And he blew a trumpet, and they retired from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem unto the king.]

[And there happened to be there a man of Beliai,] Belial, that old devil himself. As soon as we get things right with God and start moving in the right direction, here comes the devil placing more trials before us in an attempt to drag us back into sin. Believe it or not, God allows the devil to place those trials upon us. Why? To make sure we stay out of trouble. And By the strength of God we can overcome any temptation from the devil. [I Corinthians 10:13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.]

Sometimes the trials we face have nothing to do with what we have done, but what others have done. No sooner than God delivered Israel out of the hands of Sheba a famine comes, it lasted three years, finally David seeks answers from God to find out what the problem was.

[II Samuel 21:1,3,6-7,14  Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David enquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.  3  Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I make the atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of the LORD?   6  Let seven men of his sons be delivered unto us, and we will hang them up unto the LORD in Gibeah of Saul, whom the LORD did choose. And the king said, I will give them.  7  But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the LORD’S oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul. 14  And the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son buried they in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the sepulchre of Kish his father: and they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God was intreated for the land.]

[And after that God was intreated for the land.] David made things right with the Gibeonites, then God began blessing them once again. David knew all too well by experience that the trials he and his people were facing were the cause of some kind of sin. When we are facing trials we need to keep asking God questions, He will reveal the source of the trials if we keep asking. Whether it is something we have done, others have done, or simply that He wants us to trust Him, we should go to all lengths to understand the trials we face and how we can resolve the problem as God would have us. [John 16:13-15  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.  14  He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.  15  All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.]

Today’s Prayer: God, Thank You for loving me and not giving up on me, and for Your faithfulness. Although I do not understand everything that You afflict me with, I do understand that You have a reason and a purpose for it. Lord, give me Your mercy, grace, wisdom, guidance, power, and strength to endure every trial, help me to understand why You have placed these trials before me in the first place. And what You will not show me, keep me looking to You, and trusting that You will work everything out for good. I ask these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,

Christina

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