Month: September 2022

⁷ They replied, ‘If today you will be a servant to these people and serve them and GIVE THEM A FAVOURABLE ANSWER, THEY WILL ALWAYS BE YOUR SERVANTS.’ 1 Kings 12

The time had come for a change in Israel’s King. Solomon had been led astray by his foreign wives and ‘his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord, AS THE HEART OF HIS FATHER DAVID HAD BEEN (David served God whole heartedly). 1 Kings 11:4

Rehoboam now faced people who were willing to serve him as their King, BUT they insisted that he lighten the burden imposed upon them. Then Rehoboam consulted the elders who had served his father and asked for them what he should do?

In 2 Kings 12:7 the word serve and servants is repeated three times, twice to King Rehoboam and once regarding his subjects. ‘Serve them and give them a Favourable answer and they’ll Always serve you.’ But Rehoboam didn’t accept their advice, the old advisers to King Solomon. He went to his own contemporaries, ‘the young men he’d grown up with’ and asked them. Their counsel was contrary to the elders, ‘Increase the burden on the people!’ This resulted in the division of the Kingdom, Old divisions resurfaced and ten of the tribes rejected Rehoboam.

¹⁶ When all Israel saw that the king refused to listen to them, they answered the king:

So the Israelites went home. ¹⁷ But as for the Israelites who were living in the towns of Judah, Rehoboam still ruled over them. 1 Kings 12, (also 2 Samuel 20:1, Sheba rebelled against David, but was swiftly put down.)

Rehoboam didn’t choose the way of peace, instead he chose the way of conflict and lost ten parts of his kingdom.

The UK is also in a time of transition now, after the death of Queen Elisabeth 2 and there have been many voices raised for and against her and the Royal Family here. Kat Kerr said unequivocally on Wednesday evening that the late queen was now in heaven with the Lord! Amanda Grace also prophesied this week that a third of the Royals AND MORE would be broken off. We live in turbulent days and the rise and fall of many is now at hand. We do need the Lord to raise up Godly and God Fearing leaders among the nations, to remove corruption from the midst of people. Leaders are important, setting the tone, across society. Pray God for our nations today that we’ll turn back to God and walk in His ways.

God cares about us as individuals and will bring us through coming Storms as He did with the disciples in the boat on the Galilee. Suddenly they’d arrived at the far side and the storm had past. John 6:21

Fathers Love Ministry would welcome your support today. Please donate at our website;

fathersloveministry.co.uk

We are available to seek personal words of encouragement and to counsel those who wish it online, contact us on our website above.

THE LORD IS NO ONE’S DEBTOR, HALLELUJAH.

What’s given to Him will always be multiplied back to us.

God bless and keep you today.

 

 

It is wise to ask questions and not accept things at face value, both David and Jesus did.

² The king asked Ziba, ‘WHY have you brought these?’

³ The king then asked, ‘WHERE is your master’s grandson?’ 2 Samuel 16

We saw yesterday that even in the midst of fleeing for his life, David still had the presence of mind to ask Ziba the steward two searching questions. What’s your MOTIVE for bringing these supplies and where is your MASTER? WHY ARE WE DOING SOMETHING AND WHO ARE WE DOING IT FOR? These questions are still relevant for the believer’s walk with God. I also quoted God’s very recent word through Amanda Grace;

’Do not exalt pastors (Leaders) above My Name. I am your source, I am your banner, I am your provider. DON’T MAKE FALLIBLE MEN AND WOMEN YOUR SOURCE.’

It’s always easier to follow someone, perhaps with a powerful gifting or very charismatic, than to seek God’s will for ourselves. There’s much compromise in the Church today and we need to be asking for the Lord’s direction in our lives.

Ziba said to him, ‘He (Mephibosheth)is staying in Jerusalem, because he thinks, “Today the Israelites will restore to me my grandfather’s kingdom.”’

⁴ Then the king said to Ziba, ‘All that belonged to Mephibosheth is now yours (The word of a king is all powerful and we serve the King of Kings).’

‘I humbly bow,’ Ziba said. ‘May I find Favour in your eyes, my lord the king.’

King David, still king though his Rulership had been usurped, similar to another situation today. David made a pronouncement based on Ziba’s report to him.

¹⁷ The first to present his case seems right,
    until another comes forward and QUESTIONS THEM. (It is Biblical to ask questions although it may not be well received, particularly by leaders.) Proverbs 18

In 2 Samuel 19:24-30 the Bible gives us the other side of this affair when David QUESTIONED Mephibosheth. Once David heard his explanation, he immediately changed his earlier ruling.

²⁵ When he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the KING ASKED HIM (At the First Opportunity!), ‘Why didn’t you go with me, Mephibosheth?’

²⁶ He said, ‘My lord the king, since I your servant am lame, I said, “I will have my donkey saddled and will ride on it, so that I can go with the king.” But Ziba my servant betrayed me.” 2 Samuel 19

We shouldn’t ask question just for the sake of doing so, but God’s Spirit can give us the right questions to ask, and often revelation on what we seek.

²⁹ The king said to him, ‘Why say more? I order you and Ziba to divide the land.’

³⁰ Mephibosheth said to the king, ‘Let him take everything, now that my lord the king has returned home safely.’

David’s final judgement was more balanced than the one he’d given based on Ziba’s words alone. There are always two sides to any situation and Gossip often covers only the side the teller wants us to hear! Even the news media today is particularly slanted and biased, organs of propaganda.

Be Wise, Ask Questions Before You Accept or Take on Board what you’re being told and seek the Lord for understanding.

God bless and keep you today.

 

When we’re in God’s Timing events WORK FOR US!

In N.Ireland all motor vehicles over three years of age have to be inspected for roadworthiness every twelve months. My car was due an inspection today but there’s a long waiting list following the lockdown. I had booked a slot, but it was many weeks away. This morning my wife started talking about getting an earlier appointment, as I’d had some preparation to the car e.g. tyres and brakes.

I tried ringing for a cancellation and after a longish wait I got through and they immediately hung up. Tried online but couldn’t get into the system. Eventually I phoned again and spoke with a lady about changing my appointment. At first she offered me something a long way from home, which I declined. Then as I was talking to her, she said a slot had just come up at my preferred centre. It was in 2 hours, so I took it and the car passed. ‘I’ was frustrated by the initial  lack of Progress to rebook my inspection, but when I got through a slot became free. God is a master planner who works all things for our good, even when we’re frustrated by the failure of our own efforts. THANK GOD HE SOMETIMES OVERRULES AND BLESSES US ANYWAY!

God works all things together for the good of those who love Him. Romans 8:28

²⁵ Then the king said to Zadok, ‘Take the ark of God back into the city. IF I FIND FAVOUR in the Lord’s eyes, he will bring me back and let me see it and his dwelling-place again. 2 Samuel 15

We said yesterday that in times of crises are inner natures are often revealed – no time to plan or prepare, we have to react to what’s upon us. David made all the preparations he could, but ultimately his hope rested in God’s Justice and Faithfulness.

David and all with him departed via the Mount of Olives, where another drama would be played out centuries later, when Jesus was alone in the Garden of Gethsemane.

16 When David had gone a short distance beyond the summit, there was Ziba, the steward of Mephibosheth, waiting to meet him. He had a string of donkeys saddled and loaded with two hundred loaves of bread, a hundred cakes of raisins, a hundred cakes of figs and a skin of wine. 2 Samuel 16:1

Ziba, the man whom David had appointed to serve Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s lame son, had come out to bring him supplies. David and his followers must have been glad of the support, but he still asked Ziba two interesting questions.

² The king asked Ziba, ‘Why have you brought these?’

David asked people questions, as did Jesus and sometimes their life depended on their answer. I see what you’ve done and I’m grateful, but WHAT’S YOUR MOTIVE? Man looks on the outside, God looks at the inside. David, who’s own heart had been laid bare wanted to know the motive behind this man’s good deeds.

³ The king then asked, ‘Where is your master’s grandson?’

David’s second question was about the servant Ziba’s master, Mephibosheth. David had charged him to look after Saul’s grandson and he wanted to know where he was in all that was happening. Was Ziba doing something for his Master or was he there on his own?

Those are two good questions in any situation, what’s the Motive and which Master are we serving? I read once that the Lord had told someone that there was a lot of ‘uncommanded work’ being done in the Church. We must never lose our connection with the Head of the Body and Christ is the only head. A recent word by Amanda Grace included the admonition, ‘Do not exalt pastors ABOVE MY NAME (we could add apostles, prophets, teachers, miracle workers). God alone is our source and our provider, look to Him, not to fallible men.

God bless and keep you today.

²⁵ Then the king said to Zadok, ‘Take the ark of God back into the city. IF I FIND FAVOUR in the Lord’s eyes, he will bring me back and let me see it and his dwelling-place again. 2 Samuel 15

David had to flee for his life from Jerusalem. Absalom had won the hearts of his people and was about to seize the throne for himself. David had no time to think or prepare, he had to react to a sudden crisis. The ‘sudden-lies’ of this life often expose our innermost beings! The recent widespread sickness was such an event.

David took all the practical steps he could to make good his escape and lead all those with him to safety. But, he acknowledged that his future was now in God’s hands and that God Himself would decide whether or not he would ever return to his city and kingship.

²⁶ But if he says, “I am not pleased with you,” then I am ready; let him do to me whatever seems good to him.’ 2 Samuel 15

David did everything he knew in the situation facing him, but his future and that of Israel would be determined by God. A couple of interesting references to verse 26, show God’s faithfulness and kindness to His children.

¹⁵ But the Israelites said to the Lord, ‘We have sinned. Do with us whatever you think best, but please rescue us now.’ ¹⁶ Then they got rid of the foreign gods among them and served the Lord. AND HE COULD BEAR ISRAEL’S MISERY NO LONGER (We serve a Loving, Caring God, not like the present corrupt world rulers.) Judges 10

¹⁷ “He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
    he drew me out of deep waters.
¹⁸ He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
    from my foes, who were too strong for me.
¹⁹ They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
    but THE LORD WAS MY SUPPORT.
²⁰ He brought me out into a SPACIOUS PLACE;
    he rescued me BECAUSE HE DELIGHTED IN ME. 2 Samuel 22

Call upon God in the ‘day of trouble’, He’s a strong help for all in need.

God bless and keep you today.

 

¹⁴ Like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die. But that is not what God desires; rather, HE DEVISES WAYS SO THAT A BANISHED PERSON DOES NOT REMAIN ESTRANGED FROM HIM. 2 Samuel 14

These words were spoken by an unnamed, wise woman from Tekoa, secretly engaged by Joab, the commander of King David’s army, to bring about reconciliation. Joab saw that David was missing his son Absalom, 2 Samuel 13:39 and even though he was a tough fighting man, he devised a scheme to reunite father and son. The woman eventually admitted under questioning that Joab had told her everything she was to say to the King. She also spoke this tremendous truth about God, that He doesn’t want people to die outside of Him and so He devises ways for people to come back to Him. We should never be in doubt about turning back to God, that’s His heart for everyone. Repent, receive forgiveness in Jesus and be accepted as His child.

May God bless and keep you today.

Honouring begets Honour – the Law of sowing and reaping. (The death of Queen Elisabeth 2, was announced Thursday)

1 Samuel ends with the death of Saul and his sons, including David’s close friend Jonathan. The man who’d used his army for so long to hunt down David was killed on the battlefield.

The Philistines put Saul’s armour in the temple of their idols and fastened his body and his sons to the wall of Beth Shan.

¹¹ When the people of Jabesh Gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, ¹² all their valiant men marched through the night to Beth Shan. They took down the bodies of Saul and his sons from the wall of Beth Shan and went to Jabesh, where they burned them. ¹³ Then they took their bones and buried them under a tamarisk tree at Jabesh, and they fasted seven days. 1 Samuel 31

These men ‘MARCHED THROUGH THE NIGHT’. THEY SET OUT AT ONCE (Our Response Time to God may govern His Response to us!) to remove the disgrace to their late King and his sons and give them a fitting burial. They honoured Saul even though he was now dead and couldn’t reward them. They didn’t do this for themselves but to honour someone who had been a leader, but was now deceased.

David himself mourned and wrote a lament for Saul and Jonathan 2 Samuel 1:17-24

‘The Lord bless you (Men of Jabesh Gilead) for showing this kindness to Saul your master by burying him. ⁶ May the Lord now show you kindness and faithfulness, and I too will show you THE SAME FAVOUR because you have done this. ⁷ Now then, be strong and brave, for Saul your master is dead, and the people of Judah have anointed me king over them.’ 2 Samuel 2

David was now King in Judah and because of his new Position he was able to show Favour to those he deemed worthy of honour. Sometimes we may be in a position to grant Favour to others who deserve it. We may not be Kings, but God may allow us to bless and honour those who are worthy. Seize the opportunity to recognise and bless those whom God has placed before us.

Fathers Love Ministry would welcome your support today. Please donate at our website;

fathersloveministry.co.uk

We are available to seek personal words of encouragement and to counsel those who wish it online, contact us on our website above.

THE LORD IS NO ONE’S DEBTOR, HALLELUJAH.

What’s given to Him will always be multiplied back to us.

God bless and keep you today.

⁹ BUT DAVID said to Abishai, ‘Don’t destroy him (Saul)! Who can lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed and be guiltless? 1 Samuel 26

David allowed Saul to escape a second time with his life, because he feared God enough to let Him deal with Saul. If there’s a ‘Saul’ in your life, a leader who’s ‘gone off the rails’ then let God deal with them. Don’t raise your own hand against someone whom God has raised up to lead.

27 BUT DAVID thought to himself, ‘One of these days I shall be destroyed by the hand of Saul. The best thing I can do is to escape to the land of the Philistines. Then Saul will give up searching for me anywhere in Israel, and I will slip out of his hand.’ 1 Samuel 27

God has given everyone Free Will and unlike the enemy, who always works by Force and Coercion, God won’t override our decisions. David decided that his life and those  with him would never be safe so long as Saul and his army could get to him. So David took his six hundred men and their wives and families and moved to the land of the Philistines.

² So David and the six hundred men with him left and went over to Achish son of Maok king of Gath. ³ David and his men settled in Gath with Achish. Each man had his family with him, and David had his two wives, …

David had to ask an enemy for Favour to live with them, to escape the corrupted leader of his own people.

⁵ Then David said to Achish, ‘If I HAVE FOUND FAVOUR in your eyes, let a place be assigned to me in one of the country towns, that I may live there. Why should your servant live in the royal city with you?’

David was more welcome and safer with a foreign king, Achish, than he was with his own people.

⁶ So on that day Achish gave him Ziklag, AND IT HAS BELONGED TO THE KINGS OF JUDAH EVER SINCE. ⁷ David lived in Philistine territory for a year and four months.

Could there be situations today when it’s actually safer for men and women of God to live outside the camp or community of their own people? Unfortunately I’m sure the answer to that is yes. David never intended to stay outside his own land, but he needed a breathing space from the warfare being waged against him. David, with many people depending on him, decided that the warfare was just too great to stay within the reach of those who wanted to harm him. David’s heart never turned away from his God or his people, but he left for a season. There have been many times when Christians have had to flee from danger, but God kept David and all those with him from harm.

No matter how desperate our circumstances, God is more than enough and can keep us from all harm.

May our merciful God bless and keep us today from every situation we face in our lives. Amen

 

¹³ If a man PAYS BACK EVIL FOR GOOD
    evil will never leave his house. Proverbs 17

First Samuel 25 begins, ‘Now Samuel died and all Israel mourned’, it was the end of an era. God’s prophet left the scene of time and everything changed. We too are living in a time of great change, with more to come.

The text immediately changes, ‘Then DAVID moved down to the Desert of Maon’. God had a new man on the scene who would eventually lead Israel and He becomes the focus of what God is doing. I believe that God is already bringing new people, and new leaders, onto the scene in our day.

We’re told of a rich man, Nabal and his beautiful wife Abigail. It was the time of shearing and David sent ten young men to greet Nabal during this time of festivities.

⁷ ‘“Now I hear that it is sheep-shearing time. When your shepherds were with us, we did not ill-treat them, and the whole time they were at Carmel nothing of theirs was missing. ⁸ Ask your own servants and they will tell you. THEREFORE BE FAVOURABLE towards my men, since we come at a festive time. Please give your servants and your son David whatever you can find for them.”’ 1 Samuel 25

David asked Nabal to remember the blessing that he and his men had shown to Nabal’s shepherds while they were near to them in the desert, but Nabal treated them with contempt. (1 Samuel 25:39) It’s one thing to refuse to acknowledge someone who’s been good to you, but to abuse those who’ve treated us well is much more serious. We can literally bring judgement upon our whole household.

¹⁰ Nabal answered David’s servants, ‘Who is this David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants are breaking away from their masters these days. ¹¹ Why should I take my bread and water, and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give it to men coming from who knows where?’ 1 Samuel 25

Nabal insulted David and his family to the young men and refused to give them anything, though he’d been blessed with great wealth. The Bible introduced him as being, ‘surly and mean in his dealings’. 1 Samuel 25:3 This wealthy man had probably been rude and dishonouring to many people throughout his life, but this time he touched the character of God’s chosen leader.

Also, Nabal was head of his household and his angry words put his whole family in great danger.

²¹ David had just said, ‘It’s been useless – all my watching over this fellow’s property in the wilderness so that nothing of his was missing. He has paid me back evil for good. ²² May God deal with David, be it ever so severely, if by morning I leave alive one male of all who belong to him!’ 

David was incensed by what he’d been told by his men and was on his way to bring swift retribution on Nabal and his house, BUT GOD! God stopped him shedding blood by Abigail going to meet him and pleading for mercy. A LOVELY PICTURE OF A TRUE INTERCESSOR, STANDING IN THE GAP FOR SOMEONE WHO IS GUILTY.

²⁴ Kneeling at his feet she said, “My lord, let the blame  and guilt be on me alone. And please let your maidservant speak to you, and listen to the words of your maidservant. AMP BIBLE

Abigail kept David from shedding blood and rescued her wider household, but Nabal forfeited his life. There was a limit to her intercession. It’s a dangerous thing to give way to anger and curse others who’ve done us only good.

God bless and keep you today.

 

True friendships are a source of God’s Favour and Protection.

Saul remained king after the Lord told him through the prophet Samuel that his kingdom ‘had been torn from him’ 1 Samuel 15:28 During that time Saul did everything in his power to oppose God’s will for David to succeed him as king. He sought to kill David many times, but the Lord used the friendship between David and Jonathan, Saul’s son to rescue David.

³ But David took AN OATH and said, ‘Your father knows very well that I HAVE FOUND FAVOUR IN YOUR EYES, and he has said to himself, “Jonathan must not know this or he will be grieved.” Yet as surely as the Lord lives and as you live, there is ONLY A STEP BETWEEN ME AND DEATH (David knew death was that close to him).’ 1 Samuel 20

Jonathan agreed to help David and act as an intermediary between him and his father, King Saul. Sometimes good friends can sound out other people’s views without causing offence and bring about reconciliation. Jonathan agreed to talk with his father as David had asked.

Jonathan also swore AN OATH to David that he would ‘sound out his father within two days’ and report back to him.

¹³ But if my father intends to harm you, may the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if I do not let you know and send you away in peace. MAY THE LORD BE WITH YOU AS HE HAS BEEN WITH MY MY FATHER (Saul was even now a Has-Been).

³⁰ Saul’s anger flared up at Jonathan … ³¹ As long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Now send someone to bring him to me, for he must die!’

³² ‘Why should he be put to death? What has he done?’ Jonathan asked his father. ³³ But Saul hurled his spear at him to kill him. Then Jonathan knew that his father intended to kill David.

Jonathan confirmed what David had known all along and told David of his father’s intentions.

⁴² Jonathan said to David, ‘Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the Lord, saying, “The Lord is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants for ever.”’ Then David left, and Jonathan went back to the town.

Their friendship to last to the next generations and when  David was King he sought out Mephibosheth, to bless Jonathan’s son.

GOD KEEPS HIS BEST FOR THOSE WHO WAIT FOR HIM!

Fathers Love Ministry would welcome your support today. Please donate at our website;

fathersloveministry.co.uk

We are available to seek personal words of encouragement and to counsel those who wish it online, contact us on our website above.

THE LORD IS NO ONE’S DEBTOR, HALLELUJAH.

What’s given to Him will always be multiplied back to us.

God bless and keep you today.