2 Samuel 21:17 (KJV) Thank God David Left It To The Lord

2 Samuel 21:17 (KJV)

But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine, and killed him. Then the men of David sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel.

The three sons of Zeruiah, Joab, Abishai, and Asahel, played a significant role in the army of David and the history of his reign. Asahel and Abishai were ranked among David’s mighty men. Joab was his general. But the Bible tells me David’s impression of the Joab and Abishai wasn’t great.[1]

When David attempted to form a league and settle the war between Judah and Israel, the sons of Zeruiah thwarted those plans. They were so grieved over the death of Asahel that they killed Abner, the man with whom David was working, because he was the man who had killed Asahel in combat.

We discover the end of Joab. He was eventually executed under the orders of Solomon. We never learn the fate of Abishai. His final mention is that he succoured, or comforted, king David after a conflict with a Philistine giant.

Rather than taking quick action against them, David had left both Joab and Abishai in the hands of God.

One of them turned out to be a great help
Praise the Lord David had not retaliated against Abishai.

The other received his just reward
David warned Solomon about Joab. Shortly after Solomon’s coronation Joab’s traitorous activities led to his demise.

While we tend to prize swift and decisive action,[2] God’s Word tells us we may trust Him for that work.

---

[1] 2 Samuel 3:39 (KJV)
And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.

[2] David was swift and decisive on God’s behalf but he never raised a sword in his own defense.

To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

Donate to Bible Baptist Church every time you make an Amazon purchase through this link, https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1265824

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For this and, more than 5900 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

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2 Samuel 21:17 (KJV) Thank God David Left It To The Lord

2 Samuel 18:3 (KJV) The Most Valuable Treasure

2 Samuel 18:3 (KJV)

But the people answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us: but now thou art worth ten thousand of us: therefore now it is better that thou succour us out of the city.

Absalom almost had to lead his forces into battle. He was unproven as a leader. It was necessary that he take that risk. Such was not the case with David. He had led in so many battles that those who were loyal to him knew he was valiant. They knew he would take risks, and they knew Absalom and his forces would seek David more than any other in the contest.

Joab did not believe David to be worth more than ten thousand. He did not think David to be worth even honoring his commands. He did not believe David to be worth following unless he quit grieving the death of Absalom.

Joab had no sense of the spiritual conflict taking place. His only concern was retaining his position.

Ungodly men view success at any price as worth the reward.

Godly men view God’s lessons as more valuable than any earthly treasure.

To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

Donate to Bible Baptist Church every time you make an Amazon purchase through this link, https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1265824

Donate to our cause of “Reaching a world of souls with the Word of God.”

For this and, more than 5900 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit http://puyallupbaptistchurch.com.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
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2 Samuel 18:3 (KJV) The Most Valuable Treasure

Mark 9:44 (KJV) This Terrible Place

Mark 9:44 (KJV)

Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

I’ve heard some Christians theorize that the real torment of hell is not fire, but loneliness, darkness, and being left for all of eternity with the burden of their sin. I am sure all that weighs upon those in hell. But Jesus said hell is a place of fire.

In Mark 9:43-48, Jesus uses the phrase “where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched” three times.

• If your hand offend thee
• If your foot offend thee
• If your eye offend thee

There is nothing, head to toe, worthy of one day in eternal hell.

By all means, be saved from this terrible place.

The good news is, no means are necessary or capable of saving us. Jesus paid the full price for our offenses. He was beaten, spit upon smitten in the face. He was flogged and whipped in the back. He was nailed hands and feet. He was pierced in the side. Jesus paid all the cost for sin, but not His own. He had no sin. He was bruised for our iniquity. The chastisement of our peace was upon Him. And by His stripes, we are healed.

Come ye weary, lost, and lonely. Jesus’ blood can make you whole. 

Come to Jesus today. Trust Him and Him alone to save you from such a hell.

And being saved, surrender your life to live as He teaches us in the Word of God.

To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

Donate to Bible Baptist Church every time you make an Amazon purchase through this link, https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1265824

Donate to our cause of “Reaching a world of souls with the Word of God.”

For this and, more than 5900 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit http://puyallupbaptistchurch.com.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Mark 9:44 (KJV) This Terrible Place

2 Samuel 15:11 (KJV) The Difference of Character

2 Samuel 15:11 (KJV)

And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.

And with Absalom

When David fled from Saul, the Bible tells us that those who were distressed, in debt, and discontent came to him. David took the hurting and led them to sacrifice rather than rebel against the king.

When David fled from Absalom, the Bible tells us that with Absalom were:

• Those whom he had prepared
• Those he had beguiled and
• Those who were simple and didn’t know what Absalom was doing

In neither case was David willing to resist. A battle became necessary against those with Absalom, but it was not David’s choice. He was ready to lay this matter into the hands of God.

Perhaps David recognized this as the chastening of God on account of Bathsheba and Uriah. The prophet had indeed pronounced this would happen.

I see the difference in character between David and his son. Though David was a man of war he was quick to trust God and to lay down the sword. Absalom was a man of the flesh, willing to beguile people’s affections and ready to pick up the sword.

• The one wins back the throne.[1]
• The other is shamelessly slain while trapped by his hair.[2]

Always be willing to trust God, even if the outcome is not favorable.

---

[1] At great cost.

[2] Despite his father’s pleading to save his life.

To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

Donate to Bible Baptist Church every time you make an Amazon purchase through this link, https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1265824

Donate to our cause of “Reaching a world of souls with the Word of God.”

For this and, more than 5900 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit http://puyallupbaptistchurch.com.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

2 Samuel 15:11 (KJV) The Difference of Character

Mark 8:2 (KJV) No Problem For The Lord

Mark 8:2 (KJV)

I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:

They had been with Jesus for three days.

·       Jesus knew how long they had been there
·       Jesus knew they had nothing to eat and
·       Jesus had compassion on them because of it

Three days.

I assume some of them had something to eat, at least the first day or so. Maybe. But I don’t see anyone in the multitude even thinking of returning home on the account of no food. Their interest was Christ. But His interest was them. He knew their needs, He had compassion, and He was able to meet their needs – and more. But He waited three days.

It would be foolish to advise a Christian to ignore needs. Preparation and planning certainly make a thing more likely to be successful. But poor or improper preparation and planning are no problem for the Lord. If our interest is truly Christ, we may step forward trusting that His interest is us. He will not send us away to faint.[1]

[1] Perhaps the only ones who would are those who leave before He meets the need.

To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

Donate to Bible Baptist Church every time you make an Amazon purchase through this link, https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1265824

Donate to our cause of “Reaching a world of souls with the Word of God.”

For this and, more than 5900 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit http://puyallupbaptistchurch.com.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Mark 8:2 (KJV) No Problem For The Lord

2 Samuel 12:1 (KJV) Bible Preaching

2 Samuel 12:1 (KJV)

And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor.

David had sinned in such a grievous and malicious manner. He had committed adultery and sent Uriah to the battlefield with orders for his own death. He had been an accessory to the deaths of several soldiers who gave their lives needlessly alongside Uriah. He had covered up his sins rather than confessing them.

But God knew what he had done and was displeased. So, God directed the prophet to confront David with his sin. Mind you, Nathan had a word from God. He was a spokesman, but the message he carried came directly from God.

With that as context, notice how Nathan delivered the message. He could have approached, stuck his finger in David's face, and cried “Thou art the man.”  He did not. He began with a parable. He opened with an illustration. He got David “on board” before he applied to David God’s chastening board. He had the very Word of God, but he presented it first with an object lesson.

I know storytelling from the pulpit can be abused, but I also know that some of what is called expository preaching is abusive to the Biblical instruction for preaching. Good expository preaching uses illustrations, parables, and real-life stories to get the audience on board.

Bible preaching is preaching the Bible. But it is more than proclaiming the facts of the passage. Bible preaching brings God's Word to the congregation and relates it to their present circumstance.

To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

Donate to Bible Baptist Church every time you make an Amazon purchase through this link, https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1265824

Donate to our cause of “Reaching a world of souls with the Word of God.”

For this and, more than 5900 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit http://puyallupbaptistchurch.com.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

2 Samuel 12:1 (KJV) Bible Preaching

2 Samuel 9:12 (KJV) Hard Things Happen, Life Goes On

2 Samuel 9:12 (KJV)

And Mephibosheth had a young son, whose name was Micha. And all that dwelt in the house of Ziba were servants unto Mephibosheth.

Sometimes we forget that life still happens in the middle of all the drama that happens in life. All the while Saul chased David Saul’s sons, who died alongside him in the battle, married, and had children.

The Bible says that Jonathan, David’s good friend, had a son named Mephibosheth. He was five years old when Saul and Jonathan died. He was perhaps thirteen when David became king of all Israel. He was old enough[1] to have married and have a child when David found time in his reign to think upon and long to show kindness to the house of Saul.

The Bible records the name of his son as Micha. 1 Chronicles 8:34 and following gives us the large family of Micha. The tragedy of Jonathan did not preclude him from the blessing of God. His family was still a great one in the nation of Israel.

Hard things happen. Sorrowful things happen. Under the wings of the Lord, whether in darkness or sunshine, we may rest sheltered and protected.

Under His wings I am safely abiding;[2]
Though the night deepens and tempests are wild,
Still I can trust Him–I know He will keep me,
He has redeemed me and I am His child.

Under His wings, what a refuge in sorrow!
How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!
Often when earth has no balm for my healing,
There I find comfort, and there I am blessed

Under His wings, O what precious enjoyment!
There will I hide till life’s trials are o’er;
Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me,
Resting in Jesus I’m safe evermore.

Under His wings, under His wings,
Who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
Safely abide forever.

---

[1] Some Bible students speculate, maybe twenty-one.

[2] Author: William Cushing, Tune: [Under his wings I am safely abiding] (Sankey)

To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

Donate to Bible Baptist Church every time you make an Amazon purchase through this link, https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1265824

Donate to our cause of “Reaching a world of souls with the Word of God.”

For this and, more than 5900 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit http://puyallupbaptistchurch.com.

My books, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

2 Samuel 9:12 (KJV) Hard Things Happen, Life Goes On