Daily Trinity

May 9, 2008: (2 Samuel 17; Psalm 71; Matthew 26)

Old Testament Lesson:  One wonders what King David is thinking as he flees from his son Absalom?  For me, I believe he is remembering how he fled into the wilderness to escape King Saul.  Or, maybe he is wondering if the sins of sleeping with Bathsheba and killing her husband were worth it?  Never the less he is now on the run.  David must have found it comforting when he arrived at Mahanaim.  Shobi brought out provisions for David and his men.  To be on the run, wondering a thousand thoughts, and someone coming to your aid.  How often does God sent someone to comfort us when we are doubting our direction?  I can say without hesitation:  Every time.

New Testament Lesson:  Every time I read this chapter I want to ask myself, “Who would I have been in this story?”  Would I have been the women who poured the expensive perfume on Jesus?  Or perhaps we would have been one of the disciples who said, “What a waste of money,” when she anointed Jesus.  Maybe I would have been Peter, strong one moment with my words, but weak in the time of trial.  Could I have been a religious leader who didn’t recognize the Messiah?  Surly I would never be a Judas?  Or in reality, haven’t we at one time or another been all of these? 

     One can only hope that we can be like the lady who anointed Jesus.  Notice what Jesus said in Matthew 26:13, “I assure you, wherever the Good News is preached throughout the world, this woman’s deed will be talked about in her memory.”  She anointed Jesus’ body for burial.  Out of everyone there she understood.

Prayer for today:  Jesus help me in times of doubt to be like the woman.  Not knowing the extent of the future, but believing that you will always be with me.  Amen

April 8, 2008:  (2 Samuel 15, 16; Psalm 32; Matthew 25)

Old Testament Lesson:  For four years, Absalom went out to the gate of the city to offer advice.  He is very crafty in swaying people over to him.  Finally, he has enough support to rebel against his father.  David in 2 Samuel 15:25 says, “If the Lord sees fit, he will bring me back to see the Ark and the Tabernacle again.”  David flees for his life with his men.  David exhibits a human trait that unfortunately many of us have.  Our prayer time diminishes and increases with our human condition.  After 911 our church was packed for a prayer meeting.  David is now returning to the Lord for advice.  David will be called a man after God’s own heart.  It’s not because he is perfect, but he returned to his God.

New Testament Lesson:  The Kingdom of Heaven is like-Wow.  This is the place that everyone wants to go.  I’ve never meet anyone who would say, “I’m looking forward to going to Hell.”  So who gets into Heaven?  In this chapter, Jesus teaches that faith without works is dead.  The Ten Bridesmaids illustrates that the five who were ready entered in.  The parable of the Talents illustrates that those who use their talents are called blessed, and will receive more.  What is the difference between those who saw the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, those who were sick or in prison?  Simply but, those who did or didn’t do is the only difference.  The question for all of us is simple.  Are you a hearer and doer of the Word?  Jesus sums this chapter up in Matthew 25:40, “I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters; you were doing it to me!”

May 7, 2008:  (2 Samuel 13, 14; Matthew 24)

Old Testament Lesson:  King David’s life begins to fill with tragedy after tragedy.  Amnon rapes his half-sister Tamar.  Absalom after plotting revenge for two years has Amnon killed.  Once a proud king who prayed and worshipped God, is now living a nightmare.  It will only get worse.  Do we read of David turning to prayer and worship in these chapters?  The answer is NO.  One could easily miss the object lessons of this story, because of the rapidness of the events.  First, be careful to the advice you receive.  Amnon’s cousin, Jonadab, gave horrible advice resulting in rape.  Every teenager should be required to read this story.  The world teaches that sex outside marriage is okay.  Notice what sex does to the heart of Amnon.   2 Samuel 13:15, “Then suddenly Amnon’s love turned to hate, and he hated her even more than he had loved her.”  Once he conquered her, she was worthless in his eyes.  The physical act of sex, without the Spiritual bond of marriage, brings hurt never love.

New Testament Lesson:  To understand this chapter, one must be familiar with eschatology.  Notice the question of the disciples in Matthew 24:3, “When will all this take place?  And will there be any sign ahead of time to signal your return and the end of the world?”  Jesus answers “Don’t let anyone mislead you.”  For centuries people have been mislead by false prophets.  One of the latest was in 1988.  There was a popular book out entitled, 88 reasons why the Rapture will be in ’88.  You can probably find this book at a major discount today.   Scholars who have spent a lifetime studying eschatology disagree on many of the major points.  Matthew 24:22 is one of the major areas of disagreement.  How you understand this verse shapes your end-time theology.  Jesus says, “In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, the entire human race will be destroyed.  But it will be shortened for the sake of God’s chosen ones.”   Who are the chosen ones?  Two of the major possible answers given by scholars are; the Jewish Nation, or the Christians.  If you believe it is the Jewish Nation then you can believe in the theory of Pre-Tribulation.  If it’s the Christians then the theory of Mid-Tribulation or a variance of it fits your theology.  Many argue their case.  For me, I teach that your end-time could be today!  Therefore, live your life for Christ.       

May 6, 2008:  (2 Samuel 11, 12; Psalm 51; Matthew 23)

Old Testament Lesson:  2 Samuel 11 begins with, “In the spring at the time when kings go out to battle…”  David is not where he is supposed to be!  His sin is outrageous.  Not only does he commit adultery but commits murder to cover up his sin.  Even more outrageous is who Uriah the Hittite is.  He is David’s bodyguard.  This explains why David can view Bathsheba from his house.  David has spent a life seeking God through prayer and worship; now God seeks him through the prophet Nathan.  David repents and God blesses him with a son who will eventually be riches king in the history of Israel.  As we continue to study David’s life we will notice tragedy after tragedy.  David is forgiven but there are consequences to sin.  Not only will his family suffer but the Nation will also.

New Testament Lesson:  Jesus condemns the Pharisees and scribes.  Notice the power of His words in Matthew 23:29, “Woe to you, hypocrites!”  Then he closes the chapter with these very stern words, “For I say to you, from now on you will not see Me until you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’”  Teachers who teach and don’t live out their teaching are the worst examples.  Matthew 23:4, “They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders…”  The warning is clear:  Live what you teach.”  A prayer is appreciate:  Lord Jesus, please give us the strength and wisdom to live as best we can, a perfect walk.

May 5, 2008:  (2 Samuel 10; 1 Chronicles 20; Psalm 20; Matthew 22)

Old Testament Lesson:  If my mother said it once she said it a thousand times, “You are known by the company you keep!”  In King Hanuns case he should have hung out with different folks.  David sends a delegation to show kindness, but Hanun’s advisors, advised him that they were spies.  What is amazing in this story is what they do after they realize their mistake.  They arm themselves for war.  In our culture today we believe in diplomacy first.  They didn’t send David a peace offering, they hired mercenaries.   Joab, the faithful general, routes the enemy.  David’s kingdom is growing stronger with every battle.  What one notices is the faithfulness of David and his men.  Joab declares in 2 Samuel 10:12, “May the Lord’s will be done.”  Adversity can bring us closer to God.  David while fighting and securing his kingdom continually seeks God.  Unfortunately peace is on the horizon. 

New Testament Lesson:  The banquet table is set in heaven, who will show up?  The illustration is very straightforward; those who think they are in better recheck their invitation.   The religious leaders are out in full force to trick Jesus.  They are hoping to catch him in one lie, or to have Him misquote scripture.  The final verse in Matthew 22 sums up their attempts, “No one could answer him.  And after that, no one dared to ask him any more questions.”  How did Jesus confound them?  How did He answer every question?  One answer is that He is the Son of God.  This is true.  But, there is another explanation found in Matthew 22:29, “Jesus replied, ‘Your problem is that you don’t know the Scriptures, and you don’t know the power of God.’”  We are the adopted children of God through the blood of Jesus.  We also can learn the Scriptures and the power that lies within.

May 4, 2008:  (2 Samuel 8, 9; 1 Chronicles 18, 19; Matthew 21)

Old Testament Lesson:  David continues to be dominating in everything he does.  2 Samuel 8:6 reads, “So the Lord gave David victory wherever he went.”  David acknowledges that the Lord is in charge by giving gifts back to the Lord.  David realizes a simple principle in God’s economy, when God blesses you never horde the blessing.  David is also a man of his word.  His kingdom is secure so he seeks any descendants of Jonathan to fulfill his oath.  Mephibosheth, the crippled son of Johathan is still alive.  He is brought before King David.

     Picture the scene.  Here is a crippled man who has been in hiding since he was five years old.  David has been destroying all his enemies.  The household of Saul, his grandfather, fought David for years after Saul’s death.  Now he is found and summoned before the King.  David says in 2 Samuel 9:6, “Don’t be afraid, because of my vow to your father, Jonathan. I will give you all the land that once belonged to your grandfather Saul.”  Then Mephibosheth is told he will eat at the kings table each night.  One can only imagine the first night.  Amnon, Tamar, Absalom and David’s other children sitting in there royal clothing at the table, ready to eat.  In stumbles Mephibosheth dragging his feet behind him while he walks on crutches.  David announces that this man will eat at his table forever.  The brokenness is restored by the grace of a King.

New Testament Lesson:  No more hidden Messiah.  Now, Jesus rides into the city on a donkey.  Every King rode a donkey during their coronation.  People are praising God, calling Jesus the Son of David.  Even the people knew it was time to have prophecy fulfilled.  The religious leaders try to stop the proclamation but they can’t.  Jesus places them in their place with several parables.  Finally they say in Matthew 20:45, “When the leading priests and Pharisees heard Jesus, they realized he was pointing at them…”  Jesus is the king of kings; he is the fulfillment of prophecy.  Unfortunately for them, they rejected Jesus.  Fortunately for us Gentiles, their rejection opened the door for us to be grafted onto the stump of Jesse.

May 3, 2008: (2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17; Psalm 2; Matthew 20)

Old Testament Lesson:  In 2 Samuel 7:16 the Lord proclaims, “Your dynasty and your kingdom will continue for all time before me, and your throne will be secure forever.”  David’s response is humbling in 2 Samuel 7:18 he prays, “Who am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?”  Imagine for a moment, what this promise meant to David.  His descendents will be upon the throne forever!  He rightfully states, “It is an eternal blessing!”  Of course the blessing for us is that Jesus comes from the family of David.  This means that Jesus is the rightful King of Kings.

     Psalm 2:10-12 gives a warning for all the nations, “Now then, you kings, act wisely!  Be warned, you rulers of the earth!  Serve the Lord with reverent fear, and rejoice with trembling.  Submit to God’s royal son, or he will become angry, and you will be destroyed in the midst of your pursuits.”  Even Presidents and Congress should remember and heed this verse.

New Testament Lesson:  Jesus says in Matthew 20:16, “The first shall be last, and those who are last shall be first.”  It helps, to understand the story in the vineyard by placing yourself in the story.  Who would you want to be?  The person who worked all day?  Or the individual who worked only for an hour?  There is a special reward for those who have worked all day, its called job well done.  It feels good to look back at a mowed yard, a cleaned garage, or a fresh painted room.  Yes, it is true that if someone on their death bed confesses and accepts Jesus as their Lord and Savior, they go to heaven.  But they miss a life of joy walking with the Savior.  They miss what Jesus says at the end of this chapter in Matthew 20:26, “Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant…For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others…”  Serving the Lord all your life, giving a cup of cold water in His Name, that is worth a thousand lifetimes.”

May 2, 2008: (1 Chronicles 16; Psalm 106; Matthew 19)

Old Testament Lesson:  The Ark of the Covenant is finally in Jerusalem.  1 Chronicles 16:4 shows David’s true heart, “David appointed the following Levites to lead the people in worship…”  Worship takes place in three parts; asking for God’s blessing, praising His Name and giving thanks to the Lord.  David the shepherd boy, or David the king of Judah and Israel, had a heart for worship.  When Saul was troubled, David was called.  When the Giant made fun of the God David worshipped, David killed him.  Now he teaches the entire nation to worship. He writes a song of praise.  1 Chronicles 16:10 sums up David’s heart of praise, “Exult in his holy name; O worshipers of the Lord, rejoice!”  Worship the Lord everyday through prayer, praise and thanks.

New Testament Lesson: Jesus answers their question about divorce in Matthew 19:8, “Moses permitted divorce as a concession to your hard-hearted wickedness…”  I’ve never meet anyone who was proud of the fact they were divorced.  Many times divorce happens because one spouse is very hard-hearted and full of wickedness.  Divorce is not new, neither is the cause.  We pray for everyone who had hoped for happiness ever after and experienced hurt and pain. 

     Jesus blesses the children.  We are all children of God.  It is comforting to imagine sitting with a crowd of children watching the Lord bless us.  The Rich Young Ruler asked the most important question he could, “What must I do to have eternal life?”  Unfortunately he doesn’t like the answer.

May 1, 2008:  (1 Chronicles 14, 15; Psalm 132; Matthew 18)

Old Testament Lesson:  David like many of us has his successes and failures.  He fails to bring the Ark into Jerusalem.  We noticed that he didn’t ask God, nor did he read God’s instructions for moving the ark.  Now he seeks God before fighting the Philistines.  He hears from God and defeats the enemy.  1 Chronicles 15:2 reads, “When we transport the Ark of God this time, no one except the Levites may carry it.”  David acknowledges his past failure in 1 Chronicles 15:13, “Because you Levites did not carry the Ark the first time, the anger of the Lord…We failed to ask God how to move it in the proper way.”  I find great comfort in 1 Chronicles 15:26, “God was clearly helping the Levites as they carried the Ark…”  It’s nice to know that even in our failure to seek the Lord it isn’t the Lord who leaves us, it is us who leaves Him.  Once we return, He is always there.

New Testament Lesson:  Forgiveness is God’s nature.  Peter asks in Matthew 18:21, “Lord how often should I forgive someone?”  He suggested seven as a good compromise.  Jesus responds with, “Seventy times seven.”  Jesus is teaching that forgiveness is God’s nature.  The opening of the chapter began with the question, “Who will be greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?  The answer has to do with finding lost sheep and forgiving them, or, making sure a child doesn’t stumble. The final comment by Jesus in this chapter is, “That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive.”  Over and over the message continues about faith and forgiveness.  When you think about the two, it’s easy to see the connection.

April 30, 2008:  (2 Samuel 6; 1 Chronicles13; Psalm 68; Matthew 17)

Old Testament Lesson:  David has a desire to bring the Ark of the Lord into the capital city.  He mobilizes thirty thousand special troops to carry out the task.  When the ox stumbles one of his men, Uzzah, dies touching the ox.  Why, wasn’t he trying to help?  The answer is twofold.  We didn’t see David inquiring of the Lord before he moves the ark.  Also, in the laws of Moses, the care of the Ark is done by the descendents of Kohath from the tribe of Levi. (Tomorrow we will read this account in Chronicles.)  David finally brings the Ark into the City of David.  Michal, David’s wife, says in 2 Samuel 6:20, “How glorious the king of Israel looked today!  He exposed himself to the servant girls like any indecent person might do!”  David’s answer to her is that he was willing to look like a fool to show his joy to the Lord.  Michal is punished by never having a child.  Two major lessons in this chapter.  First, don’t stop seeking the Lord, especially when doing His work.  Secondly, when someone is praising the Lord, don’t make fun of them.

New Testament Lesson:  Peter gets excited when he sees Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus.  His reaction is to build a tabernacle for each of them.  I believe that his reaction is correct.  Think of the Glory of the moment.  It demanded a holy response!  Have you ever felt the presence of God so strong that you had to respond is some manner?

     Once again we see faith as the central issue of Jesus’ ministry.  In Matthew 17:20 we read the words of Jesus, “You didn’t have enough faith.”  Faith begins by believing in the Lord.  In Hebrews we will learn more about faith and how it grows.