Recent Blog Entries

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The Commander

  • The Philistines came up yet again and spread themselves in the valley of Rephaim. When David inquired of Yahweh, he said, 'You shall not go up. Circle around behind them, and attack them in front of the mulberry trees. 2 Samuel 5:22'23 WEB.

    The Philistine army invaded the Valley of Rephaim, and David asked the Lord what to do. The last time David had faced the Philistines, he met them straight on in the battle, but this time, the Lord told him to flank them, and He would help. The Philistines had dominated parts of Israel since the battle of Mount Gilboa when King Saul and his sons were killed in 1 Samuel 31. In David's battle with the Philistines, the Lord was the Commander in charge. David prayed, got his orders, and followed them to the letter. The mission was successful. They pushed the Philistines entirely out of their land, which was a great victory.

    This is an excellent example of how we are supposed to work with God today. When we face a problem, we pray and give God a chance to provide insight. James said that if we lack wisdom, "let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." (James 1:5) and also "we have not, because we ask not" (James 4:2). We have to be willing to be wrong and put His plan before our own.

    In the next chapter, David decided to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. This was the Ark God had commanded Moses to build more than 400 years before David's time. It was a wooden box overlaid with gold, the Holiest artifact in Israel. The Philistines had captured the Ark, but after they all came down with hemorrhoids, they hastily returned it (1 Samuel 5:12).

    The Ark was taken by the men of Kiriath-jearim and placed in "the house of Abinadab," who put his son Eleazar in charge of it (1 Samuel 7:1). The Ark had sat there forgotten for seventy years, and after Saul died, it became trapped behind enemy lines. Kiriath-jearim was located about nine miles west of Jerusalem, roughly halfway between Geba and Gezer, the area David had just reclaimed from the Philistines. It was time to return "the glory" to Israel (1 Samuel 4:22). David was sure this was what God wanted, so he didn't bother to ask Him the details.

    David assembled the largest group of elite troops that he had ever had before. He took over 30,000 armed men with him to get the Ark. Though the Ark was designed to be carried by four Levites (Exodus 25:12), David had a new cart built for it pulled by oxen. While David and everyone were celebrating with songs, harps, and cymbals, the cart hit a bump in the road. A soldier named Uzza reached out his hand to steady it, and he was instantly struck dead. The situation was a mess. After God "divided" Uzza, David became afraid of Him that day and abandoned the project until later.

    I want to clarify that we have to align with God and not expect Him to align with us. Yes, there is grace to cover mistakes, but they waste valuable time and resources. It cost Uzza his life. Take the time to ask before you make a big decision, or you may regret it later.

    We are not automatically acting "in His will" because we are on a mission that we believe is from God any more than David and the ox cart. We are to pray and get His advice, then try and follow it. Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice" (John 10:27). If you pray and pray about something, and He will not talk to you about it, then change the subject for a while. Find out what He does want to talk about today, and listen. It may be more important than what you have in mind.

    Prayer: Heavenly Father, please guide me today. I am sorry for not involving You in my decisions. I want what You want. May Your Kingdom come. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

    Note: For those following the Creation Photography weekly challenges, here is this week's theme from group leader, Dianna Wyles: Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. ~ 'Hand Crafted' is our next fun-tastic theme choice and is open wide for creative interpretation so have fun and get creative Show us your (or someone else's) craftiness or some of God's lovely handiwork. After all, since our Heavenly Father created the world EVERYTHING is his handiwork! Until next time, have an awesome week in full awe of God's amazing handiwork. God bless! Here is the link: Creation Photographers


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21 comments
  • 1
Kevin J. Eck
Kevin J. Eck Lord, Guide my path today, Amen.
July 19, 2022
  • 2
Debi Burton
Debi Burton Heavenly Father, please guide me today. I am sorry for not involving You in my decisions. I want what You want. May Your Kingdom come. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen! ❤️
July 19, 2022
  • 2
Schalk  de Beer
Schalk de Beer

Yes, amen Lord. 

July 19, 2022
  • 2
Kay Collinsworth
Kay Collinsworth

Amen 

July 19, 2022
  • 2
Brenda F
Brenda F

Amen

July 19, 2022
  • 2
Dana Rozell
Dana Rozell

Amen.

July 19, 2022
  • 2
Celeste Strenn
Celeste Strenn

Amen

July 19, 2022
  • 2
Patricia Walker
Patricia Walkeredited: July 19, 2022

Amen.  Heavenly Father,  I Thank You for being in my life to provide all I need.  Thank You.  AMEN

July 19, 2022
  • 1
Candy Laventure
Candy Laventure

Amen

July 19, 2022
  • 2
David Krull
David Krull

Amen. Yes Lord, I want Your perfect will in my life. In my marriage. Come Holy Spirit fill me daily with the full measure of God. Fill me with Your love and Your peace. I declare the goodness of the Lord today. I lift up my wife and ask You to bless her. Deal with her anger and disrespect she has for me. Help me keep my eyes upon Your Jesus. Forgive my sins and restore unto me the joy of my salvation. In Jesus Christ Name.

July 19, 2022
  • 1
Yvette York
Yvette York

Amen Good Morning Everyone 

July 19, 2022
  • 1
David  Earlywine
David Earlywineedited: July 19, 2022

Please Heavenly Father help us to make the right choices and decisions,thank you....Amen 

July 19, 2022
  • 2
Cathy Webb
Cathy Webb

Amen!  Lord, please guide me today. Thank you!

July 19, 2022
  • 1
Wanda Pennington
Wanda Pennington

Yes Lord, I want what You want for me.  Amen 

July 19, 2022
  • 1
Marisa Jackson
Marisa Jackson

Amen!!

July 19, 2022
  • 1
Lynn Brown
Lynn Brown

Your will be done in my life, Amen!

July 19, 2022
  • 1
Wesley Paulus
Wesley Paulus

Amen! 

July 19, 2022
  • 1
David Fabillaran
David Fabillaran

Amen Lord Jesus!

July 19, 2022
  • 1
Mari Kaufmann
Mari Kaufmann

Amen 

July 19, 2022
  • 1
Richard Mondello
Richard Mondello

Help us live according to Your will Lord Yahweh. In Yeshua's name I ask this, Amen. 

July 20, 2022
  • 1
Liesel  aka  Lisa Wardle
Liesel aka Lisa Wardle

Amen and Amen!! Oh Lord, Thy will be done in my life moving forward, may I always seek you first for counsel, in the name of Jesus, Amen!

July 20, 2022