How we die says a lot about how we live. David’s last words (2 Sam 23:2-7) celebrate God’s work through that king’s life. They reveal the man’s trust in and appreciation of divine guidance. I pray that my life will lead me to such deathbed words: The Spirit of the LORD spoke through me; his [...]
Archive for the ‘Second Samuel’ Category
Day 101: Second Samuel 22-24
Posted in Bible in a Year 2011-2012, Leadership, Second Samuel, tagged death, life, ministry, spirituality on December 10, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Day 100: Second Samuel 19-21
Posted in Bible in a Year 2011-2012, Grief, Second Samuel, tagged death, life, mourning on December 9, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
Life goes on, but grief changes things. David mourns his son’s death. He’s shaken, and he hides and weeps (2 Sam 18:33). Then Joab encourages David to return to leadership (2 Sam 19:5-7). Some people try to help grievers to “get over it,” but loss is not something we get over. We should not rush [...]
Day 99: Second Samuel 16-18
Posted in Bible in a Year 2011-2012, Parenting, Relationships, Second Samuel, tagged lament, life, Love on December 8, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
“O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!” With these words King David mourns the death of his son who attempted to steal the kingdom (2 Sam 18:33). Parents delight in obedient, respectful children. But not all children obey and respect [...]
Day 98: Second Samuel 13-15
Posted in Bible in a Year 2011-2012, Second Samuel, Spiritual Disciplines, tagged advice, discernment, Education, life, ministry, spirituality on December 7, 2011 | 1 Comment »
Faithful advisors are some of life’s most helpful blessings. In my childhood spiritual formation, my parents were my first advisors. When I entered ministry leadership, godly mentors directed my efforts. As I began graduate studies, wise professors assisted my decisions. When I changed courses to focus on ministry, some of those same teachers shared my [...]
Day 97: Second Samuel 8-12
Posted in Bible in a Year 2011-2012, Relationships, Second Samuel, Spiritual Disciplines, tagged David, justice, life, Mephibosheth, spirituality on December 6, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
“David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people” (2 Sam 8:15). We don’t have to search far to see that King David wasn’t perfect. In today’s reading he commits adultery and orders the death of the victim’s husband. But we also discover much good in this monarch. In [...]
Day 96: Second Samuel 4-7
Posted in Bible in a Year 2011-2012, Leadership, Second Samuel, tagged C. S. Lewis, David, God, humility, pride on December 5, 2011 | 1 Comment »
“Pride leads to every other vice: it is the complete anti-God state of mind” (C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity). David has a reason to be prideful: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands” (1 Sam 18:7, 21:11, 29:5). Although he doesn’t always escape the sin of pride that Lewis says all [...]
Day 95: Second Samuel 1-3
Posted in Bible in a Year 2011-2012, Grief, Second Samuel, tagged David, death, mourning on December 4, 2011 | Leave a Comment »
We grieve in diverse forms: tears, regret, worship, celebration, memorials, stories, flowers… Upon the death of a loved one, some mourners experience a sudden burst of grief. Others travel a long road of gradual grief. Some want to grieve with family and friends, while others prefer privacy. Tom Long has written a valuable contribution to [...]
