1 SAMUEL 15:1-16:23
SAUL'S FIRST FAILURE: (Chap 13) Was tested through delay of Samuel while his troops scattered and hid. In his fear and unbelief, Saul disobeyed God and intruded on the priestly ministry. Religious ritual with no reality is antichristian.
SAUL'S SECOND FAILURE: (Chap 14) He caused his army to sin when he starved them before a battle.
SAUL'S THIRD FAILURE: (Chap 15) Saul refused to submit to God and obey Him when he spared Agag. At this, Saul lost his crown (James 1:12; Rev 2:10; 3:11) The "King of Flesh" eventually died at Mt. Gilboa. V.26, "thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord hath rejected thee." Saul lost the Presence of God.
SAMUEL: Was unmoved by Saul's tears, or Saul's violence in ripping Samuel's mantle. He brought Saul down with WORDS. He also hacked King Agag "in pieces before the Lord" with his sword! And Samuel never saw Saul again until after his death (v.35).
"MAN looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."(15:7) In fact, God chose the youngest, the smallest, the least favorite, with the worst job (shepherd). However, v. 12 does say that David was good-looking. "And the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward." (from the time Samuel had anointed him with oil.)
INTRODUCING DAVID: His name means "well-loved". He also had THREE FAILURES: (1) Ran to hide among the Philistines (1 Sam 21). (2) Adulterer and murderer (2 Sam 11). (3) Numbered the people (2 Sam 24). The difference is that David went to God about EVERYTHING AND he knew how to repent. (Psa 51).
DAVID & SAUL: King Saul wanted his devils soothed. He sent for David, who had a reputation as "valiant, prudent (wise), a man of war, good-looking, and anointed". V.21 says that David became Saul's armor-bearer and "loved him greatly." Saul was David's mentor, sponsor, father-figure.
RESPONSE: These two kings provide a contrast between man-centeredness and God-centeredness. They both made mistakes and sinned against God. But only one of them "made it". Even though Saul didn't die right away, once he lost the Presence of God in his life, he was already as good as dead. Losing God's Presence drove him insane. It was all downhill from there. I don't EVER want to find myself in that position.
JOHN 8:1-20
"I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD": In fact, 1 John 1:5 says that "God is light and in Him is no darkness at all." This means that everything we've ever done is exposed to God. Light illuminates and brings clarity. It is a symbol for "Truth". Or our generation calls it "Reality". When we walk in darkness, we are walking in "untruth" or "unreality". It causes us to be disoriented as to the way things really are. One of the things that light does is expose the Truth.
EXAMPLE OF THE LIGHT BEING LIGHT: When the religious leaders brought the woman caught in adultery, Jesus turned on the Light and turned the tables on them by exposing their hearts.
"He that is without sin among you, let him cast the first stone." Is Jesus letting her sin slide? Will He let it go by this time? No! She is already exposed as a sinner. Is He saying that you can't judge sin unless you are truly sinless? No! He had already said to use "righteous judgment" after first judging ourselves. He is saying, "whatever standard we use to judge others, the same standard will be applied to us." If we judge from our own self-interest, or maliciously or deceitfully, then we are signing our own death warrant.
THE REAL STORY: This illustrates that "there is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh." This is because the Accuser of the brethren is cast down. "Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." (Rev 12:10-11)
Jesus did NOT say, "Sin no more and I won't condemn you." He said, "I forgive you AND I will change your life as you stop sinning from habit." We don't change in order to be accepted; we change because we have already been accepted.
"BELIEVE" because:
(1) V.14-15 "I am telling the Truth." They, on the other hand, don't have enough information to judge anyone.
(2) V.16-18 There are two witnesses (the legal requirement) to the Truth: Me and My Father.
RESPONSE: There have been times when I've prayed and wanted God to judge someone for something they were doing wrong. But then, God reminds me that He delays judgment so we have an opportunity to repent - just like He did for me. But, if I want God to start judging NOW, He will start with me! Then I changed my mind! In fact, I pray that God won't hold their sin against them, but will continue to woo and win that person to be saved. Jesus said we are to "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you" (Matt 5:4) That's how I want to be treated too!
PSALM 110:1-7
THE MOST QUOTED PASSAGE IN THE BIBLE: Matt 22:44; Mark 12:36; Luke 0:43; Heb 1:13; Heb 10:13; Acts 2:34-35; 1Cor 15:25-27. The Gospel quotes reveal that this Psalm was written by David, and that it refers prophetically to Jesus.
A WAR SONG: The banner at the head of this holy army reads, "Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies." To "rule in the midst" is to "footstool" our enemies. Jesus' death, resurrection and ascension have made it possible for Him to empower the Church, who willingly offer themselves. Although all things are under His feet, there are demonic forces in the heavenlies and men on earth who oppose His rule. It is our assignment to displace demons in the heavenlies, thus executing the judgment written. Jesus is waiting until His enemies be brought down to the earth where Satan will be confined. Evil is not annihilated, but it is subjugated. Even while the enemy is still standing and "doing his thing", believers rule in their midst. We don't NEED all evil and temptation to be gone in order to have the victory. The Gospel is tougher than that! The muster of the troops: An army of bold volunteers, who stay young and renewed. Their uniform will be from "the beauties of holiness" - clothed in righteousness. Our commander is the eternal royal priesthood.
THE REAL QUESTION - WHEN? Is Jesus "the coming King", or is He ALREADY KING? I believe that the Acts quote of this passage suggests that Psa 110 was being fulfilled THEN with the giving of the Holy Spirit. The Gospel quote of this passage suggests that Jesus already occupies the throne. The Hebrews quotes tell us that all things are already under Jesus' feet, awaiting our part in the victory. There is NOTHING outside of God's control.
PROVERBS 15: 8-10
The "upright" are the ones who "follow after righteousness" - who live like Jesus rules in their hearts. What is "the way of the wicked"? It is man's way. Self-centered, self-serving, self-glorifying. It is an abomination to God because it is opposed to God's way. Anything that the wicked DO for God, is likewise an abomination. And because the wicked don't take correction, they will die wicked.
No comments:
Post a Comment