Walking in Faith

⁴So Hanun took David’s servants and shaved off half the beard of each and cut off their garments in the middle, at their hips, and sent them away. ⁵When it was told David, he sent to meet them, for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, “Remain at Jericho until your beards have grown and then return.”

It is curious to me how the beards play a part in this passage. After some quick research, it becomes evident that the act of shaving off half the beard of each servant was an act of disrespect. The Jews were compelled to maintain a well-trimmed beard as prescribed by several verses in the Bible (Lev. 19:27, Lev. 21:5, Ezekiel 5:1-4, Ps. 133:2, 2 Sam. 19:24, Isa. 15:2, Jer. 41:5). I recall a conversation I had with a Muslim that had a beard. He told me that his faith believes that you do not shave off your beard because you want to mimic as much as possible of Jesus Christ and Mohammed. They both had long beards, so in turn, a faith-practicing Muslim should do the same. I can’t say as I know right from wrong on this one (let’s call it a non-essential, shall we?) but Hanun’s act was clearly one of disrespect and indignation. David instructs the servants to return to Jerusalem, grow back their beard and then return. I’m not educated enough about the Jewish culture at the time to state for certain but I believe that this was more a statement around regaining their composure, their pride and their focus. It was almost as if he wanted to say to Hanun that he could cut off their beards but he couldn’t take away their spirit or their purpose. Do I have a similar mentality? If someone hurts my pride or insults me, do I take it personally and then react inappropriately (spitefully, revengefully, etc.)? The Lord instructs us to turn the other cheek. After all, He will judge them according to their deeds. I am not to judge them. This is a great reminder to those who struggle with pride issues, like myself. Remember, the servants of David returned home only to return and defeat the Syrians.

The Ammonites realized that David was not pleased with this act. They decided to go hire the Syrians of Beth-rehob, the Syrians of Zobah, the men of Maacah and the men of Tob. When David heard of this, he didn’t go hire anyone or call for reinforcements, he went to battle them. He took his existing troops and went to attack them. Now, the Scriptures aren’t clear on this point but I have to assume that David prayerfully considered this move. His troops were being attacked from the front and the rear, yet they were able to successfully defeat the troops. This was clearly the will of the Lord. Do I rush into things or do I wait for the word of the Lord to come to me? I am horrible at this. I am very much an impulse person. If I think about things too long, I will think of all the reasons why not to do something. In effect, the Lord isn’t getting His say in my decisions — it is all about me. This is an area of my life the Lord has been working on. I still have problems with saying ‘no’ to people regarding spiritual things/commitments, but I am doing better!

Father, I thank you for your Word. I thank you for a role model like David. He was a human. He sinned, but God he cared about you and had a heart for me. Your Word gives me examples of his behaviors that allow me to learn and grow. I am so glad that You are working in my life and changing me. I want to have a heart for you. My desire is to find complete joy in You and not look anywhere else. I thank you for opening my eyes to your Word tonight around my pride and my impulsiveness. It is amazing to know that You care enough about me to bring these things to my attention in order to help shape me into the man You want me to be. I pray these things in Christ Jesus holy name. Amen.

Jason Worthen 2 Samuel, Quiet Time

What is your servant, that you should show regard for a dead dog such as I? (2 Samuel 9:8 ESV)

A dead dog was the lowest form of life during these times. As we think of rats today, they thoughts of dogs back then. For Mephibosheth to say such a thing to David is intriguing. He is the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul. Surely Mephibosheth knew that Saul was continually hunting David to kill him. I am curious, however, if he was aware of David and Jonathan’s relationship? My expectation would be that he was aware of this relationship. I imagine Jonathan talking to his son about David and how great he thought David was (recall that Jonathan and David’s souls were bound together — 1 Samuel 18:1). Now, here is Jonathan’s son saying that he is as low as a dead dog. This had to break David’s heart! At this point, David gives Mephibosheth all of the land that belonged to Saul. In fact, he tells Ziba that he will now till the land for Mephibosheth. This is amazing! What a story! The ties between Jonathan and David come back to reward Jonathan’s son. Certainly this was the LORD’s plan the entire time.

The LORD has a plan for everyone and everything. Nothing happens without the LORD allowing it to happen. This gives me great assurance and comfort. He is in control — not me. While I can make decisions in my life, God is ultimately at work steering me in a direction that He wants me to go. I am so thankful and blessed that the LORD cares about me enough to want to take me in any direction.

Father, thank you for loving me. Thank you for giving me the blessings you have bestowed upon myself and my family. Thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ, who died for my sins. He was nailed to a cross when it should have been me. Thank you, Father, for your perfect Son and allowing his death to count for mine. God, search my heart and my soul and bring all of my sins to my mind so that I can confess them before you, asking for true repentance. I desire to be close to you and I know that sin separates us. Please LORD, search my soul. I pray these things in Jesus Christ’s holy and precious name. Amen.

Jason Worthen 2 Samuel, Quiet Time

The LORD gave David strength and power. If the LORD was not with David, he would still be a shepherd working in the fields. The LORD loved and blessed David. I need to remember that the LORD loves me and will bless me as long as I walk with Him. I am encountering several challenges in my life right now but all of them are because, I think, the LORD has something He wants me to do. He has something critical that He wants me to do for Him. If that weren’t true, why would Satan be attacking me so much more now?

Victories and fame were David’s during this chapter. David even “made a name for himself”. I have to remember, however, that the LORD allowed this to happen only because David was giving the glory to God. He was not trying to take any credit for it. Too often, I think of me doing things and not the LORD. Even tonight, I thought about how I might be “drawing” kids in to the booth I was helping to run at the Summer Fest event. It had nothing to do with me and everything to do with God. I really hope people saw that I love kids and wanted to help them have fun. I want people to see Christ in my behavior. If I am gossiping or cursing or speaking things that are not useful to anyone, I am not going to be seen in a Christ-like light. I have to be a light to the world all of the time. That isn’t easy but I have to start somewhere and I have to start now.

Jason Worthen 2 Samuel, Quiet Time

Nathan tells David to go do what is in his heart. He doesn’t tell him to go do whatever he feels like doing. The LORD knew David’s heart and He knew what David was all about — the glory of God!

2 Samuel 7:12 is obviously a prophecy of Jesus Christ. What is interesting to me is in verse 14 and 15.

14 When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, 15 but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you.

Iniquity is another word for sin. The original text is defined as:

1. to bend, twist, distort
   • (Niphal) to be bent, be bowed down, be twisted, be perverted
   • (Piel) to twist, distort
   • (Hiphil) to do perversely
2. to commit iniquity, do wrong, pervert
   • (Qal) to do wrong, commit iniquity
   • (Hiphil) to commit iniquity

Did Jesus ever sin? We know that he did not. He was perfect. He was God made flesh. However, I sin constantly. Luckily, Jesus took my sins upon himself when he died upon the cross. Am I willing to make that death be worth while or do I want it to be a meaningless death?

Jason Worthen 2 Samuel, Quiet Time

LORD of the hosts. This phrase is in the chapter twice: 2 Samuel 6:2 and 2 Samuel 6:18. God created everything and is control of everything. He is the LORD of hosts. He created the earth and all of it’s inhabitants, he created the stars, the skies, the universe and everything inside of that universe. He is the LORD of hosts — JEHOVAH SABAOTH. This is a majestic title and implies the LORD’s sovereign, omniscient and omnipotent characteristics.

For behold, he who forms the mountains and creates the wind, and declares to man what is his thought, who makes the morning darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth – the Lord, the God of hosts, is his name! (Amos 4:13 ESV)

For the first time, I feel like I see David stumble. He doesn’t trust the LORD but fears for his own safety. He has already forgotten the LORD that delivered the Philistines into his hands, delivered Saul into his hands (several times), etc. David feared the LORD and sent the ark to Obed-edom instead. David then gets word that the LORD is blessing Obed-edom so he goes and gets the ark. This picture is quite funny to me. I imagine David going to Obed-edom a bit sheepish and telling him that the ark has to be moved to the city of David (Jerusalem). David would have never gone near the ark if he hadn’t heard the Obed-edom was receiving the LORD’s blessings for having the ark in their city.

Do I act selfish like that? Am I too worried about the blessings the LORD is bestowing upon me instead of the blessings He is providing for others? The LORD loves everyone. He has plenty of blessings and gifts to go around for everyone. I do not need to be greedy or self-righteous but should pray, earnestly, for others to receive the LORD’s blessings. I should pray this week, especially, for the Backyard Bible Clubs (BYBC) and having the LORD bless the teenagers who are sharing the gospel with lots of little children. The LORD can work miracles through these teenagers who are working so well and doing a great job. It is incredibly encouraging to see.

Thank you, Father God, for your blessings and for your love. I ask that you be with Abbie, Chelsea, David and Dorian tomorrow as they go into day 2 of BYBC. I ask that you be with the children at each of their clubs. Help soften their hearts and open their eyes so that they can see and feel your presence. Help them to know that you love them and your son, Jesus Christ, is the only way to eternal salvation. I thank you and I praise your name — Jehovah Sabaoth. In Jesus’s name I pray — Amen.

Jason Worthen 2 Samuel, Quiet Time