Protecting Strength
Read Psalms 35, 41, 43, 46, 55
 
Psalms 46:1-4 God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. 2 So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. 3 Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge! 4 A river brings joy to the city of our God, the sacred home of the Most High.
 
TALK of fear and uncertainty, discussions of weariness and sadness are very common in our day-to-day lives, aren’t they? “What next? Whom can we trust? What to we do? What’s right? How is it possible things will be better?” We find it difficult to see the answers to our questions or trust in good solutions. What’s a good thing to do?
   Let’s open our Bibles to Psalm 46, and we’ll discover the loud, sure, penetrating truth: God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. Do you hear? Your God, the one you claim to believe in, wants you to believe he has named himself as your personal refuge. He is ready for you! I AM, the eternal transcendent God, is your refuge. HE IS proclaims to be your unending strength.
   God is our refuge. Stop amid your questions and be with God for a time. Whatever upsets you will begin to lighten. It may not disappear, but you will know in your heart that El Shaddai’s shield is around you. He protects your mind with the peace of his thoughts. Focused on his words, you will have a real and personal connection with God’s presence. Remember, the Holy Spirit is your Comforter, your Helper who draws you into his protection.
   God is our strength - How strong he is for you! His strength holds the vast, uncountable universe together. Surely he will keep you safe and strong in him. Even when it seems your life is a series of crumbling mountains and raging seas, when you are sure your emotions are a violent earthquake and turbulent winds, God will keep you safe from harm. Who else can do that?
   Psalm 35:10 With every bone in my body I will praise him: “Lord, who can compare with you? Who else rescues the helpless from the strong? Who else protects the helpless and poor from those who rob them?”
   Even more, God shares his strength with you. Your triumph through the trials will strengthen your walk. You will intimately know the wonder that I AM calls you into his holy presence. When you consider your life, be still and remember that in so many ways he has been your refuge and your strength. No one can remove the LORD God from your heart. No thing can truly come against you when you are in the LORD.
    When the questions are gone, you will know the river of life has brought new joy to your life. Sing a song of praise. Lift your hands. Lift your heart. Lift your mind to the Lord who saves. Your God is above all things. Trust the One, who is an ever-present help, ready to come to you in your time of deepest needs.  
 

Read Psalms 13, 17, 23, 26, 28, 31
 
Psalms 13:1-6 O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? 2 How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand? 3 Turn and answer me, O Lord my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.
 
HAVE you ever prayed to God, “Turn and answer me, or I will die!” This seems as if David demanded an answer from God. Was he telling God what to do?
   David was desperate for God to speak to him as Saul pursued him. David wondered, “Why is God allowing Saul to persecute me? Why is he not stopping Saul’s hateful vengeance?” “Is God on my side?” David starved for God’s answer. He needed to know, “When will this end?” We can more readily endure the trouble when we know the trouble will stop. “Turn and answer me!” was David’s heart cry to know God was with him and God was going to end this trouble. He wanted God’s face turned toward him. To know someone loves you, you must be face-to-face.  
   David longed for God to “Restore the sparkle in my eye, or I will die.” David had a particular pleasure and happiness – a sparkle – in his eye for God. As other psalms and Samuel 22 tell us, David found great pleasure in proclaiming God’s victories, virtues and goodness. He rejoiced often in God’s provision for his life, even amid the tragedies. David extolled the LORD’s majesty and proclaimed El Shaddai’s sovereign care and eternal promise to his countrymen and to the world.  
   But here was a time David missed that sparkle. He was despondent awaiting God’s resolution. Always watching for Saul would have made it difficult to see God’s goodness. David knew he needs an “eye lift” – a cleansing of doubt and despair from his soul. It’s time again to fully grasp God’s loving hand in his hand. He was feeling alone. So he pleaded with God to revive the joy of his heart.
   We’ve seen similar personal pleading, almost commanding words from Moses. David and Moses each had an extraordinary intimate relationship with God. They worshiped his majesty. And they upheld the power of his commands. Yet, there were times they were urgent for God to immediately say or do what they wanted him to do. They did not always pray, “if it is your will, God.” But these leaders spoke very directly, seeking the Almighty God’s quick response.
   In truth, God certainly knows what is on your heart. He knows what you need. Perhaps he’s waiting for you to urgently speak to him in your deep distress. Maybe he’s waiting for you to pray, “Return the sparkle to my eye.” We would do well to honestly speak what we feel. Then faithfully we can wait for the LORD’s will to be done.
   God shows us he can receive even the most desperate heart cries from our soul. Even the Son of God urgently prayed, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Matthew 27:46)
  

Read Psalms 5-7, 10-11
 
Psalms 7:9-11 End the evil of those who are wicked, and defend the righteous. For you look deep within the mind and heart, O righteous God. 10 God is my shield, saving those whose hearts are true and right. 11 God is an honest judge. He is angry with the wicked every day.
 
FROM all the verses of these psalms, you are perhaps wondering why we focus on God being angry with the wicked every day. Don’t we see enough of God’s judgment in other scriptures?
   Perhaps we don’t. It seems our culture, even the church is filled with such false teachings as, “God loves everyone no matter where they are.” In one way that is true. God has created all people, and he loves all people. But that kind of teaching can cause our sin nature to believe that God’s love means God accepts all things from all people.  We are always prone to justify any way we want to live as being okay with God. After all, he loves us, and just wants us to be happy, right?  
   Wrong. God loves us to the point he has given us his only Son, so we may be saved from eternal condemnation. The Holy God does not love us in any way we want to live. God’s love does not stop him from judging the wicked, expressing his anger to all who refuse his righteousness. Yes, we need to know God is angry with the wicked. If this were not true, the cross is useless.
   The words also express great trust and faith in God. David is proclaiming that God is a protector of the righteous, of those who seek his will and follow him. This is truly a passage of love and assurance, trusting God in his sovereign power will care for all who seek him.
   And the psalmist knew this wonderful truth: God’s wrath leads to hope! Yes, when we understand God cannot tolerate sin, we turn to the pure solution, which is the blood of Jesus. Because of God’s wrath on evil, he sent Jesus to the cross to satisfy his wrath. Our of God’s anger for sin came God’s mercy to redeem us when we understand our own good is not good enough. 1 Thessalonians 5:9 For God chose to save us through our Lord Jesus Christ, not to pour out his anger on us. 10 Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever.
   The psalms show in poetic strength the vast truth of God’s unchanging character. One line, one verse can open our eyes to understand God in the way we need to know him at that moment. At this moment, it is good to know God’s anger over sin brought salvation to you in Jesus Christ.
  
 
 

Read 1 Chronicles 26:12 – 1 Chronicles 29:21
 
1 Chronicles 29:14-15 “But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us! 15 We are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our days on earth are like a passing shadow, gone so soon without a trace.”
 
THE Chronicles may often be viewed in a similar light as the law: “This is God’s Word, but I’ll read it later.” We may see this record of Israel’s people as too much informaiton about who did what and who is related to whom. But let’s see, as we do in the law, that God reveals some vital truths of himself and his relationship with Israel.
   Who is God? “Order” is certainly one word to describe his character: 1 Chronicles 26-27 tells who is responsible for each aspect of Israel’s life. And you know who was leading each tribe. Chapter 28 describes the specific requirements of the Temple. Just as in the Tabernacle, God instructs construction to glorify him. He knows what he wants.
   “Provider” also defines God. Chapter 29 tells of God’s magnificent provision for his people. After reading the many stories of war from the outside, rebellion from the inside and violence among God’s people in 1 and 2 Samuel, it seems Israel would be a destitute and broken country. How surprised we are to see David has such wealth as he spoke in 1 Chronicles 29:2-5 “Using every resource at my command, I have gathered as much as I could for building the Temple of my God. Now there is enough gold, silver, bronze, iron, and wood, as well as great quantities of onyx, other precious stones, costly jewels, and all kinds of fine stone and marble. 3 And now, because of my devotion to the Temple of my God, I am giving all of my own private treasures of gold and silver to help in the construction. This is in addition to the building materials I have already collected for his holy Temple. 4 I am donating more than 112 tons of gold from Ophir and 262 tons of refined silver to be used for overlaying the walls of the buildings 5 and for the other gold and silver work to be done by the craftsmen.”
   Then see David’s challenge: verse 5b “Now then, who will follow my example and give offerings to the Lord today?”
   Of course worldly wealth is not the source of pleasure, happiness and salvation as it relates to our LORD. But this wealth in a very small nation so deeply troubled is certainly God’s gracious provision. God has done this to glorify his name. David celebrates, “Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us!” Perhaps more than any other time, Israel is as close to being the Promised Land God had offered to them. The LORD provided an interlude of peace and prosperity before new challenges would come.
   God will work through even the deepest challenges to offer you order and provision for your life as you submit to his authority. Count the ways God adds to your life – the ways he blesses you – and know that all things come from him.

Read 1 Chronicles 23-26
 
1 Chronicles 25:5-8 All these were the sons of Heman, the king’s seer, for God had honored him with fourteen sons and three daughters. 6 All these men were under the direction of their fathers as they made music at the house of the Lord. Their responsibilities included the playing of cymbals, harps, and lyres at the house of God. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman reported directly to the king. 7 They and their families were all trained in making music before the Lord, and each of them – 288 in all – was an accomplished musician. 8 The musicians were appointed to their term of service by means of sacred lots, without regard to whether they were young or old, teacher or student.
 
DAVID was a great song writer. And there were others. Perhaps one we’ve heard of is Asaph. This gifted musician wrote Psalms 50, 73-83. As David is preparing for the Temple to be built after his death, he includes the development of a system for constant, high-quality music in God’s house.
   Heman is the seer – the prophet – who was God’s voice to David at this time. God also blessed Heman with sons and daughters who were trained to play music on various instruments. Their vocation and giftedness was essential to honor the Holy God in his house.
   Haman, Asaph and their brother Ethan came from Korah’s line. Recall in Numbers that Korah was one of three men who conspired against Moses. The LORD judged these three rebels and their families to death, swallowed into the earth. But you see God’s grace. God preserved some of Korah’s family to do a mighty work we read today.    
   Music is another way God has revealed himself to us. But unfortunately it has long been a two-edged sword in the church. It has been a means to draw people together to hear God’s Word, praise God’s grace and confess one’s sins. It has also been a dividing sword to cut a church into two or more segments as people argue over instruments, style, words and anything else they can consider.
   What we can learn from these and other verses about the music is that it was done through God. I AM gifted musicians to write and sing music. Yahweh gave such gifts to glorify and worship His Name in his Holy Temple. The music was not about pleasing one’s musical taste or cultural preferences. It was about obeying God’s number one command: You shall not have any other god but me. (Exodus 20:3)
   God’s method was to include all and to keep them humble. The musicians were appointed to their term of service by means of sacred lots, without regard to whether they were young or old, teacher or student. How good it is to understand God’s design. Music should come from all ages as God gifts his own. Music in God’s house is to be a unifying, worshipful experience. We will learn more of God’s music as we break now from Israel’s history to soon begin Israel’s music in the psalms.
 
Psalms 75:1 For the choir director: A psalm of Asaph. A song to be sung to the tune “Do Not Destroy!” 1 We thank you, O God! We give thanks because you are near. People everywhere tell of your wonderful deeds.
 

Read 2 Samuel 21, 24, 1 Chronicles 21-22, Psalm 30  
 
2 Samuel 24:1-3 Once again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and he caused David to harm them by taking a census…10 But after he had taken the census, David’s conscience began to bother him. And he said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly by taking this census. Please forgive my guilt, Lord, for doing this foolish thing.”…15 So the Lord sent a plague upon Israel that morning, and it lasted for three days. A total of 70,000 people died throughout the nation, from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south.
 
GOD was angry with Israel. We do not know a specific sin. But sadly we aren’t surprised. Israel’s pattern was to consistently distance themselves from the Covenant God’s holy law. To cleanse the nation again, the LORD God incited David to sin, so the sin would be the tool of his judgment. This means he permitted Satan and sin to influence David. It is written this way in 1 Chronicles 21:1 Satan rose up against Israel and caused David to take a census of the people of Israel.
   Once again, the Bible teaches the LORD does not create sin; he allows sin in the world as a means to fulfill his purpose. For example, God showed this in Peter’s sin against Jesus: Luke 22:31 “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. 32 But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” Notice Jesus didn’t pray for Satan to stop. He could have done so and kept Satan from Peter. Instead, he prayed for Peter’s protection through the temptation and to his repentance. God used Satan to incite Peter to sin in order to sift Peter into a more humble, obedient servant. Peter needed to know his sin, and he needed to know repentance. He would be a much more effective preacher with that personal experience.
   David, too, needed more humility. Even at the end of his reign when God had saved him from so much opposition, David still exhibited too much pride. A census properly done was God’s command to determine the one-half shekel temple tax. But David wanted to know the great number of soldiers under his command. It seemed he desired to feel the pride of his accomplishments. And perhaps he did not trust God’s protection as completely as he should have.
   God is displeased when we say, “Look what I have done!” He desires we credit him for all we are and have. God’s rebuke would be a lesson to David, to Israel and to the next generations. Prayerfully it is a lesson for us.
   David repents. He sees God’s death angel hold back his sword from Jerusalem. He submits his family and himself to God’s justice. David interceded for his people as Christ would 1,000 years later. He obeyed God’s command to purchase Araunah’s threshing floor. It is here the temple will be built under Solomon’s reign.
   God used his judgment to clear the way for a new age in Israel. He has used this judging, restoring process through the Flood, through Israel’s 40-year wandering, and through the Judges. He is about to begin this process with the prophets under the kings to come.   
    
 

Read 2 Samuel 19-20
 
2 Samuel 19:19 “My lord the king, please forgive me,” he pleaded. “Forget the terrible thing your servant did when you left Jerusalem. May the king put it out of his mind.”
 
DAVID is victorious. He has the power to condemn his enemies. But he forgives. A memorable passage in this account is David’s forgiving heart: 2 Samuel 19:22b “This is not a day for execution but for celebration! Today I am once again the king of Israel!”
   The man of God summarizes God’s merciful relationship with Man. David begins to display the character of God. God’s will is to put aside “execution” – judgment – so he will be your King in peace and forgiveness.
   In Adam’s rebellion, we are born God’s enemies. We are spiritually at war with the LORD of Heaven’s armies as we dwell in opposition to his commands. Israel rebelled against God in the desert wanderings and later in the Promised Land. The Commander of the LORD’s armies could have easily ended all rebellion with one word to his legions. Deuteronomy 6:15 for the Lord your God, who lives among you, is a jealous God. His anger will flare up against you, and he will wipe you from the face of the earth. 
   But God is merciful. The Lord replied, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, Yahweh, before you. For I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose.” (Exodus 33:19) After centuries of his mercy to fulfill his covenants, God made the way to end the rebellion of our hearts with his Peacemaker, Jesus Christ. Graciously, our Father in Heaven did not send a Warrior to destroy but his Son to save. Now the Father accepts Jesus’ blood as the way to our peace with him. See God’s mercy: Romans 8:1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.
   Savor God’s salvation: Romans 5:10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.
   The Everlasting God offers to you his everlasting peace: Romans 10:8-9 In fact, it says, “The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart.” And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: 9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.   
   Human history is the story of rebellion and death. God’s kingdom history is the story of God’s merciful peace to give life to all who receive Jesus as the Peacemaker of their souls. Welcome him into your life. In the power of the Holy Spirit, you can be a child of the Prince of Peace.

Read 2 Samuel 16:15-19:4
 
2 Samuel 18:7 and the Israelite troops were beaten back by David’s men. There was a great slaughter that day, and 20,000 men laid down their lives.
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2 Samuel 18:33 The king was overcome with emotion. He went up to the room over the gateway and burst into tears. And as he went, he cried, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you! O Absalom, my son, my son.”
 
DAVID mourns deeply for his son. It is a lament heard down through the centuries as we consider a son’s rebellion and a father’s loss. Broken families are far too common. “O my son!” is a lament of many fathers estranged from their sons. Some have even experienced the worst possible consequence as David knew that awful day. Indeed, David’s grief was deep and lasting, perhaps grieving his own faults that led to Absalom’s death.
   And there are many more reasons for David’s grief – 20,000 reasons. Do you think David grieved the 20,000 men who had been killed and wounded? Israel’s rebellion began with David’s lust for Bathsheba. David murdered Uriah. Amnon’s lust violated Tamar. Absalom murdered Amnon. David and Absalom became separated emotionally and physically. Did David’s transgressions keep him from leading and disciplining his covetous, self-serving sons? Guilt will keep us from doing right. Confess your sins. Receive Jesus’ resurrection power to cleanse your guilt. Live for God, and you will keep your home safe.
   Absalom’s revolt caused thousands to die. Wives become widows. Children lost their fathers. A nation lost the gifts and strength of 20,000 fighting men who were to protect Israel from her external enemies. God’s house of Israel was at risk. How true is the LORD Jesus’ teaching, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A family splintered by feuding will fall apart.” (Luke 14:17)
   Sexual sin splinters souls and families. Everywhere we look in the world, people live broken lives because lust has rage through their homes. The sin in a bedroom never stays there. It floods through families and overwhelms our churches. What’s happening in your home? Is there something you need to make right? Do it now before the house divides and falls. Live by the Holy Spirit’s power: Ephesians 5:15 So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.
   The LORD wants you to enjoy him.

Read 2 Samuel 14:25 thru 16, Psalm 3
 
2 Samuel 15:21 But Ittai said to the king, “I vow by the Lord and by your own life that I will go wherever my lord the king goes, no matter what happens – whether it means life or death.”
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Psalms 3:1 O Lord, I have so many enemies; so many are against me. 2 So many are saying, “God will never rescue him!” 3 But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high. 4 I cried out to the Lord, and he answered me from his holy mountain. 5 I lay down and slept, yet I woke up in safety, for the Lord was watching over me.”
 
TO help us understand Absalom’s dramatic rebellion against his father, we must remember the LORD’s Word when judging David’s sin with Bathsheba: 2 Samuel 12:11 “This is what the Lord says: Because of what you have done, I will cause your own household to rebel against you. I will give your wives to another man before your very eyes, and he will go to bed with them in public view. 12 You did it secretly, but I will make this happen to you openly in the sight of all Israel.” Then we see God’s unstoppable grace: v 13 David replied, “I have sinned against the LORD.” Nathan replied, “Yes, but the Lord has forgiven you, and you won’t die for this sin.”
   Absalom was a scheming, vindictive man. He had carefully crafted a four-year plan within David’s kingdom to turn Israel’s heart to himself and gain support to overthrow his father the king. How quickly our hearts can believe Deceivers who speak sweet words. David immediately recognized the danger to himself and Jerusalem’s citizens. So he fled east into the wilderness and across the Jordan River as Absalom came from the west.
   Among those with David is Ittai from Gath. You remember Gath, don’t you? The Philistine town is often in David’s story. Goliath and other giants came from there. David went there, too, escaping Saul. Ittai, a Philistine leader, spoke a deep commitment to David. Throughout the Bible, we see God’s story our LORD includes people of all backgrounds to express a living faith that was too often absent in Israel.  How ironic that the threats to David came from within his family while those who had been his enemies were by his side.
   Psalm 3 is one of David’s faith songs amid this rebellion. Great words of faith can transform trouble into triumph. Instead of saying, “God, where are you?” David said, “God is on his holy mountain.” David knew God watched over him while he slept. We, too, will know God in this way when we experience his presence in all circumstances. David’s pleas, his confessions and his praises point to his total trust in God’s will.        
   Rebellion remains in our story today, doesn’t it? Many rebels have various forms and shapes to destroy God’s kingdom from within and without. Be alert to the threats. Trust God to confess, “But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.”
 

Read 2 Samuel 13-14
 
2 Samuel 14:14 “All of us must die eventually. Our lives are like water spilled out on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God does not just sweep life away; instead, he devises ways to bring us back when we have been separated from him.”
 
HOW broken can a family be? Amnon, Absalom, Tamar – the violators and the violated – represent the pain of lust in the human heart. Then David, ruler of Israel, will not rule his house. Murder, revolution and senseless war are the ultimate result. David has conquered giants and subdued nations, but he would not battle the evil within. The psalm writer did not sing of forgiveness and reconciliation.
   Joab, David’s nephew and general, was certainly no man to admire. He was as vengeful as Absalom. His loyalty to David was tempered with motives to protect his power and authority. Still, God used him here to awaken David to a threat. He understood the father-son division could cause David to lose the throne and his legacy. Thus, Joab – as we’ve seen many times in the Bible – becomes another servant God anoints to speak his Word to his chosen leader. And for the second time, God uses a woman to change the course of David’s life. (Remember Abigail?)
   Joab wisely coaches the woman of Tekoa to reveal a powerful truth: “God does not just sweep life away; instead, he devises ways to bring us back.” Do you think these words reminded David of God’s response to David’s many sins?
   God has made a promise that David’s throne would lead to the eternal King. He will not let go of David. As God has repeatedly acted to reconcile Israel from their sinful ways, David must reconcile with Absalom. David is to be a father to his son as the LORD God is a Father to Israel and to David.
   David responded only partially to the admonition. He agreed to invite Absalom back home. Yet, once Absalom arrived in Jerusalem, David for two years rejected a face-to-face meeting. He is unwilling, apparently, to confront the pain of reconciliation. He will not, then, enjoy with his son the peace of resolution.
   Fathers, sons, - parents, children  - are you listening? Very many fathers and sons are separated because of some disagreement or prideful contest of supremacy in their relationship. But consider your Father in heaven! Who would you be if the Father had considered the pain of reconciliation too much to bear? Without Jesus’ painful death and the Father’s sacrifice, we would have no way to reconcile with God. Yes, reconciliation is painful. It requires we confront and confess our sins, our failures and all unpleasant things that cut God’s love out of our hearts. And be mindful that separation is more than painful. It is deadly. There is no life where relationships remain apart.
   Do you need to resolve your relationship with God? Rejoice and thank the Father that reconciliation makes you new: 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 18 And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him.