Arise and Abide

Curtis and Sally say hello and cast vision for the upcoming new year and new season of podcasting the Gospel. Starting as a Daily Devotional in 2020, season four will shift to a new weekly format, while shifting themes monthly. Every episode will be looking for the Picture, the Price, and the Promise of God. We will putting each passage we read in context and look for what the scripture shows us about God’s heart for humanity. We will discuss what the scripture is saying to us both, in what we need to die to, or surrender as the price; and the promise of God in each passage. Sally and Curtis share what God has been doing in their life during their time of rest and preparation for the launch of season 4, January 4, 2023.

Reading 2 Samuel 4:1-12 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Ishbosheth loses all courage and sees he’s lost. Ishbosheth’s murderer’s claim their deed as a work of God. Expecting a reward but getting shut down. Following where they think they can benefit instead of following God is a means to selfish ends. We can always be confident in following God. Selfishness in the root of the customs and the ways of the world. Can you see what God is showing you when you are focused on self? David following after the heart of God and does the unexpected. We are called to love God and love people, to be that difference in the world.

Reading 2 Samuel 3:20-39 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Human tendency of justifying actions as though you are helping someone else when it is actually self-serving. The need to continually surrender our will be done for the LORD’s. Abner could see the writing on the wall when Asahel was chasing him. Through all the messes people create, God continues to do what God does and works all things for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purposes. Abner’s death helped all the people see David as a leader who could unify Israel even in such a circumstance. The victory already belongs to the LORD, the journey there is messy.

Reading 2 Samuel 3:6-19 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. Abner’s pride and desire to control everything. Abner being more powerful than Ishbosheth. People in general have a hard time letting go. “Now is the time” because Abner was offended. God’s timing and movement towards completing His promise to David. Romans 8:26-29, Called according to His purposes, loving God and loving people, drawing all people to Himself. The Holy Spirit is always capable of showing God’s love. Each thing we let go of, God replaces with something better.

Reading 2 Samuel 2:18-3:1 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The hard realities of civil war. Abner finding himself in a spot where it is kill or be killed. Though He was the one who started the fighting by suggesting twelve men from each side fight, Abner now asks how long they will keep killing each other. The messes created when you try to hold on to the past or fight for your own will be done. Make Jesus your King, you can only serve one.   

Reading 2 Samuel 2:12-17 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The armies of Ishbosheth led by Saul’s cousin, David’s army led by David’s nephew. Abner’s ideas of the next best thing to do continues to make a mess and brings more death. Champion warfare that led only to more violence. Had Joab or Abner paused and asked God what to do, things would have gone differently. See this example and realize the choice we have everyday to choose life and walk into the life He has for us.

Reading 2 Samuel 2:1-11 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. David goes to God for direction and leans in for details. Even though Saul is dead, David does not come demanding the kingdom. Judah, David’s tribe, anoints him king and David immediately reaches out to the tribe of Benjamin, Saul’s tribe, inviting them to join the kingdom. David going to God for direction vs. Abner trying to keep Saul’s dynasty in power. Abner, Saul’s cousin, wouldn’t want the family to lose power. Abner letting go of what was for what God was turning things into

Reading Psalms 71:17-24 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The picture of the journey of God’s teaching from childhood to old age. Constantly telling others of the wonderful things God does. David was a lifelong witness of everything God has done. David recognizing God’s teaching and discipline through his life. The pattern of needing rescue, hoping in God for rescue, praising the LORD, telling others. When David praises God we see these moments of shouting for joy. We have all been ransomed.

Reading 2 Samuel 1:17-27 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. As part of David’s grieving process, he writes the Song of the Bow and has the people learn it and sing it, paying honor and respect to Saul and Jonathan. Jonathan and Saul were close but divided on David. David still wanted to honor Saul despite their history. The loss of someone can change they way you look everything. Value relationship above all the other stuff.

Reading 2 Samuel 1:1-16 (NLT) ~ Scripture reading followed by discussion. The Amalekites likely thinking he was going to gain favor with David. The discrepancies in the two stories of Saul’s death show the Amalekites to be lying, likely a scavenger looking for valuables trying to profit off of the circumstances. Saul wanted David dead, David didn’t want things to go this way. The power of the Holy Spirit is more than enough for us to love our enemies. David puts God first, then Israel, not self.  David morns the loss of God’s anointed and his friend Jonathan. We are called to show love in the most surprising ways that make us different from the rest of the world.