Much of life is about waiting. We wait for all kinds of things concerning employment, family relationships, school, holidays and much more. We also spend time waiting upon God and listening for his direction. It is this experience of waiting that we find as we begin our series on The Book of Acts. It raises the question for us of What is the nature of our waiting? Is it an empty waiting of just looking at a clock or do we wait in expectation that God is working in our midst? The disciples find that as they wait in trust God is bringing about a new epoch of empowerment by his Spirit.

The resurrection of Christ is the defining point in the history of humankind. Death has been defeated and resurrection life is ours in Jesus Christ! As a result we are invited to live the abundant life even now as we make our journey under God's sun. May our reflection on Matthew's account of the empty tomb (Matthew 28) fill us with the hope and joy of the Gospel of Jesus Christ on this Easter weekend.

A key question continues to be "Who is Jesus?" It was asked in the first century (Matthew 21:10) and continues to be asked today. Is Jesus primarily a great teacher? A good model for living? A crazy person? Or our ever present living Lord? During this Easter season may we keep exploring this pivotal question of 'Who Jesus Is?' and continue to deepen our relationship with our living Lord.

As we come to the close of our reflections on King David we hear the exciting words of "an eternal covenant" instituted by Yahweh God. God wants to be in relationship with David and all in his train forever. And through Jesus the Son of David we are members of this eternal covenant. Let us rejoice and give exuberant thanks to our gracious God for the wideness of his mercy and love.

Throughout First and Second Samuel we hear about David. But in 2 Samuel 22 we hear the voice of David speaking in first person David speaking directly to his loving God. No longer the voice of a Warrior but David speaking as a poet announcing his love to his loving Father. In this Psalm we also are invited to offer our praise and devotion to our Most High God who remains faithful and kind throughout each and every generation.

Join us this Sunday as we explore Davids powerful confession after being confronted by the prophet Nathan. Through this moment of truth, we see both the consequences of sin and the boundless grace of God. No matter our failures, God offers forgiveness and restoration when we turn to Him in repentance.

King David is described as a person who has a heart after God, yet he is also a person who carries his own foibles. The story of his relationship with Bathsheba and his orchestration of Uriahs death makes this fact very clear. Nevertheless, the Lord remains faithful to David despite his unfaithfulness. It is this response of grace and forgiveness towards David that brings encouragement to our sinful hearts today. Gods amazing grace is available for us all so let us go to him continually with honest and authentic hearts.

David has experienced the compassionate love (kindness) of God and he wants to share it with others. Specifically he remembers his deep friendship with Jonathan and wants to express his loyal love to Jonathan in a tangible way towards members of Jonathans and Sauls families. David does not hold on to enmity with the descendants of Saul but rather demonstrates an attitude of forgiveness and kindness to them. In this action we have a linkage to the kindness of God (v3) and how we are also called to forgive our enemies and forsake our attitudes of bitterness, anger and holding on to old grudges. May we have the grace to emulate King David and his greater King Jesus Christ.

In the mercy of God the Shepherd King is not only established on the throne of Israel but his heirs are to be established as a dynasty forever. This Davidic Covenant becomes the genealogical foundation that culminates in Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God (Matthew 1:5-6). As a result the Davidic Covenant becomes the connection point for our own relationship with Jesus and our participation in the new Israel of God (Galatians 6:16).

Davids journey to the throne was long, but he remained faithful, trusting Gods timing. In2 Samuel 5:1-12, well see how discipline in waiting, obedience, and stewardship prepares us for Gods plans. Join us as we learn to trust His process!