A Look Back, Birthday Edition

Today is my birthday. I won't tell you how old I am because if you know me you already have that information, and if you don't know me you don't need to know my age. But let's just say for all concerned that I am old enough to be an empty-nester and the Gram of 12 lovely grandchildren who range in age from adult to infant. In other words, I have lived a few years.

Today has been a somewhat quiet Saturday, and I'm not complaining.

I have spent this birthday reflecting on life, on love, on this past year (ugh!) . . . and on what I have accomplished in all the years I've been on earth and what I hope yet to accomplish before I leave it.

Today I've thought about the prayers I've prayed over my lifetime. I remember some of them from my childhood, teenaged years, and young adulthood.

I've thought about the answers to those prayers, how the Lord gave me some of the things I wanted, how He denied me some of the things I wanted, and acknowledged that He did it because He wanted to give me things that are so much better than what I wanted.

Today I read Psalm 90. 

Moses, the writer of the psalm said in verse 12:

"So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."

This was after he rehearsed the world's history before the LORD, recounting both the sins and the blessings of all generations of the earth up to that date. He then continued with a prayer for future blessings. 

No, I have not attained to the age of Moses when he wrote this psalm, but I certainly understand his contemplation. I have been rehearsing my history before the LORD today and praying for future blessings as well. I can take a calculator and easily number my days. That part about applying my heart unto wisdom is a goal, but is not quite so easily attained. I will still try though.

I remember my sins, but I remember God's grace has covered them and that He has forgiven me.

I remember the sins of others that have affected me, but I remember that God's grace also has covered them and that He has forgiven them, and so have I. If the omniscient God can forget sins, I - the forgetful one - surely can!

I remember those who have died on this date or of the birthdays I've spent at the funeral home on this date because someone I love has been birthed into eternity. I will see them again one day even though I continue to mourn for them. 

I remember those who have been born on this date, those with whom I share the date of 10/10. I wish them all a wonderful day today.

I remember my 18th birthday when my parents held a surprise party for me, but the biggest surprise of the day was that a certain young man walked up to me in the parking lot of the college we attended (he as a senior, me as a not-yet-graduated-from-high-school college freshman) and asked me out on a date. 💘

I don't really remember my 19th birthday, but I know that "Pastor Dad" and I had been married for a couple of months by the time I became a college sophomore and he a seminary student. 

I don't remember my 20th birthday either, but I know we were in the process of becoming full-fledged pastor and pastor's wife in a small church made up of wonderful folks who we've loved and cherished these many years, even long after we moved far away from them.

I do remember my 21st birthday because most of my gifts consisted of maternity clothes to get me through the months until our first little one arrived the following May. 👪 

And on it goes as I recount my history. 

What about the next part of that verse? How can I apply my heart to wisdom? I don't have all the answers, but I think I have a few clues.

• When I rehearse the blessings of God on my life in the past I can look expectantly to the future knowing that the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End has the journey planned for me and knows ever step of the way.
• When I see the provisions the LORD has made for me over all of my years, but especially through this past one (2020!) I can lay all anxiety aside knowing that He is my provider, my protector, my fortress, and my shield.
• When I remember that His mercies are new every morning I can wake up knowing that THIS is the day the LORD has made and I can rejoice and be glad in it, no matter what happens. Every day is a new Today.
• When I look at my parents, my parents-in-law, my husband, my 4 grown children and their spouses, my grandchildren, and all of my beloved relatives and friends I remember that the relationships in my life are the most important gifts that I have received. If these treasured people and I love and trust the Lord these bonds will never be broken but will last throughout eternity.
• When I see how many days have passed and realize that I am past the midpoint of my life I know that I must not waste the time that God has allotted me to serve Him. I must be about the work He has given me to do.

I have experienced many transitions in my life, but the majority of the time I've been on this earth has been spent with the man that I lovingly call "Pastor Dad" on this blog. Here is the birthday card that he gave me today. It is a store-bought card but it beautifully states his feelings of sharing a lifetime with me. I can say in return that I love the story that God has written in our life together. We have witnessed the wonders of God as we have served together in our home and in the ministry and my fervent prayer is that He will allow us many more years to serve Him together.

Today, I am thanking God for what He has done for me and for giving me the work and the lovely people that fill my life with so much joy. If you are one of those people, thank you very much for being part of my life.

Journal Through the Bible, Week 43 Day 1

II Samuel chapter 8

This chapter gives an account of some of David's successful military campaigns including against the Philistia, Moab, Zobah, and Syria. It also includes a brief listing of the military equipment (horse and chariots) taken for David's army and precious metals (gold and silver) that were dedicated to the LORD for the future temple-building venture. The highlight of the chapter is in verse 14, "And the LORD preserved David whithersoever he went."

Does God issue any commands?

• God does not speak in this chapter.

Does God make any promises?

• God does not speak in this chapter.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• David was a warrior-king. His descendant, Jesus Christ, conquered sin, death, hell, and the grave. The statement about the LORD preserving David whithersoever he went can also be said about Jesus. God promised the Messiah that He would put all of His enemies under His feet. (See Psalm 110.)

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• Jesus is called the Faithful and True who judges and makes war. He will sit on white horse and is followed by His army. He will kill His enemies with the two-edged sword that proceeds out of His mouth. He will have "KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS," inscribed on His clothing. (See Revelation chapter 19.)

Journal Through the Bible, Week 42 Day 6

Psalm 30

Some scholars and pastors, including Charles Spurgeon, believe(d) that David wrote this psalm when he received the word that his son would build the house of the LORD, the Temple, in Jerusalem. It is a reasonable explanation for the prologue of the psalm which says, "A Psalm and Song at the dedication of the house of David.


Does God make any commands in this psalm?

• Like all of scripture, this passage was inspired by the Holy Spirit, but even so God does not directly speak to David to command him to do anything in this psalm.

Does God make any promises in this psalm?

• God does not directly speak in this psalm; however, David is praising God for promises that God has made elsewhere in scripture.

Does this psalm teach anything about Jesus?

• In verses 1-5 David's words are a picture of the Savior lifted up in death to defeat His foes and yet was brought up from the grave. There was great weeping as darkness fell like night at the crucifixion but also great joy when the resurrected Jesus was revealed as alive to His followers.
• In verse 6 David speaks of never being moved. God's promises are sure and steadfast. Sin has been defeated! Jesus will never suffer again for our sins. They have been put away!
• In verse 7 David speaks of God hiding His face. God did hide His face from Jesus when He was on the cross. God cannot look on sin.
• In verse 8 David speaks of crying out to God. Jesus cried to the Father from the cross.
• In verse 9 David asks what profit there would be of his blood being in the dust. None! But when Jesus shed his blood into the dirt around the cross there was great profit for all who believe! It declared the truth that He is the Savior, the redeemer from sin.
• In Verses 10-12 David speaks of mourning being turned to dancing and sackcloth into gladness. The person whose sorrow is turned to joy will give thanks forever. Even Jesus was sorrowful at the time of the crucifixion but was joyful when death was defeated. He praised His Father.

Does this psalm teach anything about yet-future events?

• In verse 4 David exhorts all the saints to sing unto the LORD and to give thanks to Him. We will do this together around the Father's throne in eternity.
• In verse 12 David again talks of singing the praises of the Father and giving thanks to Him forever. (We'd better get practicing!)

Journal Through the Bible, Week 42 Day 5

II Samuel chapter 7

Does God issue any commands?

•  God told Nathan the prophet to go to David and to tell him all the words of the vision that God gave him. Nathan did. (Verses 5-17)

Does God make any promises?

•  God promises an eternal land and eternal peace to His people, Israel, in verse 10.
•  Through Nathan God states again His promise of an eternal kingdom.
•  God promised not to turn away from David's dynasty through his son even if the son disobeyed. The promised reign of David's family would not be taken away and given to another as Saul's reign ended. The promise was not dependent upon the goodness of Solomon or future heirs. It was dependent upon the covenant of God who sent His own Son to be born of David's lineage. (Verses 15-16)
•  God promised that David's son would build the House of God. And Solomon did!

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

•  Verses 8 and 9 - God has the prophet Nathan speak to David but it is very much a type of Christ: "I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be a ruler over my people, over Israel: And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth." Here we see the progression of the Great Shepherd to the Ruler of all nations and the Warrior who defeats His enemies.
•  Verse 13 - Jesus is the One who will reign on the throne of David as the inheritor of David's promised eternal dynasty.

Does this chapter teach anything about future events?

•  Verse 10 - This must be a prophecy that is not yet fulfilled. It not only promises Israel a place of their own where they will never again be moved, but it also promises that the wicked will never afflict them again.
•  Verses 11-13, God will one day reestablish the rule of David's dynasty with the reign of Jesus Christ.

Journal Through the Bible, Week 42 Day 4

II Samuel 5:13-6:23

Does God make any commands?

•  In response to David's prayer, God told him that he should lead a military campaign against the Philistines and that God would deliver them into his hands.
• The next time David asked God about attacking the Philistines, God told him not to attack at that time but to go around and when he and the army reached the mulberry trees they should wait until the wind blowing in the top of the trees then they could launch their attack. Then God would give David the victory. David obeyed and won a victories from Geba to Gazer.
• God had given commands in the book of Leviticus stating how the Ark of the Covenant was to be moved on the shoulders of the priests and Levites. David didn't do his research the first time they attempted to move it and Uzzah died as a consequence. 

Does God issue any promises?

• God did not speak in this passage.

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• The Ark of the Covenant with its Mercy Seat is a picture of the propitiation for sins. achieved through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
• There was only one way that the Ark was to be moved. God's instructions were to be followed or a breach would occur. There is only one to be moved from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of Eternal Light. Jesus said that He is the Way, not a way, to the Father. Without Jesus, the breach between the sinner and God remains. (John 14:6)
• David is a picture of Jesus Christ when he blessed the people, fed them, gave them gifts, and sent them in peace to their dwellings after he had installed the ark in the place that he had prepared. Jesus told His disciples that He was going to prepare a place for them and us who believe (John 14:2). John chapters 14-17 are Jesus' words to His disciples detailing the blessings that He was giving to them and the peace that would be theirs.
• At the completion of his celebration one of David's wives, Michal, met him with disdain and cursing. After Jesus completed His blessing upon His disciples, one disciple, Judas, met Him with a betraying kiss.

Does this passage teach anything about future events?

• The celebration that followed the successful moving of the Ark of the Covenant is a picture of the celebrations of the redeemed in Heaven. (see Revelation chapters 4-5; 19-22).

The Model Prayer (Lord's Prayer) Chart

Here is the chart I compiled based upon my 6 week Bible study of the Lord's Prayer as taken from the Gospel of Matthew. Those who have been watching or listening to the study may find it easier to print or download the chart from here. Below the picture there is a link to the file.

Link to Printable document

If you would like to see the videos that go along with the 6 week study please contact me via email and links for each of the 6 lessons will be emailed to you.

Journal Through the Bible, Week 42, Day 3

I did not complete the online Bible Journal that I began in 2013. There were parts of II Samuel and some of the psalms that were not covered. Beginning today - and depending on the amount of time the Lord gives me to work on this project - I will complete as many of the entries as I can.

I also hope to update the Bible Journal Index tab above as I have opportunity.

II Samuel 4:1 - 5:12

Does God issue any commands?

•  God did not speak, but He had already had Samuel anoint David as king years before so when the people came to Hebron in chapter 5 to confirm David as king they were fulfilling a command that God had already issued. They alluded to this command in 5:2 when they said, "and the LORD said to thee, 'Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be a captain over Israel.'"
  

Does God make any promises?

•  The people confirmed the promise that God had made to David when He had Samuel anoint him to be king over Israel. They anointed David the second time. (5:3)

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

•  Rechab and Baanah thought that killing Saul's son, Ishbosheth, would endear them to king David. It did not. David called Ishbosheth a righteous person who was slain in his own house and upon his own bed. Like David, Jesus is not pleased with our works which are as filthy rags even though we think they are pleasing to Him. Jesus told His disciples in John 16:2 "the time comes that whosoever kills you will think that he does God service." Obviously, they are not doing God any service.
• David commanded his servants to put Rechab and Baanah to death for the murder of Ishbosheth. Jesus will tell those who think they are doing His will but are not, "I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (Matthew 7:23)
• The Jebusites mocked David by saying that the lame and the blind could defeat him, yet David defeated them. Although the men who had followed David through all his years of running from Saul and fighting with Ishbosheth's kingdom were mighty, they were also a rag-tag group of outcasts. We are also introduced to Jonathan's lame son, Mephibosheth, in chapter 4 verse 4. We know the story. And before we get to that passage, we already know that David had nothing but compassion for the lame and the blind, the outcasts of society. David said whoever won over the city, whether lame or blind or not, he would be a chief and captain in David's kingdom. Jesus' kingdom is made up of broken people also. It is those that the world mocks as being foolish upon whom Jesus shows compassion. This can be seen by the men He chose as His disciples. It can be seen in the beggars, lepers, and Gentiles that He healed during His earthly ministry. It can be seen in the lives of many of us also. We are the lame and blind. Many say that its the foolish and mentally weak who believe in God and that Christianity is a crutch. And yet, we know we are the exalted in Christ's Kingdom.
•  5:10 says that David "grew great, and the LORD GOD of hosts was with him." Luke 2:40 says of Jesus that "the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him."
•  5:12 says that David realized that the LORD had exalted him for his people Israel's sake. Jesus is the Exalted for God's people's sake also.

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

•  Revelation 6:9-11 says that the martyred cry out to the Lord and ask when they will be avenged. They are given white robes and told that they must wait for a little season for all things to be fulfilled, including waiting for those among the believers who are yet to be martyred. Jesus doesn't tell them that they will never be avenged. He tells them that they must wait awhile longer. Like David, Jesus will avenge the martyred. That day is coming!
• Jesus is already the Anointed of God. One day He will claim His throne and rule over Heaven and Earth.
• David took the stronghold of Zion even though the inhabitants mocked him and said it couldn't be done. Jesus will one day take the stronghold of Zion, the City of David, even though the world's inhabitants mock and say that it isn't going to happen.