Day 145 - Giant Killers

"It is interesting to note that in 2 Sam 21:15-22 that the servants of David are noted for their mighty acts. As servants and close relatives to the king they now are carrying on the legacy of being giant killers. The sons or the giant and the brother of the giant are at war with Israel and David is no longer with them physically in battle. That doesn't stop the victory. In the same way we know that Jesus has defeated the devil and has now placed in our care to be the giant slayers. We now take out the enemy."

If you are a Christian then you are a giant killer. The devil fears you but he won't ever tell you that. He will just lie and act like he has the upper hand. All you have to do is remind him that Jesus slew the giant (sin, death, the devil) and send whatever demon is trying to come against you running scared. 

It is so simple in the Bible. We are to humble ourselves before the Lord which means we just depend on Him. We submit to God, resist the devil and the devil will flee. Just like when the army of the Philistines fled from David when he slew Goliath ...did you get that?! A whole army running from a good looking red headed boy?! Why? Because he was a giant killer. Now you are too. 

It doesn't matter if a whole army or the hoards of Hell come against you with God on the inside you will send them running. Lift up His name and proclaim His victory and you slay your share of giants. 

Day 90 - The Unseen Character

"The last part of 2 Samuel 11:27 says “But the thing that David had done displeased The Lord.” For the whole narrative of David and Bathsheba we see all of the earthly characters of the story involved; David, Bathsheba, Uriah, Joab, servants. All the while we are down in to the drama unfolding. Lust, adultery, lies, betrayal, murder, and a cover up. It is like most Hollywood movies today. But here at the end there is one character we have forgotten as David did. The Lord is watching everything and now weighs in with His judgement. He is not pleased. David's actions are sinful, unjust, and displeasing. The man after God's own heart has gone and sought his own desires. God is not happy about it. Consider my soul, see the Lord's face looking on your life. His eyes watching your actions, His soul knowing the motives of your heart. Am I pleasing to Him? Do I make Him smile or frown? What is the outcome? What will spring up from the seed which I have sown? May my life be pleasing to Him!"

We know this story all too well. As familiar as we are with stories like David and Bathsheba God always has a fresh revelation for us if we will listen. Here in this story God reveals His heart. Sin is not pleasing to Him. 

We can learn positive lessons in negative situations. For instance; if sin is displeasing to the Lord then we can conclude obedience is pleasing. On the other hand we can learn what not to do when we know what to do. If faith is pleasing to God then we learn that anything outside of faith is sin (see Hebrews 11:6 & Romans 14:23b). 

With these lessons we must ask ourselves the tough questions. After reading this thought from last year I looked inside and asked the questions from the end of my journal entry again. I would encourage you to do the same. Take some time and do some heart searching and ask the tough question; am I pleasing to the Lord? 

If your answer is no then it is time to make some changes. Dive into what it means to obey God and have faith. Talk to your pastor or someone you respect as a mature believer who can help you to make the changes you need to. 

If the answer is yes then continue in those things that your are doing that are pleasing and watch out for the pitfalls David and others have fallen in to. 

May it be said of all of us that our lives are pleasing to Him! 

What are some other ways you see in the Bible that are pleasing to God? How can we avoid the pitfalls that will displease God?