DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- MY PLANS - GOD'S PLANS

 MY PLANS – GOD'S PLANS
II Samuel 7:4-7, 11b
 
"But it happened that night that the word of the LORD came to Nathan, saying, 'Go and tell my servant David, "Thus says the LORD, 'Would you build a house for me to dwell in? For I have not dwelt in a house since the time that I brought the children of Israel up from Egypt, even to this day, but have moved about in a tent and in a tabernacle. Wherever I have moved about with all the children of Israel, have I ever spoken a word to anyone from the tribes of Israel ... "Why have you not built Me a house of cedar?" ' .... Also the LORD tells you that He will make you a house [margin: a royal dynasty]." ' "
 
David had in his heart to build a temple for God, but it was not necessarily God's plan. God had a greater plan: To build through David a house or a kingdom that would last forever in which He would be king. The fulfillment of that plan came through the house or royal dynasty of David when Jesus, of the lineage of David, was born to set up His kingdom. God's temple would be in the hearts of people, not in a house made with hands. To build a temple of wood and stone was not a bad idea, but it was not God's assignment for David. Now, I can identify with David, because I have had dreams in my heart to do things that were not necessarily God's assignment for me. One example was my desire to teach in a Bible school. That never happened; it was not God's plan, even though it was in my heart. Just because I misunderstand God's plan does not bring condemnation. It just lets me know that His thoughts are not my thoughts, and His ways are not my ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). May His will be done.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God's plans are greater than our plans.
 
[end]
 
Have a "God's plan"  day.   Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- BLESSING

 BLESSING
II Samuel 6:18-20a
 
"And when David had finished offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts. Then he distributed among all the people...to everyone a loaf of bread, a piece of meat, and a cake of raisins. So all the people departed, everyone to his house. Then David returned to bless his household...."
 
There is a pattern that David set for when God's people gather in the presence of God. The first priority is to bless God, giving Him the offering of worship due Him. The second part is to bless other people. Many people miss the second part.  They attend church to get a blessing rather than to give a blessing. They come only to receive the bread, meat, and raisins. In China they were called "rice Christians" because they only came to church to get a portion of rice. If they don't get "blessed," they feel it is not worth the effort, and they are sporadic in their attendance.  They miss the point of going to church.   The only verse in the Bible commanding us to go to church is Hebrews 6:24-25: we are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, with the purpose of considering one another in order to stir up love and good works and exhorting one another. It is a mindset of giving rather than getting. The truth is that as we give, we also receive – "give and it shall be given unto you." I am blessed as I bless God and other people.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The reason for attending church is to bless God and to bless fellow believers.
 
[end]
 
Have a "blessing" day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- JESUS IN THE MIDDLE

 JESUS IN THE MIDDLE
II Samuel 6:17
 
"So they brought the ark of the LORD, and set it in the midst of the tabernacle that David had erected for it. Then David offered burnt offerings and peace offering before the LORD."
 
The ark – and the presence of God – was placed in the middle of the tabernacle. When we visited the Taos, New Mexico, we visited the Catholic Church in the Pueblo, the old Indian settlement. It is a very old church. When we entered the church, I noticed statues lined up along the front at the altar. In the middle was a female statue very much larger than the rest which I assumed was Mary, but which the guide explained, in the Indian tradition, represented Mother Earth. Off to the far right was a small statue representing Jesus, nondescript among the rest of the statutes of various saints. It reminded me of some Christians who have asked Jesus into their "tabernacle," but He is not the center focus. At the core of their being, there are other things that are large, and Jesus is somewhere off to the side. Jesus, I want You to be the center of my life.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Jesus wants to be the center focus of our lives.
 
[end]
 
Have a "Jesus in the middle" day. Love you.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

                MERRY CHRISTMAS
       Rejoice!!! God has visited us.
 
Now Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:
 
Blessed is the Lord God of Israel,
For He has visited and redeemed His people,
And has raised up a horn of salvation for us
In the house of His servant David....
Through the tender mercy of our God,
With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us;
To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
To guide our feet into the way of peace.
                                                                                                                                                       Luke 1:67-69, 78-79
Love divine, all love excelling,
Joy of heaven,
To earth come down;
Fix in us Thy humble dwelling,
All Thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, Thou art all compassion, Pure, unbounded love Thou art;
Visit us with Thy salvation;
Enter every trembling heart.
                                                                                                                                                              John Wesley

DAD'S RAMBLING -- BITTERNESS

  
BITTERNESS
II Samuel 6:16, 20
 
Now as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal, Saul's daughter, looked through the window and saw Kind David leaping and whirling before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart ... Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, 'How glorious was the king of Israel today, uncovering himself today in the eyes of the maids of his servants, as one of the base fellows shamelessly uncovers himself.' "
 
There will always be those who have the ministry of criticism who will throw cold water on my joy. But Michal's attitude toward David was more than just criticism of his dancing before the ark of the LORD. Her spite and sarcasm probably have their roots in the bitterness caused by David when he broke up her home and marriage (II Samuel 3:14-16). At one time Michal loved David (I Samuel 18:20). Now she despises him. Bitterness can lay dormant, but it will come out. I need to remember that when other people lash out at me with caustic words, it is probably because of some buried pain from the past. And I need to guard against bitterness in my own spirit, "...looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled" (Hebrews 12:15).
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Bitterness my lie buried, but it will express itself in criticism and sarcasm.
 
[end]
 
Have a joyful day.   Love you.

GOD'S PRESENCE

 GOD'S PRESENCE
II Samuel 6:12, 14-15
 
"Now it was told King David, saying, 'The LORD has blessed the house of Obed-Edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.' So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with gladness .... So David danced before the LORD with all his might ... So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet."
 
The ark of God was the dwelling-place on earth of the Eternal God. Where God's presence was, there was blessing and joyful praise. When Jesus was born, the angels rejoiced because Emmanuel (God with us) had come down to live with us and bless us. Today, I am the dwelling-place of God (I Corinthians 3:16). My life and my family has been truly blessed by God's abiding presence. When I get down in the mollygrubs and lose my joy, I tend to forget God's blessing in my life because I forget that God is here – living in me. What joy that He is here! Excuse me while I dance! HALLELUJAH!!!!!!
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The Presence of God brings blessing and rejoicing.
 
[end]
 
Have an Emmanuel (God with us) day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE WAITING GAME

 THE WAITING GAME
II Samuel 6:16-17
 
"So David would not move the ark of the LORD with him into the city of David; but David took it aside into the house of Obed-Edom the Gittitie. The ark of the LORD remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite three months. And the LORD blessed Obed-Edom and all his household."
 
Obed-Edom and his sons had the assignment of being gate-keepers for the South Gate and the storehouse for that gate (see I Chronicles 26:8, 15). They were watchmen who had the responsibility of protection. So the ark was put into capable hands until it was time to move it into the city. Not every dream happens immediately. There may be a time of waiting for its fulfillment. It make take months or years, or it may not even happen in my lifetime. In the case of David's dream to build a temple, he did not see it fulfilled in his lifetime, but his son Solomon built it after David died. My dreams may be fulfilled in my children or even my grandchildren. I have a dream that Jesus will come again, but it may not happen in my lifetime. But it will happen in God's time. In the meantime,  "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart" (Galatians 6:9).  I need to be patiently expecting.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: There is a time for everything, and sometimes patient expectation is required.
 
[end]
 
Have a patient day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- SEEK GOD FIRST

 SEEK GOD FIRST
II Samuel 6:9
 
"David was afraid of the LORD that day; and he said, 'How can the ark of the LORD come to me?' "
 
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" (Proverbs 9:10). If David had sought the LORD to begin with to get God's knowledge and understanding, he might have saved himself a lot of pain, anger, and anguish. How much this is like me. I get an idea and I run with it without seeking God's will. When it ends up in disaster, then I ask God for His plan. Jesus said to seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33). This is the proper order of things.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Seeking God first will prevent a lot of pain.
 
[end]
 
Have a "seeking God first" day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- MISDIRECTED ANGER

 MISDIRECTED ANGER
II Samuel 6:8a
 
"And David became angry because of the LORD's outbreak against Uzzah....."
 
God in His holiness had every right to be angry because of Uzzah's sin. But why did David get angry? We can only guess. Was he angry at God for His righteous act? Being angry at God is always unfounded. Was he angry at Ahio and Uzzah because of their ill-conceived plan to move the ark? Was he angry at Uzzah for his irreverence (in verse 7, the marginal reading for "error" is "irreverence"). Or was he angry at himself for causing the whole situation by his personal desire to have the ark in Jerusalem? I know about anger because I am a pro. I lived angry for years because of my own unfulfilled expectations, and I vented my anger inappropriately. Often my own anger is misdirected toward others when my own plans and desires are frustrated. So I spew my anger like an exploding volcano on those around me – my wife, my kids, and anyone else I come in contact with. I need to be aware of the source of my anger. There is a place for being angry about sin, but not for God's righteous judgment nor others who do not meet my expectations. Sorrow and grief are more appropriate than anger. "He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city" (Proverbs 16:32). God, please help me with my anger issues.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Inappropriate anger is usually misdirected.
 
[end]
 
Have a "controlled-spirit" day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- HOLY THINGS

 HOLY THINGS
II Samuel 6:4,6-7
 
"And they brought [the ark] out of the house of Abinadab ... and Ahio went before the ark .... and when they came to Nachon's threshing floor, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it, for the oxen stumbled. Then the anger of the LORD was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him there for his error, and he died there by the ark of God."
 
God allowed Ahio and Uzzah to proceed with their improper plan to move the ark. God, in His great mercy, puts up with a lot of my foolishness, in which I often "stumble." But there is aline that can be crossed that arouses His anger, and that is when we treat His holy things in a common manner. Uzzah was judged because he touched God's holy ark. God had commanded that no one was to touch any holy thing, which included the ark, lest they die (Numbers 4:15). Even though it was a natural reaction to steady the ark on the cart, Uzzah still violated God's "holy thing" when he touched it. There are other illustrations in the Scriptures of people being judged for misusing things which were committed to God. Ananias and Sapphira died because they lied about money that had been committed to God (Acts 5:1-10). People in the Corinthian church were sick and even died because they abused the Lord's Supper, "not discerning the Lord's body" (I Corinthians 11:29-30). It is indeed a sobering thought that I could incur God's anger by "touching" God's holy things in a profane or common way. God, help me to treat Your "holy things" with awesome respect.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God's "things" must be treated with utmost respect in accordance with His holiness.
 
[end]
 
Have a careful day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- GOD'S WAY IS THE BEST WAY

 GOD'S WAY IS THE BEST WAY
II Samuel 6:3
 
"So they set the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart."
 
Mistake # 1. David's desire to bring the ark to Jerusalem was right; but how he did it was wrong. In God's original plan, the priest were to carry the ark by long poles inserted through loops on the side of the ark – kind of like a casket – so that they would not touch the ark (Exodus 25:10-15). To transport it on a cart violated God's instructions, and it ended up badly for Uzzah (see verses 6-7). No matter how good our intentions are, our plans will fail is they do not conform to God's plan. In our society, we try to solve our problems regarding education, economics, criminal justice, poverty, race, child-rearing, and a host of other issues, with human wisdom instead of following God's instructions, and the problems only get worse. When will we ever learn that God's way is the best way?
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Doing things our way instead of God's way will end in failure.
 
[end]
 
Have a "God's Way" day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- IN GOD'S PRESENCE

 IN GOD'S PRESENCE
II Samuel 6:1-2
 
"Again David gathered all the choice men of Israel, thirty thousand. And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale Judah to bring up from the there the ark of God, whose name is called by the Name, the LORD of Hosts, who dwells between the cherubim."
 
There was a deep longing in David's heart to be near the presence of God. God's dwelling place on earth at that time was between the cherubim who were placed above the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant. So he sought to bring the ark to Jerusalem so he could be close to it. Even though Psalm 89, which is a Psalm of the sons of Korah, refers to the temple, it captures this desire: "How lovely is Your tabernacle, O LORD of Hosts. My soul longs, yes, even faiths for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God." Or to quote a contemporary song, "I just want to be where You are, dwelling daily in Your presence." My heart longs to dwell in the presence of the Living God.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Anyone with a heart for God wants to dwell in His presence.
 
[end]
 
Have a "dwelling" day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- BATTLES

 BATTLES
II Samuel 5:18, 20a, 22, 25
 
"The Philistines also went and deployed themselves in the Valley of Rephaim ... So David went to Baal Perazim and defeated them there .... Then the Philistines went up once again and deployed themselves in the Valley of Rephaim ... And David did so as the LORD commanded him; and he drove back the Philistines from Geba as far as Gezar."
 
David had battled the Philistines before as a youth while Saul was king, and he defeated them (remember Goliath?). Now they are back. And he will face them again and again in the future (II Samuel 21:15-22). They just won't give up! It seems I also face the same battles again and again, even some that I fought as a youth. And even though I gain victory over them, that doesn't mean I won't fight them again. The enemy does not give up and keeps attacking again and again. "But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (I Corinthians 15:57). "Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ..." (II Corinthians 2:14). 
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Even though we fight the same battles because we have the same enemy, God gives victory.
 
[end]
 
Have a victorious day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- GOD'S GRACE

GOD'S GRACE
II Samuel 5:10, 12-13
 
"So David went on and became great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him...So David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel, and that he exalted His kingdom for the sake of His people Israel. And David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, after he had come from Hebron. Also more sons and daughters were born to David."
 
There seems to be a disconnect here. David became great because God blessed him. Yet he violated God's plan for marriage – one man, one woman. In spite of God's hand on him, he still messed up. His unbridled sexual drive caused all kinds of family problems. Although he had personal problems and a dysfunctional family, yet God still used him. God's grace is great, and this gives me hope for my own life.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: God can still use a person in spite of his personal deficiencies because His grace is great.
 
[end]
 
Have a grace-filled day. Love you.
 

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE STRONGHOLD

 THE STRONGHOLD
II Samuel 5:9a, 17
 
"Then David dwelt in the stronghold, and called it the City of David....Now when the Philistines heard that they had anointed David king over Israel, all the Philistines went up to search for David. And David heard of it and went down to the stronghold."
 
A stronghold is a fort, a refuge, a place of security and safety. But David also recognized that his place of refuge was not a place with walls, but the LORD Himself was his strong tower. "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea" (Psalm 46:1-2). "In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God" (Psalm 62:7). "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, 'He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him will I trust' " (Psalm 91:1-2). "But the LORD has been my defense; and my God the rock of my refuge" (Psalm 94:22). "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe" (Proverbs 18:10). When the enemy of my soul comes searching for me, I have a place of refuge in The Rock, my God. I can "dwell" there.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Our security and refuge is not of our own making, but God Himself.
 
[end]
 
Have a "dwelling" day. Love you.

DERISION

 DERISION
II Samuel 5:8
 
"Now David said on that day, 'Whoever climbs up by way of the water shaft and defeats the Jebusites (the lame and the blind, who are hated by David's soul), he shall be chief and captain. Therefore they say, 'The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.' "
 
The Jebusites had spoken in derision, saying that even the lame and the blind would defeat David's army (vs. 6). But they were proven wrong, and on the day of battle, the Jebusites were all shown to be weak. There are those who speak derisively of people of Christian faith. I have been accused of using religion as a crutch. Some people think Christians are ignorant, weak-minded, and weak. But the day of judgment will tell who is really "lame and blind." The truth will be revealed, and they will not come into God's house – heaven.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: People who are strong in faith are considered weak by unbelievers, but one day, the truth will reveal who is really "blind and lame."
 
[end]
 
Have a strong day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- WHERE THE BUFFALO ROAM

 WHERE THE BUFFALO ROAM
II Samuel 5:6-7
 
"And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who spoke against David, saying, 'You shall not come in here; but the blind and the lame will repel you,' thinking, 'David cannot come in here.' Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion, that is, the City of David.' "
 
David was faced with naysayers who said it couldn't be done. But David did it anyway. There will always be people – both fellowbelievers and non-believers – who will try to discourage the person of faith who is trying to do what he believes God has put in his heart. "It can't be done. You're too weak. Who do you think you are?" Oh, give me a home where the buffalo roam – where never is heard a discouraging word. And Lord, help me to be an encourager and not a naysayer.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: The person of faith can do what he believes is God's will in God's strength, even in the face of naysayers.
 
[end]
 
Have an encouraged – and encouraging – day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- FAMILY UNITY

 FAMILY UNITY
 
II Samuel 5:3-5
 
"Therefore all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron. And King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD. And they anointed David king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. In Hebron he reigned seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty three years over all Israel and Judah."
 
Finally, there was unity in the Abraham's family. The fighting was over. The nation was together again as they made a covenant "before the LORD." Unity is a wonderful thing; division is ugly. But unity is costly; it takes a lot of compromise, surrendering old hurts and grievances, pride, and personal desires. David wrote a song to express the beauty of unity: "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell in unity. It is like precious oil upon the beard...It is like the dew of Hermon..." (Psalm 133). There is healing in the oil, and refreshing in the dew. But discord brings distress. It causes wounds, turmoil, and much pain – whether in a family, a church, or a nation. How much more beautiful is unity and harmony. It is a treasure to be sought after. "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men" (Romans 12:18).
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Unity is a commodity to be sought after and treasured, even if the price is great.
 
[end]
 
Have a unity day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- LEADERS VS. DRIVERS

LEADERS VS. DRIVERS

II Samuel 5:1-2

"Then all the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and spoke, saying, 'Indeed we are your bone and your flesh. Also, in time past, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in; and the LORD said to you, "You shall shepherd My people Israel, and be ruler over Israel." ' "

The people of Israel recognized the difference between Saul and David, and they came to him. He did not have to go out and conquer them. It was apparent that David was a shepherd because he led, while Saul was a driver. David had learned leadership principles as a lad while tending sheep. A shepherd does not drive his sheep – he leads them and is willing to lay down his life for them rather than use them for personal gain. The shepherd has the good of the sheep at heart rather than his own good. That's why Jesus is pictured as The Good Shepherd (Psalm 23; John 10:11). We need leaders – not cattle drovers – who rule over us for our good and not for their own profit or aggrandizement.

TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: True shepherds lead rather than drive.

[end]

Have a Good Shepherd day. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- A POWER VACUUM

 A POWER VACUUM
II Samuel 4:1
 
"When Saul's son [Ishbosheth] heart that Abner had died in Hebron, he lost heart, and all of Israel was troubled."
 
Abner had been the power-figure in Israel, and when he died, there was a huge vacuum left in the political structure. Ishbosheth felt that vacuum because he knew that he was weak without Abner. But that vacuum also allowed other men with evil ambitions to take advantage of the situation.  Chapter 4 tells the story.  As so often is the case, the military took over, and there a coup of sorts. Two army officers assassinated Ishbosheth and took his head to David. Instead of receiving the reward they expected, David had them executed. The fact is that lawlessness and evil abound where thee is a vacuum with no authority structure. If there is no godly authority to keep the peace, Satan will make sure the vacuum is filled with turmoil and ungodliness. That is why I need to keep my life filled with godliness under the Lordship of Jesus. If I don't, the vacuum will be filled with all kinds of junk.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: Civil authority is instituted by God to provide social stability (I Timothy 2:1-2), and confusion reigns where
there is no authority structure.
 
[end]
 
Have a day filled with righteousness. Love you.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- BACKBONE

 BACKBONE
II Samuel 3:33, 37-39
 
"And the king sang a lament over Abner....Now all the people and all Israel understood that it had not been the king's intent to kill Abner the son of Ner. Then the king said to his servants, 'Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel? And I am weak today, though anointed king; and these men, the sons of Zuruiah, are too harsh for me. The LORD shall repay the evildoer according to his wickedness.' "
 
David knew that Joab was a harsh man – churlish, cruel, impudent, obstinate, and stubborn – who had no respect for David's authority. He was a law unto himself, doing his own thing in disobedience to the king's commands. Perhaps Joab saw David's esteem for Abner and killed Abner to remove any competition to this own position as commander of David's army. At any rate, David should have taken authority over Joab, but he didn't, and lived to regret it. Later, Joab even killed Absolom, David's son, in defiance of the king's command. David had a sensitive spirit, but he was weak in dealing with Joab's rebellious nature. It is incumbent on a person in authority – whether a parent, a pastor, or a president – to have the guts to handle tough situations. David had no backbone as king. Instead of taking control of Joab, he took the easy way out and shifted the onus onto God, when he should have taken care of the situation himself. Not doing the hard work of leadership causes problems down the road.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE: A leader needs to have both a sensitive spirit and a backbone to govern well.
 
[end]
 
Have a tough love day. Love you.
 
P.S.:  Thank you, Loren, for your insight regarding Joab's insecurities.

DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- GOD'S HEART

 GOD'S HEART
II Samuel 3:30-32
 
"So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had killed his brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle. Then David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, 'Tear your clothes, gird yourselves with sackcloth, and mourn for Abner.'  And King David followed the coffin. So they buried Abner in Hebron, and the king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner, and all the people wept."
 
Abner came to David seeking reconciliation, but Joab killed Abner in revenge. When David heard of this, he was deeply grieved. King David and  Joab lived out of two different world-views. David lived by mercy; Joab lived by revenge. David saw in Abner a man of honest character and integrity, even though he had been an enemy; Joab lived in suspicion of Abner's motives (vs. 25). No wonder the Bible says that David was "a man after God's own heart" (Acts 13:22; I Samuel 13:14). God is merciful when we come to Him and does not demand vengeance.  He sees an honest heart seeking reconciliation.    I also want to be a man after God's heart.
 
TODAY'S PRINCIPLE:  A "God-hearted" person is full of mercy, not revenge.
 
[end]
 
Have a "God-heart" day. Love you.