David’s Prayer

December 29, 2019 Background Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:17 – 25; 1 Chronicles 17:16 – 27 Lesson Passage: 1 Chronicles 17:16 – 27 Our lesson text examines one of David’s prayers. In this prayer, David prayed in response to the prophetic word God sent to him by Nathan. Israel’s recorded history makes it clear that David was a man who depended on prayer and God’s response to his prayers. Prayer for David was as it should be for all of God’s children; it was a conversation David had with God and not a religious ritual or some ecclesiastical speech or recitation. David did not use meaningless or repetitious words that sounded sacred. David presented himself in God’s presence in humility. Whether as a keeper of his daddy’s sheep or king over all of God’s people, Israel, David always presented himself before God in humility; this can be noted from the content of David’s prayers that are recorded in the scriptures. David knew that whatever God did was not difficult for Him because He is all-powerful. There was no need for David to ask God how He did anything. David’s question to God was: Why are You doing such great things for me? David knew that his shortcomings were not hidden from God. David acknowledged that God knew all about him. Furthermore, there were no worldly credentials David had to offer God that would qualify him for the blessings God promised him. God had given David everything he had obtained. David also acknowledged that God was addressing him as though he was some great person of high degree among the people of the world—yet, David had no explanation for why God would do such a thing. Then David turned his attention away from himself towards God’s people, Israel. Israel was a great people because God had made them so. God took the initiative to claim Israel as His very own and redeemed them from slavery in Egypt. God established Israel in a land of their own. It was a land already developed (vineyards, farms, houses, etc.). The covenant and the numerous miraculous acts had endeared Israel to God as their God. This was not a temporary relationship but rather one that God established to be forever. What a privilege to receive something so great through no real effort of their own—other than obedience to God’s instructions and directions for them. David saw God’s choice of him similar to how he saw God’s choice of Israel. Both were undeserving and, at some point, had been among the least of all. God established Israel to be His example of holiness for the rest of the people of the world. They were set apart to become a nation of priests—a royal priesthood. Their government was designed to be a true theocracy. They were to have a God-centered and God-directed form of government and not just one where God is mentioned. This was not a government of the people and by the people but a government with God as the supreme ruler over the people. David understood this and thus he became a perfect leader for Israel. That is one of the reasons why prayer was such an important part of David’s life. Through his prayers, David acknowledged God as the supreme ruler of His own people. Earthly leaders were all servants of God whose purpose was the fulfillment of God’s desire for His people. David accepted his role as such and his attitude concerning it is apparent when one examines the content of his prayers. Robert C. Hudson November 25, 2019

Mary’s Praise

December 22, 2019 Background Scripture: Luke 1:39 – 56 Lesson Passage: Luke 1:39 – 56 Elizabeth was elderly and barren when it was announced to her husband, Zacharias, that God was going to use her to bear the forerunner of Israel’s Messiah, John the Baptist. After she became pregnant, she hid herself from society. After Mary was told that she would conceive and bear the Messiah as a virgin, she went to visit Elizabeth (her cousin). Both women found themselves in situations unexplainable aside from the miraculous work of God. They could happily confide in each other and await the manifestation of God’s promises to them. The faithless world would not be able to accept or willing to understand what God was doing until after it had been accomplished. Mary and Elizabeth knew what God was doing but they were in no position to tell anyone about it. Even as Isaiah had written about his own prophecy, who would believe their report? Who were they to declare to anyone the extent to which God was using them—especially in regard to the society in which they lived? But, in the comfort of each other’s company, they could celebrate and praise God for using them. The word “thanksgiving”, when found in the Old Testament, is translated from a Hebrew compound word. Part of the Hebrew word denotes the lifting of hands. In essence, it was not so much a verbal expression of gratitude as it was an exultant declaration of praise for God’s wonderful works. What Mary did according to the text, would be described as offering thanksgiving in the Old Testament. As she praised God for His amazing kindness to her, Mary declared that her spirit had rejoiced in her Savior. God was using poor, somewhat obscure people, in the unfolding of His revelation of salvation to the entire world. Mary understood the extent of what this all would mean for her for years to come. She would be called blessed by all future generations beginning from that point in time. She was a simple and poor virgin who had received a blessing of God beyond anything any person could ever ask. Mary was chosen as the human vessel to bear God’s only begotten Son. She knew this was not just a task or assignment to be completed and afterwards it would lose its relevance. The course of human history would be changed forever by what God was going to do through Mary. Furthermore, God’s actions were in line with what He had done over the years to fulfill the promises He made to Abraham and the patriarchs who descended from him. God had been faithful to Israel throughout her existence. What God had accomplished and what God was accomplishing was not through the rich or the proud. God used individuals of low estate who trusted Him and revered Him. This was especially so for the women of that society who were not viewed in the same light as the men. Whenever God used men, it was expected and respected by that society. The women were not treated with the same level of respect as the men. Nevertheless, God accomplished great things through many women. Mary and her relative, Elizabeth, were the two used by God at that time. In addition to sharing with Elizabeth for three months, Mary praised God for the marvelous works He was performing. Some people praise God for what they observe Him doing through others. Mary praised God for what she knew He was about to do through her. Robert C. Hudson November 25, 2019

David’s House

December 15, 2019 Background Scripture: 2 Samuel 7:1 – 17; 24:18 – 25; 1 Chronicles 17:1 – 15; 21:18 – 30 Lesson Passage: 1 Chronicles 17:1, 3, 4, 11 – 14 Whenever prophecy is involved, one should be aware of both the immediate fulfillment and the future fulfillment. Put another way, the prophetic word always has implications for the one God sends it to, and often, it has long-range implications that may occur thousands of years after the recipient has died. Such is the case with the prophecy of today’s text. When David had subdued all of his enemies and was now comfortable in his mansion (a cedar house was a mansion—especially when one considers that many in Israel were still nomadic and living in tents), his mind was then turned towards the Lord. That is one of the things that distinguish David from so many others, both during his lifetime and now. When things were going exceptionally well for David, he thought about the Lord. Many people have the opposite thoughts. The Lord comes to mind when trouble shows up. We want God to be our troubleshooter, healer, financier, doctor, lawyer, and any other professional in our times of need and our times of want. I believe David knew that when times were good, it was because God had ordered his steps. When David’s enemies had been subdued, I believe he knew it was the hand of God that had brought him peace. With that in mind, David considered the wealthy lifestyle he was living and contrasted that with the tent where the ark of the covenant was kept. For Israel, the ark of the covenant represented the physical presence of the Lord among His people. David was living in a mansion, but what he knew as the physical presence of the Lord was in a tent. David wanted to rectify this situation and shared his concern with Nathan, the prophet of God. Nathan advised David to do whatever was in his heart to do because the Lord was with him. However, Nathan’s advice did not come from consultation with God. That night God came to Nathan in a vision and gave him some very different advice than what he had given David. Therefore, Nathan had to go back to David and correct his previous advice by telling David what the Lord had said. When a prophet tells you that the Lord is with you, that is a good thing. But, when a prophet tells you what “thus said the Lord”, it is time to sit up and heed every word that is spoken. God does not give flesh the opportunity to glory in His presence. David was a man of war. He was a king that led the armies out to the battle fields. Although God had given them the victory, David and the armies of Israel were involved in much bloodshed. Therefore, God was not going to allow David to build a temple to house the ark of the covenant. God did recognize the sincerity of David’s desire to do so. God was going to allow one of David’s descendants to build a temple for the ark of the covenant. God would treat him as His very own son—including chastising him in case of disobedience. Then the prophetic word came forth intertwined with the rest of Nathan’s speech. God was going to build an everlasting house for David by the hands of David’s descendant. David’s descendant (or son) would also be God’s son. The first son would build a temple that would subsequently be destroyed and replaced by two others that would also be destroyed. The second son would establish an everlasting kingdom as the Son of David. His rule on the throne would never be interrupted by death or any other enemy. It is this house that we are still being called to fill. Robert C. Hudson November 25, 2019

David’s Worship

December 1, 2019 Background Scripture: 2 Samuel 6:12 – 16; 1 Chronicles 15 Lesson Passage: 1 Chronicles 15:1 – 3, 14 – 16, 25 – 29a One only has to read the description of David’s worship before God to feel totally inadequate in one’s own worship of God. The phrase “David danced before the Lord with all his might;” is convicting enough, but then the author gave a description of how David danced. As David led the procession and danced, all the people of Israel shouted and blew the trumpets. It was a joyful noise before the Lord! And King David was the worship leader. However, this was not just a random response to a moment of happiness. This was a well-planned praise and worship. David made sure all of the Levites were in place to do what was directed for them to do according to the Law. He assembled musicians, gatekeepers (ushers), and singers. When it came to moving the ark of the covenant, the Levites took lead roles in both the worship and physical carrying of the ark. After David had prepared a place for the ark of the covenant in Jerusalem, he pitched a tent for it. Then David assembled the two priests, six family leaders of the Levites and eight hundred sixty-two of their brethren. He then commanded them to set themselves aside for God’s use—that is, he told them to sanctify themselves so that they could bring the ark and worship before the Lord while doing so. He instructed the leaders to assemble the singers and the musicians and prepare them (rehearse) to minister before the Lord. He even had the gatekeepers (ushers) involved in the procession. Then David, the king, put on the garment of the priesthood, a linen ephod. Although the Levites were assigned by God to carry the ark and to minister before Him, as king, David led them in the procession. What a mighty procession this was. This may very well be the greatest worship procession ever. King David was dancing and leading the eight hundred seventy Levites into Jerusalem with the ark of the covenant. The Levites were playing music and singing and the king was dancing. With their leader celebrating in such a way, the people of Israel eagerly responded by shouting. The music was playing and the singers were blessing the Lord and the king was leading the procession. David’s public worship of God opened the door for all of Israel to celebrate the goodness of God. The music and the singing set the atmosphere for praise and worship. David was free to praise God and worship as the Levites were being directed by their leaders. And he did it with all of his might. I doubt if there was anything “cute” about David’s worship. No doubt, David must have recalled all of the times God delivered him from certain death at the hand of his enemies. Furthermore, God had elevated David from watching his father’s small flock of sheep (his brother called them “those few sheep”) to being king over God’s people, Israel. God had delivered David also from some his self-made catastrophes. David had a lot to be grateful to God for and he let it show. As the procession, entered Jerusalem, David’s wife, Michal, looked through the window and saw him dancing before the Lord and she despised him for it. Apparently, she preferred to see her husband arrayed in all of the regal apparel as king of Israel and acting dignified rather than dancing. What a sobering reminder that worshiping God is personal. If we wait for the approval of others to worship God, it is unlikely that we will get the chance to do it. David provided a model example for us as he worshiped before the Lord. Robert C. Hudson November 13, 2019