SOAP 05/17/2014; Psalm 95:6

Today's reading: 1 Kings 2; 1 Chronicles 29; Psalm 95; 2 Thessalonians 1

S) "⁶ Come, let us worship and bow down,
Let us kneel before the Lord our Maker."

Psalm 95:6 (NASB)

O) This is a simple song, imploring corporate worship and humility before God. The act of kneeling, bowing down, is such a complete picture of submission and fealty. It's also included in the call to unity. So, the physical act of submission is also a public one.

A) I have knelt in worship, but it often feels awkward when it's in a corporate setting. It's hard to ignore the people around me, at times, and not wonder what they might be thinking when I get down on my knees. Our country was so built on such a fierce independence from monarchy, that I think we sometimes forget that The King is worthy of our humility and true worship. If I imagine myself in a culture that revered it's king, then it would be completely expected for me to kneel before him when I encounter him- it wouldn't feel at all vulnerable (relative to the onlooker, not the king). So, when I worship my Maker, the One who holds life in His hands, my Protector, my Provider, my Lord and King, I need to forget what the people around me do, and in humility (and obedience), kneel in His presence.

P) Father, forgive me for my fear of man, and my stubborn and stiff neck. I want my worship of You to be complete, in my heart, mind, words, and even body. Give me boldness to react to Your presence with the best worship I can offer. Let my posture also glorify Your greatness. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 05/16/2014; 1 Kings 1:9-10

Today's reading: 1 Kings 1; 1 Chronicles 28; Psalm 91; 1 Thessalonians 5

S) "⁹ Adonijah sacrificed sheep and oxen and fatlings by the stone of Zoheleth, which is beside En-rogel; and he invited all his brothers, the king’s sons, and all the men of Judah, the king’s servants. ¹⁰ But he did not invite Nathan the prophet, Benaiah, the mighty men, and Solomon his brother."

1 Kings 1:9-10 (NASB)

O) Adonijah was the son of Haggith, and David's fourth son. David had already told Bathsheba that her son, Solomon, would become king. By this time, David was essentially on his death bed, and Adonijah conferred with Joab and Abiathar (see v.7), determined to take the throne for himself. He gets a small procession going, and throws a party - but Nathan, Benaiah, the mighty men, and Solomon are too square.

A) I had a lot of things working against me in junior high and high school, and I don't think I was ever going to be a cool kid. Part of that experience carried over into my adult life, and on into my life as an adult believer. Sometimes it's easy to feel like the unpopular one, not getting invited to go out after work, hearing people stop talking about something that was obviously entertaining as I walk near them, things like that. It's easy for me to fall back into a mindset of the outcast. This story is a good reminder, though, that being the outcast is sometimes a straight-blessing from God. Nathan, Solomon, and the others were excluded, because Adonijah was committing treason to the throne, the theocratic kingdom of the LORD, and they were not going to cheer for his treachery. So, when I feel alone in my pursuit of God (mostly at work), I need to remind myself that I'm on the side of the King's Son. If I'm not invited, because I have a reputation as a straight-edge, then I need to take that rejection as a sign of growth. I want people to know that I am different - because of Christ - and that I won't support things contrary to His Word.

P) Father, heal my way of thinking. You are a God of the underdog, the downtrodden, the outcast - these are the people You redeem for Your purpose, Your will, Your Kingdom. Like Nathan, in v.11, let me be a man of action. When I am left on the outside of some social clique, lead me to the inside of Your purpose. Remind me that I am set apart for the good works You have planned for me, just as it says in 2 Timothy 2:14-26. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 05/15/2014; 1 Chronicles 26:31-32

Today's reading: 1 Chronicles 25, 26, 27; 1 Thessalonians 4

S) "³¹ As for the Hebronites, Jerijah the chief (these Hebronites were investigated according to their genealogies and fathers’ households, in the fortieth year of David’s reign, and men of outstanding capability were found among them at Jazer of Gilead) ³² and his relatives, capable men, were 2,700 in number, heads of fathers’ households. And King David made them overseers of the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of the Manassites concerning all the affairs of God and of the king."

1 Chronicles 26:31-32 (NASB)

O) King David didn't know what he had, out there hidden away at Jazer, until the census was taken. This is another prime example of God taking something that was intended for evil, and using it for His good (see Genesis 50:20). Under better circumstances (like asking the LORD for direction and help), David might still have discovered this great asset he had among his people, to help govern a remote part of his kingdom (accross the Jordan to the West). As it was, in His grace, God still created a large group of people to be very capable to lead, and He still gave them to David to help him (and Solomon after him).

A) Without a doubt, I am not the most capable person for any given task. I know God has made me skilled with certain things, but there will always be people more capable than me. I cannot allow my arrogance and pride to blind me, so that I am unable to recognize when I need help. So, even before I sense my trouble, I need to ask God to bring people into my life that are more capable than me, to help guide and counsel me, so that I am gaining every God-given advantage that there is in life. If God, in His grace and wisdom, will provide it, then I would be foolish not to accept it. If it exists, then I would be foolish not to inquire about it.

P) Father, You know what I need well before I know. In humility, I ask that You send me help. I know that, according to Your will, You can increase my wisdom, abilities, even help to change my willingness, to overcome all sorts of obstacles. I also know, however, that You are a God of relationships. I want to be humble enough to realize that I may very well need the help of others, sooner than later. I know that You have servants more able, intelligent, skillful, and experienced, than I am. I want to be willing to be helped. I also do not want to ignore the fact that You have proven Yourself willing and able to help directly. I know that I cannot win the fights I face without Your intervention. So, whether You help me directly, or send Your willing servants to my aid, I commit to being humble enough to accept instruction, correction, godly counsel, and righteous wisdom. Please open my eyes to see, and my ears to hear, to know how to handle what is coming toward me. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 05/14/2014; 1 Chronicles 22:18-19

Today's reading: 1 Chronicles 22, 23,24; 1 Thessalonians 3

S) "¹⁸ Is not the Lord your God with you? And has He not given you rest on every side? For He has given the inhabitants of the land into my hand, and the land is subdued before the Lord and before His people. ¹⁹ Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God; arise, therefore, and build the sanctuary of the Lord God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord and the holy vessels of God into the house that is to be built for the name of the Lord."

1 Chronicles 22:18-19 (NASB)

O) King David is giving instructions to the leaders of his kingdom, to help Solomon build the temple of the LORD when he ascends to the throne. First, he clears away any excuses of circumstance, by reminding the people that the LORD supercedes any obstacles. Next, he instructs them to focus on the most important element of success, seeking the LORD, because every success in life hinges on that relationship. Last, he clarifies the vision for the task, including the purpose for the task.

A) This is incredibly relevant to my life right now. Only the circumstance (the task) is different. I have a desire to counsel as a ministry and possibly a career, but I have been lazy and irresponsible. God brought my family back to WA, provided for our home, gave me work, put us into an awesome church with great opportunity to serve, set us into an amazing life group - He has indeed cleared every obstacle, proving Himself to be with me, every bit that He was with the Israelites. Now, I must be more faithful to set, by deliberate decision, my heart and soul on seeking the LORD. Last, I need to clarify my vision for this ministry. Like the temple that was built, the end goal is always to glorify the name of the LORD, but in the short-term, I need to establish what it is I intend to do, and the short-term purpose. As a whole, this outline is useful for any goal-setting.

P) Father, give me clarity. I feel a rekindled passion for ministry, and I want to get moving toward Your purposes. Help me translate my desires into actions, God. I don't want to get my emotions stoked to passions, just to have them cooled by distractions and time. I confess that I've let things become, what is essentially, idols in my heart. Things, recreation, entertainment, have taken too much of my time, too much of the time that belongs to You. I want to refocus my life toward a missional purpose. I want to be used to advance Your Kingdom in real, practical ways. I want to move from hypothetical interests to realized passions. I don't want to waste the talents I've been given. Forgive me for my complacency, laziness, arrogance, and selfishness. Let everything I have, belong to You, especially the way I use my time. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 05/13/2014; 1 Chronicles 21:11-12

Today's reading: 2 Samuel 24; 1 Chronicles 21; Psalm 30; 1 Thessalonians 2

S) "¹¹ So Gad came to David and said to him, 'Thus says the Lord, "Take for yourself ¹² either three years of famine, or three months to be swept away before your foes, while the sword of your enemies overtakes you, or else three days of the sword of the Lord, even pestilence in the land, and the angel of the Lord destroying throughout all the territory of Israel." Now, therefore, consider what answer I shall return to Him who sent me.'"

1 Chronicles 21:11-12 (NASB)

O) This story has interesting things to say about disciplinary methods, but I have to leave them alone, because there is another important issue at hand, about the will of God.
This is a very intriguiging concept; our own free will, as compared to the will of the LORD. What's illustrated here, is that God's will is not always as simple as a yes/no, pass/fail, open/closed scenario. There is a description of God's will, being defined as His "perfect will" and "permissible will" that seems to be manifested here. By giving David three options, it seems that there are a few circumstances that could be at work.
a) God doesn't care which option David chooses.
b) God considers the options to range in varying degrees of bad to good.
c) God considers all three choices to be equally good.
It seems that we can easily discard (a) because that is inconsistent with the LORD's character. Why would he discipline at all if He didn't care? I also think we can probably discard (c) because of the consequences on the lives of the kingdom that hang in the balance, and I cannot imagine that all of the rippling effects on these lives are equal. I'm pretty sure that leaves us with (b). That really brings us to the biggest question. How do we proceed when we do not know, with certainty, the will of the LORD.

A) This is very much like the parable of the talents (see Matthew 25:14-30). I must also remember that God says He declares the end from the beginning (see Isaiah 46:9-11). Really, I'll either make the right choice, or God's grace is sufficient for my mistakes, and His mercy is new every day. In either case, God knows which decision I'll make, and He still presents a choice. Like David, I will face choices that require action. I won't be able to bury my talents out of fear. So, I need to seek the LORD first, constantly. Then, when confronted with a decision, I need to take whatever time I have, to seek His will. Finally, when I must act, I will act in faith and trust in Him.

P) Father, give me courage to make bold decisions. I know that You give a spirit of power and love and discipline, not timidity, according to 2 Timothy 1:7. I will put my trust in You, and believe that when You ask me to make a decision, You know what You're doing. Help make me into a man of action, God. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 05/12/2014; 2 Samuel 22:18

Today's reading: 2 Samuel 21, 22, 23; 1 Thessalonians 1

S) "¹⁸ He delivered me from my strong enemy,
From those who hated me, for they were too strong for me."

2 Samuel 22:18 (NASB)

O) This is an expression of humility. David acknowledged that, were it not for the help of the LORD, he would have been defeated. Put simply, he confessed that his enemy was too strong for him. It sounds like such a simple, easy admission, but considering who David was, it's easy to see that this was a great submission. David was a trained warrior, a skilled general, a fabled war hero. Songs were literally written about how powerful he was. But here he acknowledged that his enemies were too strong for him.

A) I cannot be fooled into thinking I am more capable than I am. "But for the grace of God, go I." Like David, I need to acknowledge that there are people who are against me, and I stand no chance if I'm fighting them alone. Whether that ever comes to physical blows or otherwise, I cannot believe that I will win any fights on my own. My enemies are too strong for me.

P) Father, please deliver me from my strong enemy, from those who hate me, for they are too strong for me. There are enemies of my spirit, forces not of flesh and blood that are against me. There is my own flesh, and its sinful desires, which wages war against my soul. And there are also people who are against me, much as I try to prevent that. Against all of these foes, I can do precious little on my own. With You for me, though, I have no one to fear. Thank You, Lord, for the deliverences You have already given me. Let me walk in humility and thankfulness, as I continue to seek the help of my only Savior. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 05/11/2014; 2 Samuel 20:18-19

Today's reading: 2 Samuel 19, 20; Psalm 55 Matthew 28


S) "¹⁸ Then she spoke, saying, 'Formerly they used to say, "They will surely ask advice at Abel," and thus they ended the dispute. ¹⁹ I am of those who are peaceable and faithful in Israel. You are seeking to destroy a city, even a mother in Israel. Why would you swallow up the inheritance of the Lord?'"

2 Samuel 20:18-19 (NASB)

O) Joab, David's general, was in pursuit of a traitor and instigator, named Sheba. He and his men had chased Sheba to a city called Abel Beth-maacah. They set to besiege the city, when a wise (but unnamed) woman came out to the city wall to plead with Joab. Her case is built wisely, by starting with the reputation of the city, and how it has long been considered a place of wisdom. Then, she includes herself as one who is peaceable and faithful, which puts her on the side of the LORD, too. Then, she cuts to the chase about the reason Joab came, and also brings it back about the LORD (and his inheritance). And, it worked. Joab advises why they are there. The woman convinces the city to hand over the head of Sheba, sailing over the wall.

A) Responding to crisis with godly wisdom is critical. Sometimes, it can feel like I'm under attack when, in fact, I am not the target of an assault. Avoiding a fight is as important as fighting valiantly. Seeking wisdom from the LORD is the most important thing, since He is the only one with all of the facts. God is the only one who knows every side, all motives, and the perfect solution.

P) Father, please give me wisdom, whatever wisdom I am able to have. I never want to mishandle myself, or situations, especially when other people are involved. Really, I know that other people are always involved, because I know that I am not living in a vacuum. If not for my own sake, even if not for the sake of others around us, for the sake of Your glory, help me walk in wisdom, righteousness, mercy, and grace. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.