SOAP 04/27/2016; 1 Chronicles 11:10

Today's reading: 2 Samuel 2; 1 Chronicles 11; Psalm 142; Matthew 14

S) "¹⁰ Now these are the heads of the mighty men whom David had, who gave him strong support in his kingdom, together with all Israel, to make him king, according to the word of the Lord concerning Israel. "

1 Chronicles 11:10 (NASB)

O) There are four levels of involvement in this statement. There is the divine level, because God had anointed David to be king after Saul. There is the royal level, because David did become king, leading all of Israel. There is the level of the mighty men, who are named throughout the following verses, some even having descriptions and accounts of their mighty deeds. And finally, not to be missed, there is the national level. David became king because of the words of the LORD. David became king because of his own actions, heart, faithfulness, etc. David became king because of the strong support he received from his mighty men. And also, David became king because of the support he had together with all Israel.

A) The first question I have to ask myself, is who the king is. If I'm trying to be king in this story, then I am king of what, exactly? I'll dismiss that notion. I'm obviously not God, either. If I'm equating kingship and presidency, I immediately lose interest. As much as I am a citizen of the USA, I am first a citizen of God's kingdom. That brings me full circle, acknowledging Christ as King. Then, am I one of the mighty men? Or, am I just a single citizen among myriads? I think the critical thing for me to remember is, within the body of Christ, everyone has their own place. I may become a mighty man of Christ my King, or I may remain a normal man of Christ. The important thing for me, and where I need to have my security and satisfaction, is that I am a man of Christ, my king.

P) Father, You are a glorious God. You are eternally victorious, good to Your people, full of justice for the guilty and mercy for the faithful. Thank You for the grace at work in me, that I may be part of the spiritual Israel, that I am in Your kingdom. Let my life exalt King Jesus. Whether or not I am ever a mighty man, let me continue to be a citizen. In the body of Christ, I don't care what my role is, what member I am, so long as I get to be a member, Lord. Help me to keep this humble perspective, and have Your way with my life. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 04/26/2016; Song of Solomon 6:8

Today's reading: 2 Samuel 1; Psalm 140; Matthew 13*

S) "⁸ There are sixty queens and eighty concubines,
 And maidens without number;"

Song of Solomon 6:8 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Song of Solomon 6

O) Because much of this book is positive, and it presents examples of godly romance, this verse sort of surprised me. While it is certainly meant to exalt this bride above these other queens and concubines, let's not forget who's writing this. This does give us an interesting timeline, too, because Solomon went on to have seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines (see 1 Kings 11:3). It kind of makes a person wonder how this bride felt about this song, after another eight hundred women came after her.

A) Somehow, this verse had always escaped my notice, and it's frustrating. There is a sense in which I had always romanticized this book, but this verse was sobering. Even without comparisons of hair to goat herds, I really can't adopt all the words of Solomon. While I have no doubt about his intent and sincerity when he wrote this, knowing his character has sort of soured his words to me. That's really the takeaway today. Even the most romantic gestures will be soured by bad character. My passion, affection, and desire for my wife cannot just be words. It's not enough that I say she's the best, "all the previous ones even say so," (v.9), when my character says I am only waiting for the next woman to best her (if my words themselves haven't already disclosed that). At the core, my words cannot define the value of my character. My character must define the value of my words.

P) Father, thank You for the grace at work in me, changing me into the man I want to be for the woman I love. When I think about all my affection for her, I think about the husband I want her to have because of how much I love her. That forms my goal for the husband I want to be for her. Please continue to create in me, both the will and the work, to become the husband I want her to have. Help me be a good husband, and a godly husband. Let me be a man of good character, that my words have value to them. Please bless her through me. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 04/25/2016; Song of Solomon 3:4-5

Today's reading: 1 Samuel 30, 31; 1 Chronicles 10; Matthew 12*

S) "⁴ Scarcely had I left them
When I found him whom my soul loves;
I held on to him and would not let him go
Until I had brought him to my mother’s house,
And into the room of her who conceived me.

⁵ I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
By the gazelles or by the hinds of the field,
That you will not arouse or awaken my love
Until she pleases."

Song of Solomon 3:4-5 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Song of Solomon 3

O) This chapter starts with the bride's obsession with Solomon, losing sleep, and searching throughout the city to find him. Some of the city watchmen found her, and she asked them for help, just before these verses. Many times, I have heard v.5 (and its mirror in SoS 2:7 and 8:4) used to describe physical desires. There are many dangers, spiritual and physical of sex before wedlock. One issue is that it will liven desires that were not previously known (really known). While v.5 could certainly be put in that context, that's not really where we find it. In this context, this all seems to be before the actual wedding day, and before the consummation of their wedding. So, it seems the root of this obsession, so to speak, is not necessarily physical.
 

A) From my own experience, and in talking to many teenagers about this, the danger that is spoken here is really about an emotional overreach. When I was a teenager, my mom tried to warn me about becoming enmeshed, but I didn't really understand what she meant. I might have had deaf ears, or maybe she wasn't explaining it very well. Whatever the case, this is a point I really need to teach my own children. There is a very real danger in being too committed to a person, before marriage. This is just as true spiritually (i.e., emotionally) as it is physically. Just as there is beautiful celebration in the physical intimacy of marriage, there is beautiful celebration in the spiritual intimacy of marriage. The bonds of marriage provide a security and assurance that emotional, spiritual, physical investment is safe and protected. Not only that, but just like physical intimacy creates bonds, spiritual intimacy creates bonds, too. The danger in both when they are outside of marriage, is that the bond has no security, no protection, and when it is inevitably broken, the damage is severe. I must find ways to communicate this, to teach this, to my kids before they become enmeshed in relationships. Otherwise, there is a very real danger that they will rush to get married when they should not, trying to protect intimacy investments they have already made too deep.

P) Father, this was a hard lesson for me, and it certainly falls into the area where I want to teach my kids from my own mistakes. You kept me in grace, despite my mistakes, and You gave me mercy and brought me healing, but that is a long road. I know that my kids will make mistakes, but there are still some I hope they will not make. Please give me wisdom, so I can properly teach my kids. Help me to convey biblical truth to them, that they can see the contemporary application of Your permanent, unchanging, and eternal truth. Thank You for the marriage I have now. Thank You for the intimacy I have with Kristin, and they protection we have to bond together, physically and spiritually. Be glorified in our marriage commitment. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 04/24/2016; Song of Solomon 1:9-10

Today's reading: 1 Samuel 28, 29; Psalm 109; Matthew 11*

S) "^9 [k]To me, my darling, you are like
My mare among the chariots of Pharaoh.
¹⁰ Your cheeks are lovely with ornaments,
Your neck with strings of beads."

Song of Solomon 1:9-10 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Song of Solomon 1

O) Sometimes, the imagery of this book can be a little difficult to relate to more modern themes. There are a few reason these two verses really stood out to me. For one thing, there is a footnote with that first line, that it can be literally translated, "I have compared you to," and it's too bad the translators didn't directly translate there, because it's important to remember that Solomon chose his analogies and similes deliberately. By the very nature of poetry, he had to craft his words. He had to consider the beauty of his bride, and then choose how to convey that. Another thing that stood out to me here, is that v.10 stands in contrast with v.9. While the first lines are figurative, the second lines are literal. The third thing I noticed, is what exactly Solomon used for his analogy here. I was immediately reminded of a specific command about horses, chariots, and Egypt. (see Deut. 17:16). This gives us a small reminder that Solomon's intentions may have been in the right place, but how he displayed it wasn't necessarily good. Lastly, v.10 quickened my heart because my wife also has lovely cheeks. They are a prominent feature of her face, even without any jewelry on them (and I certainly think her neck is lovely, too).

A) The culture around me tries to paint a picture that we are all slaves to our DNA, or brain chemistry, or just our instincts. Even if that could somehow be proven biologically (which it can't, because it's really a question of philosophy), in Christ I am a new creation. The reason that's important, is because the world is full of stories about people falling in and out of love, or being drawn to people who are not their spouses, and they act like there is nothing they can do about it. This is simply not biblical, and v.9 shows me a vital practice, that will safeguard my marriage and how I view my wife and others. I cannot allow myself to take my wife's beauty for granted. I cannot grow accustomed to her face. By choosing to think about her beauty, by deliberately putting it in terms of analogy and simile, by writing poetry about it, I am keeping a fresh perspective about how beautiful she is. I'm not saying all husbands should write poetry, and this is only one way this can be done, but I actually enjoy poetry and I haven't written my wife a poem in a long time... I will fix this soon. The second application to take from this passage, is to be plain sometimes. Not everything has to be poetic. Sometimes, it's enough to simply say she is lovely. I can be specific about features, but sometimes the more straightforward it is, the better. This is especially true when paired with poetic symbolism. The last application for me, is to not overdo it. While I may still be captivated by my wife's beauty, and that's not a bad thing in itself, I need to be careful not to express how I feel the wrong way. One of the best ways to safeguard against that, is to focus on my wife's spiritual beauty even more than her physical beauty. After all, I hold the belief that a wife of great character, compassion, and kindness, is immeasurably better than the most aesthetically beautiful. After all, if I was struck with blindness, her physical beauty would be of little value to me. So, while it's good for me to focus on her beauty, to appreciate her for who she is and to remain enrapt by her features, it is all the more good for me to compliment her spiritual beauty. I need to recognize how she loves God. I need to see how she loves me. I need to note how she loves our kids. I have an amazing wife, and I want her to know that I love her the most, physically and spiritually.

P) Father, You are such a gracious God. The way You have protected and grown my marriage, even despite my ignorance and rebellion, is nothing less than miraculous. You have preserved Kristin and me, and You have shown us how much we are blessed, more with each passing year. Help me to compliment my wife's beauty, God. Give me words to share with her how I see her, and help her take it to heart. Even more, help me to recognize and describe her spiritual beauty. Help me to appreciate that, and to highlight it to her. Thank You for giving me a wife with lovely cheeks, and giving me eyes to see her. Thank You for giving me a wife who is concerned with spiritual goodness, and open my eyes to see that, too. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.

SOAP 04/23/2016; Hosea 14:2

Today's reading: 1 Samuel 27; Psalm 141; 1 Chronicles 9; Matthew 10*

S) "² Take words with you and return to the Lord.
Say to Him, 'Take away all iniquity
And receive us graciously,
That we may present the fruit of our lips.'"

Hosea 14:2 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read Hosea 14

O) We know that God is sensitive to lip-service, and He is not deceived by false words. But still, there is something powerful about vocalizing our confessions, whether it's confessions of sins or confessions of faith. This whole chapter is about the return of God's people to Himself. We know not everyone returned to Him, because to do so they had to accept Jesus as their awaited Messiah. Even now, whether Jew or Gentile, those who accept Jesus as the Christ, as God, are repenting of their sins and re-turning to God. With that turning, there is a confession that takes place, and it is all the more powerful when it's vocalized.

A) The Bible's not always clear about why certain actions are paired with our faith, but every time I have tested it myself, it bears out. When praying for people, laying hands on them always seems better. The Bible says to do it, but doesn't really explain why. God can (and has) obviously healed people without that step, but it's commanded that way nonetheless and it seems to be a more powerful expression. Vocalizing our prayers is the same way. The Bible is full of instruction to cry out, to speak, to give God words. I don't always understand it, but this verse is another reminder to do just that. Anytime I speak my prayers out loud, especially confessions of sin and confessions of faith, they are more impactful to my spirit. I need to use this verse as a reminder and encouragement to do just that.

P) Father, take away all iniquity, and receive me graciously, that I may present the fruit of my lips. You are holy. You are mighty. You are just. You are righteous. You are merciful. You are compassionate. You are full of lovingkindness. You are slow to anger. You are a good Father, God. I confess that I have sinned. I confess that, at the root of my sins, I have ignored You and elected myself to be god in my heart. Help me conquer my flesh. Please accept my praise and worship, the sacrifice of my prayers and songs to You. Please help me live my life according to the words I profess. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.