Tom Tate11/1/2018
"David, David, David"
For months it seemed like every bible study, preaching, devotionals I read, or even when worshipping with other churches while vacationing, all had to do with David. I have to admit I was getting a little tired of hearing about David. After all there were other people in the bible, especially some great women. I couldn't help but to think about a scene in the television show, The Brady Bunch,
when Jan Brady was feeling left out because the world seemed to revolve around her older sister, Marsha. Her famous words from that scene were, "Marsha, Marsha, Marsha." Now, I found myself thinking, "David, David, David."
Scripture tells us David was a man after God's own heart. He fills the book of Psalms with his beautiful words about his life with God as though it was his own diary. So why was I getting tired hearing about David and feeling really bad for thinking this way? Maybe it was because I felt like I didn't have anything in common with him. I wasn't a shepherd boy, I didn't play the harp, I didn't kill a giant, I didn't commanded an army, I didn't run a kingdom, I didn't committed adultery, I didn't have a man personally killed, I didn't have people wanting to kill me, I didn't have a prophet to personally talk to for advice... Then one day while doing my devotional I came across Psalm 39:1-5.
I said to myself, "I will watch what I do
and not sin in what I say.
I will hold my tongue
when the ungodly are around me."
2 But as I stood there in silence—
not even speaking of good things—
the turmoil within me grew worse.
3 The more I thought about it,
the hotter I got,
igniting a fire of words:
YES, David and I had something in common!! We let things fester inside of us and the first chance we get we were going to let those who offend us have it, fill them with our righteous wrath, and will they ever be sorry. Why we may even be responsible for them turning from their evil ways and living the life we live...at least in my head this is how it will work.
BUT, reading further I soon realized I was taking things out of context. God wasn't using David to tell us it is OK to go off on people. Rather, David took the turmoil that was growing in his thoughts straight to God, so that turmoil would not grow in his heart...bummer. He asked God to remind him of his
place, for his only hope for everything he is going through while here on earth is in the Lord.
Through the scriptures we can see the up close and personal life of David and how God uses this life to preserve the lineage of Jesus. God gave us David so that everyone could relate to him on some level. We may see it right away or we may have to dwell in his word a little more to see what we have in common, but we will have something in common.
If truth be told I guess David and I have more in common than I'd like to admit...pride, arrogance, bossing people around..you know the "little sins." Also, while writing this blog I realized that David and I may have something else in common. He wrote many of the Psalms. I write a blog. Although my words are not as poetic as David's, and probably will never be published, I do pray they are words that God wants written. Words that he guides from my heart, not my head, in hopes of bringing us all to someone we do have in common..."God, God, God."
ADDITIONAL READING After moving to Ocala FL we visited the Central Church of Christ and guess what was discussed in the sermon? If you guessed David you would be right. But this time it was more about David's mightiest men. I'm sure I read it before but I didn't remember any of the passages. The study was amazing! I encourage you to read 2 Samuel 23:8-39.
Psalm 39
"At some point, being angry is just another bad habit, like smoking, and you keep poisoning yourself without thinking about it." Jonathan Tropper
"When you are angry you have the right to be angry, but never the right to be cruel." Author Unknown
©Melinda Sutherland 11/1/2018
For months it seemed like every bible study, preaching, devotionals I read, or even when worshipping with other churches while vacationing, all had to do with David. I have to admit I was getting a little tired of hearing about David. After all there were other people in the bible, especially some great women. I couldn't help but to think about a scene in the television show, The Brady Bunch,
when Jan Brady was feeling left out because the world seemed to revolve around her older sister, Marsha. Her famous words from that scene were, "Marsha, Marsha, Marsha." Now, I found myself thinking, "David, David, David."
Scripture tells us David was a man after God's own heart. He fills the book of Psalms with his beautiful words about his life with God as though it was his own diary. So why was I getting tired hearing about David and feeling really bad for thinking this way? Maybe it was because I felt like I didn't have anything in common with him. I wasn't a shepherd boy, I didn't play the harp, I didn't kill a giant, I didn't commanded an army, I didn't run a kingdom, I didn't committed adultery, I didn't have a man personally killed, I didn't have people wanting to kill me, I didn't have a prophet to personally talk to for advice... Then one day while doing my devotional I came across Psalm 39:1-5.
I said to myself, "I will watch what I do
and not sin in what I say.
I will hold my tongue
when the ungodly are around me."
2 But as I stood there in silence—
not even speaking of good things—
the turmoil within me grew worse.
3 The more I thought about it,
the hotter I got,
igniting a fire of words:
YES, David and I had something in common!! We let things fester inside of us and the first chance we get we were going to let those who offend us have it, fill them with our righteous wrath, and will they ever be sorry. Why we may even be responsible for them turning from their evil ways and living the life we live...at least in my head this is how it will work.
BUT, reading further I soon realized I was taking things out of context. God wasn't using David to tell us it is OK to go off on people. Rather, David took the turmoil that was growing in his thoughts straight to God, so that turmoil would not grow in his heart...bummer. He asked God to remind him of his
place, for his only hope for everything he is going through while here on earth is in the Lord.
Through the scriptures we can see the up close and personal life of David and how God uses this life to preserve the lineage of Jesus. God gave us David so that everyone could relate to him on some level. We may see it right away or we may have to dwell in his word a little more to see what we have in common, but we will have something in common.
If truth be told I guess David and I have more in common than I'd like to admit...pride, arrogance, bossing people around..you know the "little sins." Also, while writing this blog I realized that David and I may have something else in common. He wrote many of the Psalms. I write a blog. Although my words are not as poetic as David's, and probably will never be published, I do pray they are words that God wants written. Words that he guides from my heart, not my head, in hopes of bringing us all to someone we do have in common..."God, God, God."
ADDITIONAL READING After moving to Ocala FL we visited the Central Church of Christ and guess what was discussed in the sermon? If you guessed David you would be right. But this time it was more about David's mightiest men. I'm sure I read it before but I didn't remember any of the passages. The study was amazing! I encourage you to read 2 Samuel 23:8-39.
Psalm 39
"At some point, being angry is just another bad habit, like smoking, and you keep poisoning yourself without thinking about it." Jonathan Tropper
"When you are angry you have the right to be angry, but never the right to be cruel." Author Unknown
©Melinda Sutherland 11/1/2018
