2 Samuel

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2 Samuel 24:24 A Sacrifice Should Be A Sacrifice

But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” 2 Samuel 24:24

After David had sinned against God by taking a census of the people, God had sent a plague on the people killing many. When it was stopped, David chose to offer a sacrifice to God. The place God had the angel stop the plague was over the threshing floor of a man named Araunah. David wanted to buy that place to offer his sacrifice. Araunah was not going to charge David anything, but David insisted on paying for it. He did not want to offer God anything that did not cost him anything.

God no longer requires or expects sacrifices of animals to be done, but He does desire a sacrifice of a person’s heart and time. He wants people to want to give completely of themselves, their time, and their abilities to His work. When a person gives of these things, it can be a sacrifice.

However, often, in a church, a person does not really sacrifice to God his time, heart or abilities. It is common for people to give of their excess to God. Or when they do not have anything to do, they decide to do something for God.

Sacrificing to God means that it will cost you something. It may hurt a little to a lot to give what is being given. In life, you are most likely very busy taking care of yourself, family, work, others, and the list goes on. To sacrifice to God, is to put all of those things aside for a moment and do something for God.

This sacrifice can be taking extra time to worship Him, rather than watch a game on tv. Or it may be praying longer for someone else instead of playing a game. It can be giving some extra offering for a need, rather than eat out at the restaurant.

Giving of a sacrifice must be a sacrifice to you. It must cost you something, otherwise it is not really a sacrifice.

How much are you giving to God?

Is it just your excess?

Or is it a sacrifice to God?

I pray today that you will trust God in your giving to Him; that God will show you what you need to give and how much to give; that you will not fear giving God too much; and that you will sacrifice your heart to God.

 

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2 Samuel 24:17 Show Love, Admit When You Are Wrong

When David saw the angel who was striking down the people, he said to the LORD, “I have sinned; I, the shepherd, have done wrong. These are but sheep. What have they done? Let your hand fall on me and my family.” 2 Samuel 24:17

David had chosen to take a census of all the men able to be in his army, even after being warned not to do so. This was in direct violation of God’s rules. Immediately he realized his error, but God was still going to do a punishment. David chose to let God punish by bringing an angel of death over the people of the land. At one point David goes to God and says that He should not kill the people, but to harm David and his family because he was the one who sinned and not the people.

Allowing someone else to receive the blame or punishment for something that was done wrong is a common practice in the world. Leaders will do something wrong and instead of taking the blame, they blame someone else and allow that person to be punished. It is very common for people to run around the truth and ignore what they did wrong and allow others to pay for it. There is no love being shown.

As a believer, you must always admit when you are wrong. God sees and knows the truth, regardless of whether you admit it or not.

David showed his great love for the people by admitting he was the one who did wrong and asking the punishment be removed from the people. You can also stand up for your own sin and ask God for mercy on others.

When the world sees you admit your sin and take your punishment, they will also see God’s love working in and through you. You will stand out as someone different.

Allow God to work through you in every situation in your life, both the good and the bad. Show your love for others by not shifting the blame to others or allowing them to pay for your wrong.

I pray today that you will admit to God all your sins; that you will trust Jesus for forgiveness; that you will not blame anyone for what you have done; and that God will use you to build His kingdom.

 

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2 Samuel 22:50 Praise The Lord

Therefore I will praise you, LORD, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name. 2 Samuel 22:50

David is remembering all the things God has done for him. He is remembering how God protected him from his enemies, helped him defeat other nations, and set him free from all of his enemies. Since God had done all those things, David is choosing to praise God everywhere he goes and to continually sing praises to Him.

When a person has something very good happen to them, they want to tell other people about it. They are not quiet about it. when they go to work, they tell of their good story. They also report it on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and numerous other social media sites. People want to let others know of what is good in their life.

As a believer, you also have had good things happen to you. God has done great things to and for you. At the very least, Jesus has forgiven you of your sins and given you a new life. You are now at peace with God. God has helped you defeat the enemies of sin and death.

Along with the salvation God has given you, there are other ways God has blessed you. Think about it. You got up this  morning, you can breathe, you can move, you have some type of electronic device in order to see and read this post, and much more

Do not be like most of the world and take all of these things for granted. Realize how much God has blessed you. Once you realize how much God has blessed you, tell everyone you meet. Praise God wherever you go. Let the world know of your love for God. Have a song of praise on your lips at all times.

I pray today that you will know the blessings God has given you; that you will not look only at the trouble in your life; that you will tell others how God has blessed you; and that you will sing praises to God continually.

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2 Samuel 22:31 How To Be Shielded

“As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.” 2 Samuel 22:31

In the process of giving God praise, David gives testimony of God. He points out that God’s way is always perfect and that there are no flaws in His word. Since this is true, God will shield every person who goes to Him.

The world tries to state that God cannot be perfect because of all the troubles in this world. They see sickness, crime, murder, and hatred and feel that if God cannot or does not stop those things, He must not be perfect. They do not believe that a perfect, loving God would allow such horrible things in the lives of people.

The world also tries to state that God’s word is not perfect. They look at the words of Jesus, that He said He would return soon. Since He has not returned in nearly two thousand years, He must be wrong.

However, God’s ways are perfect and His words are flawless. God sees the big picture of life. Not only does He see your problems and pain, but He also sees your future and the future of every other person in this world. God wants every person in this world to know and be like Jesus. In order for that to happen, you may have to go through some tough situations in life.

These situations will cause you to take refuge in Him, to trust Him more. When you run to God for protection, God will shield you from true harm of your spirit. The world may be able to destroy your body, but it cannot touch your soul, because God is protecting it.

Who or what are you trusting in today?

The things and people of this world?

Or God?

Don’t look to just the here and now, look to the future God is giving you. Run to Him for refuge and He will shield you from the attacks of the enemy on your soul. Never forget that His ways are perfect and there are no faults in what He says.

I pray today that you will know God more each day; that you will trust God more; that you will take up refuge with God; and that you will know His peace for your life.

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2 Samuel 22:2 The Rock, The Deliverer

He said: “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;” 2 Samuel 22:2

For years David had been pursued by various enemies. Saul, several of his sons, and several other nations were out to kill David. God had saved him from every one of his enemies. David is now giving God praise for what He had done.

People look to many things for their deliverance or to why they had survived some situation in their life. When a person is able to purchase a new car or go on a big vacation, he often looks at what all his hard work has provided. When a person has survived a major illness, they often thank their doctors and give praise for the medicine that worked.

These same people will look to themselves or the government and others for deliverance from a bad situation in their life. Each time election time comes around, people are asking the candidates how they will solve various situations and deliver them from problems. They are standing on the government as their solid rock and foundation.

Even in the church, there are many who will look to the church as the one to deliver them from troubles. They will stand on the church as the one solid foundation in this world.

David looked to God as his solid rock foundation and the one who did deliver him from all troubles. As a believer today, you must stand on Jesus as your one solid rock and deliverer. Jesus is a solid rock that does not move around changing all the time. You can stand on what He said from now to eternity knowing it will always be the same and the best for you.

Jesus also is the one who not only delivers you from all sin and judgment, but also from the enemies in this world. He delivers you from the loss of hope, depression, failure, sickness, lies, anxiety, and any other negatives.

Is Jesus your rock and deliverer today?

Are you praising Him for what He has done and is doing in your life?

I pray today that you will know Jesus as your rock in your life; that you will see God’s work in your life; that God will deliver you from all enemies in your life; and that you will praise Jesus for His work in your life.