2 Samuel 22:1-23:23 + Acts 2:1-47 + Psalm 122:1-9 + Proverbs 16:19-20
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Old Testament - Today in Second Samuel chapter 22 we read David’s Song of Praise to God! This is an incredible chapter and certainly reminds us why David composed so many powerful Psalms as well. In fact, you will notice that this song of praise from David today is, oh, the same as Psalm 18... :) It is thought that this Song was composed shortly after David's victory over an enemy, but before his sins against Bathsheba and Uriah. The Song starts off with David using the metaphor of a rock in verses 2 & 3: "The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection." The metaphor of a rock is very appropriate for David, as he often had taken refuge among the rocks of the desert (when fleeing from Saul, for example), but David realized that his true security was found only in God.
In verses 31 through 33 of David’s Song of Praise to God in today's readings we read these incredible words: “As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.” Can you imagine yourself saying these words to God in praise? Can you say these words now to God? It is interesting to think about the word “perfect” – used twice in these verses. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I have been accused of being a “perfectionist.” But, really, can you or I be perfect or create anything perfect? I don’t think so. I do think we can live in a loving, growing relationship with God who will arm us with strength and make our way “perfect.” But, it is not us making us perfect. It is God. God’s way is perfect. His word – the Bible – is flawless. This is why we study the Bible. We are flawed people looking for flawlessness. God and the Bible deliver this to us. Is God a shield for you? When the storms of life come, do you take refuge in God? Do you believe there is any other God besides the Living God of the Bible? Is there anything else out there? I don’t think so. I’ve looked. I have never found anything else besides our Heavenly Father, Son & Holy Spirit. He is the Rock whose way is perfect. Who arms us with strength and makes our way perfect.
Bible.org's commentary on today's Second Samuel readings titled "David's Song of Salvation" is at this link and commentary titled "Profiles in Courage" is at this link.
New Testament - Today we read the incredible Acts chapter 2 where the Holy Spirit comes at Pentecost! Below is an amazing paintings of this scene in Acts 2 titled "Pentecost" by the Hungarian painter Istvan Dorffmaister from the year 1782. Please take a few moments to really meditate on this painting and what the Holy Spirit coming at Pentecost meant to the church and means personally to you today...
We also read in Acts 2 today about how the early church flourishes. You may hear some churches today say that they are “Acts 2:42” churches. Today we read these incredible words about the early church in verses 42 through 47 – “They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” How do these verses speak to you? Do you think this is how church today should be as well? Do you see aspects of these verses in your church today? Do you see aspects of these verses in your life today? Is your church an “Acts 2:42” church? Do you think it should be? How will you yourself help it to be an Acts 2:42 church?
Bible.org has four commentaries on our readings in Acts today! They are all titled "Putting Pentecost in Perspective" and then diving into the following topics listed below. These are well worth reading!
The Holy Spirit in the Old Testament (Acts 2:1-13) is at this link
The Holy Spirit in the Gospels (Acts 2:1-13) is at this link
Peter’s Interpretation of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-40) is at this link
The Firstfruits of Pentecost (Acts 2:41-47) is at this link
Psalms - Psalm 122 is the third in this series of Psalms of pilgrimage to Jerusalem. This is a joyful Psalm today! Today in Psalm 122 verse 1 we read – “I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”” Have you ever had this experience? Have you ever rejoiced when someone invited you to attend church? Have you ever given this experience to others? Have you said to others in your life, “Let us go to the house of the Lord!”? Do you make it a regular habit to invite people to church? Does church bring joy to you? Do you think it might then also bring joy to others? Others who are waiting for you to simply invite them? Will you? Will you rejoice with those around you through the simple & graceful act of an invitation? Are you yourself part of a church community? Are you attending church on a regular basis? Do you believe that being in community with other Christians each week will help grow your relationship with God? If you are not part of a church community, will you seek one out this upcoming week?
And verse 6 is so true then - and still true now - "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem." Will you join me in praying for the peace of Jerusalem?
Proverbs - Proverbs 16 verse 20 closes with an amazing little teaching that really stood out to me today: "Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the LORD will be happy." The first half of this Proverb is great / makes sense. Listen to instruction. Allow some discipline in your life - wait, I mean, embrace godly discipline in your life... :) Really. And then you'll prosper. If we ignore instruction. Ignore discipline. No prosperity - financially, emotionally, etc. Fine. Makes sense. But check out that second half of the Proverb - "Those who trust the Lord will be happy." How amazingly simple & true is that?? And how often is this Truth completely missed in our culture today? We look for happiness everywhere else besides God!! Yes, we want happiness. But trusting in the Lord for happiness? Forget about it. That seems too easy / boring / etc.. I'd prefer to pursue this addiction, or that greed, or that idol... and our list of looking for happiness from everything besides God can go on and on and on. I am sure you know what I mean. But let's look at this teaching one more time and perhaps we'll really start to let this sink in today: "Those who trust the Lord will be happy." Do you believe this to be true? Do you trust the Lord? I mean, really. Do you really trust the Lord? With everything? With all that you are? In every moment? Let us seek true happiness where only true happiness can be found! Let us live every moment of our lives trusting in the Lord.
Worship Video: Today's readings remind me of Rend Collective's song "Hallelujah Anyway:"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU2YNV6UdRY
Have you said Hallelujah lately? Click here for your Hallelujah!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." Acts 2:42 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that your church is an Act 2:42 church. Pray that you are helping to make your church an Acts 2:42 church. Pray that your church is devoted to teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer.
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: How do you trust in the Lord each day in your life? Meaning, how do you make sure you stay focused on God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit in your life every day? Is it through prayer, fasting, community, Bible study, etc.? Do you ever find yourself having some days where you have lost sight of trusting in the Lord? Where you are looking elsewhere for happiness? How do you bring yourself back to trusting in God on those days instead of trusting in worldly things? Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless,
Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Bible readings at this link.
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BLOG READERS HISTORICAL COMMUNITY COMMENTS:
22 Samuel 22-23:23
Some times, I can mistake someone’s actions for what is truly going on inside their heart. After all didn’t Jesus say, “Out of the abundance/overflow of the heart the mouth speaks?” Yet David, who sinned, like me, who committed murder (I haven’t physically murdered anyone; however, I have participated in character assassinations) like me, is said, by God, to be a man after His own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). What made David different from his predecessor, Saul? Both were disobedient to the commands of God. With Saul it was all about him. Saul was a man concerned with how he appeared before man and not God. However, David was God focused even in the midst of his sin of murder, sin of adultery and his deceptions running from Saul, David took no credit for his victories and when he was brought to task regarding his adultery and murder, David made no excuses and sought no justification for his actions. David went to God because he knew that it was ultimately a sin against God.
Could it be that David was lax in disciplining his son Absalom for his murder and treasonous behavior because he himself knew firsthand the “mercy” of God on his own life? Mercy is ultimately not getting the punishment you deserve.
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>>How do you trust in the Lord each day in your life? Meaning, how do you make sure you stay focused on God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit in your life every day? Is it through prayer, fasting, community, Bible study, etc.>>
I found that all of the things you have mentioned Mike are good, prayer, fasting, community, Bible study; however, the repetitiveness of any discipline may cause us to be dull to God over the long run. Dancers talk about “muscle memory” when learning or rehearsing a new piece. It is that thing that happens to the body that causes the muscles to expend less energy in doing the routine so that by learned behavior the body reacts to the movements instinctively so they don’t have to think about what to do they just do. The body takes on a mind of its own.
That same thing happens to me if I don’t change up my discipline or balance it out. We can become so focused on hearing the voice of God in our prayer time, in our fasting that the prayer and the fasting become more important then hearing the voice of God and so we miss His voice when He speaks to us in another setting. Worse yet we can hear God’s voice outside of our routine discipline and rebuke it, “‘Cause that’s not where God speaks to me.”
I wonder if we just give God permission to break into our lives, our prayer times our Bible Studies and we listen, truly listen will that help us to stay God centered instead of self-centered. By the way when reading through the Bible yearly, I change up on my translations, particularly trying to find one I’ve not used before. I try to change up on the routine(ness) of what I am doing.
Mike you’ve asked some tough questions today and they are not ones to take lightly.
Ramona
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Re Mikes comments on “Acts 2:42” churches:
A while ago I had some discussion about socialism and this passage with Cory on his new Bald Man Blog. Some quotes from that discussion:
- "So if we use the originally intended definition of ‘communism’ we may get close to the idea that the ideal communist society is similar to the early church community described in Acts 4:32-35.
"EXCEPT, that (as far as I am aware) Marx thought it could be achieved out of altruism or common sense care for our neighbours and fellow men. Whereas in Acts it is clear it took the sacrfice of Jesus, His resurrection and the coming of the Spirit at Pentecost to achieve it."
- "Using my definitions, I’d say we ought to be “Christian socialists” vs. “Christian consumerists,” as most of us in the West are. The ideal of socialism (Marx’s communism) certainly seems encompassed by Jesus’ vision of the Kingdom."
- "So where do we find “Christian socialists” these days?"
- "There should never be a time when a person with a strong church should ever find himself/herself in need for a life necessity."
Andrew
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Andrew,
Your observations and statement may sound plausible to you; however, taking into account human nature, the flesh without the control of the Holy Spirit, that ain’t going to fly. If it did the following rebuke would not have been written by Paul..
For you know yourselves how you must imitate us, because we did not behave without discipline among you, and we did not eat anyone's food without paying. Instead, in toil and drudgery we worked night and day in order not to burden any of you. It was not because we do not have that right, but to give ourselves as an example for you to imitate. For even when we were with you, we used to give you this command: "If anyone is not willing to work, neither should he eat." For we hear that some among you are living an undisciplined life, not doing their own work but meddling in the work of others. (2 Thessalonians 3:7-11 NET.)
To me the above verse is not just antidotal. I grew up in a family where people tried and are trying to escape work; I see the attitude of, “let me do as little work as possible, thus participating in a kind of Corporate Welfare, while the companies they work for do the same thing. All this come about because of a sense of entitlement and looking back to yesterday’s Proverb, a sense or need within themselves to “rise up” above all those around them. I was told by my then incarcerated oldest son, that if he had to “work” like me he would rather stay in jail, hmmm.
While we were in Moses five books, we read that no one in Israel should be poor because of God’s blessings; however, there would be those who find themselves impoverished either from Social Injustice, or their own bad choices and/or unwillingness to work. Why do you think Jesus didn’t rebuke the woman who poured out her expensive perfume on him, like some of his disciples, possibly all of them, did?
When Jesus learned of this, he said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a good service for me. For you will always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me! When she poured this oil on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial. (Matthew 26:10-12 NET.)
It may do much benefit if word studies were done using the King James Version on the English word translated “poor” in the Book of Proverbs. There are a multiplicity of Hebrew words supporting that word “poor” and they all don’t mean the same thing.
Grace and peace,
Ramona
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This is for Andrew---
"There should never be a time when a person with a strong church should ever find himself/herself in need for a life necessity."
Sounds more like an ideal
(perfect society!) than the reality. Nevertheless, that's what Christ truly commanded us to do---to take care of the needs of the poor and the downtrodden.
Agree--- a strong church founded in Christ's love for ALL should not merely end with the collection box for the poor (how much of it really goes to those most in need?) but should take care of developing persons that will eventually be able to take care of themselves and not perpetuate the dole-out system, to see the less fortunate more or less on an equal footing with those who have always enjoyed having more...
Christian socialism! Doesn't this sound more like Freire's liberation theology?
Roslyn
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Hi Ramona, Luch and Roslyn,
Re Ramona's experience with her family, of course sloth, laziness and fraud (defrauding an employer) are sinful.
But I am still interested in understanding the significance of the experience of the early believers at the launch of the church as described in Acts 2:42-47.
Was this just a flash in the pan? They were full of enthousiasm following the coming of the Spirit. Something totally new was happening among them. God was with them in a big way. They were totally taken up with the impact of this on their lives, so maybe they were distracted from their normal work for weeks, so they found they needed to organize some support among themselves when the money started to run out.
In that case it is maybe not, as Luch suggests, a model for Christian society and economics.
Nevertheless, I think it is important for us to have some degree of certainty about this. It is pretty clear that the current economic model pursued by our 'rich' western societies is not sustainable. There is a totally unbalanced distribution of world resources. We deliberately keep sections of the population in poverty. The gap between rich and poor is widening.
What should a Christian attitude be to that? What impact should it have on our political positions? Is it enough to tithe in such a way that some of our income goes to the poor somewhere? Or should we be taking a more radical position?
Re Friere and Christian Socialism - I am totally blank in that area, but a quick look in Wikipedia seems to indicate that I should read up on some of that. But I am looking for answers which apply to life in Europe and the USA and not only Latin America.
Another aspect of the question of how we do or are church that I am trying to get clear is the impact of instutionalisation of the church from Constantine onwards. I have the feeling maybe the church went totally off the rails then and we now need to retrace our steps and rediscover our roots.
Thanks for your thoughts on this,
Blessings,
Andrew
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This spoke to my heart:
--> --> 22"I have not done evil by turning from my God"
When we have our eyes on God, how can we do evil? That, I think, may have been the remarkable thing about David's heart: It was consistently on God! If we can maintain a "God consciousness" it is difficult to even contemplate evil; He truly gives us the "mind of Christ."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
-->"...you have preserved me as the head of nations.
People I did not know are subject to me,
45 and foreigners come cringing to me;
as soon as they hear me, they obey me.
46 They all lose heart;
they come trembling [i] from their strongholds..."
When I read this I think of those dictators like Saddam Hussein who DEMANDED this type of allegiance to him, yet David seems to be in AWE that God has caused these things to happen to him.
Also, I would like to share from In "Bible Manners and Customs of the Bible," by James M. Freeman, what David was describing here as it helped me form a word picture in my mind of the distress David felt in verse 22:6
-->"The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me."
The margin has "cords," instead of sorrows, which is a better rendering, because more consistent with the figure employed in the text. The allusion is to an ancient mode of hunting, still in use. A certain tract of land, where wild beasts are known to be, is surroudned by a circle of nets, which is gradually contracted as the animals are driven in, until they are all brought to one common center, when escape is impossible. Similar reference is made in Psalm 28:5, 106:3, Isaiah 2:20. Representations of this mode of hunting are found on the Egyptian and Assyrian monuments.
Sue
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Acts 2 is definitely a favorite of mine. Yes, my church is an Acts 2 church...we even had t-shirts made up that say "fellowship of Believers...Acts 2 and has the verse on the back. (not that having a t-shirt makes you an Acts 2 church...but you know what I mean!) :0)
"And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." - We see it on a regular basis in our church. Lives are being transformed right before our eyes...God is so good!
From Proverbs today - It's strange for me because I really do trust in the Lord with everything but I'm not a very patient person so I think that is where I lose my joy. This is really good for me to meditate on though...so simple and so true...maybe I'm missing the whole point...the simplicity of it all. Hmmmmm...thank you Jesus - I think we're on to something! :0)
Gina
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Verses that stood out for me:
Samuel 22:2 "The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior"
22:47 "The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior".
23:2 “The Spirit of the Lord speaks through me; his words are upon my tongue".
I really love reading Acts!!!
2:4 "And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability".
2:38 "“Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit".
I like reading about the Holy Spirit. I always feel the Holy Spirit doing It's work in my life. The moment I started talking in tongues my prayes seemed more powerful. I'm not saying that without the tongues prayers are not powerful. But my prayers really changed when I started praying in tongues.
Acts 2:38 ... a verse that's stuck in my head forever ...
Mae
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Acts is an amazing chapter regarding the enormous fruit of the early church! and Wow...the contrast between Peter in the flesh and Peter in the spirit!
v. 38"Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
awesome!! Important, water baptism is an outward sign on the inward change...not crucial for salvatin, but i do believe those born again should get baptized.
I was baptized, get this...in the Jordan River!!! around the area Jesus Christ was baptized!!!! i mean just to be in that water was beyond an honor!! i cant even tell you!
I wasnt sure if Peter meant baptized in the spirit or in water.
whoa, the OT readings were long! i accidently fell asleep wen i was done with them and psalms. left mt computer on n everything. maybe cause the psalms are so soothing they put me to sleep! :p
ha! my dad was telling me about this guy at the church we grew up in. his wife was active in the church but the husband came along, but he would sleep during the services. every week he'd just sleep. It was a small church so the pastor confronted the man on it. the guy said...you know, I have terrible trouble sleeping at night! But wen i come to church i feel such peace and i have the best sleep of my life. So the pastor was like, well, ok then.
haha!
Jenny
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For me, when I think about trusting in the Lord, all the above things are essentials but ultimately it comes down to submission. 'My grace is sufficient'. Often we want for good things, things that seemingly the Lord would want for us, and yet we don't receive them. It's difficult to understand why the Lord would not bless us with such desires, particularly when it would seem that he has His hand in preparing us for such gifts and that the use of such gifts would be in accordance with His will for our lives. Yet sometimes He chooses to withhold, whether it be for a season or indefinitely. I think perhaps the most dangerous thing to do in these situations is to press on in our own will and strength, as did Saul, rather than to exercise patience and trust and thereby wait on the Lord. Maybe He chooses to deny these desires but if so, only because He ultimately has something better for us. Or perhaps it may appear temporally to be less desirable for us but ultimately more desirable for others, or His kingdom, as in the case of Naomi, Jonathan, Abraham and Sarah, David, Joseph, Paul, Jim Elliot, Stephen, and countless others who have endured hardship, confusion and sacrifice.
Briggs
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The verses 2 Samuel 23:2-3 in today's reading:
“The Spirit of the LORD spoke by me,
And His word was on my tongue.
The God of Israel said,
The Rock of Israel spoke to me:
‘He who rules over men must be just,
Ruling in the fear of God."
seems to be so clearly showing the Trinity in the Old Testament! The “Rock of Israel” (Jesus) spoke to the “God of Israel” (The Father) and this was declared by "The Spirit of the Lord" (the Holy Spirit) through David.
Praise the Father, Son & Holy Spirit!
Kary
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Mike and everyone,
What a beautiful example of church shown in Acts:
42 And they steadfastly persevered, devoting themselves constantly to the instruction and fellowship of the apostles, to the breaking of bread [including the Lord’s Supper] and prayers.
46 And day after day they regularly assembled in the temple with united purpose, and in their homes they broke bread [including the Lord’s Supper]. They partook of their food with gladness and simplicity and generous hearts,
47 Constantly praising God and being in favor and goodwill with all the people; and the Lord kept adding [to their number] daily those who were being saved [from spiritual death]. (Acts 2:42,46,47 Amplified Bible)
The key words to me are:
steadfastly persevered, devoted themselves constantly, regularly assembled, with united purpose, gladness, simplicity, generous hearts, constantly praising God, being in favor and goodwill with all the people.
Wow - what an example of what a church should be!
Sincerely,
Joyce
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Great comments and blog! Regarding dry out-of-focus times, I'm not sure what all the answer(s) is/are. This blog has certainly helped me to stay in God's Word and be close to God and therefore avoid dry time. I find the comments, images, videos, and links stimulate me to see things that I would not normally see myself. This helps me to look forward to spending time in God's Word and stay focused.
Regarding the difference between Saul and David, both sinners, yet one beloved by God, could it be that Saul knew about God, but David knew God (i.e. its all about the relationship)?
Charles
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Mike I love verse 2 Samuel 22:29 "You, LORD, are my lamp; the LORD turns my darkness into light." Regardless of how bad things seem the LORD is with us and will turn that dark period we are going through into better days.
Pat
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How do I trust the Lord each day in my life? I try to keep consistent by reading scripture, praying , and just staying in the Word. How do I stay focused on God and Holy Spirit..I try to follow Words of Christ and follow the right path. It is hard and lime Ramona..not to he taken lightly. I love the Lord and I pray each day in faith I remain in Him and Him in me. I love people but especially try to see Christ in all.
Dee
I still don't know if Acts 2:42-47 is descriptive of what a church should be like, or if it's prescriptive, that is, all churches must follow this model. I don't think you can isolate these verses out and say "This is a New Testament model for church." I do believe that there are biblical functions highlighted here such as devotion to learning, communion, sharing of needs, serving, worship.
This is a good pattern but it's never repeated as THE WAY to do church in the epistles. Elements are highlighted but I think the best definition of the nature of the church is in Romans 12:5
"So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts according to the grace given us..."
I do believe that many of the disciples who emerge in the early chapters of Acts such as Barnabas, Stephen, Philip, Dorcas, and others, were probably part of the spiritual processes highlighted in Acts 2:42 and following and that's worth imitating. These people didn't 'just pop up', but they seem to have developed. This is just conjecture on my part but it could be the case.
Luch
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