Repentance

2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (KJV)

Repentance is a turning away from sin, disobedience, living in rebellion, and turning back to living by God’s standards.

T– taking a different view and trusting God for forgiveness

U– understanding that God forgives and won’t hold your past against you

R– renew your relationship with God

N– new way of thinking about sin or sinning

1st John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (NKJV)

When someone repents, they have a change of mind in their lifestyle. Some may experience feelings of remorse or regret for their past conduct.

David recognized fully, how horrendous his sin was with Bathsheba. David blamed no one but himself, and prayed to God for divine forgiveness.

Psalm 51 was written by David after his affair with Bathsheba, and intentionally having Uriah put on the front line to be killed in battle. This Psalm has often been called a “penitential Psalm”.

In verses 1 and 2 David makes a plea for forgiveness

In verses 3 thru 6 David makes a confession

In verses 7 thru 12 David prays for moral cleanness

In verses 13 thru 17 David describes a promise of renewed service

In verses 18 and 19 David petitions for national restoration

David set a powerful example of how to be a man after God’s own heart with the writing of Psalm 51. We may not always immediately recognize the consequences of sin, but it is never too late to do a 180 degree turn away from sin. This 180 degree turn is the step needed to get back in good standing with God.

Heavenly Father, thank for your faithfulness toward forgiving our sins. Thank you also for your cleansing power that can keep your people from anything that is not pleasing in your eyesight, in Jesus name…Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev

“Your reputation”

1 Samuel 29:5 Is this not David, of whom they sang to one another in dances, saying: ‘Saul has slain his thousands,
And David his ten thousands’?”

The word reputation generally means; an opinion that some people can have about someone or something, or the amount of respect or admiration that is had based on past accomplishments, actions, behavior or character.

1st Samuel 18:6 and 7 records what was said about David and Saul when they were returning home after David slayed Goliath;

1 Samuel 18:6-7 “Now it had happened as they were coming home, when David was returning from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women had come out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy, and with musical instruments. ⁷ So the women sang as they danced, and said: “Saul has slain his thousands,
And David his ten thousands.”

Many times a person is identified by a reputation that has been given to them by other people, and that reputation can also follow you wherever you go. David’s reputation followed him everywhere he went.

Reputations that people have can be have many meanings when viewed by others. Sometimes others may see a person as being harmful or threating, others may see that same person as being harmless and non-threatening.

Often time’s people will put forth an effort to try to live up to the reputation that has been given to them by others. This is often called “people pleasing.” Trying to be what others see you as, or what they want you to be, is not always a good idea.

David had a reputation of defeating his foes or enemies in battles that he fought, and his reason for fighting in almost all of his battles was not to gain fame, recognition or live up to the reputation that he had obtained.

In 1st Samuel 17:26 David asked the question “Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?”

As we read further in the same chapter, David states the reason he is going into fight with Goliath; “Then David said to the Philistine, You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defiled.”

David was not concerned about making a reputation for himself when he fought Goliath, he wanted God to get the glory over Goliath be defeated.

A good reputation is great to have, but we shouldn’t let our reputation dictate the type of life style that is lived.

“Lord Jesus, lead and guide us in our thoughts, words and actions so that our reputation won’t be the determining factor in how we live, in your precious name…Amen!”

Continuing in His service…Rev

“The source of your strength”

1 Samuel 30: 6 ^“ Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” (NKJV)

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. When pressure or stress has been applied to the chain, it’s not the entire chain that breaks; it’s the weakest link in the chain that cannot handle the pressure.

We read in the scripture that David was greatly “distressed”. The feelings that he was experiencing were anxiety, sorrow and pain. These feelings are normal when someone has been put in crisis situation.

At any given time we can experience feelings of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances. Often times we may find ourselves in a situation where we feel “hard pressed” on every side with nowhere to go or no one to turn to. Many times the choice that is made about what to do, or where to go to gain the strength that is needed, turns out to be the wrong choice.

Some turn to drugs and alcohol, which will only anesthetize the feeling of being stressed or distressed. When the effect of the alcohol and drugs wear off, those feelings that a person was experiencing come back. Some may try gambling, viewing pornography or using nicotine to obtain relief. The sad part about these choices is that sometimes they may not be available to use, and a person can no longer use them to get the relief that they are seeking.

Matthew 11:28-30  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  ²⁹Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (KJV)

Because God is the God who never slumber or sleeps (Psalms 121:4)…He is an ever present help in a time of trouble (Psalms 46:1)

2 Samuel 22:33  ^“God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.” (KJV)

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”(KJV)

David made the right choice to seek the Lord his God for the strength that he needed in a time of crisis…let us follow the example that David set and seek God to be the one and only true “source of our strength.” Amen!

Continuing in His service Rev…

“He’s in there with you”

Daniel 3:25  “He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” (KJV)

I have often heard the comment “If you don’t stand for something, then you will fall for anything.”

On many occasions people have been put in situations by pressure put on them from other people. People will try to force others to make decisions that they are not comfortable making, or the decision will go against what they believe. 

This was the case with the 3 young Hebrew boys in Daniel chapter 3. Many times it will cost a person something when that person takes a stand for what they believe in. The sacrifice or price that is paid is sometimes with a life.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice of losing their lives by being thrown into a fiery furnace, rather than bow down to false gods or worship a golden image. 

Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (KJV)

When we read scripture, we can see that God has been a very present help in His people’s time of need. God being with the 3 Hebrew boys in the fiery furnace is just one of the many examples that we find in the bible of God not only being that very present help, but also our refuge and strength.

Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” (KJV)

When we show faith in God, He shows us His faithfulness. He will never leave us or forsake us, especially in our time of need.

Hebrews 13:5 “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (NKJV)

God is not only with his people in a time of trouble, but He will allow Himself to be seen by others to show Himself strong.

Daniel 3:25 ^“Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.” (NKJV)

Through no fault of our own, weapons will sometimes be formed against God’s people. Because the weapon has been formed, it does not guarantee that it will be prosper or be successful in defeating a believer.    

Isaiah 54:17 “No weapon that is formed against you will succeed; And every tongue that rises against you in judgment you will condemn. This [peace, righteousness, security, and triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And this is their vindication from Me,” says the Lord.” (AMP)

“Lord, thank you for being in the midst of trials and tribulations that come our way, and for being a very present help. Let us be mindful that we have to go through to get too. Let us also live each day believing that no weapon formed against your people will prosper. We stand on your word, walk by faith, and believe that you will never leave us or forsake us. In Jesus name!” Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev