2 Samuel 10 ~ War No More

2 Samuel 10


After this the king of the Ammonites died, and Hanun his son reigned in his place. 2 And David said, “I will deal loyally with Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father dealt loyally with me.” So David sent by his servants to console him concerning his father. And David's servants came into the land of the Ammonites.

But the princes of the Ammonites said to Hanun their lord, “Do you think, because David has sent comforters to you, that he is honoring your father? Has not David sent his servants to you to search the city and to spy it out and to overthrow it?” 4 So Hanun took David's servants and shaved off half the beard of each and cut off their garments in the middle, at their hips, and sent them away. 

When it was told David, he sent to meet them, for the men were greatly ashamed. And the king said, “Remain at Jericho until your beards have grown and then return.”

6 When the Ammonites saw that they had become a stench to David, 
the Ammonites sent and hired the Syrians of Beth-rehob, and the Syrians of Zobah, 20,000 foot soldiers, and the king of Maacah with 1,000 men, and the men of Tob, 12,000 men. 7 And when David heard of it, he sent Joab and all the host of the mighty men. 

And the Ammonites came out and drew up in battle array at the entrance of the gate, and the Syrians of Zobah and of Rehob and the men of Tob and Maacah were by themselves in the open country.

9 When Joab saw that the battle was set against him both in front and in the rear, he chose some of the best men of Israel and arrayed them against the Syrians. 

The rest of his men he put in the charge of Abishai his brother, and he arrayed them against the Ammonites. 11 And he said, “If the Syrians are too strong for me, then you shall help me, but if the Ammonites are too strong for you, then I will come and help you. 

Be of good courage, and let us be courageous for our people, and for the cities of our God, and may the Lord do what seems good to him.” 

So Joab and the people who were with him drew near to battle against the Syrians, and they fled before him. 14 And when the Ammonites saw that the Syrians fled, they likewise fled before Abishai and entered the city. Then Joab returned from fighting against the Ammonites and came to Jerusalem.

15 But when the Syrians saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they gathered themselves together. 16 And Hadadezer sent and brought out the Syrians who were beyond the Euphrates. They came to Helam, with Shobach the commander of the army of Hadadezer at their head.

And when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together and crossed the Jordan and came to Helam. The Syrians arrayed themselves against David and fought with him. 18 And the Syrians fled before Israel, and David killed of the Syrians the men of 700 chariots, and 40,000 horsemen, and wounded Shobach the commander of their army, so that he died there. 

And when all the kings who were servants of Hadadezer saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with Israel and became subject to them. So the Syrians were afraid to save the Ammonites anymore.

James Taylor makes an interesting analogy today in the words about Truth.

People can be quick to point out a lie or accuse someone of back stabbing. This works with apparent goodness. Apparent goodness can be very showy. It's the mercy that speaks more quietly.

Wikipedia points to public speculation about the song "Fire and Ice". James Taylor has publicly explained "Fire and Ice" three times and his explanation was greeted with suspicion he lied. When you run the stories together - did we really want him to explain to a rock concert ...? Did he lie at the Madrid Concert? Doubt it. Taylor was explaining a sad song, with a humorous reference to recovery and truth.

James Taylor's full explanation went like this -
Taylor explained to host Scott Simon that the song was written in three parts: [A Work In Progress.]

The first part was indeed about Taylor's friend Suzanne, who died while Taylor was in London working on his first album after being signed to Apple Records. Friends at home, concerned that it might distract Taylor from his big break, kept the tragic news from him, and he only found out six months later.

The second part details Taylor's struggle to overcome drug addiction and depression.

The third part deals with coming to grips with fame and fortune, looking back at the road that got him there. It includes a reference to James Taylor and The Flying Machine, a band he briefly worked with before his big break with Paul McCartney, Peter Asher, and Apple Records.

Waiting for a Rush to Judgment

Jesus wasn't one to stand up on a rock and Say, "I'M THE SON OF GOD". Which leads people to discuss their feelings of His Supremacy in deep thoughts on soul deep issues without something very important -

Something Very Important

The Source

How can we debate Jesus is the Christ without knowing what the Word is? Our largest History of Jesus is the Word of God.

How can we discern what to trust and what to believe?

We are built to respond to God and truth. We are told to seek and to find. To see a sign of a miracle is Good. This encourages us. To stop is not to stop God. To refuse an invitation to Wonder isn't fatal.

Yet... why wouldn't we take our Wonder to the Word of God?


Look at Jeremiah 15, look at 2 Samuel 10 today.

Not one of mankind spikes the football and remains in Victory.

Look at the 2 Samuel 10. David has found Victory!!! He is KING. It's good to be King. Except. A war has started - because - David sent off hand condolences.

And Then. Bam! One unleashing of unkindness has started a whip cord backlash. And WAR erupts.

What we don't see King David of God do - he does Not say

1. "Well, I never really wanted to be King."
2. "I Quit."
3. "Nothing never good Ever happens to me."
4. "Why does Everything Always Go Wrong."
5. "Ruddy Ol God, Dammit."
6. "Let's dig out the old gods and try them."
7. "WHAT! PANIC!!!"
8. "IT"S THE END OF THE WORLD!!!"

David instead is going to do his best with what is at hand. And he is not going to sit sweating out the fact that what kicked this off was a kindness from a loving heart in the days of poor travel.

However, when you read the Psalms of David - you have reached the Source - and we JUST KNOW that David is going to pour out his heart to GOD. David is going to whine and complain and cry to - the Source. God.

And how does Father GOD react to the One who Relies upon GOD?

Oh. Look. God explained that - in the Source.

John 16:33

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Let us pray together - 

Father God for Peace! Jesus Delivers us and is our strong defender. We will Trust in Jesus, blessed redeemer. The Holy ONE. When we have a "time" the One we look to is the Rock. The foundation of our Wonder and Joy. Father GOD You alone kept David rolling - I'm throwing myself in with You! Deliver me for the Holiness of Your Name.

Father God !

In times of peace - I say Jesus is God. When I am torn down by the tremendous of events life has the possibility to unleash - I know You will restore my soul. When I need a direction - I pray for You , Abba to lead me in the paths of righteousness for blessings.

When death arrives for a funeral or my own, I will only look to You. You are with me. 

In faith, I proclaim You anoint my head with oil. I will look to what is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- With You I Will Think about such things.

When I take time to remember what I have learned, what I have experienced, I will let my cup of gratitude overflow. You are teaching me. I Thank You. 

In Jesus, Goodness and Mercy will be the footprints I leave.  All the days of my life. 

Jesus, You Love me. Yes, Jesus loves me. I shall dwell in the House of the Lord. Forever.

In Jesus is our Alleluia! Amen!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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Psalm 32 ~ steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord

Psalm 32

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
2 Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah

5 I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

6 Therefore let everyone who is godly
offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found;
surely in the rush of great waters,
they shall not reach him.
7 You are a hiding place for me;
you preserve me from trouble;
you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah

8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
9 Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
which must be curbed with bit and bridle,
or it will not stay near you.

10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.
11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous,
and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

We are blessed when we start out as children to be told about God's love making a path for us. A gratitude response to give better than we receive.

Life as adulthood starts out has some stiff new shoes. Will we be grateful or sore. Suddenly there is less appreciation for try and more appreciation for 'get this done well'. Do we hope for His help or do we look for an easier path. Sometimes wisdom is indeed teaching us take another route.

Do we accept our dues? Are these our dues? Do we need to contribute more?

Are we being honest in our prayer life? Too much about us? Comparing our ills and successes to the people around us?

Isaiah 43:15-17a

15 I am the Lord, your Holy One,
the Creator of Israel, your King.”

16 Thus says the Lord,
who makes a way in the sea,
a path in the mighty waters,
17 who brings forth chariot and horse,
army and warrior

Do we take into account that perennial shame is not from Him? That sometimes the nature of pain is to take the avoidance and look for the solution. To grow.

Not so much to compare ourselves to others. But to delight in His Will for our lives and how far we have traveled in Him.

Because

We need to always say, ' I know I'm flawed to sinning.' To say. Sometimes, it's justified. Other times to say, that's not just of me. Always to say, "I need you Savior Jesus, Hero, Beloved One."

The Trumpet rarely sounds for Prayers answered. For Hope and Love streaming forth. Steadfast love surrounding us - isn't the Tiara of Tada - Steadfast love surrounding us is the love we give to the ones who need that Love.

Just when we think we have a handle on the Path.

The path changes.
Truthful honesty has a freedom.

Proverbs 3:6
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

2 Corinthians 5:7
For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Isaiah 40:31
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.

Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Philippians 4:13
I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Hebrews 13
Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen

Ezekiel 43:2
And I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of rushing waters, and the land was radiant with his glory.

Isaiah 6:3
And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."


Revelation 4
And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say,

“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty,
who was and is and is to come!”

9And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying,

11“Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
and by your will they existed and were created.”

Thank You Father you accept our prayers. And when You are called upon. You answer. In the name of Jesus we pray 'Please' for the ones we love. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

Psalm 72 ~ For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help

Psalm 72


1 Endow the king with your justice, O God,
the royal son with your righteousness.

2 He will judge your people in righteousness,
your afflicted ones with justice.

3 The mountains will bring prosperity to the people,
the hills the fruit of righteousness.

4 He will defend the afflicted among the people
and save the children of the needy;
he will crush the oppressor.

5 He will endure as long as the sun,
as long as the moon, through all generations.

6 He will be like rain falling on a mown field,
like showers watering the earth.

7 In his days the righteous will flourish;
prosperity will abound till the moon is no more.

8 He will rule from sea to sea
and from the River to the ends of the earth.

9 The desert tribes will bow before him
and his enemies will lick the dust.

10 The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores
will bring tribute to him;
the kings of Sheba and Seba
will present him gifts.

11 All kings will bow down to him
and all nations will serve him.

12 For he will deliver the needy who cry out,
the afflicted who have no one to help.

13 He will take pity on the weak and the needy
and save the needy from death.

14 He will rescue them from oppression and violence,
for precious is their blood in his sight.

15 Long may he live!
May gold from Sheba be given him.
May people ever pray for him
and bless him all day long.

16 Let grain abound throughout the land;
on the tops of the hills may it sway.
Let its fruit flourish like Lebanon;
let it thrive like the grass of the field.

17 May his name endure forever;
may it continue as long as the sun.
All nations will be blessed through him,
and they will call him blessed.

18 Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel,
who alone does marvelous deeds.

19 Praise be to his glorious name forever;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory.
Amen and Amen.

20 This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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John 1 ~ The Spirit

John 1 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.

All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

He saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

“I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on Him."

And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.

“Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”

I have the love, love, love,
Down in my heart,
Down in my heart,
Down in my heart,
To Stay.


I have the love of Jesus, love of Jesus,
Love of Jesus,
Down in my heart,
Down in my heart
Down in my heart
To Stay.


Ameeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeen!

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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John 16:12-15 ~ what is Mine

John 16:12-15

12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.


Jesus Christ our LORD was more than a teacher. He is the Word of God spoken. He is Truth.

Isaiah 55:9
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Our Scripture passage is important. Jesus longs for us. Not to scold us and improve us.

1 John 4:19
We love because he first loved us.

Jesus wants His Truth to be merciful.


Luke 15:20
And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

Psalm 137:5
If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill!

Matthew 23:37
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!

Hosea 2:19
And I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy.


John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Micah 6:8
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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1 Corinthians 3:6 ~ God has

Hebrews 12:1
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us

Ok. Granted. The commercial which is just jaw dropping says Apollo. The Christians knew God had triumphed over death. After multitudes believed, Life Was Abundant.

With ... issues. Like Today!

1 Corinthians 3:6
I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.

Norman Vincent Peale always said, "If you have problems, that's good, indicates you are ALIVE..."


Pick a problem - if you picked an opportunity for a solution involving people - odds are great you can find that "situation" in the Bible. With real facts. And real emotion.



We have a First Defense. An Opportunity to see a solution - Prayer. And exciting opportunity.


Let's put our hand to the plow and pick a problem, for discussion reasons, of course.

In other words, WE have a Great Cloud of Witnesses to LIFE.
Run with Perseverance The Race Marked out for Us.
Throw off what entangles you - weariness, rut, routine, acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness. And with sincere repentance. Sincere. Start afresh. Redeem our new creation. Looking at His Plan as good with a hope and a future.

Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed!

Where does this Encouragement come from? God. Jesus said - His Good News is this -

John 15:11
I have told you this... so that My Joy may be in you. And That your Joy may be Complete.

One of the problems we have TODAY...

We don't expect God.

Christians should be ...

Pregnant with the Expectation of GOD!!!

What! WHAT!

We are never a little Bit pregnant - therefore - We should BE EXPECTING GOD!!!


So on one hand, we have the doldrums and when we pray - we hope to coax and beg God to act instead of being Thankful. You are NOT overlooked. You are Special, Precious, Chosen to your Father GOD who would run TO YOU!

And Thank God for Unanswered Prayers? ARE YOU KIDDING ME! YOUR PRAYERS ARE ANSWERED! TODAY. God not only knows where you live - HE is interested in you. Look around, put your hands forth and forget TV. Get thinking about if Jesus is coming to your Life, what would you like to show Him. HE is Your Father.

Try that. A Season of you putting your effort forth - Expecting God.

What is the alternative? We did say we would pick a problem.

You pick not to take a Season of Expecting God. Let's see...

1 Samuel 1
But to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb. 6 And her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb. 7 So it went on year by year. As often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat. 8 And Elkanah, her husband, said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? And why do you not eat? And why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?”

Hannah has grief; she wanted More. Some. A representation of her Love. More Love.

Enter into that emptiness -
her rival used to provoke her grievously to irritate her

And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk?

Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.


Nooooow. We wouldn't want this to happen.

So say Abba has been away. Is Abba a judge? A Force to be Reconciled with?

What are your weary knees? What are your lonely places? ABBA is coming to visit. I think you need to have a season of Jubilee! We Expect God to make a difference in our lives. An Important Point. We Trust HIM to bring Good. He is Good.

Abba is Your Daddy.
You know. I might just fast today. Let Him know - HEY PLEASE COME VISIT!
And my kitchen needs some touch up paint, I can do that myself.
My diet has flagged, I think I will renew taking care of the Temple.
And ALEXANDER paint the Dormer window - Thanks Buster for fixing Alexander's Car.
And my birdhouses have fallen in disrepair.

I have an idea for my Pastor Bishop.
I have an idea for my son.
Telling Abba, I'm grateful for the People You give me to Love.

When Abba Daddy visits, remember a verse

Colossians 3:17
Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him.

Would your Abba like your new Coconut Cake? Knitting? What do you do to Please Your Father? Are those your kitchen cabinets in need of touch up - the ones God gave you? We could just watch TV instead. I'm not saying we should work ourselves into a frenzy, I'm saying we should look around with fresh eyes. Or perhaps my kitchen cabinets are not your weary knees and lonely places. We all have to apply the right fix to the right opportunity.

Isaiah 40:31
Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

We all have a pulse to our own soul. What is your season?

Ecclesiastes 3:1
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens

Mark 13
Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

Concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.


How ominous is this ? Jesus Loves us. Expect this Love. 

Take this Day. Give us this Day. And with Gratitude, Keep making your mark for the Lord God. Over and Over Press Forward in God.

Luke 18
And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.

Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.


Abba, know all my variations and aspects! Thank You GOD You dwell within me and I Expect You and Your Joy. Forgive my lack of good hostess in my soul and renew this Joy again! With Love and Joy in Jesus, Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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