Month: November 2018

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 (Chapter 23:8-24)

At the end of David’s life he decided to take a census. Counting heads was nothing new to the children of Israel.  God had instructed they be counted when they left Egypt and once again when they crossed the river into Canaan. There are many good reasons for a king to know how many people he reigns over. Budgets are based on needs and projected taxes, and armies are called according to population. It is not clear why David ordered this accounting, but one thing is obvious! God didn’t like it! Was David overly proud of his accomplishments? Was he becoming secure in his own power rather than God’s?  David was forced to chose one of three calamities as a consequence for his action. He chose a plague that killed thousands, and in the end, Gad, God’s prophet, told David to make a sacrifice. David complied.

The angel that was wreaking death was found on the threshing floor of Araunuh and David knew this would be the place of his forgiveness. David humbled himself completely before the LORD and bought this place from the farmer. Araunuh tried to give it to his king, but David refused and paid a fair price.  Once again David found grace in the midst of his sin and failure.

There is more to the story of this altar.  It is very near the place where Abraham trusted and obeyed God by offering Isaac as a sacrifice, and later, the site became home to Solomon’s temple. Grace changes everything!

Love,

Gretchen

“He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters.” 2 Samuel 22:17 (Chapters 20-23:7)

These words are taken from a song of praise, a Psalm written by David during his early victories as king. Now he is old and as he reflects on his successes and failures he finds God worthy of praise and sings the song of his joyous youth once again.   This passage is also written in Psalm 18 and parallels Moses’ song in Deuteronomy.

These are the final words of the poet, (as king he gives final charges to Solomon, his successor) a man of human failures, but a heart that always sought God and ALWAYS found Him.

Happy Friday,

Gretchen

You love those who hate you and hate those who love you. You have made it clear today that the commanders and their men mean nothing to you. I see that you would be pleased if Absalom were alive today and all of us were dead. 2 Samuel 19:7 (2 Samuel 19)

Absalom had been nothing but a bitter, rebellious, trouble making son. Not a suicidal man, but his choices could have no other outcome, he must die and he did.  In grief David isolated himself, leaving the victors unsure of their place in the king’s judgement of right and wrong. The nation descended into chaos leaving David vulnerable to intrigue and treason inside Israel, and outside powers seeking an opportunity to destroy his monarchy.

David made many attempts to right wrongs and avenge innocent blood, but the rift that began between Judah and the other ten tribes ends in a divided kingdom one generation later. It’s easy to place all the blame on David’s sin, but many sought their own selfish agenda, knowing it cost others everything. Sin destroys, without exception!

These stories are not designed to build theology and they are mentally exhausting to explore and comprehend. So why does the Bible show this ugly side of a ‘Man after God’s own heart’ who choses to reward rebellion and punish loyalty? Because it is real. The story isn’t perfect but’s God’s determination to rescue and redeem man is! David found grace…….everytime! You can too! (David wrote nearly half of the book of Psalms, song after song of God’s amazing love.)

There is no where in the universe God cannot find you, bring you back and sort out your mess to His Glory.  Just let Him!

Love,

Gretchen

Like water spilled on the ground which cannot be recovered, so we must die. But God does not take away life; instead, He devises ways so that a banished person may not remain estranged for him. 2 Samuel 14:14 (Chapters 13-18)

The warrior king proves to be a poor domestic leader.  David’s son Amnon rapes his half-sister Tamar, setting off a festering rage in her brother Absalom. David does nothing to console or punish those involved, and eventually, Absalom avenges his sister’s shame by murdering Amnon. This infighting among David’s children became the most troublesome issue of David’s reign.

The words above are part of a defense given to David, in the form of a fake law-suit, to make the point that Absalom should be allowed to return home. It had its intended effect, but the relationship between father and son never recovered. Knowing that Solomon was the intended heir to the throne, a bitter Absalom attempted a well planned coup. This resulted in his death, further grieving David and weakening his strength as Israel’s leader.

The complexities and tragedies of human relationships are splayed across the dysfunctions of David’s household, but through the mire of man’s disaster, God’s perfect plan of redemption and restoration can be seen. It is God’s sole purpose, to restore all that is broken and make it whole again. Do not allow your mind to imagine otherwise. Cling to hope, live in faith and let love do its work.

Love,

Gretchen

Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” Nathan replied, “The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die.”  2 Samuel 12:13 (2 Samuel 10-12, I Chronicles 19)

David’s kingdom continues to expand.  While his army was waging springtime campaigns, David remained in his palace where a rooftop stroll introduced him to lust for a married woman, Bathsheba. He slept with her and she conceived. David tried to disguise his sin, but Uriah, Mr. Bathsheba, was of noble character, so David resorted to murder and Uriah perished. God sent Nathan, His prophet, to rebuke David.

From this moment on, the course of David’s life is one of a bitter harvest for what he sowed. This man, described as a man after God’s heart, showed that he did indeed, long to enjoy a relationship with God. David repented and God was gracious and forgave, but his actions created a domino effect of consequences that brought tragedy and grief to his household.

Sin cannot be undone. It can however, be forgiven and washed away. David resides in Heaven, the scripture says he did not die. He lives eternal because he was forgiven. However, he brought shame on the heads of others. David, who loved God first, submitted himself to God’s justice and God was faithful.

David made a mess of things, but the One who wove the universe together had everything under control. From David’s throne came our Savior, Christ the King.  Don’t underestimate Grace!

Love,

Gretchen

David asked, “Is there anyone still left in the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” 2 Samuel 9:1

In the years of Saul’s jealousy and persecution of David, David had an advocate and protector, Jonathan.  Jonathan was Saul’s son, heir to the throne, but knowing God had another, plan he accepted it and loved David. They made a covenant, 1 Samuel 20:16 and after David established his house in Jerusalem, he endeavored to honor his friend.

On the day of Saul and Jonathan’s death, Jonathan’s five year old son, Mephibosheth, was whisked away to safety by his nurse, as it would have been customary for the new king to completely annihilate the previous king’s household to prevent any uprisings. While fleeing, Mephibosheth suffered an injury that permanently crippled both his feet. Mephibosheth and his servants took refuge in Lo Debar. The name means “no pasture.”  It was a low, dry, barren place no one would want to reside.

Mephibosheth was a grown man when word came to present himself to the king.  It is certain that he understood this summons to mean death, but instead, David made him equal to own sons, with all the rights and riches he would have enjoyed had his father become a king. He was  changed from desert, poverty and to a child of the king!

King David had every right to wipe Saul’s existence for all generations, off the face of the earth, and yet, he chose not to, because of a promise made to his friend.  This is called Mercy.  THEN!David invited Mephibosheth to his table as one of the family, never to live in fear again.  He  became a new creature. This is Grace.

It is a beautiful thing when man sets aside their entitlements, real or assumed, to live and respond like Jesus. In this season in which we celebrate Immanuel, our God who left the divine wonder of Heaven to live among us, then die so that we could live, peace among ALL men should be our object.

Blessings,

Gretchen 

There are a few standards that rule the Rooney travel tradition, and when I say travel, I mean from home to work and/or from sea to shining sea.  Moving from place to place always includes, “Come on honey, I know a short cut!” and “I would google it, but there’s no phone service.” Before cell phones, we had global positioning assistance, but believe it or not, there are places even satellites can’t find and redirect you. Obviously we’ve always arrived home safe and sound……with a tale to tell and legends to laugh about.

One Christmas break Keith and I contracted the delivery of two, new school buses, to High Point, North Carolina. We began our 830 mile trip early on the 20th of December feeling confident we’d return home late on the 23rd. Just in case you ever wanted to know, it is further across Tennessee (440 miles) than New Mexico or Arizona. A drive through the Appalachians is always a delight, but as we arrived in High Point, an absolutely amazing city, the home furnishings and hosiery capitol of the world, a weather report indicated snow and ice separated us from home. 

The decision was made to go south where the precipitation would be liquid. After a quick stop for Krispy Kreme’s and coffee, we headed into the nighttime, determined to be home before Christmas Eve. Soon we had to choose, steer over the hills and through the woods and risk the last remnants of a winter storm, or continue southward, adding hours and fuel to our trip.  I voted south for safety, but the gypsy I hitched my wagon to, said, “We can make it.” Off we went, over a narrow mountain pass. Minutes in, our GPS let us know we were in ‘No Man’s’ land and the silent span of black space was intimidating. Rounding a bend in the road Keith slammed on the brakes. The mountain side had given way to gravity and was covering the highway. Warm dirt fogged as it met cold air. An entire spectrum of emotions swept over Keith and me as we turned to check on our sleeping, oblivious daughters.

We were delayed, not detoured or deterred. But we were exhausted. Remembering we had Christmas gifts hidden under some blankets, we pulled out a new Disney release. We felt sure the girls would never know and the animated comedy would keep two worried adults awake and distracted until dawn brought relief.

The wee hours of Christmas Eve brought us to our driveway.  Gifts were wrapped, but when the paper was pealed away on the 25th, a little voice became concerned when her new video held no disc. (Finding Nemo was still in the car DVD player.)

It was awhile before we could all laugh about that dark night and a used Christmas gift, but every adventure is a day of growing and learning. God’s hand of love and protection is crystal clear in hindsight and our hearts were and still are, full of gratitude. While the landslide didn’t send us helplessly off the cliff, our reaction to the stress could have ruined our relationship and family. And, our children could have chosen to hold selfish grudges over their parent’s absent minded mistakes. 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

All choices don’t mean the difference between failure or success. Sometimes it’s only a matter of scenery, and every empty box doesn’t mean a blessing withheld, just delayed. BUT, grace and mercy were given and received and life went forward productively. It’s the best choice all day, everyday!

Blessings,

Gretchen

O Sovereign LORD, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. 2 Samuel 7:28 (2 Samuel 4-8, I Chronicles 3, 11-14,)

Ish-Bosheth, Saul’s son who challenged David’s throne, is stabbed to death in his sleep. Again, David does not tolerate murder and serves justice and disgrace on the guilty.  Israel is now united under one king and Jerusalem is conquered and renamed, City of David. The fortress is strengthened and a palace built. The Ark of the Covenant is brought to Jerusalem and David makes plans to build a temple, a permanent home for the Ark. God has other plans and sends word that the Temple will be the next king’s legacy. David offers sincere praise for God’s faithful provision and redemption. 

David was very successful. He took an insignificant nation and turned it into a mighty kingdom, possibly the most powerful on earth at the time. God denied him the privilege of establishing a permanent home for the Ark, but instead, gave a greater promise. David’s house will be forever. Even though David did not build the Temple, he drew the plans, provided materials, wrote liturgy and music, and organized duties for worship. He left his mark and Jerusalem became both a religious and political capitol for God’s people.

David’s humble obedience makes possible divine resources, a blessing he would not have had otherwise. God’s power in our lives is often minimized by our inability to comprehend the possibility of what He alone can do when we simply trust and rely.

Love,

Gretchen

The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time. David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. II Samuel 3:1 (Chapters 2:8-3)

After the death of Saul, only Judah followed David.  The commander of Saul’s army, Abner challenged David’s right to the throne, promoting Saul’s son Ish-Bosheth as the rightful king. A civil war ensues.

For two years the battles were bloody and brutal. It would be seven more years before the nation was united under David. Hebron, the burial place of Abraham, was David’s headquarters. His strength and family grew and Abner decided to give his allegiance to David.  He arrives in Hebron to propose an agreement. David sent Abner away in peace, but Joab, David’s commander and nephew, held an implacable hatred for him, felt he was deceiving David and devised and carried out a plan to murder him. 

David again, led his people in grieving a lawless death and prays for justice to be served on the wicked. David’s faith in God’s sovereign authority was the foundation of his life’s work. He knew God would deal in truth and righteousness and he could rest in peace and assurance.

As the story plays out before men in 2018 A.D., God’s order is obvious, but as David lived it in real time it was a primitive era with years of tainted social order. David depended on a strong ethical and moral standard as his guide and God honored him. 

A straight plum line of consciousness is a very good helpmeet. When you do what’s right, God’s has a lot of room to do His good….for you and others.

Love,

Gretchen

Now then, be strong and brave, for Saul your master is dead, and the house of Judah has anointed me king over them.” II Samuel 2:7 (II Samuel 2:1-7, I Chronicles 1-10)

With Saul’s death, David gives time to grieve and then inquires of God for his next move. David gives a blessing to the men that showed kindness by burying Saul and Jonathan and encourages them, as the transition from Saul’s house to David’s will have its turmoil. 

Chronologically the book of Chronicles parallels the narratives of Saul’s demise through the fall of Jerusalem and Babylon’s rise.  I Chronicles begins and continues for 9 chapters with the genealogy of God’s people from Adam to Saul. The writer is simply preserving history and interpreting it with this key fact: Peace and prosperity are residuals of obedience to God. Do not forget! Someone (Chronicles author) wanted to remind Israel, God’s judgement was a reality, but His promises awaited those who were faithful.

God promised David a lasting dynasty, a hope for all mankind.  This was fulfilled through a helpless, tiny baby, with a less than perfect family tree, and an infinite supply of mercy and grace. God’s covenant kept is our assurance of life eternal.  God is faithful.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Gretchen