Reconnecting with the life of David: A Journey into mature love

I just spent the morning transferring my notes from my old bible into my new one. Who wants paper books eh?

Definitely the book with the most notes, highlights, circled words and thoughts is 1 Samuel - so far. I have gone from Genesis to 1 Samuel this morning. And even more particularly, the point at which the author introduces "the man after God's own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14) and the one "prepared for God" - to be King (1 Samuel 16:1) The one who is better than Saul. (1 Samuel 15:28)

How important is it that we reconnect with the life of this young man. As a young man, I have always felt such courage reading the life of David. Since I won't be spending too much time comprehensively looking at the other sources where David shines, ie 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Psalms, or even the gospels, I will be offering a few direct and poignant observations from the book itself. If a thought concerning another book comes up, I will write it for encouragement, but just see this article as taking some time to digest the experiences of this young man.

I have not got to 2 Samuel, so a look at His royal career is not in the cards for this, but will of course talk about the overall flow of what is being communicated.

A bit of context. Samuel, the boy that was an answer to prayer, and consequently became a Levite because his mother Hannah gave Him to the LORD, grew up in the days in which the Ark of the covenant was taken out of the temple of the LORD and subsequently given into the hand of the Philistines. the same people that terrorized David's generation. He from a young age became a prophet of the LORD and none of his words fell to the ground. The context leading up to David's entrance is rather a bleak look at how Human ingenuity and sensibility threaten the plan of God for His people. It was during the reign of the judges. It was the end of the judges and the beginning of the kingdom of Israel. But, just as in judges there was not a king, so everyone did as he pleased (from the last chapter of Judges) equally, such carelessness had fallen over the priesthood. The sons of the High Priest were guilty of gross sin, by forcing people to be offended by offerings, and keeping for themselves the best (as well as engaging in sexual immorality). It forced people into departing from God. They died, their father died due to negligence, and the Ark, which was God's presence in Israel was taken away.

This Samuel was instructed by God to go to a town named Bethlehem and anoint one Son as King of Israel.

This Son by being anointed was in stark contrast to the other Sons. He was chosen for the heart, where as each one was subsequently sent away, until the one that was to be anointed comes. And in this he was anointed with the Spirit of the LORD, continually.

A wee thought about the initial encounter. David had been chosen due to the closeness of His heart with Yahweh. He does in the next few chapters, demonstrate just how human he is, and yet compelling for many reasons. He was the only one in the camp to even mention the affront of Goliath coming into the camp every day, every morning, every evening, because each other was unable to even speak a word against this threat. All they could say was "how threatening is this man!" (1 Samuel 17:25) His Father had sent him only to provide food for his brothers. Saul had resisted him because He was a youth. His brothers were putting him in his place just for the sake of it. Every person in the camp of the Israelites could only talk about the reward to the man that would defeat Him. In stark contrast to this David says:

“What shall be done for the man who kills this Philistine and takes away the reproach from Israel? For who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?”'

I Samuel 17:26
https://www.bible.com/bible/114/1SA.17.26

He addresses his brothers by saying this: Is there not a cause? (1 Samuel 17:29)

He addresses Saul by saying that he has defeated lion and bear, because the LORD delivered him from the threat of the lion and bear.

He at the sight of goliath runs quickly to meet him in battle, and subsequently uses stones to defeat him, and then cut off his head. The point of these things is that the victory was already with God, and that He gave him over into his hand.

He would go back every day to tend the sheep, the ministry that His father had given him, even when in the royal service, and this demonstrates his character. He would do the thing that His Father was about. He would be faithful. If it was given to his charge, then he would do it. Not only does this speak of respect, and honor, but also that He didn't so much as care for the applause of people. He went back because He would do it without anyone looking.

I said that he was very human.

When Saul was pursuing his life, and forced to hide in caves, roam the wilderness, and evade capture, He had pangs of conscience. Like. I've had plenty of pangs of conscience, some more aware than others. Usually if I've done something that I regret, i go back and make it right with people. David had pangs of conscience. In this particular instance, what made Him think through his actions was this: That Saul is the Lord's anointed. What would happen to me if I raised my hand against the Lord's anointed? Then He commanded his men to  not lay a hand on him.

What was happening here was David was bearing with the injustice with grace. It was communicating that He trusted God in the times of testing and would be content on waiting on Him for His deliverance, His promise to be done, and His ultimate good. 

'Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand Against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me. The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord , endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.' Psalms 138:7-8 https://www.bible.com/bible/114/PSA.138.7-8

He did this twice. (1 Samuel 24:7, 26:9)

He obviously, could not take the kingship if there still was a King on the throne. He in his reasoning in these chapters determines to show kindness to Saul rather than to take it by force. 

Two things come up in this journey of grace in David. One is that He is wanting to do the right thing, but that failure is seen emotional pressures. the other is that He wants to do the right thing, but moral failure makes Him do the opposite.

For example. In 1 Samuel 25 we read the story of how David decides to take vengeance into his own hands over the grievance of Nabal. In this story it is Abigail, Nabal's wife, that implores David to see reason - affirming that He is King, and in the days of his royal reigning He won't even think of this grievance. The other is that she asks him for the punishment to fall on her. He was taking vengeance into his own hands. He had reasoned that Saul was under God's divine purpose, however taking the thing into his own hands was still a big problem for him.

Another time, in 1 Samuel 21 he lies to the High Priest and subsequently is responsible for the slaughter of his whole family. (1 Samuel 22:22)

However on a whole, his wilderness wanderings produced in Him grace for the purpose of achieving God's will, rather than his own. 

An example of the first kind of failure is in chapter 27. This began a season in which David migrated to Ziklag, a city of the Philistines, and gave up on ever being King. the intervention was, at the hand of God, the burning of the city and the taking away of the families of his men and his own. (1 Samuel 30:1-5)

He would purposely keep secret all of his dealings, so that it never got out what He was doing. the King of the Philistines believed David to be under his thumb, and would never turn away. This speaks to the emotional breakdown happening in this season. The word of God providentially indicates the exact time frame of the whole season. (1 Samuel 27:7)

Even though young when called (1 Samuel 16) it was not until mature age that He ended up becoming King. (2 Samuel 1, 2 Samuel 4) what would I do if I knew that my youth was going to be spent running around a wilderness, being pursued for life? and that God would use this season to speak to the heart and prepare me? chances are, you would question that too? I mean, what is God thinking taking the best of my life and provide me for Himself? That's the point. I'm not saying He didn't escalate. the first few years He did. He went from shepherd boy to court musician, to a commander in the army and living in the royal palace. Yet, and here's why the whole point is grace. Even when he was in the courts of the King his attitude was "I am poor, and beggarly, why would I be made a prince?" 1 Samuel 18 repeats this phrase over and over in the NKJV. David behaved wisely. We are even fortunate to see His wisdom in action, in the fact that while in royal courts, he was still David.  He was still saying, "I must go and prove it by my deeds" I will take Michal as wife, because we love each other. I'm going to go and circumcise a host of philistines for the royal treasury. He was wise because Saul was trying to kill him. It became clear that through His wisdom, and God's plans, that He would actually be a constant grievance to Saul. Clearly, part of the wisdom given to David was related to the fact that He was not afraid. He showed he was not afraid to Goliath. But the source of that courage was not brute forcing it. He knew His God. He did the exploits of God because He knew His God. He did think about his actions. He did have sober judgment about himself. He did behave wisely in His life. This all paints the picture as to the accreditation of David by God. God provided David for himself. 

The first time the discipline of God became paramount was after the insanity of Saul began to take hold completely. He would throw spears at David in his own house to kill him, and now he was pursuing David's life except for the intervention of the Kings son, Jonathan. This insanity would turn into him trying to solidify his position, be convinced of lies concerning David, and plot and scheme. The prophecy regarding Saul was bearing fruit and growing, that He was exercising witchcraft, and listening to terrible men for advice, and zealots for the nation who had no love for God in their hearts. Yes Doeg. But it all started way earlier. He began to follow David to his house, and set guards around David's home. What was David's response? challenge me on this if you can, but He wrote a psalm. He played his heart out to God. He rejoiced in the destruction of the wicked, those who "prowl around like dogs, insatiable" and praised God for his deliverance. His great kindness and mercy and His understanding as the beloved of God's heart. Psalm 59. He knew his portion was God would destroy all His enemies. that He would reign from the throne and it would be a partnership with God. It was a promise of God that Israel would be the head, not the tail, unchallenged, blessed with prosperity, and unmoveable because of the salvation of the righteous. 

I'll finish with some last words the author speaks in this book. 

'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.' I Samuel 30:6 https://www.bible.com/bible/114/1SA.30.6

There's this picture of David entering the priestly service in this book. This verse here is preceding that verse, where David courageously inquired of God concerning the affair and then leads his men in deliverance of the captors. These chapters also are underpinned by the character of David. He chooses to give the spoil to all, it is the Lord's deliverance and so will not go to the wicked and worthless men (the bibles own words; 1 Samuel 30:22) 

You can't make this stuff up. The next chapter the wickedness of Saul is repaid, but now David is sitting at his home in Philistine territory, where the city has been burned, plundered and everyone taken captive, including his own wives, and his family, and the families of His men. Something about this strikes me as completing it. In 1 Samuel 22 the chapter begins with people coming to David from all over Israel with families, being distressed, helpless, and feeling alone. Depressed, the next few chapters reveal the anxiety of his men, and His leadership, in simply asking the Lord what is to happen. And their courage grows. Yet, now they are ready to stone and kill David. Obviously fear gives way to desperation at what can be done. Their first thought is to stone the man that lead them all the way here. If David was wrestling with his own faults and failures you wouldn't know it. Because the text says "David strengthened himself in the Lord His God" the word here strengthened literally means to seize. yes there was a wrestle but who was it with? it was with the Lord His God! I honestly can't think of a more beautiful picture in all of scripture. At the prospect of being stoned to death he lays hold of God for dear life. He demonstrates here that indeed God's choosing of David was right. The fact that he prays right after this, and with the confidence of a priest speaks to the belovedness of David. 

This verse communicates that David's valiance is God, that his surety is God, that His faith is in God, that His strength is with God, that His encouragement is God, that His praise is coming from God. 

You can't make this stuff up. A man that failed morally and failed due to emotional stress is seen behaving morally and behaving emotionally connected. In fact, He has spoken to the battle that was raging on here. Psalm 18 describes the belovedness of David. It describes the warfare that He did here, the strength that He exhibited here. Knowing God. 

I will say this to finally end. Beloved, that is who you are. Jesus has listened when you speak close to his heart, and told you the secrets of His heart. You are the one that He died for, that He gave everything for, plundering death, and saying "no more!" to sin's empty promises. David died, as the bible speaks, but Jesus, he reigns eternally. Is not His word worth more to you than life? are you not glad that it didn't end with a man who has moral failures? and who knows what it's like to be oppressed, by himself? As far as God delights in the life of David, because of failure, we have an even securer portion available, One that stands in the presence of God and intercedes for us. Pouring from the heart of David is a heart that wants to know God, and this is the strength that He exhibits pouring out the wisdom of beauty. 

Beautiful you are

I just composed a song which was on my heart as I met with God's mercy afresh today - that's awesome God!

Beautiful you are

I've been going through the book of Romans this year with Bible study fellowship. If you want to find out about the organisation follow this link to the global site - I really recommend at least going through a book of the bible together. This organisation have very good studies which take a year to go through. Ours started in february and have been plodding through Romans. I would recommend reading this book if you have a few holes in your understanding about the gospel. This is where I was at the beginning of the study. I actually read through Romans by myself as part of a study bible called the New Inductive Study Bible however even though reading through it I didn't grasp some of the more important things (I did this rather rushed, like in a week, which explains why I did not take the time to learn it) but still realised how crucial this book is. I remember feeling that this would massively mature my understanding about how secure I am - it is by grace through faith, and that I get my identity from God - instead of what my feelings tell me. So I cautiously approached getting others involved so that we could go through this together. This was when I heard about bsf running Romans. I'm glad I did.

All that to introduce the post. I should have left a disclaimer about advertising hah.

This morning I woke up to the anxiety of thinking about a question, the question was "is there anything that you have done in the past that you still feel guilty about?" and the follow up to that, "what guilt do you have over things that you have not done?"

The question was part of my study in Romans - chapter 4, highlighting Faith, apart from works, apart from blessing, and apart from what you see.

So it encouraged me through the life of David, what can you learn from His life to atone for your guilt, of what you've done wrong.

I was struggling with some terrible decisions that I made in the past, which at the time alienated me from people, and guilt that I did not really have an answer for. I just felt incredibly torn, and unable to come to terms with my own fault, or where the fault was. I had given myself license to get angry at people because I was defending my own right to look after myself. But also didn't know whether I was chiefly responsibly for it, or was it compounded by others. In other words, the "guilt" i was experiencing was over what I should or shouldn't be doing in regard to these relationships. I honestly had no answer for what I was going through. But... and this is the hope that I've received from meeting with God this morning. He has provided righteousness for me so that I can be forgiven, and walk free of my guilt, and genuinely seek the well being of those that I've injured.

So what did I learn?

The lesson is that when I've been angry, frustrated, hypocritical to my own standards, it's actually been with God. Healing balm of Gilead. I'm miserable over the division that I've caused by needing to be right. Then the floodworks came. God loves me anyway. God chooses me again. He walks over to me again. He provides mercy again. He listens to my complaint again. He reassures me again. He gives freedom again. He puts his heart on the line for me again. He as much as I woke up with a heavy heart over sin because I woke up with a heavy heart over my sin. That I wanted to make it right, yeah I don't deny. But i was lost and broken. And i thought it was all my fault. And I went from bad to worse trying to make things right (read: approaching people that had just been furious with me and trying to reconcile within a day. Even though them and I were both disgusted at each other, terrified of what people will think and acting as the proverbial "casting pearls before swine")

The beautiful melody of heaven rings in my ears

"I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene
I wonder at how he could love me
A sinner condemned unclean"

Oh man the sobbing began.

This is majesty. A just and righteous God kneeling down to make me clean. A kiss from heaven as I depart from my own ungodliness and am brought into the freedom of the sons of God. Yes this is the moment that Jesus was all his life waiting for. He does this, because, unlike our religious mindset, he is the one waking the dawn with mercy. He is the one stepping down from his high place to sit with the needy. He's the one weeping over the destruction that sin has caused. He's the one furious in love that will not be challenged by idols.

Oh the mercies of God are new every morning!

Thoughts on gift giving and offering our talents

This is certainly not going to be an exhaustive letter about the subject, but recently God moved on my heart and it was the most peaceful thing I could experience. I still don't have any words for what happened. It's filled me with admiration for God. The thought I have is that we who are His children, those who have been sanctified by Him, who are his inheritance, could learn a lot from Exodus 30-31. I have been reading it today. This won't be a eloquent letter about the passage. But I just wanted to share what's on my heart. The passage, if you read in context, refers to God's spirit being given to the people, so that they would know Him more.

The first chapter is talking about the preciseness of worship. It mentions the altar of incense, the redemption of Israel, the bronze laver (a watering basin) the holy anointing oil, by which everything was anointed, the incense, and then in 31, the chapter i'm focusing on, it mentions that God "gives" his spirit to Bezalel, and Ahisamach, who were from the tribe of Judah and Dan respectively. These men "carried" his spirit, in all the work of the tabernacle. If you jump forward these men commissioned the rest of the congregation, to do lesser works, but they were in charge of the greater works. God chose to anoint His people in the work of His tabernacle. He had already chosen and made manifest the wisdom of Himself to two men, and through them, the congregation would construct the tabernacle. Now the rest of the book mentions the construction of this tabernacle.

Tabernacle is literally the word for tent. It's furnishings and contents were temporary. the Tabernacle itself was not in a fixed position, but went wherever God went. In fact, as part of the tabernacle, the ark rested in the place that God rested. The people followed God and they followed the tabernacle that was constantly with them.

Of the tabernacle Isaiah speaks in Isaiah 4:

The Branch of the Lord

2 In that day the Branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel.3 Those who are left in Zion, who remain in Jerusalem, will be called holy, all who are recorded among the living in Jerusalem. 4 The Lord will wash away the filth of the women of Zion; he will cleanse the bloodstains from Jerusalem by a spirit[a] of judgment and a spirit[b] of fire. 5 Then the Lord will create over all of Mount Zion and over those who assemble there a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night; over everything the glory[c] will be a canopy. 6 It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain.

Fascinating that the picture of God's glory in this passage is the picture of a tabernacle. Fascinating also that the word that is used of Jesus is the tabernacle, He "dwelt among us" (John 1:14) he is living with us. He took on the form of a servant to make us holy towards God.

There is a fascinating verse in the 31st chapter. it reads:

[Exo 31:12-14 NKJV] 12 And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 13 "Speak also to the children of Israel, saying: 'Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it [is] a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that [you] may know that I [am] the LORD who sanctifies you. 14 'You shall keep the Sabbath, therefore, for [it is] holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does [any] work on it, that person shall be cut off from among his people.

Why the significance of the Sabbath? Because it says "that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you" and "you shall keep the Sabbath therefore, for it is holy to you"

There's much that's on my heart regarding this passage, for it is the only verse here which actually commands them to keep, and the reason for it. The word holy means "set apart" meaning "only for this purpose" yet God is holy. This speaks of the God who cannot be contained by anything. For if someone were to be holy, it would be like saying "you are my possession" But when God is holy, it refers to his nature and character, the completeness of His person in entirety. that is why God is holy, why He is set apart. The verse speaks of the day being "holy to you" meaning, it was created for you. Yet in the previous verse it says "that you may know that I am the LORD" this knowing of the LORD is the direct result of keeping sabbath. if he had his reason, it would be "because you will know me" but it is holy to you, meaning that the day alone is yours. Do this: every day that you have, give it to God. He will fill it.

God chose to give skill to his people, so that His tabernacle would be built. He gave His spirit to empower His people in the work. This is a picture of what Christ has done for the church, possessing them the ones that are gifts to Him, but it's His will that He would be so enthroned as the one to whom the rebellious and captives are submitting to.

[Psa 68:18 NKJV] 18 You have ascended on high, You have led captivity captive; You have received gifts among men, Even [from] the rebellious, That the LORD God might dwell [there].

The message says:
You climbed to the High Place, captives in tow,
    your arms full of booty from rebels,
And now you sit there in state,
    God, sovereign God!

he gave his accreditation over it.

That's someone I can follow, because unlike Bezalel and Ahisamach, His spirit was not given by measure. When he asked them to construct the place that would be the center of worship for the congregation, He gave them skill as far as their ability. He empowered them to turn the dreams of his heart into things that could be seen.

I was at a meeting listening to Shane Claiborne share his experience about what Jesus had led him into. The prevailing notion was, I've got to get my life right. I'm currently wasting my life.  It was the wake up call I needed to simply be with God. Only God knows my heart, only he tells me who I am, only He can speak fire into my heart and give my heart the freedom it desires, to be wholly his. Why is that? I mean, have you ever asked yourself what is so fascinating about the people that have caught your wonder? What is it about them that makes them so alluring? do they do anything? is it a reflection of what dwells in my heart? Rather than that being really inconsequential, this is the place that God desires to dwell. He desires to wake up the heart from its slumber. He desires to have mercy on weak and broken people. He looks forward to pouring Himself out and being known for love. He is defiant to the point of shedding his own blood. He is the plumb line of right and truth. I really wouldn't know what to do without him. Augustine says "man shall not find rest, until He find his rest in Him[God]"

The last thing I want to leave with you is that it was all God ordained. It was He who was in control of the building of His own dwelling. And when it was commissioned, the people gave willingly. That literally screams to me of how much God is about His own worship. People say "God's job, God's bill" He is not lacking who made Heaven and earth. Jesus, don't let me pass an opportunity where you are calling me.

Okay, so God is worthy of our worship and adoration. We don't give to Him anything that is not His. Majesty! wonder! the best things in life, are things that we belong to. the thing that is sacred, is the thing that we were made for. Join me in living by His spirit, reflecting His own goodness. I want to be undone by God when he looks at me, when He smiles at me, when I hear Him speak, I want to have a desire that only God can satisfy. The point is, in light of the beauty of Himself, is anything really given? is it going back to Him as being from me?

What I feel like saying right now, is that it is not even the thought we are really thinking. I've lived too long on this earth to live like today doesn't matter, that tomorrow should be my goal in living a better life. Of putting off that love that fills me now. I was literally a fool for thinking that my life was hard. No matter what you are going through, the fragrance of praising Him is something that strikes his heart, because it is offered.

I equally don't want to live like others have something I don't. because breaking it down to its essential parts only shows that the person I envy has far more to carry than I do. I wouldn't envy them in the least if I knew what it would cost them to leave it all behind. I know that's a negative way at looking at it. But such foolishness is wisdom to God, if I can leave it all behind and turn my heart once again to Him and say He's completely worth it! The reason we object is only because of fear, fear of letting go, of not being in control. and such fear is rooted in our fear of man, of what He can do to us, or maybe even fear of the devil, for the fact that he prowls.

Okay, so i used the word "leave it all behind" in two different ways in the last paragraph, i just meant, that if someone were to reject all God's love and life, and to call it quits, i would not envy them for it. I guess i was saying it because I carry a burden each day. Yet, my hearts desire is that I could leave it all behind, really, truly, that my life would not keep me from having the love of Him fill my whole being. I think the two are connected anyway.

God's spirit is not a spirit of fear, equally it's not a spirit of control. It's a spirit of joyful anticipation and boastful delight.

Please let me know what you think. I'm really inspired and want to hear what He's upto in your neck of the woods. 

Identity in God is expressed in loving our brothers and sisters

God my Father reminded me this morning of how my identity in Him is expressed in my loving my brothers and sisters in Christ. This was something we learned at Equip in January, but to be honest, have not looked at the passage since. It's from 1 John 3:11-24.

I’m reading from the New King James Version:

[1Jo 3:11-24 NKJV] 11 For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, 12 not as Cain [who] was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous. 13 Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love [his] brother abides in death. 15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. 16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down [our] lives for the brethren. 17 But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 19 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. 20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. 22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. 24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

When I was younger, I was bullied my my peers, and I kept on telling myself I needed to do something about it. It left me quite fragile, having wanted to make friends at school. At the time I didn’t think anything of it, but it intimated to me what I would later recall that I needed to make friends, and they needed to accept me. I have aspergers syndrome, the very reason I struggled with it is because inside I was very uncomfortable in who I am. Even remembering my friendships at school, they were marked by me wanting to do things with people. At the end of high school, I made some friends, and decided it was more important than my studies.

What lies have I believed since then, about my character, my personality, my confidence, and who people have said I am? What has kept me back from being the person God has called me to be? Well I realised in January that it was because I didn’t really root myself in my identity as a child, a son or daughter of God. Don’t get me wrong, I have had wonderful experiences where Abba has marked me, chosen me, and also saved me from my fears.

I wouldn’t be the person I am today without these treasures from Heaven.

This is what John is writing towards the people that He loves. He is instructing them on how to love each other. He begins by saying:

[1Jo 3:11-15 NKJV] 11 For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, 12 not as Cain [who] was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous. 13 Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love [his] brother abides in death. 15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

The previous section ends with the words:

[1Jo 3:10 NKJV] 10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor [is] he who does not love his brother.

He’s declaring the truth about who they are. They are children of God because they practice righteousness, and also, that they love their brother. The reason that He says this is clear in the verses following. He states the truth (he did previously)

That if you do not practice righteousness you are not of God If you do not love your brother you are not of God If you murder you are of the wicked one (and we know that anyone that is angry with His brother is also a murderer) The reason that he murdered Him is because He did evil works (unaccepted by God) and the world is in hatred towards you because you have passed from death to life. It ends with these sobering words: “He who does not love His brother, abides in death” Because anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and a murderer cannot have eternal life abiding in him.

These are all directed towards the child of God.

When have you decided to reject the sayings of God on account of loving each other and practicing what is righteous? I will put it another way, What do you do when you fail at God’s commands? what is it that strengthens you when you fail to hit the mark?

Fear is what disables us in the face of love. But we know perfect love drives out fear. You cannot be complete in love when you fear.

Beloved, this is good news, whatever situation you are in, the truth is, you are marked by God. you are chosen, you are delighted in, you are bought with a price, and God laid down his life for you to demonstrate His love.

And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.

He then gives us remarks about how we practice love. It’s really important.

[1Jo 3:16-18 NKJV] 16 By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down [our] lives for the brethren. 17 But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

The first is a call to rest. “By this we know love “(how to act with love) “that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren”

I was having trouble understanding this verse until I saw the picture. The picture is we are children of God, and our identity in God is expressed in loving one another. The trial that comes is, are we afraid of His command, so that we should save ourselves, rather than laying down our lives for our brothers? the resemblance to Jesus, nay, to Cain and Abel is astounding. Cain was Abel’s brother! and yet what was his response? to murder and kill because His brothers deeds were righteous. Abel did the right thing, and Cain was furious at Him, for having not been accounted right before God. I hope you realise the ramifications of this.

When did it enter into peoples hearts to murder the people that are doing right? the ones that are standing for truth, that are loving each other, and known and identify with the truth? Cain was beyond redemption of human hands. His heart had been tainted the moment that He cherished lawlessness in His heart, sin crouched at his door, and He was mastered by it. This is why we cannot think lowly of sin, nor indeed of the effects of it towards our brothers and sisters. Sin was the reason that Cain slew able and walked lawless, insubordinate, and most lamentably, alone. God’s judgment on Cain was only because Cain did it. His idle heart looked to find recompense where none could be given. His heart slew His brother only, basically, for a piece of bread. What bread was He eating? it was the one that said “I will have justice on my adversary” even though His justice was blinded by His own greed and contemptible sense of right and wrong. and His adversary, no He did not see His accuser, He merely listened to the taunts of it each day and could not master it. God’s word to Cain was “ sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

God was extending redemption to Cain that could not be bought. He explains it as “to rule over” which means to subdue it because you are the master, you are the one in control.

Remember Jesus, what Jesus was able to accomplish, not because He looked to recompense, but because His heart is forever connected with the forever. He has tasted death for all, that all should have life through Him. Abel died, yet Jesus, he lives. If we put our confidence in Jesus, the man God, perfect in all of His ways, then we find such sweet rest and redemption from Him that cannot be spoiled by our works. God is eternally youthful in his dealings with us, unchangeable, because just like Jesus, the Father also is wanting a family, to have sons and daughters that are connected with Him, abiding in Him, and waiting for Him, cherishing intimacy as the children of God, and that know their God. that know Him and are confident, even when lies and accusation come their way. This courage cannot be birthed by great works, this confidence cannot come from living for the reward. Don’t get me wrong - Abel and Jesus all looked to the reward. But what sustained Jesus (let us just focus on Him) is his connection to the forever. the Father, the alpha and omega. That He lived out this passage. He lived out what it looked like to have identity in God and expressed in loving His brothers and sisters. the ones that Are so precious to Him, because He looks at us with the same eyes as the Father does. Resting in the Fathers love. Not being intimidated by anger and lust, and lies.

This is why we should lay down our lives for the brethren in giving materially for their needs. I want to say so much more about this.

The reason that He says this is because we have such small love for our brothers, that we wont even take care of their material needs. How can we clothe them in eternal splendour if the most ready and practical expression of loving each other we don't even consider.

Yes, it is saying practical outworking of love is found in giving to the needy, the ones that have financial stress, the ones that are under obligation from creditors, that are bound by their own choices and needing rescue. Again, the reason that the Israelites gave to the needy, was because it was prescribed in the law. They gave because it was an obligation, a command to. Their financial stability relied upon their tithe. If they didn't offer to those that had need, their whole way of life would stumble. It was the levites that experienced this blessing. They looked to the sacrifices that were offered as their daily bread. They ministered to God out of the offering that they received, which they gave back to God, and who were also responsible for teaching the population the ways of God. If we stop doing this, we forfeit that love that God has expressed towards us, because we do not consider the purpose of the giving.

What are some other practical outworkings of love that you can think, that you have not been doing, but He's putting on your heart now? What are the motivations of those practical outworkings? is it because you want to know God?

And so we get to the last section:

[1Jo 3:19-24 NKJV] 19 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. 20 For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. 22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. 24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

the word "And" means that it links itself to the previous comment. Because you have done these things, because you are living in love, because you know Him, by this we know that we are of the truth.

The reason is because he's getting to the best part. the part that you can heave a sigh of relief, and come back to what really matters. "And" meaning practical outworking of love, that we should assure our hearts before Him - that phrase "before Him" means "see His face"

the word "For" means because. meaning, if you apply this, and your heart condemn you, listen to the truth. "God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved if your heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God"

The confidence we express toward God, or in God, is linked to the asking of prayers. We ask not, because we do not think we have a need (James 4:2) Such things arise from our hearts related to not asking, our greed, our murder, our idolatry. all things that have fallen away when we came to Christ. That confidence is in the asking, as Children we ask. That confidence is also an expression of our identity in Him, we fail not because we have confidence in God.

It's easy to get ahead of yourself when thinking this way. I mean if we are that invincible, that our old nature is taken away like the wind, Jesus, help me in my fear and unbelief!

verse 22 is a reminder of the rest of the section. if we keep his commands and do what is right in his sight, then we ask and receive.

It ends with what we believe. We believe that Jesus Christ is His Son, in his name we have life, and he gave us this commandment. It is not our own, but another that has said it for us. And if we keep His commands, chiefly to love one another, then we abide in Him. we Know this by the Spirit he has given us.

There is a great battle waged over the loving of our brother. It is that which is won by Jesus in His effectual love and sacrifice toward us. Being a christian, and living in love is expressed in our love for each other.

In what ways can we continue to love one another and live in love for the sake of Christ?

All the glory goes to Him, whom has rested our hearts by His presence.

How has that gone? is there any feedback for me from reading this devotion? I am actually really wanting to know, as I judge my own stuff only from my perspective. it would really help me so that I can get better at this.

Consecration

Hey, there was an act that I performed back in May of 2011 which has marked me and my walk with God. (here is the post)

At the time, I entered into this because I wanted to know God more. 

Just today, I was looking at how to give God everything. On thinking about how we all sin, and how our whole life is defined by that way of being, and in fact we all talk about breaking through and achieving freedom from the things that are inside of us, I realized something. To God we are sons, and to God we are daughters, we are all children of Him (Acts 17) we don't need to do anything to seek approval from Him, and what we are is not defined by what we do. However, God is God, he is our Father. When wrestling with God, Jacob asked "to bless me [with you]" he looked on the face of God, the shining of His face is the light in Heaven (Rev 21) the shining of His face is the acceptance of Sons, it is the security of daughters, it is the belonging of children. The shining of Jesus face is the filling of everything in Heaven above.

That's why I've decided to make a new commitment. This one is not like the commitments I have made before, it's not based on my performance, or my doubts, or my failings, it is a commitment I make with God above. It is already in force because I know Him whom my soul and all my heart and flesh desire. I am already consecrated by Him, as the shining of His face is the blessing that I am blessed with. I am not doing this for the sake of adding to something.

It says in his word the obedient heart follows. It says that you cannot really trust God if you don't obey. You can't become partners with Him, if you are hesitant about what you are going to do. I heard this earlier this week, when someone said that the reason most christians don't achieve great things is chiefly because they have never given God everything. You have to repent of not giving God everything. Let's make this relevant. I've been playing video games, knowing it was wrong, because I was only doing it for the sake of belonging, acceptance and security. I was doing it because I had pre-meditated myself to what it does. I bought into it, I was sold into the idea and then I worshipped it. 

But it doesn't have life, it doesn't produce feelings, it doesn't cultivate intimacy, it isn't the reason you were born, it doesn't add to the security that you feel in your being, or crown you with every joy and passion. 

I'm endeavouring by this commitment that I'm making, to do what has not been done before. Would you consider committing to being consecrated? If you're like me, then the prospect of a future is kind of apprehensive. What you're needing is confidence in what God says, and his plans and purposes. I'm not saying this in a vacuum. for me when I made the commitment to be anointed, i knew that I wanted to know God more. 

Recently I went to a prayer and worship meeting organized by Kate and Noah Cremisino. I was marked. The conversations that I had, the people that I fellowshipped with, and the joy of simply being in God's presence literally broke me free from the chains of not being able to call God Abba! I realized then that we are all lovesick worshippers, and that our identity comes from being the one that Jesus loves, and in our being is crying out for Himself. and choosing with our energy to live for Him. meaning, its enough to simply think of Jesus. that's proof we love Him. People don't do that unless they choose to, they don't stand up in front of people and pour out their heart to Him in a vacuum. It's because He means that much to us, and its a joy to live entirely sold out for Him, because we know Him to be worth everything. 

At the end I went to the front handled the mic and shared about how I called God Abba, and about how the direct result is i see my brothers and sisters as family, and have for the first time connected that He is my Father who chose me because of love for His Son, to ransom me from sin. My worth is astronomical to Him, but it's simply this, that He is my Father. He chose me, He loves me, delights to love me, and purposes all things as extensions of His love. 

Just to let you know, from this post I'm planning on getting consecrated again. I think in the second instance the joy will be far greater. He planned this in my mind, because I specifically remember talking to my friend Steven Thorne because I saw Him in the crowd as I was encouraging people with the testimony of calling God Abba. He asked me why that was, I had no answer. now I do. I know that God wants me to be consecrated by him, because He is a Father himself, and I know him (there's so much more to say, but when God does something all there's left to do is obey!) 

I'm aware that the nazirites in the day consecrated themselves, this was an extension of giving their whole lives to God - that they would undoubtedly do strange things to receive more from God. I'm obeying the command to be consecrated in this respect. It says in the word if anyone of the tribes want to give everything to God, that they ask the priest to consecrate them. 

It is also because I know him, that he appreciates symbolism. But it's more than symbolism because this is my life. I need to say this, as an extension of what I shared before. It is a deeply emotional thing that I'm doing, because I can say how good God is! who he is! and where my confidence in life comes from! 

Consider the verse in Psalm 27, where it says

"I would have despaired, unless I had believed, that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living"

Brothers, you will despair of hope without being connected with God. You will stake yourself on God because of His goodness, and see it with your own eyes. None of us can hope to achieve great things being outside of God. I'm offering you a new way to look at it

"I believe

and I will see

the goodness of you Lord,

will I yet live"

Let your faith totally rest on God, that in the end the belief in God will outweigh the pressures related to the journey that you're on. 

This is what David, in experience, knew. You can see that he was no slave, and he was no jaded person. He said it as it was. He did not cloak himself and do evil. He was pressured by the world as He saw it. He was aware of God, and that was the only thing that mattered. None of us can say we are righteous by our deeds. None of us can fully comprehend God, when He says "I will reward you for your good" both in how you act, and in His desire to bless. 

It is utterly beautiful what God says. 

Psalm 84 is a psalm that unlocks the heart to worship

in it the joy of the psalmist is evident in every word, as He approaches before God. Not only does it identify security (that the sparrow finds a place to rest her young) but also the state by which He himself is lovely (because of His dwelling) the chief beauty of his dwelling, heaven, is because He is there. That is why grace and glory and goodness are intertwined. It is because he knows that the loving heart will cry "Heaven is filled with the light of You" You can't look in the scripture and not see the passionate heart of God being expressed by those that love Him. Don't see love like it's only capable of being from one to another. Don't look at God's love and say "His love is so utterly immeasurable to me" (what can I give to Him?) surely when you love another person, you are loving yourself? surely when you look at God's love, you are yourself loved? 

And he did everything to make it so for you, He left nothing undone that needed to be for You to know Liberty. It's true that there are a bunch of things that you do, that are not connected to God. You have to go to school, have to go to work, have to check emails, go to doctor's appointments. where is God in that? If I go and choose to forget my own identity and destiny, and all in between, then my heart, it really needs liberty. It needs to live again. 

For me it was true that I put those things as opposing the idea of God, and didn't confess that my living, breathing and moving is in Him. that's what I think happens when you find worth in what you do. You can't rest. You can't appreciate that God is enough. the idea of doing public speaking, or doing tests, or talking to people, going to games, or the nervousness you feel in thinking no one will think of you when you're gone. that was my story. It's not the end of it. 

For me, how wise the ancient Hebrews were! 

they dwelled in the tent of Shem, they are the success story, the ones that God looks at. the mighty men who risked all, the various people in various places that stood up for God in the arena. The people infused with life on the inside, the faith that moves mountains, and conquers kingdoms. That refuses to give up, that presses in if only that He might come. that stands on promises and gives grace to hearers, the ones that purpose to live for love in a day and age that works for profit. Isn't that precious? isn't that worth it? Isn't the purpose of God's heart, to aid refugees, enough in itself? isn't the great likelihood that those who do such things are also looking at God's face, staring into love, and hearing His applause, saying "this one I have given all for" this is not a vacuum. This is not some cheap experiment it is the audience of Heaven and the song that they sing is "Worthy is the Lamb!"and "Salvation belongs to our God and to the Lamb" you are not alone, and you are not forgotten. You are precious because He says your beautiful. the fragrance of your love enough because you know Him. What i mean is, that if you want to appreciate the real beauty of someone you have to know them. There's no excuses. 

I got worked up there. All you need to know, all anyone needs to know, is precious! beautiful! worth it! being able to love again is the sweetest thing in my life right now. Being able to intertwine God's story with my own, that is the best. My heart, God is enough! I will yet praise Him! I will yet choose Him! Can you hear the cry of a worshipper? I don't think that love is enough, i know its enough. I know its everything. I know with certainty that Jesus is applauding me in Heaven and that with my breath, the breath that He gives me, it is enough. God is enough and will ever be my portion in this life.

You should probably know my biggest anxiety is the way to relate to my tutors. I've already tried to be confident before my tutors, but if I'm not confident, gosh I can tell myself strange things when I have a warped idea of what people say - coming from my past of being bullied, and treated shamefully. It's precious. it's life! it's worth more than rubies! It's worth greater riches than gold! For all that's good, I have to believe in love. 

And that if I withhold things, its not because of fear, it's because of trust again. 

I hope you've been blessed by the possibility of life. What has happened for you? what is your story? what is it you're struggling with? you may not want to be consecrated - 

For me, consecration is the way to purity. consecration is the way to boundless life. consecration is the way to pursue victory over sin. So I will fill myself of God wherever and whenever I can. That is why I am being consecrated. 

I think of it in terms of a marriage vow. I'm dependent on Him. 

A testimony is powerful. this is what I've given today. If you want to know, come to me. I will try to make known. 

All I'm saying, my prayer for you is that you increase in the knowledge of God, and that you find his heart, and that you have the courage to accept Him, and to leave it in His hands. Don't fret about tomorrow, or anxiousness you have regarding where things are coming from. Hidden in the heart of God is enough for every need of your heart. I'm telling myself this, since I am looking at the future currently. I'm ending my degree, my student allowance is ending, and I am only secure financially because of the generosity of others. Isn't that the way to live? my name means gift.