An American Missionary

“My friends. You bow to no one!” At the end of “The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King” the newly returned king, Aragorn, had just been crowned. As he walked among his subjects and allies they all bowed to him in recognition of his authority. When he came to the Hobbits, the humble people of the Shire who had played a key role in the defeat of the evil Sauron, he stopped them from bowing with those words, and then bent his own knee in humility before them. The returned king willingly humbled himself before the small and insignificant. 
 
Note the similarity of that scene with the actions of David as he returned to Jerusalem after the defeat of Absalom. As he was preparing to return he saw how the whole nation was bowing before him, eager for his return. The he realized that his own tribe, Judah, was apparently waiting to bow before him as he reentered Jerusalem. The needed to take the lead and join in the return of their King. He sent messengers to the priests and leaders in Jerusalem asking the elders of Judah: “Why are you the last to bring the king back to his house?” (2 Samuel 19:11). Calling them his brothers, his flesh and blood, David asked to be brought back in as their returning king. Rather than coming back as conqueror he needed to be invited to return as king (2 Samuel 19:12). 
 
When Aragorn bowed to the Hobbits it got everyone’s attention. When David spoke to Judah through the leaders with a request instead of an order it got their attention as well. Quickly they realized the need to step up and reunite the kingdom so they unanimously sent word to the king: “Return, you and all your servants.” (2 Samuel 19:14). All Judah met him at the Jordan River and escorted the king back into Jerusalem and led the way in reuniting the nation (2 Samuel 19:15). 
 
That humbled king points us to the cross and King Jesus who was also not ashamed to call us brethren (Hebrews 2:11).The King who bowed His head on the cross and sacrificed Himself for us was raised and returned to glory and honor (Hebrews 2:9). And that same King humbly asks us sinners, who like Judah have joined in rebellion against Him, to invite Him back in to reign as our King so we can join in His glory (Hebrews 2:10). We’re all small and insignificant, including you, and the King is patiently waiting at your heart’s door. Won’t you invite Him in?

“My friends. You bow to no one!” At the end of “The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King” the newly returned king, Aragorn, had just been crowned.  As he walked among his subjects and allies they all bowed to him in recognition of his authority. When he came to the Hobbits, the humble people of the Shire who had played a key role in the defeat of the evil Sauron, he stopped them from bowing with those words, and then bent his own knee in humility before them. The returned king willingly humbled himself before the small and insignificant.

Note the similarity of that scene with the actions of David as he returned to Jerusalem after the defeat of Absalom. As he was preparing to return he saw how the whole nation was bowing before him, eager for his return. The he realized that his own tribe, Judah, was apparently waiting to bow before him as he reentered Jerusalem. The needed to take the lead and join in the return of their King. He sent messengers to the priests and leaders in Jerusale

Inviting The King To Return  2 Samuel 19:9-15

Perhaps the saddest scene in the movie “Gladiator” is the one where Russell Crowe rushed home to find that soldiers had killed his wife and son. As he stood there touching his wife’s feet the tears and snot flowed down his face because of his broken heart. However it was done, they produced a graphic scene that depicted the reality of a truly heart-broken sobbing man. And, since it was such a personal pain, and he was a man’s man in the movie, we suspend the “bro’ code” and let him cry openly. No husband or father could condemn him in that situation. 
 
While there’s obviously no video of David crying about the death of his son Absalom we can get a good picture in our mind because the text says: “The king was deeply moved and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept” (2 Samuel 18:33). If you’re having a hard time picturing it look up the Russell Crowe scene online. As we noted yesterday it was so bad that it not only broke the bro’ code it undermined the entire army that had just risked their lives to save David’s (2 Samuel 19:1-7). 
 
That being said, it’s possible there’s additional, more positive way of understanding that scene of David’s heart break over the death of Absalom. It may also serve as an illustration of why he’s a man after God’s own heart. We sometimes forget that God has a heart too. Remember Samuel’s declaration to Saul: “Yahweh has sought a man after His own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14) and describes His own actions in emotional terms (angry, grieved, etc.). 
 
If God gets angry at the sin we commit how should we think He felt when Jesus died on the cross? Is it possible that even as He poured out His wrath at our sin that His heart was breaking as Jesus cried out in anguish? Remember the sky was darkened for three hours. The earth shook, the dead came out their graves for a short time, and the temple veil tore down the middle from top to bottom. God was no passive heartless observer. 
 
Now let’s get personal. Is it possible that God cries when we break His code? Is it possible His heart is broken when we turn away from Him and choose to sin? We had better believe it’s more than possible, and turn to the one who loves us enough to hurt for us even more than we do ourselves.

Perhaps the saddest scene in the movie “Gladiator” is the one where Russell Crowe rushed home to find that soldiers had killed his wife and son. As he stood there touching his wife’s feet the tears and snot flowed down his face because of his broken heart. However it was done, they produced a graphic scene that depicted the reality of a truly heart-broken sobbing man. And, since it was such a personal pain, and he was a man’s man in the movie, we suspend the “bro’ code” and let him cry openly. No husband or father could condemn him in that situation.

While there’s obviously no video of David crying about the death of his son Absalom we can get a good picture in our mind because the text says: “The king was deeply moved and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept” (2 Samuel 18:33). If you’re having a hard time picturing it look up the Russell Crowe scene online. As we noted yesterday it was so bad that it not only broke the bro’ code it undermined the entire army that had just ri

A God Who Cries 2 Samuel 18:33

‘An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.” – Winston Churchill. 
 
What is it about some of us who simply refuse to accept the evidence and recognize that some people are truly evil? It’s as if we have a mental block that prohibits us from seeing or saying the truth about someone if it will be considered “negative”. Jesus tells us to be wise as serpents and gentle as doves, but often we’re so focused on the last half of that statement that we won’t apply the wisdom God gave us to make judgments about people who do evil things (Matthew 7:1-6). 
 
Absalom was a very charismatic and charming person, but he was also deceitful and devious – a crocodile. We’ve seen how he hid his anger at Amnon, and waited two years before setting him up to be murdered (2 Samuel 13:23). At first David was angry and refused to see Absalom for a total of five years before reconciling (2 Samuel 14:33). But the crocodile wasn’t full because Absalom began preparing his revenge against his father and spent four years stealing the hearts of Israel (2 Samuel 15:6-7) before calling them to rebellion (2 Samuel 15:9-12). 
 
Despite all Absalom did, and that victory for Absalom would mean the David’s death, he couldn’t bring himself to order Absalom to be killed. Instead as the army went out he begged them to be “gentle” with the “young man”, who by that time was probably close to 40 (2 Samuel 18:5). This plea so upset the soldiers that when they found Absalom caught in a tree they didn’t have the nerve to kill him until Joab came along and struck the first blows (2 Samuel 18:11-15). Sometimes we have to stop appeasing and get on with the unpleasant task of killing the crocodile. 
 
As Christians we must understand that’s a spiritual metaphor for a relentless determination to kill off sin in our lives, in our own hearts. It is not justification to use force against others. The Bible prohibits Christians from using even the threat of violence against unbelievers, or believers who have fallen away. 
 
It’s a mistake to align ourselves with political parties and governing bodies in an attempt to force people to act like Christians, instead of trying to persuade through proclaiming the truth in love. People will be angry at us for telling them the truth in love, let’s make sure that’s why they’re angry, and not because of our political positions. Plus, political parties and governing bodies are crocodiles too, and are already turning on us in their insatiable appetite for power. Let’s kill the crocodile lurking in our own heart and let God deal with the ones in the world.

‘An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.” – Winston Churchill. 

What is it about some of us who simply refuse to accept the evidence and recognize that some people are truly evil? It’s as if we have a mental block that prohibits us from seeing or saying the truth about someone if it will be considered “negative”. Jesus tells us to be wise as serpents and gentle as doves, but often we’re so focused on the last half of that statement that we won’t apply the wisdom God gave us to make judgments about people who do evil things (Matthew 7:1-6).

Absalom was a very charismatic and charming person, but he was also deceitful and devious – a crocodile. We’ve seen how he hid his anger at Amnon, and waited two years before setting him up to be murdered (2 Samuel 13:23). At first David was angry and refused to see Absalom for a total of five years before reconciling (2 Samuel 14:33). But the crocodile wasn’t full because Absalom began preparing his revenge against h

Killing Absalom The Crocodile 2 Samuel 18:11-15

Not even the Olympics seem able to reunite America as one nation. The news coverage seems to focus on controversy and contempt. Contempt for this country. Contempt for the athletes who fail to win, or win and fail to respect the flag. It’s a shame and disgrace on so many levels. 
 
Sadly, the controversy and contempt are a continuation of the division and debate about civil rights, segregation and slavery. Sometimes it seems as if we’re on the verge of another Civil War. Obviously none of us were around then so let’s focus on the reality of the Confederate rebellion and its great cost. About 620,000 soldiers died in that conflict along with untold numbers of civilians. It was the bloodiest war in American history; perhaps in payment for the blood of untold numbers of people who had been enslaved and died in the building of the nation. 
 
When we study the story of Absalom’s rebellion against his father David there’s a tendency to focus solely on David and Absalom and forget there was a bloody civil war. Clearly they are the main characters, but in focusing on them we can inadvertently pass over a key passage that demonstrates why Absalom’s actions were so despicable. The text says “there was a great slaughter there that day”. It describes a civil war where father was fighting son, brother was fighting brother, and 20,000 men died (2 Samuel 18:6-8). Those 20,000 dead were men who were husbands, fathers and sons. Their death left many widows, orphans and parents permanently deprived of their love and support. 
 
David’s sin with Bathsheba led to the death of her husband, her son, the rape of David’s daughter, the death of two more of David’s sons and 20,000 men. The American slave trade led to the systematic rape and slaughter of untold numbers of Africans that was only stopped by the death of 620,000 soldiers, and an untold numbers of civilians. Segregation perpetuated a racism that systematically oppressed millions of black Americans. Planned Parenthood is part of an abortion business that has killed over 60,000,000 innocents since 1973. 
 
Contempt for human life, for each other, always leads to suffering and death. Every sin arises from contempt for life. Either our own or someone else’s, or our Lord’s life that was taken on the cross because of our sin. So, the next time we try to excuse sin, whether our own or another’s, remember it carries a high cost. Who are we willing to let die, besides ourselves, by choosing to sin? Let’s turn away from contempt for others and call for unity around the cross of Jesus Christ. Let his death, and life, join us as one people.

Not even the Olympics seem able to reunite America as one nation. The news coverage seems to focus on controversy and contempt. Contempt for this country. Contempt for the athletes who fail to win, or win and fail to respect the flag. It’s a shame and disgrace on so many levels. 

Sadly, the controversy and contempt are a continuation of the division and debate about civil rights, segregation and slavery. Sometimes it seems as if we’re on the verge of another Civil War. Obviously none of us were around then so let’s focus on the reality of the Confederate rebellion and its great cost. About 620,000 soldiers died in that conflict along with untold numbers of civilians. It was the bloodiest war in American history; perhaps in payment for the blood of untold numbers of people who had been enslaved and died in the building of the nation.

When we study the story of Absalom’s rebellion against his father David there’s a tendency to focus solely on David and Absalom and forget there was a bl

Sin, Contempt, And Suffering 2 Samuel 18:6-8

“Enemy at the Gates” starring Jude Law and Ed Harris is perhaps one of the most visually stunning war movies available. From the opening scenes showing the pristine clean countryside that quickly transitioned into the dirty dismal war torn city of Stalingrad, to the mud and blood of daily life for the soldiers and civilians stuck in the city, it hides very little of the reality of war. Not even the brutal orders to shoot their own Russian soldiers who turned back from the deadly German gunfire. It was terrible. But perhaps the most gut wrenching scene was when the German sniper (Ed Harris) tried to trap the Russian sniper (Jude Law) by hanging a teenaged boy who was spying for the Russians. While much of the plot was fictionalized the war was real, as was the hanging of 17 year old Sasha Fillipov. 
 
Sometimes here in America we sanitize things so much that we lose touch with reality. People are so accustomed to getting their meat at the market, cleanly wrapped, that they’re offended when they actually see an animal die. We hide the reality of death by cleaning up the mess and removing the bodies so quickly that it’s as if it didn’t really happen. The result is that, even for adults, war and death don’t seem real, so we often react like children when confronted with it, or calloused to it when it’s not in our back yard. The reality of war, and life for that matter, is that people die violently, including children. 
 
Another reality of war is that children often act as spies because the adults mistakenly overlook them. In the process of fleeing Jerusalem, David left Hushai behind to give bad advice to Absalom and to act as a spy. Two boys, Ahimaz and Jonathan, were left in place to relay messages to David (2 Samuel 15:36). However, when they got their message from Hushai and tried to slip out of Jerusalem they were spotted by another boy who hurried to tell Absalom. They escaped discovery by hiding in a well that a supporter covered with straw or they likely would have died like Sasha in Stalingrad. (2 Samuel 17:15-20). 
 
If we consider ourselves soldiers in the Lord’s army, fighting a spiritual war, we certainly realize the enemy is at the gates. The question for us is this: are we hiding like those boys or are we boldly meeting the enemy with an open declaration of our allegiance to Christ? If we hide because we’re afraid then we’re already dead.

“Enemy at the Gates” starring Jude Law and Ed Harris is perhaps one of the most visually stunning war movies available. From the opening scenes showing the pristine clean countryside that quickly transitioned into the dirty dismal war torn city of Stalingrad, to the mud and blood of daily life for the soldiers and civilians stuck in the city, it hides very little of the reality of war. Not even the brutal orders to shoot their own Russian soldiers who turned back from the deadly German gunfire. It was terrible. But perhaps the most gut wrenching scene was when the German sniper (Ed Harris) tried to trap the Russian sniper (Jude Law) by hanging a teenaged boy who was spying for the Russians. While much of the plot was fictionalized the war was real, as was the hanging of 17 year old Sasha Fillipov.

Sometimes here in America we sanitize things so much that we lose touch with reality. People are so accustomed to getting their meat at the market, cleanly wrapped, that they’re offended whe

The Reality Of War 2 Samuel 17:15-20

President Snow: “She's become a beacon of hope for the rebellion, and she has to be eliminated.” 
 
Plutarch Heavensbee: “I agree she should die, but in the right way, at the right time. It's moves and counter-moves, and it's all we gotta look at. Katniss Everdeen is a symbol. Their Mockingjay. They think she's one of them. We need to show that she's one of us. We don't need to destroy her, just the image, then we let the people do the rest…Shove it in their faces. Show them that she's one of us now...They're gonna hate her so much they just might kill her for ya.” 
 
President Snow: “Brilliant” 
 
In the movie “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” it wasn’t revealed until the very end that Plutarch was working with the rebellion to bring down President Snow. Knowing Snow was a cruel tyrant Plutarch gave him the advice he wanted, but for the real purpose of feeding the anger of the oppressed and with a plan already in place to save Katniss. It was a brilliant, and wildly successful, move, and wildly successful movie. 
 
When Absalom asked what to do next in his rebellion against David, Ahithophel advised an immediate attack focused on killing David before he could escape and rally the nation so the people would have turn to Absalom (2 Samuel 17:1-4). But Hushai (David’s friend) knew Absalom was a careful planner and gave him the advice he wanted – wait and prepare. Building up David’s prowess as a warrior and military leader, Hushai advised getting an unbeatable army together before attacking. Absalom agreed with Hushai because God was behind the plan to frustrate Absalom’s efforts and knew exactly what Absalom wanted to hear (2 Samuel 17:7-14). It was a mistake. 
 
Perhaps the biggest mistake we all make is selective hearing – listening to the advice we want to hear. In some ways Facebook and social media have made the problem worse because we find “friends” who agree with us and call those who don’t “idiots”, or worse. When it comes to our spiritual lives do we listen to God or do we act like Absalom and only listen to our own ideas filtered through the wrong advisers? Think very carefully before answering.

President Snow: “She's become a beacon of hope for the rebellion, and she has to be eliminated.”

Plutarch Heavensbee: “I agree she should die, but in the right way, at the right time. It's moves and counter-moves, and it's all we gotta look at. Katniss Everdeen is a symbol. Their Mockingjay. They think she's one of them. We need to show that she's one of us. We don't need to destroy her, just the image, then we let the people do the rest…Shove it in their faces. Show them that she's one of us now...They're gonna hate her so much they just might kill her for ya.”

President Snow: “Brilliant”

In the movie “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” it wasn’t revealed until the very end that Plutarch was working with the rebellion to bring down President Snow. Knowing Snow was a cruel tyrant Plutarch gave him the advice he wanted, but for the real purpose of feeding the anger of the oppressed and with a plan already in place to save Katniss. It was a brilliant, and wildly successful, move, and wi

Ear Tickling Advice 2 Samuel 17:1-14

"Those who plead their cause in the absence of an opponent can invent to their heart's content, can pontificate without taking into account the opposite point of view and keep the best arguments for themselves, for aggressors are always quick to attack those who have no means of defense.” Those words from the book “The Letter of the God of Love” by Christine de Pizan are a perfect description of Absalom’s treatment of his father David. 
 
Rather than address him directly Absalom went behind David’s back to plead his cause as a better ruler. Without David being there to defend himself Absalom was able to make all the best arguments in his own favor and steal the people’s hearts (2 Samuel 15:1-6). 
 
Reading the story of Absalom’s rebellion as a dry historical record can be misleading. The text is simple and direct, as is much of Scripture, but it contains a depth of information and emotions. We are deprived of that depth unless we take the time to consider the passion behind the actions being described so dryly. 
 
The text tells us how Absalom began rising early in the morning to meet people at the gate and give a sympathetic ear and then undermine King David by saying, “See, your claims are good and right, but no man listens to you on the part of the king.” Then adding, “Oh that one would appoint me judge in the land, then every man who has any suit or cause could come to me and I would give him justice.” Not only did Absalom plead his cause “in the absence of an opponent”, he judged everyone’s cause the same way. Without anyone there to challenge his pontifications he was able to invent to his heart’s content. 
 
Besides his inventive reasoning, Absalom was a hypocrite. His actions were intentionally deceitful to cover his preparation to attack his unsuspecting father. Notice Absalom’s unrestrained hypocrisy of going to Hebron to “pay a vow” and “serve the Lord”. When David said “go in peace” Absalom went, but with a secret plan to call the nation to come to Hebron and declare him king so he could depose his father (2 Samuel 15:7-10). Absalom had already displayed the ability to hold (and hide) a grudge for years before killing Amnon, so it shouldn’t surprise that he took his time planning to aggressively attack when David was defenseless. 
 
Absalom is an object lesson for us. How do we react to others when we think they’ve treated us unfairly? Do we have the heart of an Absalom; one that holds a grudge and pleads our cause with everyone else, while hiding its evil intent, planning and waiting for a time to retaliate? Or do we have the heart of Jesus who openly pleads His cause and offers forgiveness and reconciliation to the whole world, to everyone who has offended Him (John 3:16)? Hidden deceit or open honesty: which will it be?

"Those who plead their cause in the absence of an opponent can invent to their heart's content, can pontificate without taking into account the opposite point of view and keep the best arguments for themselves, for aggressors are always quick to attack those who have no means of defense.” Those words from the book “The Letter of the God of Love” by Christine de Pizan are a perfect description of Absalom’s treatment of his father David. 

Rather than address him directly Absalom went behind David’s back to plead his cause as a better ruler. Without David being there to defend himself Absalom was able to make all the best arguments in his own favor and steal the people’s hearts (2 Samuel 15:1-6). 

Reading the story of Absalom’s rebellion as a dry historical record can be misleading. The text is simple and direct, as is much of Scripture, but it contains a depth of information and emotions. We are deprived of that depth unless we take the time to consider the passion behind the actions b

Absalom’s Deceitful Heart 2 Samuel 15:1-12

Thief of hearts 
Stole my heart from me 
 
Melissa Manchester’s 1984 disco song “Thief Of Hearts” was rather bland, but would have been an excellent theme song for Absalom’s work to overthrow his father. 2 Samuel15:6 says, “so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.” Today’s Throwback Thursday on Morning Minutes in the Bible examines the process. Robert’s advice in PLAIN TALK Magazine, January 1967 was excellent scriptural advice in 1967 and again in 2021 
 
Absalom, The Promoter by Robert F. Turner. 
 
The church has always had its promoters. By their "good words and fair speeches" they deceive the hearts of the simple. (Rom. 16:18) 
 
There are many who "promote" with misguided fervor, some project that has no basis in God's instructions. We would remind that all works truly "of God" are properly encouraged when we teach people to be more God-like. There is good reason to question any project that needs ballyhoo, flattery, and "coffee fellowship" to make it go. 
 
Absalom was a "promoter". (2 Sam.15) He put on a great front, with fifty men to run before his chariot. He stood at the gate, watching for those who had a "cause." He pretended great interest in their case, and depreciated the king by saying, "Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man who hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice." 
 
He was a flatterer. 'When any man came nigh to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took hold of him, and kissed him." Thus, he "stole the hearts of the men of Israel." By such tactics he built up a following, so that when he felt the time was right he called for his dupes to declare him king. 
 
"And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were invited, and went in their simplicity; and they knew not anything." (vs.11) Thus we learn not only the blueprint for selfish promotions, but also the kind of people who will be taken in by such methods. 
 
Promoters are not limited to one class. Elders, preachers, members in no particular group -- any of these may use Absalom's tricks. "Mr. X" will sympathize with anyone who differs with status quo; flattering any who feel a bit rejected; urging on all who are brave enough to speak out -- but being careful to stay in the background so that if the argument backfires "Mr. X" will not get hurt. Men of experience have learned to spot such promoters in all walks of life. 
 
If we feel we see an error needing correction (and all errors do) let us use forthrightness. With true humility; with love and desire for unity among brethren; go to the source of the problem, or to those responsible. Present your case with scripture; not with prejudice, threats, or the numbers you have lined up on your "side." Since none of us are infallible, be prepared to learn that you really may not "have a case." 
 
If we would see a new work done or present program enlarged; this is commendable. Make sure it is a work authorized in God's word, and be prepared to give chapter and verse. Present it to the elders; or where there are no elders, at an appropriate business meeting. Leave pride at home, for it is possible that others may not share your judgement -- and this must not be a personal "shoulder chip." 
 
Have convictions, and stand firmly for them. Just be sure it is God's cause you seek to further, and not your own. BUT DO NOT BE AN ABSALOM!!! And sharpen your wits lest an Absalom steal your heart and damn your soul.

Thief of hearts
Stole my heart from me

Melissa Manchester’s 1984 disco song “Thief Of Hearts” was rather bland, but would have been an excellent theme song for Absalom’s work to overthrow his father. 2 Samuel15:6 says, “so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.” Today’s Throwback Thursday on Morning Minutes in the Bible examines the process. Robert’s advice in PLAIN TALK Magazine, January 1967 was excellent scriptural advice in 1967 and again in 2021

Absalom, The Promoter by Robert F. Turner.

The church has always had its promoters. By their "good words and fair speeches" they deceive the hearts of the simple. (Rom. 16:18)

There are many who "promote" with misguided fervor, some project that has no basis in God's instructions. We would remind that all works truly "of God" are properly encouraged when we teach people to be more God-like. There is good reason to question any project that needs ballyhoo, flattery, and "coffee fellowship" to make it go.

Absalom was a "promoter

Absalom, The Promoter 2 Samuel 15:6

“Revenge is a dish best served cold” is an old Klingon proverb according to “Star Trek II, The Wrath of Kahn”. Well, perhaps not, since Klingons don’t exist, except in the never ending Star Trek franchise. Actually the origin of the phrase has been difficult to find as the earliest written version was in 1846. That was an English translation of a French novel that gave it in a slightly different form: “revenge is very good eaten cold”. The meaning of the phrase obviously indicates the need to take time to plan and prepare for revenge so it can be taken at a time of one’s own choosing. 
 
Even if there was no known use of the phrase before 1846, the practice was perfectly demonstrated 3000 years ago in the story of Absalom, Amnon and Tamar. In case you don’t recall, Amnon was the half-brother of Absalom and Tamar as King David was their father. Amnon tricked his dad into setting up a meeting with Tamar that gave him the opportunity to be alone with her and ended with him raping then rejecting her. The devastation it brought her was soon overshadowed by the way her brother responded. 
 
Rather than react in the anger of the moment, Absalom let the hate fester in his heart as he plotted his revenge. Two years later Absalom planned a sheep shearing celebration and invited the royal house, including King David. David refused, and despite apparent misgivings, consented to Amnon attending with the rest of the King’s sons (2 Samuel 13:23-27). 
 
It was another trick that David should have seen through and refused, just like he should have refused to send Tamar in to serve Amnon. At first he was doubting when Absalom responded to his repeated refusal to personally attend with a specific request, “If not, please let my brother Amnon go with us.” David's answer revealed his concern about Absalom’s intentions toward the presumptive heir to the throne, “Why should he go with you?” he asked (v26). 
 
But the dish was cold so David decided it was safe and consented. However, Absalom was prepared to get his revenge. Just as the party was getting started Absalom had his servants murder Amnon in cold blood (2 Samuel 13:28-29). A few years later Absalom was dead too, proving the other proverb about revenge requiring two graves. Maybe that’s why God constantly tells us to leave revenge up to Him. His judgment and timing is perfect while ours is often so very wrong.

“Revenge is a dish best served cold” is an old Klingon proverb according to “Star Trek II, The Wrath of Kahn”. Well, perhaps not, since Klingons don’t exist, except in the never ending Star Trek franchise. Actually the origin of the phrase has been difficult to find as the earliest written version was in 1846. That was an English translation of a French novel that gave it in a slightly different form: “revenge is very good eaten cold”. The meaning of the phrase obviously indicates the need to take time to plan and prepare for revenge so it can be taken at a time of one’s own choosing.

Even if there was no known use of the phrase before 1846, the practice was perfectly demonstrated 3000 years ago in the story of Absalom, Amnon and Tamar. In case you don’t recall, Amnon was the half-brother of Absalom and Tamar as King David was their father. Amnon tricked his dad into setting up a meeting with Tamar that gave him the opportunity to be alone with her and ended with him raping then rejec

Absalom’s Revenge Was Served Cold 2 Samuel 13:23-2

When Planned Butcherhood President Cecile Richards’ apologized in 2015 for the “tone” of their doctor’s disgusting comments about selling body parts from aborted babies the story went away overnight. The fact that Planned Butcherhood, was selling human body parts from murdered babies disappeared faster than the candidacy of Clayton Williams, Jr. in 1990. Mr. Williams had a huge lead over Ann Richards and seemed a shoe in as the next Texas governor. Until he made a terrible joke comparing rape to bad weather. The disgusting joke was so bad his huge lead on Ms. Richards evaporated overnight and she became the next governor of Texas. Governor Richards just happens to be the mother of Cecile Richards. Apparently Cecile learned how to make a better apology than Mr. Williams because her apology for the heartless description of the disgusting practice of selling human body parts for profit was more acceptable than his apology for a disgusting joke. However, she never apologize for killing babies for money. 
 
Apologies notwithstanding both stories remind us that humans are incredibly callused when it comes to pain inflicted on other people. Abortion kills the most vulnerable of all humans, an unborn child. It happens about a million times a year, yet many Americans praise it. It’s an atrocious evil and no apology for the doctor’s tone is enough to justify the evil practice that ends one life and harms the heart and soul of the woman carrying the child. 
 
Rape is also an unspeakable evil that is too frequently sanitized in all cultures, as if women are nothing but objects for men’s pleasure. Treating women as sex objects has been glamourized by Hollywood for a century now. As a result American culture is polluted by a perverted view of women. Christian men should fight with all their might to stop that evil influence in their own hearts, as well as that of their children. Yet too often, we don’t. I know I've failed miserably in keeping that influence out of my heart and mind with the TV shows and Movies I’ve watched. 
 
A couple of days ago we looked at Amnon’s rape of his half-sister Tamar. The cruelty of the offense was not sanitized in the text (2 Samuel 13:1-20). Using deceit that fooled his own father, David, Amnon trapped his half-sister in his bedroom alone, raped her, and then, when he was done, called his servants to throw her out of his rooms. Everything about the event was awful. 
 
Verse 19 describes her departure in haunting terms. “And Tamar put ashes on her head and tore the long robe that she wore. And she laid her hand on her head and went away, crying aloud as she went.” The long term impact on Tamar was captured in one sentence in verse 20, “So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom’s house.” Her life was ruined. Folks it’s time we understand what abortion and rape do to women and stand unwavering in opposition to both. They are indefensible evils.

When Planned Butcherhood President Cecile Richards’ apologized in 2015 for the “tone” of their doctor’s disgusting comments about selling body parts from aborted babies the story went away overnight. The fact that Planned Butcherhood, was selling human body parts from murdered babies disappeared faster than the candidacy of Clayton Williams, Jr. in 1990. Mr. Williams had a huge lead over Ann Richards and seemed a shoe in as the next Texas governor. Until he made a terrible joke comparing rape to bad weather. The disgusting joke was so bad his huge lead on Ms. Richards evaporated overnight and she became the next governor of Texas. Governor Richards just happens to be the mother of Cecile Richards. Apparently Cecile learned how to make a better apology than Mr. Williams because her apology for the heartless description of the disgusting practice of selling human body parts for profit was more acceptable than his apology for a disgusting joke. However, she never apologize for killing bab

An Indefensible Evil 2 Samuel 13:1-20

“Wag The Dog” is a 1993 political satire asserting Operation Desert Storm was manufactured to get George H. W. Bush re-elected. In 1997 it was made into a movie to discredit the first President Bush. Ironically it was released one month before the news exploded about President Clinton’s affair in the White House with Monica Lewinsky and the subsequent bombing of a pharmaceutical factory in The Sudan. The movie was immediately connected to President Clinton since it was about a president running for re-election hiring a movie director to create a fake war to cover up his sex scandal. Fact and fiction blended into reality, and now it has become practically impossible to separate the two in American Politics. 
 
Our next section of scripture here on Morning Minutes in the Bible is eerily similar to those events and makes me think Joab would have made a great political advisor in today’s world. Our first real introduction to Joab is as David’s army commander in Hebron before the kingdom was united (2 Samuel 2). We learned more about Joab’s character when he murdered his rival Abner after David had made a treaty with him (2 Samuel 3:27). 
 
Years later Joab was still serving as David’s commander and carried out the order to get Uriah killed in battle to cover the adultery with Bathsheba. After the sordid affair became public with the announcement of God’s punishment on David and his house, Joab came up with a “Wag the Dog” event to distract the nation. (2 Samuel 12:26-31). Since they were already at war against Rabbah (where Uriah died) Joab called for David to come and lead as the city fell so the king would get credit for the victory. His message to David appeared innocent enough. “Now therefore, gather the rest of the people together and camp against the city and capture it, or I will capture the city myself and it will be named after me.” (v28). The king complied and they took the city. David got the glory and the nation was distracted from the turmoil swirling in David’s house. 
 
The tail wagged the dog, but not for long. Soon after this moment of glory events at home were going to expose the rot of sin in David’s house. A rot that ran all the way back to his adultery, murder and cover up. 
 
The events in David’s life, as well as the events in Washington D.C., show us sin has its own self-destructive force. Try and hide it behind other events as we may, eventually the truth comes out. But we don’t have to look to ancient history in Israel, or to today’s political events to know that. We just need to look in our own hearts and examine how our sin impacts us and those around it. Thank God Jesus came to provide forgiveness for those who will repent and confess and be washed in the pure waters of baptism. Will you come to Him seeking forgiveness on His terms? I hope you will.

“Wag The Dog” is a 1993 political satire asserting Operation Desert Storm was manufactured to get George H. W. Bush re-elected. In 1997 it was made into a movie to discredit the first President Bush. Ironically it was released one month before the news exploded about President Clinton’s affair in the White House with Monica Lewinsky and the subsequent bombing of a pharmaceutical factory in The Sudan. The movie was immediately connected to President Clinton since it was about a president running for re-election hiring a movie director to create a fake war to cover up his sex scandal. Fact and fiction blended into reality, and now it has become practically impossible to separate the two in American Politics.

Our next section of scripture here on Morning Minutes in the Bible is eerily similar to those events and makes me think Joab would have made a great political advisor in today’s world. Our first real introduction to Joab is as David’s army commander in Hebron before the kingdom was 

David’s “Wag The Dog” Moment 2 Samuel 12:26-31

“Would you know my name 
If I saw you in heaven? 
Would it be the same 
If I saw you in heaven? 
Time can bring you down, 
Time can bend your knees. 
Time can break your heart, 
Have you begging please, begging please.” 
 
In 1991 Eric Clapton’s four year old son Conor fell to his death from a 53rd story apartment window in NY. His song “Tears in Heaven” was written partly as a tribute to his son and partly as therapy to deal with the pain. Not having suffered the death of a child I cannot truly understand the depth of pain and sorrow it brings. You who have, do. 
 
3000 years ago King David began to understand the consequences of his sin with Bathsheba and Uriah when the son from that affair became ill and died. Having been warned by Nathan, David knew it was coming and that it was because of his sin. So for seven days while the child lay dying David was on his face before God, “begging please, begging please”. He wouldn’t eat, or get up to care for himself the whole time the child was dying (2 Samuel 12:15-17). 
 
Thinking his grief would be overwhelming the servants were afraid to tell David when the child died, but he surprised them by getting up, washing up, dressing up and then going to the tabernacle to worship God. Then he came home and ate (2 Samuel 12:18-20). 
 
Through it all David’s renewed trust in God was manifest. When the astonished servants asked why he was better after the child died, he demonstrated why he was a man of great faith. He explained what they (and we) should have known - God’s mercy was still possible while the child was alive. He wasn’t asking God why, instead he was asking God to spare the child. Once the child died David knew that the boy wouldn’t return but that they would be reunited in heaven. “But now that he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.” (2 Samuel 12:23). David knew it wouldn’t be the same, but he would know his son in heaven. 
 
Oh that we all would have such hope and trust in the God of Heaven. That through the tears and pain of earthly loss we would truly believe God’s promise of eternal life for those who die in Him. That promise is available for you. Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions about how you can have that eternal life and that kind of hope.

“Would you know my name
If I saw you in heaven?
Would it be the same
If I saw you in heaven?
Time can bring you down,
Time can bend your knees.
Time can break your heart,
Have you begging please, begging please.”

In 1991 Eric Clapton’s four year old son Conor fell to his death from a 53rd story apartment window in NY. His song “Tears in Heaven” was written partly as a tribute to his son and partly as therapy to deal with the pain. Not having suffered the death of a child I cannot truly understand the depth of pain and sorrow it brings. You who have, do.

3000 years ago King David began to understand the consequences of his sin with Bathsheba and Uriah when the son from that affair became ill and died. Having been warned by Nathan, David knew it was coming and that it was because of his sin. So for seven days while the child lay dying David was on his face before God, “begging please, begging please”. He wouldn’t eat, or get up to care for himself the whole time the child was dying (2 

David Anticipated Eternity 2 Samuel 12:23

When is it too soon? When (or if) to start dating after the death of a spouse is one of the most difficult and complicated decisions for anyone. That decision is driven by any number of factors that are very personal to each individual, but for all it’s like walking through a minefield. For some the grieving process may be long and arduous and leave no room for a new love, while for others it’s relatively quick, but for all it is filled with emotional upheaval and second guessing (mostly by others) because there’s no standard. Not even the Bible gives the exact length of time for everyone. Everyone has an idea in their mind as to what is “appropriate”, but no one has the right to impose that on another, though we do anyway. 
 
Even though we don’t have any scriptural instruction on the proper length of a mourning period, we all should agree that it was too soon for Bathsheba. The text says that when she learned her husband had died, “she mourned for her husband” (2 Samuel 11:26). It’s assumed by many that it was a period of seven days because the clock was ticking and David had to act before it became too obvious. 
 
As we noted earlier when talking about her part in committing adultery with David it’s impossible to tell from the account if she was an innocent victim of the king’s lust or a deceptive seductress. However, since God didn’t hide David’s sins in this nasty event there would have been no reason to conceal her complicity, but the text simply doesn’t say. Another reason for us to be very careful about shifting blame onto the victim. Clearly David was the one with all the power in this situation. And, the second the mourning period was over David brought her to his house and she became his wife (2 Samuel 11:27). 
 
In one sense it wasn’t a minute too soon because a few months later they had a son. But even if they fooled some people (the ones who couldn’t count) it was too late because it didn’t fool God. Let’s read the second half of 2 Samuel 11:27. “But the thing that David had done was evil in the sight of the Lord.” God knew what David had done, and, as the story continues to unfold we will find out David’s family knew it too, with deadly consequences. 
 
One thing you and I can know for sure is this – it’s never too soon to repent and confess our sin before God and be baptized for forgiveness. Let’s quit trying to hide our sin and pretend it will go away, because it won’t until God forgives the penitent heart. Now it may be too late to reverse the earthly consequences, but the sooner we turn to God the sooner we can begin working on the messes we’ve created.

When is it too soon? When (or if) to start dating after the death of a spouse is one of the most difficult and complicated decisions for anyone. That decision is driven by any number of factors that are very personal to each individual, but for all it’s like walking through a minefield. For some the grieving process may be long and arduous and leave no room for a new love, while for others it’s relatively quick, but for all it is filled with emotional upheaval and second guessing (mostly by others) because there’s no standard. Not even the Bible gives the exact length of time for everyone. Everyone has an idea in their mind as to what is “appropriate”, but no one has the right to impose that on another, though we do anyway.

Even though we don’t have any scriptural instruction on the proper length of a mourning period, we all should agree that it was too soon for Bathsheba. The text says that when she learned her husband had died, “she mourned for her husband” (2 Samuel 11:26). It’s as

Too Soon And Too Late 2 Samuel 11:26-27

“How To Get Away With Murder” is an intriguingly titled TV show that began in 2014 and lasted until 2020. It’s a fictional account of a law professor who worked with her students to prove that her lying cheating husband had killed his mistress. In the process the students killed her husband and she helped them hide his body and cover up his murder. As the show ended its first season the big reveal was that the husband wasn’t the actual murderer; it was a lying cheating employee of the professor’s law firm. In other words it’s just another soap opera drama about cheaters, liars, and killers with a catchy title to create intrigue. How it lasted 6 seasons is beyond me. But, full confession, I never watched a single episode. 
 
But maybe we shouldn’t say that’s just crazy soap opera stuff because it happens too frequently in real life. Do a quick search of the internet on husband/wife murders and it’s amazing how many pop up. Some people joke that, considering the struggles of married life, the real surprise is that there aren’t a lot more. But, murder really isn’t all that funny, except on TV or in movies where it’s often made to seem hilarious. And, according to some reports the numbers of people who get away with it are increasing every year. 
 
When King David ordered Joab to have Uriah killed in battle it was a perfect plan to get away with murder. David ordered Joab to send him into battle and withdraw his support allowing him to be killed. Joab did as ordered, and Uriah died, but not alone. Some of his fellow soldiers died as well, which made David and Joab multiple murderers. Regardless, it was the perfect plan to get away with murder. Except, when Joab sent his report to David he did something that was perfectly designed to make sure David didn’t get away with it. Knowing David would be upset about the multiple deaths Joab instructed the messenger to mention Uriah’s death when David became angry about the report. The messenger got the message too well and didn’t even wait for David to react before revealing Uriah’s death (2 Samuel 11:14-25). 
 
In a palace full of servants the news of David’s adultery with Bathsheba would have spread rapidly. And, when the news of her pregnancy followed rapidly by her husband’s sudden death and the direct report to David about Uriah’s death spread – everyone knew what had happened. Well, maybe not everyone, but enough to make sure David didn’t get away with murder. Of course God knew it before anyone else. Just like He knows our secret, and not so secret, sins. Knowing we can’t get with any sin, much less murder, why do we still try to hide it from God?

How To Get Away With Murder” is an intriguingly titled TV show that began in 2014 and lasted until 2020. It's a fictional account of ...

David Didn’t Get Away With Murder 2 Samuel 11:14-25

There’s no smell quite like the sickening stench of self-justification. Shortly after his 2015 murder of nine precious souls in a church in Charleston SC the twisted thinking of Dylann Roof spread across the world as his “manifesto” was discovered and shared online. It is the raving of a maniacal mad man. It combined the general hopelessness of atheistic humanism permeating our current culture with one or two facts about crime and a lot of historical and modern day fiction about racial differences so Mr. Roof could feel justified in murdering black people. It is a sickening attempt at self-justification. 
 
Go back a few decades and one might confuse Roof’s manifesto with the ravings of Margaret Sanger and her work to start Planned Parenthood. Filled with righteous (?) indignation at the overpopulation of the world by the “inferior classes”, determined by religion and race, she was determined to enforce “negative eugenics” by either segregation or abortion. Preferring abortion as more pro-active she founded the American Birth Control League which became Planned Parenthood. Since its founding Planned Parenthood has participated in the systematic murder of millions of unborn children, predominantly among minority populations. But Sanger is praised by many people today, including some who were her targets for elimination as inferior. Yet those same people justly condemn Roof as a racist murderer. Can you smell the stench of self-justification? 
 
This event connects easily with the work of David in justifying the death of Uriah the Hittite. After all David was the King, chosen by God to lead Israel, and Uriah was just a soldier, and a foreign one at that. Yes, David had committed adultery with Bathsheba, and yes she had conceived a child (pre-Planned Parenthood) by that illicit act, but as king his life was more important than Uriah’s. His note to Joab was just one sentence (2 Samuel 11:15), but was very effective at “negative eugenics” with respect to Uriah and his fellow soldiers. But David’s reaction to the report is where we find the stench of self-justification. David’s anger over the needless loss of life was immediately mollified by learning Uriah had died too. His response to Joab reeked of self-justification: “Do not let this thing displease you, for the sword devours one as well as another” (2 Samuel 11:25). 
 
Before we get all holier than thou on David let’s all take a good long sniff in case we’re covered in the stench of self-justification. We may need to cleanse our hearts in the blood of Christ just to make sure it’s gone.

There’s no smell quite like the sickening stench of self-justification. Shortly after his 2015 murder of nine precious souls in a church in Charleston SC the twisted thinking of Dylann Roof spread across the world as his “manifesto” was discovered and shared online. It is the raving of a maniacal mad man. It combined the general hopelessness of atheistic humanism permeating our current culture with one or two facts about crime and a lot of historical and modern day fiction about racial differences so Mr. Roof could feel justified in murdering black people. It is a sickening attempt at self-justification.

Go back a few decades and one might confuse Roof’s manifesto with the ravings of Margaret Sanger and her work to start Planned Parenthood. Filled with righteous (?) indignation at the overpopulation of the world by the “inferior classes”, determined by religion and race, she was determined to enforce “negative eugenics” by either segregation or abortion. Preferring abortion as more pr

The Stench Of Self-Justification 2 Samuel 11:25

Why was Dylann Roof’s murder of nine people in a Charleston church building six years ago so evil? Was it solely because the murders were pre-meditated? No. Was it solely because the victims were in church? No. Was it solely because he was motivated by hate? No. Was it solely because his skin was white and their skin was black? No. All of those factors were examined in great detail in the police investigation, and certainly contributed to it being evil, but those aren’t the real reasons the murders were so evil. They were evil because he killed nine precious souls made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26). 
 
It would be inaccurate to say that our society has become so callused by violence in the entertainment media that it takes an extraordinary event like mass murders by evil racists to stir our emotions. It’s inaccurate because we’re human beings and every culture, including ours, has willingly turned a blind eye to abuse and murder when it suits its purposes. Murder has always been evil, whatever the motive, and humanity’s sordid past, including America’s, is saturated with the blood of innocents. It’s just harder to ignore when splashed all over the news media. 
 
Murder is evil, even when committed by a king who once had been described as a man “after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14). As we saw previously, David’s plan to cover his adulterous affair with Bathsheba didn’t work, so, instead of confessing to the crime, he took the evil way out – murder. He sent Uriah back to the battle carrying his own death warrant; instructions to Joab to make sure Uriah died in battle. The text is almost clinical in its coldness. “So it was as Joab kept watch on the city, that he put Uriah at the place where he knew there were valiant men. The men of the city went out and fought against Joab, and some of the people among David’s servants fell; and Uriah the Hittite also died.” (2 Samuel 11:16-17). 
 
David didn’t pull the trigger or stand over the body shouting hate speech like Dylann Roof, but he was a murderer just the same. Uriah’s life mattered to God, just like the lives of those nine precious people who died on June 17, 2015. And your life matters too. Enough that Jesus died to rescue you from sin. Will you let Him save your life today?

Why was Dylann Roof’s murder of nine people in a Charleston church building six years ago so evil? Was it solely because the murders were pre-meditated? No. Was it solely because the victims were in church? No. Was it solely because he was motivated by hate? No. Was it solely because his skin was white and their skin was black? No. All of those factors were examined in great detail in the police investigation, and certainly contributed to it being evil, but those aren’t the real reasons the murders were so evil. They were evil because he killed nine precious souls made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26).

It would be inaccurate to say that our society has become so callused by violence in the entertainment media that it takes an extraordinary event like mass murders by evil racists to stir our emotions. It’s inaccurate because we’re human beings and every culture, including ours, has willingly turned a blind eye to abuse and murder when it suits its purposes. Murder has always been evi

Murder Is Evil 2 Samuel 11:16-17

“No good deed goes unpunished.” It’s hard to believe the Star Wars franchise turned 44 just over a week ago. When we were first introduced to Luke Skywalker, Obi Wan Kenobi & Darth Vader on May 25, 1977 we had no idea of the connections of the characters. In the scene where Vader killed Obi Wan there was no way to know that it was punishment for a good deed done decades earlier when Obi Wan spared Vader’s life. His good deed did not go unpunished. 
 
If that leaves you sad and disappointed then you’re ready to look at the events involving David, Bathsheba, and Uriah. After finding out Bathsheba was having his baby, David tried to hide his sin. He had Uriah sent home under the pretense of wanting a report from the perspective of one of his best soldiers. His real motive was to give Bathsheba a reason for being pregnant. The text says David urged him to go home and clean up, and even sent a present to Uriah’s house (2 Samuel 11:6-8). 
 
But it didn’t work because Uriah had more honor than David. Out of respect for his fellow soldiers Uriah refused to go home and be with his wife. Instead he slept in the palace with other servants. When David found out, his calm slipped a little and he asked Uriah why. Whether Uriah’s answer hinted at the beginning of a question about what was going on, or just reflected his honor we’ll never know (2 Samuel 11:9-11). Regardless, a desperate David stepped up his game by getting Uriah drunk under the assumption he would lose his discipline and go home. It didn’t work because even a drunk Uriah had more integrity than David and refused to dishonor his commitment (2 Samuel 11:12-13). 
 
Well, his good deed of honoring his fellow soldiers did not go unpunished. David, the soldier’s king, and father to be with the soldier’s wife, became a killer by ordering Uriah’s death. David sent an order to the commander to deliberately expose Uriah to the enemy so he would die in battle. Listen to the cold blooded order. “Place Uriah in the front line of the fiercest battle and withdraw from him, so that he may be struck down and die.” (2 Samuel 11:15). 
 
If the betrayal still stands out 3000 years later, we know it stood out back then too. And if it bothers us, rest assured it bothered the people of Israel who quickly learned what was going on. And, most importantly it bothered God, who did not let David’s sin go unpunished either. If good deeds don’t go unpunished then we can trust God to make sure evil ones don’t escape His notice either, not even our own. Think about that whenever you look in a mirror today.

“No good deed goes unpunished.” It’s hard to believe the Star Wars franchise turned 44 just over a week ago. When we were first introduced to Luke Skywalker, Obi Wan Kenobi & Darth Vader on May 25, 1977 we had no idea of the connections of the characters. In the scene where Vader killed Obi Wan there was no way to know that it was punishment for a good deed done decades earlier when Obi Wan spared Vader’s life. His good deed did not go unpunished. 

If that leaves you sad and disappointed then you’re ready to look at the events involving David, Bathsheba, and Uriah. After finding out Bathsheba was having his baby, David tried to hide his sin. He had Uriah sent home under the pretense of wanting a report from the perspective of one of his best soldiers. His real motive was to give Bathsheba a reason for being pregnant. The text says David urged him to go home and clean up, and even sent a present to Uriah’s house (2 Samuel 11:6-8).

But it didn’t work because Uriah had more honor than D

Punishing Uriah’s Good Deed 2 Samuel 11:15

“You had me at hello.” Every woman has seen that scene or heard that line from the movie “Jerry Maguire”, and will never forget it. Jerry, played by Tom Cruise, had walked away from the one person who loved and supported him unconditionally, Dorothy Boyd, played by Renee Zellweger. When he realized his success was meaningless without her he came back and, in front of her friends, professed his love and need for her, ending with his great line “You complete me.” He didn’t know what to say when she interrupted and told him to stop, until she uttered that one line indicting her heart was his and the rest of his profession was just icing on the cake. 
 
When God made His magnificent promise to David in 2 Samuel 7 (also recorded in 1 Chronicles 17) the impact on David was similarly overwhelming. When Nathan finished delivering the word of God, David immediately went to the Tabernacle and sat before God and responded with different words but the same sentiment – “You had me at hello.” David’s heart was captured by God just with the reminder of being lifted from the pasture to the palace. Listen to the words of David and see if you can see it too; “Who am I, oh Lord God, and what is my house, that you have brought me this far?” (2 Samuel 7:18) 
 
David was saying to God, ‘What You’ve already done is more than enough, no more is necessary.” But, knowing the promise of an eternal kingdom was even more significant than His previous blessings, David went on to praise God for the promised future blessing. “And yet this was insignificant in your eyes, O Lord God, for You have spoken also of the house of Your servant concerning the distant future…For the sake of Your word, and according to Your own heart, You have done all this greatness to let your servant know.” (2 Samuel 7:19 & 21). 
 
Overwhelmed by everything God had said, David admitted that only Yahweh is God, submitted himself to the will of God, and committed himself to trust God to keep His word. He ended his prayer of amazed and thankful response with these words, “Now therefore, may it please You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue forever before You. For You, O Lord God, have spoken; and with Your blessing may the house of Your servant be blessed forever.” (2 Samuel 7:29). 
 
The blessings of that promise are available to you in King Jesus. Will you admit He alone is King, submit to His will, and commit yourself to trust Him in response? Can you say like David: “You had my heart at God says”? I hope so, because only in Him are you complete.

“You had me at hello.” Every woman has seen that scene or heard that line from the movie “Jerry Maguire”, and will never forget it. Jerry, played by Tom Cruise, had walked away from the one person who loved and supported him unconditionally, Dorothy Boyd, played by Renee Zellweger. When he realized his success was meaningless without her he came back and, in front of her friends, professed his love and need for her, ending with his great line “You complete me.” He didn’t know what to say when she interrupted and told him to stop, until she uttered that one line indicting her heart was his and the rest of his profession was just icing on the cake.
 
When God made His magnificent promise to David in 2 Samuel 7 (also recorded in 1 Chronicles 17) the impact on David was similarly overwhelming. When Nathan finished delivering the word of God, David immediately went to the Tabernacle and sat before God and responded with different words but the same sentiment – “You had me at hello.” David’s

God Had David At Hello 2 Samuel 7:18-29

“You hear that Mr. Anderson? That is the sound of inevitability.“ At the end of the 1999 movie “The Matrix” Agent Smith tried to persuade Neo to give up and accept the inevitable. Fortunately he failed or the movie would have ended badly and the two sequels wouldn’t have been possible. But that’s how things go in the fictional world of movies: the outcome is predetermined based on the writer’s script and producer’s vision. In “The Matrix” world Neo’s victory was inevitable even when he surrendered, and by that surrender destroyed Agent Smith. 
 
If you’ve been watching Morning Minutes in the Bible since the start you know I believe all good fictional heroes are modeled after the true conquering hero – Jesus. Neo is no different and even in his sacrificial death was carried out as if on a cross. His victory was modeled after the inevitable victory of Jesus. Jesus’ reign on David’s throne was set in the mind of God before the creation of the world (Ephesians 3:11). The absolute victory and enthronement of Jesus, despite the opposition of the Jews and the Romans, was inevitable even before the promise was made to David (2 Samuel 7:12-16). 
 
However, as noted yesterday, there are some who believe Jesus came to earth to throw off the oppressive Roman regime and restore the Jewish nation as a permanent earthly kingdom and rule forever from Jerusalem on the throne of David. For them Jesus failed. It’s one thing for the Jews of Jesus’ day to think that, but something else entirely for people to think it today. It’s absolutely foolish to believe in a failed Jesus, but that’s exactly what Premillennialism teaches. Its adherents say that the same Jesus who was rejected by the Jews 2000 years ago must come back to earth, presumably very soon, and persuade the Jews to accept Him as their Messiah now so He can reign for 1000 years on a physical throne in Jerusalem. 
 
They teach this despite the fact that God’s plan could not be defeated, or even delayed. Not long after receiving the promise David penned Psalm 2, which celebrated the fact that God would set His Son on His throne despite the world’s opposition. To think that the Jews could stop God’s plan is just as foolish as thinking that Satan was going to defeat Him. Jesus has been sitting on David’s throne in Heaven for 2000 years – it was inevitable. In Acts 4:23-28 Peter quoted Psalm 2 and declared how the Jews and Romans had gathered “to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose predestined to occur.” (v28). 
 
The Messiah’s reign was inevitable. Today He rules and reigns in His church, in the hearts of His kingdom citizens, His people, men and women all across the world who turned from dead idols to serve the living God. The only question is: Does Jesus reign in you? Don’t claim it – do it. Turn away from the idol that is this world in complete submission to His will and He will be your king.

“You hear that Mr. Anderson? That is the sound of inevitability.“ At the end of the 1999 movie “The Matrix” Agent Smith tried to persuade Neo to give up and accept the inevitable. Fortunately he failed or the movie would have ended badly and the two sequels wouldn’t have been possible. But that’s how things go in the fictional world of movies: the outcome is predetermined based on the writer’s script and producer’s vision. In “The Matrix” world Neo’s victory was inevitable even when he surrendered, and by that surrender destroyed Agent Smith.

If you’ve been watching Morning Minutes in the Bible since the start you know I believe all good fictional heroes are modeled after the true conquering hero – Jesus. Neo is no different and even in his sacrificial death was carried out as if on a cross. His victory was modeled after the inevitable victory of Jesus. Jesus’ reign on David’s throne was set in the mind of God before the creation of the world (Ephesians 3:11). The absolute victory and

The Lord Reigns – It Was Inevitable  2 Samuel 7:12-16

“Big Fish” is an entertaining movie about a larger than life father and a son who didn’t understand him. As a traveling salesman the dad would come home and fill the air with tall tales and incredible stories. As a grown up seeking to escape the shadow of his father the son rejected him and his stories. It was only beside his father’s death bed that he gave up his anger and resentment to accept his father for who he was and share in the story telling. At the funeral the son was shocked and humbled to see scaled down versions of the many characters who populated his dad’s tall tales. 
 
Like “Field of Dreams” and “Elizabethtown” the story is about restored relationships and reconciliation between fathers and sons. What is it about us guys? Why are the relationships between fathers and son so often strained and difficult? Quite often it is driven by a son wanting to stand on his own and get out from under his father’s shadow. Whatever the reasons may be, there’s almost always an opportunity for some form of reconciliation that can and should be sought. But better than that is a strong healthy relationship that remains unbroken and even unmarred by sin and separation. 
 
However big a shadow our dads may have cast it can’t touch the one cast by the Eternal Father – God. In the great OT passage containing the incredible promise of an everlasting house and throne for David God threw in an incredible addition that shook David and should astound us. God promised that David’s son would also be God’s son. “I will be a father to him, and he will be a son to me” (2 Samuel 7:14). 
 
Sadly, even Solomon with all his wisdom and initial humility eventually was overwhelmed by living in David’s shadow and failed to serve God with his whole heart. “Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not follow the Lord fully, as David his father had done” (1 Kings 11:6). Every other son of David failed to measure up. Some were just plain evil, but even the good ones eventually lost faith and failed to serve God as completely as David. This history of heart breaking failure came to an end with Jesus, who not only exceeded the faithful service of His father David, but measured up to His heavenly Father. 
 
Through the perfect sinless Son of God we can be restored and reconciled to our eternal Father, we can draw near Him in confident faith. That’s the real story of life, the story of one Son who never lost faith or broke fellowship with His Father, and “offered Himself without blemish to God” (Hebrews 9:14). Through that son our heavenly father is telling us about Himself. Will we listen and believe or, considering His offer a tall tale, tune Him out and turn away in disbelief. Thankfully, this Son offers forgiveness for all, who like you and me, have, at some point, turned away in disbelief and disobedience. 
 
As long as there’s breath in your body, and a willing mind, you can come back in obedient faith. I sure hope you will. Let me know if I can help.

“Big Fish” is an entertaining movie about a larger than life father and a son who didn’t understand him. As a traveling salesman the dad would come home and fill the air with tall tales and incredible stories. As a grown up seeking to escape the shadow of his father the son rejected him and his stories. It was only beside his father’s death bed that he gave up his anger and resentment to accept his father for who he was and share in the story telling. At the funeral the son was shocked and humbled to see scaled down versions of the many characters who populated his dad’s tall tales.

Like “Field of Dreams” and “Elizabethtown” the story is about restored relationships and reconciliation between fathers and sons. What is it about us guys? Why are the relationships between fathers and son so often strained and difficult? Quite often it is driven by a son wanting to stand on his own and get out from under his father’s shadow. Whatever the reasons may be, there’s almost always an opportunit

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