2 Samuel 10-12

"In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king's men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem."

This is the premise of David's sin of adultery with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah (one of David's faithful and humble soldiers).

I don't know the reason why David stayed behind in Jerusalem when all the other kings were off to war. Perhaps, he enjoyed a bit too much victory and decided to take it easy. I don't know. But as I read this, I was reminded of how it is easier for us to sin and fall into temptation when we neglect our duties, and have some extra undeserved time in our hands. Let's be obedient to God this day for the things he has set for us to do, so we may avoid any unnecessary sins.

"After Nathan had gone home, the LORD struck the child that Uriah's wife had borne to David, and he became ill. David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and went into his house and spent the nights lying on the ground. The elders of his household stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and he would not eat any food with them. On the seventh day the child died."

God was displeased with David's sin, and he sent Nathan the prophet to let David know. God, through Nathan, also, told David that his sin is forgiven (that God would not kill him), yet, the consequence of his sin is that his son will die.

I was touched by David's heart of true repentance. He was so distraught with what he did and the consequence it caused, that he fasted and pleaded with God for 7 days. And this was after he found out that his sin was forgiven and that he, himself, would not die.

But after his child died, David immediately got up, washed up, and went on with his life. His servants were baffled by this sudden change.

"'Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!'

He answered, 'While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, 'Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let the child live.' But now that he is dead, why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.'"

This passage reminded me that our past does not determine our future. When we sin, we must truly repent, but, afterwards, we must move on. We may deal with the consequences of our sins, but we are forgiven by the blood of Jesus. We tend to give into the lies of the enemy so often about our past sins and failures, and we get so discouraged by it. Let's be reminded that when Jesus said, "It is done" on the cross, he won the victory. And that this day, we can choose to live a victorious life full of hope and peace by the grace of God:)

Proverbs 20-23

"There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD."

These verses remind us once again what we have been sharing for the past few days. Even though the whole world does not seem to recognize God and his sovereignty, we know that he is indeed in control of everything including our very lives.

"Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD. There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off."

Praise God for he always speaks to us what we need to hear! I think God has been telling me about hope more than anything else since we started sharing our quiet time. Perhaps it's because I get discouraged so easily. Like you reminded me the other day, the enemy is always looking for a chance to discourage us using any means. Therefore, we always have to be alert and pray, so that we won't buy into his lies.

When I was driving home yesterday, God spoke to me while I was listening to a sermon on the radio. He reminded me of a story about Peter. When Jesus told him to step out of a boat and come to him, Peter was able to walk on water. However, when he took his eyes off of Jesus and "saw the wind", he started to drown. I think that's what happens to us when we fix our eyes on something or someone other than Jesus. We become fearful, discouraged, and hopeless. But when we look to Jesus, we are able to do things that seem impossible.

Just want to share this verse with you which is perfect for today's quiet time and Good Friday.

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

2 Samuel 4-6

"When David returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, 'How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, disrobing in the sight of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!'

David said to Michal, 'It was before the LORD, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the LORD's people Israel–I will celebrate before the LORD. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor.'"

(Story recap) David has become king of the Israelites, and he has conquered Jerusalem from the Philistines. He has asked for the ark of the LORD be brought over to Jerusalem, and when the ark was brought, David worshiped and danced before God. (End recap)

When we talked yesterday about what I learned from 2 Samuel 1-3, I told you that David was someone that truly knew his place in relation to God. Today's reading confirmed that lesson. David was made king. Yet, I believe he feared God the most out of all the Israelites (we've read of many many examples of how most Israelites did not fear God). He lived his life reflecting his belief that God is sovereign. He knew that God is in control of all things. David even refused to kill Saul, when he had the chance, because he saw Saul as someone appointed by God. Someone that God put in his life, so he can go through the trials that he went through. David saw the big picture of who God really is.

So when the ark of God was being brought to Jerusalem, he worshiped and "danced before the LORD with all his might". Yes, it is very foolish for a king to act this way before his people. But David was able to do this, because in his heart he knew the real king.

Reading this, I thought about how I forget my place in the Lord so often. If I can, like David, put God in his rightful place all the time, how differently would I think, act, and live? When God, through his Spirit, reveals to us that he is sovereign (I believe you said you were reminded of that yesterday, and that was the reason your peace was restored), all of the sudden we see the big picture. All of the sudden, the things that caused us to be bitter, angry, or depressed, seem silly. It will cause us to even forget ourselves (which is not something that happens very often).

Let's take David's example and put God in his rightful place today in our hearts. God is, indeed, sovereign. He knows all about us and our needs. Let's ask God to set our hearts straight this day, so we can (like David) truly worship and praise him:)

Proverbs 13-16

"To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue. All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD.

In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD."

From today's reading, I was reminded of God's sovereignty. It is a good thing to think about the future and plan ahead. However, if our plans are not according to God's will, God is saying he will have his way no matter what we try to accomplish.

I've been confused about my career for some time now. I finished school with my major, and it's time for me to have a career. And I would like to have a profession that is related to my major. Since it's not happening right now, I am getting discouraged and frustrated. And I thought about Joseph in the bible. Before he became a high official in Egypt, he had to go through a lot of hardship. I believe God allowed those hard times in his life so that he would be ready to lead a nation and also to forgive his brothers.

I thank God this day for everything that is happening and not happening in my life, because my life is in his hands. Also, I thank God for answering my prayer. My joy and peace are restored :D

1 Samuel 28-31

"Then David came to the two hundred men who had been too exhausted to follow him and who were left behind at the Besor Ravine. They came out to meet David and the people with him. As David and his men approached, he greeted them. But all the evil men and troublemakers among David's followers said, 'Because they did not go out with us, we will not share with them the plunder we recovered. However, each man may take his wife and children and go.'

David replied, 'No, my brothers, you must not do that with what the LORD has given us. He has protected us and handed over to us the forces that came against us. Who will listen to what you say? The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike.'"

(Story recap) While David and his men were at the battle field, their town was destroyed by Amalekites. They burned their town and took everything, including their wives and children. David, with the blessing from God, went after the Amalekites and retrieved all that was stolen. But two hundred of his men had to stay behind, because they were too exhausted. (End recap)

It's funny to me how whenever I come across people that are jerks in the bible, God always reminds me that I am just like them. Before David left to fight the Amalekites, he asked God, "Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?" "Pursue them,' he (God) answered. 'You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue." So they beat the Amalekites because of God, not because of their abilities. David was aware of this, but not some of his men. They pretty much thought they were better than the men that stayed behind. They wanted to be recognized that they went and fought, so that they deserve more of the recovered plunder.

How often do we do this in our lives, if not outwardly, then, in our hearts? We love to be recognized and get credit for things. We seem to do this more to the people that we are closest to. In a relationship, if there is something that needs to be done but the other person is too exhausted to help, are we willing to pick up their slack? (Doing the dishes, taking out the trash, watching the kids, walking the dog, etc.) And if we do help out, do we do it humbly, or in our hearts, do we keep tabs on all the times we helped out and they didn't?

How often must we be reminded to love others as Jesus loved us. We are all very much natural hypocrites. Let's be thankful and rejoice this day that we are loved by Jesus. Let's be reminded that all that we have are gifts from him. We should not seek credit or pat ourselves on the back for anything that we do, but in all things, be thankful unto the Lord our God:)

Proverbs 6-9

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer."

Book of Proverbs talks about wisdom. What it is, what it does, how to get it, etc. The world may look at Christians, like us, and think that we are foolish - going to church more than once a week, praying, reading the bible, tithing, etc. At one morning prayer, pastor Kim said that if there is no judgment and no heaven, Christians are the most foolish people. If life here on earth is all we have, we should live it up doing whatever we want to do. However, we know and believe that there is heaven and hell and reward and judgment. Soon Jesus is coming back to take us to heaven where our reward is.

If that is what we believe, let us live with the fear of the Lord. Our speech, conducts, and decisions should reflect our fear of the Lord. Let us ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen us so that we will be able to face this day with wisdom and discernment from God.