APRIL 22, 2022

 “Imagine how much a man's life would change if he trusted that he was loved by God.” 

― Donald Miller

2 SAMUEL 4-6

20When 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, going around half-naked in full view of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!”

21David 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. 22I 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.”

23And Michal daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death.(6:12-23)

LUKE 18:18-43

35As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”

38He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

39Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

40Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, 41“What do you want me to do for you?”

“Lord, I want to see,” he replied.

42Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” 43Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.

JOURNAL 

Again I see David's  passion on display in his worship of God. David does not care about traditions or what is customary or proper. He worships with all his heart because he loves God with all his heart. He is persistent and dedicated to following and honoring all God has done, even when it comes to his enemies. Twice David executed Men who took, or claimed to take the life of those who God had put in power ( Saul and Ish Boseth - his son). It is not particularly David's actions but rather David's heart. 

David at this point is refusing to let anything come between him and his love for God. He does not care what is proper or that Michal is embarrassed of him. He does not care that he is not acting like a "king". David is being himself and doing and responding accordingly.

It is the same with the blind beggar...he cries out to Jesus and is rebuked for it. He persists still, and as a result Jesus heals him. The message in all of this to me is very clear...never seek to please man, for man is not God. Seek to honor God and God will redeem us, God will rescue us, God will provide a way to healing and success. 

I don't think this means that we are to not care about other people...rather the opposite...that we are to care so deeply about God and his love for us that it in turn spills over into every area of our lives.  Our objective shifts from getting what we want to being my very best and working to solve the daily problems and challenges in loving Godly ways. Love of God and seeking him and serving him becomes more important than everything else...as a result we will love others in greater ways that we ever would have before. 

37Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’^c 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’^d 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Matthew 22:37-40