Daily Encouragement

March 28, 2010 - How To Discipline Your Children?

Back in 2 Samuel 13, we have already seen the problem of two of David's children. Amnon, the eldest son pretended sickness to create the opportunity to rape his own half sister, Tamar. Her brother, Absalom kept quiet about the whole thing, but plotted an occasion to kill Amnon. And then he fled to another country. In all these things, David did not take initiative to resolve the whole situation and talked to the offending parties. Yet he missed Absalom in his own heart.

So it took Joab, the general to get David and Absalom together. In chapter 14, Joab taught a wise actress to confront David about his dilemma in punishing or loving Absalom. Even David granted Absalom to come back from exile; he still refused to see his son for two years. (v. 28) It took another violent act of Absalom to cause Joab's intervention again so David and son would meet together for the first time in five years.

There is no doubt that David loved his sons very much. But he had failed time and time again as they grew up to be with them in joyful occasion as well in disaster conditions. (See 2 Samuel 13:21, 25, and 2 Samuel 14:24). He as a father and king only expressed his emotion but did not take steps to confront his children personally.

I believe that is the major problem of disciplining children. We may be angry or unhappy with what they did. We must talk to them and spend time to be with them. David could spend time to be with God but he failed to spend time to deal with the problem of his children who desperately seek his attention. If David would have talked to them personally and disciplined them personally, these sons would have been different. Absalom may have been a different young man from the rebellious person he was.

We know that it is not easy to deal with delinquency. But as a father, taking time to be with these tough kids we must. Otherwise, the consequence would be disastrous as we see from David and Absalom's future.

March 29, 2010 - The Love Of A Father

Meditation on 2 Samuel 18

It is seldom recognized the love of a father for his son can be just as intense as or even more than the love of a mother. Though he was tricked and deceived by his son, Absalom in very serious matters as well as recognizing the violent and rebellious nature of his son, (2 Samuel 15:13) and running away from his usurping pursue, David still cared for him. He asked the whole army to spare the life of Absalom in the battle.

But the thick and heavy hair of Absalom which he was so proud of betrayed him. They got caught by a tree branch in the forest. He left hanging and the most handsome and intelligent young man in Israel was killed by Joab, David's general.

David was so grieved by this news to the point that he wept and said these words, "O my son Absalom- my son, my son Absalom- If only I had died in your place! O Absalom my son, my son!" (v. 33 NKJV) This father rather died for his own son even though his son wanted to get of him. Can you imagine that?

Yes, man can love his son very much. But have to start early in spending time with him. David did not.

March 30, 2010 - The Ability To Unite People

Meditation on 2 Samuel 19

As a leader, one must have the ability to bring people of diverse backgrounds and aspirations to come together for a common goal. King David was facing the task to uniting twelve tribes of Israelite into one nation after the civil war.

First, he encouraged and thanked the troops who were loyal to him and fought for him. Then he called for the religious leaders to bring the tribe of Judah, his own flesh and blood to come together to declare their intention of bringing David back to Jerusalem as their king.

To our surprise, David announced that he wanted Amasa, the commander of the opponents to be his general for the whole nation. This showed that he bore no ill will for those Israelite troops who fought for Absalom now that Absalom was dead. This intention to work with those who were different in opinion contributed to the ability of David's success as a leader.

David also granted mercy and forgiveness to Shimei, his enemy from other tribes and who had cursed him when he left Jerusalem. He took time to question the loyalty of Mephibosheth, Saul's grandson. But he found the answer satisfactory. Furthermore, David did not forget the kindness of those who treated him and his family well during his desperate hour. He repaid the goodness of Barsillai.

As a result, people from both sides of the civil war were for him! We can learn from David.

March 31, 2010 - The Purpose Of Census

Meditation on 2 Samuel 24

This is the year and time for census in the United States. It is conducted for the benefits of the people.

But in 1 Chronicles 21:3, it stated that Satan was the one that tempted David to number the people in Israel. Probably David's command to have the census was to calculate the military power he had to protect his kingdom and himself from being toppled. Or may be it was just his own pride to shown his military strength instead of trusting in God's protection like he did when he was a teenager against the giant. We did not find any statistics of each of the tribe in Israel except the figure of the fighting men consisted of two camps, the soldiers of Israel and Judah. This also seemed to be an assessment by David to count on his own flesh to protect him in case there would be a civil war again. Indeed, this was the prelude of what to come in the future when the kingdom split during Rehoboam, David's grandson.

When David finally realized his own guilt, he confessed his sin of conducting this census with the wrong motive. But the nation stilled suffered God's judgment of a severe plague. When a leader did wrong, usually the followers suffered. Fortunately, King David begged for God's mercy and sacrificed a burnt offering as well as a peace offering to the Lord at the place appointed by God. This was the same place where Solomon would build the temple of God. And the plague stopped.

May the leaders of our country do not sin against God. Also may we do not sin against God's laws.

April 1, 2010 - Time To Speak Up

Meditation on 1 Kings 1

King David had become old and weak physically. He had not installed a king to succeed him yet. So the son next to Absalom decided to promote himself. Adonijah secured the support of general Joab and Abiathar the priest. So he invited all his brothers except Solomon to a banquet intended to proclaim himself as the future king.

But Nathan the prophet realized that this was not God's will nor it was David's desire. So in spite of the time of Adonijah's celebration, he took up the courage to inform Bathsheba and in turn David concerning the situation. Consequently, Solomon's life was saved and became king of Israel through the immediate action of David. And God's will was fulfilled.

God's person and people must speak up in time of national crisis like Nathan did. If we do not speak up to correct the trend and some wrong movement, our country may fall into the hand of those who have a dangerous agenda. The church is the pillar and foundation for the truth. (1 Timothy 3:15)

April 2, 2010 - Two Pillars For The House Of God

Meditation on 1 King 7

God had provided and inspired a wise and skillful man name Huram to make many beautiful furniture for the temple of God. He specially built two very tall pillars of bronze in front of the entrance of the temple, one on the right and one on the left. They were named Jachin and Boaz respectively. They were elaborately constructed with decoration of lilies on the top and two rows of pomegranates.

These pomegranates served as a reminder of the decoration on the priestly robe of the high priest, Aaron who interceded for the people of God. I believe it was a reminder that the temple was a place of prayer.

The pillar of Jachin means "he established". And the pillar of Boaz means "In him is strength". As Professor R. D. Patterson says in the Expositor's Bible Commentary, these pillars reminded all of us the grace of God that He is the one who establishes the kingdom of David and He is the one who strengthens the dynasty.

So it is today that we need to be reminded that our church has been established by God and will be strengthened by God.

April 3, 2010 - From Blessings To Warning

Meditation on 1 Kings 9

After King Solomon had finished the temple and dedicated it to God. The LORD appeared to him the second time just like He did the first time at Gibeon. The LORD said that He had heard his dedicatory prayers and plea. He promised that His eyes and His heart will always be there at the temple. With the condition of his obedience to God's decrees and laws, Solomon's throne over Israel will be established forever. (v. 3-5)

As if God had predicted the apostasy of Israel, He had given severe warning to Solomon and his descendants. Even though they had experienced God's tremendous blessings, their temple and their land will be devastated. They will be rejected and ridiculed. (v. 6-9) These words of warning should be considered very carefully for Solomon. But he did not. The care of the world, the pride of life, and the love of women at his old age had led him astray.

God loved Solomon. But his following heathen wives to worship other gods caused God's anger. (1 Kings 11:9) Do you love any other idols than the LORD today? (1 John 5:21)