Daily Reflections on 2 Sam. 24:18-25 (Owning Up to Mistakes)

Mistakes always cost you one way or another. Sometimes there's a big payoff. Sometimes it costs us very little. Whatever the cost, there is always a lesson to be learned. The lesson is sometimes heeded and other times we have to learn it again. For some of us who take a little longer to learn, we may have to learn the lesson several times before we actually get it.

All of have made our fair share of mistakes. Yet, to be honest, it hasn't stopped us from making more mistakes. Making mistakes seems to be a part of life. And the hardest part about our mistakes is always the cost of the consequences. The problem is that we can't control the cost of our consequences. And sometimes, the consequences sadly affect other people who are innocent bystanders. It always saddens my heart to hear of someone killed by a drunk driver, especially if it was a child. The tragedy seems more than unfair to the victims.

King David, although a man after God's own heart, was far from perfect. We have a lot of fond stories of David, but his behavior wasn't always on the same page as God. In 2 Samuel 24, David, against the advice of his closest friends, decided to find out how powerful he really was by counting all his fighting men. He was flexing his muscles in the mirror to enhance his own ego. David was getting a little cocky and was more interested in his own strength, power, prestige, etc. than he was in seeking and trusting God.

After the census was taken, David realized his sin. But God brought a humbling punishment on him. He actually gave David a choice of punishments. David chose a three day plague over the land. 70,000 people died. David pleaded for forgiveness and for God to stop the death of his people. It happened that angel of the Lord was at the home of man named Araunah. So David was instructed through a prophet of God to go an build an altar to the Lord there and make a sacrifice.

David arrived at the farm of Araunah to build an altar. But Araunah wanted to supply everything for the altar and sacrifice. However, David insisted on paying him for the property and the animal to be sacrificed with these words, "I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing."

David's mistake had cost many lives. He had felt the pain of his people, owned up to the mistake, pleaded for mercy and forgiveness, and coffed up the cash to pay for his mistake. We can't escape the consequences for our mistakes. But to right ourselves with God, we must be willing to admit them in genuine remorse, recognize our humaness, humbly beg for mercy and forgiveness, and be willing to pay retribution. David wasn't able to bring back the family members of those who died in the plague. But he did step up to the plate and did his best to reduce any further suffering to his/God's kingdom.

God, your mercy is so awesome. How we need you. How I need you. I would love to minimize the mistakes I make. The only way I know to do that is to learn to trust you more. But my learning process seems to involve making more mistakes. I find myself learning the hard way. Empower me by my your spirit to seek your path, to minimize my screw ups, and to be willing to own up to the mistakes I do make.

Daily Reflections on Ps. 119:105-112 (A Little Light Here, Please)

Last night after our life group/bible study group ended, some of our folks decided they were going to walk the mile trail around my subdivision. They started out the door and quickly returned with an earnest request. "Can we have a flashlight?" Our group ended after 9pm and darkness had fallen across the terrain. They needed a little light to see the path. Nobody wanted to come back with a broken ankle or a skinned knee.

The psalmist says that God's Word is light to our path. He gives it to us to keep us from stumbling and falling. What's interesting is that the psalmist also acknowledges that he/she had crashed and burned in the past. He/she even confessed the tendency to take their own life into their hands and recognized the constant temptation to stray from the path.

What strikes me is the wisdom of the psalmist here to recognize God's Word is key to facing life. When I've really messed up, God's Word is there to guide me out. When I'm about to take a plunge off of a cliff, God's Word is there to hold me back. When I'm about to take a misstep, God's Word is there to enlighten me. When I'm about to fall to a temptation, God's Word is there to warn me.

Not only does God's Word act as a preventive measure, it also leads us down a safe and secure path. As long as we follow God's teachings and instruction, we can anticipate healthier relationships, more stable finances, greater joy and less heartache. I'm not saying everything in life we'll be clear sailing. I'm saying that following God's Word is the best path to take in life for the greatest assurance of a beneficial life.

God, thanks for lighting my path with your Word. I need your direction, your teaching, your instruction. I need the warnings and the heads up in life. I thirst for your truth. Reveal to me what I need to know to pursue a life of holiness.

Daily Reflections on Jn. 17:3-5 (What Is Eternal Life?)

What is eternal life? Jesus answered that question very simply in His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. John 17 gives us a picture of what Jesus was praying the night before He went to the cross. Jesus' longest, most intense prayer, that brought sweat drops as of blood, was more than just about His suffering. As you read through these verses, you quickly discover that Jesus was praying as much about His disciples, and me and you as He was Himself.

Jesus' passion was about reconciliation of Himself with God, His disciples with God and one another, and all of mankind with God and one another. Jesus couldn't wait to get back to heaven to join His father. But the whole purpose of His coming to was to bring along as many as He could through their faith and belief in Him.

Jesus defines eternal life as knowing God as the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom God sent. Knowing God and knowing Jesus is eternal life. Now when Jesus says that, He doesn't mean just knowing about God. He said "knowing God." The implication of the original word in the New Testament is more about having a deep personal relationship than a general understanding or passing acquaintance. So what was Jesus talking about.

To understand what "knowing God" means, you simply have to look at how Jesus knew God. He describes their relationship as a oneness. Later in the passage He prays that His disciples be "one" as He and the Father are "one." Jesus' oneness with God was such that He drew His power from God, His essence from God, His essential sustenance from God. God was the point and direction of His life. Jesus said that all He had was God's. Everything about His life and being was God's.

That kind of oneness is eternal life. That's what it means to truly "know God." It's not about having a ticket to heaven. It's about a deep abiding relationship with God, where everything about my life and being is focused on Him. We're not talking about living in a monastery. Jesus did just the opposite. He lived among people. He interfaced with the world. In fact, he shied away from hanging out with the religious aristocracy of His day. He chose to spend time in prayer, the Holy Scriptures, at the local synagogues, with every day, common people, and with people who were far away from God by lifestyle. His life was almost exclusively about giving and serving others.

If eternal life is knowing God and knowing Jesus on a deep personal level that permeates every aspect of my life, what is eternal death? Death is a word that simply means separation. In this case separation from God and Jesus for eternity. Jesus wants us to experience eternal life, not eternal death. Life period, or the abundant life as Jesus talks about, is only found in God. God teams with life. Separated from Him there is no life. Not real life anyway. We may have existence, but we're not living.

As long as I'm not pursuing that deep personal relationship with God and Jesus, I'm actually pursuing death or at least the things that lead to death. I'd rather focus on life, eternal life. I want to know God and Jesus. I mean really know them. And it's in knowing them that my relationship with others are enhanced and deepened.

God, thanks for making it possible to really know you. Thanks for removing the barrier that existed between us because of my sin. I need your power in my life. I need your direction in my life, to focus my life, become the essence of my life. I don't want to hold anything back from you. Become my total sustenance. Allow me to experience the fullness of eternal life with you here and now.

Daily Reflections on 2 Sam. 12:1-25 (Finger Pointing)

Finger pointing can be a nasty game. It's normally thought of in negative terms. Typically, finger pointing involves confrontation; sometimes intense and sometimes playful. The "he did it, she did it" game starts in childhood, but continues throughout adulthood. We're all good at pointing the finger at someone else. The tough part comes when the finger is rightfully pointed at us.

David had that painfully embarrassing experience. The prophet Nathan comes to David with a tale about a rich man who steals a poor man's ewe lamb. David issues a death sentence to this despicable character only to hear the words, "You are that man." Oops! Maybe I was a bit hasty in my sentencing. Let's look at the case a little more closely.

Fortunately for David, his sin with Bathsheba didn't cost him his life. God showed him mercy. Although, according to the law, David was guilty of both murder and adultery, both capital offenses. Yet God gave him a reprieve. David didn't escape punishment, however. God said that sword would not depart from his house, his wives would be publicly violated by someone close to him and the child he conceived in his adultery with Bathsheba would die.

All three of the consequences came to pass in David's life. The new born baby died within a week. His own children preyed upon each other, physically, emotionally and even sexually. His favorite son, usurped his authority, set up tents and publicly humiliated David's wives.

What's really interesting is that God took David's deepest, most atrocious sin and turned it into a blessing. Weird, huh! David should have been condemned to death for his adultery alone. Yet, God blessed the union with Bathsheba with a son, Solomon. Solomon became David's successor as king. The text says that God loved Solomon and sent word through Nathan to name him Jedidiah, which means "loved by the Lord." The most ironic aspect of this whole story is that ultimately, God sent Jesus into the world through Solomon's line.

God is capable of taking our hugest mistake, deepest, darkest sin and use it to bring a blessing to someone else. David's ardent remorse and repentance was the key. David still suffered the consequences of his sinful behavior that caused him continual pain. But God majors in taking train wrecks in our lives to allow us to be reminded of His grace and honoring His followers.

God, thanks for your grace, your forgiveness, your mercy. A lot of times, fingers could have been, should have been pointed at me for my guilt. But, Lord, you've taken my deepest failures and used them to your glory. I cry out like the Apostle Paul to you for deliverance from myself, my sin, my faux pas, my ignorance, my undisciplined life and rejoice in your hand at work to release me from condemnation.

Daily Reflections on Ps. 119:1-16 (A Word To All Graduates)

My baby was graduated from high school this week. It won't be long before she heads off to college three hours away. Yesterday she was just a little tike taking off her own training wheels. And now, there she was marching down the aisle in her gold cap and gown. They didn't play the typical, "Pomp and Circumstance." But she did get her diploma and now the next phase begins.

I'm not sure on whom it will be harder, mom and dad or daughter. There will be some loneliness for both I'm sure. My daughter hasn't spent a whole lot of time away from family on her own. Leaving her at college by herself is going to be a challenge for all of us. But the little birds must leave the nest, stretch their wings and fly on their own. It's all part of life.

I remember my high school graduation all those many years ago. I dashed off the football field, turned in my cap and gown and bolted for my car. I beat my parents home where they had planned a little reception in my honor. Two weeks later, I hopped a plane and flew 1,200 miles back to Illinois where I had lived most of my Jr. High and High School days. I was assured a job there so I could pay for school.

I was on my own. I never lived at home again. In fact, my parents moved later that year to new city. I didn't know where they where living until Thanksgiving. It was a weird feeling sitting on that plane before we left the terminal. I knew that I was out of the nest. Decisions were all mine from now on. No longer were my parents in charge of my life. I had longed for this opportunity, but now that it had arrived, well let's just say my stomach turned over.

The opening words of the psalmist in Psalm 119 have been of valuable guidance for me, especially in my early years of life on my own. It helped me with my decisions. I offer it as sound advice to all graduating seniors on their way to college or career. Verse 9 really stands out, "How can a young person keep their way pure? By living according to your word." Within the pages of God's Word is instruction on how to do life to gain the maximum enjoyment, fulfillment and the least heartache. My train wrecks through the years have been when I ignored God's teaching.

God, I'm not a young man any more, but I find I still need the teaching of your Word to guide my life. Thanks for giving us your Word from which to learn, grow, and really live.

Daily Reflections on John 12:1-8 (Lavishing Extravagance)

The fragrance filled the room. The sweet and rich scent tantalized each nostril. An entire jar of expensive perfume was used to anoint the feet of Jesus. She used her long hair as a towel. As she caressed His feet, the conversation started. Why did she waste the whole jar on His feet. Some thought that the jar of perfume should have been sold and the money used to help the poor. Efficiency and efficacy were more important in some minds. Let's be practical.

The adorning of Jesus is thought to be an extravagant when resources are poured out to Him is ways thought to be impractical. But interestingly, Jesus had a different opinion. He praised Mary's action here in John. He made note that the poor would always be with them. He also noted that He would soon be gone. Her action was an acceptable tribute to Him. Soon He would be headed to the cross and the grave.

I've thought a lot about Mary's reaction and Jesus' response. I confess, I've always leaned to the practical side of things. Ministry has always taken priority over extravagance. I struggle with elaborate buildings and furnishings that serve no particular purpose except for aesthetics. I know the importance of nice looking and functional facilities. However, I can't help but think how much ministry could be done for 3 or 6 or 12 million in buildings and furnishing.

When we remodeled a Wal-Mart building for our facility in 2000, I was proud that we saved about 3-5 million versus building a brand new building. Yet that year as I sat in an ancient open air coliseum in Israel, I couldn't help but note that is was built so that one could whisper on stage and be heard anywhere in the 10,000 plus seat arena. We just spent $25,000 plus on a sound system for 1,000 seat auditorium and we were still having trouble balancing the sound. Why couldn't my architect do that?

The question in my own mind is how often do I really bestow extravagance on Jesus? Ministry needs never go away. If I focus all my giving to just needs, do I lose real motivation. Should I be focusing a portion of my effort just on using my resources express my love and appreciation to Jesus? If I don't take time give of myself, my resources on just Him alone, what happens to my spirit?

God, I want to lavish you with my gifts, my love, my being.

Daily Reflections on Jn. 10:24-30 (Secure in the Hand of God)

Ever play the game where one person holds a pebble or marble or M&M in their open palm while the other person tries to snatch before the first person closes their hand? It's a fun game to play, especially if the reward of the snatch is a chocolate morsel. Grasping the prize depends on the skill and dexterity of the players. A quick snatcher has a better than fifty fifty chance of winning the contest. Which means an artful protector can retain the item a greater percentage of the time.

With the game, the protector tempts the snatcher by placing the hand open with palm up. It gives the snatcher an opportunity to steal the item. In other words, the protector places the prize at risk in almost a taunting manor.

In John 10, Jesus paints the picture of God holding his sheep, his people, the saved in His hand. But instead of holding them out so that they could be snatched by Satan or someone or something else, God clenches us firm in His mighty hand. Nothing or no one can rip them from His grip.

That's reassuring to know that God doesn't play games with us or put us at risk. He's not in some cosmic game of snatch with the devil. God isn't fickle. He is steadfast. What's under His protection or in His possession can't be torn away, stolen away, pulled away, maneuvered away or even gambled away.

Jesus said whoever places their life into His hands has eternal life. Putting your life into His hands is a lot more secure than taking your life into your own hands or placing them into someone else's hands. In this day of great uncertainty, the securest place you could be is in the hands of God. Sorry Allstate, you may have good hands, but I'd rather be in God's.

God, I love being in your hand instead of my own or the governments or my financial adviser or anyone else's. I know I have the tendency to want to peel back your fingers and experience life without you in my life. But you know, Lord, it doesn't take me long to come back into the security of your palm. It's so reassuring to know that you don't put my life at risk.