Fallen-Restored-Still Loved

There is no believer who has not sinned either before knowing Christ or after knowing Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Everything in David's life was going pretty smooth, he was obedient to God, God had blessed him all the way in everything he did. He is king and his subjects are happy to be in his kingdom, because he deals in righteousness and does what is good for his people.
In spite of such a good record, David slips, he sins against a good man named Uriah and acquires his wife, after plotting his murder in the battle field. God is disappointed with David's actions, and David loses the son he has through Bathsheba (Uriah's wife). David sinned!!! However, he was quick to ask for forgiveness and get right with the Lord. Later he did have to face the consequences of the sin.
We are so glad to receive all that we want, from God, however there are times, when we compromise our stand in the Lord, for petty pleasures/wants. Yes faith works, but that is not all that God wanted us to learn, He would love to have children who are well built in character,

Lessons I learnt

1. Anything outstandingly good in our behaviour, can come ONLY through a relationship with Jesus-David was a wonderful king, a successful king because God was with him, so also if there be anything good that comes out of our life, its because of our Loving Lord Jesus, Immanuel, God with us.So also, for us who believe in Jesus, we are prompted and encouraged to do good, even to people who hurt you, through our Lord Jesus."22This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe." So if we thought goodness is inherent of a human being, its not. Yes we can easily do good to people who hurt, to people who are equal in our status, people who are good to us, but can we like David, be good to a person's kid, who continuously tried to kill him? Now these are good deeds, which will be remembered forever.
2. Sin is falling short of God's mark and also not doing what we're supposed to do-"There is no difference, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". David is a wonderful mentor for someone who wants to be a man after God's own heart, however he too sinned. You know why David sinned, because in this record, David was NOT DOING WHAT HE WAS SUPPOSED TO DO. "1 In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king's men .......But David remained in Jerusalem. "If David would have gone for war, he wouldn't be strolling in his palace aimlessly. God has a plan for us, but if we think of taking a break for a season, we might as well be strolling aimlessly even though we think we got it all figured out.
3. Lets not take advantage of God's goodness-When a child of God sins it brings contempt to his/her Father in heaven-"because by doing this you have made the enemies of the LORD show utter contempt, "( 2 Samuel 12:14) It is a serious thing, to make our enemies show contempt to our Living God. Just because our Lord is Loving and forgiving, doesn't mean we take advantage of His goodness.
4. There is hope for all who repent-The Word of God is frank about David's sin, because there is a lesson for all, it is true David sinned, but it is also true that he repented sincerely. The Bible mentions " 13 Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." Nathan replied, "The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. "( 2 Samuel12:13) God forgave David, instantly upon his repentence, so does God for us "1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." not from some sins, but from all.

Conclusion: This episode from David's life is a very serious one, however it brings out the essesnce of human failure and God's love. "22This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."( Romans 3:22-24) The Good news is, God does not hold this sin against David forever because David repented, though the consequences remain, the relationship of God and David grow stronger. David now has learnt that though he is a king and a great man as people see, he is a small human being with faults before God. So also, for us if it was ONLY to be good on the outside what would the world have been? Can you imagine? Our God molds us into good people, inside and out. People whose lives are transformed by His divine light and direction. Lives that are so transparent before God, that when God shines on them, His light shines right through them and they become God's reflection, God's light and salt for this world. Lets be one too.

If we don't who will...fight the spiritual battle

2 Samuel 10:12 "12 Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The LORD will do what is good in his sight."
This is what David said, when confronted by the Ammonites for battle. The Ammonites had demeaned David's men when they had gone to Nahum, their king, to mourn the death of his father. Nahum's counsellors told him, that David has sent men to spy the land and hence dishonoured David's men.
Its amazing to be able to say, let God do what pleases Him.
I learned a few lessons from this chapter(2 Samuel 10) from the Bible

1. Total trust in the Lord-David leaned wholly on the Lord, no matter what the outcome was going to be. Can we trust God so completely, without a shadow of a doubt, when the outcome can go either ways, for you or against you, when no one else is there to guide you, when the answer is not in sight.
2. Relationship with God is good and strong-David's statement, teaches me that David has a constant relationship with God, which actually has emboldened him so much, that he knows that when God does something that He thinks is good, it WILL be good for him. Do we have that kind of relationship with God, that no matter what hits, we'll know it in our heart that our God will never leave us nor forsake us. Also that God has plans to prosper us and not to harm us.
3. A right attitude to fight-David had the right attitude, he wasn't fighting because he was angry with that king, but because now they have come to attack the Israelites and he wanted to protect the people, God has given him to be king of. He wanted to fight in order to defend God's people.God has given us people to be around too, maybe our family members, our neighbours, our colleagues, our friends who don't know the Lord, because our enemy and God's enemy has blinded their eyes, that they cannot see the salvation and wonderful gift that Jesus has to offer them. Do we have that attitude to face any situation, to defend God's people. All the people on the earth are God's people, did you know? Psalm 24:1 says " 1 The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it" We fight not for ourselves, or our own benefit, but for the people of God, on behalf of God, but our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against powers and principalities in heavenly places, which are trying to rise up against our Living Lord Jesus.

Conclusion: David won the battle. Yeah, and not by a small margin too. The enemies stood to fight, "18 But they fled before Israel, and David killed seven hundred of their charioteers and forty thousand of their foot soldiers. [b] He also struck down Shobach the commander of their army, and he died there" I cannot imagine that much damage in a battle where no bombs and nuclear weapons are involved.God's people are very precious to Him, thats why God sent His One and Only Son Lord Jesus to die on the cross, and not just anybody He could have picked. God's people are too important to Him, thats why He longs to meet them, longs to commune with them. God's people are very special to Him, thats why He says 'You are mine". How can we being God's children, walk away from our other brothers and sisters who have been blinded and dont know our Heavenly Father's love. Lets be strong and fight bravely for our people...and God will do what He knows best.

Defective Life....Blessed

David was man, who loved to help people. He loved to do right works, and made sure, his life was connected to God. He did everything with God's approval, and so he prospered because the Lord Almighty was always with him
In 2 Samuel 9 we see how David sought for, anyone left from Jonathan's house, to show them kindness.Mephibosheth was found, and David took such good care of him, that he established that, Mephibosheth should dine at the king's place, forever."7 "Don't be afraid," David said to him, "for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table." "

Lessons I learnt

1. We did not choose God, God chose us to be His children, the choice we have is whether we accept God as a choice too-Mephibosheth did not choose David to help him out, but David sought for Mephibosheth and blessed him similarly, we had no idea to choose God, without knowing him, yet God knows us and saves us from our terrible and dipressing situations.
2. Our current circumstances should not matter our relationship with God-No matter what type of person you are, or what shape your life is in, God knows our situations, he knows we've been left to fend for oursleves,by our own choice. And he wants to help, the choice we have, is to either receive God's guidance and help for our situation or work without Him in our lives. For with God all things are possible. God does not make guess work about our livesHe has it all well planned, and a believer clearly knows where his help comes from, what his or her God would do for him. God doesn't help us because we're in trouble, but because He loves us and wants to bless us.
3. God doesn't just have an idea or a good thought of saving and keeping us in Him, but God longs to try to meet with us to fulfil those plans- "3 The king asked, "Is there no one still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show God's kindness?" Ziba answered the king, "There is still a son of Jonathan; he is crippled in both feet." 4 "Where is he?" the king asked. Ziba answered, "He is at the house of Makir son of Ammiel in Lo Debar."For David, helping Jonathan's descendents was not a great thought, but he sincerely did want to help him. God doesn't have a good plan for us, but He seeks to intercept our lives and wants us to live out His perfect and pleasing plan for our lives."Isaiah 30:18 Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!"
4. Accepting God's will without a doubt-If Mephibosheth, would have doubted, whether David really meant to help him, he would have never entered the king's palace. Or if Mephibosheth would have thought, who am I to deserve the king's attention, he would not have gone ahead with David's request. Surely we are nothing, no bodies to deserve such wonderful saving grace from God, yet God chose us to show His kindness, because He loves us. 9 He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; 10 he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;"(Psalm 103:9-11). When we accept God's kindness towards us, we accept God's love.
5. Accepting God's plan for our lives, is a key to success and a good life- Soon after Mephibosheth accepted David's plan to keep him at his palace, "And Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, because he always ate at the king's table, and he was crippled in both feet." Now thats a wonderful life, that Mephibosheth received from David. He wouldn't have to worry about food, clothing or shelter any more. The king was taking care of it all. Once we've accepted God's plan in our lives, all the rest gets taken care of. Matthew 6:33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Now I think, seeking God's kingdom, also means that we want God to be our King, and for God to be our King, we should be willing to be His subjects and the rest of the things will be added to us. Its not about making other people somehow get into the kingdom, but living the kingdom-like life so that others may see and want what the kingdom of God has. I think that would make evangelisation so easy. We've just got to live in obedience to our King Lord Jesus and everything will be added to us.

Conclusion:There were shortcomings in Mephibosheth, yet David did not consider those as a hindrance to show his kindness. Mephibosheth was lame and might have been misreable for not being able to move around freely, but David's love and concern for him, changed Mephibosheth's life forever. So also, God Himself, has been trying to look out for any who are righteous, who are willing to follow God's will, who are willing to be people of His kingdom. People who are willing to abide by the rules of God's Kingdom and thereby, be blessed, not only for themselves but also for their entire generations to come.

I Wonder

I Wonder, how Noah must have felt, when God said "build an ark". No one else was there to support him. Instead people gathered to make fun of him. How did he feel when his faith was tested, in the building of a boat with no rain or cloud in sight?

I wonder, how Abraham must have felt, when God said"you will be a father of many nations". No one else was there to support him. How did he feel, when he was beyond the age to even have strength to have a child? How did he feel, to wait and see what and how God would work?

I wonder,how Jacob must have felt, and when God said "I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you". Did he have faith enough to trust what God promised, or would he trust his ability to deceive? How did he feel when he had to trust God instead of himself and his plans?

I wonder how Joseph must have felt, when God showed him a dream, of becoming the head of a country, soon he found himself in a prison, in slavery, in a well, sold, in another cell...? While he waited for the dream, how did he feel?

I wonder, how Hannah must have felt, when after her prayers, Eli said to her "May God grant your request...yet she would have to wait and see how the answer comes? How did she feel when she had to wait for her deliverance from scorn and shame?

I wonder.....but oh not really....God promised me too, and I am waiting...and I will wait till I see the fulfilment of His promises...but then...now I know how they felt when they waited...now I know.
But I also know that, "they that wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength, they shall walk and not be weary, they shall run and not faint" Isaiah 40:31
But I also know that "All who put their trust in the Lord will never be put to shame"Romans 9:33
But I also know that " With man it may be impossible, but with God all things are possible" Matthew 19:26
But I also know that "He who has called me is Faithful to do what He has promised" (1 Corinthians 1:9)
And I also know that "Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day."(2 Timothy 1:12)

Strength

Help me Lord for I am weak.
Increase my faith Lord, I want to believe,
Tides of doubst seem rising high
Draw me closer to you Lord, come nigh

Though this time is bitter
I know my Saviour will help me through
I don't know Lord what today/tomorrow might bring
All I know is I have You.

I long to hear your resounding voice,
Speaking forth through my soul,
Bursting joy in hope I arise,
Only You oh Lord can make me whole.

Be near me Lord today I pray
right now, this moment and every day
my spirit is willing but my flesh is weak
Uphold me Lord, Your face I seek.

Great things Oh Lord You're capable of
I know this trouble is not my lot,
For You took all my burdens, my shame, my pain, my sorrow away
When on Calvary Your precious life You laid.

Show me Lord, Your tender mercies
Show me Lord from Your grand miracles
Show me Lord what I must pray
Show me Lord how You've planned my days

Help me take every step of the way

I know O Lord that you'll be there

Always with me till the end

You are my author, my architect of life
You give me joy, your peace, your light
I thank You Lord for breathing in me,
Your power, your strength and Your victory
In the Name of my Lord Jesus. Amen

This is how I feel today...I am waiting closely on my knee, waiting for God to do something wonderful for me...so I thought while I wait..I must write a poem about it, and thats what this is. In Praise of the Only One , My Lord Jesus, who can save.

Do Good

Everything that I have read about David, in the Bible, somehow makes me wonder if that man knew the New Testament. He chose to do good no matter what other people did to him. Followed God whole heartedly, no matter what happened. He didn't care when his wife despised him when she saw him dance before God. Now in 2 Samuel 9 David seeks Jonathan's family so that he could show kindness to them. Mephibosheth is found, a lame man, he thinks he's a dead dog when compared to David's kindness and generosity. However David showed kindness to Jonathan and did not hold Saul's unkindness in his heart. Also when I see Jonathan's life, he was investing good works himself.

Lessons:

• We're urged to do good- "16And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. "(Hebrews 13:16). Our good works don't go unnoticed.44But I tell you: Love your enemies[a] and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? (Matthew 5:44-47)
• How can anything good come from us??-Yes, we might think so like Paul"Romans 7:18 "I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out."..David did too.."Psalm 16:2 "I said to the LORD, "You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing." The only good that can come out of our lives is through our God."Philippians 2:13 "for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose"

Conclusion-God doesn't leave us at the demand of doing good works, but He says He will equip us to do good.2 Corinthians 9:8 "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work" We are left without excuse for not doing good, if we had all the equipment to do good and we did not. David was now king, he had the power to do good or to do evil. Oh he could have thought, yeah, now I have power..I must kill all my enemies first as long as I have this power. But he thought of doing good. God enabled him to think good, because he was constantly depending on God's words and statues and precepts and teachings. He wanted to know ALL that God could help him know to be closely connected to God. The longest psalm written, talks of longings to stay so connected to the Word of God that no one can uproot him.

Dear Father in heaven, I see and understand, now that David's whole life is in front of me as an example, how important Your Words are for my life. There is nothing good in me that I can do, the only good thing I have is You and only You can help me share Your goodness to the ones around. Give me the courage to do good, not only to those who are good to me, but also to those who are not. Thereby learning the kind of sacrifice that pleases You, even my life. Amen

God's Will and God's Word

Sometimes we're so quick in trying to grab the Promises in the Word of God, without actually checking our lives and seeing if we're even fit for it. The Promises in the Word of God are for us, but that doesn't mean, we twist God's arm and say "God You promised in the Word, so You'll have to do it" But we should remember who God is Ecclesiastes 5:2 "Be not rash with your mouth, and let not your heart be hasty to utter a word before God. For God is in heaven, and you are on earth; therefore let your words be few." God is not at our beck and call, oh yes He does answer our prayers and our call, when we pray according to His Word and His Will.
In 2 Samuel 7 we read of some awesome promises God gave to David, a set of promises, anyone one of us might want to "covet". However I wanted to know one thing, David had not asked God to make him king, neither to give him a palace, neither to give him faithful servants. Atleast I did not come across any verse so far, that David prayed hard,pleaded even, to gain the kingdom. The words from David's prayer, after he heard of God's Promises to him, that caught my attention were "21 For the sake of your word and according to your will, you have done this great thing and made it known to your servant. "

1. David was conformed to God's Will for his life-Romans 12:2"Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. " This verse, as I read it, does not say conform God to our will, but as we have to be conformed to God's will.
2. David honoured God's Word-22For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God.(2 Samuel 22:22) David was keeping God's will, not the other way round!!!
3. God's will through God's Word for us, is a proof of God's love for us-It is to prove to us, not to God, that God is faithful. What were we thinking? 1 John 2:29 "If you know (perceive and are sure) that He [Christ] is [absolutely] righteous [conforming to the Father's will in purpose, thought, and action], you may also know (be sure) that everyone who does righteously [and is therefore in like manner conformed to the divine will] is born (begotten) of Him [ God]. David proved it to himself and for us, that God's Word is to be trusted and God's will is perfect. "31As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried. He is a Shield to all those who trust and take refuge in Him."
4. David's secret to his victorious life-Psalm 119:11 "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." The Bible says, "The LORD gave David victory wherever he went."(2 Samuel 8:6, 2 Samuel 8:14, 1 Chronicles 18:6, 1 Chronicles 18:13). You might come into God's kingdom as a loser, but you never remain a loser. When David started his journey, post his anointing as king, he didn't have much, he was running away from a king trying to kill him, staying in caves, even acted like a mad man for fear of being captured, though he started of with all that...today we know him as king. Moreover, God has promised to establish his kingdom forever.

Conclusion:Let's go back to the way God intended His Kingdom to be in the first place. Jesus taught us to pray "Our Father in heaven hallowed by Your Name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven...." We've got to get back to God's Will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven. Thats what David recognised and followed. God's will, and the blessings just came chasing him and ran him over. Isn't that the kind of life all believers in the Living God should be living. We shouldn't be chasing the blessings, we should be making room for God's Will and God's Word to be done in our lives and on this earth, like David did, and the rest will all fall in place. The Word of God says "Romans 12:2 "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.". David tried and saw that God's Will definitely is good, pleasing and perfect. Now you try it!!!

Awesome God

I got the following, interesting thought in my email and I thought it could make a good read...

Moses and the people were in the desert but what was he going to do with them? They had to be fed and feeding 2 or 3 million people requires a a lot of food.
According Quartermaster General in the Army, it is reported that Moses would have to have had 1500 tons of food each day. Do you know that to bring that much food each day, 2 freight trains each idles a mile long, would be required!Besides you must remember, they were out in the desert, so they would have to have firewood to use in the cooking the food.This would take 4000 tons of wood and a few more freight trains each a mile long, just for one day. And just think they were forty years in transit and oh yes, they would have to have water. If they only had enough to drink and wash a few dishes, it would take 11000000 gallons each day and a freight train with tank cars, 1800 miles long just to bring water!And then another thing, they had to get across the Red Sea at night. Now if they went on a narrow path, double file,the line would be 800 miles long and would required 35 days and nights to get through. So there had to be a space in the Red Sea, 3 miles wide so that they could walk 5000 abreast to get over in one night. But then there is another problem....Each time they camped at the end of the day, a campground two-thirds the size of the state of Rhode Island was required, or a total of 750 square miles long-think of it!This much space for camping. Do you think Moses figured all this out before he left Egypt? I think not! You see, Moses believed in God. God took care of these things for him. Now do you think God has any problem taking care of all your needs?

Our Privilege of The Presence of God

2 Samuel 6
David now being king in the City of David, wanted to bring the ark of God to the city, so that the ark of God would remain there. In the process of bringing the ark, Uzzah touched the ark and died on the spot. David was initially angry at what had happened, but soon he was afraid of how such a powerful and holy God could be brought (so tp speak) and kept in the City of David. Hence David asked people to keep the Ark of God in the house of Obed Edom. As the ark of God was kept in Obed Edom's house, their house was blessed and his entire household. David now felt ok about taking the Ark of God into the City of David, and so he did, with great fanfare, joy, dancing and singing...to the point that his wife Michal saw him and despised him for disgracing himself like this before the servant girls and "21 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. 22 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."

Lessons I learnt

1. How can one stand in the Presence of such a Holy God?-Our God is a very Holy God and He had commanded in Exodus 30:29"You shall sanctify (separate) them, that they may be most holy; whoever and whatever touches them must be holy (set apart to God). " Not, just any body could go and say "Hi" to God in those times, there was no one automatically pure to go into God's presence...they had to and had to be prepared in an elaborate manner to be able to enter God's Presence, probably with days and days of preparation, that too only the chosen high priest from the tribe could enter..not everyone. This gives me all the more reason to honour and appreciate the importance and impact of my Lord Jesus' sacrifice on the cross."15For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning.
   16Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]."Hebrews 4:15-17 . Thats what Jesus our High Priest had opened up for us. David himself, was afraid to take the ark of God into the city of David..but its not so for us. What a privilege we have in Jesus our Lord!!!
2. Where the Presence of the Lord is, there is blessing-2 Samuel 6:11 "And the ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite for three months, and the Lord blessed Obed-edom and all his household." It must have been such a great blessing for Obed-edom to have the ark of God in their house isn't it. Yet for us its even better, Jesus says "Matthew 18:20"For wherever two or three are gathered (drawn together as My followers) in (into) My name, there I AM in the midst of them." and we know from reading in David's life that the Presence of God brought blessings ..not only upon Obed-edom, but on his entire household (meaning-A domestic unit consisting of the members of a family who live together along with nonrelatives such as servants.)The entire group of people under that house were blessed. How much more our houses and churches should be blessed when even 2/3 gather in Jesus name. If not, then we better check our motives for gathering...is it for the great musicians?, or our wonderful pastors? or just for fellowship? or for the food and family fun time? or is it really and truly ONLY about Jesus..to worship and adore Him. I think most of us gather together for different motives, hence we don't see God's presence very often when we're gathered together. Our Lord Jesus has made spiritual life so simple for us, yet if we're not able to make use of it, then something is definitely wrong.
3. So who's ashamed of celebrating in God's Presence-I can see David wasn't...oh he knew who had made him king, he knew where he had come from, how his journey had been. How, every time when he had surrendered his problem to God, God had brought him victoriously through them all. Oh he even dared to say "Hey Michal, your dad did not make me king, neither did any of the people around me..God Himself made me king and I will dance before God...even more than what you have seen, if this is what you think is undignified, I will become even more undignified than this". Yet we would be so shy to sing about God, to dance before our Lord with joy. Isn't danceing a reciprocation of joy? We dance when we go for a party don't we, happy to get nice good, happy to probably meet the people who're hosting...then why are we not joyful before our God?

Conclusion:What I read today, from David's life, has shown me how great is my God, how awesome is His power and His Presence, in transforming lives. David says "11 You have made [c] known to me the path of life;you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." (Psalm 16:11). There is joy in God's Presence, there is power in God's Presence to change and transform lives and alter situations. I don't know what kind of situaiton Obed-edom was in when the ark of God was brought into his house, but the result of the ark of God being in his house is recorded and that it was a blessing, not only to him but to his entire household. Our Lord Jesus Presence is not only for our individual lives, but also for the blessing of the lives within our households, people connected to us in any manner. Isn't that amazing!!! I pray that God would urge our hearts today to make use of the benefits that Jesus made for us, by His sacrifice on the cross. That we may be blessed in our Lord's Presence and propagate that blessings into the lives of ALL OUR HOUSEHOLD.

My 100th Post

A tribute to the One Who has been the backbone of this blog...Yes my Almighty God..without Him I wouldn't have been able to write beautiful things that amaze me too, till this day. I list here my most favourite posts....posts which have encouraged me and stirred me up from deep within.

I took these lessons from life...beginning Exodus...and onwards..right now on 2 Samuel....and I must say..the journey has been so beautiful and amazing. Each person from the Bible has been a source of encouragement and God has been demonstrating His love for me through what happened in their lives. I have been blessed by these valiant men and women of God....truly amazing!!!

• God is concerned about you- From Israelites' experience under the pharoah's rule in Egypt
• God's Answers- From Moses' life, when he met God at the burning bush
• Learning Obedience can be trying- From the life of the Israelites, once they started out on their journey to the the Promised Land
• Look Who's Fighting for you-From Joshua's life
• Hope for Everyone-From Rahab's life
• Know Before you Go- From Gideon's life
• Know our Redeemer-From the life of Ruth and Naomi
• A Special Answer for Difficult Times- From the life of Hannah, mother of Samuel, when she was barren and cried out to God
• David Recovered All- From David's life, when he fought the Amalekites and brought back all that they had captured from their camp at Ziklag

God Bless you all, for standing with me. Do pray that God would use me mightily in every way He can.

The Outcome of Constant Connection

Sometimes, when we think its all ok, thats when things start curling up again. David is now crowned king over Israel, has made the City of David after he took back Jerusalem from the Jebusites. Just when everything looked good, the Philistines, who had once given David refuge/some land in Ziklag, now came to fight David, when they knew that he had become king of Israel."17When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over Israel, they all went up to find [him], but [he] heard of it and went down to the stronghold. 18The Philistines also came and spread themselves in the Valley of Rephaim." (2 Samuel 5: 17-18) . In response to this "19David inquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand? And the Lord said to David, Go up, for I will surely deliver [them] into your hand. 20And David came to Baal-perazim, and he smote them there, and said, The Lord has broken through my enemies before me, like the bursting out of great waters. So he called the name of that place Baal-perazim [Lord of breaking through]."(2 Samuel 5:19-20) So you think it got over here do you...well not so... Soon after this battle we see "22The Philistines came up again and spread themselves out in the Valley of Rephaim. 23When David inquired of the Lord, He said, You shall not go up, but go around behind them and come upon them over opposite the mulberry (or balsam) trees. 24And when you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the mulberry trees, then bestir yourselves, for then has the Lord gone out before you to smite the army of the Philistines.25And David did as the Lord had commanded him, and smote the Philistines from Geba to Gezer."(2 Samuel 5:22:25).

Here's some lessons I learnt from this experience David had

1. No two situations in our life are exactly the same, so we need constant direction from our Lord- Though David was fighting against the Philistines, twice, in the same valley of Rephaim, in the same manner. The Philistines coming and spreading themselves out in the valley and the likes. David did not forget to inquire of the Lord both times.Many times in life, we think, oh we've done this before, I know the strategies, I've fought the same battle before and I will win, but here David shows us something different. Though both situations, seem exactly the same, but when David inquires of the Lord, he finds that the way he has to fight the 2nd one is different from the 1st one. David did not take the situations in his life casually, he wanted God to be involved. Just because we won a spiritual battle by a certain direction from God earlier in our life, doesn't mean we'll win another one, by using that as a formula or a model. I have been through this in my life, when I thought, hey I've done this before and I prayed for the situation the same way I did for the previous one and guess what it didn't work. But then when I asked God to show me an answer for this one, I found the answer to be totally different, even though the end result of both situations were the same.We need to inquire of God, regarding every, I mean EVERY situation of our life.
2. Yesterday's strength will not win today's battle-Here's something wonderful I get to stress on again. Now just because David had inquired of the Lord for the 1st battle and God had given him the strength to win that one, that did not confirm David's victory over the 2nd one. Every day is new and different, even though sometimes we do the same work on most of the days. Just because I had food yesterday, doesn't mean that I don't need food for today. Today's strength to work comes from today's food, not because I ate yesterday. So also, our fellowship with God, strengthens us to face any situation in our life. Now thats a daily spiritual food requirement. Remember in the desert, the Israelites collected Manna every day for each day in the morning. So also, we must inquire of our Lord, every morning, for the directions to win our battles we face on this day.
3. We're never alone in our struggles/battles in life- Most of the time , when we read an account of battle in the OT, we might think David fought and won the battles. However in this episode, I find again, (another account was from Joshua's life) that the angel of the Lord fights against the enemies and the Israelite army just follows.In verse 25 of 2 Samuel 5 we read "24 As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move quickly, because that will mean the LORD has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army." .". So who do you think did the fighting. I remember reading this passage earlier when I was in college, and boy did it stir up my excitement about God. God told David to wait behind the Philistines, then they would hear the marching over the balsam trees. Now if David is waiting behind there somewhere, then who's sound of marching is it, on the balsam trees? It is our Lord God. I would like you to imagine, David and his army swinging the sword in every direction as they fight and the Lord striking the enemies on behalf of their swinging sword. It tickles me to think, that even when David might have missed hitting someone, that person would be dead, because its the Lord who was striking the army.In our lives too, when we're going through some trouble some pain, or battling a disease, or a fight for a soul of some loved one, God has given us directions, that He has gone out ahead of us and is fighting for us. We've got to swing our sword anyhow, we've got to do or part anyhow. That's faith, that God is doing what He promised. God would mold the person's heart, God would start healing that disease, God would make all finances become whole..and so on. If we ever thought, God has left us alone to fight the battles, I'd say, considering what happened here with David's life....THINK AGAIN.
   
   Conclusion: God honoured David amongst all the people of Israel, because David acknowledged God in EVERY step of his life. So far, whatever David has undertaken, he has not missed inquiring of the Lord. Even though the situations seemed the same, the fight seemed the same...David did not forget to inquire of the Lord. David had a steadfast relationship with God, and God did some pretty amazing things in David's life. David's life episode teaches us the importance of having a continuous dependence on God, because God knows even before we ask. He knows the end from the beginning.
   Isaiah 46:10 (Whole Chapter) I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come." Wouldn't we want God to steer our lives, to be blessed and to be a blessing?

A life that can bless other lives

David had in his heart to show kindness to Saul's family, because he was anointed, but then there were the Zeruiah's sons, Joab and the rest, who were bent on killing them all. It was for the 'good cause' so to speak, because it would make David king. But this is not what David had in mind. After the death of Saul's important man, Abner, "38King David said to his servants, Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel? 39And I am this day weak, though anointed [but not crowned] king; these sons of Zeruiah are too hard for me. May the Lord repay the evildoer according to his wickedness!"(2 Samuel 3:38-39) .David kept his conscience clear before God, no matter what people might have thought.
Now, after David is crowned king, at the age of 30 yrs, he goes for the first battle against the Jebusites. The Jebusites had been living in Jerusalem. When David went there to take it back, the Jebusites "...said to David, You shall not enter here, for the blind and the lame will prevent you; they thought, David cannot come in here. 7Nevertheless, David took the stronghold of Zion, that is, the City of David."(2 Samuel 5:6-7). Those people discouraged him, nevertheless, David took that city.
As we read on, we see the Bible records " 10David became greater and greater, for the Lord God of hosts was with him."( 2 Samuel 5:10). Not only does the Bible record, how David's life was turning out to be after all that running for life was coming to an end, it also records, David's relationship or spiritual growth in the Lord "12And David perceived that the Lord had established him king over Israel and that He had exalted his kingdom for His people Israel's sake."( 2 Samuel 5:12) . In spite of all the fame David was receiving, his foundation was firmly established in God. He knew where he had come from and how God had led him thus far.

Lessons I learnt:

1. There are no short cuts in God's plan.David could have easily killed all the people coming in between him and his becoming a king, and he would become a king, after all he was anointed. But then for David, God's statutes were of more value. It was critical for him to obey God's Word, in the time when Saul was in his hands-one blow away from death, at the time when Saul and his sons died on the same day-when it could have been a day of joy for him David mourned for them, at the time when Saul's important man was killed by Zeruiah's sons-the main guy behind the plot of making Saul's sons king was gone-David cried and grieved at how wrong but powerful Zeruiah's sons were. If David would have taken these short cuts, they wouldn't have been a 'genuine' victory, because God never asked David to kill Saul or his sons to become king.Moreover David knew God's commands too well.Psalm 119:11 (Whole Chapter) "Your word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against You. ". David was not fulfilling a 'given outcome' by becoming king, he was living a life with God.
2. When God is with you, it will be evident in your life-Its true that David was running once upon a time for fear of being killed by Saul. He could trust no one.He was hiding in caves, eating whatever he could find. Now thats not a lavish lifestyle of a king. He eventually had to live in enemy territory for a year, before he actually returned to his own country.However at the end of it all, we see the Word of God says "10David became greater and greater, for the Lord God of hosts was with him." (2 Samuel 5:10). Just because, David was staying in a cave to hide from Saul, we can't settle that, thats what God wanted from him. God hadn't finished with David yet. Thats just a temporary situation. How can a nomad, become greater and greater and a king staying in a palace become weaker and weaker!!! The essence of David's greatness was in the fact that "The Lord of hosts was with him". The Word of God says "Matthew 1:23 (Whole Chapter) Behold, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel--which, when translated, means, God with us. [Isa 7:14 ] " Also Jesus said "John 15:5 (Whole Chapter) I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing." David knew that apart from God he could do nothing.He knew how important it was for him to stay connected to God and it showed through his life, in spite of all the trials, in spite of all the chase, David became greater and greater.
3. David perceived -12And David perceived that the Lord had established him king over Israel and that He had exalted his kingdom for His people Israel's sake."(2 Samuel 5:12)
   It is one thing of God being in our lives, but it is another thing to be aware that a Living God is working in our life. David acknowledged and was able to see how God was working. David knew he wasn't becoming a king on his own strength, he wasn't owning a city by himself, he could see God's hand working in his life. Many times when we have believed God and God does something for us, we start thinking oh thats because 'I' worked hard, 'I ' prayed hard, 'I' did it.....but here David knew/perceived (became aware of, achieve the understanding) that God had done this. This is an awesome knowledge that any believer can have, to know, to be assured that God has established. Its knowing that A Living God is guiding you, it strengthens your faith, and you would know how beautiful, and fearful the knowledge is that God chose your and my life to be an example to the masses.It is a knowledge of humble devotion and honour to God for doing so, with a life, that would have just gone by, if lived at their own desires.

Conclusion:In our life too, we will get many short cuts that would lead us to probably where you 'think' God would like you to be, but when our desire is to find out what God would have us do with our life, and then see how God orchestrates everything to fall in line with His pleasant and perfect will for our lives, our lives can become lives of impact, lives that would not only be a blessing to us, but also to his people. Thats what happened to David, God made him king, for what? For His people's sake, he was to be the king who would be remembered for years and years to come, beyond the time that David would himself be alive. More than that, the Messiah Himself, our Lord Jesus, would be from his lineage. Isn't that an awesome blessing. Thats what happens to lives totally devoted to living according to God'w Word and His plan. No one can thwart God's plan for our lives, lives yielded to bring glory to our Living God.

Life's not easy...but there's a reason to that

In the battle between Philistines and Israelites, from 1 Samuel 30, the Israelites were utterly defeated. Saul and his sons were killed. Lots of Israelites were killed in that battle. David was in Ziklag, on account that the Philistine king did not want him to come with them to battle the Israelites.(Remember, David was now staying in a Philistine territory to avoid Saul chasing him). When news of Saul and his sons' death reached David, he was grieved.

We might think, ok now that Saul is dead, life for David should become better. No more being chased, no more temporary homes, no more hiding. Well definitely no more of that is there for David, but then now Saul's house is at war against David's house. While David is anointed king over Hebron in Judah,IshBosheth son of Saul was made king over Mahanaim by one of Saul's followers, Abner.Along with this there was a battle at Gibeon between the 2 houses and "17 The battle that day was very fierce, and Abner and the men of Israel were defeated by David's men. " (2 Samuel 2:17)

"1 The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time. David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. " (2 Samuel 3:1)

In all the accounts I read of the fights between David's and Saul's house, I found that David did not take revenge. Someone else always went and killed somebody from Saul's house and David would punish them.For e.g in Saul's case "14 David asked him(the Amalekite guy who killed Saul), "Why were you not afraid to lift your hand to destroy the LORD's anointed?" 15 Then David called one of his men and said, "Go, strike him down!" So he struck him down, and he died. 16 For David had said to him, "Your blood be on your own head. Your own mouth testified against you when you said, 'I killed the LORD's anointed.' " Later on we'll see that when Joab murders Saul's man Abner, David was grieved over that too.(2 Samuel 3) and also over IshBosheth another son of Saul who was killed by the people whom he had hired to be leader of his raiding bands.(2 Samuel 4)
The outcome of David's good dealing of the Saul's family, in spite of what they had done to him was that " 36 All the people took note and were pleased; indeed, everything the king did pleased them."( 2 Samuel 3:36) Finally at the age of 30yrs, David is crowned king of Israel(2 Samuel 5:4). Now thats about 10-15 years of running around, hiding in caves, acting like a mad man, having no food, no proper place to stay.

Lessons I learnt

Did David really have to face so many trials?-Well , yes, I think it was a training ground for him to be humble. It was the period of his life, where he had no one else to support him except God. He had no one else to trust in, except God. He had a group of people who were debtors, broke, distressed, depressed, so surely they couldn't guide him into strength or victory, they themselves needed help. David went through situations in his life, where his existence solely depended on God's directions and how well he obeyed God.If life had been easy for him, he wouldn't have had to consult God for his moves, he was a good warrior and could have done well, but he had to learn to completely depend on God, because he was being made ready to lead God's nation, towards God.He went through all that so that, the testing of his faith developed perseverance. Perseverance finish its work so that he may be mature and complete, not lacking anything, when he becomes king.(James 1:2-4) God never wants his leaders, his representatives to be slack in their behaviour, in their character, in their life, so God would mould them in a manner, that they lack nothing and are WHOLLY ready for His work.Even during our times we see, the people of God who have really steered society towards God were people from humble beginnings.
How does our trials help?- We see that David's character has been well moulded to reflect a godly man. In all the actions he did the people in his kingdom were pleased. Now thats whats a real blessing. God did not want a king who would be super and suppressing His people. In God's kingdom there is joy, there is peace, there is righteousness. So also with us, we can know godly leaders even in our times."Proverbs 29:2 (Whole Chapter) When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan". Our trials are to mold us into people who can impact and steer whole societies into reconciliation with God.

I've always noticed that the people in the army of no matter what country they're from, are the best looking people, most healthy people, most strong people, most disciplined people I've ever met. Even their children are so.They're not all that because of expensive exercise equipments, lavish food or anything or by sitting at home and enjoying, they're the people who've done the most gruesome of tasks, have lived through bare minimums, have slept the least, have run the most, have carried the most loads, have gone without food or sleep for days sometimes. Thats who we want our countries to be in the hands of. Wouldn't we? So also does God want His Kingdom to be in the hands of those who have been through tough times and become tougher through it all. With solid foundations firmly built on the Living God, that nothing, NO THING can shake them off of God's Word and God's plan.

David Recovered All

Background:Now that David had spared Saul's life a second time, he decided to move outside the country so that Saul would not follow him any more. He shifted to Gath, a Philistine territory. Here he stayed for 1 year and 4 months and had very good rapport with the Philistine king. One day the king decided to attack Israel and wanted David and his men to be on his side. But the other Philistine leaders did not want David to go. They didn't trust David like their king did. They convinced the king, that David might just change sides in the middle of the battle and the Israelites would win. So the king sent David and his men back to Ziklag where they had been given place to stay. 3 When David and his men came to Ziklag, they found it destroyed by fire and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. 4 So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep. "(1 Samuel 30:3-4). In the midst of all this " 6 David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the LORD his God. "(1 Samuel 30:6)
David does not sit in this sorrow for long, "7 Then David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, "Bring me the ephod." Abiathar brought it to him, 8 and David inquired of the LORD, "Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?" "Pursue them," he answered. "You will certainly overtake them and succeed in the rescue." "(1 Samuel 30:7-8) We see David went to the One he knew as a Very Present Help in the times of trouble, and he got an answer for his situation and then David took action on whatever God had told him.

Lessons:How many of us would be so glad to go somewhere, summoned by someone, travelling 3 days with them and being sent back without making much of all that travel.Only to travel back another 3 days and then finding that your house, your family is all gone as someone attacked it. This is devastating, it is a time for bitterness, blaming someone for all that harm. Thats what all the other men who went with David did. They prepared to stone David for all that damage. Now, I think about David, what would he have thought, "God , since the day you anointed me, people have been trying to kill me. I don't have a stable place to stay." It could have been easy for David to blame God for all this. But David knew, what he had to do. He took strength in the Lord. He went to God, he prayed about it, he took the priestly position God had given him and got his answer.Too many times in life when we're struck by situations we never would have wanted to be in, we find someone to blame, if we find no one, we blame God. I'd like to establish a few points here as I have learnt from this episode from David's life.

1. Know where your answer comes from- David knew his relation with the Lord, nothing could shake him off of that connection, no wonder he is the "man after God's own heart"(Acts 13:22). He took strength in the Lord. Once and for all, lets establish, secure, fasten, embed in our hearts, who we are in our Lord Jesus Christ and Who Jesus Christ is to us, we will always be a victor, like David.
2. Know to differentiate/respond-David knew, his fight was not against the people who were trying to kill him, he was thinking higher than that...he was thinking of God's enemies not his own. He knows who could help him find out the solution to the problem.He got the ephod, took his priestly position and found the answer straight from the source of his strength.He didn't wait to try to pacify the people, or to fight them and justify himself.
3. Take your position-David wore the ephod and took the priestly position and inquired of God. In my life too, I've learnt to depend more on God recently, more now than ever. There is no other go. I would have depended on my own strength and abilities earlier, but now no more. David showed me, that under dire circumstances, with no way out, just when things were looking up everything goes down, He trusted God. He runs to Him. He finds the answer, in God, the Ever Present Help.
4. Get your answer from the Ever Present Help- "v8 The Lord answered him, Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all." David got the answer and did what was needed of him, he went after the Amalekites and recovered ALL. When God speaks and calls us overcomers, we are! Our answer to situations are in the Word of God. The Word of God has it all, if only we look it up prayerfully, with an expectation that God only can answer. From my experience I can tell, I have never , ever not found an answer I needed for a situation. God is amazing. He solves problems right from the roots not superficially.
5. Follow through with the answer you got-God told David that he could go and fight the Amalekites and that He would be successful. David went ahead and did just that. If he would have stayed doing nothing, I think he would end up fighting his followers, but because he took the step of calling out to the Ever Present Help. He is a winner. God never shows you answers that will not work. There is no situation too hard for the Lord, nothing too difficult for the Lord.Nothing impossible for the Lord. The only point of failures are us, when we fail to act upon God's Word for our situation.

Conclusion:Let's turn our life towards victory. Only our obedience and the depth of relationship with our Living God can achieve that. David was faced with a gruesome experience right here, but he went to God and got it all turned out for victory. The Bible records as saying "18 David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken, including his two wives. 19 Nothing was missing: young or old, boy or girl, plunder or anything else they had taken. David brought everything back. 20 He took all the flocks and herds, and his men drove them ahead of the other livestock, saying, "This is David's plunder." (1 Samuel 30:18-20). Do you have someone stolen by the enemy that belongs to you and our Living God. (Psalm 24:1) The earth and everything in it belongs to our God. Hey people of God, strengthen yourselves in the strength of the Lord and take back what satan took from you. I am reminded of the Sunday School song.
"I am going to the enemy's camp, I'm gonna take back what he took from me" he's under my feet, he's under my feet, he's under my feet, the devil is under my feet."
God's people, take back, IT IS YOUR PLUNDER...like it was David's Plunder" DAVID RECOVERED ALL and SO CAN YOU. Lets get on our knees, wear our ephod (like wearing Jesus Christ our Lord) and ask of God the key, the answer, to get back what is ours. Unlike David's our battle is not against flesh and blood, but like David 'We will recover all'.

I've been tagged by Audrey

Aaaaa...mmmmm...starting trouble I guess..Thanks for the tag Audrey. Vrrrooom vrroom...ok ready...here I go..

I AM: A dare-christian, yeah, I think what God said we can do...if I have faith I can really do them.

I SAID: Jesus is the Name above every name.

I WANT: To be a so connected to God that no matter what, I will be a blessing to everyone I meet.

I WISH: To be able to serve God as a family now on to every generation following.

I MISS:My times at children's church and teaching tiny tots in a nursery school(though that was not my line of vocation...(sigh) I'm an engineer, now working with techno thingy).They were sooooo cute, with stories for me all the time. What imaginations.

I HEAR:The painful crying of the lost souls, trying to find their answer everywhere else, except God.

I WONDER:Where I would have been if I had not taken this decision 2 years ago.Would I have had such close fellowship with God daily?

I REGRET:Not having enough money to be able to lavishly give to people in need.

I AM NOT:A fish lover.

I DANCE: When I like the music.

I SING:When I cook and of course in church..and at home generally..and in the car...and when I'm walking... I'm a "humdinger" if there are any such!!!

I CRY:When I'm praying, when I see a touching movie, when I see someone hurt, when I am very very angry (like once a year)

I AM NOT ALWAYS: Entertaining...

I MAKE WITH MY HANDS:Painting( I lost my drawing book somewhere...:( ...Knitting...music on the keyboard/guitar

I WRITE:Letters to God sometimes, Quiet Time thoughts on my blog, Mails to my mom and dad daily....some poems when I feel like

I CONFUSE:Love with love, yeah the selfish&conditional love to Agape love. I am learning the Agape one now, little by little....it is truly amazing!!!

I NEED:Jesus, like air for breathing. Life would become very very dreary if He wasn't in it.

I SHOULD:Be bold enough to say "NO", sometimes when needed.

I START: My day with a praise song..(its a recent addition to my mornings..I hate getting up in the mornings...mornings meaning after 8...he he he..ok ok I am trying)..followed by Bible reading. I have all the time in the world as of now...

I FINISH:Whatever is on my plate most of the time.

I LOVE:People, feel like telling them how much God loves them and that He can make things happen for the good to them that love Him enough, to trust Him.

I TAG: All my regular readers, if I may....come on now..you know who you are...so come out come out wherever you are.


Take care. I had fun a lot of fun...

The 'Son' is shining up here

Something I noticed on my short little trip to NC. When we started back for home on Saturday morning, Charlotte was covered with numerous clouds and there was no sun to be seen in the morning. Moreover when we checked the airlines' website we found that the weather in NY was bad too, and visibility was low (about <6miles). href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6162/2097/1600/aboveclouds.0.jpg">
In our walk with God, sometimes the issues of life seem so insurmountable that we might feel this problem is never going to leave us. We might even start living with it. But you know when we keep believing in the Word of God and what God has to say about our situation and continue to press on, we will get onto the other side and find that the sun was always shining. If our captain of the aircraft would not have kept the plane climbing, we would have been flying through thick clouds the whole time, but I am glad he did. He continued to press on and let the plane climb until it was above the clouds, not just one layer of clouds, but 2 layers!!! (Yeah we went through 2 large layers of clouds). Its so, when we're believing God for a miracle, the Son is always shining up there. The captain was so sure that the clouds wouldn't be that thick and went on. Our Captain Lord Jesus, also knows for sure that the problems are only seemingly gloomy from down here, but not when you're up there, the real thing is, the sun is always shining, the clouds are temporary, the sun is permanent. God is always there, whether we can see Him or not. The hope is always full , whether we're hopeful or not. The faith will bring the victory, when we have the faith to go on higher with our Captain Lord Jesus. Psalm 91:1 says "1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. [a] "
Wow, thats the most beautiful thing I ever read, when we dwell in the shelter of the Most High, constantly building out fellowship with our God, constantly making an effort to remain in Him, no matter what, then we will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. Not the shadow of the clouds of darkness and gloom, but the shadow of the Almighty.....and so ..."2 I will say [b] of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

Lesson:
Dear People of God, we belong to a Living God and to His Kingdom. Did you know what Jesus said to the people who were not believing when He did the miracles, when they told Him that He was casting out diseases using evil spirit..Matthew 12:28 (Whole Chapter) "But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. " And we know Jesus did drive out demons by the Spirit of God and so we know the kingdom of God has come...and to those who believe, the secret of the kingdom of God has been given(Mark 4:11). Everything that we would ever need to overcome the cloudsof troubles in our life is in the Word of God, if only we will fuel ourselves and press on to build up our faith in God and know for sure and prove that "In God We Trust".

The outcome of it all.....Romans 10:11 (Whole Chapter) As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." [ Isaiah 28:16]
Romans 9:33 (Whole Chapter) As it is written: "See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame." [ Isaiah 8:14; 28:16]
1 Peter 2:6 (Whole Chapter) For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame." [ Isaiah 28:16]
So if there is something in your life, you're trusting God for, hold onto God as He takes you higher in fellowship with Him, up there spiritually where there is never a shadow of the cloud of doubt, but in the shadow of the Almighty and stay strong, because, YOU WILL NEVER BE PUT TO SHAME or LET DOWN FOR TRUSTING THE LORD.So take strength in the power of our Living God and His navigation of our life.