The halfbaked Bard

Self confidence is different from faith. David had the faith that God would help him win over Absalom's army. He said to his troops- deal gently with Absalom for my sake, being sure that Absalom will be handed over to David's army. 2 Sam:18:5. This is not self confidence or confidence in his own army, but faith, hope and trust in his God. When you feel positive of the outcome, what is it due to? Is it because of your strengths and your assets or is it the trust that you have in your Lord. You pass your exams, because you studied well, or by the grace of God? You are where you are, because of your hardwork or God's mercy? 1Cor:1:31 Therefore as the Scriptures say, "If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord." Gal:6:14 As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ  PS:20:7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

Forgiveness is not about forgetting It's hard to forget as long as the hurt is still there It's hard to forget with the consequence staring It's quiet impossible as long as you live. Forgiveness is not about avoiding You are safely avoiding that relation You live as if that person doesn't exist You live as an elephant in the room. Forgiveness is not about keeping quiet Not about, not dealing with it Whenever it pops out, once in a while You smear that 'i don't care' smile Forgiveness is about loving him/ her Loving them as your own Being there for them when they are in need Loving and praying for them. "Father, forgive them' is about me When I was there to crucify, to jeer Him He still pleaded the Father to forgive me Even now intercedes. Forgiveness is not something you figure out It is a divine grace, as gifted by God I will not be able to forgive unless I am given the grace to forgive. Forgive our sins as we forgive Those who sin agai...

This time David learns from his previous mistake. Earlier he stayed in the palace courtyard, when his men went for war. And then he sinned. Now when he is on the run, he divides troops and says to the troop of men - I am going out with you. He now leads from the front. He doesn't want to compromise on sin this time. He doesn't want to commit the same mistake. He doesn't want to sit idly. He wants to come out of his comforts (if at all). You are a leader in your circle. Lead from the front. Set yourselves as an example for others. Reflect Christ in your demeanour, in your attitude too. So that people who see you even from a distance also might see Him.

2Sam:17:15-29 While David was on the run because of the plots of Absalom, life would have been fully uncertain for him. Would I ever regain the throne? How will I ever provide for the men who boldly set out along with me? What will happen to me? Will I go down into history as a man killed by his own son? What will happen to my informers? What will happen to the country God gave me? But we see, how beautifully God guides and provides royally in his wilderness time. Phil:4:19 And my God will supply all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Something which we have already discussed - the standard is not your need, but His glorious riches. He will provide. Matt:6:31-32  So do not worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your Heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Jehovah Jireh

Read 2 Sam:16:15- 17:14 Whom do you want to become - An Ahithophel or a Hushai? Someone who shifted base, depending on who is on authority, or someone who remained loyal? Someone who is basically unsure of the calling of God or the will of God, or someone who is sure he is courteous to the One? Someone who is against the plan of God, someone who desires His will? Someone who wants sin and hatred to spread, or someone who wants to protect the standards of God? You might not be an advisor to anyone. But how do you recommend / advise yourself? What is your stand and standard? Ultimately Ahithophel's advises will be frustrated by God and Hushai's would be made better.  Decide for yourself, whom you will be loyal to? Even in your subtle decisions.

2Sam:16:5-14 2Sam:19:18-23 David continues to amaze me. The characters of a godly king are spewing out from him. It was Mephibosheth whom he showed kindness earlier. Today it is Shimei - a step further. Shimei is found cursing the king and throwing stones at him. Others are angry so much so that they want to kill him. But David's comment filled my heart with tears - If the Lord has told him to curse me, who are you to stop him? Will I be ever like that. And Shimei kept on doing the same thing as David and his men went on along the road. But David kept quiet. Later when David comes back to Jerusalem after the death of Absalom, Shimei comes running to David seeking forgiveness. David not only keeps quiet as in previous time, but extends his hand of forgiveness saying, your life will be spared. Oh! What a man? Truly reflecting Godly character. Jesus also kept quiet when He was accused falsely. And He went a step further. While on the cross while He was being persecuted, wh...

Re entry of Mephibosheth - 2Sam:16:1-4 & 2Sam:19:24-30. As David was running away from Jerusalem as Absalom is revolting, Ziba comes to David with donkeys, bread, raisins and wine. Ziba was the one who was entrusted by David to take care of Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan who was crippled since childhood. Ziba tried to outsmart Mephibosheth, in trying to prove that he is disloyal to David. Believing Ziba's false words, David gives away every asset of Mephibosheth to Ziba. But later on, as David comes back to Jerusalem after Absalom's death, David understands that Mephibosheth was truly innocent and loyal to him, and Ziba had deceived him. Mephibosheth was uneasy and restless because David had to run away. His feet was not cared for, his beard not trimmed or clothes not washed since the day David had to leave Jerusalem. David realizes he was misled by Ziba, but he confesses that he has already given half of his possessions to Ziba. Mephibosheth replies - Let him ha...

Peace comes out of trusting in the Almighty's word.  Peace comes out of assurance.  Peace comes out of believing He is true.  Peace comes out of hope, blissful hope in Christ.  Peace about our eternity -taken care of.  Peace about our future in this earth.  Peace about our day to day living.  Peace especially when things go topsy turvy.  Peace is all about knowing God is enough.  Peace is being sure that God will take care.  Peace is being able to cling on, no matter what.  Peace is being assured that you are His.  The rat race, the frantic running,  The hamster cage, the vicious cycle,  The daily grind, all are futile.  The peace that passeth all understanding, amidst this all, is His gift. 

2Sam:14:14 Our lives are like water spilled out on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. But God does not sweep life away, instead he devises ways to bring us back when we have been seperated from Him.  What a profound and powerful statement? Made by an unnamed woman from Tekoa who is described to have a reputation for great wisdom, to none other than king David.  Your life is like water spilled on the ground. You cannot gather it up again. Only God can. He will not sweep it away too. He gives opportunities to bring us back.  He devises means to bring us back to His bosom. Giving us second and third chances. To enjoy life abundant which He has already designed for us.  Gathering back is His character. When Jesus mourns over Jerusalem, He says, "How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings." Matt:23:37. In Isa:40:11 God promises "He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to ...

David forgave both Amnon and Absalom for the crimes that they have done. Even though they did not seek his love and forgiveness, he chose to love them. David mournes for Amnon's death and he also longed to be reunited with his son Absalom.  Forgiveness should come out of love, not out of the other's initiative to seek forgiveness. Let the first step come out from you. Because of love.  " Forgiveness is the best form of love. It takes a strong person to say sorry, but even a stronger person to forgive."

2 Sam:13:3b Now Jonadab was a very crafty man.  Jonadab, was the son of Shimeah, David's brother and a friend of Amnon, David's son. It was Jonadab who devised a scheme to promote the sin of Amnon against Tamar. Because he was crafty.  The word crafty means - clever at acheiving one's aims by indirect or deceitful methods.  Craftiness involves cunningness. It involves lying. He advised Amnon to pretend what he was not. It involves devising schemes to get what is not yours. It involves selfishness to grab things for your own.  Do you plan to grab things?  Copying in an exam.  Telling white lies - lies which are not harmful to anyone.  Faking an injury.  Writing a fake leave letter.  The world does not see any wrong in all these. But the fact that, "Thou shall not lie" is one of the ten Commandments sends a strong statement to all these non harmful things. It ascertains the fact that "A sin is a sin." No ifs or buts. No gradation....

Imagine a man calls you for a job. If it gets done beautifully he would appreciate you, he would pay you well, he would recommend you. Because you are good at your job.  But God doesn't function that way. He calls you and then equips you with His grace from His abundant riches. He has called to give you abundant life. The doing is His. Hence the glory and name should go to Him. Which is due. He is worthy.  The word appreciate means, recognize the full worth.... Do you appreciate God? For what He has done. 

2 Sam 12 David fasted and prayed for the child to live. But when the news came that the child is dead, he washed himself, went to the tabernacle and worshipped God and ate food.  David was a very practical man. His explanation was - 'Why mourn for my dead child? He has gone. I would go and meet him one day.' What a hope?  But now that he is gone and I can't do anything about it, what is the point of mourning over something which I can't control. I have other responsibilities - commitment to the Lord. Commitment to Bathsheba, to comfort her - she has already gone through enough trauma. I have my responsibilities as a king, as a husband, as a child of God. I cannot sit over my personal grief and bring it as an excuse.  How many excuses have I raised in order to escape from my responsibilities. David was not willing to mourn over something and neglect his role.  Though it was a consequence of his wrongdoing, when he genuinely repented, the Lord extended His ...

What is the actual denominator to confession?  To admit and say that what you have done is wrong. From the depth of your heart. Genuinely.  You can voice that out superficially too, without genuine repentance. With anger and rebellion still in your heart. You can even think of confessing it to God and not blurt out ultimately. You can even confess with your mouth and still hold grudge.  But true confession is what David did.  2 Sam:12:13. Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the Lord." Nathan replied, "The Lord has taken away your sin." A confession becomes true and genuine when you see the outcome - The forgiveness of the Lord.  1John:1:8-9 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  His word is permanent and unchanging.  Confession is not cowardice. Confession is in fact an ...

Nathan the prophet was bold enough to tell the king what he did was wrong. On his face with vehemence could he tell - to the king, to the master, to the one who could do anything. But he was sure to say this out to David, because 2 Sam:12:1 says, "Then the Lord sent Nathan to David." That boldness came out of his confidence in the Lord.  Do you deal with such vehememce about sin? Forget about sin in other's life. How do you deal with sin in your life? Do you fight tooth and nail? Probably yes, when it comes to pointing fingers in another's life. But when it comes to your life, the teeth have fallen. And the nails have been cut.  Sin is something which the Holy One abhors. Do you? Yes may be the overt ones. But what about the subtle ones, those which doesn't seem harmful?  May the Lord help us to have that same attitude to sin as He has. That is the first step. 

But the Lord was displeased with what David had done.  2 Sam:11:27b The ultimate question would come down to this - whether you pleased God or not.  There are many epitaphs about many great people on their grave stones. We all strive to make these great. Our names great even after we die.  But God doesn't look at epitaphs alone. Every act, every deed, every decision, every word - do we please Him. Yeah it is like near to impossible. But do we strive? Do we desire?  In toto our lives might look good. But what about when we look at each single deed?

A contrast between innocence and craftiness we see in 2 Sam:11 A contrast between naivety and connivance.  One innocently loved and respected, one schemed and planned.  One was sure of what he was doing because of his love to his God and to the king, one because he was not sure, he was devicing newer schemes.  One slept well, though at the gates of the king along with the palace guards. One couldn't sleep at all even though he was lying on the softest mattress.  What kind of life amongst these contrasts do you desire?  Do you have sleepless nights scheming and planning? Just leave it all.  Cling to the God innocently who so dearly loves you. Lean on His bosom and enjoy the blissful moment of peace called life. Abundant life.  Why worry? Why scheme?  Why not sleep peacefully?  This imaginary story which the bard had written long time back had stayed close to his heart. You might have already read it. But the character Uriah, doesn'...

Be like Uriah, innocent and naive Didn't understand the schemes plotted against him He just concentrated on his duty, his responsibility Be like Uriah, always genuine to what has been entrusted to him Continued to love the God of Israel, it's king and the Ark Though everyone was against him.  Be like Uriah, never doubted The ingenuity of his king nor his commander Just obeyed what was told to him.  He might have lost his life.  He might have lost his chance to live.  But he is back up there for sure with his master, in his father's bosom.  He might have sqaundered his chance to love Bethsheba.  I wonder how he would have reacted seeing David in heaven.  God is sovereign in his plans.  Innocent as doves, shrewd as serpents But the former is far far better Just focussed on your lover.  Not bothered about what others would think Doesn't matter what schemes they do against you Doesn't matter what people say about you.  Like a rac...

Being tempted is not wrong. David was tempted but he succumbed. He schemed things to fall. Joseph was exactly opposite. He ran away. But both were tempted. I would say Joseph was tempted in a stronger way than David. But still he came out as the overcomer. David fell.  Being tempted is natural and legitimate for man and woman. That is all because of our fallen nature. But choosing whether to fall or not, is our choice. Do we have a desire at least not to fall? That determines the outcome. The promise given is "the One who is in you is more powerful than the one who is in the world." He will help.  Being tempted is the norm for a child of God. "Each victory will help you, some others to win. Fight manfully onward." Keep resisting the devil. That helps to cling on to our dear Father who so loves us. Devil is restless because he has lost you from his fold. And he will try his level best to pull you down. Temptation is his best and strongest weapon. 

Probably something you already know, already heard off.  Why did David sin against Uriah and Bethsheba? When kings normally go out to war...... However David stayed behind in Jerusalem.  What he was supposed to do, he didn't do, or opted not to do.  Christian life is always a war zone, fighting against the enemy, working through your self and through the world around. If you sit complacent and lazy you are most likely to be runover. But being on the alert helps you to be an overcomer.  Yes, had he been in the battlefield, he mightn't have sinned. But no guarantee. Need grace to overcome still. For that we need to be alert round the clock of the devil's schemes.  Go to bed only when you are dead tired, till then pray.  While the advertisement billboards are alluring, pray always when you drive.  Fill your minds with godly things.  Feed only in His word.  Read only God's things.  If you fill yourself with the things of the worl...

Why do you seem so distant Lord?  Why do you seem so far away?  You were so near me, till now Have I deserted you and followed my gods?  Have I grieved you, the Holy Spirit?  Have I hurt you with words, deeds or thoughts?  Why you seem not to answer my pleas?  Why you seem to turn a deaf ear?  My prayers just hit the roof My cries, just wet my cheeks Have you been so offended by my naivety?  Have you been hurt by my rebellion?  Why you seem to be adamant?  Why you seem to say always no?  I feel I'm alone in this battle That the enemy raises his head back again Have I been so forlorn?  To be trampled upon by anyone?  Yet the truth is quiet distinct And I couldn't see it, though so near You are so nigh, You are my everpresent help in trouble You are always there, listening and talking It was I who turned my ear deaf, not You Your answers were all yes and amen in Jesus.  It was I who moved away, not You It wa...

2 Sam:10:5 David sent his ambassadors to the newly appointed king of Ammonites, Hanun, to express his grief over the death of his father, king Nahash, saying that he is going to show loyalty to him, just as his father showed loyalty to him.  But Hanun dealt with them in shame, shaving off half of their beard and cutting off their robes.  In v:5 we read they fell deep shame because of their appearance. And David also identifies with them, sympathizes with them. He is also ashamed along with them.  David as a king is a perfect example of what God is for us. When you are ashamed, He is also ashamed along with you. When you are saddened, He too is saddened with you. When you are joyous, He rejoices with you. He is a God who identifies with you. He is a God who feels for you and is with you at all times.  It is so comforting to know that there is a friend always, by you, in your times of joy and in your times of sorrow. It is said, 'When you share your joy it ...

We all like being treated royally. When we book resorts for holidays, the way they would receive us, treat us, take care of us, the food they serve and how they serve, the elegance of the rooms, the beds, the view from the balcony, the provision of necessity and luxury for the price paid, all these go into our review if we say, "they treated us royally." Here is Mephibosheth being treated royally, not just for few days, but for his entire life time. Not just for him, but for his family as well, lifelong.  Why?  No reason.  1Pet:2:9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people, royal priesthood, holy nation, God's very own possession.  Again, why?  No reason.  1 Pet:2:10  Once you had no identity as a people Now you are God's people Once you received no mercy Now you have received God's mercy.  We also have received lifelong royal treatment, because of sheer grace, because of nothing that we did to please Him, but because He c...

Mephibosheth means - from the mouth of shame. Beginning from his name itself denotes all is lost.  Later on crippled in both feet, due to mismanagement of his nurse.  Was supposed to be king as an heir. Son of a prince, grandson of the king. But all lost - calls himself a dead dog. Finds himself before David's throne of grace, who chose to show mercy on him, without conditions.  As we approach the throne of grace today, lets realize it is unmerited favour that we received. Not what we earned from Him because we deserved. Grace is such a rich word. Which says only receive. Which says only love. Which keeps account of nothing wrong done in the past.  Receive like Mephibosheth. Receive from the riches of His glory. Receive from the source Himself. For He is kind and loving and graceful

David asked, “Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” 2 Samuel 9:1b David remembered his oath to Jonathan. Such a gentle and humble man he was. Not only his love to God was genuine, but his love to man as well. You can be wholeheartedly devoted to God and forget about the man who is around you. But not David.  He had made a solemn promise to his friend Jonathan, and remembered it and proactively acted upon it.  How true are we to commitments? Do we forget about our love and responsibilities with men and are satisfied with our commitment to God. Forgetting our role as a father, as a son, as a brother, as a mother, as a wife, as a sister? As a friend? In our workplace. God doesn't expect you to show your devotion to him alone and forget your role here on this earth. That's equally important. He didn't just love us sitting up there. He took a proactive effort to come down to save us from the penalty of the r...

Why me?  Why did I have to go through this?  Didn't ask it when I was blessed.  Didn't ask why I was chosen!  Why me?  These were the excerpts of the words of Arthur Ashe. He was an American tennis player who won three grandslams. He is believed to have contracted HIV AIDS following a blood transfusion for a heart bypass surgery. When he was asked did you ever ask why me, this was his response.  Yes we are people who tend to forget what has been done for us! We often question God when things go uspide down! Thinking we deserve only good things from Him. We forget we have a God who has plans to prosper and not to harm.  Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. Job:2:10 If it's a testing time that you are going through dear one, it's just a time to look back and see how beautifully you have been led all these days... We do not deserve it. But He chose to bless us. Shall we remind ourself....

King David dedicated all the silver and gold he had plundered, to the Lord.  Not few. Not some. Not majority. But all.  He knew for sure, whatever is His is the Lord's gift.  If he realized, that the battle belongs to the Lord and that He gives victory in all his wars, then Whatever the plunder, the whole belongs to the Lord.  1Cor:4:7b  What do you have that you did not receive?  Whatever you have as an asset in your life, is it something that you have earned by your hard work? Or given?  The possessions? The talents? The children? The education? The work? The ministry? Everything that you have is given and everything belongs to the Lord. And everything has to go back to the Lord. In fact your very life. What worth is it, to deserve all these. Again given.  So the natural response is to give it back to the Lord. So that the Master would do with it as He pleases. He and not me.  Let this new year be filled with such a precious tho...