Archives For Promise

Daily David, Week 11, Day 1

admin —  November 7, 2011 — Leave a comment

We are going to go back to a reading from two weeks ago. This reading is extremely important to understanding the relationship between David and Jesus. The reading is 2 Samuel 7:1-29. In this reading God makes a promise to David. The fulfillment of this promise is found in Jesus.

What did David want to build (7:2)? Why do you think Nathan originally told David to go ahead with his plan (7:3)? Have you ever had plans that seemed good, but were not God’s plan?

David wanted to build a temple for God. This was to be the dwelling place. In the Book of Exodus God instructed the people to build a tabernacle. This was a tent that would go wherever the people of God went. Now that they were established and settled in the nation, David want to build a permanent place. They no loner needed a tent they could pick up and move.

Nathan probably thought this was a good idea. David had good intentions to do this. There was no reason in his mind that he could come up with to tell David not to do this.

Often times we have plans that we think are best. But are not necessarily what God would have us do. Good intentions are not always God intentions. It is important that we listen to what God tells us, not what we think is best.

Did God ask David to build a temple (7:7)?

No, God never asked David to build a temple. Sometimes we put upon ourselves things that we think we should do for God, even though God has not told us to do so. This leads to feelings of frustration.

Could David ever do anything for God that would compare to what God did for David (7:8-11)?

No, it is impossible to ever come close to repaying God for the blessings he pours into our lives.

How does God offset David’s disappointment in not being able to build the temple (7:11-16)?

God promises that he will build a dynasty for David. He tells David his son would build the temple. Finally, he tells David he will establish his throne forever.

Often times God says no to our plan, because he has a greater thing in mind than what we planned.

Is there a time in your life when God said no to your dream so his greater plan could be accomplished? Why is it easy to loose focus when God says “no!”? What is the role of trust when God says “no!”!

It is hard when God says no to something we have set our heart and mind towards. We can really begin to covet our plans. When God says no we think he is rejecting us. We are tempted to believe that God does not have our best interest at heart or that God does not know what he is doing. When God says “no” that is when we need faith to know that God is God and that he knows what is best.

Describe David’s response to Nathan’s revelation (18-29)?

David’s response is one of humility. It is a response of gratitude. It is a response of worship and praise. It is a response of awe!

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Promise and Prayer

admin —  October 31, 2011 — Leave a comment

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Happy Reformation Day! Today we celebrate the reformation which was a rediscovery of God’s grace. It is not about what we do for God. It is about what God has done for us.

In this message we look at God’s grace in the Old Testament. It was not about what David accomplished for God. It was about what God did for David. The story is found in 2 Samuel 7:4-16.

Often times we work hard to try to do great things for God, but we end up spinning our wheels. When it comes to our relationship with God it is not about being more accomplished, but more surrendered.

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Daily David, Week 9, Day 2

admin —  October 25, 2011 — Leave a comment

An extraordinary promise of God. It was not because of anything David had done. It was simply out of the grace of God. God speaks this undeserved promise to David found in 2 Samuel 7.

God speaks undeserved promises to us as well. It is the promise of salvation. It is the promise of life. It is the promise of provision. None of these promises do we deserve. We are sinful human beings. But God in his mercy and love has compassion upon us and gives us these gifts. Amazing!

What promises does God give to David (7:9-16)?

God promises to make David’s name famous. He will provide a homeland for his people. He promises they will be safe and secure. They will not be oppressed and will be given rest from their enemies. God tells David he will establish a dynasty among his family and his kingdom will be strong. One of David’s offspring will will build the temple. God also says he will correct and discipline David’s offspring when they are out of line. Finally, God says David’s kingdom will endure forever.

What made David so worthy of this honor (7:18)?

Nothing!

Why is God’s way of dealing with David (and us) so unusual (7:19)?

God does not treat us as we deserve. Our unfaithfulness is matched by his faithfulness. We continually let him down. He never lets us down.

Who redeems God’s people (7:23)? Who makes God’s people to be God’s people (7:24)?

God redeems his own people. God makes his own people to be his people. It is all him!

Why does David want God to keep his promise forever (7:25-26)?

Because we need God each and every moment. The air we breath is from him. The food we eat is from him. Our salvation is from him. There is nothing we have that does not come from him. We could not live apart from him for even one second.

What does it mean that God’s words are trustworthy (7:28)?

God’s words are the most reliable thing there are. We can put our trust in many things. But anything else will eventually at some point in time let us down. Jesus says the one who hears and obeys God’s word is like the wise man who built his house on the rock. Anything else we put our trust in is like sinking sand.

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Daily David, Week 9, Day 1

admin —  October 24, 2011 — Leave a comment

This next weekend is Reformation Sunday. The Reformation was all about discovering the grace of God. It is coming to the realization that I am so unworthy of God’s love and salvation. It has nothing to do with what I give or offer to God.

King David was blessed by God. He is described as a man after God’s own heart and yet he was still unworthy of the blessings God poured into his life. This week we focus on the promises of God to David and us. These promises are given not because of our faithfulness, but because of God’s faithfulness. It says in 2 Timothy 2:12, “If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful.”

Our reading for today is from 1 Chronicles 16:17-36.

What is the purpose of this Psalm (see 1 Chronicles 16:1-6)?

This song of praise is to celebrate the Ark of the Covenant having been brought to Jerusalem.

What are we called to remember (16:12)? How do we remember today?

We are called to remember what God has done. These are the miracles he has performed and the rulings he has given. Basically, we are to remember God’s past faithfulness.

What does God remember (16:15)? Why is it important for God to remember?

God remembers his promise he has made to his people. He does not forget because he promises to be faithful. If he forgot his promise we would be in big trouble, because we would no longer have God’s provision or salvation.

Who are the ones God seeks to serve, protect, and uplift (16:19-22)?

It is his chosen people. It is those who are few in number. It is those who are marginalized. It is those who are the least of these.

What is the difference between the Lord and the gods of the nations (16:25-26)?

The Lord is the true God. He is the one and only God. God created the heavens and the earth. The other so-called gods were made by the hands of men. The Lord alone has honor and majesty that come from himself.

What is the response of God’s creation to it’s creator (16:28-33)?

He is to be worshiped. It says the creation will shout his praise. Jesus said if his people do not worship him, then the rocks will do it. Everything in creation points to the fact that the Lord is God.

What is a savior (16:35)? What does it take to recognize Jesus as our Savior?

A savior is one who rescues from danger and destruction. It takes for us to recognize that we are sinners in danger of destruction for us to recognize Jesus as our savior. Unless we recognize we need to be saved, we will fail to grasp our need for Jesus. Unfortunately, many of us think we have the ability to save ourselves. But this is a great deception of the evil one.

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David, Week 9, Study Guide

admin —  October 20, 2011 — Leave a comment

October 24-30

Promise and Prayer

Memory Verse:

2 Samuel 7:18–19 (NLT) Who am I, O Sovereign LORD, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? 19 And now, Sovereign LORD, in addition to everything else, you speak of giving your servant a lasting dynasty! Do you deal with everyone this way, O Sovereign LORD?

Day 1

1 Chronicles 16:17-36

What is the purpose of this Psalm (see 1 Chronicles 16:1-6)?

What are we called to remember (16:12)? How do we remember today?

What does God remember (16:15)? Why is it important for God to remember?

Who are the ones God seeks to serve, protect, and uplift (16:19-22)?

What is the difference between the Lord and the gods of the nations (16:25-26)?

What is the response of God’s creation to it’s creator (16:28-33)?

What is a savior (16:35)? What does it take to recognize Jesus as our Savior?

Day 2

2 Samuel 7

What promises does God give to David (7:9-16)?

What made David so worthy of this honor (7:18)?

Why is God’s way of dealing with David (and us) so unusual (7:19)?

Who redeems God’s people (7:23)? Who makes God’s people to be God’s people (7:24)?

Why does David want God to keep his promise forever (7:25-26)?

What does it mean that God’s words are trustworthy (7:28)?

Day 3

Matthew 1:1, 12:23, 15:22, 20:30-31, 21:9,14-15

The line of Davidic kings upon the throne in Jerusalem came to an end when Jerusalem was destroyed in 586BC by the Babylonians. It almost seems like God was not faithful to his promise as David’s throne did not endure forever. How do these verses from Matthew answer any doubts about God’s faithfulness to his promises?

Why is it important that Jesus is a Son of David?

Messiah in Hebrew and Christos in Greek mean anointed one. What was Jesus anointed for? What was David anointed to accomplish?

In these verses, who is calling Jesus the Son of David? Who refuses to acknowledge him as such?

What kingdom did Jesus come to establish? What kingdom are you called to build?

Day 4

Mark 12:35-40, Luke 1:29-33, Romans 1:1-6, Revelation 22:16-21

Whose kingdom did the people of Jesus’ day expect the Messiah to reestablish?

What does it mean that David would call the Messiah “Lord” (Mark 12:37)?

Why do most people seek honor (12:38-40)?

What do you think it means that the throne of David will be given to Jesus (Luke 1:32)?

Who Son is Jesus according to the human nature (Romans 1:3)? According to the divine nature (1:4)? What did Jesus do that David never did (Romans 1:4)?

What is the holy city described Revelation 22:19 where Jesus, son of David, will reign for eternity (see Revelation 21:1-4)?

Day 5

Psalm 89

Psalm 89:2 says God’s love stands firm forever. Are there times in the life of David where this does not seem true? How about your own life?

What does the Psalmist have to hold on to when doubts are raised in his mind about God’s love (89:3-4)? When you experience disappointment, how do you respond?

What will happen if we fail to follow God’s lead (89:30-32)? But what does God still promise (89:33-37)?

Why do you think it is so easy to doubt God’s promises (89:38-45)?

What does faith allow us to do when we fail to see God’s goodness (89:52)?

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