Pastor Stephen Dedman

Tag: bible

David Numbered Israel

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David Numbered Israel

Then Satan stood against Israel and incited David to number Israel.
‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭21:1‬

Trust God

David had to make a choice. He could choose to trust God or he could fall into the temptation of Satan.  He called for a census of Israel to be made and trusted in numbers.  We should never seek confidence in numbers and not trust God.  Instead of boasting in the power of God, David was more flattered with making a name for himself.  We can call this a pride issue.  David wanted other nations to fear him.  When the numbers came were totaled it was amazing and almost unbelievable.  800,000 men in Israel who were qualified to serve in the military is very impressive.  And another 500,000 men were counted in Judah.  David knew he had a great army and he used these numbers to send a message to others.

We must understand a couple of things.  First, David did not count his own people.  He counted God’s people.  These people did not belong to him they were God’s people.  Second, a census was taken not only to impress others with the number of men fit for military but also to show how rich the nation was.  A census would establish how many people were paying taxes.  It was another way for David to exercise power.  Third, this census was a sin.  It was against what God wanted.  David sinned.  He finally came to his senses and repented to the Lord.  However, 70,000 men died because of his great sin.

Pride was the issue.  David forgot the history of how God’s great power and presence was with His children and began seeking praise of man.  We should never fall into the temptation of receiving praise from man instead of pleasing God.

Prayer

Lord, I pray for your power and presence to always bring me remembrance of who You are.  You are all that I need.

The Words Of His Mouth

Encouragement, Trust

The Words Of His Mouth

I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.
‭‭Job‬ ‭23:12‬ ‭

The Value Of God’s Word

Job’s friend, Eliphaz, advised him to agree with God and be at peace.  He told Job to listen to God and make things right. (Job 22:21-27)  Job knew in his heart that he was at peace with God.  He knew God and had convictions concerning the things of God.  Job’s response was that he cherished God’s words and they were more important than food.

God’s Word should be the most valued thing in our life.  When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness He told the devil, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)  The Bible holds such value for living.  It is our hope and instruction that leads to victory.  God’s Word is the foundation in which we understand who God is and how we can know Him.  The Scripture is the truth.

There are many Christians who do not cherish and value the Word of God.  For many say it is too hard to read and understand.  The Holy Spirit helps us to comprehend the things of Scripture and how to apply the principles to our life. Preachers and teachers do a great job but we need more than sermons.  We need the Word of God everyday.  God told Joshua to never let the Book of the Law depart from his mouth and to meditate on it day and night.  And by doing so his ways would be made prosperous and he would have good success. (Joshua 1:8)  God’s Word is profitable for all things.

Prayer

Lord, give me understanding of Your Word and allow me to understand Your truth.

 

Founded On The Rock

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Founded On The Rock

“And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:25‬

The Foundation Of Obedience

There is a great advantage of building upon a firm foundation. A structure’s foundation is its most important element. And it’s the storms that test the durability and strength of what lies beneath the surface.  Jesus gives great advice to build on the rock.

Jesus was wrapping up His Sermon on the Mount and was giving the final take away. The large crowd that surrounded Him listened attentively to every word that was spoken.  The message that Jesus wanted them all to understand was that some listen and obey but some listen and do as they please.

He compared two men building a house. The wise man worked hard and dug deep into the soil to make sure that his house would stand the test of time.  But the foolish man was in a hurry and took short cuts so when the storm came his house didn’t stand. It’s obvious that the foolish man didn’t understand the importance of quality and endurance.

The rock of the foundation is obedience.  For a Christian it is important to obey the Word of God and keep it close to our heart.  Sometimes it is difficult to obey and remain righteous as Jesus instructs.  But it’s easy to disobey and fall into sin and live hypocritically.

It takes a foolish person to build a house on sandy soil as it’s also foolish for a person to know God’s Word and not obey it. It’s one thing to listen to instructions, it’s another to obey them. James 1:22 says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”  We must live obediently upon the biblical truth of Jesus Christ.

Prayer

Pray for the truth of God’s Word to embrace your life as you are tempted to take foolish shortcuts of disobedience.