Search me, O God and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way. (NASV)

John 3:5-8 Jesus answered “Truly, truly, I say to you unless one is born of water and the spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said unto you ‘You must be born again’. The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (NASV)

As I studied these verse the last few days I realized that God’s spirit is like the wind. In our day in and day out activities we see God sending messages of His love and hope to all of us. How we receive and process these messages depends on our desire to leave the darkness and come to the light. The longer someone put off this journey the darker the darkness becomes in our life. The reason to stay in the darkness to hide the wicked deeds that are there. The Spirit is like the wind. We do not know where it is coming from or in which direction it is going, but we know it is there.

It is the leading of the Spirit that will take us into the kingdom of God. As David wrote in these verses ” Search me and know my heart” is an invitation for the Spirit to enter our live. As the wind is always moving around us, so is the Spirit of God moving all around each and every one of us. The nature of the first birth leaves us already judged for the sinful nature that exist in everyone, and that judgement is death and being outside the kingdom of God. It is only believing in the gift of God’s only begotten Son that the forgiveness of this sinful nature takes place in a person’s life. Once the heart is opened and the Spirit of God enters, real transformation of a life will takes place. Just as a child born of the flesh grows physically, so must the child born of the Spirit grow into a spiritual witness for Christ.

“Even before there is a word on my tonque, behold O Lord Thou dost know it all.”

As I study and meditate on God’s Word the more I see the true nature of God. As I studied John chapter three this week I saw the true meaning of Psalm 139:4. These verses gives us the story of Nicodemus coming to Jesus one night. In this story Nicodemus addresses Jesus in this manner “Rabbi we know that you have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with Him.” As I look at just the first part of this sentence I see so much information packed in it. He addressed Jesus as a teacher who not only knew the scripture but was also sent from God. But Nicodemus also used the word “we” which meant not only did Nicodemus believed this of Jesus at this time, but also several other Pharisees. also believed. The second part of the address revealed the reason for believing that Jesus was send from God. That reason was the signs that were performed by Him.

When Jesus answers Nicodemus, I believe that Nicodemus realized that he revealed Psalm 139:4 to him. Jesus knew what was on Nicodemus’s mind before he even asked the question to Jesus. This is an example of the sign that Nicodemus was probably referring to as he address Jesus. Jesus went straight to the answer before the question was even asked. The question was “How can one see the kingdom of God.” The answer to the question was one must be born again. This opened up the discussion he then had with Nicodemus about salvation. When Nicodemus ask Jesus “How can these things be?”, Jesus replied “Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things?”. Nicodemus as a teacher and ruler of the nation of Israel he should have knowledge of these answers.

Then Jesus, as the Son of Man, explains the serpent of Moses in the wilderness to him. He stated “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; that whosoever believes may in Him have eternal life.” Nicodemus knew this story well. However, Jesus took this story and applied it to being born again. This story of the serpent found in Numbers 21:4-9 reveals how anyone who was bitten by the serpent would live by just looking at the serpent. This serpent was an example of how man who was under the curse of sin brought about by Satan the serpent could free himself from this curse by looking to the Son of Man on the cross.

So here early in the ministry of Jesus be reveals himself as the Christ who will become the Son of Man to take the place of the serpent on the cross for the sins of mankind. The Jews at this time were looking for the kingdom of God coming to them in their own fallen condition, not realizing that to enter the kingdom of God one must first be made clean and free from sin. He adds to his discourse with these words which we should all know “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” Just as Nicodemus unspoken question to Jesus was answered before it was asked, so to can your unspoken question that lies buried deep inside your mind be answered by these same words, “You must be born again”. This salvation is available by looking on the Savior and believing.

As I was growing up as a young boy my grandmother had this picture in the front room of her house. As I look back to those days I remember two things about this room. First there was this picture and then there was the heater and all the jackets that were piled upon the chairs and the sofa. However, it was this picture and the meaning behind it that guided my belief that I had a guardian angel watching over me.

However, one day the truth was made known to me and that truth was my guardian angel was not watching over me. My faith in the power of the Lord grew greatly that day. I was made of the truth of Matthew 18:10. Christ was answering the disciples’ question on “who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”. Matthew 18:10 “See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually behold the face of My Father who is in heaven.” So my angel is watching the Father and not me? Yes God is watching over me. And when I need help he sends in my angel. God was so great that He watches over His entire creation.

So during this Thanksgiving take a few moments to thank and praise the Lord who watches over you. Yes we have angels taking care of us, but it is God who directs them in our lives. And as he ends this lesson to his disciples on who is the greatest in heaven he reminds them that where two are three have gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst. So as you enjoy this time of Thanksgiving do it in His name and enjoy His presence this holiday.

We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord.

This morning I waited and watched as the sun started to break the horizon and entered another day that the Lord has given me to enjoy. I can state these words with truth since I know the Lord and have seen and witness many of the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord in my lifetime. This is one task that I will gladly take. As I look back on the history of this country and even the events of the last sixty plus years I have witness some many of the praiseworthy events of the Lord. However, the greatest of these are not the events, but the daily deeds in my life.

Does the next generation see the Lord in my life. Do I give the Lord the credit for the daily praiseworthy deeds in my life. I am afraid we sometimes fall in the same trap that Eve fell in when she was confronted by Satan. Instead of proclaiming the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord she trying to defend her views over Satan’s false statements about the Lord commandment. We face this same event in your lives in today’s world. Instead of telling the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord the world wants to know why we will worship a God that does not even exist to them. Our faith in God to the world is so outdated to their scientific reasoning and their latest studies.

So as I watched the sun come up this morning I realize that I have the peace of God in my heart knowing that He is watching over me. And if I look closely at the events that happens daily in my life, I will see the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord. So my prayer today is for the next generation to see the Lord in my life. I do not have to defend the Lord to those that question Him, but just let them know of His wonderful gift of grace that He has given us through Jesus. He that has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life (John 5:12)

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.   And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.   And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.   And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. (KJV)

In the past sixty plus years I have seen many news headlines.  I can remember the big new stories of the past and the stories that were in the news after those events had taken placed.  My first presidential election that I remembered was the Kennedy and Nixon election.  As I young boy I never realized how close it was and how much news was made about it at that time.  I just remembered my favorite activities at that time centered on playing outdoors with the kids in my neighborhood.  Since then there has been many more elections in our nation and as I have age I have realized much the results can be the leading stories of the day. 

However, soon after these November elections we start the process of entering the holiday season.  Thanksgiving, Christmas, and even College football bowl games.  For most people this time of the year is for stopping and reflecting on how wonderful the gift of family means to us.  I believe it time to turn off the news of this world and listen to the angels’ message to the shepherds who were out in the field working and doing their job of watching over their sheep,  This message of Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace and good will to man is the message we need today.

These words by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow were written at the time of the Civil War which was probably a lot more troubling then the time in which we are living in today.  This song was written at a time of great when we had a truly divided nation, and yet the more you research this song and the reason it was written the greater these words will become to your daily life.

I heard the bells on Christmas day
their old familiar carols play
and mild and sweet their songs repeat
of peace on earth good will to men

And in despair I bowed my head
there is no peace on earth I said
for hate is strong and mocks the song
of peace on earth, good will to men

Then rang the bells more loud and deep
God is not dead, nor does he sleep
the wrong shall fail, the right prevail
With peace on earth, good will to men

I Samuel 17:28 reveals how David’s oldest brother felt about his presence on the battle line. “When Eliab, David’s oldest brother, heard him speaking with the men he burned with anger at him and asked, “Why have you come down here? And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the desert? I know how conceited you are and how wicked your heart is; you came down only to watch the battle.””. These were the words that David heard from his brother and as we see David just ignores them. However, we know that Eliab must have been at least ten to fifteen years older than David since he was the oldest and David was the youngest. He might have taken the position that it was his responsibility to protect his younger brother.

However, there could be a lot of family conflict reflected in Eliab’s words. From Samuel commends in I Samuel 16 Eliab must have been a very commanding person. When Samuel first laid his eyes on him he thought surely this is the one the Lord has chosen. However, it was David that was chosen. As we saw in the life of Jacob or Joseph the relationships between brothers can be very tense. This must have been the situation between David and his brothers. As we see David ignores these words completely and not only watched the battle but was the man that God used to defeat the Philistines that day. But as we look at the words of Eliab, we realized why he was not the one that God had chosen for Samuel to anoint as the next king.

So as I look at this relationship that David had with his brother I realize why he was happy keeping the sheep in the fields. Here in the solitude of the fields he could develop a relationship with God by meditating on God’s word day and night. We must be careful about allowing the bitterness and anger of living in an environment of conflict effect the way we act around others. David, instead of confronting his brother, just walked way and sought the company of others who gave him words of encouragement. Exercising your faith among your friends and family can present many challenges. Walking by faith is the relationship one has with God and God alone. And yet the fruits of our faith can serve as a witness for others to see how God can work in their lives.

The next story line in the life of David is the story of his battle with Goliath. The story starts with the Philistines gathering their troops to met Saul and his troops on the edge of were each nation boarder. Because of this movement of troops David probably had to go back home to help out since his three older brothers were with Saul’s troops on the battle lines. The Philistine’s champion Goliath would go out every morning and evening to challenge the Israelite to send out their champion to fight against them. He did this for forty days. There are so many story lines to this story, but the only one I will touch on today is David’s faith.

Jesse sent David to the camp with the some supplies for his brothers and the captain of their thousand. While he was there he heard the challenge of Goliath and ask why no one would answer his call to fight. David’s inquiring about the matter of standing up to Goliath reached the ears of Saul. By permitting David to fight Goliath Saul was either trusting in David’s skills and abilities, or he was just glad to have someone who would take the chance of fighting Goliath. Either way, David took what was comfortable to him, which was his sling and five smooth stones. As he approached to fight Goliath David answered Goliath’s cursing with the simple phase” but I come in the name of the Lord of host, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou defied”. David was not there to prove himself as a champion, but to fight and bring victory to the God of armies of the Israel.

David’s faith prevail in his battle against Goliath and the Philistines. Like the dark clouds coming in before the storm God sends a spirit of a feeling of defeat among the Philistines as soon as they see their champion dead. Yet we see how this dark cloud of defeat that the Philistines were facing fired up the Israelite’s army with by seeing the silver lining that God had provided. David’s faith as portrayed in this story reflects how we as Christians must stand up for our belief even when the people around us seem to doubt our faith. David’s faith was a personal faith between him and God, that is the same type of faith we need to have. It is amazing to realize that the God of this universe can also be the guiding light in our life. And like David’s example of faith in this story, the effects of our faith can also have an effect on our environment. So let our faith shine daily in everything you do.

I have a note in my Bible next to I Samuel 16:18 that reads “God set the stage before David played for Saul. The little events in our life are really divine events that God causes to happen.” As we study this first time meeting of Saul and David we must realized that God had a hand in it. The Spirit of God departed from Saul and and evil spirit from God tormented him. Saul had abandoned God’s way. Saul was ruling Israel as his kingdom not God’s kingdom. As one abandons God they also abandon relationships with those that walk in God’s way. There were probably few around Saul that had a godly influence on him. We must remember that Jonathan Saul’s son who was probably one tat could have given him godly advice was usually away from him leading another garrison. So one of Saul’s attendants suggested to search for someone who could pay the harp to make him feel better. During the conversation another servant recommended David, the son of Jesse. He also mentioned that David was also a brave man, and a warrior and the Lord is with him.

As I look at I Samuel 16:14 “Now the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul and an evil Spirit from the Lord terrorized him.” I myself have no problem with the phrase “an evil Spirit from the Lord” found in this verse. God is the creator of all things in the universe. He is the creator of Satan and all his domain. Satan chose to rebel against his creator and desired to be like God, however his rebellion end with him and a third of the angels being cast out of heaven. Rebellion against God was a decision that not only Satan had made but also a third of the angels in heaven with him. Soon after the creation of man Satan presented himself to Eve and convince her to disobey God and partake of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. So all creation is from God, but when creation chose not to follow God’s way it becomes without God, or godless.

So Saul sent for David. His message to Jesse was simple: “Send me your son David,who is with the sheep.” As king I guess he could make such a request and my this a demand to Jesse. An interesting portion of this verse also mention that Saul knew that David was tending the sheep. We can not be sure if Jesse believe that Saul knew about the anointing of David by Samuel at this time, but it could have been on his mind. We are not given the time between the anointing of David by Samuel and the request for David to serve in the courts of Saul, but we do know that God had set the stage. So Jesse gave David a donkey, loaded with bread a skin of wine and a young goat and send him to Saul.

David not only played the harp for Saul, he also became one of his armor-bearers. Saul like David very much. So much that he sent back to Jesse and asked him to allow David to stand before him because he hath found favor in my sight. So David became part of the court that surrounded Saul. So when the evil spirit came upon Saul, David would play the harp and Saul would find relief. David was well received by the court of Saul which provided him with experience that God had planned for his future as king.

In Revelations 3:7b John writes this message to the church of Philadelphia “He who is holy who is true who has the keys of David, who opens and no one will shut, and who shuts and no one opens say this”. (KJV) Before I go any farther I need to let the readers understand that I believe that God opens and closes doors daily in the life of the believer. I have witnessed that in my life as well as others close to me. Yes we must go through the open doors, but when God closes a door it stays closed. As we study David’s life we need to understand how God directed his paths. God as the potter and David as the clay. The events that lead up to making David king of Israel were are planned by God. So let start the process of looking at the doors that the Lord opened up for David, as well as some doors that were closed to him.

David’s family had a very rich and interesting background. In Matthew 1:5,6 “And Salmon beget Boaz of Rahab; and Boaz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; and Jesse begat David the king” (KJV) we have David’s genealogy. David’s genealogy is found in several other places in the Bible, but this one is special since it also list his grandmother and his great grandmother. Both of these women were great women of faith, and yet the ways they came into the lives of Salmon and Boaz was amazing. The door of opportunity was opened for Rahab when the two spies for Israel stayed at her house in Jericho. This account recorded in Judges 2:1-24 gives us a full account of her faith. She could had turned the spies over to the king of Jericho, but instead protected them. She did this because she believed in their Lord, and asked for kindness to be shown to her family. As we see God rewarded her faith by becoming one of the five women in the genealogy of Christ.

The same can be said about his grandmother Ruth who could have been alive at the time of David’s birth. The story of her faith and her decision to chose to travel with her mother-in-law Naomi back to Judah is recorded in the book of Ruth. As we read the story of how Ruth meet Boaz we can see how God opens doors of opportunities to those who have faith in the Lord . As we study the Bible God has given us books such as Ruth, Esther, and Job to show to us how God works in an individual life and reward that individual for their great faith in God.

David had a rich history of men and women of faith in his family. As we read the Psalms we realize that David’s faith in God was something he aquired at an early age. So as the door opens for David’s journey into the courts of king Saul we must reflect on how God set the stage early in hs life by giving him such a rich heritage of faithful parents, and grandparents. The faith that Rahab and Ruth were great examples of faith in which David must have heard and possibly even seen early in to his life. So as we look to these great individuals that God has given us as example of faith; we as parents and grandparents should strive to be good examples of faith to our children and grandchildren. This is the greatest gift in life we could give them, so we must strive so that we can be a faithful witness to them.

Studying the scriptures will helps us find the answers to some of the the most difficult questions that has been troubling us. One of these questions I have had is why God chose Saul as the first king of Israel. As I explore the reasons for the selection of Saul as the first king of Israel I must reflect on the political issues at that time in Israel. The twelve tribes had greatly increased in population, but also there was also a greater force acting upon them and that force was to become more like the countries around them. Samuel serve the twelve tribes as a judge, prophet, and a priest; he did not rule over them as a king. When Samuel was old he set his sons up as judges. His sons however were not honest and walked not in Samuel’s way. Therefore the elders decided they wanted a king like the other nations that surrounded them. So God gave them a king after their own desire. This might be a reason that God gave them Saul, a king like the other nations. Early in life I was told be careful for what you ask for because God might permit it to happen. Saul was the type of king they were desiring so God gave them the king they desired.

After Samuel’s withdrew to Ramah he stilled mourn for Saul. However, God instructs Samuel to stop mourning for Saul seeing that God had rejected him. God then gave Samuel the task to anoint the next king of Israel. Samuel at this time was aware of the way that Saul was ruling and how he had warned Saul that his kingdom would not continue. He also knew that Saul was probably keeping an eye on his activities for Samuel as a priest was still a powerful force in Israel. We see in I Samuel 16:2 that Samuel fear to execute this task that the Lord had given him to complete because of Saul. So God told him to go and to use the occasion as an oppunity to offer up a sacrifice at Bethlehem. Another reason I believed Samuel was afraid to go was that the anointing would cause an uprising to take place in the near future. As I read I Samuel 16:1-13 I realized that Samuel was looking for an adult who might be able to take over the kingdom from Saul in the near future. But God had His own timetable. As someone who has follow the Lord for over fifty years I have realize that waiting on the Lord is one of one of the hardest to learn attributes a Christian can develop in their walk with the Lord.

Why was David in the field instead of at the feast? I believe the simple answer is someone had to watch the sheep while the family attended the sacrifice. David being the youngest was the best choice for this task. However, he was the one that was to be anointed so they sent to fetch him and waited unto he arrived. When he did arrive, Samuel anointed him in the midst of his brethren and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David. Samuel went back home and David went back to tending the sheep in the field. Unlike Saul’s anointing there was no other events that happened afterwards. It was a probably a relief to Samuel. It is several years later that we have the next reference of Samuel. This reference is found in I Samuel 19:18 when David fled and escaped from Saul and came to Samuel at Ramah.

As we study the scriptures we must realize that the characters that we study are just like us. They have the same needs as well as fears as we have in the world today. We know that God’s hand is in the affairs of of this world, not men’s, but we tend forget this in our daily living. As the Lord taught us to pray: “Our Father in heaven hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it it in heaven.” God is in control. So when everyone around you is worried about the affairs of this world understand that God is in control still