DAVID A man after God's own heart

Question of the Day:  How do you cope with stress in unhealthy and healthy ways?

Good morning.  We are continuing in 2 Samuel starting in chapter 2. We are only going to tackle one verse.  I hope we can make it all the way through....lol!

READ:  2 Samuel 2:1

David Anointed King Over Judah

2 In the course of time, David inquired of the Lord. “Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?” he asked.

The Lord said, “Go up.”

David asked, “Where shall I go?”

“To Hebron,” the Lord answered.

There are two points I would like for us to focus on today. 

1. Time

In the course of time.....  Beth Moore in her book heart like his suggests that it has now been about 15 years since David was anointed.  How scholars have come to a year I don't know however it is obvious that it has been sometime.  

Time is a crazy thing.

We talk about never having enough.

Running out.

Time flying by.

Where does time go?

I wish I had more time.

What else do we say about time?

Bible stories often involve time.  Time is a part of the story.  It is part of the lesson.   

How was time apart of the following stories:

Noah and the ark.

Queen Esther

Ruth

Abraham

Jericho

Joseph

Garden of Gethsemane

What are some other stories where time is an important part of the lesson to be learned?

Why is time such a repeated theme?

What have we learned so far in the story of David about time?

Chapter 1 ended with David mourning the loss of his dear friend Jonathan, and King Saul.  It is key to note that after mourning the loss he didn't jump right in to the next chapter of his life. David took time to heal to mourn. 

Is this significant or important?

Why? or Why not?

We already know we have an issue with time.  That is easy to see.  What were the benefits of David taking some time after the loss?

What might have happened if he hadn't taken time?

As a society, here in the US we don't do good at giving ourselves time.  In Ethiopia when a mother has a baby, she doesn't do anything.... anything except care for her baby for three months.  She does't leave the house, she doesn't cook or take care of other children, her only focus is on the new baby and her recovery.  

In other societies, people take more time to mourn the loss of loved ones.  We have a funeral often within days and then everything goes back to normal... or does it?

How would we benefit from taking time...

2. Ask

Asking God, going to God for direction has been a central theme in this study of David, and it is again here.  What do we see David do in this passage that is notable?

Ask, if you don't get the full answer of the specifics you need... ask again!

In Chronicles 14:8-17 We see a story about David when he was facing the Philistines.  He asks God what to do, he tells him and David wins.  Then once again, same place, same foe, and David still goes back to God and asks.  He doesn't assume, he doesn't assume that God has already told him, or that he knows.  He asks again.  This time God's plan was completely different and because of that once again, God's army won.  

We can not live our lives with a "once always" mentality.  We also can not live a life where we assume because that the general answer is enough.  

Yesterday Sarah called me over and over again.  She was wanting advice for how to handle her mother in law. She was wanting help with recipes.  When she couldn't find the produce she had hoped she wanted help with adjusting her plan.  It was almost a constant conversation through out the day. Isn't that what our relationship with God should be?

This short passage shows a conversation between God and David.  

I know we talk about this, but do we practice it?

What is your communication with God like?

How do you hear him?

I remember as a young girl watching how my parents communicated with God.  I tried to communicate the same way and well.....it never seemed to work.  I spent years blaming myself, and thinking there must be something wrong with me.  I obviously wasn't surrendered enough.  I obviously hadn't confessed deep enough.  I obviously needed to do..... and....

Is there a perfect formula.  There are people who talk about certain types of prayer, how there needs to be an order of asking, praising, etc.. There is sanctuary prayer... etc...etc...

If sanctuary prayer or having an order or a method of praying helps you in your prayer time, that is fantastic.  The key here is not how we do it but that we do it! Ask! If you don't have enough info... Ask again! 

Beth Moore in her book A heart like His suggests 4 things that may help. 

1. Acknowledge my specific need for direction.

2. Continue to pray daily and study His word.

3. Ask Him to help you recognize His answer.

4. Ask for confirmation if you have any doubt!

No matter how, just make sure you do!