Today’s Scrip-Bit 22 November 2020 2 Samuel 6:14.

22 Nov 2020 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

2 Samuel 6:14.    ​And David danced (whirled about) before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.

Well we back to the virtual Sunday business in my area because the Covid-19 count has sky-rocketed, so the churches have been advised to close or to keep their physical gathering to a minimum. My church has decided that the hassle to have physical gatherings is not worth its weight in gold, so we have closed for at least the next four weeks. Yes, though we like the physical gathering, the way that the virus is spreading makes the virtual gathering safer and wiser. The Lord knows our hearts, and He knows that we would gather in His sanctuary if we could, but then again, church is not merely the physical place of meeting, but rather the spiritual activity that takes place between believers. 

And we going to begin that spiritual activity with some praise and worship, reverence and adoration to our Creator, through the traditional song,‘One More River to Cross.’And we going to do it in a soulful, down home, Southern, hand clapping, jumping and jiving blues style, with plenty passion, in sweet harmony. (smile) Oh, the spoken Intro is borrowed from the song ‘One more Mountain to climb’, because I thought it sounded quite appropriate for our song too. (smile) Then we’ll segue straight into the chorus of our song, 

So let’s get with it nuh.(Intro: ‘Hey Lord, my troubles never seem to end, Tell me, are you still my friend? I got such a heavy load. When will I reach that glory road?)’ (Chorus: One more river to cross, one more mountain to climb One more valley that I’ve gotta go thru then I’m leaving my troubles behind One more battle with the devil, then I know he’ll understand I’m going thru with Jesus, Hallelujah, Holding to His nail scarred hand, holding to His nail scarred hand.) 

I’ve had a lot of troubles and trials, in my little life span When I’m standing alone, and the battle gets hard, I always do the best I can I’ve crossed a million valleys, and shed a million tears, But when I come to the River of Jordan, Hallelujah, then I’ll have no fear, then I’ll have no fear. (Chorus: One more river to cross, one more mountain to climb One more valley that I’ve gotta go thru then I’m leaving my troubles behind One more battle with the devil, then I know he’ll understand I’m going thru with Jesus, Hallelujah, Holding to His nail scarred hand, holding to His nail scarred hand.) 

Yes, There’s been a lot of people talking ‘bout me since I’ve walked this narrow way But that’s just another little valley, I came thru it when I prayed, I’ve climbed a lot of high mountains and crossed a lot of little streams But when I see ol’ Jordan cold and dark, that’ll be the last for me, that’ll be the last for me. (Chorus One more river to cross, one more mountain to climb One more valley that I’ve gotta go thru then I’m leaving my troubles behind One more battle with the devil, then I know he’ll understand I’m going thru with Jesus, Hallelujah, Holding to His nail scarred hand, holding to His nail scarred hand.)’ repeat chorus.  

Oh friends, wasn’t that wonderful! Reminds you of olden days when people really enjoyed their praise and worship, not just singing the songs in a dreary, wooden manner, with li’l or no passion or riddim. But our heavenly Father likes passion and riddim, with the praise and worship truly coming from our soul. And what better example do we have than that auspicious and momentous occasion when Bruh David brought the Ark of the Covenant up to Jerusalem eh. 

Hear how the Good Book tells it nuh. ‘So David went and brought up the ark from the house of Obed-edom into the city with gladness. And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings. And David danced (whirled about) before the Lord with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting, and with the sound of trumpet.’ (2 Sam. 6:12b-15) 

Mama Mia! What a celebration that must have been! And being the musician and poet that he was, Bruh David must have certainly been in his element. So much so that the Good Book continues: ‘And as the ark of the Lord came into the city of David (Jerusalem), Michal, Saul’s daughter (David’s wife) looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the Lord; (half-naked) and she despised him in her heart.’ (2 Sam.6:16) 

But the story gets more interesting. After Bruh David finished celebrating with the people, offering burnt offerings and peace offerings and giving them cake and wine, the Good Book tells it thus: ‘Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel today, who uncovered himself today in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain (base) fellows shamelessly (openly) uncovereth himself.’ (2 Sam. 6:20) 

Believe me people, I can testify to that kind of dressing down for my dancing behaviour. But unlike Bruh David, that was just water running off my back. (smile) Bruh David though traced Michal good and proper: ‘And David said unto Michal, It was before the Lord, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the Lord over Israel: therefore will I play before the Lord. And I will yet be more vile (undignified) than thus, and will be base (humble) in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour. Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death.’ (2 Sam. 6:20-23) 

Bubba! Bruh David didn’t make skylark at all nuh! He banished her from his presence. Now hear some explanations from the scholars. ‘6:12. The ark, which had been placed in the house of Obed-edom, a Levite of the family of Korah (cf. 1 Chr. 13:13-14), was now brought up to Jerusalem in the prescribed manner. It was done with careful forethought (1 Chr. 15:1-2) (Remember Uzza was smitten by the Lord when he put his hand on it to stop it from falling. 1 Chr. 13:9-13) The transferal of the ark was accompanied by sacrifices, pomp, and great rejoicing. David’s dancing or whirling about (vs. 14) was an expression of spiritual joy (cf. 1 Chr. 15:25-28).’ 

Yeh! That’s the kind of spiritual joy that is so sadly lacking in our times. And it certainly was dicey work transporting the ark, but Bruh David managed, with the Lord’s help of course. And this last explanation from the scholars: ‘6:16. Michal saw in David’s actions a conduct unbefitting a king. She doubtless neither appreciated or entered into the spirit of the occasion. Accordingly, David rebuked her and consigned her to separation from the king’s graces, a condemnation that left her childless (vs. 20-23). A negative and critical spirit born of spiritual shallowness and insensitivity is a dangerous thing!’ 

And so it is my brethren, so please let’s not allow our spirits to become shallow or insensitive nuh, because that can bring us such joyless lives. Much LOVE!

…if we don’t show our joy and passion before the Lord…where and when will we show it eh… 

Today’s Scrip-Bit 23 August 2020 2 Kings 2:8.

23 Aug 2020 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

2 Kings 2:8.     ​And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither, so that they two went over on dry ground. 

‘I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.’ (Ps.122:1) Ah friends, what a wonderful scripture that is, and I wish it could be done without any fear of repercussions, medically and governmentally, (smile) but unfortunately many of us still can’t actually, meaning physically go into God’s house and fellowship together. But when has that ever stopped God’s people from celebrating His magnificence, from worshipping Him in Spirit and in truth eh?  NEVER! Celebrating God’s goodness and mercy doesn’t need a physical place to make it real. So for those of you who can once again gather together, good for you, the rest of us will keep on gathering virtually. (smile) 

And today we’re going to begin our celebration with what the website hymnary.org tells us is ‘one of the best known African American (Negro) Spirituals in Christian history,’ the one titled ‘Swing Low Sweet Chariot.’ Hold on to yuh horses a minute mih pardner Scottie, because I know that this one of your favourites. (smile) 

Let’s hear some more good info from hymnary.org. ‘On any given day, reading any newspaper or watching any daily news show, it is not hard to become despondent about the state of the world. When our friends die of disease, or our children are bullied, we cry out with the psalmist, “How long, O Lord, how long?” And yet (for the believer, there is always a “yet”), we make this cry knowing that we have a God who hears us and responds. We are able to call out the evils of this world for what they are, because we know something better is coming. We have hope in our own salvation, and in the renewal of God’s creation. 

Thus, when we sing this great spiritual, it is important that we do so not in an escapist mentality. While we eagerly await the day we see God face to face, we must trust that until that day comes, God is fulfilling His purpose on the earth through us. We can’t sing this hymn in order to run away from the hardship and the pain. Rather, we sing this hymn as an assurance that hardship and pain is not the end. Amidst all of our trials, we know what is yet to come, both in heaven and in the fulfillment of the Kingdom of God, and we wait for that day expectantly.’ 

I couldn’t have said it better. And would you believe that I listened to several versions by different people, in different genres, but had to come right back to the first one: a raunchy, rocking, reggae version by Eric Clapton done way back in 1975. And if we take the words above seriously, you’ll see that this ditty has got to be sung with passion and tempo and expectancy! So let’s do just that now nuh! As one harmonious choir, after the drum roll… let’s lick it up in scintillating reggae fashion – and remember the call and answer response (smile). 

‘(Refrain: Swing low, sweet chariot, coming for to carry me home; swing low, sweet chariot, coming for to carry me home.)  I looked over Jordan, and what did I see, coming for to carry me home? A band of angels coming after me, coming for to carry me home. [Refrain] If you get there before I do, coming for to carry me home; tell all my friends I’m coming too, coming for to carry me home. [Refrain] I’m sometimes up, I’m sometimes down, coming for to carry me home; but still my soul feels heavenly bound, coming for to carry me home. 

Swing low, sweet chariot, coming for to carry me home; swing low, sweet chariot, coming for to carry me home. Swing low, sweet chariot, coming for to carry me home; swing low, sweet chariot, coming for to carry me home… coming for to carry me home… swing low, sweet chariot, coming for to carry me home… coming for to carry me home.’ 

Oh mih people, mih people, that was tres magnifique! All heaven was singing and dancing with us…including the Father and the Son, because the Father likes nothing better than a rollicking song of praise! Wow! And aye Scottie – I heard you loud and clear brother! (smile) 

And here’s some more good info from hymnary.org. ‘Considered by Erik Routley to be one of the “archetypal” (perfect or typical specimen) of African American spirituals, “Swing Low” welcomes death as the occasion “to carry me home” to glory. The text incorporates the imagery of “Jordan” and “chariot” from the Old Testament narratives of Elijah’s ascent into heaven (2 Kings 2). In spite of the “ups” and “downs” of earthly life (vs. 3 above), it is comforting for Christians to know with certainty that their final destination is the glory of a new heaven and earth.’ Now it couldn’t get any better than that friends! 

And for those of you who don’t know the story, and will not read 2 Kings 2, I’ll spoon feed us a li’l bit of it. (smile). ‘And it came to pass, when the Lord would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.’ (2 Kin.2:1) And it’s amusing that all the way along to Jericho, Elijah kept telling Elisha to tarry here at whatever town they came to. But Elisha refused and went with him all the way, even to the Jordan river. And fifty men of the sons of the prophets, who had told Elisha that his master would be taken away from him that day, which Elisha already knew, stood and watched them on the banks of the Jordan. (2 Kin.2:2-7) 

‘And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither, so that they two went over on dry ground. (2 Kin.2:8) Now after they got to the other side, ‘Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken away from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. 

And it came to pass as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder (separated the two of them); and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes and rent (tore) them in two pieces.’ (2 Kin. 2:9-12) 

Thus Elisha got twice as much of Elijah’s spirit ‘so that Elijah’s God-empowered spiritual activity might continue after his departure through his successor. Obviously only God could grant such a request.’ That means there is still hope for all of us friends. So please, let’s keep looking to heaven, for who knows what we might see there and the resulting consequences thereof! Much LOVE!

…with God…ALL things are possible…