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 13 July 2017 Jeremiah 9:3.

13 Jul 2017 Leave a comment

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

Jeremiah 9:3.   And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the Lord.

Ah mih breddren, at last a cloudy day! Yeh, so we can get a li’l rain, a li’l heavenly blessing to water our land. My area hasn’t seen any rain in almost two weeks, although the weather prognosticators have been daily promising it. 

But rain has been falling in other areas. I guess the Lord’s been doing some selective blessing. Let’s hope today is our day, for the short drizzle we got yesterday afternoon was almost immediately dried up by the humidity. 

And I do hear a few drops falling outside, and a rumble of thunder in the distance. Hopefully some meaningful rain will happen soon. Praise the Lord!

Moving on to other matters, I want to share a transcript from an old newspaper clipping I recently found amongst some papers on my desk. I shared it a long time ago, but is it ever so appropriate for these evil and uncertain times. 

Now, according to the newspaper clipping, on August 9, 1974, the day ex-President of the U.S, Richard Nixon left the Presidency, he ‘gave an emotional farewell speech in the East Room to his staff, his friends, and his Cabinet. His family stood with him. 

Near the end of his remarks, he waved his arms, as if to highlight the most important thing he had to say. “Always remember,” he said, “others may hate you, but those who you hate you don’t win unless you hate them, and then you destroy yourself.” 

His hatred had brought about his downfall. Nixon apparently grasped this insight, but too late. He had already destroyed himself.’ 

Ah friends, such words of immortal wisdom eh! But as the paper says, Nixon learned the lesson too late. I think we can all take that lesson for ourselves today. When we hate, we destroy ourselves! It’s as simple as that. 

And I believe that’s a very valuable lesson that the current incumbent of the U.S Presidency, ought to heed, because he is causing such unnecessary strife and controversy with his untoward behaviour that it can only lead to a severe negative backlash. 

And sadly, it all fits in so smoothly with our Bit. ‘And they bend their tongues like their bow for lies: but they are not valiant for the truth upon the earth; for they proceed from evil to evil, and they know not me, saith the Lord.’ 

Ah precious people of God, I sometimes wonder if our society can get any more evil and ungodly than it already is. And it shakes me to my very soul when I discover that the answer is yes, because I just can’t imagine our society getting worse than it is right now. But it surely seems possible. 

That brings to mind Jeremiah’s sad lament over Judah so long ago. ‘My bowels, my bowels (inner parts, soul)! I am pained at my very heart; my heart maketh a noise in me; I cannot hold my peace, because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war. 

Destruction upon destruction is cried; for the whole land is spoiled (plundered): suddenly are my tents spoiled (plundered), and my curtains in a moment. How long shall I see the standard (banner), and hear the sound of the trumpet (sounds of war)? (Jer.4:19-21) 

Likewise friends, I am lamenting over our present world because it is filled with the same disgusting sounds of war and disaster all over. And the sad part is that those who really seem to care about its possible demise are in the minority, as the majority scratch and fight for their own li’l piece of the pie. 

But that unwise activity also recalls one of Jeremiah’s most astute proclamations on behalf of Almighty God. ‘For my people is foolish, they have not known me; they are sottish (stupid, silly) children, and they have none (no) understanding: they are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge.’ (Jer.4:22) 

Ah my fellow believers, it’s so sad that the saying History repeats itself is ever so true, because we are living the same kind of evil, ungodly life that Judah and so many others have lived down through the ages and eventually felt their sad demise. It’s just that ours is on a much bigger, wider and more intense scale because our world is larger than theirs.. 

Oh friends, as followers of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, the Patriarch of LOVE, I’m imploring us to do our best, in our li’l corner of the world to promote the oh so necessary LOVE Revolution of our infallible Leader, because that’s the only way our world can, or will be saved from imminent destruction. 

And having said all of that, let’s go home on a more positive and productive note, as we declare our Thursday Blessings. With one loud voice now: ‘I declare that I am blessed with God’s supernatural wisdom and receive clear direction for my life! I declare today that I am blessed with creativity, courage, talent and abundance! 

I am blessed with a strong will, self-control and self-discipline! I am blessed with a great family, good friends, good health, faith, favour and fulfillment! I am blessed with success, supernatural strength, promotion and divine protection! I am blessed with a compassionate heart and a positive outlook on life! 

I declare that any curse or negative word that’s ever been spoken over me is broken right now in the name of Jesus! I declare that everything I put my hands to will prosper and succeed! I declare it today and everyday! Amen!’ 

Yes friends, that’s the wonderful kind of life we have to look forward to when we live for Jesus! And since blessings need to be spoken to be most effective, let’s go out and speak them over others nuh, as our Lord and Saviour Jesus so avidly desires of us. Much LOVE!

…do not fight evil with evil…but overcome evil with good…