January 1, 2010 – The New Year rolls in like any other day … another day that God has made for us to rejoice and be glad. We thank God for His mercies that we are still here to be of some service to Him who created us for His pleasure.  We especially thank God for the abortion of the attempt to blow up the aircraft bound for Detroit on the day we remember the birth of Christ.  May we witness more of His divine protection this year.

The Recession is said to be progressively receding and while there already are unusual pockets of turnaround – most indicators, like unemployment, tend to be lagging and will take more time to reverse in our favour. We can expect the second half of 2010 to be better than the first. 

While reflecting on the word of God I discovered some unusual scenarios of blessing I thought could encourage someone at the onset of the year – even in the uncertain times.

II Samuel 6:1-9l 6:1-9
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
6 ¹ And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that he went through the corn fields; and his disciples plucked the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands. ² And certain of the Pharisees said unto them, Why do ye that which is not lawful to do on the sabbath days? ³ And Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him; ⁴ How he went into the house of God, and did take and eat the shewbread, and gave also to them that were with him; which it is not lawful to eat but for the priests alone? ⁵ And he said unto them, That the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath. ⁶ And it came to pass also on another sabbath, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a man whose right hand was withered. ⁷ And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him. ⁸ But he knew their thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst. And he arose and stood forth. ⁹ Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?  

WP-Bible plugin. David was in fear and discouragement over his mistakes and the bitter consequences he was reaping.  He was a great King who loved the Lord and meant well in seeking to bring the Ark (symbolising the presence of the Lord ) into the City of David.  But in doing so, he contrived a creative, modern and no doubt more exciting approach. God was incensed…soon Uzzah, who generously but naively lent a helping hand, was dead and David was confused…not knowing what next to do.

How many bad situations have we brought upon ourselves through well meaning “creative disobedience” … a term that best describes our contemporary and “more correct” and practical interpretations of the word of God in a modern and enlightened era?  Has the Recession not been a consequence of unprecedented consumption and greed coupled with uncontrolled desire for gains fueled by self-serving Bible interpretations? We embraced shortcuts and discarded eternal truths for the poisonous but more easy to digest leaven of mammon.  A fearful David goes back to the scrolls…possibly ridiculed … just as today many mock the clinging or returning to old landmarks that served Paul, Peter and the early saints even up to the 1800s.  But David also needs help – someone reliable somewhere needs to house the Ark – now percieved as a fearful piece of furniture.  HELP WANTED … and no one is applying.

Matthew 5 [5]  Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

Obededom (meaning servant) is a meek Philistine in exile but now so loyal to David that he is circumcised in adult age and conscripted to be a storekeeper, musician, gateman, porter, servant (I Chronicles 15: 16-21es 15: 16-21
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
 

WP-Bible plugin & 24-25) and perhaps any other odd job David wanted done.  Amongst 600 other Gittites that came with David from Gath – a fiercely loyal band of strangers (2 Samuel 15:13-232 Samuel 15:13-23
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
13 And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. ¹⁴ And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword. bring: Heb. thrust ¹⁵ And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint. appoint: Heb. choose ¹⁶ And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house. after...: Heb. at his feet ¹⁷ And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off. ¹⁸ And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king. ¹⁹ Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile. ²⁰ Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth be with thee. go up...: Heb. wander in going ²¹ And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the LORD liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be. ²² And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him. ²³ And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness. Kidron: Gr. Cedron  

WP-Bible plugin). It does not take David long to identify the best person to hold the Ark – someone tested who was so meek and would not so No – even at great personal risk – the Ark had already demonstrated sensitivity to Philistines (I Samuel 5). Previous experience with the Ark suggested this could be a dangerous assignment (I Samuel 6 ;19-20) – Indeed 50,070 men of Bethshemesh died just for peeping curiously into the Ark.

I Chronicles 13[13]  So David brought not the ark home to himself to the city of David, but carried it aside into the house of Obededom the Gittite. [14]  And the ark of God remained with the family of Obededom in his house three months. And the LORD blessed the house of Obededom, and all that he had.

But…for the next 3 months, blessings were storming on a meek , willing, obedient and loyal Obededom at the same time when David was afraid, confused, crying to God, seeking answers and consulting elders in enlightened forums to debate truths that were meant to be simply obeyed and not argued.

Occasionally a perplexed and confused David must have enquired if Obededom was still alive…but instead he gathers that unusual blessings are raining on the House of Obededom the Gittite… a Philistine.

David at last repents and corrects his ways and gets priests ( not professionals and performers) to carry the Ark on their shoulders – as God commanded…and with joyful praise out of the house of Obededom.

This year someone will be unusually blessed…even in the early months of 2010. I will humbly advise all to return to ponder over the commanded word of God. These are commandments and not suggestions awaiting informed considerations.  In the year of the King of kings – some well intended approaches may prove suicidal …

Hebrews 12[2]  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Ecclesiastes 5:[10]  He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

Lord help us this year to worship, obey and serve you as you want to be served and like never before …and may sorrow be far from us and our joy be full.

Amen