Download Media
Search results: 2245 matches Found
Day by Day - 2 Samuel
What Makes The Kingdom Of God Unsafe?
One of the great dangers of abusing spiritual leadership is maligning the name of God.
#daybydaylw
Interested in learning more about becoming a devoted follower of Christ? Go to follow.lifeword.org!
~~~
Uriah
And we can’t forget Uriah. He is simply an obstacle that has to be removed so that David’s power is not jeopardized.
Soldiers of verse 17, 25
And what about the soldiers who are merely seen as collateral damage. They had no part in this whole scenario, yet they also suffer consequences that they did not deserve.
The nation of Israel
Not only do we see that David’s abuse of power causes him to minimize individual people, but when we zoom out just a little bit, we see that the nation of Israel is in trouble. In chapter 10 we read and studied about some victories that took place. And did you notice how those victories and battles were described? Well, they were not described in very great detail as we have grown accustomed to some of the fight scenes we have studied in 1 Samuel and 2 Samuel. The narrator zipped right through them.
But when we come to chapter 11, everything slows down. And the picture becomes clearer for us—chapter 11 is an inside look at what was happening on the inside of the kingdom, what was happening in the King’s palace, while all the men were out fighting to preserve and protect the nation and kingdom of God. And what was happening on the inside? Abuse, bullying, power trips, from the King himself, with no thought to how it would affect the kingdom.
And here is what we can conclude—The kingdom of God is not safe in the hands of David.
And you may say, “Clif, don’t forget all the good! David has given his life to God and the preservation of this kingdom! This is just one slip up. Think about all the lives he has saved in comparison to this.” Oh no. You have it wrong. Think about the holiness of God.
You see, as we read through chapter 11, we simply get the recounting of the facts. The narrator chooses to offer no commentary on the events. He is simply a reporter of what took place…until the very last verse of chapter 11: “But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD.”
That is the issue. For all the wrongness of the adultery, and the scheming, and the plotting, and the murder and all the damage and death it brought upon the people, the saddest part of all of it is that David displeased the LORD. He sinned against the LORD. The LORD of Israel looked down and saw the hurt done to Bathsheba and Uriah, and the soldiers who lost their lives, and it saddened. But even greater, was the false representation that was made of God’s character.
David’s power trip maligned the glory and goodness of God.
David’s bullying of people misrepresented the justice of God.
David’s scheming distorted the purposes of God.
David’s cold, detached, unemotional behavior did not reflect the compassion of God.
The kingdom, after all the victories, we discover, is not safe in the hands of King David. It was threatened from within.
1 Corinthians 10:12—“Let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed, lest he fall.”
By: Clif Johnson
(Lifeword)
(Lifeword)
Aired on
Oct 10, 2024
Show
Day by Day
Duration
00:04:15 min.
00:04:15 min.
Day by Day - 2 Samuel
What Does Bad Authority Do?
Those who abuse their authority tend to dehumanize those beneath them.
#daybydaylw
Interested in learning more about becoming a devoted follower of Christ? Go to follow.lifeword.org!
~~~
Power and authority can give you a minimizing disposition towards people
People become tools to serve your sin, not partners in the kingdom
We made mention of David’s “sending” all through this text. David was sending messengers to find out who this woman was. David was sending servants to bring this woman in. David was sending messengers to Joab. All of this exercising of power in the wrong way. Was it wrong for David to have this capacity to send messengers and servants? Absolutely not. That is how business gets done. But David was bringing these people into his sinful schemes. They may have been none the wiser, but it is still a dehumanizing use of the people, not just under David’s command, but under his care.
He did not see these people as fellow partners in establishing and maintaining the kingdom of God. He saw these people simply as secret agent tools to get what he desired.
“The woman”
Not only do we have the presence of these servants being used by David, which happens because David is minimizing them as people, but we also have Bathsheba herself. Notice something with me. She is referred to as “the woman” in verse 2-3, as we might expect. She was a new unknown character to the story. But notice what doesn’t happen once we learn her name in verse 3. In verse 5, after David sends her away, it say, “The woman conceived.” Why does’t it use her name? Why doesn’t it say “Bathsheba conceived”? This was the narrator’s way of showing us what David thought of her. She is just—the woman. I don’t think she is named by her name again until the middle of chapter 12.
By: Clif Johnson
(Lifeword)
(Lifeword)
Aired on
Oct 09, 2024
Show
Day by Day
Duration
00:03:03 min.
00:03:03 min.
Day by Day - 2 Samuel
What Can Blind You To Your Blind Spots?
Power is easy to hide behind and use to place ourselves above the law.
#daybydaylw
Interested in learning more about becoming a devoted follower of Christ? Go to follow.lifeword.org!
~~~
Power can give you a false sense of protection
Power can give you a false sense of protection. When David finds out that the woman he has been involved with is married, and that her husband is Uriah, (one of David’s mighty men btw) then David knows instantly that her husband is off at war. Uriah will never know. Uriah will never find out anything. David will be protected by the absence of Uriah, and David’s own power, perhaps through threatening this woman, or manipulating this woman, will protect Him from the consequences of what he has planned in his mind, and what he acted upon in his bed.
And it was his power that led him to believe that he could cover up the sin. It was his access to and possessing of authority over other people that led him to plot and plan the execution of Uriah, so that David would be protected from having to deal with his sin.
You see, power is easy to hide behind. You think that it places you above the law. And the greater the power that you have, the thicker and stronger you think the wall is that protects you.
Power blinds you to the danger of not being able to handle power.
Isn’t this at least part of the reason why Jesus instructs us when he says, “The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled…” Matthew 23:11-12
“When you feel the desire for power, you should stay in solitude for some time.” Leo Tolstoy
By: Clif Johnson
(Lifeword)
(Lifeword)
Aired on
Oct 08, 2024
Show
Day by Day
Duration
00:02:30 min.
00:02:30 min.
Day By Day Expressions
Day by Day Expressions
Our relationship with God should make its way into our professions regardless of whether we are in ministry or not.
#daybydaylw
Interested in learning more about becoming a devoted follower of Christ? Go to follow.lifeword.org!
By: Clif Johnson
(Lifeword)
(Lifeword)
Aired on
Oct 07, 2024
Show
Day by Day
Duration
00:08:18 min.
00:08:18 min.
Day by Day - 2 Samuel
The Abuse Of Authority
If we are not careful, power can go to our heads and we can abuse our authority.
#daybydaylw
Interested in learning more about becoming a devoted follower of Christ? Go to follow.lifeword.org!
~~~
Power displayed in the text—“SENT”
Now I want you to know that the idea of the power and authority in this text is not something I am making up, but is squarely in the text. Notice with me the recurring phrase, “David sent.”
1, 3, 4, 6a, 6b, 8 (go down), 14, 27———7 times David is sending. He is sending messengers, sending a message, sending people back and forth and they do so without batting an eye. They don’t ask questions, they just respond. They are robotic in that way. All except one person, which we will get to.
Notice the power at David’s disposal. He directs armies, he directs servants, he sends messages and messengers, all from his throne.
“Nearly all men can handle adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” Abraham Lincoln
We see David being tested here. And it is not looking too bright. Why is that? Because David’s previous victories and power seem to have gone to his head. Perhaps he thinks he has earned this reward, or is deserving of it for some reason. The reality is that this is abuse of authority and it is sin.
Beware in your own life of the abuse of authority.
By: Clif Johnson
(Lifeword)
(Lifeword)
Aired on
Oct 04, 2024
Show
Day by Day
Duration
00:02:28 min.
00:02:28 min.
Day by Day - 2 Samuel
The Authority Drift
Those in authority must be careful not to abuse that authority and not to let it go to their heads.
#daybydaylw
Interested in learning more about becoming a devoted follower of Christ? Go to follow.lifeword.org!
~~~
David’s might and power was evident in all the people’s eyes. When he became King of Israel officially, unifying the country by his deft abilities, everyone benefitted. He ruled with justice and equity and mercy and grace. He had the blessing of God on his life, He had been given a covenant par excellence from God.
David was a loved leader. He was a proven leader. He was a popular leader. David was a powerful man.
But beware of power and authority.
It just so happened that David was on his roof one day, and he awoke from his nap. The text seems to indicate that he should have been with the military men, since the weather was now conducive to that sort of thing. The fight from the last chapter, still had some flare ups, it appears. And David sent Joab, his chief military man, to put an end to the skirmishes for good. But David stayed behind. Maybe it was nothing. But maybe David was out of place. Maybe David had grown lax.
Whatever the reason, on that fateful day, David woke up from a nap, and strolled over to the edge of his balconied roof, and looked over his kingdom, and he happened to look down on someone and thought, “Mine.”
His power and authority seeped into areas where it did not belong.
Authority is a powerful drug unless we keep it in the right perspective. God is the one who sets up rulers…and he is also the one who knocks them down when they let their authority take over their heart and head.
Now I don’t imagine many of you wield a King’s authority like David did, but authority comes in many shapes and degrees. The authority of a parent, a boss, an older sibling, a ministry leader, an expert in a certain area. We all have it at some level, and at different points in time, we all want more of it. So beware.
By: Clif Johnson
(Lifeword)
(Lifeword)
Aired on
Oct 03, 2024
Show
Day by Day
Duration
00:02:34 min.
00:02:34 min.
Day by Day - 2 Samuel
The Subtle Threat Of Authority
We should all be careful to avoid the belief that we are above any kind of sin.
#daybydaylw
Interested in learning more about becoming a devoted follower of Christ? Go to follow.lifeword.org!
~~~
You have to love that the Bible doesn’t attempt to hide anything, don’t you? Here is the premiere character of the Bible thus far, and we are pushed to the pane of the glass of his history to see what we might not want to see—that David was deeply flawed, sinful and selfish. This passage is a perfect illustration of what Paul wrote to the Corinthian church:
1 Corinthians 10:12—“Let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed, lest he fall.”
Do you think that this could never happen to you? Do you think that you would never jeopardize your marriage, commit adultery? Do you think that you would never scheme to cover up your sin, much less, let it get to the point of multiple murders? Trust me, I have seen enough Datelines to know better. And I believe God’s word when he says through the prophet Jeremiah “the heart of man is desperately sick and wicked, who can know it?”
So what is it that we are to take heed of from this story, and how are we to deal with it? There are many features in this story that should give us pause, but for the next couple of days, we need to be warned about the attraction of authority.
By: Clif Johnson
(Lifeword)
(Lifeword)
Aired on
Oct 02, 2024
Show
Day by Day
Duration
00:01:57 min.
00:01:57 min.
Day by Day - 2 Samuel
David’s Asterisk
Although we all have flaws, those who believe in Christ have those mistakes erased.
#daybydaylw
Interested in learning more about becoming a devoted follower of Christ? Go to follow.lifeword.org!
~~~
The last ten chapters 2 Samuel have been like the initial climb of a roller coaster. But today we reach the top and plunge downward at a barreling pace. What we read in today’s text produces consequences that last until the end of David’s life. This is the beginning of the miserable circumstances that David brings on himself. Anytime you talk about the scope of David’s life and his achievements—slaying Goliath, the friendship of Jonathan, sparing king Saul’s life time and again, being a great military man—you have to end it by saying, “Yeah, but there was that whole Bathsheba thing.” It’s like being voted into the hall of fame, but with an asterisk right beside your record-breaking numbers. Don’t forget to read the footnote of his life, it’s not as glorious as you think.
And yet, laced throughout, we will see the common thread of the mercy of God.
We can relate with David because we all have asterisks beside our names. But for those who are in Christ, who have trusted in Christ, there is an even greater Asterisk which proclaims God’s fatherhood over our lives.
By: Clif Johnson
(Lifeword)
(Lifeword)
Aired on
Oct 01, 2024
Show
Day by Day
Duration
00:02:11 min.
00:02:11 min.
Day By Day Expressions
Day By Day Expressions
God works along with us when we use our creativity to honor Him.
#daybydaylw
Interested in learning more about becoming a devoted follower of Christ? Go to follow.lifeword.org!
By: Clif Johnson
(Lifeword)
(Lifeword)
Aired on
Sep 30, 2024
Show
Day by Day
Duration
00:04:46 min.
00:04:46 min.
Day by Day - 2 Samuel
Where Is Your Fight?
Jesus is the one who ultimately covers our shame and defeats our enemies.
#daybydaylw
Interested in learning more about becoming a devoted follower of Christ? Go to follow.lifeword.org!
~~~
Where do you need to fight? What area of your life is left weak and vulnerable? Where do you feel surrounded by the enemy? Where is fighting called for on your part?
The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, of the flesh. Our weapons are truth, prayer, holiness of life, following the Son’s lead.
For those who do not have Jesus as King of your life, you need to know something. If you continue to read the rest of the chapter, you find that the Israelites go on to have convincing victories over those armies who raised themselves against God’s people, against God’s word. But God had provided them a king in David who would the people valiantly. But all of that was a picture of something better to come. David would fail and fall at points in his life. We will study that next week. But the One who is better is King Jesus, who leads His people perfectly, who covers their shame, and who decisively, ultimately, and infinitely defeats all enemies.
By: Clif Johnson
(Lifeword)
(Lifeword)
Aired on
Sep 27, 2024
Show
Day by Day
Duration
00:01:43 min.
00:01:43 min.
Day by Day Video
Special Thanks
Clif takes a moment to deliver a special thanks to the viewers and the Lifeword Team.
#daybydaylw
Interested in learning more about becoming a devoted follower of Christ? Go to follow.lifeword.org!
By: Clif Johnson
(Lifeword)
(Lifeword)
Aired on
Sep 26, 2024
Show
Day by Day
Duration
00:01:42 min.
00:01:42 min.
Day by Day - 2 Samuel
When To Be Kind, When To Be Combative
Every believer must know when to be kind and when to fight back against spiritual darkness.
#daybydaylw
Interested in learning more about becoming a devoted follower of Christ? Go to follow.lifeword.org!
~~~
I think we have failed of late in distinguishing when to be kind and when to be combative. David begins by showing kindness, but the story ends in a war when the enemy attempts to strip the Israelite men of their religious core and dignity. I believe the same could be said of today. There is an all out assault against the family. It is no longer subtle. It is as blatant and shameful as the stripping of clothes off of someone. And if you are not willing to stand and fight for the sake of your family, then shame on you, and prepare yourself for the consequences of that enemy having full access to your family.
By: Clif Johnson
(Lifeword)
(Lifeword)
Aired on
Sep 25, 2024
Show
Day by Day
Duration
00:01:36 min.
00:01:36 min.
Day by Day - 2 Samuel
Be Of Good Courage
Men have a responsibility to stand firmly in the spiritual war to protect and support their families.
#daybydaylw
Interested in learning more about becoming a devoted follower of Christ? Go to follow.lifeword.org!
~~~
Be of Good Courage and fight:
Because we have people who depend upon us.
Notice the speech given at this point. “Be of good courage, and let us be courageous for our people, and for the cities of our God.”
Of course I like how the King James reads at this point. It reads, “Be of good courage, and play the man.” The idea is that men are to be courageous, resolved, strong. Be of Good Courage!
What does it mean to “Be of good courage,”?
The word means to be firm, resolute, hardened, to be rigid, severe, to be secure. Stiffen your legs and stand strong. Stiffen up your spine and ready yourself for war! Be resolute. This is what we have to do. This is what we must do.
Why? Because they have people depending upon them! They have people, families, wives, sons, daughters, parents, neighbors, cities who depend upon them to defend them. Every man present during that speech had someone back home who was depending upon them, that if they did not fight this war, then those enemy armies would have easier access to their land and to their families, to pillage and destroy.
Hear this clearly men, there is a reason why this verse is translated in some translations as “play the man.” It has been given to the man by divine design to be his responsibility to fight for the sake of those around him. Your courage, your strength, your resolve to step into the arena and fight is not just for yourself, but it is for the protection and welfare of your family. You cannot abandon the post.
By: Clif Johnson
(Lifeword)
(Lifeword)
Aired on
Sep 24, 2024
Show
Day by Day
Duration
00:02:20 min.
00:02:20 min.
Day By Day Expressions
Day By Day Expressions
Our creative dreams should always line up with God’s will for us.
#daybydaylw
Interested in learning more about becoming a devoted follower of Christ? Go to follow.lifeword.org!
By: Clif Johnson
(Lifeword)
(Lifeword)
Aired on
Sep 23, 2024
Show
Day by Day
Duration
00:04:52 min.
00:04:52 min.
Day by Day - 2 Samuel
Battle Lines Have Been Drawn
If we are not willing to fight our spiritual battle, we put ourselves and our families at risk.
#daybydaylw
Interested in learning more about becoming a devoted follower of Christ? Go to follow.lifeword.org!
~~~
How did King David respond after a few of his men returned to him with beards shaved off?
This, no doubt, infuriated King David. And being the good king that he is, he pastors these embarrassed men in a most wise way. He tends to them in a way that spares their shame and embarrassment. He doesn’t let them come back to Jerusalem to suffer more shame and mockery, but rather he allows them to stay at Jericho until their beards grow back and they can walk proudly through the streets again.
But when the Ammonites saw that they had infuriated David, they got ready for a war. They started hiring mercenary soldiers in order to bolster their number of fighting men.
But like I said, King David does not back down. And he sends Joab and his mighty men to the battle lines to defend the honor of these men and of God.
Fellow believers and followers of Christ, the enemy has drawn up battle lines all around. Therefore, we must fight. We must be resolved to this. Any man, any husband and wife team, any Christian who is not resolved to fight in this war, who has folded, who has sunk back, who has turned their eyes away from the battle, has not only put themselves in grave jeopardy, but also those around them, namely their families.
By: Clif Johnson
(Lifeword)
(Lifeword)
Aired on
Sep 20, 2024
Show
Day by Day
Duration
00:02:18 min.
00:02:18 min.
Day by Day - 2 Samuel
An Enemy Who Shames Us
We must fight our spiritual battle courageously, because our enemy seeks to shame us.
#daybydaylw
Interested in learning more about becoming a devoted follower of Christ? Go to follow.lifeword.org!
~~~
The whole Israelite army was in a pinch in 2 Samuel 10. There was an enemy ahead of them, which they knew about, and there was an enemy behind them, of whom they were surprised by. In other words, they were surrounded by them.
As Jimmy Buffet would sing, “Fins to the left, fins to the right. And you’re the only bait in town.”
The army had no way of escape. Their only option was to fight. So Joab brings his leaders near, and the mighty men of war near, and gives them this speech.
Be of Good Courage and fight:
Why? Why must these men be of good courage?
Because we have an enemy who attempts to shame us.
This passage begins with David seeking to extend kindness to Hanun, who had recently become king of the Ammonites, because his father, Nahash had just died. This reminds us of the kindness David showed to another king’s family, King Saul, and to King Saul’s grandson, Mephibosheth. David wanted to show kindness to a son of Saul. So the extension of kindness is a theme that runs throughout chapter 9 and 10. And I believe we are to see that kindness is shown to those within the kingdom and those outside the kingdom, but with two very differing results, as we shall see.
The way in which David is going to show this kindness is by sending representatives who undoubtedly brought gifts to show honor to the king and his family. But upon arrival, some of Hanun’s princes and advisors began to whisper in the ear of Hanun, saying, “Do you really think David sent these men to comfort you and to pay their respects to your father? That is not their intent at all. They have come to spy out the land so that they can capture it later on.”
So Hanun, I guess being a young ruler, and trusting his advisors, and I am sure having heard of David’s feats previously, capture David’s servants, shaved off half their beards, and cut off their clothes at the hip so that they had to walk around exposed.
In essence, Hanun shamed these men. But he didn’t just shame these men by physical appearance; these acts done by Hanun brought shame upon these men in a religious sense as well. For a Hebrew man to have his beard cutoff would mean that he was rejecting the law and statutes of God. And to have your clothes cut off in such a way was not only extremely humiliating, it was also a sign that you had rejected the law of God. Israelites were commanded to have tassels at the end of their garments to remind them of the laws and ways and statutes of God, so to have them removed or cut off was a symbol of desecrating the very words of God. Of course, these Hebrew men, by no means, wanted to be seen this way. They wanted to hide and cover themselves for obvious reasons, but also for religious reasons. Following their king’s command was their ambition, but now they had been embarrassed and humiliated.
And they had been sent away, back to where they had come from, to show the rest of Israel that this is what the king of the Ammonites thought of all the Israelites.
And it was this act that started the wars we will read about. The shaving of beards and cutting off of robes, is ultimately what causes Joab to give his speech calling on his soldiers to be of good courage.
Why must we be people of good courage who fight? Because we have an enemy who seeks to shame us and humiliate us and paralyze us and destroy us. Even when we are seeking to do the good, he seeks to steal, kill, and destroy. Satan has no regard for our intentions. He hates your godly goals and motivations, and wants nothing more, if he can’t seduce you, then he will settle on shaming you. He wants to cut you off from that which makes you holy.
So what are you going to do? Are we going to let the threat of shame and humiliation keep us from our mission and faithful obedience? Are we going to allow a little clanging of the swords keep us away from doing what God has called us to do?
We have been called to lives of holiness! And we know that when you start to really pursue holiness, the enemy and the world will seek to minimize you, humiliate you, marginalize you, demonize you. So what do you do? Do you sink back into a safe, comfortable, zone and just try to hide away? You can’t! Your king has given you orders!
By: Clif Johnson
(Lifeword)
(Lifeword)
Aired on
Sep 19, 2024
Show
Day by Day
Duration
00:05:20 min.
00:05:20 min.
Day by Day - 2 Samuel
The Fear That Raced Through My Body…
We can fight with courage because we know the Lord will do what is good in His sight.
#daybydaylw
Interested in learning more about becoming a devoted follower of Christ? Go to follow.lifeword.org!
~~~
It was common practice when I was in my teenage years, that after church on Sunday night, there was a group of us boys who would end up at one of our houses to eat and then play basketball, watch a movie, or some other common teenage time spender. On one particular night we were all at my house. We had been in the living room watching a movie, got bored and then made our way to the backyard to play basketball and jump on the trampoline…probably pulling the trampoline up next to the goal so we could do extravagant dunks. During that time my parents came home. They had been out to eat with some friends that night after church. I was walking in the back door, and could see into our living room where mom was straightening up the mess we had made. She reached down to pick up some pillows off the floor, and when she did that, she uncovered a cigarette that was laying on the floor.
Perhaps you can imagine the shock and sense of fear that raced through my body at that moment. She picked up the cigarette, called my dad over to her (which only intensified my fear). They had a brief discussion, and then they announced to everyone there, “Okay boys. We found this cigarette. I don’t know to whom it belongs, but we are calling all the parents to let them know that we have found it, and they can deal with you on their terms.” So they did just that. They called all the parents. The culprit confessed, and his parents dealt with him as they saw fit.
I could stand up here and tell you story after story that involved my parents, and how they seemed to have always done what was right when it came to raising their boys, and just about every other area in their life. They weren’t perfect, but they had this north star ethic about them. They had standards and principles by which they made decisions. Believe it or not, those standards did not always benefit me in the moment. Sometimes those decisions caused pain, or frustration, disappointment, confusion. But having the benefit of time and space, I can look back on most decisions that they made on my behalf and say they did what they thought was right.
This morning we see a similar sentiment expressed in a war-time speech given by the commander of the Israelite army. In 2 Samuel 10:12, Joab, David’s chief commander, cries out, “Be of good courage, and let us be courageous for our people, and for the cities of God, and may the LORD do what seems good to him/what is right in his sight.”
We can fight with courage today because we know the LORD will do what is good in His sight.
By: Clif Johnson
(Lifeword)
(Lifeword)
Aired on
Sep 18, 2024
Show
Day by Day
Duration
00:03:20 min.
00:03:20 min.
Day by Day - 2 Samuel
At The Table Of The King
A life under covenant is one where we are welcome at the King’s table.
#daybydaylw
Interested in learning more about becoming a devoted follower of Christ? Go to follow.lifeword.org!
~~~
The feast a Covenant produces
The covenant blessings continue to pour out. You not only get your life spared, you get life abundant. You get an inheritance and a place and a position at the table of the king. The abundance and the bounty of the King becomes yours!
This is life under the covenant. You receive pardon. You receive a place at the table of abundance for always. What is it that you feast on today, as a believer? What is it that belongs wholly to the King that is sits in front of you at the table? It is peace for today, and strength for tomorrow. It is comfort in hard times. It is perseverance in temptation. It is joy in sorrow. It is hope for the life to come.
I do not think it irony that David gives Mephibosheth a place at the king’s table, and then we see the true king set a table for his disciples as well. And he tells them, that the meal that they will share together represents the new covenant. The better covenant. And he gives them a piece of unleavened bread, breaks it, and tells them to eat it. That bread represents his body broken for them. He then passes a cup of wine around to them and tells them to drink it because it represents His blood poured out for them, his life given for them.
By: Clif Johnson
(Lifeword)
(Lifeword)
Aired on
Sep 17, 2024
Show
Day by Day
Duration
00:02:27 min.
00:02:27 min.
Day By Day Expressions
Day by Day Expressions
It is important to have Christians creating music even outside the realm of worship.
#daybydaylw
Interested in learning more about becoming a devoted follower of Christ? Go to follow.lifeword.org!
By: Clif Johnson
(Lifeword)
(Lifeword)
Aired on
Sep 16, 2024
Show
Day by Day
Duration
00:06:32 min.
00:06:32 min.
Day by Day - 2 Samuel
Covenants That Cover The Crippled
Jesus came to seek and save the lost and heal the sick and broken-hearted.
#daybydaylw
Interested in learning more about becoming a devoted follower of Christ? Go to follow.lifeword.org!
~~~
If you and I are to see the true import of 2 Samuel 9, and how it radically calls out to us, then we only need to consider how far this covenant reaches.
When David asked if there was anyone left in the house of Saul, something was going through the original reader’s mind. They were thinking, “Here comes the elimination of any internal threat to David’s kingdom.” It was customary in those days that a king would execute anyone who posed a threat to his kingdom, whether they be fellow countrymen, or even a blood relative. David had calmed the fury of competition outside his kingdom, and now, it would seem to calm the threat from within, and there was no better place to start than with the house of Saul, David’s greatest enemy from within.
And we learn that there is one person left in the house of Saul, a man who was crippled in his feet, who cannot look after himself but is cared for by Machir, and who lives in Lo-debar (which means no pasture).
So get the description—of the house of Saul, whom saw David as an enemy; a crippled; a man who couldn’t care for himself but was seen after by Machir; who lived in a land where there was no fertile, green pastures. This is a picture of weakness, of helplessness, of destitution. If David were to show kindness to this man, there would be no way that this man could bring anything of worth to the table. And yet, because of the kindness of David towards this covenant, David gladly, willingly seeks for this man and brings him, Mephibosheth, into his presence to bestow upon him all the covenant blessings.
My friend, is this not a picture of what Christ has done for us? He came to seek and to save that which was lost. He came to be a doctor for the brokenhearted, for the sick at heart. He came to extend covenant blessings to those who were enemies of his, to those who are helpless and hopeless, who lived in the land Lo-debar, a place that was like a desert. All of those descriptions fit the life of the believer before he closed with Christ. And yet, the covenant of redemption extends to our brokenness, reaches through our helplessness, and finds us in the desert and calls us forth to come and receive the blessings of salvation.
By: Clif Johnson
(Lifeword)
(Lifeword)
Aired on
Sep 12, 2024
Show
Day by Day
Duration
00:03:11 min.
00:03:11 min.
Day by Day - 2 Samuel
Past Covenants, Future Faithfulness
The covenant God made with David led to the eternal blessings we receive in Jesus.
#daybydaylw
Interested in learning more about becoming a devoted follower of Christ? Go to follow.lifeword.org!
~~~
And here is one feature of covenants that we are witnessing in action:
Covenants made in the past are to determine the faithfulness and direct the obediences of the present.
Now what we must remember is that 2 Samuel 9 is given to us in light of the last two chapters (7-8). God has made a covenant with David and David’s household. In chapter 8 we learned what the kingdom looked like under the reign of this covenant and under David as King. David defeated enemies; David worshiped the LORD by obeying the Law; and David brought justice and equity, righteousness to the land. Those are trademarks of the kingdom of God, those are trademarks of the king.
And we see that continuation in chapter 9, but we see it on a more personal level. We see trademarks, or characteristics of the right type of king in God’s kingdom. So what we are seeing and reading about shows us in illustration or a glimpse of the heart of God. And what we see is that the heart of God is faithful to his covenant, and as such brings all kinds of peace to His people.
But we must remember that chapter 9, and David’s life is preparing us for something better, something greater, someone better and greater. And we see this same type of covenant language and action in the life of Jesus. Particularly I am thinking of John 17, just before Jesus is betrayed, arrested, and crucified. Listen to Jesus as He prays to the Father at the end of His ministry: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You; And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was” (John 17:1–5 NKJV). The covenant of redemption was a transaction that involved both obligation and reward. The Son entered into a sacred agreement with the Father. He submitted Himself to the obligations of that covenantal agreement. An obligation was likewise assumed by the Father—to give His Son a reward for doing the work of redemption.
It was Jesus’ commitment to the covenant he had made with the Father that kept Jesus on the cross. Just as David said, “for the sake of Jonathan,” Jesus Christ said, “for the sake of my Father!” Jesus tied himself to the mast of the cross, and would not come down until all had been accomplished.
By: Clif Johnson
(Lifeword)
(Lifeword)
Aired on
Sep 11, 2024
Show
Day by Day
Duration
00:03:18 min.
00:03:18 min.
Day by Day - 2 Samuel
Ties That Bind
Our bonds to the people in our lives and the covenants we have made should be unbreakable.
#daybydaylw
Interested in learning more about becoming a devoted follower of Christ? Go to follow.lifeword.org!
~~~
In Greek mythology, there is what is known as the Sirens’ songs, creatures who roamed on the coastlands, singing out their enchanting songs, and hypnotizing sailors and causing them to shipwreck on their lands. In the story of The Odyssey, Odysseus is sailing passed where he knew some Sirens would be. Desperately wanting to enjoy the beauty of their voices, but not wanting to be lured away by them, Odysseus commands his men to stuff their own ears with wax, and to bind him with rope to the mast of the ship, and under no circumstance, upon threat of life or death, no matter how Odysseus might beg or plead or threaten, were they to untie Odysseus from the mast, lest he jump out of the ship and die. In fact, the crew were to keep their swords out and pointed at Odysseus to keep him from jumping into the sea should he break loose.
Once the song of the Sirens floated through the air into Odysseus’ ears, he went temporarily insane, striving with all his strength to unbind himself and plunge into the ocean so that he might join the Sirens. However, the men kept their promise, and refused to let him go. Soon, the song of the Sirens faded into silence, and the men removed the wax from their ears.
How strong are the ties bind you to the important people of your life? The covenants you have made?
Tie yourself to the mast and order guards to point swords at you so that you will not jump in and chase the Sirens.
By: Clif Johnson
(Lifeword)
(Lifeword)
Aired on
Sep 10, 2024
Show
Day by Day
Duration
00:02:11 min.
00:02:11 min.
Day By Day Expressions
Day By Day Expressions
Artistry and beauty can be ways to express worship and honor to God.
#daybydaylw
Interested in learning more about becoming a devoted follower of Christ? Go to follow.lifeword.org!
By: Clif Johnson
(Lifeword)
(Lifeword)
Aired on
Sep 09, 2024
Show
Day by Day
Duration
00:06:39 min.
00:06:39 min.
Day by Day - 2 Samuel
Kindness
A covenant means faithfulness to the highest degree, even to death, for better or worse.
#daybydaylw
Interested in learning more about becoming a devoted follower of Christ? Go to follow.lifeword.org!
~~~
We begin 2 Samuel 9 with David asking the question, “Is there still anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”
It is the strength and power of covenant that is on display for us here. You will notice that David mentions the word “kindness” three times in this opening section (1, 3, 7).
Back in the history of David’s life, you will recall that David’s best friend was a man named Jonathan. But this was no insignificant man. Jonathan was King Saul’s son, the legitimate heir to Saul’s kingdom. But in a show of humility and recognition of the Spirit of God upon David’s life, Jonathan hands over to David his weaponry, and in essence declaring that David was to be the next king over Israel. From there their friendship deepened, and Jonathan routinely saved David from the lunacy of Jonathan’s father’s attacks.
During one such instance, Jonathan speaks to David and says, “The LORD, the God of Israel, be witness! Do not cut off your steadfast love from my house forever, when the LORD cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth,”1 Samuel 20:15.
So when David says, “Is there anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake,” this is what David has in mind. The meaning behind “kindness” is not politeness or a nicety for a one time sake, but rather a flood of goodness. It is the term used for steadfast love and covenant faithfulness.
This covenant that David made with Jonathan is what is on his heart. David had been busy bringing peace and rest to his people. And now, he wants to honor this covenant. He aims to keep this covenant.
Fifteen to twenty years had passed since the time that covenant between David and Jonathan was first struck. And yet, David does not forget it. The kingdom of Saul has come and gone. And yet David is still searching to see if there is someone, somehow that he can be faithful to within Jonathan’s household. That is the strength, the binding nature of the covenant. David does not say, “Well, if anyone asked about it, THEN I will honor the covenant. No one has claimed this privilege, so I guess I can forget about it and move on.” No, David actually seeks someone out to investigate the situation to see if justice and kindness can be extended for Jonathan’s sake.
This wasn’t just some promise made in the heat of a moment. This wasn’t just some ritual, or quick exchange that was never meant to be acted upon. No! This was not even a contract. This was a covenant, and a covenant means faithfulness to the highest degree, faithfulness unto death, for better or for worse. A love that commits itself to another by making its promises a matter of solemn, historical record. (Alistair Begg)
By: Clif Johnson
(Lifeword)
(Lifeword)
Aired on
Sep 06, 2024
Show
Day by Day
Duration
00:03:57 min.
00:03:57 min.
Day by Day - 2 Samuel
In God’s Kingdom, Pt. 3
We proclaim a kingdom with a ruler who has come and conquered sin and death.
#daybydaylw
Interested in learning more about becoming a devoted follower of Christ? Go to follow.lifeword.org!
~~~
In God’s Kingdom there is complete righteousness.
Finally, we see that in the kingdom of Christ, there is complete righteousness. David was able to extend an imperfect righteousness and justice throughout His kingdom. It was prevalent, but it was not perfect. But in the kingdom of Christ, His perfect righteousness reigns supreme.
And the way it works today is that His righteous rule is to be known and seen through the church, the lives of her members. But that doesn’t happen perfectly does it? It’s not that rule of Christ is imperfect, but rather that we are still undergoing our transformation. But shouldn’t we be an environment, a people, who are looking more and more like what the new earth will look and be like? We should. Sure, we still strikeout sometimes.
This is the kingdom we live in, believer. Under the rule of a King who has success wherever He goes. Who is worthy of all our trust and worship. Who reigns over all in perfect righteousness. And this is the kingdom we proclaim. The King has come. The King has conquered. The King reigns. Now under his authority, under His command, Trust Him. Follow Him, and go get the nations!
Whatever you are facing, faith in Christ, no matter how hard, how difficult, how uncomfortable it is, faith in Christ is the victory.
By: Clif Johnson
(Lifeword)
(Lifeword)
Aired on
Sep 05, 2024
Show
Day by Day
Duration
00:02:24 min.
00:02:24 min.
Day by Day - 2 Samuel
In God’s Kingdom, Pt. 2
Believers are to worship with our hearts, our words, and our actions.
#daybydaylw
Interested in learning more about becoming a devoted follower of Christ? Go to follow.lifeword.org!
~~~
In God’s Kingdom there is humble worship.
We saw where David obeyed the law of God at several crucial points in 2 Samuel 8 (not taking many horses, not accumulating wealth to himself) and also dedicated to God all the bounty from his kingdom’s victories. It was humble worship. In Jesus’ kingdom we see something similar. We see Jesus obeying the will and word of God with every breath he takes. He fulfills all the law in that way, becoming a perfect substitute for us.
But we also see people come and bow down in front of Jesus and worship at His feet, and He does not help them up or plead with them to stop worshiping Him. He does not deflect their worship. He accepts their worship. Where David deflected honor and worship, Jesus receives it. And it is because Jesus is the one worthy of worship.
David even recognizes the Lordship of the Messiah when he says in Psalm 110:1, “The LORD says to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies your footstool.’” even before the Messiah was born.
So now, we are the ones who are to humbly worship.
Worship is the recognition that we owe everything to our God.
Worship is the remembering that we are weak and He is strong.
Worship is the reminder that we are servants and soldiers and Jesus is the King.
Worship is the expression of a grateful heart to a great ruler.
Worship is the live, real trust we place in God’s word in the trial of testing and the fire of temptation.
Worship is the realization that Christ is rest for our weary souls, comfort for our troubled hearts, wisdom for our thinking minds.
Worship is the clinging to Christ as our Rock, our Refuge, our Hope, Strong Tower, our Light House.
So followers of Christ are to be humble worshipers of Christ. We are to worship with robust singing of joy and strength. We are to worship through whispers and tears. We are to worship with empty hands and empty plans waiting to be filled and assigned by the King. And we are to worship by walking with Jesus day by day.
By: Clif Johnson
(Lifeword)
(Lifeword)
Aired on
Sep 04, 2024
Show
Day by Day
Duration
00:03:03 min.
00:03:03 min.
Day by Day - 2 Samuel
In God’s Kingdom, Pt. 1
We can overcome sin in our lives only through the power of Jesus.
#daybydaylw
Interested in learning more about becoming a devoted follower of Christ? Go to follow.lifeword.org!
~~~
We can overcome sin in our lives only through the power of Jesus.
By: Clif Johnson
(Lifeword)
(Lifeword)
Aired on
Sep 03, 2024
Show
Day by Day
Duration
00:02:32 min.
00:02:32 min.
Day By Day Expressions
Day by Day Expressions
We proclaim a kingdom with a ruler who has come and conquered sin and death.
#daybydaylw
Interested in learning more about becoming a devoted follower of Christ? Go to follow.lifeword.org!
By: Clif Johnson
(Lifeword)
(Lifeword)
Aired on
Sep 02, 2024
Show
Day by Day
Duration
00:12:29 min.
00:12:29 min.
Day by Day - 2 Samuel
The King of Glory Died. On Purpose.
Everything that happened to Jesus, including His death on the cross, was part of His planned victory.
#daybydaylw
Interested in learning more about becoming a devoted follower of Christ? Go to follow.lifeword.org!
~~~
But you say, “Clif, what about the cross? No victory there. That is defeat. That is horrible defeat.”
On the surface it absolutely looks like horrible defeat. A man who lived a pristine and perfect life, only to have been nailed to the cross for no justifiable reason. And in one major way it was defeat. It was real death. Jesus really died. But that is not the major defeat. For you see, death on the cross was the purpose of His life. He came to become a ransom, and to give his life for many; he came to serve His people in that very way. So the cross, too, was a victory! It was a success in that Christ fulfilled the plan for which he was sent to accomplish.
"Then in what way was it a defeat, you ask?” Sin was defeated! You were defeated! Your sin was defeated! Your own kingdom was subdued and destroyed. The old man of the believer in Christ was buried in the grave. You lose your old self at the cross, but it is also at the cross that we gain. The one who has put their hope in Christ gains the gift of forgiveness. You gain the transference of your guilt on to Christ.
But you may ask, “What good is a dead king, because that is what you are saying Jesus is. He died on the cross.”
Yes he did. The king of glory died. On purpose. As part of God’s plan. But, as Abraham Kuypier once said, ““There is not a square inch in the whole domain of our human existence over which Christ, who is sovereign over all, does not cry ‘mine’.”
—including the grave. You see, Jesus had victory over the grave, in that he came back to life, proving that God accepted Jesus’ sacrifice, proving that God had awarded forgiveness to us based on the merits, not of our accomplishments and righteousness, but based on the merit of Jesus’ perfect life and righteousness.
Al Mohler puts it this way—“The most visible star and the invisible atom sit under the rule of Jesus Christ. Every throne on earth, every king in authority, every power in the cosmos, submits to the reign of the One who conquered the grave.
By: Clif Johnson
(Lifeword)
(Lifeword)
Aired on
Aug 30, 2024
Show
Day by Day
Duration
00:03:16 min.
00:03:16 min.
Day by Day - 2 Samuel
Everywhere Jesus Went
The life of Jesus was characterized by the presence of God and victory.
#daybydaylw
Interested in learning more about becoming a devoted follower of Christ? Go to follow.lifeword.org!
~~~
When we look at the kingdom that David ruled over, although it was characterized by victory, and worship, and righteousness, it was done imperfectly, and eventually the kingdom would fall and deteriorate and crumble. But the Anointed One does come! And God gave to Jesus victory everywhere Jesus went.
Jesus had victory over the murder plot of King Herod
Jesus had victory over Satan in the wilderness.
Jesus had victory in the temple while teaching, bringing encouragement and life to those who were oppressed, and bringing stinging conviction and rebuke and shame on those who were cruel.
* Jesus had victory over sickness and disease, and blindness and deafness, and demons and death!
* Jesus had victory over the elements of the world when they would rise up and threaten Him or His apostles.
The gospels are written so that we would see that the Jesus’ life was characterized by the presence of God and victory! “The LORD was with him and gave him victory wherever He went.”
By: Clif Johnson
(Lifeword)
(Lifeword)
Aired on
Aug 29, 2024
Show
Day by Day
Duration
00:01:37 min.
00:01:37 min.
Lifeword Shows
Click show name below for all episodes- A daily word of encouragement (380)
- Another Day, Another Way. (16)
- ASafePlaceOnline.com (18)
- Best Day Ever (59)
- Bible Tidbits (27)
- Build Like Jesus (18)
- Classics Bible Study (554)
- Creation Science (4)
- Day by Day (2245)
- Doc Talks with Dr. Brian Sheppard (32)
- Evening Show Live (2)
- FamilyLife Today (712)
- Got Questions? ASL Series (2)
- Harvest Gleaner Hour (1026)
- In the City, for the Nations (1)
- Jesus To You (1)
- Life Perspectives (16)
- Lifeword (3)
- Lifeword Stories (13)
- MDWK Encouragement (13)
- Mental Health Minutes (75)
- Moving Works (27)
- MXtv (1)
- MXTV (Mission X Media) (22)
- Outdoors with Shaun Merrell (85)
- Reach America (1822)
- Refocus Monday (14)
- She Laughs Conference (2)
- Spirit Word (200)
- Stand Firm Parents (20)
- Storybook Homes (25)
- Tailgate Talks (158)
- The Lori Cline Show (721)
- The Way Forward (1)
- The Word (2)
- Theology For Your Thursday (12)
- TheRaineys.org (39)
- Training for Life (5)