Psalm 13 – Desperate

Chapter 13 seems to show David at one of his most desperate and lonely places. You can hear it in his words:

“How long, O LORD ? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I wrestle with my thoughts
and every day have sorrow in my heart?
How long will my enemy triumph over me?
Look on me and answer, O LORD my God.
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death”
– Psalm 13:1-3

I guess in a weird way I find some comfort in David’s season of unknown. Although such seasons can be excruciating, each of us will experience them. With that in mind, there are some great lessons to be learned in studying how David addresses God during this time. First he takes a moment to be “real”, to lament and express the depth of his position (vs1-2). Then he literally asks, tells, begs God to “Look on” him and “answer” (vs.3). Reminds me of Luke 11:

“Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.'

"Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness he will get up and give him as much as he needs.” – Luke 11

How does David have the confidence to come to God so bodly? I think it’s shown through the response of his heart. He knows God is faithful. He trusts God because he recalls God’s faithfulness. This allows him to rejoice and even sing.

“But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.” Psalm 13:5

No matter the situation, we can do the same.

1 Sam 26 - Making of a Man

This is a great look at the repetition of God’s faithfulness in his journey with Saul. And in it we find God’s dual purpose playing out (if not more). Along this journey is an opportunity, and as a leader, David jumps on it:

“David then asked…"Who will go down into the camp with me to Saul?" "I'll go with you," said Abishai. So David and Abishai went to the army by night, and there was Saul, lying asleep inside the camp with his spear stuck in the ground near his head. Abner and the soldiers were lying around him.” 1 Samuel 6-7

Abishai said to David, "Today God has delivered your enemy into your hands. Now let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of my spear; I won't strike him twice." But David said to Abishai, "Don't destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the LORD's anointed and be guiltless? As surely as the LORD lives," he said, "the LORD himself will strike him; either his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. But the LORD forbid that I should lay a hand on the LORD's anointed. Now get the spear and water jug that are near his head, and let's go." – 1 Samuel 27:8-10

Here we certainly see the "making of a man". It’s a biblical and historical example of one leader investing in another. David did not need to bring anyone with him. It probably would have been easier and less risk to go alone. Yet he chose to. And he took the one who volunteered to go. Could you imagine the faith in a leader you would have to have, and the courage that you would have to possess, in order to walk into a camp like this with just the two of you?

God continued to build David's faith as well as Abishai's. He’s teaching us too. He’s teaching us that no matter our capability or our courage... we are nothing with out a word from God and a trust that when we follow it, God will be shown faithful.

Foolish Acts

As a church planter, I think I have a new and fresh understanding of what it means to live in the “fear of the Lord”. I really don't mean that in an arrogant "knowledge" kind of way... it's really a type of confession. It’s a constant and crazy mix of confidence and intentionality wrapped up in a little bit of insecurity and wonder. And God’s hand or presence being removed is my greatest fear. I guess that’s why my study today in 1 Samuel 13 struck such a chord with me. Two verses stood out like they were written in a different font:

"You acted foolishly," Samuel said. "You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the LORD's command." 1 Samuel 13:13-14

What more can you say? There is a ton of power in these two verses. In these words are both found (1) hope and (2) consequence. The hope is that God is not passive... He is not detained... He will not only SEEK out a man after his own heart, but He will find one in David. He'll find it in the least expected: a young shepherd boy. The consequence is that since Saul did not seek God out prior to going to battle or prior to selecting his men, it would not be him labeled as one who sought after God's own heart. He tried... after the fact. He tried to commit to the Lord something he had already done. But it was too late.
So as church leaders our promise of hope and our warning of consequence is this: May we always be those who seek after God's own heart. And may we never venture forward prior to God's leading or void of His way.

The Accused

I was thinking today about each of our sobering realities. Strange topic, eh? I found myself in 1 Samuel 3. Check it out: "What was it he said to you?" Eli asked. "Do not hide it from me. May God deal with you, be it ever so severely, if you hide from me anything he told you." So Samuel told him everything, hiding nothing from him. Then Eli said, "He is the LORD; let him do what is good in his eyes."1 Samuel 3:17-18

When the Lord came to Samuel, He gave him a list of His indictments of Eli. He said he would judge him because of the sin that he KNEW about, that his sons had made themselves contemptible, and that he failed to restrain them (vs.13). God then gave the consequence of such negligence: that the guilt of Eli’s house would never be atoned for. Ever.

Could you imagine the courage it would take for Samuel to relay these messages to Eli? But he did it. Probably because of his obvious encounter with and confidence in God, but nevertheless, he was obedient. And Eli’s response: “He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes.” That surprises me. Eli simply received his due judgment. He understood God’s authority. He understood his blame. I’m sure there was more going on behind the scenes, which could outline the extent of his neglect, but we can be assured the consequence was right. And at this point, even the accused agreed.

Romans 14 recalls the words of the Lord, “As surely as I live,' says the Lord, 'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.”

I think Eli realized he had known it was coming and now it was too late. We will all stand in that place one day. It’s a sobering thought, really. Hopefully, it’s one of confidence for those who call Christ, Savior. Whether we now agree with the future consequence of our trespasses… we will all stand accountable, judgment will be had, and we will one day all agree. No matter the ruling. We’ll see His holiness and His greatness. And we’ll then fully understand what it means to say, “He is Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes.”

Ruth 3 “Patience”

Ruth 3 – Brandon Hatmaker “Patience”
Austin New Church – South Austin Cares
Tuesday, September 30th, 2008

Patience. Since that’s a topic I need as much work on as anyone, I’ll just share something I wrote from someone better qualified. I was encouraged. Hopefully you will be as well.

“Ruth had done all that was fit for her to do, she must patiently wait the event. Boaz, having undertaken this matter, would be sure to manage it well. Much more reason have true believers to cast their care on God, because he has promised to care for them. Our strength is to sit still, Isa 30:7. This narrative may encourage us to lay ourselves by faith at the feet of Christ: He is our near Kinsman; having taken our nature upon him. He has the right to redeem. Let us seek to receive from him his directions: Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? He will never blame us as doing this unseasonably. And let us earnestly desire and seek the same rest for our children and friends, that it may be well with them also.”

My favorite part is “HE will never blame us as doing this unseasonably.” When we wait on the Lord, and when our seeking is truly of Him, His timing is perfect and we will not be found guilty of getting ahead of him.

Ruth 2 “Refuge and Favor”

Ruth 2 – Brandon Hatmaker “Refuge and Favor”
Austin New Church – South Austin Cares
Monday, September 29th, 2008

“At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She exclaimed, "Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?"

Boaz replied, "I've been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge."

"May I continue to find favor in your eyes, my lord," she said. "You have given me comfort and have spoken kindly to your servant—though I do not have the standing of one of your servant girls." – Ruth 2:10-13

I simply love this dialogue. There is a great correlation to God’s favor and refuge. Even more so, how we find it, and how we should respond to it. In verse 10, Ruth’s blatant humility is evident, this is no coincidence, it’s requirement. Then Boaz tells her why she has found favor with him. It is not only her heart, but her sacrifice and action. Her response? Thanksgiving and more humility. The more grace and favor he lavished on her, the more thankful she was.

This is a great word picture of our heart and posture of worship. We simply cannot do it with out the right heart and perspective. Can you imagine feeling this kind of refuge before God while worshipping Him? It would change everything.

A good friend of mine (And fellow staffer of Austin New Church) Micah Caswell, wrote in his BLOG this morning some great stuff on Ruth 2. I thought I’d share it as well:

“Naomi’s family had sought refuge under the Moabite gods. She saw the error of her ways and returned to find refuge under Yahweh. Even though Ruth had to cross many cultural barriers she also chose to find refuge under Yahweh. We all need a covering to hide under. We need someone to protect us and care for us and provide for us. Yahweh is our refuge.

Notice HOW Yahweh provides “refuge” for Ruth and Naomi, it is via the man Boaz. This is key, God provides refuge through his people! Boaz seemed to understand this and I pray that the Church would grab this. God’s primary agent for refuge is his Bride the Church. This means that the Church needs to embrace this call and care for those who need a covering.”

Joshua 14 – “Number Two”

Joshua 14 – Brandon Hatmaker “Number Two”
Tuesday, August 12th, 2008

“Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance. So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the LORD, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly. Then the land had rest from war.” – Joshua 14:13-15

After a 45 year journey, mostly riddled with battle, Caleb was finally given his inheritance. He himself said that at 85 years old that he was, “still as strong today” as the day Moses sent him out. He was willing and capable for more, but he was ready for a home. He asked for it, and it was granted. It was his time.

“Then the land had rest from war.”

That final verse is a great verse. Makes me think of what it feels like when I come home from a long trip. There is nothing quite like walking into your own house, sleeping in your own bed, eating your own food, and watching your children play in familiar places not worried if they’ll break someone else’s rules or worse, their stuff.

This was a huge blessing and reward for Caleb’s season of courage, confidence, and faithfulness. He did everything the Lord asked of him. He did everything Joshua, who was once just a fellow spy, asked of Him. He never complained about not being the number one guy. He just played his role. And when his time came, he was blessed, and his request was granted… it was granted by God's provision, it was promised by Moses, and it was blessed by Joshua.

As a Pastor, I’m humbled by the role I get to play in this journey. But I’m even more humbled by the amazing team of guys God has brought us. From an amazing staff who are also some of my best friends, to a faithful team of lay leaders who have become the same, I’m thankful for their work, their courage, their confidence, and for their faithfulness.

So I’ll write this directly to them as a prayer of blessing:

I pray that each of you find “rest” from war. I pray that you each experience reward for your faithfulness. I pray that your lives are laced with amazing ministry opportunities and are filled with joy, whether it’s at Austin New Church, through Austin New Church, or wherever you may be called. Thank you, not only “that” you serve, but also for “how” you serve.