II SAMUEL

Today is Saturday and I'm looking forward to the day.  I'm short on time because of an early men's meeting at church, so let me write something fast today if you don't mind. 1) PORTRAIT OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE- In II Sam. 3:1 it says: "Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker."  Now how does that statement describe the Christian life?  Well if our Spiritual side is the house of David, and our Carnal side is the house of Saul; then, there is a long war that last all of our lives.  But as we grow in the LORD and in the power of His might, we should be seeing the house of David (our Spiritual side) growing stronger and stronger and our Carnal side, growing weaker and weaker.  This verse describes the struggle and eventual outcome of all those who seek to walk with God! 2) THOU ART THE MAN- This is what Nathan, the prophet, said to David.  He had sinned in taking Uriah's wife, Bathsheba, and having him killed in the battle.  Nathan told a story about a rich man taking a poor mans only lamb, and David became very mad... but Nathan then said:  "Thou art the man."  How do we react when confronted with our sin?  Do we like Saul start blaming everyone else?  Or, do we like David say:  "I have sinned against the LORD." (vs. 13)  I would suggest the later course of action.  Humble yourselves and the LORD will pick you up.  3) A MOTHER SOLVES THE PROBLEM- In II Sam. 20, Saul is fighting against Sheba, the son of Bichri.  He goes into a city to flee and Joab with his army starts to attack the city and then Joab hears a lone voice of a woman.  The women says: "thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother of Israel:...?"  Joab says, "Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy."  But, he goes on to say that he must get Sheba or the city will be destroyed.  So the woman says: "Behold, his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall."  And so it happens, and so the mother solves the problem.  Now the moral of this story is... you had better stay on the good side of your mother!!  Love you MOM!!!  Your son, Mike. Have a blessed day!!   Pastor Mike Mutchler