II SAMUEL

It is a little overcast today, but we have time change Sunday.  We moved our clocks up one hour last evening.  It is the last day of our Mission's Conference, and I am looking forward to God moving hearts and people making decisions for world wide missions.  Several have answered the call to be a missionary as well and we are excited for them.  I'm reading in II Samuel, and here are a few high lights: 1) HOW ARE THE MIGHTY FALLEN!  In II Samuel 1:19, 25, and 27, we see this phrase:  "How are the mighty fallen".  Saul and Jonathan were killed in battle, and David laments their deaths.  Saul was after David's life on several occasions, but notice he doesn't bring that up in the chapter.  In fact, he avenges his death by having the Amalekite who took Saul's life put to death.  David respected and followed authority and Saul was the king.  David loved Jonathan as his own soul and they were friends til the end and beyond.  David would show kindness to Jonathan's son, Mephibosheth later, though he was lame. The "mighty" can fall, and so can we.  We had better stay on guard and stay close to Jesus.  Death is one thing, but to fall and lose our influence for Christ is another.  Let us be very careful in our lives. 2) MULBERRY TREES- I remember them well as a boy in Tennessee, and loved to eat the fruit of the mulberry trees.  I'm not sure they have them in Oregon.  In II Sam. 5:23,24 we see that God told His people to stand among the mulberry trees, and when they hear the "sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees, that then thou shalt bestir thyself:  for then shall the LORD go out before thee, to smite the host of the Philistines."  The idea is that they could hear God moving over their heads as He moved through the trees.  Like a wind passing through, and this signified that God's presence was there and moved in front of them.  How we need to day the movement of God in our lives.  We should wait until we hear the sound of a "going" as well in our lives.  I want to see God moving like He did in days gone by, and we can if we will start waiting on God till He moves, then we can "bestir" ourselves and follow after God! 3) LOYALTY- Loyalty is a wonderful trait and very necessary in a church and in any form of leadership.  In II Sam. 15:15, David instructs his fighting men what they need to do and here is their response:  "Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint."  They were willing to listen and follow instructions!  That loyalty is spoken of in Heb. 13:7,17, & 24 as it relates to the pastor of a church.  The people are to follow his leadership, trusting in the fact that God has called him to that place of leadership.  If we can learn this principle of loyalty, it will help our churches and pastors throughout the country. 4) FICKLE.  This is the opposite of loyalty is being a fickle follower.  This is someone who is always changing their minds.  Follow today, rebel tomorrow, follow again, etc.  In II Sam. 19: 41-43, we see that the very men who fought with Absalom against David are now fighting with each other about who will bring David back to Jerusalem.  The ten tribes want to do this, but Judah says he is their kin so they should do it, and finally before there are blows, it says in verse 43: "And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel."  So, they won out.  Let's not be fickle followers, but loyal followers!! Well, that's all for today,  I hope you have a blessed day and listen for the sound of the "going" of God in your life today.  Let's follow His leadership!  Blessings upon you! Dr. Mike Mutchler, Pastor of Grand View Baptist Church (the best people in the world!)