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Bible Studies Online Blog
Online Bible Study
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Mathew Bartlett: Posted on Monday, March 12, 2012 8:20 AM
 We all have troubles: "Man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward."
David's experiences are recorded for us, that we might find God as our help just as David did.
David's Trouble v1 David’s own son Absalom had risen up in rebellion against him (2 Sam. 15:1-6). So many men had joined Absalom that David says "Lord, how are they increased that trouble me!" Was David's trouble of his own making? Partly, for David had never corrected Absalom as he grew up, neglecting his God given responsibility to bring up his children.
Paul Brown, (Evangelical Times March 2001) wrote, "Parents have God-given authority to discipline their children; the authority to command, advise, rebuke and chastise." Not only did David fail to correct Absolom, he failed to set a good example (2 Sam 12.9-12). More than anything else, children follow our example, so a good example is worth more than hours of teaching. As Brown observes, “Is it fair to punish your child for an outburst of temper, when you cannot control yourself when irritated or annoyed?"Yet whilst David must take his share of blame for the situation, it was not entirely his own fault. Absalom was now a grown man and responsible for himself. Children who have good Christian parents may nevertheless, when they come of age, turn their back upon God and Christ. A parent can never finally be responsible for their adult child when he/she reaches an age of understanding and becomes responsible before God for his/her own actions. ”A father will not die for his son's sin nor a son for his fathers' sin."
v2 As David fled to escape from Absolom, he went was pelted with dirt by a man named Shimei who cursed him and told him that God was punishing him for shedding the blood of Saul's family. "God will not help you! God is punishing you for your sin!" The accuser of the brethren says the same thing at times to you and me. It's your own fault! You deserve all this! God will not help you! But this is not for any man to say. Even if David was being punished for his sin, he was in God's hands - not theirs. So David committed himself into God's hands, submitting himself under the mighty hand of God. 2 Sam 15.26
David's Trust v3 David's reaction was one of confidence in God. From years of experience David knew that in times of trouble, God was his help and shield. God had given him too many victories and would not forsake him now. The word used for shield here is a covering in front and behind and above and all around. David says, "You, O Lord are a shield all around me." Psalm 139.1-5.David calls God his glory. God is his boast. He will not boast in anyone or anything else - not in himself, but in God who did all things for him. What do we boast about? Our physical strength? Our education? Our position in life? The Corinthian church were boasters. They boasted in their leaders. They boasted in what they considered to be their superior spirituality. They thought they were a cut above the rest, and boasted in the gifts that God had given to them, but Paul says to them 1 Cor 4.7; Gal 6.14.Not only was God David's shield and his boast, he was also the lifter up of his head. We hang our heads when we are beaten or ashamed. Since God is our strength, we cannot be finally beaten for Rom. 8.31.It is God who covers all our sin, so that we need not hang our heads in shame.
v4 David's turned his trouble over to God in prayer. David’s Prayer His prayer was audible - "I cried." His prayer was earnest - "I cried." His prayer was answered.
David knew that God had answered his prayer, even before the answer was seen. He had assurance of this, though when the answer came, it was not the one he had expected or hoped for. Absalom was killed by Joab, and the rebellion was finished. God, from his exalted position in charge of the universe, heard and acted.
v5 In the assurance that God had given him David could rest, knowing that he was being kept and upheld by the power of God.This is the peace which often seems contrary to circumstances, the peace of God which passes all understanding. Phil 4.6,7.
v6 David's trust was in God, and God's perfect love casts out all fear. David was not exaggerating - there were thousands pursuing him but he knew that "one with God is in the majority."God's Answer - Salvation and BlessingGod makes a difference between the ungodly and the godly.
v7 Even though he had received peace, David continued to pray for God to deliver him. God would treat David's enemies as his own, for those who rose up against the Lord's anointed had risen up against the One who anointed him. Since it was with their mouths that these ungodly men sought to do harm to the man of God and spoke proudly and blasphemously, it is on the cheek bone that God strikes them. God allowed the lions to speak but he did not allow them to bite, for He smashes out their teeth. Rom12.19 God has reason to regard His enemies with contempt, for ultimately good will triumph over evil.
v8 From the beginning of this experience to its end, David knew that only God could deliver him, the only Savior of men. We too can be sure that He who has begun a good work in us will carry it on to completion in the day of Christ Jesus. He has already blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ (Eph. 1:3) and we will one day enter into the fullness of His blessing. In the midst of all our troubles, God will be our help, as he was David's. |
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Mathew Bartlett: Posted on Tuesday, December 20, 2011 9:57 PM
 Studying God's Word is a guaranteed way for enlarging your Christian life.
The Bible is a superb resource for study, since it is God's Word and entirely true. Through the Bible God speaks clearly to our souls. God's Word is like spiritual food for the godly. Bible reading and studying the Bible will make you mature as a follower of Christ.
With Bible Studies Online you can study Bible passages at your own pace, taking one Bible verse or chapter at a time. Bible Studies Online offers a unique and essential Bible study tool for everyone wishing to discover God's Word for themselves.
Bible translations we use include the King James Version, the New King James Version, The New Revised Standard Version and the New English Translation.
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Mathew Bartlett: Posted on Saturday, November 19, 2011 9:32 PM
The study of the Bible is meant to be more than an academic excercise. If the Bible truly is the Word of God for man, then such study demands our attention and obedience. Indeed, our understanding of the Word of Christ depends greatly on our obedience to Christ. Jesus said: If anyone wants to do God's will, he will know about my teaching, whether it is from God or whether I speak from my own authority. John 7:17 (NET) If we would understand God's will more perfectly, then we must be prepared to obey what we have already received, for only then will more be revealed to us. "The doctrine of Christ surpasses all the doctrines of the saints; and he that has the Spirit will find in them the hidden manna. But it so happens that many, from frequent hearing of the gospel are very little affected, because they do not have the Spirit of Christ. But he who would fully understand the words of Christ must study to make his whole life conformable to that of Christ." (Abridged from Thomas A Kempis, The Imitation of Christ). So then, if we would be more like Jesus, let us be doers of the word, and not hearers only. |
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Mathew Bartlett: Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2011 11:08 AM
One of the classic's of Christian literature is Thomas A Kempis' "Imitation of Christ". Here is a brief extract: He that followeth Me walketh not in darkness, saith the Lord. These are the words of Christ, by which we are admonished to imitate His life and manners if we would be truly enlightened and delivered from all blindness of heart. Let it therefore be our chief study to meditate upon the life of Jesus Christ.
The desire of every child of God, which has been placed in his heart by the Holy Spirit, is to be like Jesus.
God works and moves in our lives, in both bad and good, according to His great sovereign plan, that we might "be conformed to the image of His son" (Rom. 8:29)
This is why "All things work together for good for those who love God." (Rom. 8:28)
His intention is that Jesus might be the "first born among many brethren". (Rom. 8:29)
We are not yet perfect but we are going on to our eternal perfection. Let this be our constant longing and prayer. O to be like Thee, blessed Redeemer,
This is my constant longing and prayer;
Gladly I'll forfeit all of earth's treasures,
Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear. O to be like Thee,
O to be like Thee,
Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art!
Come in thy sweettness, come in thy fulness
Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart! T. O. Chisholm |
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Mathew Bartlett: Posted on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 8:51 AM
 The psalm begins with a picture of a world in rebellion against God - they would get rid of Him altogether. They consider serving God to be bondage, when in fact it is true freedom. No one can ultimately free themselves from their obligations to their creator Hebrews 9:27. What does God think of those who think they can? V4 tells us that He laughs at them - not literally - the picture shows it is futile for man to think that he can be free from God's rule. If men will fight against God, God will have them in confusion.
When men rejected and crucified God's Son, they thought that they were having their own way. By killing Christ man thought that he had succeeded in getting rid of God, but in fact God was fulfilling HIS purpose. Acts 2.23. He says My purpose will win over all others. Isa 46.9,10. He confounded them. They crucified Jesus; but God has raised him from the dead and exalted Him. Eph1.20-22. Men rejected Him, but God has made him both Lord and Christ. Acts 2.36. v6 Firstly, it is set apart "my holy hill." Then it has an elevated position "hill" and lastly it is the dwelling place of God, for Zion is where the temple stood. So Christ is set apart. REF Being exalted, Christ has gone into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. Mark 16.19. Through Christ's death, the church is also made holy Heb 2.11 and shares an exalted position Eph 2.6. The church is a dwelling place of God through the Spirit Eph2.22. By his exaltation Christ has been made head over all things to the church. Eph 1.22 V7 What right has this King to reign? He is the only begotten Son of God, who was with the Father in the beginning. John 1.1,2. Christ has the Divine right to rule, since He is both God Himself and has been appointed by God the Father. V6 Tells us that God anointed him to be King. Christ means anointed one. God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit without measure. John 3.34. V8 Some kings covet gold or silver, but these mean nothing to our king. He values the souls of men above all else. He came to seek and to save the lost, redeeming us to God by His blood. Jesus is the king who wants to reign in the hearts and lives of men and women. That is why he tells us to go and make disciples. Matt 28.19,20. One day he will come to reign on earth with absolute authority. Ps 72.8. Those who refuse to obey him and submit to his rule will be completely broken and eternally ruined -- just as when you break a clay pot with an iron bar there is no hope of repairing it again. Since Christ is exalted as the supreme authority in all the universe, we should submit to him. At present we may do so voluntarily -of our own free will - and be saved. Rom 10.9.
But if any will not submit to him now, they will one day be forced to do so, for every knee MUST bow to Jesus. Phil 2.9-11. Then they will bow to hear God's judgment "Depart from me.. into everlasting fire"
V12 So the Psalmist warns rebels to submit and to kiss the son.
In ancient times the kissing of the hand showed devotion, the person was saying "I am your servant," or "I am yours." It was an act of worship. We are reminded in Rom 12.1 that this is our reasonable service. Rom 12.1 We give ourselves to him. After all he has done for us, what else could he expect? It is only our reasonable service.
Those who continue to rebel and harden their hearts against God will taste his anger. If his wrath being aroused just a little is enough to utterly destroy you, what about the full force of his wrath, which the scripture says will be poured out upon all those who do not believe. In v5 we see it will take place suddenly, as God breaks through to make an end of man's insolent rebellion. When Christ comes again He will bring the wrath of God 2 Thessalonains 1:7-10. The final destruction of unbelievers will come suddenly and unexpectedly. 1 Thesssalonians 5.3. But for those who believe the promise is given of eternal life. They will be blessed eternally Acts16.31. As we look in the Bible we can't get away from the fact that Jesus is King. We should let him rule as king in our lives. To surrender means to obey Him. If we let Jesus be king, he will deal with the attitudes and habits in our lives that do not please him- such as lying, stealing, jealousy, anger. He tells us to put them away, for He is our king. Will you let Jesus be King of your heart today? Will you give yourself to him? |
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