Wednesday,   May 28th


Reading for today:   Psalm 57,   2nd Samuel 22-23


Psalm 57 has a note above it in my Bible saying that it was written when David hid from Saul in the cave.   I have been to En Gedi, and seen the cave where David and his men hid from Saul.   There was a small stream of water that trickled from the mountains above down onto a large flat rock the formed the exterior cave roof.    It provided a spray of water down over the front of the cave, and it that hot, dry climate acted almost like a "swamp cooler".   Combine that with the fact that the air from deep inside the cave is cooler anyway... it's no wonder both David and Saul sought out this particular spot for rest.  
David said he "awakened the dawn" with his praises.    I also like to get up early.  It seems to be my best time to focus and reflect.   Maybe your best time isn't early.   Whenever it is, I hope you are using it to glorify God, and not spending it on something less worthy.


2 Samuel 22-23:   David's praise is so pure and powerful.  He believes that God specifically heard his cry for help, stopped what he was doing, :)  and came down from heaven just to save him.   It almost sounds like there was an earthquake.   God has used them in the past as a means of changing the outcome on the battlefield.   I wish that all of our leaders, both local and global would accept  23:3 as truth and rule righteously.   When a leader "goes bad" everyone under him/her is affected.


I just read in my notes that Elim 23:34 was Bathsheba's father, and his father...that would be Bathsheba's grandfather, was Ahithophel;  David's counselor.    That means in addition to violating the trust of one of his mighty men (Uriah) he also offended two other key members of his team, and in covering it up he probably lost the trust of Joab as well.    That is roughly an 11% erosion of his base of support because of his poor decision with Bathsheba.   Some time later Joab defies his orders and kills his son, Ahithophel turns against him, and his first born with Bathsheba dies.    That's a pretty steep cost.    Lord, please keep me from this kind of mistake, the cost is far too great in both lives and loss of mission effectiveness.


Having said that, Bathsheba does become the mother of Solomon, who clearly has favor with God (for some time) and is blessed by the Lord.   I take from this that God doesn't stay angry forever, and isn't limited in his ability to bring His will to fruition by our shortcomings.