Lion Heart ENCOURAGE - The Truth and the lie

Intro:

Hey Man of God! Today, as throughout history, we face the fight between the truth and the lie. Everyday, and often every moment, the enemy will present to us a lie about who God is, or about who we are. David faced this lie. But given the revelation David had about God, that came from countless hours spent in the presence of God, David was able to know the truth and the truth set him free.

Encouragement:

As I understand from the biblical historians, this Psalm was written around the period of 1 Sam 18, when David lived in the palace and was very good friends with King Saul’s son, Jonathan. Things in the palace however weren’t always rosy, as shortly after this in 1 Sam 19, King Saul actually attempts to kill David. It would seem that there might have been many under currents in the Royal palace. Maybe even many sub-plots and many different political ‘empires’ under construction.

But let’s now look at being a shepherd during that time in the kingdom of Israel. To be a shepherd back then meant that you were very seldom part of the family activities and some times pushed out of the family unit.

A shepherd could spent weeks out with the sheep. They practically lived with the sheep for long periods of time, only coming home when needing supplies. Livestock was certainly a mainstay of a family’s wealth back then, and thus was an important task, however, shepherding could also be leveraged to exclude someone that was seen as inferior. We see this in David’s life.

Remember when Samuel asked Jessi for the ‘parade of sons’, he went past each one inspecting them and asking God ‘if this was the one?’ Getting to the end of the line Samuel hadn’t yet received a so-called ‘nod’ from God. Then Samuel asked Jessi whether there was anyone else? They dismissed the question, indicating to Samuel that ‘there was no other’. Was David not important enough to be included in this parade? In my view this was not an isolated incident, but rather a systemic rejection of David as a brother and son. I believe that the devil knew that there was something very special about David, and from birth he started the negative propaganda war against David. David being ‘shunned’ to the wilderness with his sheep was an example of how this was working out. But God……!

But God had other ideas! ‘God causes all things to work together for those that love Him and are called according to His purposes’.

Isn’t God just wonderful!

It is quite clear from the rest of scripture that God had another ‘view’ of who David was. God had a view ‘from the inside’, and of course, God Himself had knit David together in his mother’s Womb as that famous scripture details.

Here’s a thought, this revelation of God knitting us together, would David had been able to receive this revelation had he had a ‘normal’ upbringing? Was it not the actual human rejection that was used by God to show David this revelation?

I believe that God used the pain of rejection in David’s heart to direct David into the knowledge of God’s intimate love for Him, and that God was intimately involvement in David’s life from conception already. And thus, man’s rejection, however painful and real, was not the ultimate decider on who David fundamentally was as a person! God was the overarching determinant of the value of David, and of course is the overarching determinant of the value of all mankind.

The value of divine bloodshed, that ran down an old used wooded crucifix, on a hill outside a dusty ancient city. This is the overarching value determinant of every human person! You and I are worth the God of heaven, Holy and Glorious, dying at the hands of mortal, sinful man.

God knows us to the most intimate detail. He didn’t just blindly throw the most valuable of commodities, the blood of a spotless lamb, at a global sin problem hoping it might land on some, and hopefully solve this problem. No, He was intimately acquainted with each of the ones He purchased that day. Because that same Jesus was there when you were knit together in your earthy mother’s womb.

God is in the business of saving and knitting. Knitting of the most precious of fabric and the most finest quality and detail you can imagine. God is a ‘knitter’ of mankind.

My brother, you and I have been knit together by the Almighty! Let’s ponder on that.

Don’t let this thought just be swept away by business of life. Stay, ponder, meditate. Let God’s Holy Spirit wash this truth over you again and again.

You are valuable. And HE is worthy of ALL PRAISE! Amen!

Knowing that we’re valuable, is a cornerstone of being a better Husband, Father and person in general. Growing in this understanding is the path to been more of who God made you to be! Walk in it.

Prayer Request:

Please pray for us as we contemplate the next expansion of Hope Nation and Lion Heart. We have a burning desire to preach the wonderful name of JESUS but need God’s wisdom to know where to invest our energy.

We need your prayers and support. If you’ve not yet made a donation to Hope Nation, please would you prayerfully consider it. We’re public funded organisation. Reach out to me at info@hopenation.faith.

Please fwd this message to those who you think can benefit!

Your Brother in Christ,

Stanley