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2 Samuel 7:1-17; 1 Chronicles 17:1-15; 2 Samuel 7:18-29; 1 Chronicles 17:16-27; 2 Samuel 8:1-14; 1 Chronicles 18:1-13; Psalm 60<\/strong><\/span> \u00a0<\/p>\n Second Samuel 7 today is a big chapter!\u00a0 God essentially establishes a covenant with David \u2013 it isn\u2019t expressly called a covenant, so I suppose it is more of a promise.\u00a0 Verse 16 is a nice sum-up of God\u2019s promise to David: \u201cYour dynasty and your kingdom will continue for all time before me, and your throne will be secure forever.\u2019\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 The throne is secure forever because from the lineage of David comes Jesus.\u00a0 Jesus is forever.\u00a0 Genealogies in <\/span>Matthew 1<\/span> and <\/span>Luke 3:21-38<\/span> will give you more details on this lineage.<\/span><\/p>\n It is interesting that God does not want David to build him a temple, but lets David know one of his descendents will in verses 12 & 13: \u201cFor when you die, I will raise up one of your descendants, and I will make his kingdom strong. He is the one who will build a house\u2013a temple\u2013for my name.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 We will later learn the reasons for this in 1 Chronicles 28 verse 3 when David says \u2013 \u201cBut God said to me, \u2018You are not to build a house for my Name, because you are a warrior and have shed blood.\u2019\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 David was a warrior \u2013 as is very evident in Second Samuel 8 today.\u00a0 David\u2019s purpose was to unite and establish Israel.\u00a0 David\u2019s son Solomon will build the temple for God.<\/span><\/p>\n I love David\u2019s prayer of thanksgiving to God in 2 Samuel 7 verses 18-29 today!\u00a0 How often do you pray prayers of thanksgiving like this?\u00a0 After the prayer of thanksgiving, an image is below for Second Samuel chapter 8 verses 9 through 11 today: \u201cWhen King Toi of Hamath heard that David had destroyed the army of Hadadezer, e sent his son Joram to congratulate David on his success. Hadadezer and Toi had long been enemies, and there had been many wars between them. Joram presented David with many gifts of silver, gold, and bronze. King David dedicated all these gifts to the LORD, along with the silver and gold he had set apart from the other nations he had subdued.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n Bible.org\u2019s commentary on today\u2019s Second Samuel readings today titled \u201cBuilding God\u2019s House\u201d<\/strong> is <\/span>at this link<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n I like the imagery of Psalm 60 verse 4 a lot \u2013 \u201cBut you have raised a banner for those who honor you \u2014 a rallying point in the face of attack.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 I do believe that if we honor God, he will in some profound way \u201craise up a banner\u201d for us.\u00a0 A banner that will rally and encourage us in the face of attack \u2013 in the face of doubt or despair or sickness or just plain old fashioned attack from the Enemy \u2013 I believe God will give us a banner of hope.\u00a0 This banner could end up being one of a million different things I think, depending on the circumstances.\u00a0 For me, certainly a banner that rallies me each and every day is God\u2019s very Word, the Bible.\u00a0 I believe the Bible is indeed a banner that rallies us in the face of attack\u2026\u00a0 \u00a0What are some banners in your life that God is providing to rally you in the face of attack?\u00a0 Uh-oh, this whole banner imagery has reminded me of an old childhood song\u2026\u00a0 \ud83d\ude42\u00a0 Remember that children\u2019s song that goes something like this (over and over and over again\u2026) \u2013 \u201cPeter built the church on the rock of our faith.\u00a0 HIS banner over me is love.\u201d?\u00a0 What a great simple song!\u00a0 God\u2019s love very well should be a banner in our lives!<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Worship Video:<\/strong> Today seems like a great day to share with you the entire 2 hour \u201cJESUS\u201d film. Called by some \u201cone of the best-kept secrets in Christian missions,\u201d a number of mission experts have acclaimed the film as one of the greatest evangelistic tools of all time. Since 1979 the \u201cJESUS\u201d film has been viewed by several billion people all across the globe, and has resulted in more than 225 million men, women and children indicating decisions to follow Jesus. Learn more about this film and ministry at https:\/\/www.jesusfilm.org\/.<\/span><\/p>\n \n
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