August 21 - What I wrote in 2010

at first I considered all the texts and propers separately - all are tremendous treasures in their own right.  I didn't see any connection until Luther's Writing ("Thus the incarnation and the death of Christ are both comprehended most concisely in this one word, 'testament.'"  WOW!) reminded me to see today's Words from TDP united in Christ.
The heir to David's throne is privately plotted against by those who would usurp his authority thinking the Father is unaware of their schemes (1 Kings 1).  Adonijah assumes that if he is not the head, he is nothing (1 Corinthians 12:15-16).  Yet, as head, he would say "I have no need of you" (1 Corinthians 12:21) to Solomon and Bathsheba (1 Kings 1:21) - and probably Nathan, Zadok, and Benaiah as well!  (Now hear the Pharisees and Sadducees and Romans saying this to Jesus!)
A lot is at stake here if Adonijah succeeds - both the faith of Israel in rejecting Nathan and Zadok, but also your salvation which is found in the descendant of Solomon!
God leads David in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:24) - despite what David deserves for his secretly usurping Uriah's role, despite what we deserve for our "usurpations."  Adonijah (and the Pharisees, Saducees, and Romans - and atheists and synergistic pagans of our day) will not succeed.  The son of David will be the Head.  Jesus is risen from the dead, putting to death the plots against Him.
And now you have your role in His body (1 Corinthians 12:27-31).  Do not say "Because I am not as brainy/witty/popular/well-spoken as so-and-so, I do not belong to the body."  In His book were written all your days and the important roles you would play in the body of Christ when as yet there were no days.  Wonderful are His works indeed (Psalm 139:14-16). 

August 20 - Whose Soul Are You Worried About? (2 Samuel 11, 12, and Psalm 51)

"Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart." (Psalm 51:6)

So much can be taught from this incident:

• How one sin leads to another - especially as we try to solve our sin problem with more sin
• Original Sin (Psalm 51)
• God's Absolution
• The son of David's death on account of Sin pointing ahead to the Son of David's death on the Cross

But today, the Holy Spirit had something else for me to ponder.  I cannot use any names or details, but heavy on my heart is how sin has torn apart a family I care deeply about (outside my parish, thankfully.  And even better, God has provided them with a faithful pastor.)  There is an extreme expressed lack of repentance on the part of an individual.  This person's soul is in a VERY dark place.  Right now I have no doubt this person has become an unbeliever, living and believing lies.

It is tempting to think things will not change for this beloved person.  Yet at one point, David was similarly

living his lie.  He had gotten away with his sin of adultery and murder.  Or so he convinced himself.  Even without TMZ in those days, you can figure the palace servants passed the juicy dirt amongst themselves about the King's scandalous behavior.   We know David lived this lie for about 9 months - the length of time it took for his son to go from conception to birth.  And then God sent Nathan to rebuke David.  And God worked the change of heart.

That same Holy Spirit at work in David that day to bring David back to God in faith and truth through the forgiveness of sins - I cannot lose hope that He will do the same in the life of this lost sheep, my beloved friend.

"Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice." (Psalm 51:8)