2 Samuel 18-19; Psalm 81
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Things seem to keep
spiraling out of control ever since David’s sin with Bathsheba. He had been doing great things leading
up to that point. The nation had
become more unified than ever, and God was blessing them as a nation. The sin that crept into David’s life,
even though he repented of it, spread throughout his family, and in turn
affected the entire nation.
“There the army of Israel was defeated by David’s men” (18:7). I had to read this verse twice. David’s men and the army of Israel
should have been the same thing.
They had once again become a nation divided, fighting amongst
themselves.
In Psalm 81 we get a brief reminder of God’s history with Israel,
of how He wants to protect and bless them if they would but listen and follow
His ways. He had given them an
identity as His people, but they couldn’t be “His people” if they were not
united in their resolve to follow Him.
“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in
unity….
…. “For there the Lord bestows His blessing, even life
forevermore.” (Psalm 133:1,3)
How sad it is that we do the same thing as a church. So many times a new church is started. All in the beginning is wonderful...then somewhere along the way the disagreements start. The disagreements turn in to quarrels with one side arguing one way and the other side arguing another. Not long after that the two separate. The side that is left "plants" a new church. I don't think this is what is meant by church planting. A true church plant occurs because God has breathed into a group of people His breath of life. And a new baby is born the church. -Cindy Weaver
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