Lie Down and Sleep

Hungry, thirsty and wearied from a narrow and frightening escape, King David led family, close friends and his army from the comfort of their homes in Jerusalem across the Kidron brook east of the city to set up camp in a wilderness area somewhere north of the Dead Sea. Absalom, David’s son, was in pursuit of the throne of Israel. Absolom was in pursuit of David.

Absalom’s hatred was originally aimed at his half-brother Amnon who had fallen in love with Tamar, Absolom’s beautiful sister. Tamar refused Ammon knowing that his intentions were sinful. Amnon raped Tamar and then in a fit of anger sent her away. Tamar confided in her brother Absalom, but he encouraged her to be quiet about the matter. He had nothing to say to Amnon, good or bad.

Two years later Absalom saw an opportunity to resolve his hatred. He invited all his brothers together for a celebration during the shearing of the sheep. During the party, when everyone was merry with wine, Absalom gave the command and his men killed Amnon. Absalom ran to the land of Geshur where his grandfather (mother’s father) was king. There he stayed for three years.

Daily David mourned the death of Amnon, his firstborn son. Eventually, Joab, the commander of David’s army, humbly requested that David send for Absalom. However, upon Absalom’s arrival David refused to see him face-to-face.

Having no interaction with his father Absalom sat at the entrance of Jerusalem and greeted people as they came to the city. He assured everyone that he would render justice if only he had the authority to judge their complaint. He endeared himself to all of Israel, while, at the same time he was calculating a secret plan to overthrow King David.

Absolom had many reasons to be angry with his father. However, for this occasion his anger grew into hatred so that he wanted to kill David and assume the throne of Israel.

And yet, no evil plan is without fault and a messenger informed King David that “the hearts of the men of Israel are with Absalom.” David understood and immediately evacuated his family, close friends, and his loyal army. While fleeing from Absalom he wrote the third Psalm which begins:

O Lord, how many are my foes!

How many rise up against me!

Many are saying of me,

“God will not deliver him.” 

--Psalm 3:1-2

David had victoriously faced the giant, Goliath; but now he had to face his son. How could he fight his own flesh and blood? With Absalom enthroned what would be the fate of Israel? What could David have done or said to bring about a better result? Before going into battle, he told his men to deal gently with Absalom. Could they follow his command? Would they?

David: 

   deposed king; 

   one son lost to death, one son lost in life; 

   leader of family and friends, 

   leader of an army, 

   leader of a nation; 

   chosen by God.

What an enormous burden weighed upon David’s shoulders. Yet as we look back at this event, David stands as a tremendous example of dependence on and confidence in God. From Psalm 3:

You are a shield around me, O Lord (v. 3)

I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the Lord sustains me. (v. 5)

From the Lord comes deliverance. (v. 8)

David knew that God was greater than his problems. Even with impossible circumstances he was able to prepare a place of rest and peacefully lie down and sleep knowing that God was his sustainer and deliverer.

How do you view God?

   Is He your sustainer and deliverer? 

   Is your God bigger than your problems? 

   Can you prepare a place and lie down and sleep?


Mark Stinnett

June 2, 2024

Never Shaken

Have you ever experienced an earthquake so that you lost your footing? Have you ever lost your footing on a steep incline and actually fallen off the path? Have you ever tripped on a staircase with nothing to grab hold of? These are images of what the Psalmist calls shaken. Being shaken is the idea that you have lost your footing but there is nothing to help you keep or regain your balance...so you fall!

Of course, the Psalmist is not talking about literal earthquakes and tripping. Rather, he has in mind those events in life in which we are shaken to the point of near catastrophe spiritually. It may be that our faith is weak and we wonder if God will help, or we wonder if God really cares, or we just no longer see the use in trying.

God never promised that there will be no earthquakes in life. He does not guarantee that the path of life will always be smooth, wide and even. He does not assure us that there will be no obstacles, no enemies, and no temptations. However, he does promise that we will not be shaken. In fact, to the righteous his promise is greater:

He who does these things will never be shaken.

—Psalm 15:5

The literal Hebrew text reads, “He will not be shaken, forever.”

While it is true that God will extend his hand to help us when we fall, He is also the one who can make us surefooted so that we do not fall at all. It may seem to be an unattainable ideal, but the Psalmist assures us that God will help us so that we are never shaken, so that we never fall.

So, how is it that we can have this kind of surefooted assurance in our lives?

• It is because the Lord is my counsel; he is always in my thoughts; he is next to me. (Psalm 16:7-8)
• It is because of the continual love of the Lord for me and my trust in Him. (Psalm 21:7)
• It is because God is my strength, my rest, and my salvation. (Psalm 62:6-8)
• It is because God’s attention is trained toward the righteous. My righteousness does not keep me from stumbling, but God remembers his righteous ones, and he will make them surefooted. (Psalms 15:5; 55:22 and 112:6)

In the first Psalm David declared blessings from God for the one who avoids the path of sin and evil. He declared blessings from God for the one who meditates on the instruction of the Lord.

He is like a tree

   planted by streams of water,

Which yields its fruit in season

   And whose leaf does not wither.

Whatever he does prospers.

—Psalm 1:3

We each need to be that deep-rooted tree that withstands the storms of life year after year. To have such strength we must, send our roots deep into the refreshing word of God...

...Learning the value of trusting in the Lord;

...Gaining confidence in his strength;

...Experiencing his kindness, his rest, his salvation; and

...Growing in His righteousness.

Then when the storms and earthquakes of life occur,

          We will NOT BE SHAKEN…

                                                           FOREVER!

Mark Stinnett

May 19, 2024

Overlooked

Have you ever been overlooked?

I really wanted to ask if you have ever known anyone who was overlooked, but it seemed almost contradictory. You see, how would you know that they were overlooked if you had overlooked them? (It’s a puzzle.)

We might say that they have fallen through the cracks, or that they are lost in the mix. They go unnoticed because...well, because no one notices.

Few know their name.

When you are overlooked you kind of see yourself fading into the background of life, more and more as time passes. You see yourself as small and insignificant. You are not necessarily depressed. You don’t necessarily feel sorry for yourself. You are not necessarily angry at the world. You are simply small, and you know it.

Over time, a self-perception of smallness can take its toll. A person finds himself actually withdrawing from people, unknowingly making it more difficult for others to develop or maintain a relationship. He might become detached from reality. Feeling smaller and smaller, discouragement, disappointment and even depression can set in.

The Apostle Paul used a word to describe a person who sees himself as small when compared to others: Fainthearted.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:14 Paul instructed:

Encourage the fainthearted.

A person who is fainthearted needs to be included. He needs to see a smile and hear a welcome voice. She needs a hug of acceptance. She needs to know that you know her name; that she is appreciated.

When a Christian is continually overlooked by other Christians and becomes fainthearted, it can have a devastating effect. 

     "Do God’s people not care?"

     "Am I invisible to God as well?"

A person who is fainthearted can become weak in faith and struggle spiritually. The devil can more easily get a foothold when a person is fainthearted. Encouragement is needed.

Paul didn’t say feed the fainthearted or buy them supplies; rather, encourage. That means to put courage in the heart.

So, how do you put courage in the heart of a person who is fainthearted?

Perhaps helping with food and/or supplies will be a part of the encouragement. Perhaps a little face time is needed (and I’m not talking about social media). Individual needs will vary. So, respond to their needs.

However, when a person is fainthearted he needs to be reminded that his perseverance and endurance in the Lord are not in vain. God’s word assures the Christian of a glorious welcome into eternal life for those who remain faithful to Christ.

And by the way, Paul did not say, “If you have been overlooked, pout and complain.” It might be that YOU are the spark that will encourage the heart of someone else.

Look around today; who could use a little encouragement from you?

Mark Stinnett
December 23, 2018