David-Fights For a Just Cause

By Mary Vee
II Samuel 10, I Chrinicles 19, Psalm 60

From the Journal of A Spy in King David's Court

courtesy of visualbiblealive.com

To say King David became angry at King Hanun for disgracing his men would be like saying the sun is a dot in the sky and does little.

King David is a man of honor, patience, kindness, and dedication to God. He is also a man of war, ready to fight for a just cause. When I reported Hanun's disgraceful treatment of his loyal soldiers, David communicated quite clearly to Hanun he had become a stench in Davi'd nostrils.

King Hanun wisely became terrified. He spent a thousand talents of silver (thirty-seven tons) to hire chariots and charioteers from Aram Naharaim, Aram Maacah, and Zobah. These  were men from the north in Mesopotamia. The men, in turn hired thirty-two thousand chariots and charioteers, as well as Maacah with his troops.

Maacah camped near Medeba and the Ammonites gathered their troops to prepare for battle. Medeba is in Moab, across the River Jordan and south, by the Dead Sea.

Does this sound like storm troopers being sent to fight David and his men? Hanun sounded the "I'm totally scared of David, his soldiers, and his God" cry. Hanun made sure he could destroy David and his army by placing the Ammonites on the north, and Maacah's men to the east and south.

I reported to David the call to battle. He immediately sent for Joab and ordered him to prepare the entire army of fighting men to defend our people. 

The Ammonites came out of their cities and drew up in battle formation while the kings who arrived from other places formed in the open country.

Joab sent word back to David, "There are battle lines in front and behind. I have selected some of the best troops in Israel and deployed them against the Arameans. I put the rest of the men under the command of Abishai, my brother, and deployed them against the Ammonites."

"If the Arameans are too strong for me, then Abishai agreed to rescue me, but if the Ammonites are too strong for him, then I will rescue him. I gave him this command "Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The Lord will do what is good in his sight."

The battle began. Joab and his troops advanced to fight the Arameans. The wimps fled, running away like little mice. When the Ammonites saw the strong Arameans had fled, they turned and ran away from Abishai and his men. God set fear in their hearts for the sake of His people.

The battle did not end here. Come back next time to read what the Arameans tried next.

Here is a Psalm we sing:    Psalm 2

Why do the nations plan rebellion?
    Why do people make their useless plots?
 Their kings revolt,
    their rulers plot together against the Lord
    and against the king he chose.
 “Let us free ourselves from their rule,” they say;
    “let us throw off their control.”

 From his throne in heaven the Lord laughs
    and mocks their feeble plans.
 Then he warns them in anger
    and terrifies them with his fury.
 “On Zion,^[a] my sacred hill,” he says,
    “I have installed my king.”

 “I will announce,” says the king, “what the Lord has declared.
    He said to me: ‘You are my son;
    today I have become your father.
 Ask, and I will give you all the nations;
    the whole earth will be yours.
 You will break them with an iron rod;
    you will shatter them in pieces like a clay pot.’”

 Now listen to this warning, you kings;
    learn this lesson, you rulers of the world:
Serve the Lord with fear;
     tremble  and bow down to him;
     or else his anger will be quickly aroused,
    and you will suddenly die.
Happy are all who go to him for protection.

***************************************

1.  Why did King Hanun spend a thousand talents of silver?

2.  What did he do to David (answer in the last post)

3.  Who was afraid, Hanun or David?

4.  What did David do when he heard about the call to battle?

5.  What sneaky battle plan did Hanun's armies use?

6.  Joab, the captain of David's army decide to _________ the army.

7.  Joab told Abishai to ________________

8.  What happened in the battle?   (it's okay, you can laugh)

David-Snakes and Rotten Guys

By Mary Vee
II Samuel 10, Psalm 105

A Journal Entry from One of David's Men

King David is an honorable man. 

He remembers and blesses those who have been kind to him. He never forgets. And if the person is no longer alive, he gives the blessing to his children. Like what he did for Mephibosheth, Jonathan's son.

David received news about the death of King Nahash of the Ammonites. His son, Hanun, succeeded him as king. Since King Nahash had shown kindness to David in the past, David wanted to send a group of his best men to give his sympathies to the son, King Hanun.

I was one of the honored men to go.

We arrived at King Hanun's palace the next day and were asked to wait in a room until announced. I stood by the door and overheard King Hanun's men whispering.

They said, "Those men who came in the name of King David are not here to honor King Hanun. They say King David wants to express sympathy for the loss of his father, King Nahash. I'll tell you why they came. They want to explore and spy out our country to set up a battle plan and overthrow us."

I knew we were in big trouble. Their thoughts were wrong. We really came in David's name to give sympathies, but they didn't believe us.

The door burst open. Guards yanked us to a room deep in the earth. They shaved our beards, the honor of a Hebrew man, cut off the back side of our clothes and sent us away in disgrace.

I have never been so humiliated in my life. The men with me ran from bush to tree to hide our shame. 

Along the way, we met a group of friends, men from David's army. They called to us. 

We lifted our head from our hiding place. "We're over here."

They ran to us with open arms. "David heard what happened. He understands how you feel. Come with us. We have made arrangements for you to stay in Jericho until your beards have grown."

I didn't know what to say. I felt very grateful for King David's quick act of kindness, but my shame wouldn't let me speak. My friend pressed his hand on my shoulder. "You're going to be fine, brother. We'll take care of you."

I looked at him, and although I couldn't smile, I managed to say, "Thank you."

I wasn't surprised at all that David sent our friends to help and that he made arrangements for us in Jericho. He is a kind and compassionate king who thinks of the needs of his people.

How blessed we are that God chose David as our king.

Thank you, God.

This is one of the Psalms we sing:  Psalm 105

Hallelujah! Thank God! Pray to him by name!
      Tell everyone you meet what he has done!
   Sing him songs, belt out hymns,
      translate his wonders into music!
   Honor his holy name with Hallelujahs,
      you who seek God. Live a happy life!
   Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works;
      be alert for signs of his presence.
   Remember the world of wonders he has made,
      his miracles, and the verdicts he's rendered—
         O seed of Abraham, his servant,
         O child of Jacob, his chosen.

   He's God, our God,
      in charge of the whole earth.
   And he remembers, remembers his Covenant—
      for a thousand generations he's been as good as his word.
   It's the Covenant he made with Abraham,
      the same oath he swore to Isaac,
   The very statute he established with Jacob,
      the eternal Covenant with Israel,
   Namely, "I give you the land.
      Canaan is your hill-country inheritance."
   When they didn't count for much,
      a mere handful, and strangers at that,
   Wandering from country to country,
      drifting from pillar to post,
   He permitted no one to abuse them.
      He told kings to keep their hands off:
   "Don't you dare lay a hand on my anointed,
      don't hurt a hair on the heads of my prophets."

   Then he called down a famine on the country,
      he broke every last blade of wheat.
   But he sent a man on ahead:
      Joseph, sold as a slave.
   They put cruel chains on his ankles,
      an iron collar around his neck,
   Until God's word came to the Pharaoh,
      and God confirmed his promise.
   God sent the king to release him.
      The Pharaoh set Joseph free;
   He appointed him master of his palace,
      put him in charge of all his business
   To personally instruct his princes
      and train his advisors in wisdom.

    Then Israel entered Egypt,
      Jacob immigrated to the Land of Ham.
   God gave his people lots of babies;
      soon their numbers alarmed their foes.
   He turned the Egyptians against his people;
      they abused and cheated God's servants.
   Then he sent his servant Moses,
      and Aaron, whom he also chose.
   They worked marvels in that spiritual wasteland,
      miracles in the Land of Ham.
   He spoke, "Darkness!" and it turned dark—
      they couldn't see what they were doing.
   He turned all their water to blood
      so that all their fish died;
   He made frogs swarm through the land,
      even into the king's bedroom;
   He gave the word and flies swarmed,
      gnats filled the air.
   He substituted hail for rain,
      he stabbed their land with lightning;
   He wasted their vines and fig trees,
      smashed their groves of trees to splinters;
   With a word he brought in locusts,
      millions of locusts, armies of locusts;
   They consumed every blade of grass in the country
      and picked the ground clean of produce;
   He struck down every firstborn in the land,
      the first fruits of their virile powers.
   He led Israel out, their arms filled with loot,
      and not one among his tribes even stumbled.
   Egypt was glad to have them go—
      they were scared to death of them.
   God spread a cloud to keep them cool through the day
      and a fire to light their way through the night;
   They prayed and he brought quail,
      filled them with the bread of heaven;
   He opened the rock and water poured out;
      it flowed like a river through that desert—
   All because he remembered his Covenant,
      his promise to Abraham, his servant.

    Remember this! He led his people out singing for joy;
      his chosen people marched, singing their hearts out!
   He made them a gift of the country they entered,
      helped them seize the wealth of the nations
   So they could do everything he told them—
      could follow his instructions to the letter.
   Hallelujah!

***************************
1.  Who is Nahash? What happened to him?
2.  What did David want to do, and why?
3.  Who else had David treated this way?
4. Who is Hanun?
5. What did Hanun's advisor think about David's men?
6. What did Hanun do to David's men?
7. What did David do when he heard the news?
8. Was the storyteller proud or disappointed in his king?

Hudson Taylor-Singing for Safety

By Mary Vee

From Hudson Taylor's Notes

click on picture to learn more about a junk

I'd finally come to the place where I felt comfortable enough to leave Shanghai and venture further into China.

I can't take full credit. Two missionaries invited me to go with them on an adventure  down the Huangpu River to the city of Woosung.

The location didn't matter. I mattered. I felt like a butterfly sprouting from a cocoon. I had studied the Shanghai dialect of Mandarin and helped a missionary doctor for several months. I wanted to do missionary work of my own. (Sounds kinda like a two year old, huh?). Well, I did. I came to China to be a missionary, not a leech. 

I was brave, ready to see something beyond the coast where I had landed. Anxious to tell others about Christ, but not foolish. I didn't go by myself. 

I travelled with Joseph Edkins and John Quarterman, both missionaries.  One English, the other American. We gave away Bibles and booklets to men and women traveling on junks, a junk is a Chinese sailing boat. see the picture above.

The captains of the junks promised us the Bibles and booklets would be read by those on board, then would be given to others they met at distant ports.

My first trip away from the safety of the city. I felt like dancing and singing praises to God like King David. I had a chance to tell and share God's Word.

link to take a river boat cruise on the Huangpu

We turned our junk around and headed back to Shanghai at sunset. Thats when the problems started. 

The imperial army still surrounded the city. Generals planted warships in the river to prevent the enemy from entering the country from the ocean. During the day we had no problems leaving Shanghai and sailing up the river, the imperialist saw we were not rebel spies. At night, however, they would not recognize us. 

The army would shoot first and look in our boat second. A little late for us.

Edkins suggested we sing hymns, loud and strong to let the soldiers know we were missionaries. What a good idea. The three of us sang our favorite hymns, at the top of our voices. Not exactly the three part harmony of a professional trio, but we tried. 

We stopped singing after passing the last vessel to catch our breath and pat each other on the back. "That went better than expected." 

We sat back and enjoyed the beautiful river view until our boatman shouted at us. "Start singing again. Hurry!" His face clearly showed trouble loomed ahead. The last boats we saw must not have been the imperialist vessels after all. 

A military vessel stared at us from ahead with guns turned straight at our boat.

Sorry, I need a breath. I'll continue next week.

J. Hudson Taylor

Do you have any questions?

David-"Is There Anyone Left?"

By Mary Vee
II Samuel 9

David's Journal

photo courtesy of Creative Commons
Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0
United States License

Here I sit in Jerusalem, the city God conquered for the Israelites inside my palace, which God had the king of Tyre send supplies and workers to build for me.

God gave plans for a Tabernacle and chose my son to build the structure.

Now what should I do? Surely there is something else I could do to give honor to God.

I stood at the window overlooking the city and wondered what to do. No battles to fight. Hmmm.

Then the promise I gave Jonathan years ago popped in my mind. A promise to care for any of his descendants. That's it! Oh, this will be a fun job. I called a meeting of all my advisors to begin the task.

"I need to know if there is anyone still left from the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan's sake."

One of the advisers nodded. "Ziba was a servant in Saul's house. He would know."

"Good. Bring him to me at once."

Later that morning Ziba came to my chambers. "Are you Ziba?" I asked.

"Yes, I am your servant."

"Good. Tell me, is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show God's kindness?"

"Yes, my lord. There is still a son of Jonathan. He is crippled in both feet."

"Really? Where is he living?"

"He is at the house of Makir, son of Ammiel in Lo Debar."

Hmmm, Lo Debar was on the other side of the Jordan and up near the Sea of Galilee. "He should be brought here to live. Thank you for your help."

I called for my servants. "Go to the house of Makir, son of Ammiel in Lo Debar and get Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan. Be careful, his feet are crippled. Bring all his belongings so he may live here in the palace with me."

I couldn't believe how excited my heart felt. Songs of praise to God flooded my mind. Bringing Mephibosheth to the palace was the right thing to do. I stood by the window, watching, waiting for him to arrive. And then I saw the caravan approach. I wanted to see him right away, but knew he'd need time to settle into new quarters.

Some time later, a servant approached my chambers. "My lord, Mephibosheth is here."

"Mephibosheth!" I ran to him with my arms stretched wide for a hug. I think I might have frightened the young man.

He bowed. "Your servant."

I backed away to ease him. "Don't be afraid. I will show you kindness because of your father, Jonathan who was my good friend. I will give back to you all the land which belonged to your grandfather, Saul. You will always eat at my table."

Mephibosheth looked at guards then back at me. He bowed again. "What am I that you should notice a dead dog like me?"

I don't think he believed me. I called for Ziba to join our conversation. When he arrived, I said, "I have given your master's grandson everything that belonged to Saul and his family. You and your sons, and your servants are to farm the land for him. Mephibosheth is to always eat at my table."

Mephibosheth looked up at Ziba. His concerned eyes changed to a happy smile.

Ziba nodded then faced me. "Your servant will do whatever my lord the king commands his servant to do."

The seats closest to the king are normally reserved for special people, like family. I didn't give Mephibosheth a seat at the end of the table or any unimportant seat. He sat close to me, with my sons. I ordered my servants to treat him as one of my sons.

author's note: I especially like this story. It reminds me of the time God will call all His adopted children to join Him at his table. He is waiting for us even now. When we go to heaven, He will welcome us with a special warmth and love, more than we have ever known. And we will eat at His table and live in heaven with His son forever more.

******************************
1.  What had God given David?
2.  What did David want to do?
3.  What servant helped David with information?
4.  What did Ziba say?
5.  What did David chose to do?
6.  What gifts did David give Mephibosheth and why?
7.  How was Mephibosheth to be treated in David's house?
8.  What clues does this story tell us about God?

David-God Chose My Son

By Mary Vee
II Samuel 7, Pslam 8

From David's Thoughts

courtesy of christianimagesource.com

The prophet Nathan just told me God's answer to my question. I wanted to have permission to build a temple for God.

God said, "No." But He also said my son could build the temple. I didn't know how to express my pure joy. I had to go and speak with Him right away, alone.

I went to a private room and sat before the Lord. "Who am I, O Lord God? And what is my family that You have brought us to this point? You told Nathan you would care for my children's children for a long time to come. I hardly know what to say.

You know me, God, and yet you have done all these great things for us. You are great, O Lord God. There is none like You, nor is there any God besides You.

You know your people, Israel, the one nation on earth whom you redeemed for Yourself, to make a name for Yourself. A people for whom you do great and awesome deeds. You have made Your people Israel, Your very own, forever. And you have become their God.

Now, O Lord God, do as you have said. Establish my house forever. Let your name be magnified forever, saying "The Lord of hosts is the God over Israel."

Because you have said these things, I had to come speak with you from my heart..

I walked back to my palace, joyful for what God has said.

I may not have been chosen to build the temple, but God chose my son. He gave me His reason for saying no. He did not have to. God didn't want me to build the temple because i served as a warrior and had shed blood as a warrior. He said He would give a time of peace to our land, which means my son would not need to go to battle. His hands would not have blood on them. I understand, now why God didn't choose me to build Him a temple and am not offended in the least. Instead, I rejoice.

Praise be to the God of Israel.

There are many songs I have song to the Lord. I will include one in each of the next stories for you to read. Feel free to hum a tune as you read. I did.

This is called the Glory of the Lord in Creation (Psalm 8)

O Lord, our Lord,
    your greatness is seen in all the world!
Your praise reaches up to the heavens;
   it is sung by children and babies.
You are safe and secure from all your enemies;
    you stop anyone who opposes you.

 When I look at the sky, which you have made,
    at the moon and the stars, which you set in their places—
What are human beings, that you think of them;
    mere mortals, that you care for them?

 Yet you made them inferior only to yourself;^[b]
    you crowned them with glory and honor.
You appointed them rulers over everything you made;
    you placed them over all creation:
     sheep and cattle, and the wild animals too;
     the birds and the fish
    and the creatures in the seas.

 O Lord, our Lord,
    your greatness is seen in all the world!

************************

1. Who told David the message from God?

2. Did God give David permission to build the Temple?

3. What did God promise?

4. What did David thank God for?

5. This is not told in this story, but will be said in a later story, do you know which of David's sons will build the temple?

6. What is a psalm?

Hudson Taylor- The Vacant Home

By Mary Vee

From J. Hudson Taylor's Thoughts

The Scottish physician and his family had left an English port for Shanghai  already. I shouldered the burden to find them housing.

August was as hot and humid as a sauna. No one in their right mind went outdoors during the hottest part of the day. Because my responsibility to find a place for the physician family, I had to. I went through every street in the city searching for a home to rent. The war ripped apart most houses, residents occupied anything left.

I went past the north gate of the city and found a surprise. A vacant home available to be rented. My my. It had five rooms upstairs and seven room downstairs. All right, it wasn't in that good condition, but it had four walls and a ceiling.

Before a month passed, I moved into the rental home and prepared rooms for the Scottish physician's family. I hired Chinese workers to paint, remove trash, and fix doors.

For some unexplainable reason, the landlord and people around me didn't bother to say the house stood outside the protection of the city. Imperialists kept a cannon aimed at the house.

Gun fire flew over my head. Had the bullet fallen even on inch I would be dead. The imperialist threatened to burn the street to get me to leave.

I wrote a letter home: If you hear of my being killed or injured, do not think it a pity that I came to China, but thank God I was permitted to distribute some Scriptures and tracts and to speak a few words in broken Chinese for Him who died for me.

Yes, I was humanly frightened, but Christ-like trusting.

My Mandarin tutor who help me while living in the city refused to come to the new home outside the city. "Its too dangerous." 

I hired a native man, Mr. Si to teach me the Shanghai dialect. Speaking Mandarin would be helpful, but speaking words understood by the Shanghai people would be better. Little did I know God sent me Mr. Si, I discovered he was a Christian!

He soon told the native people I had medical training. Patients trusted his word and came to my door for help. I also started a school for children with Mr. Si. He taught the children and I did other duties. 

Mr. Si and I went into the city to give New Testaments and Christian booklets. 

This does not mean the home I rented became safe. Oh, no. Far from it. But that story will wait until next time.  For this time, I wanted to share God's blessings: when I had no money, no place to live, unable to speak the language, and felt . . . like a burden to everyone, God gave me a vacant home (in a dangerous place), and Mr. Si, a Christian native.

J. Hudson Taylor

Do you have any questions? 

David-I'd Like to Build a Temple

By Mary Vee
II Samuel 7

From David's Journal

courtesy of Christianimagesresource.com

The city of Jerusalem has been designated my home and the place where I will rule the Hebrew people as their king. 

With God's direction and power we've conquered the Philistines in two large battles. They've pretty much left us alone.

My home has been built and my men have settled comfortably into dwellings with their families. 

It took two attempts to bring the Ark of God to Jerusalem. That was my fault. I didn't respect God's commands the first time. Nonetheless, the Ark now rests in the Tabernacle, a temporary temple until one could be built. 

I wanted to show my love for God by building a grand temple. All of Israel would be able to come to it to worship the Almighty and bring their sacrifices. I must admit, though, many ideas pop in my head, but I've learned to ask God before I start. 

I sent for Nathan the prophet to discuss the temple. "Here I am, living in a palace made of exquisite cedar, and the Ark of God is placed in a tent of curtains. It's just not right. I'd like to build a temple for God."

Nathan rubbed his beard and I think I saw a glimmer in his eye. He said, "Okay, David. Whatever you have in mind, do it. The Lord God is with you."

But the same night, the Lord appeared to Nathan and talked to him about my idea. He gave the prophet a message to bring me. The next morning Nathan requested to speak with me.

"David, the Lord spoke with me last night about your idea to build a temple."

He looked a bit sad, like he was about to give bad news. I braced myself. "Yes?"

"He said these words: 'Are you the one to build me a house to dwell in? I have not dwelt in a house from the day I brought the Israelites up out of Egypt to this day. I have been moving from place to place with a tent as my dwelling. Wherever I have moved with all the Israelites did I ever say to any of their rulers whom I commanded to take care of my people Israel, "Build me a house of cedar?"'

"The Lord also said to tell you this, 'I took you from the pasture and from following the flock to be ruler over my people, Israel. I have been with you wherever you have gone, and fought off your enemies from before you. Now I will make you a great name, and I will provide a great place for my people Israel. The wicked won't oppress them anymore, and I will give you rest from all your enemies.'

"He also said to tell you this, 'When your days are over, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you. He is the one who will build a house for my Name. I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong I will punish him. But my love will never be taken away from him. Your house will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.'"

I hardly knew what to say. He has blessed me so much! My son will be able to build a tempe for God. I had to go and thank the Lord myself. I will share that next time.

*********************************
1. What all had David completed with God's power to this date.
2. What did David want to do?
3. Who did he call to discuss the problem?
4. What did Nathan say?
5. That night who spoke with Nathan?
6. What did God tell Nathan to say to David?
7. How did David respond?

David-Some Worshipped, Some Mocked

By Mary Vee
II Samuel 6, I Chronicles 16:7-37

From Asaph's Journal

Recently king David transported the Ark of God from Obed-Edom's home to the city. I wish you could have seen the celebration and praises offered to God along the way.

David's enthusiastic songs and dance before God inspired everyone along the road to join in the praises and walk with the cart which carried the Ark to Jerusalem.

As we approached the city, David's wife, Michael came out to meet him. She stomped toward her husband and yelled, "Well, husband, you certainly look like a fool. Imagine, the great king of Israel without his royal clothing, dressed as no more than a commoner in the sight of slave girls. What an embarrassment to the crown and to me, your wife. How could you do this to us?"

He answered as I expected. With a soft, but firm voice. "I didn't dress this way for anyone but the Lord. It was for Him I danced and sang to praise and honor Him. He chose me over your father to follow His commands, and I will do so. If He asks, I will do anything He says even if it means utter humiliation. As for the slave girls you mentioned, they know why I did these things and will have nothing but honor for me."

God rewarded David's faithfulness to Him but He punished Michal by not giving her any children.

Once the ark rested in the Tabernacle, king David gave me a song of thanks to use in our worship. As a Levite I had been appointed to sing praises to God and to lead the people in musical praises. 

Here are the words (unfortunately you can't hear the music):

 Thank God! Call out his Name!
      Tell the whole world who he is and what he's done!
   Sing to him! Play songs for him!
      Broadcast all his wonders!
   Revel in his holy Name,
      God-seekers, be jubilant!
   Study God and his strength,
      seek his presence day and night;
   Remember all the wonders he performed,
      the miracles and judgments that came out of his mouth.
   Seed of Israel his servant!
      Children of Jacob, his first choice!
   He is God, our God;
      wherever you go you come on his judgments and decisions.
   He keeps his commitments across thousands
      of generations, the covenant he commanded,
   The same one he made with Abraham,
      the very one he swore to Isaac;
   He posted it in big block letters to Jacob,
      this eternal covenant with Israel:
   "I give you the land of Canaan,
      this is your inheritance;
   Even though you're not much to look at,
      a few straggling strangers."
   They wandered from country to country,
      camped out in one kingdom after another;
   But he didn't let anyone push them around,
      he stood up for them against bully-kings:
   "Don't you dare touch my anointed ones,
      don't lay a hand on my prophets."
   Sing to God, everyone and everything!
      Get out his salvation news every day!
   Publish his glory among the godless nations,
      his wonders to all races and religions.
   And why? Because God is great—well worth praising!
      No god or goddess comes close in honor.
   All the popular gods are stuff and nonsense,
      but God made the cosmos!
   Splendor and majesty flow out of him,
      strength and joy fill his place.
   Shout Bravo! to God, families of the peoples,
      in awe of the Glory, in awe of the Strength: Bravo!
   Shout Bravo! to his famous Name,
      lift high an offering and enter his presence!
   Stand resplendent in his robes of holiness!
   God is serious business, take him seriously;
      he's put the earth in place and it's not moving.
   So let Heaven rejoice, let Earth be jubilant,
      and pass the word among the nations, "God reigns!"
   Let Ocean, all teeming with life, bellow,
      let Field and all its creatures shake the rafters;
   Then the trees in the forest will add their applause
      to all who are pleased and present before God
      —he's on his way to set things right!
    Give thanks to God—he is good
      and his love never quits.
   Say, "Save us, Savior God,
      round us up and get us out of these godless places,
   So we can give thanks to your holy Name,
      and bask in your life of praise."
   Blessed be God, the God of Israel,
      from everlasting to everlasting.

When the song ended all the people cheered "Amen!" and "Praise the Lord."

Oh, if only you could have seen or heard it.

**********************
photo courtesy of visualbibleimages.org
Messenger translation used

1. Who is Michal?
2. Why did she yell at king David?
3. Did David listen to her? If not, who did David listen to?
4. Once the ark was placed in the tabernacle what did David give Asaph?
5. Who is Asaph?
6. What did the people do at the end of the song?
7. Would you like to have been there? Why?

Hudson Taylor-Intense Summer Heat

By Mary Vee

From Hudson Taylor's Journal

The war intensified and forced all foreigners to stay in a small area of the city.

I couldn't sit around until the war ended. 

My day grew busy with studying Mandarin Chinese five hours a day followed by studies in medicine, chemistry, Greek, and Latin. I especially loved the hours spent praying, reading and meditation in God's precious Word.

Unfortunately, this busy schedule didn't make a Shanghai summer pass faster. Temperatures liked to climb above one hundred degrees most days and refused to cool lower than eighty degrees at night. 

The air seemed to sit on me like a fat man. Each breath took more work than I wanted to give. Could anything be worse than the temperatures? 

Apparently the answer was yes. Mosquitoes invaded the city like a sandstorm. The little buggers whined a wretched song near my ear at night, preventing any sleep. No amount of swatting made them stop. Instead, I ended up hitting myself 

My eyes stung and my head ached. I could barely focus on the words in the books I studied.

How did the Chinese endure those dreadful summers?

Not only did my body complain, but also my heart. 

I wanted to make friends. I liked to make friends. But I couldn't speak Chinese well enough to befriend a national, and there were only a few English missionaries left in the city. John Burdon of the Church Missionary Society and I became friends. I would have spent more time with him except he had a wife and family. 

Seeing him happy with his family, despite the wretched summer, stirred my heart. I checked the mail each day at the delivery time hoping for news from home. No letters came, from anyone for two whole months. Surely someone would write me. Wouldn't they?

Heat, mosquitos, and loneliness. Seemed like enough misery for my summer. Or so I thought until another missionary told me news he heard. My mission society put a doctor with a family of five on a ship for Shanghai. It would be my responsibility to find them a place to stay.

I didn't have one for myself! How could I find one for them?

Ahhhh. 

I decided to drink plenty of fluids, try to ignore the mosquitos, study and pray more to make the loneliness go away, and wait for the mission society to send a letter with instructions.

I knew missionary life would be difficult. I prepared for it, the best I could. But at this moment, I could use a hug, mosquito netting, and a cool washcloth on my head.

Hmmm, maybe you could pray for the missionaries serving God all around the world right now. Ask God to help his workers not feel cold or hot, to have friends, a place to sleep, food in their stomachs, AND NO MOSQUITOS. 

J. Hudson Taylor

Do you have any questions?