Dead Man Not Walking - A Bible devotional to give hope to people with ALS or other terminal illnesses, or anyone else who needs it.

May 18, 2023May 18, 2023

Bless the Lord

Bless the Lord, O my soul, And all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; Who pardons all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases . . . The Lord performs righteous deeds And judgments for all who are oppressed . . . The Lord is compassionate and gracious, Slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness . . . For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us. Just as a father has compassion on his children, So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him . . . Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, You who serve Him, doing His will. Bless the Lord, all you works of His, In all places of His dominion; Bless the Lord, O my soul (!Psalm 103:1-3, 6, 8, 11-13, 21-22, NASB)

Psalm 103 is a psalm of King David, “Praise for the Lord’s Mercies.” It’s a wonderful poem, and it’s inspired many songs and hymns. David pours his heart out, expressing his love for the Lord. It also mentions many of God’s attributes.

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me . . . ” King David knew the Law of Moses, which commanded the Israelites to love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul, and might. David’s descendant Jesus later repeated this instruction as the greatest commandment.

Bless the Lord , O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Psalms 103:1 NKJV https://bible.com/bible/114/psa.103.1.NKJV — Psalm 103:1 image. Found at I Live for Jesus, https://iliveforjesus.in/bless-the-lord/.

God’s attributes as recorded by David in this psalm: God is merciful; He is Healer; He is righteous; He’s the supreme Judge Who frees the oppressed; He is compassionate and gracious; He’s slow to anger, but overpouring in His love for those who fear Him; He forgives our transgressions; and He’s compassionate.

How much does God love us? “As high as the heavens are above the earth.” That’s really high! How far has God removed our sins from us? “As far as the east is from the west.” That’s an infinite distance! How much compassion does the Lord have for those who have the utmost respect for Him? “Just as a father has compassion on his children.” This makes me want to say, “Abba! Father!”

This is a wonderful love poem by King David to our God!

Worship: Psalm 103:1-6 song: “Bless the Lord, O My Soul,” by Esther Mui

May 15, 2023May 15, 2023

Rest in Peace, Rudy Davis

A gentleman from my Sunday School class has just passed away, and was greeted by Jesus in heaven! Rudy Davis has reported to heaven. Prayers for his wife Barbara and their family. Comfort, hope, and strength to them. In Jesus’ precious name.

Worship: “Homeward Bound,” by Kristene DiMarco

May 15, 2023May 15, 2023

Praise God in All the Earth!

God be gracious to us and bless us, And cause His face to shine upon us— Selah. That Your way may be known on the earth, Your salvation among all nations. Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You. Let the nations be glad and sing for joy; For You will judge the peoples with uprightness And guide the nations on the earth. Selah. Let the peoples praise You, O God; Let all the peoples praise You. The earth has yielded its produce; God, our God, blesses us. God blesses us, That all the ends of the earth may fear Him. (Psalm 67, NASB)

Psalm 67 is so interesting to me that I highlighted the entire psalm. It’s titled “The Nations Exhorted to Praise God.” The author is not known, and it’s meant to be a song.

What stands out most for me in this psalm is the desire to make known to the world of God’s salvation, and that the whole earth should sing His praises.

No photo description available. — Psalm 67:3-4 image. Found at Bible Answer Man, https://www.facebook.com/BibleAnswerManBroadcast/posts/let-the-nations-be-glad-and-sing-for-joy-psalm-673-4/10154992120677852/.

In the Great Commission, Jesus commanded His disciples to go out to the world and spread His gospel. We’re taught that Jesus will not return to His earth to gather His elect until all people groups hear the message of salvation. This psalm is prescient to me in explaining these things.

Worship: “Psalm 67–O God, Let All the Nations Praise You,” by Francesca LaRosa

May 12, 2023May 12, 2023

Thanksgiving for Life

O LORD my God, I cried to You for help, and You healed me . . . Sing praise to the LORD, you His godly ones, And give thanks to His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning . . . “Hear, O LORD, and be gracious to me; O LORD, be my helper.” You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness, That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever. (Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 10-12, NASB)

Psalm 30 was written by King David. It’s titled, “Thanksgiving for Deliverance from Death.” This is a psalm of great contrasts, meant to display David’s moods when he was down, and when God dealt favorably with him. Examples: Anger/favor; weeping/joy; mourning/dancing; sackcloth (worn to mourn)/gladness; and silence/singing praise. The above is my highlights from Psalm 30.

King David begins this excerpt by stating that he cried to God for help, and that God healed him. I’ve cried to God for help many times, and I’m still waiting to be healed from my ALS. Can God heal me? Yes He can if it’s His will. But God doesn’t heal everyone who asks. While I might not be healed in this life, I’ll surely be healed in God’s kingdom. While my legs and arms are useless to me now, I know I’ll run again someday soon. That’s my hope in Christ Jesus!

Psalm 30:5 image. Found at Heartlight, https://www.heartlight.org/gallery/3276.html.

Next, David exhorts us to “Sing praise to the LORD, you His godly ones, And give thanks to His holy name.” Why? Because “His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning.” I praise and thank God that His anger lasts but a short time. He has forgiven me very much, and I have an Advocate before Him, arguing my case, in Jesus Christ.

Finally, King David asks God for His grace. God has delivered David from many tight situations, and certain death time after time. For those situations, David is definitely grateful. David is SO grateful that he makes a pledge: “O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever.” If you’re a Jesus-follower, you’ll have the opportunity to do just that: Praise God forever in His Kingdom! That’s my hope!

Worship: “Your Love Never Fails,” by Jesus Culture

May 9, 2023May 9, 2023

Folly

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; there is no one who does good. The LORD has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God. They have all turned aside, together they have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one . . . Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores His captive people. Jacob will rejoice, Israel will be glad. (Psalm 14:1-3, 7, NASB)

King David wrote Psalm 14, “Folly and Wickedness of Men.” Like the Apostle Paul in the book of Romans, David tells of the sin nature of all mankind. We’re basically all sinners, and we all need redemption. We all need reconciliation with God.

The Bible passage above is my highlights from Psalm 14. David lays it out from the beginning: We’re all wicked, and we don’t measure up to God’s standards. “There is no one who does good, not even one.” What are we to do to reconcile with the Creator of the universe? David laments, “Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores His captive people. Jacob will rejoice, Israel will be glad.”

Psalm 14:2 image. Found at Bible Hub, https://biblepic.com/50/psalms_14-2.htm.

King David’s descendant, Jesus Christ, WAS the Salvation of Israel. Jesus was to indeed come out of Zion. The Lord Jesus restored the captive people, and He still does so today. As for “Jacob will rejoice, Israel will be glad,” that remains for a day in the future. Israel rejected our Lord, and crucified Him because they didn’t understand just Who He was. But David’s prophecy will come true one day.

King David understood how wicked people were and are. He also understood that God is the One Who provides salvation. David predicted that God would send a Savior someday Who would deliver His people, and that’s just what happened! Do you know Him?

Worship: “Psalm 14 Song (The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of men),” by Psalm Musicals.

May 6, 2023May 6, 2023

Repentance

Then David spoke to the LORD when he saw the angel who was striking down the people, and said, “Behold, it is I who have sinned, and it is I who have done wrong; but these sheep, what have they done? Please let Your hand be against me and against my father’s house.” (2 Samuel 24:17, NASB)

King David alludes to his sin in the verse above. What was his sin? He ordered Joab, his army commander, to conduct a census of all the tribes of Israel to determine how many potential soldiers were available. What’s wrong with that? Joab knew this was wrong. God wanted Israel to rely on Him, not on soldiers, horses, and chariots. Indeed, when they entered the Promised Land, God performed many miracles against Israel’s enemies. The Israelites merely had to show up to many battles to watch while God threw their enemies into confusion, literally destroying one another.

2 Samuel 24:17 image. Found at Knowing Jesus, http://bibleencyclopedia.com/slides/2_samuel/24-17.htm.

So King David ordered Joab to take the census. When Joab finished his task, David knew he had sinned. The Prophet Gad visited David with a message from God: Pick your punishment! Gad provided three options, all of which were painful. David’s response: “I am in great distress. Let us now fall into the hand of the LORD for His mercies are great, but do not let me fall into the hand of man.” (2 Samuel 24:14) God’s response was to send a plague among all Israel, which killed 70,000 men. David’s contrition is seen in the verse above: “It is I who have done wrong; but these sheep, what have they done? Please let Your hand be against me and against my father’s house.”

God wants us to be obedient to Him. When we go against His laws, He expects us to do what King David did: Show contrition, and repent, or turn away from our sins. The ultimate expression of repentance is for us to accept Jesus Christ as our Savior. We all sin, but God expects us to come to Christ for His forgiveness. Have you decided yet? Jesus is our only hope!

Worship: “Let God Arise,” by Paul Wilbur

May 3, 2023May 3, 2023

Help in Times of Trouble

And David spoke the words of this song to the Lord in the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; My savior, You save me from violence. I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, And I am saved from my enemies.” (2 Samuel 22:1-4,NASB)

The author of 2nd Samuel reports that King David wrote a song of thanksgiving to God for rescuing him from his enemies. David had been chased by King Saul, who intended to kill him; he was displaced on the throne by his son Absolom, who also chased him and wanted to kill him; and finally, when David regained his throne, he survived a rebellion from another tribe seeking to displace and replace him. This song is also repeated in Psalm 18.
King David is truly thankful that God has delivered him from his enemies. He uses many words that denote safety and security: rock; fortress; deliverer; refuge; shield; horn; and stronghold. David leaves no doubt as to Who is responsible for his well being: “My savior, You save me from violence.” And finally, King David tells us Who he will call on in times of trouble: “I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised, And I am saved from my enemies.”

Psalm 18:3 image. Found at https://twitter.com/labikam/status/1603561564271005696.

God does indeed deliver us during times of trouble. He performs all the roles that King David lists in his song. God alone is our Rock; He’s our Fortress and our Deliverer; He is my Refuge; He is our Shield and the Horn of our Salvation; and He’s our Stronghold when trouble strikes. God has provided salvation through the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son. Jesus is our Salvation! A very present help in trouble!

Worship”I Will Call Upon the Lord,” Artist Unknown.

April 30, 2023April 30, 2023

Treachery

Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel.” For the Lord had ordained to thwart the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the Lord might bring calamity on Absalom. (2 Samuel 17:14, NASB)

King David’s son Absolom decided that he would succeed his father as king of Israel. He started by acting like the king. He developed a large following of supporters. Ahithophel was his chief advisor. King David, along with his supporters, escaped from Jerusalem and across the Jordan River to the east. Hushai was one of King David’s supporters, but was sent back to Jerusalem to act to thwart Absolom.

God doesn’t like it when we go against His plan. God’s will was that a different son of David, who was Solomon, would succeed him, build the Temple, and begin a perpetual line of kings culminating with King Jesus, Who will reign forever! Hence the statement, “For the Lord had ordained to thwart the good counsel of Ahithophel, so that the Lord might bring calamity on Absalom.”

Image result for 2 samuel 17:14 — 2 Samuel 17:14 graphic. Found at Daily Morning Devotion, https://bloemartrecabar.wordpress.com/2019/07/23/daily-morning-devotion-215/.

We’re either FOR God or we’re AGAINST Him. We get to choose. Those of us who’ve trusted in God’s Son, Jesus Christ, are for God. We’ve trusted in His plan of salvation. We’ve trusted in His infinite mercy. Those who have not received Jesus are still in rebellion against God. It’s our choice: Trust or treachery!

Worship: “Heart of God,” by Zach Williams

April 27, 2023April 27, 2023

Son of David

When your days are complete and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your descendant after you, who will come forth from you, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever . . . Your house and your kingdom shall endure before Me forever; your throne shall be established forever. (2 Samuel 7:12-13, 16, NASB)

The Bible passage above is from the Davidic Covenant from God. These are its elements: God would not permit David to build the Temple (God’s house); instead the honor would go to David’s son Solomon; David’s and Solomon’s throne would last forever. God’s covenant with David, and later with Solomon, was a one-way, irrevocable pact. It would happen no matter what. God is a Promise-Keeper. He is faithful to keep His promises! But what about the past 2,500 years or so since Israel last had a king?

The terms of this covenant state that David’s throne would last “forever.” When we compare eternity with any amount of time, the years are far less than minuscule. Actually, when Jesus ascended into heaven, He was enthroned at the right hand of God. Is this David’s throne? I don’t know. But King Jesus will be on His ancestor’s throne forever! Let’s praise and thank God for His promises, and His faithfulness to keep them! We must bow down to King Jesus, Who is on the throne of David forever!

Worship: “Son of David,” by Hillsong Worship

April 24, 2023April 24, 2023

Kindness

The king said, “Is there not yet anyone of the house of Saul to whom I may show the kindness of God? . . . Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and prostrated himself. And David said, “Mephibosheth.” And he said, “Here is your servant!” David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show kindness to you for the sake of your father Jonathan, and will restore to you all the land of your grandfather Saul; and you shall eat at my table regularly.” (2 Samuel 9:3, 6-7, NASB)

King David, after the deaths of King Saul and Saul’s son Jonathan, David’s best friend, wanted to show kindness to the house of Saul. Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth was the recipient.

King Saul and Jonathan were killed in battle with the Philistines. Saul, knowing that David would succeed him as king, and not a member of his own family, had tried for many years to kill David. It would have been easy for David to forget to show kindness. After all, Saul had been his enemy. But Jonathan was his best friend. But David was magnanimous to Saul, often referring to him as “the Lord’s anointed.” David grieved after Saul and Jonathan fell in battle.

File:Mephibosheth kneels before David.gif

Mephibosheth kneels before David, circa 1240. From the Maciejowski Bible, Leaf 40, author unknown. Found at Wikipedia

King David’s descendant, Jesus of Nazareth, had something to say about how we should treat our enemies. He said we should pray for them. He said we should give them cold water to drink. But most of all, we should not take vengeance on them, because that’s God’s job.

In the end, King David restored all of Saul’s property to Mephibosheth. He was a regular invitee to King David’s table. This is how God wants us to behave. Easier said than done!

Worship: “Kindness,” by Chris Tomlin