Week 5 - Day 4 - The Shepherd King

Today's Treasure:

"The Lord said to you, 'You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler' "

2 Samuel 5:2

Today's study is amazing!!! We will see the promises that God made to David come to fulfillment!!! There are many other important factors in this day for David. We must look back on all he has been through and realize the purpose(s) it has had in his life. David's years of experience as a shepherd will now serve him well as he learns to shepherd the people of Israel, God's chosen people. Doesn't it amaze you that God could take a shepherd boy and raise him up above all of Israel as king? God knew David's heart, and he knew that this man could lead His chosen people in a mighty way. We all know that David hasn't done everything perfectly. That should come as a great comfort to us. Honestly, I cannot look at one day in my life that I have done everything perfectly!!! God is more interested in my heart than how perfect I can be. He knows that I long to love him with all of my heart, and I must believe that he will raise me up over all of my cancer!!! This study has been amazing to me!!! Thank you, Beth!!!

Read 2 Samuel 5: 1 - 5

According to verse 1, who came to David at Hebron?

all of the tribes of Israel

According to verse 3, what did the elders of Israel do after David made a compact with them?

they anointed David king over Israel

2 Samuel 5: 4 - 5 offers several important numbers. Identify each of the following:

Forty years - This is the number of years David reigned as king

Thirty years - David's age when he became king

Thirty -three years - Number of years David reigned over all of Israel

Seven years and six months - Number of years David reigned over Judah

Beth points out that we must not overlook David's age when he became king. In Israel, 30 years of age was important for several reasons.

A Levite could begin his service to the Lord as priest at the age of 30

What further significance does age 30 possess according to Luke 3:23?

Jesus began his ministry at the age of 30 years

Why do you think age 30 might be a prime time to begin serious ministry?

Well, personally,I feel that we reach a level of maturity at about 30 that just cannot be possessed as we are busy learning life's lessons about becoming an adult. For me, I spent my teen years not knowing who in the world I was. Then, when I moved into my 20's, I was focused on becoming what I thought I should be. I became very busy with getting married, having children and deciding which direction I wanted my life to go in. Now that I am in my 30's, so much of my life is "settling" into who I know I want to be. I know now how to have the faith that is necessary to guide my life. I just now feel like I am an adult!!! Now, don't think for one minute that I believe people cannot minister prior to this age. So, many people can. I can think of two young couples right now that are doing an amazing work for God, and they are only in there early to mid 20's. The Lord made a huge impact and led them early on. They have touched many lives already. I don't know if you have the pleasure of knowing Matt and Lindy Glass or Steven and Leslie Gompers, but I pray that you do someday!!! They are two of the most amazing couples I have ever met!!!

Look at 2 Samuel 5:2. What did God call David to do in this wonderful affirmation of his commission?

"And the Lord said to you, "You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.' "

God chose David in many ways because he was a common shepherd. How often, in the Bible, does God refer to Himself as a shepherd?

Read 1 Peter 5: 2 - 4

In what ways does God continue to draw an analogy to shepherds and sheep in our present age?

He wants us to be shepherds because we want to serve Him. God wants us to act as an example to the people we serve.

Can you see ways God may be using you to shepherd a flock? We certainly don't have to be a pastor of a church to shepherd a flock? You may discover that God has entrusted you with several flocks. List those God has entrusted to your care for His eternal purpose.

My two boys immediately come to my mind. From the day they were each born, our primary prayer for them has been that they both grow into godly men. They are so precious, and Brian and I understand the awesome responsibility we have to shepherd them in the right direction. We both realize that we cannot force them to love the Lord. That is not what we want for them. We want them to see how God is so faithful in our lives because we trust everything to Him. We want them to see us in His word each day, and we want them to know that they are bathed in prayer that flows from the hearts of their own parents. Each day, we try to instill in them the power of our Lord and Savior!! We just pray that we are capable of being the example God wants us to be. I also have to mention here that the amazing staff at Gaston Christian School does a wonderful job of shepherding the hearts of our children when we are not with them. They are so committed to being the example that God wants them to be!! I love each and every one at that school for what they are doing for my family!!

Does today's lesson help you see your role as a more official assignment?

Yes

The example I lead is a command that our Father expects of us if we are going to take up the cross and follow Him

Read 2 Samuel 5: 6 - 25. What attitude did the Jebusites display toward David?

They were "smug" to him, in my opinion. They did not consider him a threat. Maybe they should have considered his God a threat...what do you think?

What did David call his new residence?

The City of David

According to verse 10, why did David become more and more powerful?

Because the Lord God Almighty was with him

2 Samuel 5:12

"And David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel."

David must have spent a great deal of the last 15 years in confusion over why God had chosen him, why Saul turned on him, why Jonathan had to die, and when God's promise would be fulfilled. But,on this day, HE KNEW!!!

I cannot wait to know what purpose this cancer is serving in my life. I know it is a mighty purpose to glorify my God. I just cannot wait to find out everything and KNOW!!! What a glorious day!!!

Complete the following sentence as it applies to your life:

I may not always know what God is doing in my life or why He works the way he does, but I always know...

He is my fortress and my strength. I will praise Him and use my cancer to glorify Him!!!

Psalm 144: 1 - 2

"Praise be to the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. He is my loving God and my fortress my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield in whom I take refuge, who subdues people under me."

David referred to God in many ways in this scripture. He refers to him as his rock, fortress, stronghold, deliverer, shield and refuge. Wow!!!

Which of these names can you most readily call God today?

God is my protector, my healer, my strength and my rock

Beth makes a very important point towards the end of the study...I really want to share this with you!!!

Sometimes we stand to learn the most about God from the situations we understand the least!!!

Praise God that He is working through us and in us even when we are most confused!!!

I love you and have a wonderful day!!!

Tiffany