King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: A Special Effect
Date: Friday April 06, 2012
Today's Chapters: 2 Samuel 20-22

Hello My Friend,

The word trial means, the state of being tried, any effort of strength for the purpose of obtaining its effect or what can be done. When God places trials before us He is doing it to try us, to strengthen our relationship with Him and to get us to depend on Him alone. Trials come and go, they can be self afflicted, but usually they come from other means. Of course, when we are going through trials we do not always understand why we are in them nor do we want to be in them, but just like everything else, we go through them for the purpose of strengthening us, bringing us closer to Him, and to obtain a special effect. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” - 1 Peter 4:12,13.

Sometimes, God allows Satan to place trials upon us. Why? To make sure we stay out of sin, especially if we have repented. David is finally coming to his senses, he faced the consequences of his sins, he mourned the death of another son, now, it was time for him to get back to work and be the king of the people that God ordained him to be. No sooner than he gets back to his palace that a wicked man named Sheba starts another civil war. “And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel. So every man of Israel went up from after David, and followed Sheba the son of Bichri: but the men of Judah clave unto their king, from Jordan even to Jerusalem...And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more harm than did Absalom: take thou thy lord's servants, and pursue after him, lest he get him fenced cities, and escape us.” - 2 Samuel 20:1,2,6.

As soon as we get things right with God and start moving in the right direction, here comes Satan placing trials before us in an attempt to drag us back into sin. However, by the strength of God we can overcome any temptation to go back on our promise to forsake that sin. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” - 1 Corinthians 10:13.

Sometimes the trials we face have nothing to do with what we have done, but what others have done. Sheba was captured, but the trials were not over for David, a famine came and lasted three years, finally David seeks answers from God to find out that it had to do something with an incident that Saul made with the Gibeonites when he was king. “Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David enquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites...Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I make the atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of the LORD?..Let seven men of his sons be delivered unto us, and we will hang them up unto the LORD in Gibeah of Saul, whom the LORD did choose. And the king said, I will give them. But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the LORD's oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.” - 2 Samuel 21:1,3,6,7.

David made things right with the Gibeonites, then God began blessing them once again. David knew well by experience that the trials he and his people were facing were the caused by sin of some kind. When we are facing trials we need to keep asking God questions, He will reveal the source of the trials. Whether it is something we have done, others have done, or simply that He wants us to trust Him, we should go to all lengths to restore or increase our relationship with God. “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.” - Galatians 6:1-4.

Although David's life was filled with many self inflicted disappointments, sufferings, and sorrows, he readily acknowledged that it was God who gave Him every deliverance from his trials. David teaches us to give praise to God in the midst of our trials, regardless if they are self inflicted or not. All of chapter 22 is actually a song, called David's song, which is almost identical to Psalm 18 and in it there is not one complaint, only praise to God through all of the circumstances he faced. “And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence. I will call on the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies...For all his judgments were before me: and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them. I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity. Therefore the LORD hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight.” - 2 Samuel 22:2-4,23-25.

The keys to facing trials is trusting God and waiting for Him to strengthen us, grow us, and give us that special effect that He wants us to have to serve a special purpose for Him. Once we endure the trial we will receive the blessing, much too often the trials are prolonged because we are impatient, but rest assure, when we just hand it over to God He will make it something worthwhile. Everything that we go through prepares us for the next trial and also makes us a testimony for others who are facing current trials that we already endured. It's not always about us, it's about proving that God is alive, He lives in You, and He will be there for anyone who comes to Him through His Son. “Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” -2 Timothy 2:9,10.

Today's Psalm: 106:8 - “Nevertheless he saved them for his name's sake, that he might make his mighty power to be known.”

Today's Proverb: 10:29 - “The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.”

Today's Prayer: God, Although I do not understand everything that You afflict me with, I do understand that You have a reason and a purpose for it. Lord, give me Your strength to endure my trials, give me wisdom to understand why You have placed these trials before me. Give me Your power to trust, wait, and grow closer to You as you place Your special effects on me and prepare me to be used for something special. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Enjoy the rest of your day/night.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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