A New Year With New Challenges

December 31, 2006

Read 2 Samuel 11-12

Intro

• There’s an old saying that goes like this, “If you always do what you always did, then you’ll always get what you always got.” Which brings us to the new year; most fit into one these 3 categories:
  1. For some it’s a time of relief - finally its over; its been a tough year
  2. For others it’s hope - it’s been a year of disappointment, but looking forward to making some changes with new years resolutions
  3. Still others don’t care either way - a new year is nothing but a change in numbers
• We’re going to see 3 examples of men who, when faced with new challenges, made choices that had permanent and lasting results. The first is found in 2 Samuel 11-12 with David.

2 Samuel Chapter 11

• David is out one evening enjoying the night air, and there she is, a vision of beauty. Now he has a choice: he can walk away and flee the temptation or he can deceive himself into thinking I’m just going to talk with her and see how she’s doing. Here’s a spiritual nugget: Sin already knows us; the problem occurs when we attempt to know it. How? When we say how close can I come to sin without it overtaking me. That’s the wrong perspective
• 2 Timothy 2:22 says flee or run away as fast as you can from sin.

2 Samuel Chapter 12

• Look what it costs him. After David covers up his sin Nathan comes to him and says…
  1. He disrespected God (v9) - he despised (disesteem) or showed no respect for the commandment of the Lord by committing adultery; to blatantly reject what you know about God’s word is to disrespect the very God we claim to love (Psalm 138:2)
  2. He brings judgment on his family (v10-11)
  3. He gave God a bad name (v14) - when your testimony is tainted it diminishes God’s glory
• What a mess! If you’re not careful, you can think this all started on David’s rooftop. It didn’t start there but in verse 1, which clearly tells us that David was out of position. When he should have been out with his army, instead he was lounging in Jerusalem. David thought he was just taking a short break and it turned out to be a lifelong disaster.
• David had been in many wars up to this point. God had given him rest from the fighting. But now it’s spring; time to suit up again. However, he decides that his general, Joab, could handle things. But God didn’t call Joab; He called David.
• Make sure that when you do take time off that it was God who said rest. And while resting, be sure to remain attentive and alert, as spring is just around the corner. Our second example comes from Luke 12:16-21.

Luke Chapter 12

• A man is faced with a seemingly good problem. He has been blessed with abundance, and his solution shows the condition of his heart for he already had plenty enough for himself. But instead of looking on the needy all around him, he decides to take on this building project that designed to bless only him.
• Notice there was no mention of him asking God for counsel, for if he did, there is no doubt he would have seen the mouth’s of children, the house’s of widows and the bosoms of the poor as barns which last forever. Furthermore, it would have saved him a bundle on construction costs. Wealth should always be sent ahead never stored on earth. Our third and last example is found in Joshua 13:6-15.

Joshua Chapter 14

• Joshua is handing out territorial inheritances when Caleb his longtime friend comes up to him and reminds him what God had said 40 years ago. In verses 6-8 he recalls that because he and Joshua were the only 2 of 12 spies who trusted God, and how God spared him and Joshua of the plague given to the other unbelieving spies (Numbers 14:36-38).
• Just in case Joshua forgot he reminds him of what Moses said that he could have a special inheritance. And what does he ask for? A beachfront property, a cabin overlooking the Sea of Galilee, a retirement condo in Jerusalem? No, he wants Hebron. This wasn’t a vacation spot he asked for; this was an area known for violence, shady characters and lawlessness. In fact, the Anakim’s were there. These are the people from whence Goliath would descend, and they hated the Jews.
• So instead of requesting a vacation spot or retirement area, Caleb says send me where the giants are. Why you ask? Caleb knew God had protected him from the plague, preserved him during the wilderness wanderings, allowed him to survive 7 years of war in Canaan, not so that he would give him over to the Anakim (v10).
• So what if they were giants. So what if I am 85. They were on his land and he was going to drive them out by the strength of God. He knew that God would not have kept him alive and promise him a reward for his faith only to have him retire, take a vacation or fall to giants.
• The name of the place is changed from Kirjath-arba, which means city (kirjath) and large and loud (arba), to Hebron, which means fellowship. The city of the big and loud became the city of fellowship, and all this happened because verse 14 says he wholly-fully, followed the Lord.
• This New Years what are you looking for?
  1. Vacation - to take a break, to get away from it all
  2. Abundance - you think the answer to your problems is materialism; all more does is magnify the void and emptiness in you
  3. Challenges - 85 year old Caleb said he was as strong as he’s ever been; don’t let old age creep in spiritually - stay vibrant and alert by taking on new challenges - don’t shrink away from problems, for it’s the giants that keep you in Hebron or fellowship.