Our new church in Missouri has asked me to teach a Sunday School class on the Life of David beginning in March. More like a part 1, and then they will evaluate how to proceed. I’m excited about the opportunity and the chance to re-engage with the manual I wrote years ago for a seminary class I taught on the subject. So today, I am sitting in the local Panera, drinking my coffee and perusing my old notes.
Can I tell you a secret about
the hidden life of old seminary professors?
One of the reasons we love these opportunities is that they give us a chance to re-expose ourselves to the hard-won lessons our initial studies produced in our own lives. I want the Holy Spirit to rake me over the coals of the white-hot truth of His word again, so that I can teach it to others in the hopes of setting their hearts aflame for God after He has done the same for me.
So today, I am editing, and rethinking, and updating, and flipping pages in my Bible to check references and finding new joys in the wonder of God’s word. My old notes contained a boxed section titled SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT at the end of every lecture. It was a chance to send the students away with something that didn’t fit into class time, but would help them see something new. Most of them are quite brief, like this one below.
Something to Think About
Dr. John Martin’s observation of this passage (2 Sam. 6:14-23) is particularly insightful. In the January-March 1984 issue of Bibliotheca Sacra he writes the following on page 34.
“A correct response to the presence of God is to rejoice and offer sacrifice. An incorrect response is to refuse to rejoice, and this brings judgment from God. Later, this truth became evident when Michal refused to rejoice in the presence of God and was judged with infertility.”
UUUUHave you been lax in offering the sacrifice of praise for the presence of God in your life? Is praise and adoration a significant and consistent aspect of your Christian life? The Israelites had an Ark. You have the indwelling Holy Spirit.
uuuuuWho has greater cause to rejoice?
Convicting.
Prayer:
“Lord Jesus, fill my heart with thanksgiving for all the wonders of Your love. Help me to praise You all day and to remember Your faithfulness. Let the music of Your goodness saturate the whole of my life, driving down the road, eating a meal, interacting with strangers, everywhere, in every moment. That Your praise would be the companion that never leaves my heart and that others would be drawn to You.”
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