Drb Kids

In this story, we're not told why taking a census was such a grievous sin. And perhaps that's a mystery that we'll never know. It's okay when we read the Bible to not have all the answers. Oftentimes the Bible's asking us to ask good questions. We do you know this from this passage, that David was in relationship with God. And we see  this in the course of David's life, that he discovered that God is merciful, that God is loving, that God is forgiving. And over the course of our life, that'll be important for us to discover too as we ask questions, and as we pursue him, God will reveal his heart to us, and help us to see that He's good. And that is good news.  

Wow, what an incredible story. And so very sad. Even though Absalom acted so horribly towards his father, his father David never stopped loving his son. And that's one of the most important messages that we have in the Bible, that even though we have sinned, God our Father has never stopped loving us. He has forgiven us, and he still embraces us as father. If you want to see more of how this is so read the story of the prodigal son, and you'll see exactly what I'm talking about, no matter what we've done. God is our father. And he loves us and that is good news.  

You know, sometimes when we get in an argument with others, we want to have the last word. Have you ever done that with your brother or sister or a friend at school? You just can't stand them saying the last thing. But that's not what David did. When he was being insulted, he did not return the insult. When we begin to do that, it never ends. Just one insult after another. But David shows us a better way here. There's no doubt that these insults hurt. We might say sticks and stones will hurt my bones, but words will never hurt me. But that's not really true. words do hurt. insults hurt. But instead of paying back an insult for that hurt, David trusted God. And you know what? We can do that too. Jesus says, "bless those who curse you and pray for those who mistreat you." That's a far better way. And it's the only way that we can begin to experience healing for those hearts caused by those words. And that is good news.  

Wow, what a difficult time for David, to be threatened by your own son, being forced to leave your home and your city. This was a really hard time for David. In the midst of these hard times, we see David, trusting God's plan for his future. We don't see it here in this reading. But in the end, we see that God continued to walk with David, even through this most difficult time. And you know what? God will do the same for us, no matter how hard our life gets. God is with us. And that is such good news.  

Oh, this story is so sad. Absalom was taking revenge for the terrible thing that happened to his sister. And as horrible and evil as that was. One evil thing shouldn't lead us to more evil. In the end evil will just continue to grow. But Jesus is a far better King and he shows us a far better way. He doesn't satisfy his anger or His justice by trying to bring revenge upon people that have harmed Him. Jesus has come to put an end to evil itself. And that my friend, is really good news.  

The story is so very sad. Sometimes we make choices in life that are selfish and bad. And sometimes those selfish choices  have ramifications that go beyond us. And they affect people around us. And like this story it is so very sad. But God does not let sadness have the last word. We're told right here and we're going to see later on in David's story, that he was forgiven by God. And that, my friend is great news. God doesn't separate himself from you when you make bad choices. There might be consequences, but God's heart for us, never changes. And that's a wonderful.  

What a story. David was faithful to the promise he had made to his best friend Jonathan. He showed this grandson of Saul, kindness. He showed him grace. He showed him mercy in abundance, grace and mercy and kindness that went far beyond anything Mephibosheth  could ever imagine or hope for. And you know what? There's someone who's even kinder than David. And that is our Lord Jesus. And he offers us a place at his table. And he showers us with kindness and grace and love him that my friend is great news.  

Wow, what a story. You know, when David was faced with a really hard challenge, and lots of uncertainty in front of him, he did something really smart. He went straight to God to ask for help. And God gave him the wisdom that he needed to face those challenges. And you know what? God will do the same for us. He tells us in the book of James that if any of us lacks wisdom, we just need to come to our father, our God and Father, who gives us good and perfect gifts. And so let's be like David today. If you're facing a challenge, and you don't know what to do, let's have the first thing we do, to be to go to him  

On this Easter Sunday, one thing we can do is reflect upon how much better Jesus is than David. Even though David did act well here, Jesus goes even farther. He does not treat us as our sins deserve. He forgives us even before we asked him, and he's not coming after us to get us because we've done something wrong to him. No, he's merciful and kind and compassionate. And he forgives, and he knows us. And that, my friend, is such really good news on this Easter Sunday.  

Wow, what a story. You know, no matter how wrong people's actions are, we don't have the right to act the same way. No, God always gives us a different way, a way of love, a way of peace, the way of Jesus.  And how do we show love to those who hurt us? Well, we don't pay evil, back for evil. We don't retaliate with insults when people insult us. Instead, we pay them back by blessing them. And we could ask God for wisdom on how to do that, and you'll be blessed for doing it. It might not feel like it in the moment, but you'll be becoming the kind of person that you really want to be. And that my friend is good news.  

Wow, what an amazing thing for God of all creation, the one who made the stars, and the moon, and the earth and the oceans and the mountains and your mom and your dad and you. He actually serves people. He's so humble. And he's so loving. And he asked us to be humble and loving to and we can because he's with us and He loves us. So let's obey His command and love one another  

Sometimes the fathers that we see in the Bible make some pretty bad decisions that hurt their children. Forbidding your son to eat when they're hungry and in need of food, well that doesn't seem like a very good thing at all one of the things we learned throughout the bible is this that God is a good father he's far better than the fathers that we often see in the bible and Jesus has come to show us just how good the Father really is so you can know today that your Father in heaven is good! There's no doubt about that  

Jonathan was bold. And Jonathan was courageous. He was bold to possibly think that the enemy that far outnumbered him, could actually be defeated by him. And Jonathan was courageous too. He had the courage to believe that God could help him do this bold thing. And he was right. Sometimes God is wanting us to be bold and courageous. To believe that he can help us do things that sometimes would just be impossible. And we can ask God for wisdom to know when he's asking us to be bold and courageous. And God will give us that wisdom. And that my friend, is really good news.  

Wow, what a story. You know, the Israelites were in battle. And Saul and his men were afraid. We can trust God when we're afraid. But sometimes when we're afraid, it's hard to trust God. It's kind of like a vicious circle. But one of the most important things we can learn in this life is that God desires to be known as a father, a good father, a father that we can trust. Even when we're afraid. We don't have to panic or take things into our own hands. We can trust God. He's a good father, and he will defend us, protect us and be with us. No matter what. And that my friend is great news.