Today’s Reading:  2 Sam 23:1–24:25, Jude 17–25, Ps 148:1–150:6

Today’s Theme: Praise the Lord

Today’s theme is about praise; praising the Lord in the good and bad times, praising God in the battle, swinging the sword of praise, building our faith through praise and affirmation of the truth, and the sheer pleasure and joy of praise.

2 Samuel 23:1–24:25

The weapon of praise

These are the names of the mighty men whom David had: Josheb-basshebeth, a Tahchemonite; he was chief of the three. He wielded his spear against eight hundred whom he killed at one time. 2 Samuel 23:8 (ESV)

We read today about the three mighty warriors from David’s men:

1. Josheb-basshebeth, who killed 800 at one time, with his spear.
2. Eleazar, who struck the enemy until the sword stuck to his hand, while Israel withdrew.
3. Shammah, who took his stand while others retreated to defend the field of lentils, striking  down the enemy.

These men showed remarkable bravery, skill and determination. We can learn from their example, we do not turn back, we never retreat, we stand and fight, as we studied yesterday.

As we stand, our very stand will bring praise to God’s name. Praising God in the midst of the battle, is like the three mighty warriors standing and swinging their swords.

We need to swing the sword today, through praising God, according to His word.

No retreat, no surrender, take your stand. Hold your sword (the bible), so tightly that it becomes a part of you and swing. Swing the sword of the Spirit through praise and see the enemy slain and flee from you.

If you are under attack in your mind, swing the sword of word based praise, to our great King, God. Praise the Lord.

Be like Benaiah

And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was a valiant man of Kabzeel, a doer of great deeds. He struck down two ariels of Moab. He also went down and struck down a lion in a pit on a day when snow had fallen. 2 Samuel 23:20 (ESV)

As a side note from our theme of praise, we must not forget the example of Benaiah and his exploits for his king, let us show his faith, courage and loyalty in our lives, for our King, Jesus.

Pastor Dennis brought a life changing message from the character of Beniah, clips and reflections can be found on our website.

here https://www.wwmf.org/2012/08/04/resources/benaiah-the-heart-of-the-king/

and here https://www.wwmf.org/2013/01/05/media/video/the-heart-of-the-king-dvd/

Jude 17–25

The affirmation of praise

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. Jude 24–25 (ESV)

Today’s new testament passage begins with Jude encouraging us to build ourselves up in the faith we have been called to contend for, by doing two things; 1) praying by the leading of the Holy Spirit 2) Keeping in the love of God.

If we live lives led by the Spirit and walk in love as we wait on God’s mercy, which leads to eternal life, we will show mercy on others too.

God wants us to live our lives in submission and we can only do that if we are filled with and led by the Holy Spirit, living a life of sanctification, obedience and service, which keeps us in the love of God.

All of this leads to the final doxology, a praise of affirmation. We know we can’t keep ourselves or live for God without His help.

We can make the affirmation of our Spirit-filled, living faith, through praise today. Declare God to be who He is, it will build your faith and encourage you as you proclaim the truth, that God can and will keep you from stumbling.

To Him be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority.

Psalm 148:1–150:6

Praise the King

Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven. Psalm 148:13 (ESV)

God’s majesty is far above the earth and the heavens, He is the great King, worthy of our praise.

The Pleasure of God

For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He adorns the humble with salvation. Psalm 149:4 (ESV)

God takes pleasure and gets enjoyment from His people as they walk in humility. Be humble today, to bring God pleasure.

The joy of praise

Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Psalm 150:3 (ESV)

As we praise God let us do it with joy, our praise of our great God should bring God and us pleasure, we should both enjoy it as we celebrate and praise God. Shout praises to God today, for His great deeds.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on Jude 1

Today’s Reading:  2 Sam 22:1–51, Jude 1–16, Ps 147:1–20

Today’s Theme: FIGHT!

Today’s theme is all about us fighting for the glory of God, using the weapons of humility, praise and truth. We have all been called to contend for the faith.

One of the best ways to fight spiritually, is to declare the truth about who God is.

2 Samuel 22:1–51

I will pull out the odd verse here and there, but there are wonderful lessons to learn in this song of David, if you have time to read and meditate on it today.

God, my stronghold

He said, “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; you save me from violence. 2 Samuel 22:2–3 (ESV)

As believers we are constantly at war and always under attack. We begin the study of the fight that we must engage in, from the only place we should, hiding behind God as our fortress, shield and stronghold.

David was a man of war and knew how important a good fortress was in a battle. He likens God to a fortress and a rock, because God is steadfast, dependable and does not change. He is well able to protect His people collectively, when they come under attack.

As a warrior, David knew how crucial a shield was to fend off personal attacks. A weak shield would not do the job of saving the fighter. We hold our faith up against the attacks of the enemy. God is our shield. Ephesians 6:16

David makes this song of praise personal by constantly saying ‘my’, he can’t speak for anyone else, he just knows that this is true in his own life and we should be the same, knowing who God has proven and declared Himself to be, to us.

‘God is my stronghold’ – this is so powerful in the fight. 2 Corinthians 10:4 tells us that a stronghold is a way of thinking, a thought, belief, philosophy or idea. So the truth of God’s word becomes a stronghold in our minds, in a positive way, which is where we retreat to, refuel and attack from.

God’s arrows

And he sent out arrows and scattered them; lightning, and routed them. 2 Samuel 22:15 (ESV)

David gives an amazing and striking image of God as the great warrior of the heavens, the mighty God who fights and responds to his plea for help (7 – 14).

Here David speaks about God sending down arrows to scatter the enemy, now we must remember that this is a poem and so the imagery should be taken in that form, which means the arrows are not mere arrows, they represent something.

The previous verse told us that God uttered His voice and in the book of Revelation, we read about Jesus fighting against the enemy with the sword of His mouth. Revelation 19:15.

So the arrows that God sends to scatter the enemy, are His words found in the bible and His voice heard through the Holy Spirit.

God’s word as the King of all creation, is so powerful that it goes and accomplishes all that God intends it to. We can rely on God’s word today as we fight.

God, my rescuer

He rescued me from my strong enemy, from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me. 2 Samuel 22:18 (ESV)

We are not stronger than all our enemies, in our own strength we would surely lose the fight.

We need to humbly depend on God to rescue us from enemies that are too strong for us.

We will go on to read in Jude that even the Angels did not contend with Satan, knowing that Satan is an accomplished and strong enemy and once held the regal angelic office of the cherub that covers before he sinned. See Ezekiel 28:14

We must not be presumptuous as we fight, or have a false sense of confidence. We should not really address Satan in our prayers, other than to do what Michael did, which is to say ‘the Lord rebuke you’.

As we fight, we address our prayers  past the enemy to the God who is stronger than all our enemies, and is able to rescue us from them and defeat them.

Humble people

You save a humble people, but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them down. 2 Samuel 22:28 (ESV)

God has called us to be a humble people.

Humility is the attitude we must have as we fight, if we are proud, arrogant, harsh and unteachable, then God will have to humble us Himself and may even need to fight against us.

This is why we must humble ourselves like David did, then we will see God come through for us.

When we are in humble submission to the Lord, we can say with David that by God’s power, we can run through a troop of attackers and leap over the enemies walls of defence.

Fight with humility. Philippians 2:3

God, The Rock

“For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? 2 Samuel 22:32 (ESV)

God alone is God. One of God’s unique attributes is that He is immutable which means He does not change, this is where the rock imagery comes from. We also see God as dependable, stable, enduring and strong, as the rock.

Jesus said that the revelation that He was the Christ, the Son of the Living God, was the rock on which He would build the church. Matthew 16:18

Jesus also said that those who obey His commandments are like those building their house on a rock. Matthew 7:24

So we see that the unchangeable God has an unchangeable word that we can totally rely on as we fight.

You can stand today in the assurance that God by His very nature, as faithful and unchangeable, will fulfil His word. We can boldly put our faith in God, our rock, as we fight.

Jude 1–16

We only have time to look at one verse here, but there is a lot more to dig into if you can.

Contend for the faith

Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. Jude 3 (ESV)

The body of Christ cannot be passive, we are called to fight for what we believe. We are constantly at war with false teaching, false believers, the influence of the world, etc.

The faith handed down to us must be preserved personally, but more importantly, corporately as a church.

Jude is moved by the Holy Spirit to call the church to spiritual and mental arms (like calling soliders to fight against an encroaching enemy) against the onslaught and schemes of the enemy.

We should embrace apologetics and the studying of God’s word so that we can stand and defend the truth of our faith. We are not post modernist or relativist, we have a firm, absolute, central, single, historical faith, which can be articulated and defended consistently from age to age.

Our faith is not novel, it is old and true, it was handed down and must be preserved so beware of strange or new teachings. Jude spends time describing false teachers who come to challenge the truth and lifestyle of the gospel.

Contend for the ancient, pure and true faith today.

Psalm 147:1–20

A wonderful and encouraging Psalm, take time to mediate on this today.

Hope in God’s love

but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love. Psalm 147:11 (ESV)

We once watched the moving and inspiring account of Maryam Rostampour and Marziyeh Amirizadeh who were imprisoned for their faith in Iran but were used by God’s grace, to lead many to the Lord and have since been released.

The Lord takes pleasure in His people, who like these two women, fear Him and put their hope in Him.

As we hope in God’s love, we bring God pleasure and win the battle, as we humble ourselves before Him.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on Jude 1

Today’s Reading:  2 Sam 20:1–21:22, 2 Pet 3:14–18, Ps 146:1–10

Today’s Theme: Procrastination vs Action

Today’s theme will explore the many pitfalls of procrastination, which is putting off what should be done today (delaying or postponing necessary action), and is synonymous with laziness, idleness and sluggishness. On the other hand, we will look at the alternative to procrastination, which is action.

2 Samuel 20:1–21:22

The deadly danger of delay

So Amasa went to summon Judah, but he delayed beyond the set time that had been appointed him. 2 Samuel 20:5 (ESV)

Amasa was given an allocated time to gather the men of Judah into an army, to pursue Sheba. He did not use his time wisely, he foolishly delayed and went beyond the set time.

Procrastination is an enemy to our own lives and to our King’s kingdom. It rots purpose and godly success, like decay.

Amasa in his first task as the head of the army, fails miserably. His procrastination and carelessness led to his untimely death later in verse 10.

Today we need to be alert and have hearts ready to go into action. Do not delay, do not be lazy, do not ‘chill’ – we are at war, get moving. If you stand still, you will die – be active.

As we mediate on the dangers of procrastination, consider the following New Testament passages:

• Delaying the Lord’s call: Matthew 8:21–22 and Luke 9:59–62
• The parable of the five foolish virgins: Matthew 25:2–13
• Excuses!: Luke 14:16–21
• Now is the day for salvation: 2 Corinthians 6:2

Don’t delay, be active for the King today.

Be alert

But Amasa did not observe the sword that was in Joab’s hand. So Joab struck him with it in the stomach and spilled his entrails to the ground without striking a second blow, and he died. Then Joab and Abishai his brother pursued Sheba the son of Bichri. 2 Samuel 20:10 (ESV)

Joab murdered Amasa, but it should not have been so easy, Amasa should have been alert and able to defend himself. His sluggish character betrays him to his quick, violent and untimely death.

In one sense, Amasa dies for committing high treason against king David, which is what his procrastination amounts to.

We must not allow ourselves to become guilty of treason through procrastination, we should love and fear our King, carrying out His will with swiftness.

The bible calls us to be sober and alert, we need to be like an expert solider, in the spirit. Soldiers who are at war will be alert, their senses will be heightened and their reaction will be quick.

Paul warns us in 1 Thessalonians 5:6, “So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.” and in 1 Peter 5:8 we are told “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

Be alert, don’t get caught out, do not let the enemy catch you slipping. If he does, he will strike and you will fall, so let us be alert today.

Speak up, do something

Then a wise woman called from the city, “Listen! Listen! Tell Joab, ‘Come here, that I may speak to you.’ ” 2 Samuel 20:16 (ESV)

This wise woman saved the entire city by calling out to Joab, reasoning with him and without delay, beheading Sheba and throwing his head over the wall.

This woman was a heroine, she saved an entire city. If she was a lazy procrastinator, she would not have been concerned with the welfare of the city or bothered herself to do something about it.

Don’t keep thinking that someone else will do it, they won’t. It is up to you to make a plan and execute it.

Jesus told us to be bold, open and deliberate about our good works, in Matthew 5:16, “the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

If you see a problem today, be willing to be used by the Lord to solve it or to add to the solution. Get up and say something, get up and do something.

Do good today, do not be a selfish procrastinator. Here is some encouragement from the New Testament: Galatians 6:9, 2 Thessalonians 3:13 and Hebrews 12:3.

Get organised

Now Joab was in command of all the army of Israel; and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was in command of the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and Adoram was in charge of the forced labor; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was the recorder; and Sheva was secretary; and Zadok and Abiathar were priests; and Ira the Jairite was also David’s priest. 2 Samuel 20:23–26 (ESV)

David reorganises his government, putting in place faithful men who are all men of action, with track records of pressing through and getting the job done.

Joab with all his faults, is a leader of men. A man who will lead in battle with courage, quickness and wisdom and so is reinstated as the General of the army.

One of the reasons for procrastination is a lack of organisation. Without adequate organisation in our personal lives or in a team, a task can seem insurmountable.

Jesus has not called any one of us to be the body on our own, we are all members of the body, as we studied yesterday. We need to know our position in the wider body and hold that position in honour to all other members, this is how we will be well organised as a people. 1 Corinthians 12:20

Ask God to guide you by His Spirit, to organise your own life and show you how you can bring better organisation and administration to the ministries you are involved in, which will deal a deathblow to one of procrastination’s favourite hiding places.

Be active but honourable

But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Saul’s son Jonathan, because of the oath of the LORD that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul. 2 Samuel 21:7 (ESV)

David needed to take action in the matter of the Gibeonites. He was not just driven by the need to be active, he was able to show restraint and was honourable towards Jonathan’s son and later orders that the house of Saul be given a good burial.

We need to make sure that in our desire to not procrastinate, that we do not become callous active people. We must be active, but must be led by God the Holy Spirit, living with His fruit showing in our lives and actions. Romans 8:14

Kill the giants

But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his aid and attacked the Philistine and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, “You shall no longer go out with us to battle, lest you quench the lamp of Israel.” 2 Samuel 21:17 (ESV)

David was saved by Joab’s brother, who killed the Giant for him, and as we read to the end of the chapter, we see Goliath’s four brothers are all killed by David’s faithful, active men.

We need to take action to kill the giants in our lives. As we battle each day, we will face giants, one of the giants is procrastination, so kill it today.

Here are a few things to consider today while slaying the giant of procrastination:*

Procrastination robs you

• Procrastination Robs You of Opportunities for Service
• Procrastination Robs You of the Opportunity to Be Successful
• Procrastination Robs You of the Opportunity for Salvation

Consider the Procrastinator

• Consider the Identity of the Procrastinator
• Consider the Instruction of the Procrastinator
• Consider the Impact on the Procrastinator
• Consider the Intention of the Procrastinator

Procrastination’s Two Big Problems:

• Procrastination Produces a False Sense of Control
• Procrastination Ignores the Uniqueness of Conviction

*adapted from the contents page of David Jeremiah’s ‘Facing the giants in your life’.

2 Peter 3:14–18

Grow in grace and knowledge

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18 (ESV)

This is a great summary of the Christian life, we should not be inactive, lazy, lawless or selfish, we should be active members of the body of Christ, growing every day.

This is not theoretical head-knowledge, this is personal and experiential knowledge from the truth of God’s word, which informs our relationship with God.

The gift of God in the truth of the scriptures and the gift of grace, will keep us stable as we grow and will keep us from error. Thank God for the gift of true knowledge and grace today.

Psalm 146:1–10

Our help is the Lord

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, Psalm 146:5 (ESV)

We don’t need to let fear cause us to procrastinate, we can move forward and take action because the Lord is our help.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on 2 Peter 3

Today’s Reading:  2 Sam 19:1–43, 2 Pet 3:1–13, Ps 145:1–21

Today’s Theme: Knowing your position

Today’s theme is about us knowing and staying within our position in Christ, the church and the world. We will also look at God’s position toward us.

2 Samuel 19:1–43

Speaking out of position

Then Joab came into the house to the king and said, “You have today covered with shame the faces of all your servants, who have this day saved your life and the lives of your sons and your daughters and the lives of your wives and your concubines, 2 Samuel 19:5 (ESV)

Joab was again completely out of line, he had no right to come so boldly before the king and rebuke him. This all goes back to Joab’s sedition which had him thinking of himself more highly than he should have, causing him to lose perspective on his position and so speak out of turn. Romans 12:3

David listens to Joab in wisdom, but later in the same chapter, replaces Joab with Amasa.

Paul warns that we should not rebuke those who are older than us and in higher positions of authority than us, in 1 Timothy 5:1. He goes on to give further instruction in 1 Timothy 5:19.

We must not allow ourselves to be caught out by our emotions or an unbalanced view of ourselves or our leaders. We need to know ours and their positions before God, and so walk in humility and not the hot headed folly of Joab.

Do not rebuke those in positions of leadership in your life, don’t even do it in your mind as you will allow seeds of sedition to be planted, which is your own undoing.

Do not speak out of turn, know your position and behave in accordance with that.

No insecurity

But David said, “What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah, that you should this day be as an adversary to me? Shall anyone be put to death in Israel this day? For do I not know that I am this day king over Israel?” 2 Samuel 19:22 (ESV)

King David did not suffer from the same insecurities as Saul.

Insecurity is often a hiding place for pride so do not nurse insecurity, reject those thoughts and feelings in Jesus’ name.

We must have the same attitude as David, we do not need to prove anything to anyone else or ourselves, we need to know who we are in Christ and walk in that confidence.

Paul encourages us in Ephesians 5:8 “for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.” Mediate on that fact today, to dispel the clouds of insecurity.

Our position before God is secure in Christ.

Know your calling and place

Please let your servant return, that I may die in my own city near the grave of my father and my mother. But here is your servant Chimham. Let him go over with my lord the king, and do for him whatever seems good to you.” 2 Samuel 19:37 (ESV)

Brazillai was no opportunist, nor was he insecure, he had a pure and loyal heart. He did not get caught up with the superficial aspect of the King’s kind offer, he knew his position in life and before God, so knew how to say no.

We need to be able to (like Brazillai) say no, even to the good offers that are made to us, which are not in God’s will and plan for us.

God has placed us in certain positions and places in life and we need to know the place and scope of our calling.

As you seek to emulate Brazillai’s balanced attitude and thinking, consider these verses from the New Testament; Acts 17:26, 1 Corinthians 12:18 and 2 Peter 1:10.

It is significant that our youth retreat is on now and that Brazillai sought to give the king’s opportunity to his young servant. We too must have a heart to see the upcoming generations used to the glory of God.

Quarrelling and arguments

And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, “We have ten shares in the king, and in David also we have more than you. Why then did you despise us? Were we not the first to speak of bringing back our king?” But the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of the men of Israel. 2 Samuel 19:43 (ESV)

James said in James 4:1, “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?”

Paul mentions quarrels at that start of his letter to the troubled church at Corinth, in 1 Corinthians 1:11, “For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarrelling among you, my brothers.”

We should not be fighting over positions, and living to feed the appetites of our flesh or pride, as this will lead to quarrels and fights.

We must confidently live in the position we have in Christ and not be green-eyed little monsters, always wanting what someone else has.

The tribes of Israel are on the brink of entering a pointless battle over where the king should live. We all have King Jesus, let us not be tricked by the enemy and go to war with each other in pride.

Avoid foolish arguments today, be confident in your position before God.

2 Peter 3:1-13

The King will return

that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Saviour through your apostles. 2 Peter 3:2 (ESV)

It is amazing that we read in the OT today, about King David returning to his kingdom and now we read about the return of The King, Jesus.

As a church, we must always be in a position where we are ready for the Lord’s return.

We do not need to get caught up in signs of the times, although they are important. We should instead aim to have our hearts focused and expectant of the Lord’s imminent return, or of His decision to call us home.

Live in a ready position for the return or call.

God’s salvific stance

The Lord is not slow to fulfil his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 (ESV)

God’s position before the world is a salvific one, He stands and offers salvation to all and does not desire that anyone should be lost, but that all should repent.

The atonement is sufficient for all and effective for God’s elect. The sacrifice Jesus made on the cross is sufficient for anyone to be saved and is fully effective for those chosen by God, who repent and put their faith in Jesus.

This is why we need to maintain and confirm our position as the heralds of His kingdom, bringing the good news of the gospel to everyone, calling all to repent.

Psalm 145:1–21

Take time to read over and mediate on this psalm today. The following are just two points from a very rich psalm, which includes verses relevant to praying for our youth in light of our current youth retreat.

God’s kingdom

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations. [The LORD is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works.] Psalm 145:13 (ESV)

God’s position is as a merciful King, showing goodness to all. He has called us into His everlasting kingdom. Mediate on your position in God’s kingdom today and more importantly, on God as your King.

God’s near position

The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. Psalm 145:18 (ESV)

God has positioned Himself near to all those who call on Him in truth, call upon the Lord in truth today.

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

The Gospel Coalition on 2 Peter 3

Today’s Reading:  2 Sam 18:1–33, 2 Pet 2:12–22, Ps 144:1–5

Today’s Theme: The Bondage of Vanity

Today’s theme is about the bondage of vanity, we will see how Absalom’s vanity left him trapped. Joab’s vanity made him seditious and Ahimaaz wasted time and energy. The theme carries over into the New Testament, where we read about the vanity of greed and the vanity of man, in the Psalms.

A definition of vanity (in the context we will look at it this morning), is that which is empty of meaning, purpose, or content and in general just empty, worthless, or futile. Vanity can also speak of pride and conceit.

Something does not gain value because we treasure it. We cannot add quality or substance to something that is empty and meaningless, instead like a black hole, the vain areas of life will suck meaning, purpose and worth from our lives.

2 Samuel 18:1–33

Trapped by vanity

And Absalom happened to meet the servants of David. Absalom was riding on his mule, and the mule went under the thick branches of a great oak, and his head caught fast in the oak, and he was suspended between heaven and earth, while the mule that was under him went on. 2 Samuel 18:9 (ESV)

The fact that Absalom was vain is quite obvious when we consider the fact that he tried to take his father’s kingdom by force. We also read in 2 Sam 14:26, that Absalom had long hair and would cut and weigh out his hair each year.

It is likely that Absalom became trapped in the great oak tree by the asset he was most vain about, his hair. You can imagine the scene now, his long hair getting caught up and tangled in the branches.

The vain things that we place most pride in, are the things we are likely to be trapped by. These things can cause us to stumble and hinder our walk.

We read in Hebrews 12:1, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

Whatever the vain thing is in your life, that you hold closely must be cast aside or you will get entangled, trapped, stuck and be left open to the cruel attacks of the enemy.

The vanity of sedition

Joab said, “I will not waste time like this with you.” And he took three javelins in his hand and thrust them into the heart of Absalom while he was still alive in the oak. 2 Samuel 18:14 (ESV)

Joab was so often driven by his own sense of what was right and wrong, and in his proud and vengeful vanity, showed contempt for David’s command and so walked in open sedition.

We must not let the emptiness of an elevated view of ourselves, cause us to walk in sedition and blatantly disobey the Lord or our leaders.

Paul tells us in Romans 12:3, “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.”

The vanity of thinking of ourselves above others and walking in rebellion to authority, will not only eventually cause us great harm, but will bring pain and death (spiritually and even physically), to those around us.

What we do also affects those looking up to us, Joab’s armour bearers all got involved in his murder and sedition.

Don’t run in vain

“Come what may,” he said, “I will run.” So he said to him, “Run.” Then Ahimaaz ran by the way of the plain, and outran the Cushite. 2 Samuel 18:23 (ESV)

Ahimaaz was a man who was loyal to David and he demonstrated his devotion by risking his life to bring a message to David and his men, in the previous chapter.

However in this case, we see vanity in his act rather than in him as a person. The text makes clear that this is a pure man who loves the Lord and his king.

God wants us to use wisdom, He does not want us to act in vain and run unnecessarily like Ahimaaz, who came to the king with only half of the facts.

We must not run in vain, we must not waste our time or energy on missions and work that the Lord has not called us to, or equipped us for.

Paul mentions in Galatians 2:2, “I went up because of a revelation and set before them… the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain.”

He also wrote in Philippians 2:16, “holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labour in vain.”

2 Peter 2:12–22

The vanity of sin

They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children! 2 Peter 2:14 (ESV)

The appetites of sin are vain. The definition of the word includes empty, worthless and meaningless; this is the essence of sin, it is empty.

The false teachers are children of the devil, they have an insatiable thirst for sinful experience and lust after married women.

The false promise of the heretics and the empty promises of sin go hand in hand.

Our souls must be steady, filled with the substance, worth and meaning of God’s word and the Holy Spirit. This is the only way to guard against the vanities of sin and heresy.

The greed and covetousness that drives sin can never be satisfied, it is just vanity upon vanity, no amount of having or buying will ever satisfy, the void just gets deeper.

The strange vanity of greed

Forsaking the right way, they have gone astray. They have followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing. 2 Peter 2:15 (ESV)

As just mentioned in the last note, greed is a strange thing, it presents itself as a desire for more but because it is vain (empty and worthless), it adds to our emptiness and takes away from the worth of what we already have.

Our culture teaches us to be greedy and to keep aiming for more, but the more we do this the less satisfied we become.

We should avoid the vain spirit of Balam, which is driven by greed and seeks to make an unrighteous profit from a gift or ministry that God has given us.

Let us learn to be content and have a godly sense of “enough” and generosity.

The vanity of walking on the borderline

For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. 2 Peter 2:18 (ESV)

We are called to live godly lives and to pursue God and His ways, we should not be borderline Christians, barely escaping the enemy.

Borderline Christians are always asking how far they are allowed to go and they walk as close to the border as possible, sometimes slipping over into no-man’s land.

If we live in or close to compromise, we make ourselves susceptible to being picked off by heretics and devils.

Don’t live an empty, worthless Christian life on the borderline, come inland and be a part of the kingdom. Let us live our lives filled with God’s purpose, not living in the gray lines but walking in the light.

The slavery of vanity

They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. 2 Peter 2:19 (ESV)

Whatever we allow to overcome us will enslave us, this is the enslavement of vanity.

Vanity will drive us like a slave master, it will crack the whip for us to pursue empty sin and greed.

We must stay in the freedom which Christ has won for us and not turn back to the vanity and enslavement of sin.

Psalm 144:1–5

The vanity of man

O LORD, what is man that you regard him, or the son of man that you think of him? Psalm 144:3 (ESV)

Man is worthless and empty in comparison to the awesome majesty of God. Outside of Christ, everything about man is vanity.

This makes it all the more amazing that God is thinking of us and has visited us in the person of Jesus Christ, to die for our sins and save us for eternity.

Jesus defeated the vanity of sin on the cross and gave us a full and meaningful life. Jesus said in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

Most of the above post is a copy of the original notes from the same date in 2014.

Additional resources

Desiring God on 2 Peter 2