Like David in the Day of the LORD*

Things are crashing in on us, and the signs of the end times are all around, but as in the days of Noah, people are going about life as usual, not considering the things that will soon occur. However, we will see an example in scripture of what we are to be in these times - like David, whom God called "a man after My own heart" (Acts 13:16-22). In prophecy, the LORD talks about how all of the nations will gather around and against Judah and Jerusalem: "Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and Jerusalem. And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: all that burden themselves with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it." (Zech. 12:1-3). We see this in the news today, as Israel is continually attacked by missiles, as the world is either silent, or sympathetic towards those who are attacking Israel. However, the LORD promises that He will defend and deliver Judah and Jerusalem, wth Judah (meaning "praise") being saved first, and then the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem (v. 7). "In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them." (v. 8). I believe this angel of the LORD spoken of here is as a theophany - a physical manifestation of God before the eyes of men. "And I will pour out upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications and they shall look upon me whomn they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn." (v. 10). David and his house will play a vital role in these days, for it is the house of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. What was the relationship that David had with God that kept him through even the most difficult times, and caused the LORD to make this everlasting covenant with the house of David? The last recorded words of David before he died revealed David's relationship with the LORD: "Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. And (or - light, bright light, light of life, lamp, glorious, fire, become light) he shall be as the light (or - light, bright light, light of life, lamp, glorious, fire, become light) of the morning (boqer/baqar - end of night, coming of daylight, bright joy after a night of distress/enquire, seek, search, look for, consider, care for, discern, arising of light), when the sun riseth (zarah - arise, shine, rise up, break out, ccome forth, majestic), even a morning without clouds (ab/ub - darkness, shadow/ dense, dark, cover with darkness); as the tender grass springeth out of the earth by clear shining (nogah/nagah - brightness, shining, brilliancy/enlighten, glitter, illuminate) after rain." (2 Sam. 23:1-4). Even as he was dying, David had eyes to see, and spoke in several different ways (in Hebrew) about "the light", and the rising of light, the light of life, even saying in one place "light, light" as written in Hebrew, but not translated into English, and, he noted, there is no darkness (cloud) that can cover it. David spoke about how the Word of God was in his tongue. He spoke about ruling in the fear of the LORD, and we will find out what that means. Daniel also wrote about the children of light and the great exploits they shall do in the latter days because they know God in this manner. The Church should not be about seminars on "success" in these times. David also gave us another key that we need to know in order to be like him before the soon coming day of the Lord. David wrote as he escaped an enemy king: "I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD...O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears....O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him....Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile (meaning deceit) (see also Prov. 6:2, 17, 19). Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it....The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit (see also Ps. 51:1-3, 17-18). Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all..." (Ps. 34, excerpt). We see that David again wrote here about those who have a fear of the LORD. This word "fear" is the Hebrew word yare, which means "revere, honor, respect, stand in awe of". The individual pictographic Hebrew letters that make up the word yare mean "Hand lifted to King Adonai (Lord)". Praise, like the Word of God previously mentioned, was in David's mouth continually through all circumstances, and the accompanying fear of the LORD dwelled in his humble and contrite heart. Paul wrote of the same thing: "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit." (1 Thess. 5:16-19). Paul also wrote that having understanding (Greek root word syn - denoting union with, resemblance, possession, completeness) of the will of the Lord, we actually redeem the time in the midst of the evil days by: "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God." (Eph. 5:16-17, 19-21). Paul had personal experience with the truth of the words that he was teaching here to others. After Paul, travelling with Silas, had cast a spirit of divination out of a girl, a whole town rose against them. The girl's demonic spirit of divination had made a great deal of money for her masters who charged for her soothsaying ability. As the multitude rose up against them, the magistrates of that city had Paul and Silas beaten, whipped and thrown into prison, and told the jailer to keep guard of them. The jailer, under that order, placed Paul and Silas into the deepest part of the prison and placed their feet in stocks. However: "At midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bands were loosed." (Acts 16:23-26). The jailer, believing that all of the prisoners had made an escape, was about to commit suiccide, but Paul cried out to stop him, assuring the jailer that all of the prisoners were still there (v. 27-28). The jailer called for a light, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas. The jailer brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" Paul and Silas answered him, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house." (v. 29-31). To be like David in these times means having a mouth full of praises in all circumstances, a contrite heart seeking the face of the Lord for our own sins (see also 1 Chron. 7:14), and having a reverential honor and respect for the Lord more than any earthly politician or king. Based upon the 8/13/23 message of Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson to the Church. To hear the full message, look for Dr. Stevenson's Facebook page. You can contact this ministry at PO Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705. God bless you.