11 December 2019

KING DAVID'S KEY TO FLOURISHING

By John Ollis

King David learnt a very painful lesson when he sinned against the Lord in relation to Bathsheba and Uriah. Some preachers seem to continue to criticise him even today, but the Word of God tells us in 1 Kings 15:5 NLT For David had done what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight and had obeyed the Lord’s commands THROUGHOUT his life, except in the affair concerning Uriah the Hittite. Sadly, some us have to learn painful lesson numerous times before we really get our act together.
I have been meditating on David’s words in Psalm 52:8 that has really blest me, and  gives me a key to why David continued to please the Lord throughout his life.  He says: But I am like a FLOURISHING olive tree, ANOINTED in the house of God. I trust in the unending love of God; HIS PASSION towards me is forever and ever. PASSION TRANSLATION.
The NLT says But I am like an olive tree, THRIVING in the house of God.
I will always trust in God’s unfailing love.
I have highlighted some key words in these 2 translations.
King David declares he is FLOURISHING AND THRIVING in God’s House, our commitment (and being PLANTED) in the local church as New Covenant believers is essential if we want to grow and flourish as a Believer.
It is interesting that David uses the illustration of an olive tree who’s fruit is green and ripe and ready for crushing to produce OIL I often use the old Pentecostal statement, “We must stay under the spout where the glory comes out”. David learnt he could walk under the anointing of the Holy Spirit and fulfil the purposes of God in His life.
I am sure David never forgot the day when Samuel the Prophet anointed him with the holy anointing oil, and the Bible says in 1 Sam. 16:13 NLT So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD CAME POWERFULLY UPON DAVID FROM THAT DAY ON.
Paul reminds us in Eph. 5:18-20 AMP N.T. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but EVER (continually) be filled and stimulated with the [Holy] Spirit.
Speak out to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, offering praise with voices [and instruments] and making melody with all your heart to the Lord,
At all times and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.
Despite David’s failure, he deeply repented (read Psalm 51) and God TOTALLY FORGAVE HIM. Our God has this awesome ability to FORGET, that is why we can declare the truth.

WHEN GOD LOOKS AT ME, HE SEES NOT WHAT I USED T0 BE HE SEES JESUS.

I love that statement, “When the devil accuses you of your past, we can remind him GOD HAS DROPPED THE CHARGES”. Hallelujah.
David was overwhelmed by God’s PASSION  towards him, other translations say:
LOVING KINDNESS AMP. O.T.
UNFAILING LOVE NLT
GENEROUS MERCY THEN AND NOW  MESSAGE.
I am reminded of 1 John 1:9 AMP N.T. If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (TRUE TO HIS OWN NATURE AND PROMISES) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].
May I encourage you to meditate on this verse, and decide that by God’s grace you are going to continually walk in the anointing and flourish as you go into 2020.