Bible Across America

(I must say it's a bit awkward posting this right after my previous, questionably appropriate post!! Maybe this is God's way of really teaching me a lesson!!)

I am very excited to have participated in Zondervan's Bible Across America project! Today they came to Mayfair from noon-6pm. Anyone can come handwrite one verse in an continuous manuscript that will be published into a handwritten NIV bible. There are two original copies--one will be auctioned off and the other will either be on display in the Smithsonian or the Library of Congress. I think this is a very cool thing to be able to contribute to!! :)

I was just hoping to not get some part of a long boring geneaology, and so-and-so begat so-and-so..., so when I got there he said they were working on 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 Kings. He showed me the next verse for each book, and I was excited to get the one I got. I wasn't sure about the story it was in, but when I got home I read through it and spent some time thinking about it. I think it's a neat verse to get to write:

"Then even the bravest soldier, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will melt with fear, for all Israel knows that your father is a fighter and that those with him are brave." 2 Samuel 17:10

It's Hushai, King David's friend, talking to Absalom, David's son. It's when Absalom has conspiracized (word?) and caused King David to flee in fear for his life. Absalom has been advised by someone else to attack his father, but Hushai tells him that is bad advice, then proceeds with verse 10 to tell him why.

It's too bad that Absalom did not love and respect his father, because even through his faults David was a man of God. I think that my verse is a neat testimony, and would cause most sons to beam with pride and security when they hear someone talk about their father with such admiration. To know that the whole nation is sure of David's strength and courage, and to know that all those who follow him are brave, just because they know he's their leader.

I think good leaders live out the example they want their followers to see. David was brave and strong, but his strength was not his own...he said so:

The LORD is my light and my salvation -- whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid?

When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.

Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.

One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.

For in the day if trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.

Psalm 27:1-5