For those who missed Sister Majella’s session today (19.06.2021)

1. God always has a Plan B! Today was a day in God’s plan, that Sister Majella had to share through The Anointed, the topic ‘David - a man after God’s own Heart’.

2. Sister kick-started it from Ref.: 1Sam.16 - wherein she discussed the lineage of David - grandson of Boaz and Ruth, the youngest of Jesse's eight sons. Saul loved David after the episode of Goliath’s death, but how Saul began to hate David with jealousy soon taking over him. Ref.: Dt. 17:14-15 - God predicted the rule of King David, much earlier before he was born.

3. The major focus of today’s session was on what attributes David had, to be a man after God’s Heart. What actually is God’s Heart like? What are the desires of His Heart? could eventually be learnt from David’s own life, which Sister very vividly explained to us.

4. Learnt David’s personality traits that attracted God were quite a number. Namely,

1. David always depended and believed in turning towards God.

Ref.: Ps. 32:3. Have heard of the mariner’s compass, which guided the sailors, but the first time I heard and enjoyed listening to how David maintained an internal compass at all points of time pointed towards God.

2. A new learning I got to acquire today from her is that happiness is just a fleeting state of emotion. Ever since I got into The Anointed, I am getting to understand that the focus area should be ‘The joy of the Lord is our Strength.’ David was very much God centred. So, are we centred in Jesus now? If not, we need to turn our compass to Him.

3. This gave me a little jittery feeling, as Sister mentioned about it (i.e) be faithful to the call God has given to each of us. Yes, we need to seek and receive directions from the Holy Spirit to stay focused on the Love of God. The reason otherwise can be found in Saul’s life.

Ref.: 1 Sam. 13:13-14 – Shows that disobedience is a serious sin.

Ref.: Acts 13:22 – we find here how after removing Saul, how God found favour in David. So, Saul missed his call. A caution for us too.

4. David was a very humble person, prayed at all times, kind-hearted, loving, generous, repenting immediately and trustworthy – What more a servant of God needs to be? Are we anywhere close to this kind? Do we have a contrite and a sympathetic heart?

5. He also had a deep desire to do God’s will. That’s why God witnessed him, as one close to His Heart.

6. His faith always pleased God.

Ref.: 1Sam.17:45-46. We find how Goliath fell flat on his face.

7. He always asked God for directions as to, when to go and where to go.

Ref.: 2Sam.2:1

8. He meditated on God’s statutes and laws. Ref.: Ps.119

and thereby figured out the key to God’s heart lies here! Ps.100:4 (Never forget this)

9. Being man, David too sinned but ensured he always repented, and that too immediately. He taught us that it was the need of the hour when one falls into sin. Repentance is what restores a person to have a friendly equation with God. So, whenever he was tested and tried and fallen into deadly sin, he sought forgiveness and he was given.

Ref.: 2 Sam.12:13 ; Ps. 32 ; Ps. 51.

10. He was a humble person always available for his siblings. Like any ordinary man, he wept on hearing the news of his son’s death. Again a replay of God’s heart. Ref.: 2 Sam.18:33

Characteristics of our God

1. We would have often heard of our God, being righteous, of Him being a forgiving God. Today Sister, brought clarity of understanding, how our God will not mess up between the two. To a sinner who repents, the grace of forgiveness is never denied and that’s happy news for all of mankind, the Church too insists on the Sacrament of Reconciliation, but an even happier part is, our God is righteous at the same time!! Or was/is it a happy one for all?? Of course not, as we trace through the history of the Bible. Moses was not allowed to enter the promised land, he could only see it, David could not build the temple, it was Solomon who built it. I will get back to this at the end.

2. God always comes after our heart. That’s His nature.

3. He loves and blesses abundantly the peacemakers. A reason for David to lose out on some of his blessings. God was for peace, and David fought the greatest of wars resulting in a lot of innocent blood. Again a reason, why he couldn’t build the temple.

4. Disobedience is something God cannot stand. It is sinful in His eyes.

Ref.: 2 Sam.12:9-10

Moses and David – How they lost the blessing to partake in God’s Plan A

1. Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land, he could only see it. Why?

Ref.: Num.20:8-9 - Here we find God commands Moses to speak to the rock, but Moses hits the rock instead. Here we also find Moses taking credit instead of attributing it to God. Ref.: Num.20:12 - and by disobedience reaps the wrath of God that he will not enter the Promised Land.

Ref.: Num.20:8-9 - Water giving rock here is a reference to Jesus. Ref.: 1Cor.10:4. Moses hitting the rock instead of speaking to the rock, as God wanted of him, is considered symbolical to nailing of Jesus on The Cross.

2. David could not build the temple. Why?

David sinned, shed blood of the innocent through wars that he fought plenty, though it was forgiven, the consequences of it affected him from losing the privilege to build the temple. Ref.: 1 Chron.17:1; 1 Chron22:8; 1 Chron22:1-10

Ref.: Is. 56:7 - God says that it’s a house for all nations that we are called to build and not just a temple. Temple is for man and not for God.

Key takeaways

1. God is always after our heart. Are we ready to give it to Him?

2. God always is for peace. He loves the peacemakers.

3. A bitter heart always produces bitter fruit. It takes away our peace. Therefore, stay away from sin, as much as

possible.

4. David was always a man after God’s Heart, but that doesn’t rule out our God, from being righteous.

5. Our God always has a Plan B!

6. Beware! Don’t miss his call. Not all get to choose God. At times, it’s our God who chooses us. Ref.: Jn.15:16

(Don't forget, if your one such, you are privileged to be in His Plan B!)

7. The Anointed - Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise!