{"id":5862,"date":"2017-07-21T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-07-21T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/clone\/2017\/07\/21\/how-to-keep-a-spiritual-fervourhow-to-keep-a-spiritual-fervour\/"},"modified":"2023-06-02T08:02:33","modified_gmt":"2023-06-02T06:02:33","slug":"how-to-keep-a-spiritual-fervourhow-to-keep-a-spiritual-fervour","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/how-to-keep-a-spiritual-fervourhow-to-keep-a-spiritual-fervour\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Keep a Spiritual Fervor"},"content":{"rendered":"\"\"<\/a>

I try to keep a spiritual fervour – I do. My husband and I fast, and I’m filled with joy. I prepare meals for guests, I stay up late to study the Bible with someone, I get up early to pray, I run my children to this event or that, and I brush off any feelings of overwhelm. I rejoice in all the blessings God has given me. <\/p><\/div>

And then. One morning – usually after I’ve been giving a lot, no matter how joyfully, I wake up tired. It might be because my husband has been swamped with work and not as available. Or my children might be particularly loud and needy. Perhaps I was too tired to clear the supper dishes and they greet me in the morning when I woke up too late to have a quiet time and now must run out the door to teach. Forget my resolve to wake up early to exercise on top of it all. I’m tired and grouchy. <\/p>

David is one of my favourite people in the Bible. He has all the reason to be proud – strong, brave, handsome, chosen royalty. He has all the reasons to boast of his spiritual fervour, but instead views himself only in relationship to God. He sees himself as God’s servant, and humbly accepts things like wandering around the desert for years and years. He flees from Saul who has lost God’s stamp of approval as king and has handed it to David. He refuses to take what is rightfully his, and calls himself a ‘dead dog’, ‘a flea’ when addressing himself to Saul, whom he terms “the Lord’s anointed.” <\/p>

David is amazing! When they brought the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem, he danced in his underwear – a sign of great humility, not one befitting for a king. He didn’t care! He was on fire for God. <\/p>

If you look at the headlines from the beginning of 2 Samuel, you see things like: <\/p>

David anointed king over Judah. <\/p>

Abner (the commander of Saul’s army) goes over to David <\/p>

David becomes king of Israel <\/p>

David conquers Jerusalem <\/p>

David defeats the Philistines <\/p>

The Ark brought to Jerusalem <\/p>

God’s promise to David <\/p>

David’s prayer <\/p>

David’s victories <\/p>

David defeats the Ammonites <\/p>

It’s all good! But then – when things couldn’t be going any better spiritually for David, he gets … tired. <\/p>

In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king’s men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem. <\/p>

One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliamand the wife of Uriah the Hittite.” <\/em> — 2 Samuel 11:1-3 <\/p>

David was tired, and he just didn’t feel like doing what he was supposed to anymore. It was spring – a time when kings were supposed to be going off to war. But David (a king) didn’t feel like going and sent Joab out in his stead. He was left with a ripe opportunity for temptation. <\/p>

It’s sad when you see how far he falls. He gets Bathesheba pregnant, so – to fix that disaster – he calls her husband home from the war so that her husband can sleep with her and no one will be the wiser. But her husband is too righteous. He sleeps at the palace entrance with the servants because his commander and men are camped in the open fields. “How could I go to my house to eat and drink and lie with my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing.” <\/em> — 2 Samuel 11:11 <\/p>

So David keeps him for another night and gets him drunk, hoping that this will do the trick. But Uriah maintains his integrity, even while drunk and doesn’t go home. There’s nothing left but for David to send Uriah back to Joab, carrying a note in his possession that orders his own demise. David’s note tells Joab to put Uriah in the thickest part of the battle, and then to withdraw from him so he may be struck down and die. <\/p>

When the messenger came to report news of the battle, Joab told him to mention that Uriah was killed, in hopes that it would allay his anger at the troops’ losses. To be sure, he handled the news diplomatically. “Don’t let this upset you;” he told the messenger. “the sword devours one as well as the other.” <\/em> — 2 Samuel 11:25 <\/p>

When Bathsheba heard that her husband died, she mourned for him. How could she not? She had married one man who was righteous and loved only her, only to be swapped for another man who added her to his collection of lust – even though he was king. It was not a trade that could bring happiness to a woman. <\/p>

The story made me think how easy it is to get tired – to let your fervour go. You’re loving your neighbour, you’re serving the poor, you’re begging for people in prayer, you’re praising God, you’re cleaning your house! – I had to throw that in there – and then you just don’t feel like doing it anymore. <\/p>

Read more… <\/em><\/a><\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I try to keep a spiritual fervour \u2013 I do. My husband and I fast, and I’m filled with joy.…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":5863,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ghostkit_customizer_options":"","ghostkit_custom_css":"","ghostkit_custom_js_head":"","ghostkit_custom_js_foot":"","ghostkit_typography":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[16],"tags":[56],"post_folder":[151],"class_list":["post-5862","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-womens-ministry","tag-europe"],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/123photo-1503936244364-5bf3c38020381.jpg?fit=1080%2C720&ssl=1","author_info":{"display_name":"dtadmin","author_link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/author\/dtadmin\/"},"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/phsvEw-1wy","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":5658,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/women-today-studies-lessons-and-devotionals-item-8794-moments-of-gratitude-joyful-prayerful-and-thankful\/","url_meta":{"origin":5862,"position":0},"title":"Moments of Gratitude: "Joyful, Prayerful and Thankful"","author":"dtadmin","date":"November 28, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"\"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstance; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.\" -- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Finding joy in all circumstances is our way to experience God's blessings. We can have faith through the storms when we are able to focus on God's\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Women's Ministry"","block_context":{"text":"Women's Ministry","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/womens-ministry\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/cashandmariamchargue.jpg?fit=913%2C913&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/cashandmariamchargue.jpg?fit=913%2C913&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/cashandmariamchargue.jpg?fit=913%2C913&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/cashandmariamchargue.jpg?fit=913%2C913&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10315,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/greater-baltimore-church-appoints-elders-and-teacher\/","url_meta":{"origin":5862,"position":1},"title":"Greater Baltimore Church Appoints Elders and Teacher","author":"dtadmin","date":"December 19, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"It is with great joy and praise to God that the Greater Baltimore Church announces the appointment of three elders on Sunday, December 18, 2022. This appointment comes after many years of prayer, study and seeking the Lord\u2019s will.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/baltimore_elders_appointment.jpeg?fit=1195%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/baltimore_elders_appointment.jpeg?fit=1195%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/baltimore_elders_appointment.jpeg?fit=1195%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/baltimore_elders_appointment.jpeg?fit=1195%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/baltimore_elders_appointment.jpeg?fit=1195%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":22232,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/power-of-gratitude-choosing-joy-thankfulness\/","url_meta":{"origin":5862,"position":2},"title":"The Power of Gratitude: Choosing Joy and Thankfulness","author":"dtadmin","date":"November 28, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"This month in the US is focused on gratitude and thankfulness. It can also be a reminder of challenging times - and God's faithfulness through it all.","rel":"","context":"In "Women's Ministry"","block_context":{"text":"Women's Ministry","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/womens-ministry\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/10_20231119201746_11928920_large.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/10_20231119201746_11928920_large.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/10_20231119201746_11928920_large.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/10_20231119201746_11928920_large.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/10_20231119201746_11928920_large.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3728,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/enjoy-your-children\/","url_meta":{"origin":5862,"position":3},"title":"Enjoy Your Children!","author":"dtadmin","date":"November 20, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"God wants us to live joyful lives. Yes, life can be difficult, but as his beloved children, God wants us to experience the joy he gives\u2014a joy that doesn\u2019t depend on circumstances. Jesus informs us in the passage below how God loved him, he loved us, and that we are\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Families"","block_context":{"text":"Families","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/families\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Enjoy-your-Children.jpg?fit=447%2C246&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":5580,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/bible-study-quiet-times-item-8872-what-is-prayer-and-why-do-we-pray\/","url_meta":{"origin":5862,"position":4},"title":"What is Prayer and Why Do We Pray?","author":"dtadmin","date":"January 9, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Editor's note: Join disciples around the world in January as we devote ourselves to prayer and action. Along with the\u00a0 31 Days of Prayer \u00a0series, we are publishing a few additional resources to help strengthen our prayer lives. Email content@dtoday.net \u00a0if you know of something we should include. We look\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Bible Study"","block_context":{"text":"Bible Study","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/bible-study\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/b70f6130-44f2-4058-81a6-af16d27da1b1.jpg?fit=683%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/b70f6130-44f2-4058-81a6-af16d27da1b1.jpg?fit=683%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/b70f6130-44f2-4058-81a6-af16d27da1b1.jpg?fit=683%2C1024&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":29696,"url":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/two-new-church-plantings-in-cote-divoire\/","url_meta":{"origin":5862,"position":5},"title":"Two New Church Plantings in C\u00f4te d’Ivoire","author":"Sunday Awolowo","date":"January 13, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"On December 21, 2025, joyful processions announced new church plantings in Agboville and Divo, raising French-speaking West Africa\u2019s churches to 27.","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Collage of photos of a church gathering.","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DAgboville.jpg?fit=1200%2C960&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DAgboville.jpg?fit=1200%2C960&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DAgboville.jpg?fit=1200%2C960&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DAgboville.jpg?fit=1200%2C960&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/DAgboville.jpg?fit=1200%2C960&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/123photo-1503936244364-5bf3c38020381.jpg?fit=1080%2C720&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5862","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5862"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5862\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5863"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5862"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5862"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5862"},{"taxonomy":"post_folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disciplestoday.org\/clone\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_folder?post=5862"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}