The. A. A. Her dot. Of a q. . And. A. A. Home. Good. Just. Or how. We. Heard. It and neither did the live. A a b. . A do. You. Ever. Heard and. A goal. And. A year. My name is Jasmine and a bible text that really encourages me is 1st John 48 whoever it is not love does not know God because God is love 1st John 4 God bless you. Goal. 'd 'd we are born. Mom a smile. Oh . Full or they are. Proud to say I love is still would have a. Little. Love or. A boy Zoe. I don't. Baby what I do. There is the moment into. Your life different direction it could be a tragedy angry 6th sense that left. Him an illness you don't understand. God can meet you in any of the directions you find yourself. Is to introduce courage faithfulness and trust God's compass. Found. Welcome to another his voice today with Steve well buried. In John chapter 3 verse 16 which is the most famous verse in the Bible Jesus said For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever would believe in Him should not perish but have ever lasting life just a couple days ago I was in Spokane Washington and I picked up a copy of the newspaper and one of the headlines says man rescues son who fell into a river a father jumped into the Spokane River from the Washington state bridge to rescue his 23 month old son after the toddler fell off the bridge Thursday afternoon miraculously The boy fell into a location where there was a pool and the father immediately jumped into the river grabbed his son and carried him to shore. The article continues by saying that many instances like that don't have happy endings because the Spokane River is very treacherous and I thought about that I thought about God and I think about John 316 and how we've all just like that little boy we fall into the river of sand and we're lost in this world and there's really no hope for us unless we have someone jump in into this world of evil and try to get us out and that's what Jesus did for you and for me 2000 years ago I'm a dad and I've got 2 kids and when I read a story like this I can't help but be touched by the love of God and His sending His Son to save the lost world John chapter 3 verse 16 the most famous verse in the Bible is about a rescue operation the Bible says For God so loved the world that he gave just like that father jumped he gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have ever lasting life you have just heard his voice if you enjoyed this short devotional with Steve Well you can hear more messages online at His Voice Today dot com. I. Know you. Are. Still. It's. Cold cold legal over. It's. Close it's. Lol lol lol. Lol lol lol. I am. Lucky. Lucky. Old. Mum. Is slowly slowly. Slowly. He slowly. I. Strong. It's. A. It's. A. 2. It's. Funny mainly in these juices and one of my favorite scriptures is sunset the 1000 verse 16 hour delay myself in your steps and I will not forgive you are some Sept or 19 verse 16 May God bless you on your journey to the. Presenting story. Building for a better. Today's story. David son of Joseph by the authority vested in me as Priest of The God of Israel I placed the scepter in the eye hand as a symbol of your authority as vice generative God above your brother like places diadem cronie. You just take it many years. And much patience all your buds but at last God's will is for. Your kids over us united them don't do is. Carry. I'm boys and girls moms and dads this is a carol and I'm a good man Hello everyone and welcome to Day We have another episode in our series on King David you can find the story in the Old Testament of your Bible in the book of 2nd Samuel chapter 5 we call it a camel to success. And David was 37 years old when he began to reign over all Israel members of my court some of you have been with me since the days of the cave of Adullam some of you held your positions under King Saul but all of us together have a solemn duty to perform for Israel God's chosen people. A very very god covenant with Abraham Isaac Moses and many others of our forefathers to make of his people like great people like the sands. Of the sea a number countless as the stars in the heavens the most powerful people on Earth and the greatest of all nations if we obey his will and keep our part of the Covenant these things shall come to pass we will keep His commandments and walk in His statutes. Our 1st duty is to choose a site better fit than Hebrew and to be the capital city of such a great and powerful nation on that site will build a city which will become known far and wide as the capital city of Israel where indwelled the leaders of God's people the name of the city itself shall become symbolic of the greatness and the omnipotence of our God. I discussed the matter of the proper cited several We are greed that the site now known as g.b. Is suitable 20 miles from here in days of old it was known as Salem and the ancient priest milk is a direct lived in it situated in a central position of Israel its elevated and thus protected by its hills it has easy access to all the tribes of our people are there any objections to this site as the future location of the capital of Israel. Your Majesty I am yes General Joab humanity I'm fully in accord with my king selection of jeepers as the Crown City to be of the Hebrew nation however I should like to point out that for centuries ever since the death of Joshua the city of jeepers has been occupied by the Canaanites or sites and that it is an impregnable stronghold. That my men and I have personally inspected all the defenses of jeepers both natural and manmade you have seen we can find no weakness or flaw unless God works a direct miracle I see no hope of ever acquiring Jesus we cannot expect God to work a miracle for us if there's any way at all that we ourselves can accomplish the task well I readily admit that your Majesty it is exactly why I said God would have to perform a miracle if we are ever to occupy Jeepers we have ourselves. Can never capture it there is a flaw in the defenses of genius there is one tiny flaw a flaw that's been overlooked but if we take advantage of it the site can be taken what is the floor your Majesty. I'm going to reveal it to all of you the 1st one of you who successfully uses it resulting in the capture of the gene Besides in their city will become commander in chief of the combined armies of Israel and Judah. There is no well or spring of water within the city walls of genius that for centuries has been able to withstand all sieges regardless of their length because they have an unlimited supply of water from outside the walls water from the spring called Guyana The problem was how to get the water inside the walls during the siege well to accomplish this to g. Besides build a tunnel level with the spring westward from solid rock the continuous flow of the spring keep this tunnel filled or nearly filled with water and they dug a shaft straight up to a place inside the walls of the City us they are able to get water by merely drawing the water up with buckets to the top of the shaft. And beginning to understand your Majesty is this tunnel from the spring to the shaft completely filled with water viewing the opening of the tunnel from the spring it's not completely filled However if the tunnel slopes downward the inner part would be filled and one might have to swim under water to reach the shaft Yes I believe one might does his majesty have another did all of the shaft going up into the city how large it is or how high it may be large enough for only a bucket or it may be much larger only the seem to know they keep it a secret any other questions. It's our only avenue into the city and its eventual capture Now here's the plan the 1st one to gain entrance into the city by way of this tunnel and shaft will make his way to the gate and lead our army in. And Joab and his men went out to take the stronghold of the Besides the city which David desired to become the capital city of the nation. Now in the city of Jesus. Character In other words. Yes Yes What is it watchman. Oh my look out over here on the world over there appears to be an army of soldiers approaching the city what you're saying are Big Sur from which direction is it approaching from the highway that leads to he runs a good paper on. Weissmann television going to sound an alert just as soon as I can get away I'll join you up there. Yes our captain and army is approaching the city and clearly gates of all traffic allow a little time for the people still outside the walls to return then or the gates going to close and security gates that is all right away so. Well watchman can you make out who's army it is not exactly say but I strongly suspect it's David's our little David's band of 600 men series he's the David to some of the giant Goliath and he is now king of all Israel yes I know he's I mean the numbers well into the 10s of thousands but what could David be sending his Armitage Eavis fork or perhaps he plans to take over our city take over g.p.s. What with his slingshot. Well if David is that stupid he'll soon discover that his armies of tens of thousands is no match for a city with walls tens of feet high. It is David's I me I recognize their leader Joe m. Oh he's a mighty warrior oh you of the Sunni whoa re here your job Davis general. I demand the oh jesus surrendered to my forces at once Oh so you demand do you well now you may demand on us generals o. Abd but I will command that the gates of us remain as they are those and bark if you read you a mile of. My army. And you tie the straw go right ahead my man lay all the sea Jewish. No you are not the 1st century that was start all enemy attack you shall not come into the city if you ever did the layman the blind would turn your back. The forces of joy were stationed at the city gates and instructed to be ready for immediate attack at the moment the gate should be flung open Corporal Yes Your I've come with me yes where are we going said the spring of God to get water set David has pointed out that we may be able to find entrance to the stronghold of the forgotten he also said that the 1st man who successfully entered the city of jeepers would become commander over the combined forces of Israel and I intend to be that man yes or. No Corporal we're going to study the situation here see if the water can be choked off sufficiently for a short time to allow us to make our way down this tunnel where the vertical shaft is I do think it's best. But say it's night dark you can't see a thing only they go and they say yes how do you possibly going to go through that tunnel and up the shaft in the dark you probably couldn't do it even in the daytime our only chance of success is when it's dark in the early morning when it is least likely that someone will be at the shaft drawing water. Going to the spring 1st and start on the time when you follow close behind the water is down enough so we may be able to buy heads above all the way I estimate the tunnel to be 5060 feet long ready yes here. We go old. School. Loops if he gets deeper. And I walk on the tip of my toes. Just as I get any deeper will be all right. A little more shallow here. I'm not going to say any more as someone here is the top of the shaft follow me yes just. This falls easy getting up that shaft can't see a thing up there not even a star can you feel the opening to the shaft and yet I'm feeling around here really it's not a very large opening. You can make it yeah if you stand on your shoulders what are you going to do to the top of the shaft of course but how the shaft is just big enough for me to work my way up with my back against one wall or my feet and hands against the other foot is not wishing slippery all the shaft diggers want to particular about like you know a little smoother. There yeah months from now on we will say not one word went my way to the top slowly and I gather that would be the signal for you to make your way back to the screen into the can tell David I will make my way to the north gate open it just don't success to say and God be with you see good son of. Man. David Sure it's almost sun up in the gates are still closed you think general joy has a chance to Joab is a clever man of the Lord is on our side I believe that. The gate it's opening forward forward armies of Israel and Judah. So David overcame the sights and took the stronghold and dwelt in the fort and called it the City of David. It later became known as the city of Jerusalem city of peace this is a wonderful place for Israel's capital situated on 2 hills naturally fortified on 3 sides beautiful and fertile valleys in between butt. This place is the g. Besides used it isn't nearly big enough for the capital of a large nation like Israel has plenty of room to build exactly Joab and I'm going to rebuild the city and enlarge it in were drawn to him Valley it's going to be a beautiful place and absolutely impregnable since I established offensive the guy in spring Chad. And David became greater and greater. The God of hosts was with. We'll get back to our story in just a moment but 1st listen to these 2 that are from Indiana Joshua wrote my son enjoys the adventures very much when he received the 1st packet we went through it and can't wait for the next packet So Josh and I can spend time learning the Bible together thank you so very much and from Michigan Carrie wrote I just wanted to send a huge thank you for sending adventures to the children they were all so excited to get them in the mail and even more excited knowing they'll be getting stories of Jesus on C.D.'s Thanks again and thank you for your letters Carrie and Joshua We're so glad you and your children are enjoying the adventures although the adventures are designed for everyone who's at least 9 years old the adventures are great for family devotions where younger children can take part 2 with a little parental help we do get letters like this one from Mary Ana who was referring to the adventures when she wrote others is a great idea I think you should let 78 year olds do it this year my little sister is 8 she loves Jesus and is smart she wants to do it too Aereo know we are sure your sister is very smart and we're so glad she loves Jesus and wants to do the adventures we do make some exceptions such as when a parent or older sister or brother promises to do the lessons with the younger child and we think you are a wonderful big sister to speak up for your little sis So if you're 9 years or older or if you're a little younger but a grown up or older sister or brother promises to do the adventures with you just go to our website at your story our dot org click on adventures and sign up that's it your story our dot. Org answers are fun for everyone and they're free and they'll help you to know Jesus better if you don't have access to the will happen in paper ready to take down our mailing address after our story speaking of which it's time to return to the tunnel to 6 that. Far to the north of any land assigned by Joshua to the children of Israel it was a small nation called Tire. Its king in this time was higher. The kingdom of Tire was so small that its people when invaded by an enemy would cross an open bay of water to the island of Tire this island contained only 140 acres and eventually became the exclusive habitation of the tour Yeah Yeah Yeahs Your Majesty great and mighty King of Tire I understand some of your spies are just returned from the south any new developments in the land of Canaan Yes your Majesty many important things have been taking place in and around Israel David has been made king of Israel as well as Judah subjects love and respect him thus it is inevitable Your Majesty that Israel becomes a strong and united nation and he started out as a musician up at the lead amazing anything else of importance Yes David and his army have captured the stronghold of the g.b. Sites you mean the fortress city of Jesus has finally been taken Yes your Majesty. He is a man of great prose David you know general I think it's about time we make an alliance with. Small country but Ridge he's Kingdom is large and powerful a combination of the 2 should be invincible No I heartily agree your Majesty. Just what purpose did David heaven going to the trouble of taking it. There all it is only a mere dot on the landscape of Israel it is to be the capital city of Israel your Majesty so that it scribe summoned all the members of my card to a special session immediately. Each of you will begin at once to accomplish your assigned task and remember to select only the best building materials in the mean. Then messengers to David to inform him of my put. There is from King of time to see is Majesty King. Welcome to the land of Israel may your stay be long and pleasant we come to this beautiful land your Majesty with a message of good will and everlasting happiness from our king to the great and renowned David King of Israel I am grateful for the good wishes of your king. But surely he sends you on this journey of many days for a greater purpose than greetings and best wishes would come Your Majesty to negotiate an alliance between Israel and tire tire is small in area its true yet we occupy a strategic position on the shores of the great sea and carry on commerce with every city and nation bordering it shores we also have access to a great abundance of costly lumber and trees metals and minerals Israel is a great nation occupying many miles of beautiful mountain streams and forests you have fruit and nut trees in abundance your people are true and loyal and you yourself oh king are a wise and just and mighty king an alliance between our 2 nations would cause other nations to look upon us with fear and respect you cresent your case well and Bassett or proceed His Majesty less. One thing oh on what may that be a royal palace Her Majesty a Polish or loyal people can point to with pride a palace large enough to accommodate rooms and structures necessary to carry on the royal business of such a large and powerful nation as Israel again I say your King chose well his ambassadors then your Majesty would agree very only to the fact that your King is right Israel is in need of a royal palace but what is that do with an alliance between Israel and tire I have the pleasure of informing his majesty that at this very moment great trains of costly materials are on their way from Tire as gifts to Israel for the building of a royal palace but uses all that material to me and not the talented workman to build a palace such as you speak again I have the honor to inform his majesty that my king made provision for just such a situation he is sending architects carpenters masons and workmen of varied skills and ability to build a palace for His Majesty you may return to your wise and generous King for the message the David except his gifts with deep gratitude and would be happy to enter into an alliance with Hiram King of Tire for the more informers Majesty that I David trust that a warm and lasting friendship will develop between the 2 nations and people. And they build a David and house and David perceived that the Lord established him king and exalted His Kingdom for the sake of Israel God's chosen people. The increasing strength of Israel in its union on a David the acquisition of the stronghold of jeepers as the capital of the alliance with the rich country of Tire excited the anger and hostility of a long time enemy of Israel the Philistines your Majesty the King Are you sure foolish dear big commissioner speak concerning an important and urgent matter. Graham to do with the nation of Israel your majesty and especially with David their new king is David how well I remember him oh wise and crafty general wise and crafty enough to make me believe he was on my side once and I fell for it be that as it me Majesty David is now king over all Isr