Friday, April 12, 2019

HERE COMES THE JUDGE

Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 14

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

 

In the Armenian quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem, there is a church with this door built inside an ancient gate. Note the heavy bolts on the left. Security has always been important. King David knew that his security came from God, yet there is no record that he prayed about his decisions concerning Absalom. When big trouble comes (tomorrow’s reading), David turns to God in prayer. Why bolt the door when the enemy is already inside?

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verse: 2 Samuel 14:14

For we will surely die and become like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again. Yet God does not take away a life; but He devises means, so that His banished ones are not expelled from Him.

In this chapter we read of King David’s General Joab, who schemes to create a plan to bring about a reconciliation between David and his son, Absalom. Joab, as a principle counsellor to David, brings a widow before the king to present a fake issue on which David is asked to waive the next of kin’s obligation to avenge his murdered relative. The application to David in Absalom’s murder of Amnon is obvious. Joab wins his point and Absalom returns from exile.
In her appeal, the widow pleads God’s mercy and clemency to guilty sinners. While the case she presented was false, the two instances of God’s mercy were true. Firstly, we see the patience God displays toward those who break His laws. Secondly, God has made provision for the restoration of sinners. We are told in 2 Peter 3:9 that God, “is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” We may want to read all of 2 Peter 3 and meditate on “judgment.”

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, Your Apostle Paul tells me that if I judge myself, I will not be judged. I can read that in 1 Corinthians 11:31. In that chapter the “Lord’s Supper” is presented. When I partake of the bread and the fruit of the vine, I seek to review my conduct and judge myself. You show me areas of my life where I need to repent. I pray for ongoing grace to live in that attitude of repentance. In Your strong Name I pray, Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I very much encourage every blog reader to come along side the Crossroads Family of Ministries. In my opinion, the flagship telecast, 100 Huntley Street, is the most effective television anywhere when it comes to confronting the culture, particularly now. Please respond with your best ministry gift, and if possible, monthly support (click HERE to donate). If you are already on board with Crossroads/100 Huntley Street/Context/etc., thank you so much! There’s a new teaching telecast hosted by Nizar Shaheen in English (he’s already blanketing the globe in Arabic). HERE is a little about this new program. Nizar’s gift of teaching is exercised humbly and compellingly. Our Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Lorna Dueck, is introducing to our viewers powerful new communications initiatives. Your prayers and support, with God’s love and power, makes it all possible.

Yours for learning to judge ourselves,

David

P.S. Check out Nizar’s ministry (click here). Back in the 1990’s Nizar and Jim Cantelon teamed up and were on TV daily for four years as a part of the 100 Huntley Street telecast.

 

 

12 thoughts on “Friday, April 12, 2019

  1. “When big trouble comes, David turns to God in prayer. Why bolt the door when the enemy is already inside?” No truer and more profound words could be said than this. We must resign our will to the Lord’s. Amen. I have to remind myself of this when I am struggling. Our God so intimately knows us. Watching Nizar’s posts on 100 Huntley Street was always enlightening. Thanks for the link. Wishing all saints a blessed day in the Lord. Oh, how he loves us, so!

    “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.” John 15:1 NIV

    Jason Upton – The Garden Song with Lyrics
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WeqUt5lErKc

    • What an imagination Joab had and what a great actress the woman was who relayed the scheming message to King David! Not sure it’s wise to deceive but it seemed to work in this case, maybe with God’s blessing.
      I don’t get to this blog but once or maybe twice in a day Beverlee but you were wondering what Mrs. Thatcher would have thought about the Brexit situation. I love Theresa May and can’t help but admire her for ploughing on thru all the adversity to her plans for breaking away from the EU. I honestly don’t know the full extent of her plans concerning the desire to be free of the EU but firmly believe the two grand ladies would have enjoyed each others company regardless of strong and quite possibly differing opinions:-). God bless you and all saints this gift of a day. I love politics!!

    • Beverlee Kay
      I chuckled at your opening line..something that I forget is that God is right beside us ALL THE TIME, He is everywhere, He knows all, He sees all; He hears all…..
      I wish to encourage all who are dealing with Mental Health issues is to talk to someone; do not be alone, call the crisis line and I believe anyone can post on this prayer site the need for prayer…
      I get out of the house in the evenings; off to swimming tonight; please do not give up, reach out for help; nothing to be ashamed of; mental illness is really a hormonal imbalance or a chemical imbalance; we are all born with imbalances, the trick is to recognize this and remember to let family know that these imbalances are hereditary and there some very good meds nowadays to get started on that help with these imbalances;
      God bless all those who post

      • Thanks Sah, but I can’t take credit for that great line–it was the caption under Reynold’s photo of the door! God’s blessings on you, Sah!

  2. Interesting conversation today and lot of truths. King David is having serious family problems. Sin pays wages. Polygamy plays into part of it too probably concerning the offspring. Absalom loved his full sister Tamar and named his only daughter after her did you notice? I admire Margaret Thatcher and Teresa Mae as well Lynda D. I believe we need to pray for our own government and the upcoming election like never before. I was basing my judgement on Geshur, a country in Israel on the fact that God had previously said that if Israel didn’t drive out the inhabitants in the land they would become thorns in Israel’s flesh. realize the main issue here is David and the consequences of his sin. Sunny day here so far. Blessings!

  3. In today’s scripture emphasis of the need for daily prayer; and all situations: so that our self–centered and stubbornness not get in our way for that the right decision ts made, to leave room for clemency and restoration.

    Enjoy the sunshine all you saints who may be basking in it!

  4. Lynda
    You are amazing! you like politics! once upon a time I also liked politics but times have changed and I feel morals have changed….now I just pray for the right decisions to be made by our leaders; seniors,low income; mental health illness;children; do not seem to matter to the government; I feel a very deep need for people to pray for the above peoples and to become advocates for those in need because I somehow believe that our leaders are looking at their pensions and deciding how long they need to serve to get the best pension…..
    May God watch over all out leaders, May God give them the right wisdom to make the best decisions for the people….May God protect our country
    In Jesus Name we Pray amen

  5. Love all your comments. I’m learning so much from you all.
    Please pray that my relationship with God becomes more intimate.
    Love you all and God Bless you!!!!

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