Wednesday, April 17, 2019

THE POWER OF WORDS

Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 19

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

 

This area near Jericho is one of the main baptismal sites on the Jordan River. On the far side of the river, people are entering the waters of baptism. They are in what is known as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, where in the time of Joshua, two and one half tribes remained. This is the area where we find David in today’s reading. He escaped from Absalom to a city on the east side of the river.

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

 

Key Verse: 2 Samuel 19:3

And the people stole back into the city that day, as people who are ashamed steal away when they flee in battle.

The people who had stood shoulder to shoulder with David were discouraged by David’s response. They could not understand the depth of his grief. Self pity was probably a large part of David’s extreme sorrow. He knew how badly he had messed up his family and his kingdom. David was experiencing the truth of the words written a thousand years later, “God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Galatians 6:7 – click here for 6:6-10). Paul wrote good words. In the last sentence of today’s reading, “words” are mentioned twice. Words have great power to change a person, and even a nation. The words of Joab to David, rebuking him and urging him to speak words of comfort to the people, changed David’s actions. Then David spoke to the priests asking them to speak to the elders of Judah. Judah had supported Absalom. The representatives of the ten tribes, eleven counting Benjamin, had, for the most part, stood with David. The words of Barzillai come close to home for those of us who are 80 years old or over (2 Samuel 19:35). However we can take courage from the fact that God used this old man to provide food and shelter for David and those who had accompanied him from Jerusalem. What an honour it is for we who are older to use the resources God has given us to bless others.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I ask You for wise words to come from my mouth. I pray that, like Barzillai, my actions will speak even louder than my words. May I be given the grace to give generously of that with which You have entrusted me. Thank You that I’m of sound mind and that I can make decisions which will benefit Your cause. May I not wait until others have to make those decisions for me. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

In my comments yesterday, I spoke of these priorities: God first, family second, and God’s other work third. My Dad, because of circumstances beyond his control, was absent from the time I was two until I was eight. During those years, some people, probably unwisely, would say to me, “David, you have to be the man of the house.” They weren’t serious, I’m sure, but to a boy those were big powerful words. I can remember standing as tall as possible, squaring my shoulders, and even lying as straight in my bed as I possibly could. When Dad came home at the close of WWII, I hid behind the bushes and my older sisters had to drag me out to greet him. In spite of that, I was glad to see him. He was a strong man with strong words. My mother had the same strengths. Some time ago, Ann, my “daughter-in-love” (we say “love” instead of “law”), was looking at a 1948 yearbook from Annesley College (John and Charles Wesley’s mother’s maiden name was Annesley). My Dad was Principal there and Mother was called the Matron. Ann said to me, “Dad, you should quote your Mom and Dad in your blog.” So here are some of mother’s words from that yearbook: “Dear young friend, is God calling you to attend Annesley College? Make sure that you are within calling distance. Live close to Jesus where you can hear His voice. When we live in that secret place with Him, we rejoice to do His bidding.” – Hazel Mainse. And some of father’s words: “In the first place, things that count for success seem just beyond our reach. We try to influence people for good, but our best efforts of themselves prove futile; and worse than useless, even harmful. The secret of successful contact is found in the magnetic Son of God, who never made a failure in any of His many human relationships.” – R. L. Mainse (below are photos of these pages in the yearbook from 1948).

Yours for learning that “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver” (Proverbs 25:11),

David

P.S. I noticed that the editor of the yearbook was Colin H. Glenn (photo below). He is the grandfather of Rev. Ray David Glenn, Rector of St. George’s Anglican Church, a congregation that has recently dedicated a new church building in Burlington, Ontario. Here are some words from Ray David’s Grandpa from that yearbook: “With 34 months service in the armed forces, I am happy to present my life a living witness to a dying world that Jesus saves, keeps, and through obedience, fills the heart with a peace that passeth all understanding, coupled with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” Colin Glen had been converted to Christ four years earlier while serving in Europe during WWII. The government of Canada paid for the education of several veterans who studied at Annesley College. Colin was one of those veterans.

Messages from my parents in the 1948 yearbook of Annesley College. Click on the photo to enlarge it.

 

Colin H. Glenn in the 1948 yearbook of Annesley College.

 

8 thoughts on “Wednesday, April 17, 2019

  1. Great history in scripture and today’s message. Rev. Ray David Glenn is remarried to Monica, with their teenage children Matthew and Kennedy. Wishing them God’s continued blessings and wishing all saints a blessed day in the Lord.

    “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” Isaiah 1:18 ESV

    For the Lord takes pleasure in His people;
    He will beautify the afflicted ones with salvation.
    Psalm 149:4 NASV

    Who You Say I Am – Hillsong Worship
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcC1Bp13n_4

    • P.S. Enjoyed reading David’s mom and dad’s messages in the Annesley College 1948 yearbook, which I enlarged. Very moving.

  2. I also enjoyed the blog, Beverlee I was glad to see that Ray David had remarried.
    Edward just got a walking boot yesterday so I am hoping he will be able to get around better. He will have to start therapy soon and on May 1st he will be 83 make things a little harder. His blood count has dropped down a bit more, but he doesn’t have to see the hematologist for 3 months. If it is down again the dr is considering another bone marrow test.
    I want to wish all blog friends an early Blessed Easter weekend. I am keeping busy at the present so havnt bern writing much lately. When I see prayer requests I do pray for them m.

    • God bless you Eleanor, we pray that the Lord will continue to walk with you and Edward; we pray & thank God that you have a positive attitude in regards to “hoping he will be able to get around better”
      May you continue to lean on the Lord and we also wish you and Edward a very blessed Easter also,
      HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Edward on May 1, may God continue to bless him as he gets ready to start therapy soon…..

  3. Voices from the past…They are almost….usually interesting to read with their background included.
    Praying for Edward’s recovery,Eleanor.I’m glad you didn’t say “He got the boot.”My friends sometimes criticize me for ‘using the wrong words’…
    Absolom’s ego was his downfall and his father paid the price in a no-win situation,a father’s worst nightmare.What is that scripture that says/means that if you are in a position of leadership and know you are not the brightest then it is wise to surround yourself with honest,believing advisors.Absolom lost his way.
    Keep us on the right path ,Lord.(100 Words is that path,thanks to David and his family.)Yall be blessed

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1Wa2msOq9c

    (( https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=robin+mark ))

  4. What inspiring words David’s parents left us to ponder.
    Delighted with our election results in Alberta and prayed for it to be God’s Will.
    Praying for all saints today and always.
    “You may never own an ancient fossil, construct a cathedral for the ages, or take a selfie that goes viral. Even if the world doesn’t know your name, God does.” Dr. Denison.
    Blessings on this holy week to all believers.

  5. prayers of thanksgiving for healing baby Lucas and healing Deb of her cancer! She will attend church on Easter day! PRAISE THE LORD!
    prayers of healing for the families that lost members of their family in a shooting the other day;4 people lost; prayers for the family of the shooter; it is all to much too think about, very hard on the emotional side of us…..don’t know what happened; heal us all Jesus, please help us all…in Jesus Name we pray amen

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.