JERUSALEM
Suggested Reading: 2 Samuel 4-5
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Jerusalem, the city where David's ancestor, Abraham, built an altar on Mt. Moriah, and where God promised that He would provide a sacrifice. Not Abraham's son, but God's own Son became that sacrifice. It was here that Melchizedek, king of Salem (Jerusalem means city of salem or peace) and priest of the most high God brought out to Abraham and those with him, bread and wine, signifying the establishment of our communion observance today. In today's reading, Jerusalem becomes David's capital city.
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Key Verse: 2 Samuel 5:4
David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I wait for Your timing in all things…in life with its outstanding opportunities, and even in death with the glorious prospect of fulfilling Your plans for me throughout all eternity. Please continue to produce “patience” in me, and may that fruit be out there on the branch of my life, so that others can partake of Your “patience.” In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I read this morning the designated readings and I’ve been meditating on David’s victories over the Philistines and his taking of Jerusalem, making it his capital city. However, David did not conquer himself in the area of his human desires. He added “concubines and wives” (2 Samuel 5:13), and not satisfied with this, he seduced, as we’ll read later, another man’s wife and then arranged to put that man in a place in a battle where he would surely be killed. If only David had called upon the God he knew so well. The God he wrote about so powerfully in the Psalms would surely have helped David overcome sexual sin. As we’ll read over the next days, David, his family, and the people of his kingdom paid dearly for David’s failure in this area. I’ve often stated, “Jesus changes everything.” In contrast to David’s many wives and concubines, Jesus taught one-man/one-woman marriage (Matthew 19:4-6). Years ago I read inside the cover of my dad’s Bible, in his handwriting, these words: “Sin will keep you from this book, and this book will keep you from sin.” That’s just one of many reasons I’m so committed to doing this blog every morning.
Yours for “patience,” and, yes, persistence in reading God’s Word every day without fail,
David
Good morning David
Thank you again for your inspired and anonted daily blog — its allways blessing to me “you make mine day”
“racing for HIM to finish a race well ” . Thinking and praying for all
your brother in Christ
Zeljko
Once again I am uplifted by today’s blog……thank you David. I have always had a problem with patience but through The Lord and guidance of The Holy Spirit bit by bit I am conquering this. I go to Psalm 27 often and vs. 14 says “Wait patiently for The Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes wait patiently for The Lord.” Blessings fellow bloggers and continuing in prayer for you David, Norma-Jean and family.
The timing of your words about patience, could not have been more perfect for me. I was praying about a business matter and was given news yesterday, “not now, but maybe in three or four months.” Yes, God never makes mistakes in His timing. I am encouraged by faith and prayer, to wait knowing it is what is best. Have a great day to all!
Thank you for the lesson on patience, I needed it today.
I was priveledged to know Oswald Smith who had the same message handwritten inside his Bible – this book will keep me from sin and sin will keep me from this book. We dearly loved the Smith family and benefitted greatly from knowing them.
comment about waiting moderation not mine, not sure what that’s about.
Thanks,David, your message is always so timely! Patience is key in this fast world we live in! Knowing His promises, and standing on them for unsaved love ones, is a big one for a lot of us,.”But if we hope for what we do not yet
see ,we wait for it patiently” Romans 8:25
20: So David came to Baal-perazim, and defeated them there; and he said, “The Lord has broken through my enemies before me like the breakthrough of waters.” I really like that. It reminds me of one of my favourite verses, John 7:38: He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.
Thanks for your message, this morning, David. Not too long ago, I heard someone say, “whenever a man becomes really successful, that’s when he has an affair.” Different context back in OT times because it was accepted for a man to have multiple concubines and wives, however, it’s the same premise. King David may have followed instruction from the Lord as a leader but failed as a human in the area of sexual sin and self gratification. Jesus was the only man on earth who lived his life solely for the purpose of glorifying His God and carrying out His God-given purpose on earth–of that we can be sure and forever grateful!
Thanks to everyone yesterday for your prayers; our God is so good! I very much look forward to meeting you, Barb and Diane; God will bring us together. We have a wedding at our church, this afternoon, uniting two of our seniors! Blessings to all–it will be a wonderful day! <3
Today, I pondered upon the immense patience of Jesus, after studying David’s blog. Jesus waited about 30 years before He entered into His public ministry. He awaited upon fishermen whom He patiently trained and equipped to become fishers-of-men. These same men (among others) often didn’t ‘get’ His teaching, but often looked for their own place of prominence with Him. The patience of our Lord was often reflected in His ability to tolerate their stubbornness, pride, and inconsistencies. Jesus patiently awaited His various trials and tolerated an often corrupt and self-serving political / religious environment. He patiently awaited the Cross and a long, painful and languishing death. Today He patiently awaits a lost and weary world to come upon Him, that He might save some before He returns. He patiently awaits for our turning from sin, for our repentance, for our obedience. Yes, Jesus is a patient Lord, He has established an example of patience before us and He is worthy of both our worship and praise. Indeed, He has blessed us with both patience and grace! Amen!
Thanks David for all of your encouragement in your blog to keep in the Word and close to Jesus.
I have a question? since there doesn’t seem to be any history of Melchechidek…was this Jesus or a type of?
Was the tithe first mentioned with him as well as the serving of wine and bread to Abraham?
thanks again…if you have time I would love an answer…Helen.
I’m curious about Melchechidek as well.
Helen and Harvey,
Yes, Melchizedek is thought by many scholars to be Jesus trying on the garments of humanity. He was “Without beginning and ending.”
Yes, to your second question.
God bless you.
No matter what happens God is in full control. Trust int the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, In all your ways acknowledge him and he shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3: 5,6
Excellent comments today fellow bloggers and excellent teaching on patience Pastor David!!!! It is a beautiful day – enjoy!!!
@Beverlee…. have a wonderful son/sun filled day at the church with the wedding…. if we dont meet this summer ( well maybe soon in the air ) ..as we live today the gift it is…
Blessings to you David as we continue to pray for a healing miracle for you ..we are blessed indeed by your blog and your personal note’s ..
As we are all heading towards home… Our citizenship is in Heaven …and we sing Praises to His Holy Name as we finish the race well… in His Precious Name …Jesus… We thank you Lord for the Gift of Faith…. Have a great day everyone ….
Continue to pray for you David & all You Bloggers.
Dear David and fellow bloggers,Ithank you so much for all your comments
and added scripture it is so inspiring to be bathed in scipture so early in the
morning to get my day started , God Bless you all love, R…..
Dear Davld,
I can,t wait each day until I can read your thoughts for the day. My thought continually is, my dear David, you are reaching more people with your (daily bible studies) than you may have reached during your whole wonderful life. I have read a little of the old testament but came back quickly to John’s gospel. The pure love is so beautiful that Jesus shows us. For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotton Son that who so ever believes in Him should not perish but have ever lasting life. also “You must love one an other.”
Thanks David – you are a great teacher and I love your sharing of God’s guidance in your life – it’s so inspiring. It seems when I pray for patience that’s when tests happen, but I do want to learn to wait for God’s timing – it’s always right.
I am struggling and recently signed up for your inspired blog. What an amazing Lord I serve, who answers my prayers in so many wonderful ways – YOU are an answer to prayers as I look forward to going into God’s word every morning as I’ve never done before. Thank you so much.
Thank you David for your encouragement to keep reading the Word and for your inspiring insights and the same to all my fellow bloggers. Have been meditating on the life of David, how difficulty and heartache continue into his reign. Have been hit hard this week with this new intestinal flu and ended up in emerg. Praying God will continue to give you strength David, Norma Jean Reynold and Ron.
Thank you David and fellow bloggers for your comments Ger I will be praying for you. Love is patient. 1Cor.13:4 , God is not slow about His promise , as some count slowness,but is patient toward you,not wishing for any to perish but all to come to repentance. 1 Peter3:9. God Bless each!!!!!