Wednesday, April 17, 2013

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THE POWER OF WORDS

Suggested 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 pushing 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 still of sound mind (I think), and that I can make decisions which will benefit Your cause. May I not wait until others have to make those decisions. 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 2 until I was 8. 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. Yesterday, Ann, my daughter-in-law (we say “love” instead of “law”), was looking at a 1948 yearbook from Annesley (John and Charles Wesley’s mother’s maiden name) College, where Dad was Principal 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: “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 uses the Chapel at the Crossroads Centre in Burlington as a temporary home while they are building their new church building. Here are some words from Ray David’s Grandpa: “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.

 

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

 

22 thoughts on “Wednesday, April 17, 2013”

  1. As Barzillai left a strong legacy of by his kind actions, we all need to look deep into our hearts and ask ourselves how we would wish to be remembered after we have left this earth. I contend that by looking to Jesus and his attributes, we can’t go wrong. Christ-likeness is a quality of being by which all Christians should yearn to attain through God’s grace in the power of the Holy Spirit. If each one could be conscious to live every moment for our Lord, make decisions based on Godly principles and act out of true love and compassion for others, then without a doubt, we will have left a Godly legacy.

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    • Thank-you David for your insight into these daily readings. I have been a Christian for 46 years but this daily reading and blog has clarified the meaning and life application of many of these old testament scriptures. Your stories of your parents and your earlier life are an encouragement and blessing also.

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  3. God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man sows, that he will also reap. Gal 6:7 That really stands out in today’s message. Therefore let us spread as many fruitful seeds as possible. Thanks, David, to you and your family for the wonderful seeds you have sewn and as Scott has said, for leaving such a Godly legacy.

    What a wonderful tribute to your parents, David! God’s continued blessings to all fellow saints, on such a beautiful, sunny day!

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  4. By remaining close to our Lord, we are given assurance the words we speak are not based upon ego, but instead give way to life. It is a matter of simplicity, love and being true to Him who created each of us.

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  6. Dear David: How blessed you are to have been left such a legacy to share with us. I am one of two Christians in my family of 10 children. As far as I know there are no Christians in my past. I am 65 years old. I have been a Christian for just over twenty years. God is so good. I, my wife, and our three children are all Christians. Our 27 year old son, Darryl; studying to be a Pastor was killed ten years ago in a motor vehicle accident. God must have the answer to all the whys , I still love the Lord , but i don’t understand it all yet. Blessings and good health on you and yours. John, In Christian Love.

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    • Your words touched my heart John. The ‘whys’ are difficult to answer on this human plain. Having lost a sister to cancer I questioned and questioned God. His answer for me was to look upon His Son, and the true cost of His love for each of us. No it’s not a full answer to compensate loss in our life, but it is a faith. To always look upon Jesus in the small things and the large is a life’s discipline and practice, for Jesus IS our life.

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  7. All will be revealed in the great here after then we will know.God Bless
    you all ,and thank you David M. for this blog…R..

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  8. Dear David,

    Thanks for your leadership and this blog. I was searching for you, because of something I followed through on — after meeting you a couple of years ago.

    We met on your farewell tour in the little village of New Minas, Nova Scotia, at the Baptist Church engagement you gave there. After hearing then what is planned at Crossroads, I decided to take Radio and Television training as a second career, with a concentration in Broadcast Journalism.

    My portfolio. with resume and work sample, is at

    jimrobinsonportfolio.wordpress.com.

    I’ve just written Cheryl Campbell in HR with it, asking to be steered in the right direction toward serving God in the media ministry you founded–(rather than serve the other guy in the secular media).

    I am not a spring chicken. But as of contacting you in person here, I am also leaving it in the Lord’s hands as to what happens now.

    Thanks for inspiring me, a prodigal. I hope to hear from you soon, as there are other local opportunities that I’d be happy to skip.

    God bless you and your efforts, too,

    Jim (Robinson)

    Reply ↓

  9. Dear David so greatful of Ann’s suggestion of showing your mom and dad’s teachings which was relevent in1948 and is even more so today in a world that is so broken and lost. these two weeks of teachings by Jerry on spiritual warfare is so powerful understanding the day to day struggles in our lives can be faced conquered with the knowledge of God’s word. In Ephesians 6 God gave us his full armor so let us use these armors and win the war. satan as already been defeated (notice the small s cant give hin a capital s) we have the victory in the name of Jesus Amen. I say to all of us CHRISTIANS & DEMONS is a must lets all get a copy, and give generously to a ministry that is reaching the lost for Christ. Have a bless day all.

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  10. Dear David
    Thank-you for sharing the wonderful legacy your parents left you.
    Thank you for this daily reading of God’s word, my day starts with it and ends with
    Crossroads.
    I pray God’s blessings and protection on you and yours.
    May God’s will always be done in your lives.

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    • What a treat to read about Colin Glenn who I knew in my childhood. He used to visit those in the town jail and witness to them…as his German Shepherd waited in his car. He truly had a heart for the lost. Interesting to hear the remarks of those who went before us.

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  12. Thanks again for a great Blog, also sharing your parents wisdom – a great legacy. John – I understand your loss – I lost my son who was a pastor in an accident not even two months before my husband passed away from cancer – we do wonder “why” but if Jesus could ask the Father “why” while on the cross, we know He understands and grieves with us. I was given this “Conversation with God”. I said, “God, I hurt” and God said “I know”, I said “God I cry alot” and God said “That is why I gave you tears”, I said “God I am so depressed”, and God said “That’s why I gave you sunshine”, I said “Life is so hard”, and God said “That’s why I gave you loved ones”, I said “My loved one died”, and God said “So did mine”, I said “It’s such a loss”, and God said ” I saw mine nailed to a cross”, I said “Your loved one lives”, and God said “So does yours”, I said “Where are they now”, and God said “Mine is on my right and yours is in the light”, I said “God it hurts”, and God said “I know”.

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  14. Great legacy, David, and blogs everyone. I thank God for my Christian grandparents who came from England around 1900. Also a wonderful Christian mother. I was the first one saved of the children in my family and what a responsibility I have. God bless you all today. Having trouble getting on the internet and accessing my e-mail.

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  15. Dear David, your sharing of your parent’s insights and witness of faith (from the Annesley College Yearbook) touched me very deeply and personally. Loved reading the way your Dad, R. L. Mainse appeals to us to remain connected to the

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    • Dear David, your sharing of your parent’s insights and witness of faith (from the Annesley College Yearbook) touched me very deeply and personally. Loved reading the way your Dad, R. L. Mainse appeals to us to remain connected to the

      Reply ↓

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