Sunday, April 21, 2013

FROM KING DAVID TO KING JESUS

Suggested Reading: 2 Samuel 24

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

 

Mount Tabor is located in Lower Galilee, Israel, at the eastern end of the Jezreel Valley, 11 miles west of the Sea of Galilee. It was the site of the Mount Tabor battle between Barak, under the leadership of the Israelite judge Deborah, and the army of Jabin, commanded by Sisera, in the mid 14th century BC. It is believed by many Christians to be the site of the Transfiguration of Jesus. Here in the mosaic dome above the altar, where as recorded in Mathew 17, Jesus is transfigured with Moses and Elijah on either side, with Peter, James and John looking on.

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

 

Key Verse: 2 Samuel 24:24

Then the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

In today’s reading, the people bore the judgement of God. Pictured above is the place where Jesus prepared to bear God’s judgement in place of the people. It may be that Moses and Elijah were there to encourage Jesus in His greatest of all sacrifices, bearing all our sins. Comparing 2 Samuel 24 with 1 Chronicles 21, it appears to be the same event. In the latter account, God decided to test His people by allowing Satan to tempt them to sin. Yes, David sinned, but so did the people. This shows the widespread effect of sin. Our sins do not only impact our lives, but others around us as well. Our key verse should inspire us to think about our level of sacrifice. The final words, verse 25 of 2 Samuel, should encourage us. It tells us that “The Lord heeded the prayers for the land.” Let us determine to be fervent and constant in our prayer life.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, the way I live my life will inevitably have an effect on others. I pray for Your grace and power in my life to be obedient to You 100% of the time. Please forgive my sin and bring healing to those who have been hurt in any way because of my sin. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I often heard my Dad pray in our family prayers as we knelt at our chairs after supper, “O God, may the smile of Your approval be on our lives.” I knew my parents would tend to smile when I was obedient and did something good, and I feared their frowns when I did the opposite. I knew that punishment was to follow on the heels of my transgression.

Tomorrow, God willing, I will read, with my blog partners, Galatians, chapters 1 & 2. I’m so thankful that because of the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross, I am now, on the basis of faith, not of works, free to enjoy freedom from sin and its power over my life. Judaism, the expression of the faith revealed in the Old Testament, is often called the cradle of the Christian faith. In Galatians, we will learn that the practice of Judaism almost became the grave of Christianity. I’m excited at the prospect of moving from King David to his descendant, King Jesus!

Yours for victory over sin, and for healing from sin’s effects through the Lord Jesus Christ,

David

 

14 thoughts on “Sunday, April 21, 2013

    • Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

  1. I really loved your prayer, today, David. You always remain so humble and teach us to do the same. “Lord God, the way I live my life, will inevitably have an effect on others. I pray for Your grace and power in my life, to be obedient to you 100% of the time. Please forgive my sin, and bring healing to those who have been hurt in anyway because of my sin. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen!” And your father’s prayer, “Oh, God. May the smile of Your approval be on our lives.” Both so loving and in awe of the greatness of our Lord!

    Looking forward to Galatians 1 and 2, tomorrow. Blessed to have watched the CTS special on George Beverly Shea, last night. You did an excellent job commentating, David.

    Blessings to all, on this special day! Praise the Lord, oh my soul!

  2. Bring Back the Springtime

    When in the spring, the flowers are blooming bright and fair,
    After the grey of winter’s gone.
    Once again the lark begins his tuning,
    Back in the meadows of my heart.

    Chorus:
    Lord, to my heart bring back the springtime.
    Take away the cold and dark of sin.
    And, Oh refill me now, sweet Holy Spirit:
    May I warm and tender be again.

    Lord, make me like that stream that flows so cool and clear,
    Down from the mountains high above.
    I will tell the world the wondrous story,
    Of the precious stream filled with your Love.

    Chorus:
    Lord, to my heart bring back the springtime.
    Take away the cold and dark of sin.
    And, Oh refill me now, sweet Holy Spirit:
    May I warm and tender be again.

    May I warm and tender be again.

  3. The results of sin can be far reaching and destructive in nature. Since the ‘fall’ in the Garden of Eden, generation upon generation has been tainted by it’s pernicious effects. Even today with all our modern technology and skills, the world still hasn’t figured out a way to undo it’s own sin nature; that’s because we haven’t learned that we cannot do it by ourselves or on our own merit. We will never produce our own righteousness, just as it will never be earned. Jesus alone became our sin-bearer on the cross at Calvary; He sacrificed for us, He suffered for us, He died for us, that we no longer have to strive to rid ourselves of sin. In effect, He took on the sin of the world, both past, present and future, that we might be clean and have life everlasting. This is love, this is grace. We need only to believe this truth and to claim it as our own. (By no means should we think that that because we are Christian that we can continue to sin willfully and expect to have God’s approval). Yes sin is incredibly destructive, but God’s love and grace is greater and stronger than the dire results of sin. In short, it’s all about grace; rest in Jesus, He alone can overcome, He alone can set us free!

    Romans 3:25 (NLT)
    For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God, when they believed that Jesus sacrificed His life, shedding His blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when He held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past.

  4. What a wonderful way to start our day, before getting ready for worship. I agree with all today and once again am encouraged by your humble prayer David.
    Thank you too Beverlee for Bring back the Springtime, so appropriate for today.
    I am rejoicing in the fact Jesus saved me from sin and SET ME FREE!!!

  5. I agree with what you wrote Scott and Beverlee today I see flowers just coming out
    and the birds are chirping what a wonderful sight.Sound early spring is one of my favorites season and fall when the leaves turn different colors
    Lianne Hogg

  6. Yes, you did a good job with the documentary of George Beverley Shea, David. Was praying that the Lord would speak to this young man’s heart as well. Thank’s Beverley for the song; going to try to learn to sing it. God bless everyone on this sunny Sunday(Sonday)!

  7. I am so very thankful for this daily bible reading. For several years I read through my One Year Bible, missing readings from time to time. I am a slow reader, easily distracted, leaving to read over passages when my mind would drift.
    This 2 year Bible Reading is just right for me, leaving time to meditate on passages that strike me. As of late, I’ve been listening to the dramatized audio version while I read. I am finding this helps my pay attention and keep on track. So Happy.

  8. David you looked great last night.
    What was King David’s sin that caused the terrible three day plagues that killed so many people.

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