Saturday, June 15, 2013

NOW!

Suggested Reading: 1 Chronicles 21-22

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

 

From Joppa you can see modern Tel Aviv and the beautiful beaches. Today Israel is a prosperous modern state. Obviously God is not finished with His ancient people. He still has a purpose for Israel. Joppa, or Jaffa, as it is called today, is a Palestinian suburb of Tel Aviv. Jesus taught in word and by example that His Father cares for all people.

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

 

Key Verses: 1 Chronicles 21:1, 22:19

“Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel…” “Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God. Therefore arise and build the sanctuary of the Lord God, to bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord and the holy articles of God into the house that is to be built for the name of the Lord.”

The first and last verses of today’s reading begin with the word “now.” “Now” is an action word. Satan moved David to action, and God urged David into action. In the first instance there is no record that David prayed about his action; he acted without God’s blessing. In the second action, he had clear instructions from God. David learned a very hard lesson, repented, prayed much, and then he started action preparing for the building of God’s Temple. David did his best to rectify the problem resulting from his failure, but not without cost. Ornan offered David the land for the erection of the Temple for free, but David wisely refused and paid the costs himself (21:23). Would any of us do the same? This sacrificial act by David showed his repentance was sincere. Let us ask ourselves, “Are we as ready as David to recognize our sin and do something to make wrongs right?” We will bring judgement upon ourselves and others if we fail to genuinely repent. It’s like the natural laws such as gravity. We break these laws and we suffer the consequences. What we sow we will surely reap (Galatians 6:7). Here’s a suggested New Testament reading: Galatians 6:1-10.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, grant me, I pray, the grace of true repentance, whatever the cost. I want to do Your will NOW and FOREVER! In the Name of the One who always did what He saw His Father doing, the Lord Jesus Christ, I ask. Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

As a result of today’s reading, I ask myself this question…What on earth could be wrong with taking a census? Here in Canada, the present government has introduced a much shorter census form, asking less intrusive questions of us. There was harsh criticism of this action by the political opposition. Why? Does anyone in authority today actually pray about the decisions that impact millions of people? I pray daily for those who are in authority over us as the Scriptures teach me (1 Timothy 2:1-8). A census is far more than simply finding out how many people live in Canada. It’s about political control. It’s about identifying the concentrations of people power, so that by catering to certain interests, political leaders can perpetuate themselves in power. Of course, there are no doubt some of those in authority who want to know the census results so that they can serve us in a better way.

Recently, my friend, Lois Neely, an excellent journalist, author and editor, sent me a copy of The Toronto Daily Star from the year of my birth, 1936 (the paper would later be renamed just The Toronto Star). The entire front section of that 1936 paper was filled with the passing of King George V and Prince Edward’s ascension to the throne. Lois also sent me an even older copy of a newspaper, The Globe (later becoming The Globe and Mail). I was surprised to read the date on the paper being Monday, July 1st, 1867Canada’s Confederation Day…when the original four British colonies of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Lower Canada (Quebec) and Upper Canada (Ontario) joined together in unity (I also noticed the paper referring to a recent census that had been taken).

I’ll ask my son to take a couple of pictures of these yellowed and tattered papers, and if possible include them below. In case the print is not readable I’ll quote from a portion of The Globe: “Let us gratefully acknowledge the hand of the Almighty Dispenser of Events in bringing about this result, pregnant with so important an influence on the condition and destinies of these provinces, and of the teeming millions who in ages to come will people the Dominion of Canada from ocean to ocean, and give it its character in the annals of time.” I believe God has a purpose for all the nations on earth!

Yours for God’s will being done “on earth as it is in Heaven,”

David

P.S. It’s 36 years ago today that the 100 Huntley Street daily TV ministry first went to air on the Global TV network. For 15 years before that, we were weekly on CBC independently owned stations and on the CTV network with the Crossroads telecasts, and for several years with the Circle Square children’s productions. PRAISE THE LORD!

P.P.S. Below are the photos of the newspapers I referred to above. Click on them to enlarge them (and print a copy if you wish)…

The Toronto Daily Star newspaper from Tuesday, January 21, 1936.

The Globe newspaper, July 1st, 1867 - Confederation Day

Photo zoom in of The Globe front page article. Note the teaser copy related to some of the census information contained inside the paper.

Another excerpt from The Globe article.

11 thoughts on “Saturday, June 15, 2013

  1. It seems like the consensus David sought was more about counting his kingdom than anything else. An impulse of the ego instead of being thoughtfully prayed about. This can be an easy trap for anyone, especially if not a practice to seek wisdom and direction from our Lord in the daily decisions we make. I respect how King David was quick to repent, and how he was given clarity of mind to allow his son Solomon to build the temple in Gods timing of peace during his future reign. Thank you for the newspaper photos! Have a great day to all!

  2. Congratulations 100 Huntley Street on 36 years of ministry. God has surely blessed! Thanks for providing those copies of newspapers David, this land has indeed been blessed; however we should never take this for granted. Canada is by and large a secular nation now, although there is much to be hopeful about and to celebrate, I’m afraid it’s moral climate has become dismal in recent years. I pray our Lord extends his grace upon our land, and that all should come to know the goodness and loving kindness of Jesus Christ as their own Lord and Saviour. I pray the Lord would truly have dominion in the hearts of all people of this glorious land from sea to sea. Amen.

  3. Thank you once again Pastor David for sharing and the newspaper items. Saw Ron with them last evening on Huntley and Congrats once again on the 36 years starting on Global.

    WE have an amazing and merciful God, who is willing to forgive as we quickly repent of our sins. I agree there was a little EGO involved in King David’s decision but oh how he repented and GOD forgave….lots of lessons to learn through our daily readings of THE WORD?

    Blessings today fellow saints.

  4. The hardest act of repentance I ever had to make was when the Holy Spirit convicted me to apologize to a six year old child. It was truly humbling.

  5. Yes, congratulations, 100 Huntley St, on 36 years of service. Beverlee, thank you for your kind and encouraging words, and giving me Isaiah 41:10, a very special verse given to me on a former big event in my life. God bless you. Thanks for answering the question”What is wrong with taking a census?” and for the enclosure of the newspaper clippings from England, the country of my roots and Confederation. Have a great day everyone, a beautiful one here!

  6. In the year of grace… amen! Thanks for the newspaper clippings–very cool!

    “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels, and mercies, fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” Phil 2:1-2 KJV

    Wishing all saints a most blessed day–that peace may reign on earth.

  7. Thank you David and congratulations! As well for Ron providing us see those news paper clippings I saw Ron on 100 Huntley street and can not wait to hear what he has to say on July 1st
    Have a wonderful day everyone its nice and sunny here in P.E.I
    Lianne Hogg

  8. God save our land Glorious and free.I praise God for our beloved country
    dialy . We are surely blest to live in Canada.May you all have happy and
    blessed day….R…

  9. Thank you David M and Ron for the interesting information. Psalm 34:7 says The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them. May that be our goal in the strength and power of the Holy Spirit. God bless each one today!!!!

  10. Your TV ministry with the globle net work is 36 years but your overall ministry is 51years …am I right on that? Any way for years of faithful service congratulations David.
    Count your blessings not your people Ha! Ha!
    M. 🙂

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