JERUSALEM
Today’s 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 is 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.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
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 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
David,
Thank you for being an incredible Blessing in my life, and the lives of countless others.
You are a good and godly man!
I enjoy your Blogs, when I take the time to read them; enjoy the pictures included, too and LOVE the Prayers that you write.
David a few years ago I had the wonderful joy of brief fellowship at the golf club luncheon here and now we FEAST on Father’s Word.
There are not enough words to express how valuable this is to me. PTL
Amen! Jesus changes everything, indeed! Reassured by your love, this morning, in prayer, of your strength and fortitude. Blessings of abundance healing and restoration, dear saints!
Come Lord Jesus Come
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-2SFPXT7kI
So great that your dad had such a good and beneficial influence on your life Rev. M. Looks like we have your dad to thank for this daily, blessed sharing of God’s Word:-)
King David was certainly a colorful character in our history.
Blessings fellow saints.
Amen
Interesting about your dad. Oswald J. Smith had the same thing written in his Bible. He was truly a great man also. I would love God to speak to me so frequently and clearly as He did to David. I wonder if it was a voice in his head or a voice from heaven. Missing my husband this Easter. I have friends who are also new widows and we comfort each other. They have used an experimental treatment for late stage Melanoma on three people (according to CHCH news the other day). They improved greatly which gives a new hope for more better treatment and a possible vaccination. Praise God.
Dear David,
I just wanted to thank-you for a wonderful devotion today, discussing ‘patience’. I am certain that everyone is challenged with this gift. Acknowledging your own experience with patience, offers hope for all of us, growing in the Lord and waiting upon His word and timing. God Bless you!
Deb
Thank you David for continuing this blog. I so enjoy it and how important patience is.
After a failed marriage almost 27 years ago I have been waiting for a loving husband and it has been good these years as God has been my husband . Never thought I could do this and He surprised me and has been so faithful.
Still hoping though:)
Oh what a beautiful morning, Oh what a beautiful day, I have a wonderful feeling everything’s going my way….in His timing and in His way!!
It is a new day…the Day the Lord has made..and I WILL REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT!!
HOLY SPIRIT guide and lead me this day in Your way…HE HAS RISEN AND IS ALIVE IN ME PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME!!! WHAT A COMFORT TO KNOW HE IS ALIVE AND LIVES IN ME!!!
Your word and your prayer each day Rev. David is a jump start for my day and I thank you for it. Your honesty and humility and wisdom come forth through this ministry each day. Thank you and may the Lord continue to strengthen you daily…God Bless you and Norma-Jean and your loved ones this day.
Does anyone know how to print off the letter to Bill O’Reilly (from March 28, 2015) without having to print off the whole blog and comments for that day? I can’t seem to figure that out.