Tuesday, May 19, 2015

BONES

Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 13-14

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

 

Perhaps it was a tomb not unlike the one above in which Elisha was buried. In this photo you can see the Tomb of the Sons of Hezir and the Tomb of Zechariah on the right.

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

 

Key Verse: 2 Kings 13:21

So it was, as they were burying a man, that suddenly they spied a band of raiders; and they put the man in the tomb of Elisha; and when the man was let down and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet.

Imagine the surprise of the graveyard crew when they were running from the Moabites, to find the man they had just thrown in the tomb of Elisha running after them! Perhaps this is the reason why in some cathedrals the bones of people judged to be very godly are on display. I wouldn’t count on the same thing happening with those bones. Stretch this last of Elisha’s miracles a bit to connect to the bones, as it were of Paul, Peter, John Wesley, and others. When we read their writings, there is a sense that we are touching the very structure of their lives and spiritual life is flowing. There were no bones left behind in the tomb of Jesus (I’ve personally checked it out in both suggested tombs), yet life definitely flows into us from contact with the living Christ. We can never read too often Colossians 2:13-22.
If we really like figuring out things, the Jehoash/Joash kings in both the north and the south will prove an enjoyable challenge. Their mother’s names may be the key to solving the puzzle.
We are first introduced to the Prophet Jonah here (2 Kings 14:25). Perhaps Jonah knew that Nineveh, capital city of Assyria, would soon devastate Israel and in an ethnic cleansing move the Assyrians would disperse the ten tribes of the north over the entire world. This may be the reason Jonah headed west to Spain instead of Northeast to Nineveh.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, I pray for Your consistency to be strong in me. This is a two-year journey which may well be the most important two years of my life. I’m counting on Your indwelling Presence to keep me true. In Your all-powerful Name, Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I should point out that no ministry funds are used for trips such as the one depicted below with Ron and Ann in Petra (the Biblical Selah mentioned in today’s reading).

In today’s reading I noticed that Jonah was from Gath Hepher. This is not the “Gath” of the Philistines, from which Goliath came. This place is located between Cana of Galilee and Nazareth. It’s now called Mishad. This is the village which figures prominently in the conversion of my Arab son-in-law. I’ll try to remember to tell the story tomorrow, God willing, of how God saved Nizar’s life in the ancestral hometown of Jonah.

Yours for consistency and integrity,

David

 

8 thoughts on “Tuesday, May 19, 2015

  1. May God bless and keep you and all your family, David. May He keep you faithful, and multiply your ministry. In Jesus’ name, amen

  2. I believe this was a wise move to clarify to those who ‘did wonder’ if the opposite were true.Thank you and God bless

    ” 100 PERSONAL WORDS:

    I should point out that no ministry funds are used for trips such as the one depicted below with Ron and Ann in Petra (the Biblical Selah mentioned in today’s reading). ” [David Mainse]

    Catch The Fire (4 David Mainse)

    Though you have walked many oceans
    And spread My word to many nations,
    I saw in you and your devotions
    A servant of joyous exhalations.

    You have not asked for earthly wealth,
    But just to be my most humble voice
    And when adversity was kept in stealth
    You still worshiped Me out of free choice.

    So out of free choice I give you
    More time upon the stage of learning,
    Whereby My word you show to be true
    And catch the fire that’s forever burning.
    G W(Bill) Marshall / 01 February, 2014

  3. As I read thru my bible I’ve noticed that when it states God’s anger burned, terrible things happened. Is that still going on today? Are all the “natural” disasters that happen today God’s anger burning?

    A friend sent me this link about a little boy, Willie, in Atlanta who was kidnapped and saved himself by singing a gospel song:
    https://youtu.be/PkmLmgP3B-o
    The whole devotional about it is here:
    http://odb.org/2015/05/17/power-in-praise/

    Another Christian sent me this video of more children:
    Le flashmob des Prodiges

    Have a blessed day.

  4. Was a bit of a challenge to know which king belongs where…however, I know that God knows and He gives us every detail…

    great picture of Ron and Ann…bless you all…enjoy every moment!!!

  5. You all are in my prayer in Jerusalem.
    Have Spirit-filled days and rejoice in the Lord.
    Psalm 91:11 to you.
    Jamie

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