SHAME!
Today’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 19-20
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
This is the ancient mosaic floor in the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George, located in the ancient Moabite city of Madaba. It is the oldest map of Jerusalem and biblical locations. Madaba is a Christian city, today located just east of Mt. Nebo in the country of Jordan. Amman is the capital city of Jordan. This is the area occupied by Israel before their conquest of Canaan. The Bible spelling of these names in today’s reading is Medeba (19: 7) and Ammon (19:9).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 1 Chronicles 19:4
Therefore, Hanun took David’s servants, shaved them, and cut off their garments in the middle, at their buttocks, and sent them away.
King David’s first choice for Ammon was kindness and peace. However, when these were refused, war was practically inevitable. Even today, the war option should be absolutely the last resort. War should be avoided almost always. The shame inflicted on David’s ambassadors of kindness was too much for Israel to bear. It was war!
The key verse makes the point that shame is often considered in some cultures to be much worse than an honourable death in battle. David’s instructions to his ambassadors was for them to come half way to Jerusalem (Jericho) and wait there for further instructions. In 19:19, as we saw in an earlier reading, David brought about peace through strength. This was President Reagan’s approach to end the Cold War with the Soviet Union.
When we recognize that Almighty God is all-powerful and that all we have is human strength, we should make an intelligent choice and say to God, “I surrender.” Oh yes, we can persist in our own will. We are made in His image and likeness, and we have the right to say “no” to God. We must not blame God when we bear the consequences of our own decisions. God, Himself, comes to us with offers of kindness and peace.
We may want to read from the New Covenant Colossians 1:19-22. Like David with the King of Ammon, God took the initiative in sending to us ambassadors of kindness and peace, Jesus and the Apostles.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, I know that in rebelling against You, I will bring disastrous consequences upon myself and others. Therefore, I pray that in all things I will be Your subject, a citizen of Your eternal Kingdom. You are my forever King! Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Here’s a “loss of face” story. In the orient, “loss of face” is particularly offensive. A TV crew from America arrived in Seoul, Korea. They were met by a delegation on behalf of Pastor David Yonggi Cho and driven to their hotel. When they asked about their TV production equipment they were told, “We’re looking after that for you.” Later that evening they met Pastor Cho and they asked about their cameras and TV gear. The pastor said, “As you leave Korea, your equipment will be restored to you. It’s locked up safely in a room at the airport. I will not allow you to use our Korean church to raise money for yourselves in America.”
About two years earlier, Cho had been a guest on that particular American show, where the host had raised a great deal of money to build a TV studio for Cho in Korea. Cho had gone home and told everyone what this generous U.S. TV host had offered. However, not a cent was ever sent to Korea. About a year after the American TV crew was sent home, Cho was a guest on 100 Huntley Street in Toronto. The entire telecast was on the theme of forgiveness. The moment we were off the air, Cho said, “God has just given me the grace to forgive ______.” He headed straight for the airport, changed his flight to one flying to the city where the promise had been made to him, and asked the forgiveness of ______. Cho did what God required of him. Cho had lost face with his Korean people and felt deeply shamed, a most serious issue. I wondered how I would have reacted in a similar circumstance…and still wonder. Cho, in my opinion, is one of the truly great Christian leaders of our time. Since that time, God has blessed Cho in an unprecedented way. His church now seats about 40,000 people and is located on Yeouido Island, next to the South Korean Parliament. He has several services every Sunday in order to accommodate their massive congregation. It was called “The Full Gospel Central Assembly” and in the 1990’s was renamed, “Yoido Full Gospel Church” (click here).
Yours for learning to avoid causing anyone to be shamed or to lose face,
David
P.S. Hi, this is Ron Mainse here. I thought I’d give you a link to a clip from 100 Huntley Street this past week when Dad was on with my wife Ann and me talking about the recent trip to Israel. It includes a video of Dad receiving the Lifetime Global Impact Award at the Empowered 21 Global Congress in Jerusalem. Since he’s not one to toot his own horn, I thought I would! Click HERE to watch the video (the award segment is about 6 minutes in).
The altar area of the Church of Saint George, located in the ancient Moabite city of Madaba.
The outside view of the same church.
WOW!
Thanks for the video clip Ron. I understand that David can actually blow his own shofar (trumpet)?
The recent Lifetime Global Impact Award is just one form of recognition of a great Canadian!
Thank you for this excellent daily blog which helps us all practice/know the presence of the LORD at all times.
Shalom,
Graham.
2012 Holy Land Yellow Bus.
Amen!
I love receiving David,s blogs . Please enrolled me again for them. They do not appear daily as they have for the past couple of years. I now have to search for them. Thank you
Thank you for the video Ron! Congratulations David Mainse on winning the Lifetime Global Impact Award!! Very well deserved indeed!!
Vicky
Thank you and congratulations David,oh good and faithful servant! Thank you Beverlee for the links to worship songs. One link leads to another and all at my fingertips. I’ve now included singing in my day. One-more purpose being fulfilled! My God how great Thou art!! Blessed day to all of you. Love love!
Amen, Kathie. Was listening to a wonderful CD a friend made for me, this afternoon. Music is so uplifting! Hosanna in the Higheset is singing in my ears, so included the link. It, too, runs into a continuous feed. Continued blessings to you!
Congratulations David in receiving the award you deserve it. Our pastor from the church had gone on a trip to Jerusalem she now has a shofar that someone gave
her. Pastor Nadine Filsinger explained what it was for although it does not look like
the one you have. I did hear her blow it a couple of times it takes practise
Thank you for the clip Ron I look forward to the ones on Thursday and Friday.
God bless you and all your families
Lianne Hogg
Thanks and bless you, David; and bless you dearest saints!
Hosanna in the Highest
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oNUyPIaGuI
so liked the song, thank you
did anyone read the comments below
how does any one think that the President of the USA is Jesus Christ resurrected??????????
How does this make any sense?????
Blew my shofar in affirmation of all I saw and heard on this blog today. Congratulations and thank you for all you’ve done for us David. Love the songs Beverlee.
please pray that our town Council will have a change of heart! They passed an idea of having Farmer’s Market on Sunday mornings! The Christian people of my town would like Council to change that to Sunday afternoons! PRAYER IS POWERFUL! I ask for prayers for our Council to change their minds!
Yes, it is time for Christians in Canada to share the love of Jesus Christ with ALL people!
I am thankful that most of the items I gave to a friend for a yard sale all sold except for a wooden table pray someone will buy the table!
I am thankful that the Lord removed smokes/alcohol from me 20 years, He also took my broken leg and turned it into swimming, TY Lord God, TY!
please pray for a friend Tanaiya who had a brain tumor, spent 8 months in the hospital and it was gone completely! it is back,
I pray the Lord can simply “touch” the tumour and it will be gone forever.
I pray the Lord will bless me with a financial windfall, I need to clear debts and then go and find family and help them and friends,
shed tears of joy when David Mainse was given award!
CHRISTIANS COME TOGETHER AND PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER! OUR LORD GOD TAUGHT US TO PRAY!
OUR FATHER WHO ART IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BE THY NAME……….
Sah, I agree with you in prayer for Council to change their minds and not open the Farmer’s Market until the afternoon; or even just to be open Saturdays.
Jesus us our provider…I pray he provides all your needs. Bless you in your ministry to those you meet through swimming, etc.
What a spectacular pictures Rev. Reynold, thank David for sharing.
Yes, indeed, congratulations on receiving the Award, how special that Norma-Jean, Ron and Anne were there cherish the moment with you.
In 1973 I had the privilege to be in Seoul, Korea for the 10th World Pentecostal Conference held September 18-23. Together with a number of members from
Central Pentecostal Church in Edmonton, AB: Pastor George Smith was our host. What a blessing that was; one of the highlights on our flight out was when the pilot joined with us in singing songs of Praise to God, and prayer was offered up for our safety.
In the church the day of the Conference, an early service was held for their members. Then the one for those attending the Conference.
The afternoon ceremonies were held in the large stadium. It was humbling to see the Koreans kneeling on the grass as we worshiped and praised the Lord!!! In particular the elderly; they knew many verses to most of the hymns.
One in particular I recall was “there will be showers of blessing”
Those of us who were from various parts of the World sat in the seats above.
Also I recall, the sun was extremely hot, God answered prayer as a cloud covered the sun during most of the ceremony.
TY Irene for sharing your experience, kneeling on the grass brought me to tgears, when I was a kid we also had prayer meeting, mission festivals, and I remember we sat on the ground, the elderly sat in chairs but everyone else sat on the ground, in big circles, singing, praying, listening to the preachers and also, looking at some cute guys, when I think about those times, the internet would have paled to the fun
yes we had fun at these gatherings, some of the girls ended up marrying some of the guys that attended, not me, I was “to off the wall” and I was always having to be aware of someone hurting me, because my Dad could blow his stack, it’s funny, I do believe God was their in those times, but I was a strong willed child….blessings to everyone…..