Wednesday, March 29, 2017

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THE ROCK OF SALVATION

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 23-24

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 En Gedi where David hid from Saul among the rocks and in the caves.

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

Key Verses: 1 Samuel 23:14b, 23:26, 24:12

Saul sought him every day, but God did not deliver him into his hand…Then Saul went on one side of the mountain, and David and his men on the other side of the mountain. So David made haste to get away from Saul, for Saul and his men were encircling David and his men to take them…”Let the Lord judge between you and me, and let the Lord avenge me on you. But my hand shall not be against you.”

Under the inspiration of the Spirit of God, David wrote Psalm 22. We might want to read that Psalm today. Hiding amongst the rocks and in the caves gave David lots of time to pray and compose songs which reflect his experience in God. Notice in today’s reading the similarities to Psalm 22, the Psalm of the Cross. One thousand years before the crucifixion of Jesus, at a time when crucifixion as a method of execution was unknown, David described the event in considerable detail.
David had many hiding places, and he knew that his true stronghold was in God. Psalm 18:2a tells us, “The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer.” Like David, we know that we are not saved because we are clever or strong. We are saved from death itself because God has acted on our behalf. David was protected. Jesus was not protected. David lived, and we live, because Jesus was captured, beaten severely, and killed. Jesus is our Stronghold, our “Rock of escaping” (23:28). Let us run into Him for safety.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, You revealed to David an amazing knowledge of Your suffering and death by crucifixion. I pray that as I wait before You today, You will reveal Yourself to me. May I, by the work of Your Spirit, identify so closely with Your sufferings that I can say with Paul, “I am crucified with Christ,” and “Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I’m meditating often on the time leading up to Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection during these days leading up to Easter. Think about the following.

At the last meal shared by Jesus and the disciples, only three of the four cups of wine which normally accompany the Passover meal were served. Jesus prayed in the garden, “If it be Your will, let this cup pass from Me, nevertheless not My will but Your will be done.” That fourth cup was received by Jesus as He hung on the Cross. In John 19:29 we read, “Now a vessel full of sour wine was sitting there; and they filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on hyssop, and put it to His mouth. So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!’ And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.” “Hyssop” was used at the first passover in Egypt to put the blood of the sacrificial lamb on the lintels and door posts. At the very start of Jesus’ public ministry three years earlier, John the Baptist declared that Jesus is “the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). I’ll attach a worship song in my P.S. so that all of us can worship “The Lamb.” I just read Revelation 5:9-14.

Yours for a constant confidence that we, like King David, are in a secure hiding place in Christ, where no enemy can draw us from that ultimate safety,

David

P.S. Worship along with the Hillsong choir as they sing about The Lamb!  (click here for “Worthy is the Lamb”).

The view from the Garden Tomb area towards what many believe to be Golgotha, the Place of the Skull, where Jesus was crucified. This is the north side of the ancient quarry dug into Mount Moriah, the same mountain where Abraham, about to offer Isaac, was told, “God will provide a sacrifice.”  Stones were taken from here to build the Temple. A Muslim graveyard is on top of the hill.

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

30 thoughts on “Wednesday, March 29, 2017”

  1. Wonderful Psalm, message, and prayer, David! Thy Will, God, be done on earth as it is in heaven. By Your mercy, Lord, we are saved. We give You such thanks and praise! All for Your Glory! Amen! Missing my darling sister, Laura, on the twentieth anniversary of her passing from cancer. Life has never been the same without you on earth, Laura, but oh, how I look forward to being reunited with you, in heaven! Blessings fellow saints in the Lord!

    As the Deer Panteth for the Water
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5pZkLWZv-E

    “As the deer panteth for the water
    So my soul longeth after thee
    You alone are my heart’s desire
    And I long to worship thee

    You alone are my strength, my shield
    To you alone may my spirit yield
    You alone are my heart’s desire
    And I long to worship thee

    You’re my friend and you are my brother
    Even though you are a king
    I love you more than any other
    So much more than anything

    You alone are my strength, my shield
    To you alone may my spirit yield
    You alone are my heart’s desire
    And I long to worship thee

    I want you more than gold or silver,
    only you can satisfy.
    You alone are the real joy giver
    and the apple of my eye.

    You alone are my strength, my shield
    To you alone may my spirit yield
    You alone are my heart’s desire
    And I long to worship thee.”

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  2. Beautiful remembrance of the Lord’s death today with scripture, photos, prayer and song. Thank you dear David. Sorry for the loss of your dear sister Laura, Beverlee. This is also a special day for me as it is my dear Mother Alice’s birthday. Also for my dear sister Marion today in Calgary as she is having an operation? She is a good Christian and also reads this blog. Would you please remember her in prayer? Thank you and God bless you. I also have a have a medical test today at the local hospital. Oh Lord Jesus, how faithful you were in performing your Father’s will. Thank you Jesus, we love you. Amen!

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    • In memory of your mom Alice’s birthday, Ger. Lord God, we lift up Ger’s sister Marion, as she undergoes surgery, today. Protect her with Your loving arms and assurance of healing rest and comfort. And for Ger, Lord, that her test at hospital, goes well, today. Watch over her and remind her how much she is loved on the blog. In Jesus’ precious Name. Amen!

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  3. Thank you for sharing you thoughts with us every day, they are healing and inspirational. I appreciate the New Testament readings that you include, they are important for me. The song you shared this morning is beautiful as well. ????

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  4. Father God I pray for Marion that the surgery that you will heal her , and the surgery that there is no complications . I also pray that the recovery will go fine.
    I also pray for Geo that you will help her through this test and that God will take away any pain from Marion or Geo
    in Jesus name
    Amen
    Thank you Beverlee for the beautiful song it brings back good memories I love
    it.

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  6. Inspired by Psalm 73:24-25
    With wise counsel Thou will guide me
    ‘Til in glory Thou make me free,
    For Who in heaven have I but Thee
    And with no mortal I choose but with Thee to be.
    (G.W.)Bill Marshall/Oct 09, 2015

    Trust

    I am not wise nor even smart
    But I opened wide my heart,
    For you alone know it better than me
    And in you alone I trust my soul to be.
    (G.W.)Bill Marshall/ 3/29/017
    This just popped into my head so here the ink dries.

    This always comes to mind at this time of year:
    In A Poet’s Mind

    They opened my flesh to the bone,
    Harder still when they heard no moan,
    As meat was torn from my ribs;
    For my clothes they claimed dibs.

    As the cross was still on the ground,
    A mother’s sobs were the only sound,
    My body ached in so much pain,
    From the whips that fell like rain.

    They drove the spike through my hand,
    As my Father’s shadow covered the land,
    Then they raised the cross up high
    To where my body would soon die.

    Each breath then came in bolts of pain
    As Satan sought this world to regain.
    But he knew I would do it again
    Just to break his worldly reign.

    That is why I broke the serpent’s sword
    And became your loving,willing Lord,
    For to step down off the cross,
    The world then would be My loss.
    G W (Bill) Marshall/(2011~2012)

    https://www.facebook.com/bill.marshall.75

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  7. I pray for those mentioned here,
    For you,Lord,know each soul;
    Therefore You can remove the fear
    And through You may each be made whole.
    Seeking neither tears nor fame,
    I ask it all in Jesus’ name.
    Amen

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  8. Thank you Beverlee, Eleanor M, Lianne and William for your kind prayers. Marion and I are both happy to report that we have done very well. Your prayers mean so much and we appreciate them. God bless you. Ger.

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  10. HE did all for us, WORTHY IS THE LAMB!! Because of HIS GREAT LOVE for us!! WORTHY, WORTHY IS THE LAMB TO RECEIVE GLORY AND HONOR AND PRAISE!!

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  11. The links you posted, Pastor David, how special; the song the scriptures in “Revelation”, the powerful prayer for the day: Your words of wisdom, and encouragement. May the Lord continue to strengthen you each day for His Glory and purpose, as you present His Word of Life to us!

    The Lord was with David in all he did; and David constantly sought the Lord for guidance and wisdom, and protection.
    What a difference in David’s attitude and that of Saul. David’s heart was loving, and tender. Saul was full of envy and vengeance!!

    Thank you for the photos; the one of the tomb brings back memories of being there, and entering the tomb; praise God…Jesus is risen!!! He is not in there!!

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  12. yes Irene! your words are exactly what I say every day HE DID IT ALL FOR ME!
    Yes, God sent HIS SON TO DIE FOR ME AND ALL MANKIND! it makes me very faint!
    God removed smokes/alcohol from me April 16, 1995! HE DID IT ALL FOR ME! I did not attend a program to quit, HE JUST DID IT FOR ME! My friend spoke these words: We have the Holy Spirit that enables us to do more than we ever dreamt! and with those words I threw the smokes away, we were at the beach and everything went into the water! we laughed as the waves took the tobacco away! That was 19 years ago, Yes Irene,l He did it all for me, He died for all mankind! We are all forgiven!
    We are new each morning, if we slip, we can say we are sorry, forgive me Lord! and HE has, and He did,

    WOW! Worthy is the Lamb! Thousands are singing! WOW! what a blessing,

    The Lord provided me with a car! very thankful……asking the Lord for financial breakthrough, desperate to clear up loan and help family, get affairs into order, yes, Worthy is the Lamb,
    to think that He died for me, for everyone on this earth……again, it is over whelming……thank you Lord, thank you……amen

    pray that all goes well on Thursday the 30th……blessings to all…..

    Reply ↓

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