Thursday, April 6, 2017

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.

Early in David’s life he was fully aware that someday he would replace Saul as King of Israel. Being human, he must have been tempted to take a shortcut to the throne instead of waiting for God’s time. He was tremendously popular with all the people from the time of Goliath’s death. Day after day, we’ve been reading stories of his victories. A lesser man would have become impatient and run ahead of God’s plan. Eventually David was crowned King and reigned for much longer than his waiting period. David was confident that God would keep His promises. When David was hiding in caves from Saul, or feigning insanity amongst enemies, we can be assured that he drew strength and was encouraged by the sure knowledge that God does not make mistakes. We may learn today that “patience,” a Fruit of the Spirit, can grow in our lives as we wait on God.

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

9 thoughts on “Thursday, April 6, 2017

  1. Thank you David for your faithfulness to this blog daily.
    With coffee in hand and reading God’s Word and your blog is my way of starting the day and God has so blessed me.
    David I pray for God to strengthen you daily to continue sharing your insight and understanding of His Word. I am greatly encouraged.
    God bless you and all my blog brothers and sisters today.
    God is good.

  2. The journey continues, I’m enjoying this two year through the Bible experience! Thank you for making this possible. I am also enjoying seeing father and son working together to bring us God’s word each day. NW

  3. Pastor David Such a pure joy of encouragement to read your Daily Blog Inspired by The Holy Spirit in you!!!
    Praying for you Dear Brother David !!!
    Sincerely your brother Phil.
    ISAIAH 53 :1-5
    PSALMS 103 :1-5

  4. God bless you, today, David, your family, and all saints. We rest assured in the love of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

    “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
    John 3:16 NLT

  5. Your insight extended to us Pastor David, enhances the Word daily presented in this blog, May you be encouraged this day and strengthen in His Love, Amen!

  6. God Bless you David, it’s AWESOME to see you back I’ve missed you.
    Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
    You too Ron.
    I’ve learned so much from you.
    You are an inspiration to me.
    Love you. Jenny.

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