Monday, April 10, 2017

WHITER THAN SNOW

Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 11-12

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

 

Mount Hermon is the only ski resort in Israel and is located in the north. Even in Summer a snow cap can still be seen. King David prayed, “Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow” (Psalm 51:7b).

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

 

Key Verse: 2 Samuel 12:7a

Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man!…”

In today’s Bible reading we learn that it is impossible to hide from God. God told the prophet Nathan all about David’s sin. David had tried to cover it up. God will rip the covers off in His time and for His purpose. Perhaps because David had been so blessed by God, he thought he would be an exception and that God would let him get away with his sin. When we read together the Psalms, we’ll see that David has a special relationship with God. Is it possible that David thought God would let him get away with adultery and the deliberate act of ensuring Uriah’s death? Perhaps David no longer feared God as he once did. Psalm 111:10 tells us, “The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.” Jesus is quoted in each of the first three Gospels saying, “There is nothing covered that will not be revealed” (Matthew 10:26). This should put “the fear of God” into us. David, when he was caught, repented. He wrote Psalm 51 at this time. Let’s take time to read it together. In 51:7b he states his confidence that God washes away his sin and makes him “whiter than snow.” While God forgives, the circumstances don’t always forgive, as we will see in tomorrow’s reading.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I join King David in his prayer of repentance: “Have mercy upon me” (Psalm 51:1). “Cleanse me from my sin” (51:2b). “Create in me a clean heart” (51:10a). I pray this through Jesus, Who bore my sin on the cross and Who washes me clean in the blood that He shed (1 John 1:7b – let’s read all of 1 John chapter one). Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I believe that “repentance” is a constant in my life. John the Baptist began his ministry with the word “repent” (Matthew 3:2). Jesus did the same (Matthew 4:17). Is this a top priority for a believer? That’s for sure! To me, “repentance” means a 180 degree turn!  At 179 degrees, I’m still moving away from God. Daily Bible reading and prayer keeps me focused like the surveyor I saw with a transit scope the other day. I must not look away from God’s will for my life. David did, and look what it cost him.

On one occasion, I had the joy of skiing at Whistler, British Columbia. The lifts were full and I found myself sharing a three-person chair with two young ladies from Quebec. The move to separate from Canada was big then. They told me they would vote for Quebec as an independent country. I said, in my best French, “Look around you. British Columbia is your country now. It won’t be if you separate. How could you possibly give up all this beauty?” They answered, “We’ll think about that.” Then I asked them to think about Someone else… God. I quoted Job 38:22 – “Have you considered the treasures of the snow?” (that’s my rough translation from French). That opened the conversation for the next few minutes to talk about the Lord! Good seed was planted in their hearts. I saw them from a distance twice more that day, and they waved and gave me their biggest smiles. Perhaps they we’re laughing at my accent, but I think not! Je pense non! Oui?

Yours for “whiter than snow,”

David

P.S. Over a three-year period some 50 years ago, I read the French Bible daily in my time of devotions. I suggest that this is a great way to learn a language, holding in one hand the English text, and the French in the other. Here’s a link to a French and English parallel version of today’s reading (click here).

 

16 thoughts on “Monday, April 10, 2017

  1. Thanks David for today,s blog and the other links that helps us to understand that things we do we will have to give account for eventually. David when he was caught repented instead of making excuses. Thank God.
    I am asking for prayers for a dear friend we have been friends from we started school almost 60 years ago. She was diagnosed with breast cancer last week and will be having surgery this Thursday.
    Thanks and have a blessed day fellow bloggers

    • Lord God, we hold up Thelma’s dear friend, Cynthia, to Your throne and call on Jehovah Rapha to lay His healing hands upon her. Guide the hands of the surgeons who remove the cancer from Cynthia’s body and be with the medical staff as they care for her. Grant her full healing rest and comfort, Lord. We know You are a God who heals and we trust Cynthia will be safe in Your loving arms. And take away the worry from Thelma and Cynthia’s family and replace it with trust and faith in You. In Jesus’ precious Name, we pray. Amen, amen and amen.

  2. Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise all creatures here below, Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! AMEN!!

    HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN! PRAISE GOD!
    JESUS HAS RISEN INDEED!!
    PRAISE HIS HOLY NAMED!
    HE IS RISEN!! AND HE LIVES FOR EVERMORE!! AMEN! and AMEN!!

    AND HE DID IT FOR YOU AND ME!!

  3. Joined in prayer with you Pastor David!!! Praise God, His mercies are new every morning!!
    If we are not on the alert daily, temptation is just around the corner.
    David’s moment of idleness, and self-confidence, and possibly pride, just about cost him his life.

  4. what a great idea – to read the day’s Scripture in French. I tried it – my French is rusty but it was a good feeling to try. Thanks David. God bless you always.

  5. Lord we pray for complete healing for Cynthia! We pray that all the cancer cells will be entirely destroyed all throughout her body never again to appear!
    We thank you Lord that she will lead a very healthy life with her family for many years to come! Lord we pray that You will remove all cancer from all of Cynthia’s family members! No cancer anywhere ever again! We thank you Lord for complete healing of all her family, for generations to come! Thank you Lord in Jesus Name we Pray AMEN!

  6. Yes, cleanse us from all sin and help us to trust you Lord. Agree in prayer with all my fellow bloggers for a successful surgery for Cynthia and a complete restoration to good health in the precious name of Jesus. Amen!

  7. Praising my Saviour all the day long.

    Adding my prayers for Cynthia for a peace that passes all understanding and rest while she heals in the presence of our Great Physcian.

    Blessings and prayers for everyone today.

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