Tuesday, April 11, 2017

INCEST and MURDER

Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 13

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

 

Two Shepherds milk a sheep amidst the ruins of Jerash, Jordan. This photo is a reminder of the ewe in Nathan’s story (II Samuel 12:1-4).

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

 

Key Verse: 2 Samuel 13:15a, 28

Then Amnon hated her exceedingly, so that the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her…Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, “Watch now, when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say to you, ‘Strike Amnon!’ then kill him. Do not be afraid. Have I not commanded you? Be courageous and valiant.”

In yesterday’s reading, we read that the prophet Nathan chastised David for his sin of adultery and arranging for Uriah’s death. Nathan predicted accurately what the future would hold. The sins of David were repeated in his children. Incest and murder, recorded here, provide a lesson on the true horror of sin. Second Timothy 3:16 teaches us the reason for the inclusion of such a story in Scripture. It is “for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” King David did not have the writings of Paul as we do. The Apostle made it absolutely clear that, “Whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption” (Galatians 6:7b & 8a). After eight more days of reading in 2 Samuel, we move over to the New Testament to read Galatians. Let us all be disciplined, as disciples of Jesus, and not give up our daily reading. We will reap benefits as a result of our faithfulness. Paul also says in the very next verse, Galatians 6:9, “Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not lose heart.”

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I pray that I will pay closer attention than ever to Your “instruction in righteousness.” Please Lord, write Your Word on my heart again today, and every day. Keep me faithful in my daily reading of Your Word I pray. In the Name of the One who lives in my heart and who is always faithful, my Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

As I read today’s awful, tragic story, I thought of the tabloid papers that it seems impossible to avoid as I pass through the checkout counters at the grocery store. I try to avert my eyes so that I’m looking at my groceries and concentrating on my payment. Nevertheless, in the corner of my eye, there they are, filled with lurid headlines, half truths, outright lies, and awful pictures. I’ve spent a lifetime checking out Bible stories and have concluded that, while some of them are horrible, they are, unlike the tabloids, an accurate record of the human condition. In other “religious” writings, I find that the writers do not have their sins splashed across the pages as we find in the Bible. To me, this honesty is a great proof of the fact that “holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21). I believe that God has responded to diligent seeking hearts with truth. I’ve just taken the time to read a New Testament chapter, Hebrews 11. What an amazing gallery of God’s celebrities! It’s far more interesting than any tabloid, and there is one great advantage in reading the Bible… It’s TRUE!

Yours for making the Scriptures the vital component in our spiritual DNA,

David

P.S. Four years ago this week, Margaret Thatcher, a former PM of Britain, died. At that time, I put a link on my blog to a transcript of her message to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. It’s well worth reading again (click here).

 

11 thoughts on “Tuesday, April 11, 2017

  1. Oh the tangled web of lustfulness and incest, and utter pain it causes for so many. This morning, deep in meditation with the Lord, I felt such an overwhelming sense of peace from saints praying for me. Thank you–I too, was praying for you! Thank you, David, for this wonderful blog family. Thank You, Jesus, for saving us!!! Blessings dear ones!

    Teach me Your way, O Lord, and lead me in a smooth path…
    Psalm 27:11 NKJV

    Never Going Back – United Pursuit (with lyrics)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAWfzXUe2iU

  2. Sure, no war, but what about drugs.

    The Protestant says, Roman Catholics drink.

    But now we have to update this to something more modern.

    Catholics should take illegal drugs.

    So we may have legal pot.

    We have upped the game and harder drugs will become available.

    But really we should be drug free.

    For every kick there is a kickback and we wind up worse off.

    And some Roman Catholics don’t drink at all.

    • Good point Paul.Satan knows he can gain some ground by gradually changing the way most non believers and many weak believers think.We are vastly outnumbered by them today which is why I choose to be apart of His world within that world.
      ‘Give onto Cesar that which is Cesar’s…..’

      I believe we have a chance with Donald Trump having been born again but here Satan has a friend as our (cough) leader until the next election.Then we too can begin to turn things around.But…..Is it not supposed to get much worse before the end comes?Only then can we have a new beginning.
      Blessings

      The Final Act

      The earth shall shake
      Fearful hearts will quake,
      Then in pestilence you wake
      With no food to bake,
      For in the wars you make
      Go the treasures they take
      But all who die for My sake
      Will know when they awake
      That it was I Who did not forsake,
      To leave them in their heartache,
      But bring them home to partake
      In the final act to undertake.
      (G W) Bill Marshall/22Feb, 2016

  3. l read with great interest Margaret Thatcher’s talk to the Church of Scotland. She sounds like she has a very good understanding of the Kingdom of God. What a shame that she and her party laid a great burden on mainly the poorer families of Great Britain, by introducing the Poll Tax, which resulted in her fall from government. l remember well, my cousin crying on the phone over the difficult financial position her large family had been put in. Even the best of us can make very bad mistakes, which unfortunately can follow us beyond the grave. Many in England never forgave her. Oh how we need to pray for our leaders!

  4. Amen Pastor David. Thought of that verse that the Lord Jesus is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him this morning. Also read the same devotion as you this morning Beverlee. Blessings!

  5. Thanks for your prayers for my friend Cynthia. Her surgery has been moved to next week not sure which day. Please keep her in your prayers.
    Have a blessed Day all.

  6. Yes, indeed “the bible tells it like it is!!” It does not mince word, but speaks truth; for our instruction, and guidance.
    So we will know the truth, the Truth that sets us free!!

    Thank you Pastor David for your words of wisdom, instruction and guidance in bringing this manna to us daily, expounding on its truth and wisdom, and life!!
    The photos you have taken, Rev. Reynold, and that are posted with each daily reading, exemplify the Word for the day. God Bless you and your loved ones this day and always!!
    Rev.Ron, what an example you are as you so lovingly work hand in hand with your Dad bringing forth this daily manna. So good to see you two together, with joy on your faces, coming from your hearts. God Bless you and Ann and all your family, always!!
    Most of all, thank You Heavenly Father for sending your Son to show us the way, Thank You Jesus that you came, because of Your Great Love for us!!! PRAISE YOUR HOLY NAME!!! YOU ARE THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE!!!

  7. Lord we pray that You will give great comfort and peace to Cynthia as she prepares for surgery! Lord You know exactly her situation and You want her to be in a very comfortable setting as she awaits surgery and Lord, You have the best surgeons working on her! All will go well, she will be healed 100% from head to toe!
    Lord You provided a miracle last night for me! I bought flowers but got a plant for free, it was the wrong price! I gave it to the person at the pool!

    Yes Lord, You are the God of Miracles! Ain’t it just like the Lord, to do what can’t be done; Ain’t is just like the Lord to make a way when there was none! Those words are from a song!

    Thank you again to all who have prayed for me; bless us all as we pray for others, In Jesus Name We Pray AMEN

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