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.”
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. This week marks the anniversary of the death of the former Prime Minister of Great Britain, Margaret Thatcher (dies April 8, 2013). 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).
Heavy scripture, this morning, but the message is clear about sin carrying over into the next generation. God corrected David’s sin by example and it caused him much more pain in the loss of his son Amnon. The saddest part of the story is the sacrifice of Tamar’s happiness. The devil turning Amnon into a hater after he fulfilled his own lust is typical. Isn’t temptation and desire like that? We will never be satisfied by giving into it but only tainted by shame in some unexpected way, afterwards. The roots must be weeded out and the only way to cleanse is through the blood of Christ. Thank You Jesus for saving us. Wishing all saints a blessed day in the Lord.
He is not here; he has risen! Luke 24:6a NIV
Paul Baloche – He Is Risen with lyrics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuQFGWAd7wQ
So true Beverlee.
Some good leaders have come and gone in our life time, like Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan. Enjoyed reading Margaret’s speech David so graciously shared with us.
Have a blessed day and hope u didn’t get the pile of snow we got in west central Alberta:-).
I wonder what Margaret Thatcher would think of the Brexit situation, taking place.
Good message from David and Beverlee this morning and song. King David suffered the consequences of his sin of immorality just as the prophet Nathan predicted. Ammon was David’s firstborn son by his Jezeelite wife who has a special place in the family. Absalom returned to his maternal grandparents in Geshur, a country in Syria which was not driven out rather David made an alliance with the king by marrying the king’s daughter Maacah. Could this be part of the motivation to usurp the throne from David and the fact that Ammon was not punished by his father for his sin against Absalom’s sister. It was two years before Abslaom avenged Ammon. The axe grinds slowly but surely.
Enjoy your day saints!
This is definitely something we need to dig into deeper, Ger. Blessings to you, dear sister-in-Christ.
I had not heard Thatcher’s speech before. Interesting. I wonder how that would go over now with so many changes in our countries (many other religions among us). I have a new iphone (7) as my 5s died. I am struggling with it! I would appreciate prayers. I have no one who can help me but I can try to get into an Apple class somewhere. Meanwhile it is stressful. (I have to have an app for my hearing aids so will have to go to Hear Right Canada and ask them to put it on for me). Thanks so much.
Holding you up to our Heavenly King in prayer, Doreen, that all your needs will be fulfilled and your stress decreased. God’s blessings upon you.
I am praying for you as well Doreen. (Our God is able to do immeasurably abundantly above all that we can ask or think. Ephesians 3/20. Blessings Eleanor M.
Doreen, I will keep you in my prayers.
Thank you Ron and Ann and Reynold for continuing to provide us with this blog; keeping your Dads ministry and love for others, alive:
Thank you bloggers for sharing your heart in this daily manna!
Have a restful evening in the Love of the Lord!