Sunday, April 14, 2019

YOU ROGUE

Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 16

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

 

Jesus had to descend more than 3,800 feet when traveling from Jerusalem to the Jordan River, near the Dead Sea. Jerusalem is situated at an elevation of 2,500 feet above sea level, and the Dead Sea is 1,300 feet below sea level. Traveling from Jerusalem to the east, you can stop and take a picture at the sea level sign. Retreating from the insurrection of Absolom, King David would have taken this route on his way to cross the Jordan.

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

 

Key Verse: 2 Samuel 16:23

Now the advice of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if one had inquired at the oracle of God. So was all the advice of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.

In today’s reading, the prayer of David, that is recorded in 2 Samuel 15:31, is answered. Ahithophel’s counsel is turned into foolishness. Taking the harem of an oriental King would’ve been considered the greatest insult. The public image that Absalom had so carefully developed was far from the reality of his true character. Ziba, Hushai, and others could see the real Absalom. A person who is very proud can never see his own faults. Absalom’s reign began to crumble quickly. Despite all of David’s sin, he was still the one God had chosen to be King. The High Priest, Zadok, and his sons recognized this fact. An exception was Shimei. Just imagine Shimei, perhaps on top of the rocks in the above photo, calling King David a rogue, cursing him and throwing stones at him. Surely David, on this occasion, showed great self control and mercy. David is called, “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14). The Apostle Paul includes this statement in his message recorded in Acts 13:14-33 (click here for Paul’s overview of Israel’s history).

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, in Your humanity You are of the seed of David, born in David’s city, chosen by God to rule forever. I give You my loyalty, my service, my resources. All that I am and have is Yours. You wept over Jerusalem, the city that symbolizes Your reign over the world which Your Father so loved that He gave You to us (John 3:16). I pray that I will also weep over those things that break Your heart. Through Your Person, Your work, and in Your Name I pray, Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I steadfastly refuse to Google my name on the Internet. The last time I checked it out, several years ago, there were critics, as is to be expected for all public persons. However, I’ve experienced nothing to compare with the antics of Shimei toward David, as in today’s reading. If the Internet had been invented in King David’s day, just think what Shimei would’ve posted about David. The word “rogue” would probably be the least of the tabloid-style accusations. Think what might have been posted by Jesus’ enemies if a contemporary of Jesus of Nazareth had Googled His Name 2,000 years ago. My imagination is running away with me.

In 1922 on their honeymoon, my parents travelled the road from Jerusalem to the Jordan River and back again. The Jordan, at the point it flows into the Dead Sea, is 1,300 feet below sea level. Jerusalem is 2,500 feet above sea level. The 1914 Model T Ford my Dad was driving would run out of gas unless he backed up the hills. There was no fuel pump, and with only gravity feed for the gas, and with the gas tank below the engine on the way back to Jerusalem, my Dad found a way to keep going by turning the car around and putting it into reverse. That’s just one of many stories from my childhood. When I travel the great highway pictured above, I can still see from time to time the old British road, built in 1918, snaking along on one side or the other, on which the honeymoon couple would have travelled. My imagination does the rest.

Yours for learning lessons from the past,

David

 

17 thoughts on “Sunday, April 14, 2019

  1. Such wisdom in today’s scripture and message. A person who is very proud can never see his own faults. Let us humble ourselves as we serve the Lord Almighty. He sees and knows everything, especially our hearts. We have to bring ourselves to just forgive–something I have been dealing with of late. How great is Your love for us, oh Lord. We bask in your glory and another precious day of life. Wishing all saints a blessed time worshiping and hearing the Word, today.

    Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
    Blessed are all who take refuge in him. Psalm 2:11, 12b ESV

    Housefires, Build My Life
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLSDBG1OcGE

  2. Prayers, Saints, for Ric from my church, who is battling cancer. Pray for God’s Hand upon him and God’s breath of the Ruach, Holy Spirit, to blow through him and stop the cancer from growing, that he will go into remission. Thank you Saints, for your prayers. If it is God’s will, let it be done. In Jesus’ Name, amen, amen and amen.

    • Praying for Ric and asking for the same prayer for a relative, Beatriz, diagnosed with inoperable cancer. (a loving wife and mother of 3).

      • Holding Beatriz up in prayer, Doreen. May God give her many more years and bring the cancer into full remission for her. Thanks for praying for Ric, Doreen and Lynda.

      • Agreeing in prayer with you Doreen for Beatritz for the Lord’s healing and for peace of mind and heart, in Jesus Mighty Name, Amen!

        doree

    • Yes, will pray for Ric to be healed dear Beverlee as well as Beatriz dear Doreen.
      God hears our prayers and needs our prayers as well.
      Blessings upon these people, and all saints, I ask in Jesus name.

  3. Praying for Ric this morning, Beverlee, for the Lord to touch him. Reminded of the true and dear old song, “He Touched Me”.

  4. King David’ restraint is an example to follow; but greatest example i Jesus Christ Our Lord!

    Lord You know all things; You know my heart, cleanse me and I will be whole; help us to yield to You in all our ways to glorify and honour You! Amen!

    Lord God You dwell in the High and Holy place with him also that is of a
    contrite and humble spirit, (Isaiah 57; 15b…

    Enjoy this day of the LORD!!

  5. Agreeing in prayer Beverlee for Ric and with you Doreen for Beatriz for healing. Had a wonderful spirit led service tonight and came home and wrote a message to the unsaved on my fb. Then just read on fb that a man was shot in a B.C. church(Salmon Arm Church of Christ). That confirmed my message.

  6. Blessings Ger
    from all the horror happening we know from God’s Word that Jesus is getting ready
    to return and we also know from God’s Word that our lives will become much more stressful and we will hear more and more of horror happening all over the world;
    What gives me comfort is that God knows exactly what is going in each of our lives and of each and everyone in this world! He knows who is going to turn their lives over to Jesus Christ; He know it ALL! it scares me some days very bad BUT THEN I hear Him saying; MY DEAR CHILD, YOUR THE CHILD OF THE MOST HIGH GOD; I KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON, I HAVE YOU IN THE PALM OF MY HAND;REST AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD.
    I hang out at a convenience store in the late evenings and I see many people coming in who are so scared of living; sometimes I can talk with them; most of the times I simply tell them that I will pray for them, I get their names and they leave because they might be coming home from work or going to work…there is so many needs that a person can pray 24/7…..PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS GOODNESS, MERCY AND GRACE FOR ALL PEOPLE, AMEN

  7. P.S.
    regarding those with cancer; there is a Chinese Herbalist Ben Liu in Burnaby, British Columbia, e mail is saveonnutrition@gmail.com, phone is 1-604-324-2822;he works with cancer in people; I personally believe in the natural elements of our world that can fight all diseases; I know that people must change their diets; Ben Liu has a natural drug called oncolyn that kills cancer cells, pray about,search out such people where you live…I know that God has provided for people to heal from cancer….
    decades ago I had a Vagan test done by a Naturopath, it took 3 hours; but it was thorough and foods to avoid were chicken,corn,mushrooms, green olives,strawberries,and processed cheese; I changed the food and the whole family worked with me and I am so thankful to this day that I had this test done…
    April 16 is a BIG CELEBRATION FOR ME. 24 years being smoke/alcohol free;24 years of swimming from a broken leg that same time,PRAISE AND THANK THE LORD….
    I want to encourage people to make changes in their lives; I want people to live healthy happy lives.Blessings to all..

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