Tuesday, April 16, 2019

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MY SON! MY SON!

Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 18

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

 

A tree, such as this one near Ein Gedi, may have caught Absalom’s head by entangling his long hair in the branches, his mule galloping on without a rider.

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

 

Key Verse: 2 Samuel 18:33

Then the king was deeply moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept. And as he went, he said thus: “O my son Absalom — my son, my son Absalom — if only I had died in your place! O Absalom my son, my son!”

In today’s reading King David prepares for battle against the forces loyal to his son Absalom. David knew that organization was necessary and he did this efficiently. However, he was very conflicted because his adversary was his own son. There is no doubt that David was completely aware that it was God’s will that he would continue as King over all Israel. The divine order is to put God first, family second, and organization third. God created family long before human organizations, such as government, existed. We cannot help but be emotionally involved if we read, not just with our minds, but with our hearts also.
David mourned so deeply that he would have been willing to die in Absalom’s place. We celebrate this Easter Sunday the fact that God became Man so that He could die in our place. If David, called a “man after God’s own heart,” could love so deeply, let us meditate on Jesus who “wept” over Lazarus’ death and also “wept” over the people of Jerusalem. The greater the love, the deeper the grief. “God is love.” God’s grief over human rebellion, suffering and death is far beyond our ability to even start to understand. We are His family, His sons and daughters. An additional reading which tries to put God’s love into words is 1 John 4:7-21.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord Jesus, please change my heart so that I may enter more deeply into Your heart, loving with as much of Your love as I have the maturity to experience. I love You Jesus, and I mourn that my sins caused Your death. I realize that the future for David’s family could’ve been so different if he had been obedient to You. Please give me grace and spiritual growth, learning the lessons of the tragedy of David’s family. In Your Name I pray. Amen!!!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

As Norma-Jean and I welcomed our children into our family, we made a decision which I shared with the congregations that I had the honour to serve. As a Father, I was directly responsible to God for my children. It was taken for granted that Norma-Jean’s role was to the children before anyone else. There were some who thought that my calling as a minister and a pastor should take #1 priority. Not so, I let it be known. God was first, my family second, and my congregation third. I never heard from a member of any of the four congregations I served that they felt neglected in any way. I believe that the translation of the word love into all languages is time. Time with God early in the morning, when Norma-Jean and the children were sleeping, and time with Norma-Jean and the children at breakfast, dinner and most evenings. After those priorities came time with the members of the church, on call 24/7 only when absolutely necessary, in hospital visitation, often in the homes, and in my study during work/school hours. As an evangelist, the longest I ever spent away from the family was three weeks. I grieved for the last 2 weeks of that separation. I vowed “never again,” unless circumstances made it impossible to get home sooner. When I did arrive home, they couldn’t get me back to work right away, except for the times Norma-Jean and the children were not at home. God willing, I’ll continue this theme tomorrow.

Yours for establishing firmly the priorities that please God,

David

P.S. Whenever I have led a tour to Israel, one monument I always pointed out to our pilgrimage friends is “The Pillar of Absalom” standing tall in what is called “The Kings’s Valley.” Below is a photo of that pillar. We presume that Absalom’s bones are here. Not far from here is an empty tomb! JESUS IS RISEN!!!!!

Absalom’s Tomb or “The Pillar of Absalom,” located in the Kidron Valley between the Mount of Olives and the Old City of Jerusalem.

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

 

13 thoughts on “Tuesday, April 16, 2019”

  1. For those who doubt the truth of the Holy Bible, Absalom’s Tomb is a perfect example of proof. Thanking you in heaven, David, for 100Words. Lift up your hearts, today, precious saints in the Lord. For our Risen King is alive and well within you and His light transpires as a shining example. Spread your seeds into the world today as the blessings that you are. For, oh, how he loves you so!!!

    For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. Romans 6:5 ESV

    Hillsong – Made me glad (HD with Lyrics/Subtitles)
    one of my favourite worship songs, which we sang at Emmanuel on Sunday
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GO1q71x9Dls

    Reply ↓

    • Made Me Glad
      Hillsong Worship

      I will bless the Lord forever
      And I will trust Him at all times
      He has delivered me from all fear
      And He has set my feet upon a rock
      I will not be moved, and I’ll say of the Lord

      You are my shield, my strength, my portion
      Deliverer, my shelter, strong tower
      My very present help in time of need
      Whom have I in heaven but You
      There’s none I desire beside You
      For You have made me glad, and I’ll say of the Lord

      You are my shield, my strength, my portion
      Deliverer, my shelter, strong tower
      My very present help
      You are my shield, my strength, my portion
      Deliverer, my shelter, strong tower
      My very present help in time of need

      You have made me glad, and I’ll say of the Lord
      You are my shield, my strength, my portion
      Deliverer, my shelter, strong tower
      My very present help

      You are my shield, my strength, my portion
      Deliverer, my shelter, strong tower
      My very present help in time of need
      My very present help in time of need
      My very present help in time of need.

      Songwriters: Miriam Webster
      Made Me Glad lyrics © Music Services, Inc

      Reply ↓

    • Thanks,Rob.Praying that the victor follows God’s will.On the national level,Canada needs a strong leader who will turn our country and society around.What we have now is becoming more and more demonic.That is the trend for all democracies now.God bless

      Reply ↓

    • Praying for God’s Will to be done in today’s election in Alberta. It is sooo exciting to imagine many people may get back to work and further the prosperity of this beautiful province. I believe anyone can come to the cross at any time in their life so therefore pray for all our politicians, always; and not just in Canada. (John 3:17)
      So sad to see how disrespectful Absalom was of his father. Oh what tangled webs we weave…….
      God bless all Albertan’s today and always and may we all do God’s Will in our choice at the ballot poles.

      Reply ↓

    • Thanks for posting the Lee Strobel link, Bill. Much appreciated–listening to him, now. God’s blessings on you.

      Reply ↓

      • Wow!! Lee Stroble–the Case for Christ–wonderful!!

        “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26-27 NIV

        Believe+Receive=Become an Authentic Child of God
        Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—
        John 1:12 NIV

        Reply ↓

  4. Yes Lord Jesus You are our Rock, Our Strength, Our Shield, Our High Tower and Deliverer. Thank you for the price You paid for our Salvation in laying down Your Life! Am praying for the family who lost their loved one in BC church; understand he is was a very good man who with his wife took in foster children. Praying for the Albertan election and also have some family there. Blessings on you saints as we remember the Lord’s Passion Week. What a mighty and loving God we serve!

    Reply ↓

  5. What great Love The Father has for us that He sent His only Begotten Son to die for us!
    the Perfect sacrifice; The Spotless LAMB, without blemish, JESUS: Thank You Jesus You died that we may live with You; You showed us the Way to Our Father in Heaven! where we will live with You forever and ever! Amen! THANK YOU JESUS!!

    Today’s scripture, so filled with emotion and love;

    Appreciated David’s prayer and Personal words of God’s order in our lives, so right on!!

    What a beautiful Spring day; Thank You Lord!!

    Reply ↓

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