SHAME!
Today’s Reading: 1 Chronicles 19-20
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
This is the ancient mosaic floor in the Greek Orthodox Church of Saint George, located in the ancient Moabite city of Madaba. It is the oldest map of Jerusalem and biblical locations. Madaba is a Christian city, today located just east of Mt. Nebo in the country of Jordan. Amman is the capital city of Jordan. This is the area occupied by Israel before their conquest of Canaan. The Bible spelling of these names in today’s reading is Medeba (19: 7) and Ammon (19:9).
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 1 Chronicles 19:4
Therefore, Hanun took David’s servants, shaved them, and cut off their garments in the middle, at their buttocks, and sent them away.
King David’s first choice for Ammon was kindness and peace. However, when these were refused, war was practically inevitable. Even today, the war option should be absolutely the last resort. War should be avoided almost always. The shame inflicted on David’s ambassadors of kindness was too much for Israel to bear. It was war!
The key verse makes the point that shame is often considered in some cultures to be much worse than an honourable death in battle. David’s instructions to his ambassadors was for them to come half way to Jerusalem (Jericho) and wait there for further instructions. In 19:19, as we saw in an earlier reading, David brought about peace through strength. This was President Reagan’s approach to end the Cold War with the Soviet Union.
When we recognize that Almighty God is all-powerful and that all we have is human strength, we should make an intelligent choice and say to God, “I surrender.” Oh yes, we can persist in our own will. We are made in His image and likeness, and we have the right to say “no” to God. We must not blame God when we bear the consequences of our own decisions. God, Himself, comes to us with offers of kindness and peace.
We may want to read from the New Covenant Colossians 1:19-22. Like David with the King of Ammon, God took the initiative in sending to us ambassadors of kindness and peace, Jesus and the Apostles.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, I know that in rebelling against You, I will bring disastrous consequences upon myself and others. Therefore, I pray that in all things I will be Your subject, a citizen of Your eternal Kingdom. You are my forever King! Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Here’s a “loss of face” story. In the orient, “loss of face” is particularly offensive. A TV crew from America arrived in Seoul, Korea. They were met by a delegation on behalf of Pastor David Yonggi Cho and driven to their hotel. When they asked about their TV production equipment they were told, “We’re looking after that for you.” Later that evening they met Pastor Cho and they asked about their cameras and TV gear. The pastor said, “As you leave Korea, your equipment will be restored to you. It’s locked up safely in a room at the airport. I will not allow you to use our Korean church to raise money for yourselves in America.”
About two years earlier, Cho had been a guest on that particular American show, where the host had raised a great deal of money to build a TV studio for Cho in Korea. Cho had gone home and told everyone what this generous U.S. TV host had offered. However, not a cent was ever sent to Korea. About a year after the American TV crew was sent home, Cho was a guest on 100 Huntley Street in Toronto. The entire telecast was on the theme of forgiveness. The moment we were off the air, Cho said, “God has just given me the grace to forgive ______.” He headed straight for the airport, changed his flight to one flying to the city where the promise had been made to him, and asked the forgiveness of ______. Cho did what God required of him. Cho had lost face with his Korean people and felt deeply shamed, a most serious issue. I wondered how I would have reacted in a similar circumstance…and still wonder. Cho, in my opinion, is one of the truly great Christian leaders of our time. Since that time, God has blessed Cho in an unprecedented way. His church building now seats about 40,000 people and is located on Yeouido Island, next to the South Korean Parliament. He has several services every Sunday in order to accommodate their massive congregation. It was called “The Full Gospel Central Assembly” and in the 1990’s was renamed, “Yoido Full Gospel Church” (click here).
Yours for learning to avoid causing anyone to be shamed or to lose face,
David
The altar area of the Church of Saint George, located in the ancient Moabite city of Madaba.
The outside view of the same church.
Nothing short of incredible, today–scripture, message, prayer, photos, history, and the remarkable story of Cho’s forgiveness. I cannot express in words what that means to me, for it is just what I have needed to be reminded of. We are able to reach full forgiveness by surrendering our will and need to be right. Defeating the justification brings the sanctification process. What more could we ask for than a great stormy day to stir our hearts and emotions with love and hope from Jesus? Wow! How blessed we are, saints! We are alive because of Christ and His light shines and lives through us! We breathe the love of Jesus and are vessels of His greatness. Giving thanks and praise to You Lord God, and praying for each and every one of you, fellow saints. May you be blessed beyond measure, today. In Jesus’ precious Name. Amen, amen, and amen.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer 29:11 NIV
All To Jesus I Surrender (Vineyard with lyrics)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx8tFO7Plm8
P.S. So happy to hear your headaches have been healed, Joy. Amen!
amen Beverlee
Nice to see you back,Beverlee.The Lord must smile when He reads your heart or your words.God bless
Nice to see you today Beverlee Kay:-). Hope you’re having a great late Spring.
Dr. Denison:
“My mind is too finite and fallen to understand the God of the universe. This is only logical. If I could understand God, either I would be God or he would not be.
The more I trust God, the more I understand. Then, the more I understand, the more I can trust. But even when I cannot understand, I can choose to trust my Father rather than my fallen mind.
And I can pray my favorite prayer in the Bible: “I believe; help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24).”
King David had such a difficult job and praises be to our heavenly Father he had Him to look to and listen to for guidance.
Love the pics you present Reynold and continue to love the 100 Huntley St. programming….good, good people.
God bless all saints this gift of a day.
That so describes our mortal,incomplete minds.I strongly suspect our minds will be greatly expanded when we are set free from this world.I liken that to ‘graduation day’.Thank you Lynda.God bless
I have a friend who was (is?) a member of that same church,herself holding a Dr of Divinity (?) degree having taught in a Korean university for many years.She has always spoken very highly of Pst,Cho calling him “Yungi”,if I remember correctly?
(This lady is very humble and avoids the title “Doctor”.I attended her modest wedding recently to a great guy in Char’town.)
A poem that came to me very early in my Christian life tells how forgiveness sets the ‘forgiver’ free.(Some may hold a grudge that eats away at them for years;yet,the other person may not be aware of it…or even that they had offended.)How many times must Jesus have forgiven before His pinnacle of Forgiveness? Thank You,Jesus !
Forgiveness
Forgiveness is a gift we receive,
And freely we must give it too,
To prove to Him we do believe,
Forgiveness also works for you.
When someone stabs your back,
Do not turn around to attack;
But smile and take up his slack
To show the faith you do not lack.
When you forgive it then returns,
For your heart is then lightened
While given the freedom it yearns
And your mind is then enlightened.
Let His healing hand touch your soul,
Then may His love render you whole,
For Satan will try to collect a toll
If faith is weak you give control
But someone you may overlook
Is one you may be least kind to;
For mistaken paths that you took;
The one you forgive must be you.
GW (Bill) Marshall/2012
Great scripture message and so true!
thank you for your comments saints
have a wonderful day
Amen and thank you for all the posts today. God bless.