JERUSALEM
Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 4-5
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Jerusalem is where David’s ancestor, Abraham, built an altar on Mt. Moriah, and where God promised that He would provide a sacrifice. Not Abraham’s son, but God’s own Son became that Sacrifice. It was here that Melchizedek, King of Salem (Jerusalem means city of salem or peace) and priest of the most high God brought out to Abraham and those with him, bread and wine, signifying the establishment of our communion observance today. In today’s reading, Jerusalem becomes David’s capital city.
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Key Verse: 2 Samuel 5:4
David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I wait for Your timing in all things… in life with its outstanding opportunities, and even in death with the glorious prospect of fulfilling Your plans for me throughout all eternity. Please continue to produce “patience” in me, and may that Fruit be out there on the branch of my life, so that others can partake of Your “patience.” In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I read this morning the designated readings, and I’ve been meditating on David’s victories over the Philistines and his taking of Jerusalem, making it his capital city. However, David did not conquer himself in the area of his human desires. He added “concubines and wives” (2 Samuel 5:13), and not satisfied with this, he seduced, as we’ll read later, another man’s wife and then arranged to put that man in a place in battle where he would surely be killed. If only David had called upon the God he knew so well. The God he wrote about so powerfully in the Psalms would surely have helped David overcome sexual sin. As we’ll read over the next days, David, his family, and the people of his kingdom paid dearly for David’s failure in this area. I’ve often stated, “Jesus changes everything.” In contrast to David’s many wives and concubines, Jesus taught one-man/one-woman marriage (Matthew 19:4-6). Years ago I read inside the cover of my dad’s Bible, in his handwriting, these words: “Sin will keep you from this Book, and this Book will keep you from sin.” That’s just one of many reasons I’m so committed to doing this blog every morning.
Yours for “patience,” and, yes, persistence in reading God’s Word every day without fail,
David
A new day! Thank You, Lord, for it. Help us to do good things in it, Father. Guide us in Your ways, and produce Your goodness in us and through us to others. In Jesus’s great name, amen
Amen!
Amen!!
Amen, Rob
Amen Rob. Father, thank You for this beautiful day. May we use it well and shine in it Your Light. Amen
Wow! Such a meaningful message today. David was a great example to begin with, thinking back to him conquering Goliath, hiding in the caves from Saul, in continual prayer to God as he wrote the Psalms, and overcoming so many obstacles to become King. His faith in God was great! Then he gave into evil temptation of lustfulness and command over women and men. A repeated theme in the Bible that shows us to keep on the straight and narrow path with God. “Sin will keep you from this Book, and this Book will keep you from sin.” Such powerful words from David Mainse’s father’s Bible to follow. Carrying on today because of the strength our Saviour gives. Amen to this beautiful day, Rob and Doreen! Amen!
And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. Hebrews 9:27-28 ESV
Chris Tomlin – Jesus (Lyrics)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEbQswNB6Wc
Amen Beverlee.
Amen Rob, Doreen and Beverlee. I was amazed that David took more concubines and wives as well when he already had four. May God fill all our days with his goodness. Is a quiet day here after lot of snow and rain on the weekend and raking roofs and scooping for me.