Sunday, April 11, 2021

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.”

In yesterday’s reading, we read that the prophet Nathan chastised David for his sin of adultery and arranging for Uriah’s death. Nathan predicted accurately what the future would hold. The sins of David were repeated in his children. Incest and murder, recorded here, provide a lesson on the true horror of sin. Second Timothy 3:16 teaches us the reason for the inclusion of such a story in Scripture. It is “for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” King David did not have the writings of Paul as we do. The Apostle made it absolutely clear that, “Whatever a man sows, that shall he also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption” (Galatians 6:7b & 8a). After eight more days of reading in 2 Samuel, we move over to the New Testament to read Galatians. Let us all be disciplined, as disciples of Jesus, and not give up our daily reading. We will reap benefits as a result of our faithfulness. Paul also says in the very next verse, Galatians 6:9, “Let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we will reap if we do not lose heart.”

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).

8 thoughts on “Sunday, April 11, 2021

  1. Tough scripture today and over riding lesson for generations to follow. Justice in the old testament scripture is never easy to explain. God had to bring His Son to earth to die for our sins to relieve the burden of the sinfulness of our human nature. Praying for God’s light to shine on a weary weather type of day. His blessings upon you, fellow saints in the Lord. Amen.

    Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all. 2 Thessalonians 3:16 ESV

    Phil Wickham – Living Hope (Lyrics)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSbJPZLNIuc

    • Beverlee I just love this song thank you for sharing it. We certainly do have Living hope in Christ. Amen
      Blessings to you and everyone on this Lord’s Day. Eleanor M.

  2. Father God, thank You for loving us. Please help all Your children to follow You. Help us to trust in You; to know that Your ways are best for us; to delight ourselves in You.

    Bless all the pastors, the shepherds, the leaders of Your people. Strengthen them in You, so they in turn can help strengthen Your church.
    Thank You for the Mainse family and all those who continue the work You gave to Peter, to feed Your sheep.
    Bless each one of Your people today, Lord; help us to be fruitful and multiply, in Jesus’s great name, amen

  3. I love the worship song, Beverlee. I pray that you are more comfortable these days than you were a week or so ago. Very challenging times for us. Health care is so overburdened just now. Praying that it will improve with the “stay at home” order and increased vaccinations. Thankful for anointed ministries that manage to get The Word out in spite of challenges. Grateful for this blog. Blessings on those who participate & those who faithfully put it on line. Amen

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