Wednesday, April 21, 2021

FROM KING DAVID TO KING JESUS

Today’sΒ Reading: 2 Samuel 24

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

 

Mount Tabor is located in Lower Galilee, Israel, at the eastern end of the Jezreel Valley, 11 miles west of the Sea of Galilee. It was the site of the Mount Tabor battle between Barak, under the leadership of the Israelite judge Deborah, and the army of Jabin, commanded by Sisera, in the mid 14th century BC. It is believed by many Christians to be the site of the Transfiguration of Jesus. Here in the mosaic dome above the altar, where as recorded in Mathew 17, Jesus is transfigured with Moses and Elijah on either side, with Peter, James and John looking on.

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

 

Key Verse: 2 Samuel 24:24

Then the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God with that which costs me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver.

In today’s reading, the people bore the judgment of God. Pictured above is the place where Jesus prepared to bear God’s judgment in place of the people. It may be that Moses and Elijah were there to encourage Jesus in His greatest of all sacrifices, bearing all our sins. Comparing 2 Samuel 24 with 1 Chronicles 21, it appears to be the same event. In the latter account, God decided to test His people by allowing Satan to tempt them to sin. Yes, David sinned, but so did the people. This shows the widespread effect of sin. Our sins do not only impact our lives, but others around us as well. Our key verse should inspire us to think about our level of sacrifice. The final words, verse 25 of 2 Samuel 24, should encourage us. It tells us that “The Lord heeded the prayers for the land.” Let us determine to be fervent and constant in our prayer life.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, the way I live my life will inevitably have an effect on others. I pray for Your grace and power in my life to be obedient to You 100% of the time. Please forgive my sin and bring healing to those who have been hurt in any way because of my sin. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I often heard my Dad pray in our family prayers as we knelt at our chairs after supper, “O God, may the smile of Your approval be on our lives.” I knew my parents would tend to smile when I was obedient and did something good, and I feared their frowns when I did the opposite. I knew that punishment was to follow on the heels of my transgression.

Tomorrow, God willing, I will read, with my blog partners, Galatians chapters 1 & 2. I’m so thankful that because of the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross, I am now, on the basis of faith, not of works, free to enjoy freedom from sin and its power over my life. Judaism, the expression of the faith revealed in the Old Testament, is often called the cradle of the Christian faith. In Galatians, we will learn that the practice of Judaism almost became the grave of Christianity. I’m excited at the prospect of moving from King David to his descendant, King Jesus!

Yours for victory over sin, and for healing from sin’s effects through the Lord Jesus Christ,

David

29 thoughts on “Wednesday, April 21, 2021

  1. This is the day the Lord has made ,I will rejoice and be glad in it.

    I was deeply touched by all your prayers for my brother, Murray. Thank you so much. I’m in contact with him by email at this time. I will message him later to see how he is doing.

    Thank you Lord for your many blessings. Amen

  2. Nan: glad to be able to pray for Murray and to continue to hold him up to the Lord.
    Many Blessings to you and all who sign in to this blog.
    Ps. I would appreciate prayer for my husband Edward. He has to go to hospital on Friday morning for another bone marrow test. He is not looking forward to it as he has had it before. He has leukemia so the oncologist wants to see how things are going. His blood count has been dropping. I know that God is able to change things around if that is his will. Edward will be 85 on May 1st and we just celebrated our 56th anniversary on April 10th. God has seen us through many trials over the years and I know He will continue to do so.πŸ™

  3. Father God you are awesome. I lift up Edward in prayer. I pray that his bone marrow test will be normal. Give him the strength he and Eleanor need at this time. Be merciful to them oh Lord. I pray the blood of Jesus on them. Thank you God for hearing our prayers. In Jesus’s name, amen.

  4. Thank You, Lord God, for Your faithfulness. You know our needs, You hear our deepest cries, and You give grace to us always. Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.
    Help Edward through this ordeal, and show Yourself in all Your lovingkindness to him and all his family. Bless all Your people, Father, so they in turn can be blessings to others. In Jesus’s great name, amen

  5. Amen to the prayers for Edward and Murray and also prayers for others that I may not know of but our Father knows the needs of all.
    Blessings everyone

  6. A big amen to all the prayers and comments above I too have a prayer request ever since March of 2020 I’ve been really struggling with my health I have health issues and I’m trusting and believing God that he will heal me thank you so much God Amen

  7. Amen to all the prayers and comments above I too have a prayer request since March 2020 I’ve been really struggling with my health I have health issues so I’m really trusting and believing God that he will heal me amen πŸ™πŸ™πŸ™πŸ™

  8. I’m praying for all your requests and specifically for Murray, Edward, Marilyn and HJR. our God who knows our needs even before we ask, is loving, merciful and faithful to all. May He shower each and everyone with His mercy and Grace and attend to each need.
    Congratulations Eleanor and Edward on 56 years of marriage! What a blessing that is! May the Lord continue to carry and guide you with His loving hand.
    Blessings to all bloggers.

  9. Agreeing with the prayers for bloggers & families. I came down with a heavy cold today and had to get the humidifier out.. I can’t take cold medications because of my many medications. I remembered my mom in the old days & treated myself the way I remember she did. Gargled with salt water, used steam, etc. I had an exam to take on line for a ministry course I finished. That along with Zoom prayer meetings , I almost ran out of day! I couldn’t believe it was 7 pm! Anyway, blessings all & prayers that you & families have good health & that β€œthe smile of the Lord be upon you!” Amen

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