“THE BEAUTY OF ISRAEL”
Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 1
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Barren mountains rise above the ruins of Delphi in central Greece.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 2 Samuel 1:19
The beauty of Israel is slain on your high places! How the mighty have fallen!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, please grant that I may respond, as Jesus did, to those who have wronged me. Jesus said, as He hung on the cross, “Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing.” David’s response to the death of Saul, the man who sought to kill him, is a challenge to me. I pray for grace and power to be more gracious in my words. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
As I read today of David’s order to kill the Amalekite who brought Saul’s crown to David and lied about his role in Saul’s death, a story that no doubt he thought would curry favour for himself with David, I thought of the tribal societies in parts of Africa today. For example, the brutal, bloody terror of the regime of Idi Amin in Uganda was overturned by the present leader, Museveni. His strong rule has reduced the incidence of AIDS more than in any other country in Africa. The story is told that in his first cabinet meeting, Museveni took out his revolver, pointed it at each of his cabinet members, and said, “If any of you are unfaithful to your wives, I will personally shoot you dead.” He took other measures also, but the point I want to make is that in our culture here in most of the rest of the world, this kind of action is so foreign that I find it hard to understand that the cabinet members actually believed that they would be shot if they were unfaithful. I try to think back 3,000 years and the culture and practises are far more foreign to me than that of modern Uganda. Our son, David Reynold (blog photographer), and his wife, Kathy, are missionaries there. I know that I cannot do anything to help change the ancient cultures, but I’m working in my small way on the modern cultures. I must do my part to share the grace and mercy revealed in Jesus. God willing, tomorrow I’ll share more about the Ugandan leader.
Yours, trying my best to communicate information that is helpful,
David
P.S. Have you watched my video version of 100 Words lately? My son, Ron, has been filling in a lot lately, as I have not been well enough to record them. However, I felt strong enough to tape some with Ron last week, and you can see them online as of April 1st. HERE is the link to access the videos.
This Ugandan grandmother would have lived through the brutal regime of Idi Amin. The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) ravaged Northern Uganda for the last 20 years, causing the population of the north to live in IDP (internally displaced persons) Camps. In the last few years, people have begun returning to their villages.
“Come near to God and he will come near to you.” James 4:8
Amen Rob. It is the safest, wisest, and, most precious place to be. Amen
Amen Rob Come Near To God!!
Thank you friend bloggers for your prayers for my family. My beautiful great grandson David Nathan entered Heaven last night. On Friday, March 31, the doctors removed him from the respirator. It seemed like the doctors expected him to pass quickly, but his dear little soul stayed with us for two more days, calling the family closer together than we have even been. Thank You Lord for your loving kindness.
*ever been
He is with Lord!!!
My heart, (and I’m sure all who read this Blog), is with you as you grieve David Nathan’s passing….So very thankful that your family has been united. Giving thanks and praise for your precious Grandson’s life on earth. Now, he is in the living, eternal arm’s of our Lord.
Wendy: sending you and your family condolences on the passing of your great grandson David Nathan It is a joy to know that he is with The Lord.
I pray that your family will stand together in the days that lay ahead. Sending you love and blessings.
Eleanor M.
Amen,Rob.As I quoted recently:”If God seems far away,guess who moved.”.May yall be blessed by blessing others.
Oh,King Of Kings
Oh,King of kings make haste I pray,
That your return will set us free,
Then take us Home with You to stay
In love’s vast ocean of eternity.
You have been the truest of friends,
A mentor to my searching soul,
Now is the time that Heaven lends,
To reap the garden Satan stole.
With open arms Your bride awaits,
To be no more of sin’s dark lie,
As the demon burns with his mates,
We’re safely Home beyond the sky.
G W (Bill) Marshall / Sept 06, 2013
Praying for you, Wendy and your family. May God use your great grandson‘s short life to unite your family and bring them also into a relationship with Himself.
May God comfort all of you. Thankful that we are confident that David Nathan is in God’s presence.
Amen Luisa. In Jesus’ Blessed Name, I pray, Amen.
Agreeing in prayer with Laur, Luisa and Joyce, Wendy. May David Nathan be singing sweetly in Heaven with Jesus, all the Angels and Saints. Knowing he is no longer suffering must bring you peace but I am sure your grieving is deep. May you find comfort in the peace of our Lord and Saviour.
Amen to all the prayers for David Nathan’s family
Trust he is with the Lord and may this have a positive impact on his entire family bring them all to salvation and forgiveness. Gods blessings on one and all