KIDNAPPED
Suggested Reading: Judges 21
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
The Mount of Temptation above Jericho is said to be the hill in the Judean Desert where Jesus was tempted by the devil. The devil, who had been banished to earth, like Napoleon was banished to St. Helena years ago by the European powers, had direct access to Jesus to tempt Him to act contrary to His Father’s will. How much more would the enemy of all that is good, kind, loving, and true, tempt and attack the people described in the book of Judges.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verses: Judges 21:3a & Judges 21:15
O Lord, the God of Israel, they cried, why has this happened to Israel…And the people grieved for Benjamin, because the Lord had made a void in the tribes of Israel.
It is gratifying to find that, after the violent war between the tribes, there came a return of tender feelings, efforts at reconciliation and peace. It must have felt like gentle rain after the hurricane of war. Human tears, as they well forth on behalf of others, reveal the existence of the love of God expressed in acts of compassion. There is an old saying that, “Those who act in haste repent at leisure.” In other words, the process of godly sorrow for sin and for the foolish decisions, which sin produces, often takes years to heal. Israel is a case in point.
Following our next readings in 1st and 2nd Corinthians (which start tomorrow), the blog will return to the book of Ruth. Here we will find the most tender feelings, even involving people from Moab, former enemies of Israel. After Ruth, the blog moves into the years of the Prophet Samuel. He is one truly bright star of righteousness who shines for God in his leadership.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I’ve read ahead in 1 Corinthians. Some people are still in a moral mess, even after they have believed in Jesus as their Saviour and been baptised as Christians. Help me to learn and communicate the difference You have made in their lives compared to the people we’ve read about in Judges. Teach me, I pray, right from wrong, and teach me how to keep filled with Your Word and Your Holy Spirit, so everything will be better. In Jesus’ Name! Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
According to the doctors, I have moved in my health into what is called the acute stage of MDS leukemia. I pray every morning for complete healing from God. I also thank all who pray for me. God always answers prayer!! However, His answers may be as follows: NO, GROW, SLOW, and GO! If it is “No,” that’s God’s absolute right to have other plans and to carry out those plans. If His answer is “Grow,” it means that I must become more mature in my Christian life. If He says, “Slow,” then circumstances must change in order to accommodate His full restoration to health. If He says, “Go,” it’s obvious to the patient, the doctors, and everyone else. I believe that true faith does not try to manipulate God into one’s healing; it is simply a matter of obedience. I’ve been prayed for by pastors, elders, deacons, and by lots of people of faith and compassion. Having asked for this according to the Scriptures, I now await God’s perfect will for me in perfct peace. By God’s grace I’m ready to live to 104, as our friend George on yesterday’s blog, or less time as was the case of the Apostles and 99.9% of God’s people. I can report that because of Jesus, I’m experiencing great contentment relating to my physical condition.
Yours for “Godliness with contentment which is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6),
David
The Monastery of the Temptation is an Orthodox Christian monastery located in the West Bank, along a cliff overlooking the city of Jericho and the Jordan Valley. It is built upon the summit of the Mount of Temptation, rising 350 meters above sea level. It currently serves as a tourist attraction and its land is under the full jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority, but the monastery is owned and managed by the Greek Orthodox Church of Jerusalem.
We all continue to pray fervently for your health David. God be with you!
Great pictures Reynold, I guess you don’t have a fear of heights! haha!
I am praying for you as well David. I don’t know how Renold you can climb so high
I know that I could not. The pictures are great.
Lianne Hogg
David, I believe God’s answer for us following your Blog was to GROW!! “Godliness with contentment” sums up everything. I am praying for you and your family, especially during this time. Also, I am so grateful for all you have done, in God’s timing. Looking forward to 1st and 2nd Corinthians and sharing this journey with other readers and bloggers!!
Amen David.
I too, am thankful for all you have done, the encouragement and inspiration you are David M.
I continue in prayer. I believe you are covered with prayer 24/7 and we can be confident that God hears each and everyone. You are much loved by so many David M. Feel our love.
I also look forward to this ‘journey’ of learning and growing through your ongoing daily blogs. Bless you David M.
Thank you for relying on our Lord Jesus for the perfect answer to your prayers! You and your family are a great inspiration to us all!!!!!!
David my tears are rolling down my cheeks here at the burger store. I can’t stop them and I’m embarrased. David M and Donna – take over completely Lord. They are BOTH the BEST teachers. Your perfect Will, Lord. Donna to her reward and David to Your best Perfect Will Plan. I will continue the scripture reading later – too much pain just now.
Hi David,We are told to do everything we can and then just stand. You have done all you can regarding your health situation. God blessed us with doctors to help us, and when they can do nothing,the ball is in God’s court. We all know that a divine “SUDDENLY” can come with the gift of divine healing, and God and God alone gets all the GLORY. We continue to agree in prayer with you and all those thousands of people who are asking God for more time for you. If l was God l’d heal you in a minute, but then if l yearned for you maybe l’d beam you up sooner.
You are greatly loved!
Our hearts were sad to hear the news about your health, but our prayers are with you, and your loved ones.
Praying for healing, strenght and comfort for you.
You and yours are loved!!!!
I am still praying for you David. I am glad that you have great peace concerning your affliction. That is a great example for us. God bless you richly, Norma Jean and family and all my fellow bloggers.
I am in ageement with all the above, David and family. Our hearts and prayers are with you.
Wonderful pictures Reynold….but I get queasy imagining being on that balcony!
As Paul so often said,”Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”.
I receive that – thanks
I too have the same sentiments as the rest of the bloggers today. God’s Will will be done but at the same time, we continue to hold you and your family up in prayer. May He grant you “peace that passeth understanding”. You have been an inspiration and also an example for all of us as to how to live victorious in Jesus Christ.
You are a great man of God David and I continue to pray for you, Norma-Jean and your family. Our God will continue to strengthen you daily as all of us bring you to The Throne and I look forward to many more times to read your words of wisdom from THE WORD. God is still in control and He can give you that miracle. I pray to this end.
David…your sharing is so humbling,uplifting, heartfelt…your faith is so inspiring and encouraging.we love and are so thankful for your openness to the world. God’s plan is always the best…when I was near death with cancer after many chemo and radiations…there were days when it would have been easier to die…but God is not finished with me yet either. David you are so loved.
Reynolds…how I was there in your pictures I pray that I will visit the Holy Land. The wind howls… it is minus 17 degrees…snow everywhere…in Nova Scotia the storm rages on…Blessings and much prayer
Thanks so much for this blog. It is such a rich source of encouragement and strength. I continue to pray for your health……that God’s plan for your life would stand firm and the plans of the enemy would come to NOTHING…amen
We are all so blessed by you, David Mainse! You are the epitome of a faithful servant and teacher–living a Christian life, and spreading the Word of our Saviour. Keeping you in my prayers.
Thank you so much for leading us through the bible; looking forward to learning about I and II Corinthians with you. So happy we all conquered Judges, together! 🙂
Thank you Reynold, also, for the amazing photos! Wishing everyone a day full of peace and love, beyond our sadness and tears.
I appreciate all the kind words regarding the biblical lands photography that I do. It is a privilege to both capture and share this images.
Hi Reynold…it is a nice surprise to see your photo on the blog page where you commented! Is it possible for us other bloggers to add a photo as well….should nay be interested that is. It might be nice to ‘see’ one another. 🙂
And yes…your photo’s that are added to your Dad’s blog are special…thank you for sharing this gift with us all.
the picture of me was added automatically as I have it tied to my email in my mac contacts. you might be able to put a photo of yourself in your contacts computer program… not sure – hope this helps
Thank you for your strong testimony of faith and love over the years … and now. I thank God for your life.
David as I read through all the comments re today’s devotional I was reminded once again of this wonderful scripture that has been so meaningful to me for 30 years.
II Cor 4:16 “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
Your adventure continues and God remains faithful.
So many of us love you and support all that God is doing in you and through you even today.
It is with sadness, also, that I read your post today. I pray you and all your family. You have touched so many lives. I have always seen in your ministry the requirements of the Lord. “to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God”. He alone knows the number of our days upon this earth.
A friend of mine wrote the following words in a song, “Finally Home”.
“Just think of stepping on shore, and finding it heaven,
Of touching a hand, and finding it God’s,
Of breathing new air, and finding it celestial,
Of waking up in glory, and finding it home.”
In the challenging days ahead, may God continue giving you His strength, His grace and His peace as you serve your Lord and Master, Comforter and Friend, Jesus, the sweetest Name we know, “until the battle’s done and the victory is won..”.
Amen!
Dear David, you did not give Scripture reference for this theory . Is there one?
Even Isaiah 55:9 which is often quoted to back this theory is ruled out by the words immediately following, in which He clearly states,
In today
Dear David and Norma Jean my prayers are with you and your family in this most dificult time. David God never gives us more than we can handle, and i do believe at this time that the lord is carriing you, so continue to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus our Lord and Saviour our soon coming KING. Love you and God bless you always.
David, the Lord is with you and our prayers are also with you and your family. My husband, Bill & I appreciate your blog very much. Reynold, your beautiful photography adds a lot to your Dad’s blog. We are very grateful!!
I’m very happy that we’re starting Corinthians tomorrow and are done with Judges. God Bless you!!!
So glad I was able to touch base with your wonderful blog today, David…life has been so busy and full of Blessings from the One who makes all things new, that I have not had much time to spend in reading it.
I am sure it will be a treasure all of us will be able to enjoy again and again.. when it is published in its entirety.
Psalm 91…I pray for you to be in the Secret Place of the Most High….look at all the promises that results in…including Long Life!
.Love from Catharine the Great, (met in Castlegar at Tim Hortons’ 2011)
David there are two verses in Isa 41:10 and 13 that keeps speaking to me.These talk about The Lord being with us in times of trouble, and He will always take us through by His Righteousness .