Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 15; 2 Samuel 16; Psalm 32; Matthew 25
Scripture: 2 Samuel 15:1, 6-9
1 In the course of time, Absalom provided himself with a chariot and horses and with fifty men to run ahead of him...
6 Absalom behaved in this way toward all the Israelites who came to the king asking for justice, and so he stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
7 At the end of four years, Absalom said to the king, "Let me go to Hebron and fulfill a vow I made to the LORD. 8 While your servant was living at Geshur in Aram, I made this vow: 'If the LORD takes me back to Jerusalem, I will worship the LORD in Hebron.' "
9 The king said to him, "Go in peace." So he went to Hebron.
Observation: Absalom is openly involved in a mutinous campaign to establish himself as king, replacing his own father, David. The first six verses of chapter 15 detail all the activities that were a part of this strategy. He did this day after day after day. Verse 7 jolted me: "at the end of four years..." FOUR YEARS! Absalom did this openly right under David's nose for four long years. David no doubt had plenty of people warning him -- after all, he had so many loyal subjects and many wise advisors. But David must have dismissed all their concerns. He had a huge blind spot in the area of family -- and disaster ensued. The results were ruinous on so many levels. David's lack of attention to this obvious threat was so irresponsible as to be virtually criminal.
Application: Pay attention. A stitch in time saves nine. Warnings must be heeded -- especially by those who are in positions of leadership. And action must be taken, even if the offenders are close family members or friends. Delaying or ignoring can result in disaster. Pay attention -- listen to good advice.
Prayer: Lord, help me to be attentive and responsible in my life and ministry. Keep me safe from foolish inaction. And give me good advisors who can watch over the blind spots in my life.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Monday, May 07, 2007
Title: Got Good Counsel? / Topic: Wrong Friends
Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 13; 2 Samuel 14; Matthew 24
Scripture: 2 Samuel 13:1-3
1 In the course of time, Amnon son of David fell in love with Tamar, the beautiful sister of Absalom son of David.
2 Amnon became frustrated to the point of illness on account of his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and it seemed impossible for him to do anything to her.
3 Now Amnon had a friend named Jonadab son of Shimeah, David's brother. Jonadab was a very shrewd man. 4 He asked Amnon, "Why do you, the king's son, look so haggard morning after morning? Won't you tell me?"
Observation: Amnon has a sick obsession. He has fallen "in love" with his half-sister, Tamar. In truth he has a lustful incestuous fixation for her. It actually becomes so captivating that it makes him physically sick. Unfortunately, Amnon has another unhealthy aspect of his life, he has an evil confidant, his cousin, Jonadab. And this wicked man gives Amnon horribly evil counsel, playing to Amnon's sin sickness. Of course, the emotionally unstable Amnon latches onto this terrible advice, creating a ruse that gives him the opportunity to rape Tamar which is tragically what happens. Eventually, this evil counsel ends up sowing murder and destructive strife in David's family.
Application: Be careful picking your friends. There may be a time when your judgment is impaired and the character of your counselors will make the difference between life and death. Select Godly people of excellence of character.
Prayer: Lord, give me a multitude of wonderful counselors who reflect the Wonderful Counselor.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Scripture: 2 Samuel 13:1-3
1 In the course of time, Amnon son of David fell in love with Tamar, the beautiful sister of Absalom son of David.
2 Amnon became frustrated to the point of illness on account of his sister Tamar, for she was a virgin, and it seemed impossible for him to do anything to her.
3 Now Amnon had a friend named Jonadab son of Shimeah, David's brother. Jonadab was a very shrewd man. 4 He asked Amnon, "Why do you, the king's son, look so haggard morning after morning? Won't you tell me?"
Observation: Amnon has a sick obsession. He has fallen "in love" with his half-sister, Tamar. In truth he has a lustful incestuous fixation for her. It actually becomes so captivating that it makes him physically sick. Unfortunately, Amnon has another unhealthy aspect of his life, he has an evil confidant, his cousin, Jonadab. And this wicked man gives Amnon horribly evil counsel, playing to Amnon's sin sickness. Of course, the emotionally unstable Amnon latches onto this terrible advice, creating a ruse that gives him the opportunity to rape Tamar which is tragically what happens. Eventually, this evil counsel ends up sowing murder and destructive strife in David's family.
Application: Be careful picking your friends. There may be a time when your judgment is impaired and the character of your counselors will make the difference between life and death. Select Godly people of excellence of character.
Prayer: Lord, give me a multitude of wonderful counselors who reflect the Wonderful Counselor.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Title: What Might Have Been / Topic: Choices and Consequences
Author's Note: It has been several days since my last post. I have not been neglecting my time with the Lord, just my blog. Did you miss me? Please post a comment if you appreciate this blog. I post to initiate a discussion. If no discussion happens, then my purpose in unfulfilled and I don't see the point in posting. That's what I'm thinking. What are your thoughts?
Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 11; 2 Samuel 12; Psalm 51; Matthew 23
Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:1 In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king's men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.
Observation: It is the time for kings to go off to war. David is a king. But David stays home. And what ensues is the whole sordid tale of David's lustful encounter with Bathsheba and the subsequent treacherous conspiracy and murder of Bathsheba's loyal husband Uriah. If only David had simply gone where he was supposed to go. What a difference it would have made in so many lives. A simple decision to not do what he should have done had extreme and dire consequences for all eternity.
Application: Don't put yourself in the wrong place. Be where you are supposed to be. The papers are filled with stories of innocent individuals who got hurt or killed because they were at the wrong party or at the wrong person's house or waiting for a friend outside the wrong club. Just be where you are supposed to be.
Prayer: Lord, keep me in the right places to be and do what you want. I do not ask you to keep me safe because being a true witness for you is not safe. Obedience has cost many of your witnesses their lives and they died because they were where you wanted them to be and they took a righteous stand. I do ask for you to keep me in your will. Keep me from places I should not go. May I do your will.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 11; 2 Samuel 12; Psalm 51; Matthew 23
Scripture: 2 Samuel 11:1 In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war, David sent Joab out with the king's men and the whole Israelite army. They destroyed the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained in Jerusalem.
Observation: It is the time for kings to go off to war. David is a king. But David stays home. And what ensues is the whole sordid tale of David's lustful encounter with Bathsheba and the subsequent treacherous conspiracy and murder of Bathsheba's loyal husband Uriah. If only David had simply gone where he was supposed to go. What a difference it would have made in so many lives. A simple decision to not do what he should have done had extreme and dire consequences for all eternity.
Application: Don't put yourself in the wrong place. Be where you are supposed to be. The papers are filled with stories of innocent individuals who got hurt or killed because they were at the wrong party or at the wrong person's house or waiting for a friend outside the wrong club. Just be where you are supposed to be.
Prayer: Lord, keep me in the right places to be and do what you want. I do not ask you to keep me safe because being a true witness for you is not safe. Obedience has cost many of your witnesses their lives and they died because they were where you wanted them to be and they took a righteous stand. I do ask for you to keep me in your will. Keep me from places I should not go. May I do your will.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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