Psalm 63

WEEK 1                                        Psalm 63

WEDNESDAY  Reflections

Psalms 63:1 “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.”

 

How bad do you want God? A little bit, a whole lot, or with everything you have. What David is saying here is the last, a consuming desire. This is the type of person Jesus proclaims will be blessed because they hunger and thirst after righteousness (Matthew 5:6).

 

So how much do you want God? I must admit there are times I don’t want God like this. I hope that those times will fade and the times of wanting and enjoying Him will fill my life. 

 

Side note: A consuming passion for God doesn’t mean that you aren’t concerned about other things, be it family, people, or even reading. What it does mean is that those things are a part of your desire for God. 

Psa 63:1-11
(1)  A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
(2)  To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
(3)  Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
(4)  Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.
(5)  My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:
(6)  When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
(7)  Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
(8)  My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
(9)  But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.
(10)  They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.

(11)  But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.

Photo by Finding Dan | Dan Grinwis on Unsplash

2 Samuel 16

WEEK 1                                         2 Samuel 16

TUESDAY  Reflections

There is a lot happening in this chapter, a lying servant, a cursing man, a humbled king, vengeful friends, a spy for David, a conniving advisor, and a disgraceful son. Each story has its background and lessons for us.

My thoughts turn to David's reaction to being cursed for being a murderer. No, he did not murder the descendants of Saul, but it is very possible that David remembered his other crimes, adultery, the murder of Uriah (a trusted friend), and his mishandling of his children's previous actions. David's poor choices in the past, though forgiven by God, now brought forth the prophesied harvest. It may sound cruel but David was paying for his sins as was his family and his kingdom. David knew his crimes and though they were not against the family of Saul they were great. Now David's only hope was for God to have mercy on him. He understood that taking vergence against Shimei now would not put him in a place to receive mercy.

 

Most of the time, we don't like being told we have done wrong, even when we have. Often people take action against someone who points out their flaws, but this isn't the way to receive God's mercy. David at this lowest of low points understood this and so should we.

2Sa 16:1-23
(1)  And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and an hundred bunches of raisins, and an hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine.
(2)  And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses be for the king's household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, that such as be faint in the wilderness may drink.
(3)  And the king said, And where is thy master's son? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem: for he said, To day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father.
(4)  Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king.
(5)  And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came.
(6)  And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.
(7)  And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial:
(8)  The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man.
(9)  Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head.
(10)  And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?
(11)  And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him.
(12)  It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.
(13)  And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill's side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust.
(14)  And the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary, and refreshed themselves there.
(15)  And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.
(16)  And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, God save the king, God save the king.
(17)  And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend?
(18)  And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom the LORD, and this people, and all the men of Israel, choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide.
(19)  And again, whom should I serve? should I not serve in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father's presence, so will I be in thy presence.
(20)  Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do.
(21)  And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father's concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong.
(22)  So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.
(23)  And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.

Photo by Simon Schmitt on Unsplash

2 Samuel 15

WEEK 1                                             2 Samuel 15

MONDAY  Reflections

David's past sins were catching up with him. His son, Absalom, has prepared to take the throne from him. We don't know if David had been warned of Absalom's actions, I believe he was, but as before did little to interfere with what was happening in his own family. 

This chapter and some of the ones following are filled with intrigue. They might make a great espionage movie. However, as interesting as those can be I want to look at David's attitude toward the ark of God.

The priests prepare to take the ark of God (the ark of the covenant) from its place in Jerusalem and follow David. The ark represented the presence and blessing of God and, for some, military victory. Yet David refuses to take this symbol with him. He trusts that, if it is God's will, God will bring him back to Jerusalem. 

David understood God's blessing wasn't tied to who held the Ark. I believe, David understood God was greater than the ark and its position. David trusted if God wanted him to return, he would, but if not then the ark needed to stay in Jerusalem. David understood God wasn't going to do David's will or be on David's side because the Ark was with him. David understood God was different from all the other gods people worshiped. To those who looked at the ark as some sort of weapon or fount of blessing, David sent it to the place his enemy could use it. David must have understood the lesson from Israel's history, The Ark wasn't the key to victory, God was. 

2Sa 15:1-37
(1)  And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
(2)  And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.
(3)  And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.
(4)  Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!
(5)  And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.
(6)  And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
(7)  And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron.
(8)  For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.
(9)  And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.
(10)  But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.
(11)  And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.
(12)  And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.
(13)  And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.
(14)  And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.
(15)  And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.
(16)  And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house.
(17)  And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.
(18)  And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.
(19)  Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile.
(20)  Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth be with thee.
(21)  And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the LORD liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.
(22)  And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him.
(23)  And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.
(24)  And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city.
(25)  And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation:
(26)  But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.
(27)  The king said also unto Zadok the priest, Art not thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.
(28)  See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me.
(29)  Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.
(30)  And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.
(31)  And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.
(32)  And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head:
(33)  Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me:
(34)  But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father's servant hitherto, so will I now also be thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.
(35)  And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, that what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king's house, thou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.
(36)  Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok's son, and Jonathan Abiathar's son; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear.
(37)  So Hushai David's friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 37

WEEK   25                                        Jeremiah 37

SATURDAY  Reflections

I find this chapter interesting. The new king asks Jeremiah to pray for them. Later, when Jeremiah asks, the king moves him to a better place, yet he isn't repenting and turning to God. Since we don't know his heart it is impossible to say. Yet God used him to remove Jeremiah from those who wished to silence him and probably kill him.

Jeremiah asks a question which no one answers: "Where are the prophets?"(37:19) Jeremiah asks what about all those people who prophesied falsely. Where are they now? It is a good question. They seemed to have disappeared, yet the true prophet was suffering. It doesn't seem fair, but the world isn't fair.

It was true then and it is still true. Jesus warned his followers the world would not treat them right. So we shouldn't be surprised when it happens.

Jer 37:1-21
(1)  And king Zedekiah the son of Josiah reigned instead of Coniah the son of Jehoiakim, whom Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon made king in the land of Judah.
(2)  But neither he, nor his servants, nor the people of the land, did hearken unto the words of the LORD, which he spake by the prophet Jeremiah.
(3)  And Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest to the prophet Jeremiah, saying, Pray now unto the LORD our God for us.
(4)  Now Jeremiah came in and went out among the people: for they had not put him into prison.
(5)  Then Pharaoh's army was come forth out of Egypt: and when the Chaldeans that besieged Jerusalem heard tidings of them, they departed from Jerusalem.
(6)  Then came the word of the LORD unto the prophet Jeremiah, saying,
(7)  Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Thus shall ye say to the king of Judah, that sent you unto me to enquire of me; Behold, Pharaoh's army, which is come forth to help you, shall return to Egypt into their own land.
(8)  And the Chaldeans shall come again, and fight against this city, and take it, and burn it with fire.
(9)  Thus saith the LORD; Deceive not yourselves, saying, The Chaldeans shall surely depart from us: for they shall not depart.
(10)  For though ye had smitten the whole army of the Chaldeans that fight against you, and there remained but wounded men among them, yet should they rise up every man in his tent, and burn this city with fire.
(11)  And it came to pass, that when the army of the Chaldeans was broken up from Jerusalem for fear of Pharaoh's army,
(12)  Then Jeremiah went forth out of Jerusalem to go into the land of Benjamin, to separate himself thence in the midst of the people.
(13)  And when he was in the gate of Benjamin, a captain of the ward was there, whose name was Irijah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah; and he took Jeremiah the prophet, saying, Thou fallest away to the Chaldeans.
(14)  Then said Jeremiah, It is false; I fall not away to the Chaldeans. But he hearkened not to him: so Irijah took Jeremiah, and brought him to the princes.
(15)  Wherefore the princes were wroth with Jeremiah, and smote him, and put him in prison in the house of Jonathan the scribe: for they had made that the prison.
(16)  When Jeremiah was entered into the dungeon, and into the cabins, and Jeremiah had remained there many days;
(17)  Then Zedekiah the king sent, and took him out: and the king asked him secretly in his house, and said, Is there any word from the LORD? And Jeremiah said, There is: for, said he, thou shalt be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.
(18)  Moreover Jeremiah said unto king Zedekiah, What have I offended against thee, or against thy servants, or against this people, that ye have put me in prison?
(19)  Where are now your prophets which prophesied unto you, saying, The king of Babylon shall not come against you, nor against this land?
(20)  Therefore hear now, I pray thee, O my lord the king: let my supplication, I pray thee, be accepted before thee; that thou cause me not to return to the house of Jonathan the scribe, lest I die there.
(21)  Then Zedekiah the king commanded that they should commit Jeremiah into the court of the prison, and that they should give him daily a piece of bread out of the bakers' street, until all the bread in the city were spent. Thus Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.

Romans 16

WEEK    25                                        Romans 16

FRIDAY  Reflections

Some interesting notes for those who believe Paul didn't want women in ministry. Look at the number of women in this conclusion. Even Priscilla being named before her husband is enlightening. These aren't women who are cowering in the corner waiting for the men to tell them what to do. God uses women. They aren't second-class citizens in the church nor in the home.

On another note, Paul tells them he wants them to "be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil" (NIV). God wants all of us to be this way. We don't need to be wise and knowledgeable about everything that is evil. Yes, there are times we need to know what is taking place, but if our knowledge about evil is greater than that of the Bible we are out of balance. We need to be focused on learning what is good. 

 

Rom 16:1-27
(1)  I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
(2)  That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.
(3)  Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
(4)  Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
(5)  Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.
(6)  Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.
(7)  Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
(8)  Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.
(9)  Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.
(10)  Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household.
(11)  Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.
(12)  Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.
(13)  Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.
(14)  Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them.
(15)  Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.
(16)  Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
(17)  Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
(18)  For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
(19)  For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
(20)  And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
(21)  Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.
(22)  I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.
(23)  Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.
(24)  The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
(25)  Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
(26)  But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
(27)  To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. Written to the Romans from Corinthus, and sent by Phebe servant of the church at Cenchrea.