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For I know the plans I have for you,declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jer 29:11 |
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| Archived Manna: | |
Dear
Friend,
If you do not already have a habit of gathering daily manna the first thing in the morning (we can look at the example given to us in Exodus 16 and find the pattern for collecting daily manna), make it a habit. Establish your life and your schedule to allow you the necessary time to do your daily collection first thing every morning to give you the strength to make it through the day. And remember that today’s manna will not be sufficient for tomorrow; tomorrow’s manna must be collected tomorrow morning. Tuesday, July 17, 2018
Today's Passage : Today's Passage:Subjecta:David Returns to Jerusalem Bible Verse:2 Samuel 19:8-30 "So the king went out and took his seat at the town gate, and as the news spread throughout the town that he was there, everyone went to him. Meanwhile, the Israelites who had supported Absalom fled to their homes. And throughout all the tribes of Israel there was much discussion and argument going on. The people were saying, “The king rescued us from our enemies and saved us from the Philistines, but Absalom chased him out of the country. Now Absalom, whom we anointed to rule over us, is dead. Why not ask David to come back and be our king again?” Then King David sent Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, to say to the elders of Judah, “Why are you the last ones to welcome back the king into his palace? For I have heard that all Israel is ready. You are my relatives, my own tribe, my own flesh and blood! So why are you the last ones to welcome back the king?” And David told them to tell Amasa, “Since you are my own flesh and blood, like Joab, may God strike me and even kill me if I do not appoint you as commander of my army in his place.” Then Amasa convinced all the men of Judah, and they responded unanimously. They sent word to the king, “Return to us, and bring back all who are with you.” So the king started back to Jerusalem. And when he arrived at the Jordan River, the people of Judah came to Gilgal to meet him and escort him across the river. . . . As the king was about to cross the river, Shimei fell down before him. “My lord the king, please forgive me,” he pleaded. . . . Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said, “Shimei should die, for he cursed the Lord’s anointed king!” David exclaimed, “This is not a day for execution, for today I am once again the king of Israel!” Then, turning to Shimei, David vowed, “Your life will be spared.” Mephibosheth kneeling before David Illustration from the Morgan Bible of Mephibosheth kneeling before David. Now Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, came down from Jerusalem to meet the king. He had not cared for his feet, trimmed his beard, or washed his clothes since the day the king left Jerusalem.“Why didn’t you come with me, Mephibosheth?” the king asked him. . . . Mephibosheth replied, “My lord the king, my servant Ziba deceived me. I told him, ‘Saddle my donkey so I can go with the king.’ For as you know I am crippled. I know that my lord the king is like an angel of God, so do what you think is best.” “You’ve said enough,” David replied. “I’ve decided that you and Ziba will divide your land equally between you.” “Give him all of it,” Mephibosheth said. “I am content just to have you safely back again, my lord the king!”" Message:
When Saul died, his relatives fled, taking Mephibosheth (age 5) with them. The custom of the time was for a victorious king to slay the relatives, and especially the descendants, of the defeated king, in order that they not return to challenge him in the future. But David asked that Mephibosheth return and granted him Saul’s inheritance.
During Absalom’s rebellion, Ziba supported David, bringing him and his army food and supplies. Ziba had claimed that Mephibosheth was aiming to unseat both David and Absalom, and claim the crown for himself. David thus granted to Ziba all of Mephibosheth’s property. But now we have Mephibosheth claiming that Ziba lied, and he (Mephibosheth) only stayed because Ziba would not bring him a donkey to ride. And in truth, Mephibosheth was crippled; he had been dropped, and his leg broken, when he was five and fleeing from David.
So, who should David believe? He chooses to see the best in both of them and forgive them both. But Mephibosheth renounces his share, to prove that his heart is loyal to David and that he is not shamming, just to recover his property.
What we are seeing, then, is a what we call a “paradigm shift” today. The king of Israel is not being chosen by earthly power or force of arms, appearances to the contrary. At the very root of David’s action is knowledge that God, not the people or the armies, has put David on the throne. He thus has nothing to fear from men, and can show mercy to his vanquished rivals.
It is a very modern concept, in some ways. Lady Jane Grey and Charles I were both beheaded, let us remember, even though the English monarchs of the day would claim to be anointed by God. It reminds me of a line from an old Tom Lehrer song: “The Lord’s Our Shepherd, says the psalm, but just in case . . . we'd better get the Bomb.”
Meditation : Prayer : May the God of peace, who declared victory over death by the resurrection of His only Son, Jesus Christ, make me perfect in every thought and act through His grace, that my life might be pleasing in His sight and that I might share the perfect peace that is only possible through Him, to whom be glory for ever and ever.,..Amen |
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