May 28th One Year Bible Readings

2 Samuel 13:1-39 ~ John 17:1-26 ~ Psalm 119:81-96 ~ Proverbs 16:6-7
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Old Testament - Second Samuel chapter 13 is a sad chapter to read in so many ways!  Amnon is David's first born son, so he is heir to the throne at this point.  Absalom is David's third born son - but at this point he may have been second in line to the throne because David's 2nd born son, Kileab, was only mentioned once and may have died young.  You'll note that there are unfortunately are some parallels in David's sin with Bathsheba and Uriah with his 2 sons' behavior in this chapter.  David sinned sexually with Bathsheba - Amnon sinned sexually against Tamar in a horrible way.  David sinned by ordering the murder of Uriah.  Absalom sinned by ordering the murder of Amnon.  Unfortunately we see a pattern of "like father, like sons..." in this chapter.  I don't think this always has to be the case in our human condition - I do believe we can be redeemed and transformed and not act in sinful ways like our parents may have acted.  But, I also do believe we need Jesus to save us from ourselves - in this regard of breaking the cycle/pattern of sin and in all regards.  Below is an illustration by Gerard Hoet from the year 1728 titled "Absalom's Servants kill his brother Amnon at a Feast":

Bible.org's commentary on our Second Samuel readings today titled "Tragedy in the Royal Family" is at this link.

New Testament - John 17 is such an amazing chapter... this is Jesus praying!  So powerful.  I honestly am at a loss for words on this chapter.  I could probably try to write something about each and every verse.  But, maybe what makes the most sense is for you to re-read this chapter again.  Do you see Jesus praying for you in this chapter?

Bible.org's commentary on today's John readings are extensive!  They've divided this chapter up into 3 commentaries, which shows the depth of what's going on in this chapter.  I recommend you take a few minutes to check out each of these commentaries.  The first commentary titled "The High Priestly Prayer of Jesus: Part I" is at this link, "Part II" is at this link, and "Part III" is at this link.

Psalms - I am continuing to love our readings of Psalm 119!  This is an incredible Psalm...  I somehow am re-reminded of how amazing this Psalm is every 6 months that we read it in the One Year Bible.  I could write something on each verse.  For example, I love the imagery in verse 81 today - "I faint with longing for your salvation; but I have put my hope in your word." I faint!  I long! I hope!  And Verse 83 - "I am shriveled like a wineskin in the smoke, exhausted with waiting. But I cling to your principles and obey them."  I am shriveled!  I am exhausted!  I wait!  I cling!  I obey!   I love this Psalm...  Verse 95 is powerful: "Though the wicked hide along the way to kill me, I will quietly keep my mind on your decrees."  How can you quietly keep your mind on God's decrees?  Will you make this a habit to quietly keep your mind on God's decrees?  Would this be a good habit?

Proverbs - Proverbs 16 verse 7 is interesting today - "When the ways of people please the LORD, he makes even their enemies live at peace with them." Do you believe this to be true?  I do... And I think I've seen this in action in my own life very recently.  Sometimes I think we can get so worried about our perceived enemies or whatever else - when really all we should be focusing on is our relationship with God.  And this other stuff will work itself out.  It's secondary.  Our relationship with God is primary.  Is this true in your life today?

YouTube - Today's readings in Psalm 119 remind me of Jeremy Camp's song "Walk by Faith:"

Comments from You & Questions of the Day:  Has God ever given you peace with your "enemies"?  Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings?  Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!

God bless,
Mike

Comments

[Ramona]

2 Samuel 13:1-39

Open rebuke is better than love that is hidden. [Prov. 28:23; Gal. 2:14.] (Proverbs 27:5 AMP)

I wonder if David spoke to his sons? I wonder if he shared with them his hopes for their lives, his fears, his missteps, his sins. We have big fat white elephants standing in the living room, yet no one acknowledges it while they take up space, pooping on the floor and eating up everything in sight. It is a common practice amongst families to ignore that which is troubleing be it behavior, past grudges and perceived wrongs. Why is it that we attempt to hide things that are out in the open? We ignore their presence then act with great big surprise when the consequences of our failure to acknowledge what is so visibly obvious standing in front of us, bares fruit.

I don’t know when the Fifth-first Psalm was written exactly but it does seem that David knew that his sin with Bathsheba not only called for death for both parties, but also was a blatant abuse of his power. David wrote that Psalm to be song in the Temple by the choir. Did David share with others his broken and contrite heart before he shared it with his family? Do we commit sin with our families all around us and fail to confess what we have done to them, while baring our hearts to others?

We wrongly think that what we do inside the cocoon of our family unit will not affect and effect our children, spouses and nieces and nephews, but in truth, our actions speak louder than our words. God didn’t have to put a “curse” on David because his sin, our sin, gives fruit to its own consequences. David’s actions with Bathsheba did not happen the instant he saw her bath on her own rooftop, it happened in his heart with other women at other times. And beside all that David had a multitude of wives there was no need to go after someone else’s. We don’t just roll out of bed one morning and commit adultery, or murder, or rape or steal. The sin has been going on in our hearts long before we put feet to our thought and turn them into actions.

You are jealous and covet [what others have] and your desires go unfulfilled; [so] you become murderers. [To hate is to murder as far as your hearts are concerned.] You burn with envy and anger and are not able to obtain [the gratification, the contentment, and the happiness that you seek], so you fight and war. You do not have, because you do not ask. [I John 3:15.] [Or] you do ask [God for them] and yet fail to receive, because you ask with wrong purpose and evil, selfish motives. Your intention is [when you get what you desire] to spend it in sensual pleasures. You [are like] unfaithful wives [having illicit love affairs with the world and breaking your marriage vow to God]! Do you not know that being the world's friend is being God's enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world takes his stand as an enemy of God. (James 4:2-4 AMP)

I am of the school that David knew who Bathsheba was because Uriah was one of his Thirty Men of Valor. Maybe he did not know who she was personally by sight, but he would have had to know that Uriah had a wife. In addition, Bathsheba’s father, Eliam, was also one of the Thirty. (2 Samuel 23:34, 39) and Eliam’s father was Ahithophel, David’s trusted advisor who when he gave counsel it was like the voice of God.

Can you imagine the reverberations throughout the palace, the gossip, and the cries of “hypocrite?” Those on the outside of the family may operate in forgiveness quicker than those in the family especially when unforgiveness is planted deep in the hearts of one’s children. The spiritual leader of my church has a teaching out on Video that makes this statement, “When we fail to forgive in such a way that we hold a grudge, we take upon ourselves the sin of the one we are holding a grudge against and then are doomed to repeat their mistake because we carry their sin.

Exercise foresight and be on the watch to look [after one another], to see that no one falls back from and fails to secure God's grace (His unmerited favor and spiritual blessing), in order that no root of resentment (rancor, bitterness, or hatred) shoots forth and causes trouble and bitter torment, and the many become contaminated and defiled by it-- (Hebrews 12:15 AMP)

David had Uriah killed, one of his Thirty men of Valor, the consequence: Absalom had his on brother killed.

What grudge is hidden in my heart? What elephant is taking up space soiling my relationship with God? Whose sin am I holding on too that if I don’t let go will propel me to commit that same sin but exponentially? Forgiveness is not about the one who sinned, forgiveness is about me giving no place to the devil in my heart. Forgiveness frees me from the sins of others.

[Pat]

John 17 really touches my heart this morning. I noted first the pattern of Jesus’ prayer: He prays first for himself, next for His disciples, and finally for all believers. When I pray, I put myself last and I see now that this is wrong. I should pray for my own soul first for if I am not right with God then the rest of my prayer will be of no value. I always lift up those that are close to me to Christ, and this is what Christ did when He lifted up His disciples in prayer. Finally just as Christ prayed for all believers, I should pray for all Christians everywhere, and I am guilty of not doing this. This morning John 17 has changed my prayer pattern. Praise the Lord for giving me this prayer example to follow!

John 17:15 really stood out to me this morning: “My prayer is not that you take them out of this world but that you protect them from the evil one” (NIV). I wonder if sometimes we Christians don’t expect God to give us Heaven here on earth! We are now the disciples of Jesus Christ and Christ did not pray that we be free of troubles, illnesses, grief, and the other factors that we as humans dwelling in these disposable temporary bodies on this planet Earth must and will face in our life. What Christ prayed for was that we disciples would be “PROTECTED FROM THE EVIL ONE”!!!! Yes, we are of this world and have to face the trials of this world, but we need not fear the power of Satan. Jesus Christ will protect us from the evil one – He will give us the strength to stand up to the temptations Satan will throw at us – He assures us that we are stronger than Satan if we are right with Him! Praise the Lord for this special power and protection He has given us!

God Bless,
Pat

[Anka]

When the king came to see him, Amnon said to him, "I would like my sister Tamar to come and make some special bread in my sight, so I may eat from her hand."
I can't help thinking about relationships as I read this.Didn't David think it an odd request for Amnon to want to eat out of his sister's hand?Didn't Tamar think it improper for her to go into her step brother's bedroom(since in those days the fact that they had the same father didn't mean they couldn't get married)...I got led to Christ by a brother who spent over two hours councelling me alone...he'd been with Christ for over 10years..I had so many questions to ask so we spent alot of time together.As time went on(after I became saved)he was certain because as he claimed,God had assured him I was to be his wife.Unfortunately for him,I had eyes only for Jesus and refused to consider any relationship.He took it very hard.I finally made up my mind to go to church since I realised I couldn't fellowship with this guy anymore.My fellowship leader began closely monitoring my growth,came to my house alone to fellowship..and once even invited me to stop over at his place after an all night prayer meeting at 5 am!!I refused politely because honestly at the time I really think he meant it "that way".
I was so hungry for God that I would spend hours with anyone who was ready to answer my many questions,most times these people were of the opposite sex.Now I go around discouraging people of the opposite sex from spending so much time together because it could be used by satan to bring up some dangerous situations.Sadly many people throw caution to the wind and end up being hurt or hurting others.I still get amazed now just how God had protected me then because in most cases the brothers were pretty sought after by the sisters and I was fresh out of the world(not a saint)yet I was so focused on Christ that I was blind to everything else.Sadly we hear of sexual sin in church even among pastors because little seemingly spiritual pursuits if not handled wisely can turn out to lead to a trap that not only affect those involved but also the world that watches from a safe distance outside the church..............
May we be truly as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves.