Absalom attempted to have his father killed and to take over his kingdom. His father, King David, had to flee the city and hide out in the caves of the area like he did when the previous King, Saul sought to murder him. But this was his own son who wanted him dead.
A man named Shimei, from David’s tribe, came out and threw rocks at David, cursing and spiting at him. The men with the king wanted to kill the man on the spot. But David was not sure that God might actually be giving the kingdom over to Absalom. So David responded, “"Behold, my son who came out from me seeks my life; how much more now this Benjamite? Let him alone and let him curse, "Perhaps the LORD will look on my affliction and return good to me instead of his cursing this day." So David and his men went on the way; and Shimei went along on the hillside parallel with him and as he went he cursed, and cast stones and threw dust at him. 14 And the king and all the people who were with him arrived weary…” (2 Samuel 16:11-14).
Jesus said, “Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy” (Mathew 5:7). We receive mercy when God does not punish us as we deserve to be punished. Should not we also show mercy to those who do not deserve it.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Are You Hungry Yet?
One of the great promises in the Bible is found in the forth principle of the Beatitudes. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Mathew 5:6). It tells us that God will meet with us and fill our lives. How wonderful to know we can call on God at any moment, in every circumstance, and he will be there to direct our choices, to comfort us, and to rescue us.
Who is completely righteous? God himself.
Therefore to hunger for righteousness is to hunger for God. To be filled with righteousness is to be filled with God. Indeed, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.”
Who is completely righteous? God himself.
Therefore to hunger for righteousness is to hunger for God. To be filled with righteousness is to be filled with God. Indeed, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.”
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Does Meek Mean Weak?
When we meet a shy person who is very sweet we say, “She is so meek.” The English dictionary says it means to be too submissive. But that is not what the word meek meant in 16th century English when the Bible was translated into King James vernacular.
Paul wrote in 2Corinthians 10:1, “Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ--I who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent!”
Jesus was anything but weak. A weak person cannot face the crowds that threaten to take their lives and remain calm and persist in his teaching. A weak person cannot face the prospect of crucifixion and follow through with God's will regardless of the cost of torture. But the meek can do all of this because they rely on God.
The meek are gentle in their spirit. They are aware of the emotional needs of others. They don't use the Bible as a shot gun, but as a salve for the hurting. However they know how to use it as a sword against the enemy of God.
Jesus said,“Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth” (Mathew 5:5). So how do the meek inherit the earth? They are willing to consider ideas from others and thus benefit from community insights. They are gentle people but always speak truth. They gain respect because they treat others with respect.
They inherit the earth.
Paul wrote in 2Corinthians 10:1, “Now I, Paul, myself urge you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ--I who am meek when face to face with you, but bold toward you when absent!”
Jesus was anything but weak. A weak person cannot face the crowds that threaten to take their lives and remain calm and persist in his teaching. A weak person cannot face the prospect of crucifixion and follow through with God's will regardless of the cost of torture. But the meek can do all of this because they rely on God.
The meek are gentle in their spirit. They are aware of the emotional needs of others. They don't use the Bible as a shot gun, but as a salve for the hurting. However they know how to use it as a sword against the enemy of God.
Jesus said,“Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth” (Mathew 5:5). So how do the meek inherit the earth? They are willing to consider ideas from others and thus benefit from community insights. They are gentle people but always speak truth. They gain respect because they treat others with respect.
They inherit the earth.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Funerals
The death of our lifelong partner can be like ripping our heart out without the advantage of Novocain. The empty house echoes with memories. It feels like any moment he or she will walk through the door. It is not unusual to be convinced we have just heard them call our name from the next room. The realization that that person will never hold us again, never kiss us again, never laugh with us, never share our secrets breaks our hearts.
Yet I have heard of individuals telling the grieving spouse they should not be sad. Are they kidding! Was Jesus less spiritual because he wept? Was he not connected with our heavenly Father because he pleaded with him with loud groans and tears in fear of going through the crucifixion? If Jesus, the Son of God, grieved, cannot we grieve also?
Scripture tells us that we are to comfort others with the same comfort we have received (2 Corinthians 1:3-5). That means we will all grieve. Jesus said it this way, “Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted” (Mathew 5:4).
Yet I have heard of individuals telling the grieving spouse they should not be sad. Are they kidding! Was Jesus less spiritual because he wept? Was he not connected with our heavenly Father because he pleaded with him with loud groans and tears in fear of going through the crucifixion? If Jesus, the Son of God, grieved, cannot we grieve also?
Scripture tells us that we are to comfort others with the same comfort we have received (2 Corinthians 1:3-5). That means we will all grieve. Jesus said it this way, “Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted” (Mathew 5:4).
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