SCRIPTURE: 2 Samuel 19
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
When Shimei son of Gera crossed the Jordan, he fell prostrate before the king and said to him, “May my lord not hold me guilty. Do not remember how your servant did wrong on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. May the king put it out of his mind. For I your servant know that I have sinned, but today I have come here as the first of the whole house of Joseph to come down and meet my lord the king. [2 Samuel 19:18-20] This guy deserves to die. When David was fleeing, he cursed him [2 Samuel 16:5-8]. Now when David is returning in power, he cowers in humility. How sincere is his sorrow? I would be sceptical.
For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. [Matthew 23:12] In this passage I see the issue of humility, and its opposite. We have David humbled by the coup, now exalted. We have the victorious David humbled with grief, and his soldiers shamed by his sorrow. We have a boastful Shimei humbled. Mephibosheth is falsely accused by Ziba, yet more concerned about David’s return. At this point, Ziba seems to get away with his deception (he gets half of the property), though he too will likely be humbled. And we have the posturing of the tribes, each vying for the favour of the king.
This makes me think of James and John wanting the best positions beside Jesus [Mark 10:35-45]. Jesus explains that true greatness comes from humble servanthood, not posturing for power: Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” [Mark 10:42-45].
Like Shimei, we need to humble ourselves and admit our sin. Like Mephibosheth we need to be more concerned about the Lord than about any profit or power we might gain from being close to the king. Thankfully God is merciful, and does not treat us as our sins deserve. This ought to humble me. It’s the key to being exalted!
PRAYER:
Lord, I do not deserve Your mercy, yet I need it. Help me to be sincerely humble, and to be more concerned about You than about any profit or position I might gain from following You.
I serve a risen Saviour, Christ Jesus my Lord.
I am reminded of the picture of Christ Jesus knocking at the door. The door needs to be opened from the inside. As Davids needed to decide to be king and take hos place, so I too need to decide to follow Jesus. I need to do what is right and good and follow God’s way. I must focus – not on earthly treasures but on His kingdom. David did lament for his son, but he too needed to move on to carry out his responsibilities.
I too need to build up treasures in heaven. My focus must be upward look and not the earthly look.
Thank You Lord for the forgiveness I receive each day. Help me to walk this day in Your way.
I serve a risen Savior, he’s in the world today;
I know that he is living whatever men may say;
I see his hand of mercy; I hear his voice of cheer,
And just the time I need him, he’s always near.
Chorus:
He lives, he lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life’s narrow way.
He lives, he lives, salvation to impart!
You ask my how I know he lives?
He lives within my heart.
Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian,
Lift up your voice and sing.
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the king!
The hope of all who seek him,
The help of all who find,
None other is so loving, so good and kind
LORD, how guilty we too can be of allowing our situations / circumstances to sway our attitudes and actions. Forgive me LORD. LORD, it’s not people I need to impress it is only You. I know there will be times when people will resent my stand in faith but I must never waver out of fear of their opinions.
Father, thank You for forgiving me of the times when I have made it about personal gain or my own selfish desires. Thank You LORD for always being ready to bring me back to the heart of Truth- You! I know LORD that it is all about You and if I make You the centre of my thoughts, my life, my actions, my responses, then You will always help me do it Your way, according to Your will NOT mine.
Here I am
Ready to give up my life for the One
Ready to pour out my heart for the Son
There’s a place where I can go
Where the angels hear me pray
“I want to change
Yes I need Your touch”
I’m waiting here for You
And I fall, at Your feet
I’ll give it all, until the day we meet
Here I am
Ready to give up my life for the One
Ready to pour out my heart for the Son
Here I am
Here I come to Your threshing floor
Where the angels fear to tread
I’m waiting here for the King of love
And to hold the hands that bled
And I fall, at Your feet
I’ll give it all, until the day we meet
Here I am
Ready to give up my life for the One
Ready to pour out my heart for the Son -Michael W. Smith
Thank You LORD that I sing this song with all of my heart, make these words become truth in my life to bring You glory, honour and praise.