PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: 2 Samuel 21-22
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“The Lord has dealt with me according to my righteousness.” (2 Samuel 22:25)
According to the author, God still holds Saul’s sin against Israel.
God only ends the famine after seven of Saul’s descendents are killed.
This is NOT how Jesus reveals what God is like.
God does not hold grudges, nor does God expect our blood to atone.
In his song David claims that he is blessed because of his rightness.
It is NOT because of his righteousness that God helps him.
It is because of God’s mercy and grace – David was no saint!
These stories reveal the gory of sin, and the glory of grace.
We suffer because of our sin, and we cannot atone for it ourselves.
We do not make things right by paying God back, or putting things right.
These stories reveal the problem of sin’s curse, and our need for help.
They reveal a God that reaches down and takes hold of us by grace.
God in Jesus sacrifices himself, not us, to make things right!
It is because of HIS righteousness that we are helped, saved, rewarded!
PRAYER
Lord, these stories are only shadows of grace. You are the reality. Thank you for not demanding my blood for atonement, but offering yours for me! Thank you for dealing with me according to your righteousness!
“What shall I do for you? How shall I make atonement so that you will bless the Lord’s inheritance?” Through Saul’s actions reneging the vow that they had made with the Gibeonites – Israel’s reputation as a just nation was tainted. IT was public. Through that reneging many Gibeonites lost their lives so it demanded public restitution. God sent a message to David and Israelites and so He also sends it to me: be careful in making commitments and vows – particularly if you present yourself as a follower of Jesus. Let your yes be yes and no, no. Do not renege. Help me to be discerning and not get myself into traps of wrongful commitments. HS help keep me from making bad choices!
Where do I see God this day?
In the happenings in the world today, I need to see the Lord speak to His people. Serve Him. Turn from your selfish ways and give praise to the One Who gives you LIFE.
Today as show in the reading of today, we need to turn to the Lord for it is only by His grace and truth that we are saved. Our focus need to be on serving Him and not on our hearts evil desires of serving self.
Stop. Look. Listen how the Lord continues to gather His own and leads them still
.1 Grace and truth shall mark the way
Where the Lord His own will lead,
If His word they still obey
And His testimonies heed.
2 For Thy name’s sake hear Thou me,
For Thy mercy, Lord, I wait;
Pardon my iniquity,
For my sin is very great.
3 He who walks in godly fear
In the path of truth shall go;
Peace shall be his portion here,
And his sons all good shall know.
4 They that fear and love the Lord
Shall His holy friendship know;
He will grace to them accord,
And His faithful covenant show.