Month: May 2021

2 Samuel 17:1-29; John 19:23-42; Psalm 119:129-152; Proverbs 16:12-13

Order My Steps in Thy Word
Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them. The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments. Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name. Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts. Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes. Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law. – Psalm 119:129-136

Thy Word giveth light. It giveth understanding. Order my steps in Thy Word that sin would not have dominion over me. Deliver me from oppression. Make Thy face shine upon me. Teach me Thy Word.

Such mighty prayers are contained in these verses. They remind me of the two passages we say every Sunday morning in our worship services. They are also from this blessed chapter of Psalm.

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto to my path. (Psalm 119:105)

Thy Word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee. (Psalm 119:11)

An Everlasting Righteousness
Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments. Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful. My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words. Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts. Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth. Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights. The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live. – Psalm 119:137-144

You Word is upright, righteous, very faithful, pure, everlasting, true!

Thou Hast Founded Them Forever
I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes. I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies. I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word. Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word. Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment. They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law. Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth. Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever. – Psalm 119:145-152

I will keep thy statutes. I shall keep thy testimonies. I hoped in thy word. I meditate in thy word. Quicken me according to thy judgment. All thy commandments are truth. Thou hast founded them (thy testimonies) forever.

For the Lord had Appointed to Defeat the Good Counsel
And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom. – 2 Samuel 17:14

The Word reminds me again today that if I live according to God’s will and line my life up with His Word, He will fight my battles and even if someone has a near perfect plan to destroy me, He will appoint defeat of that plan. 

Ahithophel Saw That His Counsel Was Not Followed
And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father. – 2 Samuel 17:23

Ahithopel touched the Lord’s anointed and God stepped in against him. 

It Is Finished
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. – John 19:25-30

“It is finished.” Jesus’ last Words as He fought the final battle for you and me. Every other battle that we will face in this life, Jesus has already fought. All we need to do is realize He has already sealed the victory and yield to Him. Hallelujah! 

An Abomination to Kings
It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness. – Proverbs 16:12

2 Samuel 15:23–16:23; John 18:25–19:22; Psalm 119:113-128; Proverbs 16:10-11

Let Him Do to Me as Seemeth Good Unto Him
And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation: but if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him. The king said also unto Zadok the priest, Art not thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar. See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me. Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there. And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up. And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness. – 2 Samuel 15:25-31

My Hiding Place and My Shield
I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love. Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God. Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope. Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually. Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood. Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies. My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments. – Psalm 119:113-120

Deal with Thy Servant According Unto Thy Mercy
I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors. Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me. Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness. Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes. I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies. It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law. Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold. Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way. – Psalm 119:121-128

Pilate Wrote a Title
And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin. Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. Pilate answered, What I have written I have written. – John 19:19-22

A Just Weight and Balance
A just weight and balance are the LORD’s: all the weights of the bag are his work. – Proverbs 16:11

 

 

 

 

 

2 Samuel 14:1–15:22; John 18:1-24; Psalm 119:97-112; Proverbs 16:8-9

Sweeter Than Honey
O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me. How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.- Psalm 119:97-104

Thy Testimonies Have I Taken as an Heritage
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments. I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word. Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments. My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law. The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts. Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart. I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end. – Psalm 119:105-112

There Was None to be So Much Praised
But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. – 2 Samuel 14:25

The Cup Which My Father Hath Given
Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? – John 18:10-11

The Lord Directeth
A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. – Proverbs 16:9

2 Samuel 13:1-39; John 17:1-26; Psalm 119:81-96; Proverbs 16:6-7

Jesus Prays for Them (and You)
I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine. And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. – John 17:9-10

In today’s scripture passages, we read Jesus’ prayer for His disciples, and it is powerful. But it becomes even more powerful when it is made personal. Jesus says in John 17:20 that He is also praying for them that would believe in Him through their word. If you are a believer today, that is YOU! I don’t know about you, but that encourages me, excites me, and gives me life. But at the same time, it places demands on me that I can’t take lightly, nor would I ever want to. We are all given free will, but if you know that Jesus prayed the will of the Father for you, could it be anything less than the greatest of joys to choose Him and His perfect will? 

Heavenly Father, Please help me to make the choice today and every day to follow Jesus and His perfect will for me and my life. Help me take all these prayers and live them, and battle when necessary in the spiritual and the physical to know You and make You known. I ask this in Jesus’ precious and holy Name. Amen! Amen!

So, what did Jesus pray for me and you? 

That They Might Know Thee
And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. – John 17:3

That They May Be One, As We Are
And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. – John 17:11

That They Might Have My Joy Fulfilled in Themselves
And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. – John 17:13

That Thou Shouldest Keep Them from the Evil
I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. – John 17:14-16

That They Also Might Be Sanctified Through the Truth
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.– John 17:17-19

That They All May be One (in Us)
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: – John 17:20-21a

That The World May Believe That Thou Has Sent Me
that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: – John 17:21b-22

That They May Be Made Perfect in One
I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. – John 17:23

That They May Behold My Glory
Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. – John 17:24

That the Love Wherewith Thou Hast Loved Me May Be in Them
O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me. And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them. – John 17:25-26

And this is LIFE eternal.

No Such Thing Ought to be Done in Israel
And she answered him, Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly. And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee. Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her. Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone. And she said unto him, There is no cause: this evil in sending me away is greater than the other that thou didst unto me. But he would not hearken unto her. – 2 Samuel 13:12-16

All Thy Commandments are Faithful
My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word. Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me? For I am become like a bottle in the smoke; yet do I not forget thy statutes. How many are the days of thy servant? when wilt thou execute judgment on them that persecute me? The proud have digged pits for me, which are not after thy law. All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me wrongfully; help thou me. They had almost consumed me upon earth; but I forsook not thy precepts. Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth. – Psalm 119:81-88

Forever They Word is Settled in Heaven
For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants. Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction. I will never forget thy precepts: for with them thou hast quickened me. I am thine, save me; for I have sought thy precepts. The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies. I have seen an end of all perfection: but thy commandment is exceeding broad. – Psalm 119:89-96

When A Man’s Ways Please the Lord
When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him. – Proverbs 16:7

2 Samuel 12:1-31; John 16:1-33; Psalm 119:65-80; Proverbs 16:4-5

He Shall Not Go Unpunished
Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. – Proverbs 16:5 KJV

Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Though they join forces, none will go unpunished. – Proverbs 16:5 NKJV

Pride – a high or inordinate opinion of one’s own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct, etc.

Abomination – a vile, shameful, or detestable action, condition, habit

Like David, the evil we commit will not go unpunished.

The Lord Sent Nathan
And the LORD sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor. The rich man had exceeding many flocks and herds: but the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter. And there came a traveller unto the rich man, and he spared to take of his own flock and of his own herd, to dress for the wayfaring man that was come unto him; but took the poor man’s lamb, and dressed it for the man that was come to him. And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As the LORD liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die: and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity. And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. – 2 Samuel 12:1-7

I Have Sinned Against the Lord
And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the LORD. And Nathan said unto David, The LORD also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die. – 2 Samuel 12:13-14

But Now He (the Child) is Dead
And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether God will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me. And David comforted Bath-sheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him. And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD. – 2 Samuel 12:22-25

He Will Guide You Into All Truth
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they believe not on me; of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you. – John 16:7-15

That I Might Learn Thy Statutes
Thou hast dealt well with thy servant, O LORD, according unto thy word. Teach me good judgment and knowledge: for I have believed thy commandments. Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. Thou art good, and doest good; teach me thy statutes. The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart. Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law. It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver. – Psalm 119:65-72

Because I have Hoped in Thy Word
Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn thy commandments. They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word. I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me. Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant. Let thy tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight. Let the proud be ashamed; for they dealt perversely with me without a cause: but I will meditate in thy precepts. Let those that fear thee turn unto me, and those that have known thy testimonies. Let my heart be sound in thy statutes; that I be not ashamed. – Psalm 119:73-80

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 Samuel 9:1–11:27; John 15:1-27; Psalm 119:49-64; Proverbs 16:1-3

The Thing That David had Done Displeased the Lord
And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem. And it came to pass in an eveningtide, that David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon. And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bath-sheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite? And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house. And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child.– 2 Samuel 11:1-5

And when the wife of Uriah heard that Uriah her husband was dead, she mourned for her husband. And when the mourning was past, David sent and fetched her to his house, and she became his wife, and bare him a son. But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD. – 2 Samuel 11:26-27

It was time for the kings to go forth to battle. David sent him men and his servants but didn’t go himself. Had he been in battle, he would not have been on his rooftop as Bathsheba was bathing. But David was, and he was tempted. Right there, he had the opportunity to resist, but instead, he gave in to the temptation and asked about her. His messenger told David she was Uriah’s wife. Right there again, he had the opportunity to resist the temptation, but again he gave in to it and sent for her and laid with her. Bathsheba became pregnant. Sin exposed, but then David tried to cover it up and in the end had Uriah killed, took her as his wife, and she gave David a son. Maybe it seemed to David the plans had worked out, but God knew, and the passage says the thing that David did displeased Him. How often are we just like David?

Clean Through the Word
I [Jesus] am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.- John 15:1-8

The Word of God cleans us up. It brings conviction, which leads to confession, which leads to repentance, which leads to life.

The Word Which Hast Caused Me to Hope
Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me. The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law. I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself. Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law. Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage. I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law. This I had, because I kept thy precepts. – Psalm 119:49-56

I Have Said I Would Keep They Words
Thou art my portion, O LORD: I have said that I would keep thy words. I intreated thy favour with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to thy word. I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies. I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments. The bands of the wicked have robbed me: but I have not forgotten thy law. At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto thee because of thy righteous judgments. I am a companion of all them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts. The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes. – Psalm 119:57-64

Commit Thy Works Unto the Lord
Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. – Proverbs 16:3

Had David committed his works to the Lord and done the works the Lord had for him in that hour, he would have been able to cast the temptations of the enemy aside when it was a thought instead of trying to clean up on his own after he fell into the enemy’s trap. We have so much to learn from David.

Help me to heed Your warnings, Father. I ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen

2 Samuel 7:1–8:18; John 14:15-31; Psalm 119:33-48; Proverbs 15:33

Shalt Thou Build an House for Me to Dwell In?
And it came to pass, when the king sat in his house, and the LORD had given him rest round about from all his enemies; that the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains. And Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee. And it came to pass that night, that the word of the LORD came unto Nathan, saying, Go and tell my servant David, Thus saith the LORD, Shalt thou build me an house for me to dwell in? Whereas I have not dwelt in any house since the time that I brought up the children of Israel out of Egypt, even to this day, but have walked in a tent and in a tabernacle. In all the places wherein I have walked with all the children of Israel spake I a word with any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to feed my people Israel, saying, Why build ye not me an house of cedar? Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel: and I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth. Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any no more; neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime, and as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies. Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house. – 2 Samuel 7:1-11

David was now king of all of Israel; there is peace throughout the land and neighboring lands; he has built a palace to live in and then turns his focus on building a temple for God. God didn’t want David to build it but told him that his heir would build His temple. David prays a beautiful prayer of gratitude that begins in verse eighteen.

Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? And what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? – 2 Samuel 7:18

Hitherto – up to this place or to this time

How Wilt Thou Manifest Thyself Unto Us?
Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. – John 14:22-26

Oh Holy Ghost, my Comforter, whom the Father has sent to me in Jesus’ Name, please teach me all things today. Please bring to remembrance all that has been said in the Word and by the Word. I love You, Father! I love You, Jesus! I love You, Holy Ghost! I love Your Word! Help me to keep Your Words, every last one. Thank You for loving me and giving me so much. It fills my heart with gratitude, and my heart cries as even David did, Who am I, O Lord GOD, that Thou hast brought me hitherto?

Quicken Thou Me in Thy Way
Teach me, O LORD, the way of thy statutes; And I shall keep it unto the end. Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness. Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way. Stablish thy word unto thy servant, who is devoted to thy fear. Turn away my reproach which I fear: for thy judgments are good. Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness. – Psalm 119:33-40

My Hands Also Will I Lift Up Unto Thy Commandments
Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word. So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word. And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments. So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever. And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts. I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed. And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes. – Psalm 119:41-48

Before Honour is Humility
The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility. – Proverbs 15:33

 

 

 

 

 

2 Samuel 4:1–6:23; John 13:31–14:14; Psalm 119:17-32; Proverbs 15:31-32

Abide Among the Wise
The ear that heareth the reproof of life abideth among the wise. He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding. – Proverbs 15:31-32

Reproof – criticism for a fault

She Despised Him in Her Heart
And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul’s daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.

Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel today, who uncovered himself today in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself! And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD. And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour. Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death. – 2 Samuel 6:16, 20-23

We have been told over and over through the books of Samuel not to touch the Lord’s anointed. Here Michal touched (or despised) David in her heart and then rebuked him for dancing before the Lord. The Bible equates a punishment to the things she did in her heart. She had no children!

He that Believeth
Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.– John 14:8-14

My Delight and Counsellors
Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me. My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times. Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments. Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies. Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes. Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors. – Psalm 119:17-24

So Shall I Talk of Thy Wondrous Works
My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word. I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes. Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works. My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word. Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously. I have chosen the way of truth: thy judgments have I laid before me. I have stuck unto thy testimonies: O LORD, put me not to shame. I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. – Psalm 119:25-32

2 Samuel 2:12–3:39; John 13:1-30; Psalm 119:1-16; Proverbs 15:29-30

The Lord is Far from the Wicked
And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel? And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness. – 2 Samuel 3:38-39

Saul has died and David, while not king of Israel, is king of Judah. Saul’s son Ishbosheth is king of the nation of Israel. Because there are two kings there are issues and conflict. In the passages today we read of some of the conflict. Abner (Saul’s general) killed the brother of Joab (David’s general) during one of the battles that rose up from these conflicts. Abner however did everything he could to stop the pursuit of Joab’s brother so he could avoid killing him. The brother would not heed the warning and so Abner killed him. Once there was peace, David made a covenant with Abner. When Joab heard of it he called for Abner and took revenge by killing him. All eyes turned to David after this tragedy, and David acknowledged and greived for Abner because he was a fallen national hero. And to Joab, David said, the Lord shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.

He Heareth the Prayer of the Righteous
The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. – Proverbs 15:29

Happy Are Ye If Ye Do Them
Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. – John 13:8-17

Do we heed the words of Jesus in this passage? Do we humble ourselves to wash the filth from the feet of others? Do we humble ourselves that others can wash the dirt off ours? Whether we take foot washings literally or figuratively it requires a heart that is humble and honest. More often than not, we live pretending to have no filth or we work to hide our filth from everyone. According to Jesus, however, this humble and honest posture is the path toward blessing from God. Only if we release dominance and control and take on servanthood and allow others to serve us also, will we find the blessings and happiness in life that we seek and need. Jesus said, “IF.”

That I Might Not Sin Against Thee
Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. – Psalm 119:1-16

Please help me today, Father to hid Your Words in my heart that I might not sin against You!!! In Jesus Name I ask this. Amen!

2 Samuel 1:1–2:11; John 12:20-50; Psalm 118:19-29; Proverbs 15:27-28

This is the Lord’s Doing
The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner. This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. – Psalm 118:22-24

How many times do we know it is His doing but don’t see it as marvelous? He told us His plans are good, and we know His plans are for our good. How then can we ever see them as anything but marvelous? Is it because we are focused on the refusal and the ones that refused the stone? Help me, Lord, to focus instead of You and what You are doing. Please help me to rejoice and be glad in it.

King Over the House of Judah
And it came to pass after this, that David inquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron. So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal’s wife the Carmelite. And his men that were with him did David bring up, every man with his household: and they dwelt in the cities of Hebron. And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. – 2 Samuel 2:1-4

David did not immediately become the king of Israel. One of Saul’s heirs did, but the Lord told David to go to Hebron, and he did become king of the house of Judah.

For This Cause
Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. – John 12:27-28

How many times do we ask the Father to save us from the hour when the hour we find ourselves is His cause? Help us, Lord. Please help me!!!

Study to Answer
The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things. – Proverbs 15:28 KJV

The heart of the righteous thinks carefully about how to answer [in a wise and appropriate and timely way], But the [babbling] mouth of the wicked pours out malevolent things. – Proverbs 15:28 AMP