2 Samuel 16:1-14 - David on the Run

2 Samuel 16:1-14

Perhaps the Lord will look on my misery and return good to me instead of his cursing this day. (verse 12)

Message: David on the Run

Time: Second Samuel is set in the land of Israel during the reign of David and follows the course of his forty years as king of Israel (1011–971 BC). It chronicles the establishment of the Davidic dynasty and the expansion of Israel under God’s chosen leader. 

What the Lord is Saying: Back in 2 Samuel 9, David gave the land of Saul over to Mephibosheth. This chapter begins where that chapter began with David speaking to Mephibosheth's servant Ziba. In the last chapter Absalom is in the middle of leaving Jerusalem, in Hebron, getting the people behind him with the purpose of making a claim for the throne. He's rebelling against David, making a claim that he should be king. It states in verse 1 that David has left Jerusalem and "gone on a little beyond the summit" with the idea that he has gone to the Mount of Olives possibly for a retreat. Ziba sees him and for some reason it highlights that he gave him provisions - donkeys and 200 loaves of bread - meaning an abundant amount. Also he gives him raisins which is sustenance for anyone traveling, summer fruits in season currently, and wine jug which is a familiar drink for refreshment and medicinal purposes. 

David wonders why Ziba has brought these and he explains the meaning of each - provisions for David and his young men and servants. David asks where Mephibosheth is at and Ziba claims he is awaiting the restoration of the kingdom to Saul and therefore to possibly Mephibosheth or someone in Saul's family. Ziba gives the idea that he is instead showing his allegiance to David. Hard to say what is going on here, if Ziba is being righteous or has something else up his sleeve. David has bestowed much on Mephibosheth so not sure if now this cripple man desires to get back something or if Ziba has other selfish desires here. 

In verse 5, David is now coming upon Bahurim. Bahurim was a village in the territory of Benjamin, near the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem. And a man of the house of Saul, Shimei comes out cursing at David. And follows that up with throwing stones at David. And wants David to leave. He calls David a "man of bloodshed and worthless." After throwing stones and cursing him, these words seem consistent with a tone of utter resentment those of the kingdom of Saul have toward David. As I remember, Saul had this same feeling toward David and yet David had sadness upon hearing of the death of Saul. These folks make it clear that David is not welcome. 

Then appears Abishai, a prominent military leader and nephew of King David and comes to the aid of David thinking this man, Shimei, of the house of Saul stating these curses toward David should have his head cut off. Basically, a tit for tat or retributive justice as Shimei has cursed David and thrown stones at him, which were instruments of execution. But David responds in submission to God. He voices that perhaps the curses are from God. He mentions that Absalom wants his life and Shimei as well. It almost seems like David believes the cursing to be valid and maybe wonders if Absalom wanting to usurp David's authority is a consequence of his sin. 

David surrenders to God and puts his hope and confidence in God. He seems to submit to God's sovereignty and wonders here if perhaps all this is happening for God's good reason, but also he hopes that "the Lord will look on my misery and return good to me instead of cursing this day." Abishai was ready to repay the evil with evil, to get justice. But David responds with a trust in God. 

David speaks to the idea that God ordains all, judgments even possibly toward His people. 

Summary: David leaves Jerusalem, encounters Ziba and Shimei who both seems to want something ill of David and David responds not by dismissing them but with a trust in God for whatever He wills. 

Promise: Keep following God even with curses come my way. 

Prayer: Lord, this lesson is a hard one for it communicates a hard word that perhaps the cursing and throwing of stones we might receive in life are warranted. But I am thankful for the confirmation here that David believes God is sovereign over all and so life is about what God thinks is best for us and not the other way around, meaning what I think is best for me. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Joshua 9 - Grace for the Gibeonites

Joshua 9

All the kings who were beyond the Jordan...gathered together with one accord to fight with Joshua and with Israel...They went to Joshua to the camp at Gilgal and said to him and to the men of Israel, “We have come from a far country; now therefore, make a covenant with us.”...Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live...they heard that they were neighbors and that they were living within their land...and the whole congregation grumbled against the leaders...“Why have you deceived us, saying, ‘We are very far from you,’ when you are living within our land?"..."Because...we feared greatly for our lives because of you."...Thus he did to them, and delivered them from the hands of the sons of Israel, and they did not kill them. 

Message: Grace for the Gibeonites

Time: Joshua "Yahweh saves" led Israel, under God's command, to victorious conquest of the Promised Land. The book spans about 25 years, beginning about 1406 BC. The conquest of Canaan, numerous military campaigns and regathering of the nation are major components. 

What the Lord is Saying:

Thus far, my study of Joshua: After Moses' death, the Lord calls Joshua to lead Israel to the land of Canaan, promising to be with them every step of the way. The Lord encourages Joshua to be strong and courageous as he goes across the Jordan toward Canaan, remembering God's law, and being careful to follow it. Joshua commands the people to prepare to cross the Jordan and possess Canaan. The people respond in obedience to his words. Joshua sends spies to Jericho and Rahab hides them, protects them and states her faith and belief in God and wants to be protected in the future from any wrath coming.  The Lord sends the ark of the covenant (His presence) ahead of Israel in crossing the Jordan to Canaan and stills the water of the Jordan to show them His power now and in the future. The Lord asks Joshua to have 12 stones brought from the Jordan to Gilgal for a memorial of God providing his people the means to cross the Jordan. The people of the land of Canaan are amazed at God's provision. The sons of Israel are circumcised and Passover is held for the 3rd time and then the manna ceases to be provided by God. Joshua encounters a man with a sword and realizes he is Lord and this man's servant, captain of the host of the Lord, who resides on holy ground. The Lord provides the fall of Jericho, a city where people do detestable things, sinning against the Lord and with a shout, the walls of Jericho fall. The people of Israel next go to Ai, but here they take in casualties due to one family disobeying God at Jericho and not being obedient to the Lord and ultimately their lives are taken. The Lord leads Joshua on the people back to Ai to conquer it, showing them a way to ambush the people, with the end result of the king of Ai being cursed, hanging on a tree. Joshua leads Israel to build an Altar at the Mount of Ebal, at Shechem as commanded previously, to worship the Lord, renewing our commitment to Him. 

Chapter 9 - Here we have a group of kings that surround the area where Joshua is at now, ready together to fight him. In verse 3, Gibeonites are on the scene. They would like to make a covenant with Joshua. Undoubtedly, they have heard about how the Lord has led Joshua and in the process kings have fallen, towns have been overtaken and the people killed and these people are obviously sensing what might happen to them. Israel had a need to make covenants with people outside of the land of Canaan, but 3 days later it is discovered they are not outside of Canaan but in fact are current neighbors to Israel, "living within their land." Joshua spares them. They had already made an oath to them (verse. 15) so despite the news they would not go back on their words and they would let them live, but they did receive a curse (verse 22). 

Summary: The Gibeonites are spared by Joshua and Israel despite deceiving but Joshua had already made a covenant promise with them. 

Promise: The Israelites were deceived because they did not ask counsel from the Lord (Joshua 9:14). 

Prayer: Lord, help me to be an honest person. Forgive me for my dishonesty and making it out often that I am someone I am not. Thank you for your grace that you show me each day. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Various Scripture - Difficult Teachings of Jesus

Luke 13:1-5

l Now on the same occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And He answered and said to them, "Do you suppose that these Galileans were greater sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered this fate? 3 I tell you, no, but, unless you repeat, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or do you suppose that those eighteen on whom the tower of Siloam fell and killed them, were worse culprits than all the men who live in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 

What the Lord is Saying: As I have read and studied these texts so far in John, I see that often Jesus is explaining something that is not immediately apparent, and yet as He explains the meaning it becomes apparent. Based upon uses of things in society, we are somewhat conditioned or trained to think of things a certain way. Some horrible acts have happened in history so where was God in these events? Luke 13:1 mentions Pilate attacking some worshipers and mixing their blood with the animal sacrifices they were offering. And then Jesus also mentions a nondeliberate act in which the tower in Siloam fell on 18 people, crushing them. Jesus responds then to people who think that the people did something wrong to merit this. Suffering and sickness may be due to a person's sin, but not always. These events are to wake us up to the need to repent and get ourselves right with God. This is what Jesus is saying in verse 5. 

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Matthew 24:36 - But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. 

What the Lord is Saying: We are often focused on His return. We like figuring out the unknown, the discovery. And yet Jesus says, no one know, but how is that He includes Himself in this? We know Jesus lived fully man and fully God on this earth. His responses reveal this and this is one place where it seems His response to Him not knowing was Him speaking as a man. Much of what Jesus is trying to convey to people in the Gospels is that He has been sent from the Father to do the Father's will. And this is, in a way, another example. 

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Mark 11:12-14

12 And on the next day, when they ha departed from Bethany, He became hungry. 13 And seeing at a distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if perhaps He would find anything on it; and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 And He answered and said to it, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again!" His disciples were listening. 

What the Lord is Saying: How could a morally pure individual curse an innocent fig tree? Like the fig tree, the Jews were supposed to bear good fruit. However, in Jesus’ day, He could not find much spiritual fruit among the religious authorities and even many of the people (Mark 11:20–33; see Matt. 23). He cursed the fig tree to warn the people what would happen to them if they did not repent of their fruitlessness.

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Matthew 12:22-32 

22 Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute was brought to Jesus, and He healed him, so that the mute man spoke and saw. 23 All the crowds were amazed, and were saying, “This man cannot be the Son of David, can he?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “This man casts out demons only by Beelzebul the ruler of the demons.”

25 And knowing their thoughts Jesus said to them, “Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how then will his kingdom stand? 27 If I by Beelzebul cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out? For this reason they will be your judges. 28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. 29 Or how can anyone enter the strong man’s house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.

30 He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters.

31 “Therefore I say to you, any sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. 32 Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.

What the Lord is Saying: The unforgivable sin has troubled many. Blasphemy is a sin involving words, against God. The problem was the Pharisees were thinking that Jesus was acting by the devil. Thus, they were committing blasphemy, attributing sinful acts to God. Jesus was trying to prevent the Pharisees from carrying out this sin. We must all be careful of our intent toward God. 

Colossians 2:16-23 - The Deadliest Form of Legalism

Colossians 2:16-23

16 Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day— 17 things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ. 18 Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God.

20 If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, 21 “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” 22 (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? 23 These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.

Message: The Deadliest Form of Legalism

Time: In AD 60–61, during his first imprisonment in Rome, Paul penned this letter to the Colossian church after he had received a report that they were struggling with a christological heresy. Paul wrote this having not been to this church. False teachers in the church were denigrating the deity of Jesus.

What the Lord is Saying:

August 30

My Current Condition
I'm back again, looking at this lesson, trying to wrap my head around it. We got a puppy 2 weeks ago and my morning routines has been sidetracked once again. The puppy demands attention so my wife is showering now and getting ready for work and I am with the dog, basically trying to make sure he doesn't poop in the house, before I have to leave for work. I try to keep him busy while stealing a second here and there to look at this study. 

Plus, my brain is not thinking well it seems lately outside of work. Concentrating lately has been tough. I've done 8 of these lessons now on the law and its correct use. 

Getting Into This Lesson

In thinking about the law, I am often reminded that on the subject of religion and acceptance there is often the idea that our life each day is more about doing religion or doing good works and yet Jesus was about repenting and turning from sin, and then believing in Him. Jesus came on the scene and was drawn to John and his message and submitted to baptism and saw that He was about His father's business. Jesus on this earth would eventually fulfill the Law by how he lived his life; this means my acceptance by God is not about fulfilling the Law but accepting or believing in Christ. Jesus became my substitute by living the perfect life, dying on the cross and conquering death by raising from the dead. I am justified by faith - I repent and believe (Mark 1:15). But the Law is still a part of life and living. And as a child of God loving Him means I will keep His commandments (John 14:15).  

August 31

Judaizing Legalism

The error of Judaizing Legalism is the idea that obedience brings about God's acceptance of us for salvation. This is the way of our world which preaches to work hard so you can get rewards. God actually calls this way of living before Him a curse. Deuteronomy 27:26 -- ‘Cursed is he who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them.’ Later Paul will speak of this further as recorded in Galatians 3 and was studied in the last lesson. Paul quotes from 4 different Old Testament passages in those verses in Galatians 3:10-14. This curse is a problem because perfection is required and yet perfection cannot be attained so it is a curse because man on his own is incapable of earning salvation. Man without God on the throne of his life is cursed as it says in Deuteronomy 27:26, but Jesus became a curse and it was necessary because of Deuteronomy 21:22-23 for it says -- “If a man has committed a sin worthy of death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his corpse shall not hang all night on the tree, but you shall surely bury him on the same day (for he who is hanged is accursed of God)." Jesus hung on a cross for each of us and though without sin, he was thought to have done something worthy of death and he became cursed by God for hanging on the cross (tree).

When we think we can use the Law to justify us, we come under God's curse. No one can keep the law perfectly. Romans 2:13 -- for not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified. Only those who are always doers of the Law will be justified which means none of us can be justified. Only Christ. Galatians 3:13 -- Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree."

September 1

Deadly Legalism

On one hand legalism is motivated often by good reasons -- with the hope of denying sin in a person's life and living a life of righteousness. The problem comes when it does this with fear when it gives people the perception that certain sins (abortion, homosexuality, drinking, divorce, etc.) when committed banish a person from God's acceptance. This is distorting God's plan. God hates sin but loves sinners. And Jesus can still restore a person to being totally accepted by God. Legalism is often rules that have been created through a combination of elements of Judaism, Christianity, and paganism. This is a problem in our day and was a problem in Paul's day with the Colossian church. 

The concern with this legalism is that one would get too focused on external practices instead of focusing on the heart. What happens is we think it is good enough to look the part of a religious person. It is hard often because this is what people see. They don't see what is on the inside of us. We protect people from what is on the inside, what we do in secret, in the dark. 

Psalm 58:2 - in heart you work unrighteousness - I think this is a telling verse as it mentions that in me is unrighteousness and more specifically in my heart. Jesus said as recorded in Matthew 12:34 -- "For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart." Jeremiah 17:9 - “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?" This is the problem with the over-reliance on external acts as it has a tendency to evade the real source of our sin - the heart. 

And so we return to our text today -- Therefore no one is to act as your judge - Thus we often get fooled into what holiness is really about -- not drinking, only watching the right TV shows and listening to the right music, attending church whenever the doors are opened. This is not holiness. Rather holiness is bearing the fruit of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23 - the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

September 2

Thus it seems to me there are a couple of problems with legalism. (1) I think it has the problem of being too focused on doing and not on examining our motives and our heart on issues. (2) While people are concerned about the effects of sin, we start to think that certain sins not even mentioned in the Bible are sinful. (3) Christianity starts to be viewed only as a religion of do's and don'ts. (4) We diminish the power of God in people's lives as the outcome of a surrendered life is the Spirit in us, producing fruit. 

Summary: The danger of legalism is it trains us in external obedience rather than surrendering to the God who produces in us fruit. 

Promise: God is not interested in mere externals but in transformation that conforms our heart, mind, body, and soul to Christ. 

Prayer: God, you are love. You are to be praised. Your word is true. Help me God to remember my heart and examining it and helping others to this as well. Give me sensitivity to convictions people have for things they see as unlawful. Help us all surrender to you and let the natural work of your Spirit reign in our lives. 

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of July is about the right use of God's Law; June was justification by faith alone; May about solus Christus - Christ Alone; April, salvation by grace alone; March, the sovereign providence of God; February, the doctrine of revelation and the various aspects of the doctrine of Scripture that sola Scriptura seeks to preserve; January, the doctrine of God.

Bringing me to Christ

The Restraint of the Law - the law is given for lawless, unholy, disobedient people, to restrain us from acting on our sinful thoughts. Restraint and Guilt - the law is meant to restrain Christians and non-Christians alike; so that others may see Christ. The Law's Revelation of Sin - The Law reveals sin, at times making it more desirable, and show the sin which people commit and the complete standard it expects. The Law and Our Powerlessness - We are powerless over the Law and Sin revealed. It is in Christ that we receive forgiveness and the power to resist sin. The Law our Guardian - The law is not a tool of justifying me, but rather it is an instrument to bring me to Christ and show me my need for Him. 

Guiding our Lives

The Guidance of the Law - The Law is a guide in our lives for what pleases God and what it looks like to walk in holiness. The Antinomian Error - We were slaves to sin, but now we are slaves to obedience and righteousness. Judaizing Legalism - The error of Judaizing Legalism is the idea that obedience brings about God's acceptance of us for salvation.

Galatians 3:10-14 - Judaizing Legalism

Galatians 3:10-14

For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written," “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM." Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, "THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH." However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, "HE WHO PRACTICES THEM SHALL LIVE BY THEM." Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE— in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Message: Judaizing Legalism

Time: Paul wrote to the churches in southern Galatia after having a hand in starting them on his first missionary journey to Asia Minor, making sure they were on the path of truth and not led off into deception. Paul wrote the book a few months before his attendance at the Jerusalem Council in AD 49.

What the Lord is Saying:

I started this study on the Law over 2 months ago. I haven't posted anything in the last month. I don't know why other than I wake up late and have been prioritizing a morning prayer walk and sometimes that is all the time I have to do something before I head off to work. Plus I've been working more. And trying to stay on top of my online missionary duties. And then I haven't been studying much lately on the weekend. 

But this has been an interesting study about the Law. Everyday it seems I engage with the Law in my life. The message this past Sunday was about the mission field. I got home last night so overwhelmed with work and wondering what I was doing of late to reach my mission field. And so I wrestle with these commands God has given me. At work, I'm trying to do the best I can with my job. But, I fail, continually. Life is about performance, doing things. I need the Law in my life to remind me what I shouldn't be doing and what I should be doing. 

I know often I wish at times there was no law and all I had to do each day was take it easy. I get used to rest. But after a while rest doesn't get me much and I wonder if I'm resting too much. 

This lesson today brings up the "law of Christ" as it is referenced in several New Testament verses. The thought by Ligonier is the moral commandments of the Mosaic law are included in this Law of Christ. There are 3 types of laws it seems mentioned in the Bible: Moral commandments or laws, Ceremonial Laws, and Civil Laws. All 3 laws are in the Old Testament but it is the Moral laws that are focused on in the New Testament and that Jesus mentioned and Paul later wrote about. 

I found this description of the three here and here. 

• First, are civil laws. These were specifically given for the culture of the Israelites, which includes everything from murder to restitution and dietary restrictions.
• Second, are ceremonial laws. This literally stands for the customs of a nation. These would have included sacrifices of perfectly good animals, and rejection of food sources such as pork and rabbits. These laws were specific only toward the Jews.
• Third, are God’s moral laws. These relate to justice and judgment. They are based on God’s own holy nature. As such, these ordinates are holy, just and unchanging.

The lesson from Ligonier's devotional today is that "believers are bound to the law of Christ (I Cor 9:21; Gal 6:2)." Those verses speak of the law of Christ. This "law of Christ includes the moral commandments of the Mosaic law (Matt. 5:21-30; Rom. 13:8-10; 1 John 3:12,15)." Matthew 5:21-30 is where Jesus brings up personal relationships and takes the Mosaic law to a new level or different level. Thus, it includes it, but Christ explains that the laws which have clear outward results when violated (you can see a person murdered, you can see adultery), but they also have a component that can't be seen as clearly (hatred and lust). 

This reminds me of something. Last week we discovered that one of our employees had been convicted of crime of rape. It was shocking to see how this one act changed their lives. But, I think we often stare at the acts and forget that there was a heart issue present. Sin begins in the heart in how we view women in this case and sex in this case. In this case, it starts with a desire that turns into an action that we have difficulty controlling. I think that is what Jesus is talking about here in Matthew 5 that we must look at our heart. And I John 3 further speaks to the idea that these internal acts are viewed in the same way as the outward acts, meaning that doing them negates your ability to make it to heaven. Once again showing that any disobedience results in losing the promise of eternal life. 

And so Paul rightfully takes this thinking that Jesus puts forth in the law of Christ to show us that overriding thought is one of love and how we love our neighbor. If we truly love people we will not break the commandments of adultery, murder, coveting, theft. Thus, we should desire to keep God's commandments -- in all of the ways they are presented. 

But, we must never think that law obedience then results in God's acceptance and salvation. God saved them from slavery and then gave them 10 commandments (Exodus 20:2). Our obedience is a response of God's love not a condition for receiving it. And so the idea that obedience brings about God's acceptance of us for salvation, this is the error of Judaizing legalism. And thus obedience is intertwined with justification. It is, but only Christ's obedience matters because only his obedience was without sin. Any sin nullifies our ability to be saved. But being obedient is how we live life. 

And so this leads us to today's passage in Galatians 3:10-14. If one subscribes to the idea that working the Law or working obedience then that person is under a curse. For a person is cursed because law obedience for salvation is based upon doing "all things written in the book of the law." Deuteronomy 27:26 records these words -- "Cursed is he who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them.’ And all the people shall say, ‘Amen.’ Thus, true righteousness is obtained in living by faith or being a person of faith. And law living is not faith living. What Christ did on the cross is He redeemed us from Law living; He redeemed us from this curse. We are cursed because law living is impossible. The curse got transferred to Christ and only Christ can fulfill the Law. 

To me, once someone acknowledges God this idea of Judaizing legalism enters lives in very subtle but profound ways. We must always re-focus ourselves on the idea of obedience in response to God's love and not as a condition for God's love. I think the area that I struggle with is whether obedience results in God's blessings for our life. I mean, once we understand salvation is by faith alone, does obedience impact blessing? Most definitely to receive any blessing we must be in Christ, surrendered to Him, accepting His justification. 

Promise: God saves us to make us obedient. We are not obedient in order to be saved. 

My Prayer: O God, the riches of your love and the riches of this message never ceases to amaze me. I have to place it at the forefront of my thinking all of the time because it is so opposite to the way in which life is lived in the world in which acceptance follows good work. But, you show us the better way. Help me to always keep this supreme in my thinking. And Lord help me to understand also your blessing and what it means to me and how obedience is related to normal day to day blessings. Lord, forgive me for letting the busyness of life get a hold of me. Help me to do my best at work while also do my best 

in the areas of ministry you have called me to be in. 

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of July is about the right use of God's Law; June was justification by faith alone; May about solus Christus - Christ Alone; April, salvation by grace alone; March, the sovereign providence of God; February, the doctrine of revelation and the various aspects of the doctrine of Scripture that sola Scriptura seeks to preserve; January, the doctrine of God.

The Restraint of the Law - the law is given for lawless, unholy, disobedient people, to restrain us from acting on our sinful thoughts. Restraint and Guilt - the law is meant to restrain Christians and non-Christians alike; so that others may see Christ. The Law's Revelation of Sin - The Law reveals sin, at times making it more desirable, and show the sin which people commit and the complete standard it expects. The Law and Our Powerlessness - We are powerless over the Law and Sin revealed. It is in Christ that we receive forgiveness and the power to resist sin. The Law our Guardian - The law is not a tool of justifying me, but rather it is an instrument to bring me to Christ and show me my need for Him. The Guidance of the Law - The Law is a guide in our lives for what pleases God and what it looks like to walk in holiness. The Antinomian Error - We were slaves to sin, but now we are slave to obedience and righteousness. 

Mark 11:20-24 - Believing Prayer

Mark 11:20-24
20 As they were passing by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up. 21 Being reminded, Peter *said to Him, “Rabbi, look, the fig tree which You cursed has withered.” 22 And Jesus *answered saying to them, “Have faith in God. 23 Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. 24 Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.

Message: Believing Prayer

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Upon entering Jerusalem on a colt, procured by the disciples, at the request of Jesus, Jesus goes to the temple to check things out and the following day finds no fruit on a fig tree and curses it and then later the chief priests and scribes for having the appearance of fruit but in fact not fulfilling their true calling. At the temple, the problem was they had turned God's house into a robbers den. This assertion by Jesus angered the scribes and priests and produced a fear in them and astonishment in the people. Jesus and the disciples left the City. perhaps withdrawing God's complete presence from the temple.

As they were passing by in the morning (so it is the 3rd day (1st day was the colt, then 2nd day was going to the fig tree and temple, now it is the 3rd day)) they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. This is the same fig tree that before had been leafy but after leaving that tree, Jesus cursed it and after Jesus cursed it the fig tree withered from the roots. Jesus has that kind of power on tree's. I heard Tom Nelson from Denton Bible say that throughout Jesus' time on earth, the miracles that he performed were on people or other things (calming the sea or pronouncing judgment like he did here), but he never used his divinity to help himself. From the standpoint of himself he was always acted as fully man only and was tempted just like we were and had painful experiences just like we do.

Being reminded of how they had passed this tree previously and Jesus had cursed it upon it not bearing fruit, Peter *said to Him, “Rabbi, look, the fig tree which You cursed has withered.” Is Peter surprised by this? Peter (and the disciples) seem amazed that Jesus' words did come true. And Jesus *answered saying to them, “Have faith in God. Jesus provides a response to the disciples that has been his response to them throughout His ministry to them: Have faith in God. There was a point even in Jesus' ministry when he sent his disciples away and told them that they would do the work he has been doing and could accomplish it but they disciples struggled and the chief problem they had was faith. Thus, here Jesus tells them again that the things that he does might seem impossible or unlikely and produce a result that is amazing, but Jesus doesn't just then tell them, that Yes, this is what I can do, but he says to them. yes, this is what one who is aligned with God can do. And it starts with one simple idea: Have faith in God that he will do what he said he will do.

Now, Jesus will liken that example to moving a mountain and prayer. Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. It seems the mountain will be likened to prayer. What seems impossible to man is possible for God and this seems to be what he is speaking as he remarks about something specific, the moving of a mountain and then says - Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you. 

Now the "ask and you will receive" idea has always been a little baffling and I would even say controversial for the believer in Christ and for the onlookers of the world. This idea that receiving what you want is simply about having faith would seem to mean that we can ask for things and if it is by faith, it should be granted. The principle of having faith is not having doubt. James 1:6 says, "But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind." This seems hard because I find in my prayer, honestly that often, even though I am praying my prayers are not always in faith because of my own experience of praying and not getting what I ask. So simply voicing it does not guarantee or mean that I have faith. Perhaps that is what I want to see in the scripture is those words that say, "have faith and ask but in asking you may not always get what you ask for."

See I know from my experience that not everything I ask for, I receive. But it still makes me wonder the meaning of these words. I know from other areas of scripture that I must pray in accordance to God's will and yet, I still want to see that idea here as well.

Summary - As they are coming into town the 3rd day (from their arrival to Jerusalem) Peter comments that the fig tree Jesus has cursed is withered. Jesus responds sort of like, "Naturally it is. I cursed it. It withered. The secret to getting God to do things is faith. He can move mountains with faith. When you have faith and no doubt, he will answer prayers."

Promise: The basis of our asking things of God is to have complete faith in God.

Prayer: Lord, I want to trust you in all things. Thank you for the clear promise that we need to come to you in faith about all things, with no doubt. I admit that is hard. My faith sometimes is weak. I can trust you for a future event, but day-by-day trusting is hard for me. I must admit I feel like the disciples at times, but help my unbelief. I do want to rely on You and no my life will be better if I do.

Jesus Calling: December 3

Do not be surprised by the fiery attacks on your mind. When you struggle to find Me and to live in My Peace, don't let discouragement set in. You are engaged in massive warfare, spiritually speaking. The evil one abhors your closeness to Me, and his demonic underlings are determined to destroy our intimacy. When you find yourself in the thick of battle, call upon My Name: "Jesus, help me!" At that instant, the battle becomes Mine; your role is simply to trust Me as I fight for you.
     My Name, properly used, has unlimited Power to bless and protect. At the end of time, every knee will bow (in heaven, on earth, and under the earth), when My Name is proclaimed. People who have used "Jesus" as a shoddy swear word will fall down in terror on that awesome day. But all those who have drawn near Me through trustingly uttering My Name will be filled with inexpressible and glorious Joy. This is your great hope, as you await My return. 

Ephesians 6:12
English Standard Version
¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
 
I Samuel 17:47
English Standard Version
and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hand.
 
Philippians 2:9-10
English Standard Version
⁹ Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰ so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth
 
I Peter 1:8-9 
English Standard Version
⁸ Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, ⁹ obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

My Prayer
Jesus, help me. The name of Jesus has power and thank you that I can call upon it and it means something. Thank you for the peace that the name of Jesus brings. I don't want to be a product of my surroundings, but help me to trust always in your promises. Some days are good, some days are bad, some days are simply there, but keep me consistently walking with You, praising You and calling on You for help. Thank You for being there and being my help and carrying me. Forgive me for listening to your name be profaned and just accepting it, whether its watching a movie, a show, or just in life. Lord, in fact it saddens me that Your Name is so easily forgotten of its significance. Help me and strengthen me to champion it.  

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Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author.

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Romans 3:12-14 - The Mouths of Sinners

Romans 3:12-14 -
12 All have turned aside, together they have become useless;
There is none who does good,
There is not even one.”
13 “Their throat is an open grave,
With their tongues they keep deceiving,”
“The poison of asps is under their lips”;
14 “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness”;

Message: The first evil attribute: our tongue

Time: Paul probably wrote Romans between A.D. 57-58 while he was at Corinth in the home of his friend and convert Gaius. He planned to go first to Jerusalem to deliver a gift of money from the Gentile churches to the poor in Jerusalem. Then he hoped to visit Rome on his way to Spain. His hopes were later realized, but not as he had expected. When he finally arrived in Rome in early A.D. 60, he was a prisoner under house arrest (Acts 28:11-31).

What the Lord is Saying:

Reminder of Man's Depravity and Turning away from God
In Romans 1, Paul described the rejection of God by people. It was a process though. People start by not giving thanks to God (1:21) and then exchange God for something or anything else (1:22) and suddenly what people want is not God but their own desires, to the point that they are really in life serving their own needs (1:23-24). And then they reject God's intention and replace it with something else.

As I read these verses, I'm reminded of that description Paul has already given his readers of man's awareness of God and then rebellion. And yet that awareness is something God gave man. He gave man the knowledge of Him (1:19). God is evident within us.

Verse 12
The reality of these verses, is that on our own, there is none righteous. There is none who understands. None who seeks for God. And now in verse 12, we see that all have turned or bent themselves away from God. We have a bent, away from God. Like what was presented of the gentile in chapter 1, and so each of us needs to have more compassion on the lost. 

Moses, David, Isaiah, Jonah -- God reveals himself and the first thing we do is turn away.

We "become useless." This is the picture of rotten fruit. What a horrible verdict on man. And "none does good."

How quickly do I sometimes walk in to church and just start singing about the greatness of God without first reviewing the reality that I don't seek after God, understand Him, have turned from Him, and don't do any good apart from Him. Would by heart and voice be more impassioned if I began with that understand? I need to start with the idea that I am utterly offensive.

Verse 13
Psalm 5:9, "There is nothing reliable in what they say; Their inward part is destruction itself. Their throat is an open grave; They flatter with their tongue." What a horrible prognosis on mankind. Our throat reeks of death. Our speech threatens death. With our words, we push people into an open grave.

With our tongue, we keep deceiving. We lure people away from what is true. Deception is presenting a lie as truth. And this isn't a one time thing, but it is continuous in that we keep on doing it.

These are tough words about the tongue. The grave, deception, and poison. When a snake plants it's venom in a person, their is a quick need to cut it away. Asps refers to a bag of poison under the lips.

Verse 14
Cursing and bitterness. Cursing is blaming God or profanity. Bitterness is reproaching God because of the way He has run your life. Again, our first inclination is not to thank God, but to say to him, "why me?" Blasphemy is a frivolous use of God's holy name. Cursing is a declaration that God is to blame. Bitterness is all to common in my life as I look at the blessing of another and then look at me and say, "Why me?"


Promise: From Tabletalk: We do not serve God with the strength or focus that we ought, and if the standard by which one is declared righteous before Him is perfection, then outside of Christ we are indeed worthless servants of the Lord. Human beings are not born into a natural state of being on "God's side."