2 Samuel 19:24-43 - Signs of Trouble to Come

2 Samuel 19:24-43

But the men of Israel answered the men of Judah and said, "We have ten parts in the king, therefore, we also have more [claim] on David than you. Why then did you treat us with contempt? Was it not our advice first to bring back our king?" Yet the words of the men of Judah were harsher than the words of the men of Israel. (verse 42)

Message: Sign of Trouble to Come

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: In the last lesson, Joab encourages David to show his people they are important and to gain acceptance he appoints Amasa as commander of his army. 

Starting in verse 24, Saul's grandson Mephibosheth (son of Jonathan) that David has set him up with Saul's land to see David. His appearance was one of mourning, not taking care of himself as he had his allegiance toward David and had experienced sorrow knowing the rebellion of Absalom he has been dealing with. David wonders why Mephibosheth had not gone with him when he was to meet Absalom. Mephibosheth gives the idea that he intended to but was deceived by his servant Ziba (2 Samuel 16:1-4). Mephibosheth confirms his trust and allegiance toward David. David ends the dispute between Mephibosheth and Ziba by dividing up land between the two of them, yet Mephibosheth is willing to let Ziba take it all. 

Barzillai is mentioned now, another supporter of David through the Absalom rebellion. Barzillai is gracious towards David, providing for him as he goes on his way. He was a man of 80 years old and provided Mahanaim as a place of refuge for David (2 Samuel 17). David promises to care for Barzillai but Barzillai does not seem that this is a good idea due to his age and reluctant to leave his area. Instead Barzillai offers Chimham, possibly a son to go with David. David agrees offering to care for Chimham out of respect for Barzillai. Thus, all the people and David cross the Jordan and return to Jerusalem, but first stop at Gilgal. 

Verse 41 mentions the tension or sign of trouble, an ongoing tension between the northern tribes (Israel) and the southern tribe (Judah). The men of Israel accuse the men of Judah of acting secretly in crossing the Jordan which is a significant event in reaching the Promised Land. The men of Judah defend themselves and state that they were not after personal gain. The men of Judah have a strong loyalty to David and in the process the men of Israel feel slighted and undervalued. 

The two kingdoms seem to be fighting on who will bring David back to his kingdom or promised land. 

Summary: David is heading towards Jerusalem, crossing the Jordan, bringing Chimham along but there is a rift between the tribes of Judah and Israel. 

Promise: Look out for hints of trouble to safeguard yourself for future obstacles.

Prayer: God, you are in charge. Grant me the loyalty of Barzillai, to serve You with my resources without expecting gain and help me know when I need to defer to others and allow them to be involved rather than me. Lord, deliver me from the spirit of strife and rivalry that divides Your people. Help me to focus on the King, not on my own selfish claims, or on who is better or more deserving. Be glorified through me. 

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

2 Samuel 2 - War Between the Houses of David and Saul

2 Samuel 2

However, he refused to turn aside; therefore Abner struck him in the belly with the butt end of the spear, so that the spear came out at his back. And he fell there and died on the spot. And it came about that all who came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died, stood still. (verse 23)

Message: War Between the Houses of David and Saul

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: In the previous chapter David mourned the loss of Saul and Jonathan and now as chapter 2 begins he asks the Lord if he should "go up to one of the cities of Judah." The Lord told him to go. David asked where and the Lord said, "Hebron." He had been living in Ziklag but now he goes to Hebron, the place of burial for Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah, and Jacob and Leah. And upon arrival, the men of Judah anointed him King there. They stated to him there, "let your hands be strong and be valiant" (verse 7). 

However, the commander of Saul's army installed Ish-bosheth, Saul's son, as king over Israel. Verse 10 "The house of Judah, however, followed David." Ish-bosheth was king for 2 years. Interesting how this occurred. Abner knew that David was the rightful new king, but he did this anyway, creating a conflict. 

In verse 12-17 Abner and the servants of Ish-bosheth meet up with Joab and the servants of David on opposite sides of a pool. Abner requests a contest with 12 from each group. Each one grabbed an opponent and thrust the spear into the opponent's side. This was a severe battle with David's servants prevailing. 

Asahel, one of the sons of Zeruiah pursued Abner with Abner then telling him to take some of the spoil. But Asahel was not willing. Abner struck him in the belly and he died on the spot. (verse 18-23)

The other two sons pursued Abner but then Abner wondered how much longer and Joab and others "halted and pursued Israel no longer." The servants of David ended up conquering 360 men. Asahel was buried. Abner refused to obey God's will and many died in the process. 

Summary: Following Saul's death, David is anointed king over Judah in Hebron, leading to a divided kingdom and a civil war against Saul's son Ish-bosheth, whose forces are defeated by David’s army. 

Promise: Let us have courage to not resist the truth, but uphold it, even if it at the beginning is not what we want. 

Prayer: God, your word in Proverbs tells me to trust in You and do not lean on my own understanding. When there is conflict or division or uncertainty, help me to trust in Your sovereign plan, believing that You are working things out according to Your best for people. Help me to be kind and wait upon your timing to establish Your kingdom. I pray that righteousness would be upheld always.  

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

Judges 9 - Danger from Within

Judges 9
56 Thus God repaid the wickedness of Abimelech, which he had done to his father in killing his seventy brothers. 57 Also God returned all the wickedness of the men of Shechem on their heads, and the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal came upon them.

Message: Danger from Within

Time: Judges covers about 250 years from death of Joshua to birth of Samuel (1360-1110 BC). The people of Israel largely divided with different local triable judges. It was a period of stirring interventions by the Lord and also great disobedience on the part of the Israelites. Without a king, everyone did right in their own eyes (Judges 21:25). 

What the Lord is Saying: Gideon has died and now his son Abimelech is coming into power, but appears to be starting off on the wrong foot - focusing on himself instead of God as he becomes king (verse 7) at the expense of others who fall dead. 

I have seen this cycle in Judges with the people - Evil, Discipline, Prayer/Revival, Restoration. It now seems that the restoration period, as mentioned for example in Judges 8:28 as being 40 years was also marked by a period of people falling away. So it wasn't all good. It was simply that it wasn't a period of discipline. The Lord gave the people grace, but in that time was a gradual falling away. For instance, 8:30 mentions that Gideon had many wives (70 descendants) for soon after his death, without him around the people dove head first into idolatry (8:33). And so that descent is the precursor of this chapter. 

Abimelech decides that he should be king. He convinces the people around him that with all of the descendants Gideon has had, it makes the most sense to let himself be the ruling heir. He receives jewels from a worship house of Baal that allows him to hire fellows that will come with him to his father's house and kill his siblings, all 70 of them, though it is actually 69, as Jotham was spared (v. 4-5) because he hid himself. Jotham has still an allegiance with God. He tries to speak of this to the men of Shechem (v.7-21) a warning that God will judge these people for going their own way. 

After 3 years of Abimelech ruling (v. 22), an evil spirit is sent to create discord between Abimelech and the men of Shechem. This discord continues when the men of Shechem switch their trust from Abimelech now to a new leader - Gaal the son of Ebed. One of Abimelech's rulers hears of this and sets up an ambush (v. 32 "lie in wait in the field") and eventually overtook these other people creating the discord (v. 41) and eventually slaying all of these other companies of people (v. 45). But victory did not last long for Abimelech. A woman would end up throwing a stone on Abimelech, crushing his skull (53). He lived and rather than it being said a woman killed him, he has another man kill his with a sword (54). 

The discord had been set and God had used these evil men and their choices to eventually take away the opposition and presence of evil. 

Summary: After the death of Gideon, his son Abimelech basically erects himself as king, slaying the his siblings, though one son Jotham remains, but discord erupts and Abimelech and the people of Shechem eventually period because of their sin. 

Promise: We must be careful of the sin we tolerate, it creates a discord among people, among us, that can be damaging. 

Prayer: O Lord, my allegiance to You needs to be one of my whole heart. It is not simply one of duty in order to receive blessings and yet blessings come when our lives are lived before you of heartfelt obedience. My trust in You needs to be one of trust in You not duty so that I will receive a blessing. It is hard to hear of discord that occurs. It is hard to be around it. Thank you for these lessons and the reminder to me of not letting sin be tolerated but also to remain consistent in my faith and trust of you. Teach me the meaning of this and help me to be guarded against the world and their ways. 

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

John 10:17-21 - The Shepherd's Charge from His Father

John 10:17-21

17 For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. 18 No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father.”

19 A division occurred again among the Jews because of these words. 20 Many of them were saying, “He has a demon and is insane. Why do you listen to Him?” 21 Others were saying, “These are not the sayings of one demon-possessed. A demon cannot open the eyes of the blind, can he?”

Message: The Shepherd's Charge from His Father

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)." 

What the Lord is Saying: This passage, beginning in verse 1, is teaching giving an allegory stating that He is the door and He is the shepherd for the sheep. The sheep are those of the fold of Israel (v. 1), but also those that are of another fold - the Gentiles (v. 16). His sheep hear His voice. Others my try to dissuade the sheep, but the sheep are in tune to the shepherd, which is Jesus. Salvation is found in Jesus. 

And then in verse 11, He mentions that the shepherd will lay down His life for His sheep. Just as the Father knows the Son Jesus, Jesus knows the sheep (v. 15). Jesus, as a man, a perfect man, has a relationship with Father God that is unique. And the benefactors of this relationship is His sheep. Verse 17 is a verse that communicates - God's Love, His death, and His resurrection. Jesus will die but then He will take back His life again. He does this all by the authority of God (v. 18). Even as Jesus dies on the cross, he states, "And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, “Father, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT.” Having said this, He breathed His last (Luke 23:46). 

After stating this, the division continues among the Jews listening, some believe He has a demon and some do not. This word for division is used in John 7:43 and John 9:16. 

Summary: Because of the Father and Son's love toward one another, Jesus will lay down His life and take it up again (resurrection). This continues to cause division among the Jews. 

Promise: Jesus is our Shepherd who guides us wherever we should go. 

Prayer: Thank you for the Special relationship God you have with your Son Jesus. You sent Him into this world of ours that I live in  to show us the way of salvation. In Jesus' name we are saved. Let all people behold this truth. Give all people this understanding. God, you are good and holy and your ways are right. 

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

John 9:8-23 - Division among the Pharisees

John 9:8-23

8 Therefore the neighbors, and those who previously saw him as a beggar, were saying, “Is not this the one who used to sit and beg?” 9 Others were saying, “This is he,” still others were saying, “No, but he is like him.” He kept saying, “I am the one.” 10 So they were saying to him, “How then were your eyes opened?” 11 He answered, “The man who is called Jesus made clay, and anointed my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash’; so I went away and washed, and I received sight.” 12 They said to him, “Where is He?” He said, “I do not know.”

13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who was formerly blind. 14 Now it was a Sabbath on the day when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes. 15 Then the Pharisees also were asking him again how he received his sight. And he said to them, “He applied clay to my eyes, and I washed, and I see.” 16 Therefore some of the Pharisees were saying, “This man is not from God, because He does not keep the Sabbath.” But others were saying, “How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?” And there was a division among them. 17 So they said to the blind man again, “What do you say about Him, since He opened your eyes?” And he said, “He is a prophet.”

18 The Jews then did not believe it of him, that he had been blind and had received sight, until they called the parents of the very one who had received his sight, 19 and questioned them, saying, “Is this your son, who you say was born blind? Then how does he now see?” 20 His parents answered them and said, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; 21 but how he now sees, we do not know; or who opened his eyes, we do not know. Ask him; he is of age, he will speak for himself.” 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone confessed Him to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue. 23 For this reason his parents said, “He is of age; ask him.”

Message: Division among the Pharisees 

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)." 

What the Lord is Saying: Up to this point, most of the readings that I have been doing in John have been with Jesus talking, but in this passage there isn't Jesus talking. There is no red letter speech. This passage is a lot of detail really of the aftermath of the incident of the first 7 verses of John 9 and our previous lesson. The Jews are inspecting the blind man, questioning now him having sight. The man gives testimony of what Jesus has done. The Jews problem, once again with Jesus, is that He has done this healing on a Sabbath day. And so there was division among them (verse 16) over that which Jesus had done. The Jews then didn't believe that the man had actually been born blind so they went to his parents. But the parents would not answer for themselves. The parents were scared of saying something that the Jews didn't want to hear and being banished possibly from the temple so they instead said the beggar or young man was of age. So maybe this man was not that old, if that matters any. 

Contrary to the last lesson, this one does not seem to have as much to learn from. There is a dispute brooding over Jesus and he is rattling cages and doing work but creating division. I also am going to think about those words Jesus said in John 3, that the beggar's blindness "was in order that the works of God might be displayed in him." Could it be that the healing was a work of God? The Jesus carried out that work? I am not sure but now that He has done the healing it has produced a lot of controversy. It is all pointing to God and His work and we are hoping that God is glorified. 

Summary: After the healing of the beggar of his blindness, the Jews and people in Jerusalem are questioning the healing. 

Promise: Over the course of John 9, the man born blind goes from knowing Jesus’ name to calling Him a prophet to confessing Him as Lord (9:10, 17, 38). This progression indicates a growth in the man’s understanding and faith. 

Prayer: Lord, you are the great healer and your works are to be praised and glorified. Thank you for working and that John records this work. Thank you for the testimony of Your Word. Keep teaching me through it. 

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

I Corinthians 7:17-24 - Called from Every Vocation

I Corinthians 7:17-24

17 Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk. And so I direct in all the churches. 18 Was any man called when he was already circumcised? He is not to become uncircumcised. Has anyone been called in uncircumcision? He is not to be circumcised. 19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God. 20 Each man must remain in that condition in which he was called.

21 Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that. 22 For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord’s freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brethren, each one is to remain with God in that condition in which he was called.

Message: Called from Every Vocation

Time: Not the first, but 2nd letter to Corinthians, but the first to survive and to be considered authoritative. Written in AD 55, it was penned after Paul had reports of quarreling in this church he had previously visited. Paul covers a number of subjects, but all focus on the Christian's life in the church. 

What the Lord is Saying: It is interesting to me to understand the context of this passage. In Paul's day, the City of Corinth was the most important city in Greece, as it was a hub of worldwide commerce, but it also was a culture that was degraded and included idolatrous religion. Paul, in this book is firm as he deals with (1) divisions in the church, (2) disorder in the church, and (3) difficulties in the church. The New Testament church is young. Christ was crucified in AD 33 and so this is 22 years later, at a time when this church does not possess the Bible that I have in front of me today in its entirety. At this time, there would have only been penned Matthew, Galatians and James and yet we simply don't know how much of these letters or words were a part of the church. And so this letter Paul is writing to the Church becomes their doctrinal statement and my guess is much of how their church begins is through word of mouth. 

Chapter 7 gives the listener at the beginning principle for married life and at the end principles for the unmarried as well as remarriage. In the middle, my Open Bible has today's reading with a heading of "Principles of Abiding in God's Call." Again, I find this interesting that Paul seems to be addressing how one is to live. 

He writes to an audience that is probably Jewish and yet also Gentile. And he brings up first circumcision - an important practice of the Jew and yet he states what should be important in the life of a follower is not this practice (verse 18), but rather what is important is keeping the commandments of God (v. 19). Verse 19 seems to be the pivotal verse of this section and namely the last part -- what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God. What matters is our obedience not who we are (freeman or slave, circumcised or not). Verse 23 says, you were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. We are to be a people of God. We need to be concerned about what God deems important. God has bought us, called us, made us all free (verse 22 - the Lord's freedman). 

Look at the similar thinking in Galatians 5:6, a writing by Paul that occurred at the same time. he says, For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love. Circumcision is a rite or ritual, but liked I learned in the October 2017 issue of Tabletalk when I studied sacraments, this practices can be important and perhaps we can even say they are needed but I still can't say they are required. If Paul is telling us that circumcision does not mean anything in regards to freeing a man or being purchased, then it seems the purpose of the rituals or sacraments is therefore to point us towards God. And so they can be important, but we always need to be mindful that they do not in and by themselves lead to salvation nor are they on a salvation timeline or checklist that leads one to being saved or in Christ. But rather they can help us and point us toward that right relationship with God. 

I Corinthians 1:17 - For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel... This does not mean that baptism is not important. In that verse he seems to be saying to not let the issue of whether you have been baptized or not divide you. Rather be united by the gospel and who we are in Christ. 

In time I have really come to enjoy the British minister Alexander Maclaren and his writings from the 19th century. He breaks this chapter and verse down in a way that really resonates with me. Again, don't get too caught up in the ritual that you miss the relationship with Jesus. Galatians 5:6 says what is important is faith working through love. In today's passage it is keeping of the commandments of God. It is doing the will of the Father. Jesus said in Luke 22:42, Not my will, but thine be done. 

Galatians 6:15 says, For neither circumcision anything, not uncircumcision, but a new creation. What is most important is my newness in Christ. What matters is getting to that new state of John 3:16 and 2 Corinthians 5:17. 

And so I am back to what is key. What is the key? Faith is the key. By trusting in Christ I become a follower of Christ and become one that keeps the commandments of God. I am a new creature created in Christ Jesus for good works. And so I want to live for Him. I want to learn from Him. I want to be like Him. And yet I live in the world and am called to be in the world and yet not to be conformed to it. Every step, every day I am Christ. I am His. And as His I am to be about the will of the Father. It is automatic if I let it. If I let my mindset change, it will change. Don't make it about duty or checklists or rituals. Make it about Him and letting Him renew me. Let my mind be renewed. 

And so today, this lesson, "Called from Every Vocation", the lesson is simple. Be it freeman or slave, it does not matter. I am called to do the will of the Father. I do the will of the Father whether circumcised or uncircumcised, whether having been baptized or not baptized, taking the Lord's supper or not, married or not married, having children or not having children, rich or poor, Gentile or Jew, black or white, Baptist or not, Lutheran or not, Presbyterian or not. What matters is not me or my affiliation, but the will of the Father. It is not form or ritual, it is being in Christ so that then all things will flow forth. Wherever God has placed me, that is where I serve Him. 

Summary: Be it freeman or slave, it does not matter. I am called to do the will of the Father. 

Promise: The important thing to remember is that wherever we labor, we can labor for the glory of God and the good of our neighbors. 

Prayer: O God, thank you for waking me up this morning. I woke up bothered by last night and the work I was doing. Whatever it was that woke me up it brought me to Your Word and brought me to a lesson that has been on my mind so often and a lesson that I so badly wanted to know and see. The lesson is that You have saved me. And in saving me, you have made me knew. O God, how I want to get out of the way and instead let you Spirit live in me the will of the Father. It only happens because of Christ being in me. Awakened by the Spirit, brought to faith by Christ, so that I may do the will of the Father. Renew me daily. As I live in this world, I do not want to be conformed to it. Keep me non-conformed. Keep me trained for Godliness. Keep me close to you. Thank you for calling me at this moment in the work you have and from it I can serve you as good as anyone else. What matters is being in Christ. Thank you God. Thank you for gripping me today with these truths. If I can, help me to pass it on. 

Mark 5:1-5 - The Gerasene Demoniac

Mark 5:1-5
1 They came to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gerasenes. 2 When He got out of the boat, immediately a man from the tombs with an unclean spirit met Him, 3 and he had his dwelling among the tombs. And no one was able to bind him anymore, even with a chain; 4 because he had often been bound with shackles and chains, and the chains had been torn apart by him and the shackles broken in pieces, and no one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Constantly, night and day, he was screaming among the tombs and in the mountains, and gashing himself with stones.

Message: The Gerasene Demoniac

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:

I have often felt this past week that my life was in chaos. There were multiple things coming at me during the week. My mind was overloaded yesterday especially. As I sit here and read the word of God and think about the lessons from this past week, I remember that Jesus calmed the storm while the disciples were in the boat. And Jesus can calm my life. I wish I could figure this out because my countenance lowers when I feel stressed with more to do and not enough time. I want to keep my confidence in Him. I want to trust Him more. Jesus takes the forces from the outside and calms them. As I skim this chapter and read through it I see Jesus doing the same thing, but this time to demons are invisible spirits inside of a man. The writer Mark, through the work of Jesus, is reminding me that there are invisible forces going on in our lives as well, in people's lives, perhaps aiming to disrupt my content ways and yet Jesus continues to bring order to this chaos. If this was real in Jesus' day, I must think it is also real today.

My world is not perfect and on earth it never will be. All evil can be tied directly or indirectly to the devil. The devil introduced wickedness into creation by rebelling against our Creator. We saw this clearly in the garden as he confused and allured Eve to focus on something God wanted them to trust him on and that they didn't need to understand. At this point, Eve started questioning God and in the end to sin, doing what God said not to do.

In this passage, a man is possessed and not in his right mind. It says that no one was able to bind him and the chains had been torn apart by him and no one was strong enough to subdue him. He was screaming...and gashing himself. He was out of control. He didn't have control of himself. No one could bind him. No one could subdue him. And he was hurting himself.

One thing is clear, Satan has rebelled against God and therefore hates anything of God and will try with all his might to distraught the ways of God. Jesus had just come from a slew of teaching moments. He had spoken to his disciples and followers about the Gospel and the mission of those that He calls good. And upon landing on the sea, this violent possessed man runs up to him. I must realize that unrest and chaos is what Satan wants in my life. He wants questions.

I've been talking to a man this week who does not have a wife any more because she died and he can no longer see anything of value in his life. He raises a son and still wants the best for him, but only sees a less than perfect world now. I'm trying to reason and point him to Christ and God's word, but he is a hard sell and has already been brainwashed by other teachings that appeal to his pain. Also, this week I had lunch with a co-worker who shared that she and her husband live in the same house but are rarely together. He sleeps on the couch, his choice. They keep separate lives monetarily, at her choosing, for she is concerned about the bills. They share parenting but this is often tough and out of control. She loves him for he and her brought these children into the world, but she is not in love with him right now. They are dueling without speaking. 

What an interesting contrast that I saw this week. One man doesn't have his wife and is miserable without her. And then two people are married and are miserable together. Could there be demon possession? I think so. People have been lured away and living lives not yielded to Him. This isn't simply apathy but outright rebellion.

So my conclusion today is there are forces, demonic forces that want to lure us away from God and disrupt the peace that we have. They are at work everywhere and they are real.

Promise: Satan goes after human beings because he hates God. If we are united to Christ, God will put Satan finally under our feet.

Prayer: O Lord, how we need you, every day, every hour, every moment. Satan is real and has taken over so many people and he desires to make my witness less so he can defeat you. Lord, I pray for your protection and ask Lord that these people that I've spoken to this week would come under your control and then you would set up a hedge of protection around their lives so nothing can come against them. Restore relationships. Give people hope. Center them on You. Help people to submit and surrender to You. You God are in control. You are our creator and Lord. There is peace only in You. I praise and glorify Your Name.

Mark 3:27 - Binding the Strong Man

Mark 3:27
But no one can enter the strong man’s house and plunder his property unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will plunder his house.

Message: Binding the Strong Man

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:

Previously, yesterday, in looking at the preface to this verse, I saw that the scribes are saying that Jesus is possessed, demon-possessed. They mention an illogical argument, namely that Jesus as a demon is casting out a demon. But he clarifies the argument that a demon can't cast out a demon, but instead something different from a demon, namely Jesus, comes to the rescue. Thus, we need mediators in our lives. We need different perspectives. We need someone to come in and save the day.

But also, here, Jesus is needed to restore people to the Father. Jesus has authority over demons and so he can cast them out.

Jesus said earlier in verse 23 that he would speak in parables and he continues that here in verse 27. Jesus further enforces his point here in verse 27. But no one can enter the strong man’s house -- or Satan's house -- and plunder his property unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will plunder his house. Jesus is the one who liberates people from their sin. He is the Messiah and he has come to save us from our sins, from ourselves and release us.

Every person, without Christ, has a demon possession of sorts, a natural and sinful possession, a will contrary to the Spirit of God. Jesus is the one that comes to overthrow that will. He comes to save. Jesus frees people from the grasp of Satan every time a person is saved.

Promise: No matter how much evidence we are given for the work of God and the identity of Christ, we will not believe unless we are granted new hearts to submit to the Lord's revelation.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for saving me a sinner from the grasp of Satan and being a life long slave to sin. You are the Savior of the world. You are the only one that can save mankind and I pray that you would draw people to yourself and overthrow sin in people's lives. Thank you for the work that only you can do and for the authority only You have.

Mark 3:22-26 - A House Divided

Mark 3:22-26
22 The scribes who came down from Jerusalem were saying, “He is possessed by Beelzebul,” and “He casts out the demons by the ruler of the demons.” 23 And He called them to Himself and began speaking to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. 26 If Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but he is finished!

Message: A House Divided

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:

Summary
As I continue to walk through the Gospel of Mark, I continue to see the different themes being presented. John came on the scene, preaching and baptized with water. Jesus then comes and is baptized, is tempted, and proclaims his message: Repent and Believe in the Gospel. He calls the first 4 disciples. Jesus goes to the synagogue and casts out demons while he speaks a new teaching with an authority very different. He heals Peter's mother-in-law and then he heals others, but Jesus retreats to a time of seeking the Lord and sees that he must go to other places to continue to preach the Gospel, that being his mission. He heals a leper but tells him to tell no one, though he does.

Because of the faith of friends, Jesus first forgives the sins of a paralytic, then heals him, perplexing the scribes. He calls the tax collector Matthew. Jesus said he came to call sinners, not the righteous. He offers a parable about the new work and message he has to bring. He clarifies that he has authority over everything, including traditions of the past regarding Sabbath work. He heals on the Sabbath.

The Pharisees and Herodians begin to come against him. He goes to the sea, to leave that area. He continues to tell people to not make him known. He selects all 12 disciples. His family and/or friends misunderstand him, are concerned about him and mention he is beside himself.

A House Divided
The scribes now, also, mention that Jesus is possessed by Satan for he casts out demons. He is confronted as doing this by the power of Satan. Jesus very clearly is speaking a message that is different. He is claiming in various ways -- in the synagogue, regarding the Sabbath, working on the Sabbath -- that he has an authority, different from what they have known previously. He heals people, casts out demons, and many are following him, some just to have him heal, but he has a message to preach and teach to people. And so, they come to him, concerned about what he is saying.

I could see how they could think that he is of the devil. In verse 21, it says that even his families and friends were confused by him. Jesus had clearly a radical message and many people didn't know how to deal with it all, digest it all, take it all in. Any time there is something different from what we are accustomed to, we tend to think that it may not have right sources or holy sources. The scribes then conclude he is of the devil.

But Jesus responds, first with words also speaking in parables:

"How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. If Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but he is finished!

Jesus confronts the scribes theology or method of argument. The scribes are claiming that Satan is casting out Satan and Jesus responds with, "How can that be?" In essence, he says, if something is divided, how can it be that the source of the division will also remove the division? If someone is demon-possessed, how can a demon then remove the demon? Thus, He is saying that an outside source is needed to remove the possession or division.

This actually reminds me of a problem that is occurring right now in our family, with our youngest son, and the division that has resulted between him and us. It is causing us to not stand and often, we try to solve this division on our own. We think its all about finding the right mix of answers, but this morning, as I woke up, I realized that instead we need to go to God. God needs to be the one that decides what we are to do. We need outside help and we need to consult God first. Whether we are talking about a kingdom, a house, or Satan - division requires something outside of itself to be removed. Jesus can't be from Satan because Satan can't work against itself.

Promise: When Jesus deals with Satan, it is no temporary victory but permanent conquest. The Devil cannot retake the ground Jesus recovers.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for speaking clearly. Thank you for speaking to the root of the problem and showing me that division, of any kind, needs your help. Thank you Holy Spirit for being active and here.