One Year Bible, May 28

2 SAMUEL 13:1-39                                                                                                             
SOAP OPERA LIFE: David's son, Amnon, in line for David's throne (age 26), raped his half-sister Tamar, who was 15 years old and full sister to Absalom. After he raped her, Amnon hated her.  Absalom waited two years, then killed Amnon and fled to grandpa (maternal grandfather, Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur). "And David mourned for his son every day." (for 3 years)

RESPONSE:   The judgments against David's sin are coming to pass. Two sons are dead: the unnamed baby and Amnon. There is violence in his house. And Absalom is on the run. Sometimes even though we repent, the judgments still stand.  There is a forfeiture that gets made when we sin, and oftentimes it can't be reversed.  I hope I have enough sense to FLEE from temptation if it comes. To walk away from losing my temper. To shut up when gossip occurs to me. To clamp my lips together when a lie seems good. To be quiet and smile when I want to answer back and "be right". Some of these things can have long-range effects.

JOHN 17:1-26                                                                                                                         
CHAPTERS 13-17: HOW TO LIVE IN RELATIONSHIP TO GOD

Chapter 13: A NEW COMMANDMENT: "LOVE one another as I have loved you."

Chapter 14: A NEW PEACE: "My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you."

Chapter 15: A NEW LIFE OF DEPENDENCY: "without Me you can do nothing."

Chapter 16: A NEW JOY:  "your joy no man takes from you."

Chapter 17: A NEW INTIMACY:  "I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." (John 17:23)  Jesus wants to share EVERYTHING with us:  His Father, His love, His life, His glory, His work, His character traits.  We are truly His Bride - one Spirit with Him.   He raised the veil and we see His glory as He moved toward Gethsemane.  He says He is "glorified in them" - meaning us. He sanctified Himself so that we could be sanctified with Him.  His Father loves us as much as He loves Jesus!  Jesus wants to share that closeness with us!

RESPONSE:   Song of Solomon comes to mind. He just wanted to get His Bride alone. When she emerged from His Presence, she was "fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners.." (Song 6:10)  In other words, she looked just like Him!  This intimacy is what changes us!  The more time we spend in His Presence, the more like Him we become.  Just like married couples, we begin to look alike, to talk alike, to act alike.  We don't have to be "controlled" with external law anymore, because it's being written in our hearts.  This new intimacy changes everything!  This is the real sanctification - close personal contact with Jesus!  There is more JOY, more LOVE, more PEACE.  The glory Jesus gives us is reflected from Him - and it gets on us because we are His Bride - His one-and-only!

PSALM 119:81-96                                                                                                            

KAPH V.81-88: The kaph is the palm or hollow of the hand, and is the number 20. It shows familiarity.  In this alphabetic section, David feels he is at the brink of ruin: "my soul faints....my eyes fail....I'm shriveled and black like a burnt wineskin." "for I am become", how many days?, have dug, all, they have consumed me, According to Thy lovingkindness.---all kaph word.   "When will You comfort me?" David is asking for help from God, whose hand is OPEN to him.

LAMED V.89-96: The lamed is the ox-goad or the rod of the teacher or the shepherd.  It speaks of someone who is not moved by circumstances, but rather prodded by the Word and the Spirit. The WORD, "lamed" means both "teach" and "learn". These verses emphasize the faithful rod of God (His Word), by Whom all things are established so that they remain, abide, and continue.   Without the Word of God, the whole world would despair.  Our Great Certainty is God's Word - it stands firm FOREVER.

PROVERBS 16:6-7                                                                                                
GOD'S SOVEREIGNTY: This is still the theme through v. 7: Mercy and Truth - the affection and the actions come together and break the power of sin; however, the fear of the Lord reminds us of the consequences of sin.

He that has all hearts in His hand has access to men's hearts and power over them.

RESPONSE: What God has said is TRUE, despite any appearances to the contrary. God's Word is the most CERTAIN thing in our universe!