Skip to main content

March 30 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 89

In today's reading, the righteous king slips.  Although his people do not know what he has done, God does.

Image result for david and nathan wiki commons

DAILY READINGS

2 Samuel 9-12 & Psalm 89

DAILY NOTES

2 Samuel 9

  • David shows "the kindness of God" to Saul's remaining son, Mephibosheth.  Remember him from Chapter 4?
2 Samuel 11
  • This chapter tells the story of David and Bathsheba.  Notice how David tries to cover his deeds.  It seems all is unknown to everyone (except Joab), but the next chapter will show us that it was not unknown to God.
    • Verses 20-21 recall a previous story.  Do you remember which one?  Which book?
2 Samuel 12
  • Nathan uses a story to illustrate David's sin.  David condemns himself by condemning the rich man who took the poor man's lamb.  As David said, "he had not pity."
  • Verse 11 is a turning point in David's reign. Nathan tells of a time when David will suffer because of what he has done.
    • Although Nathan tells David he is forgiven--well, his sin is put away and he shall not die--the first thing that happens after this interaction is that David's son (by Bathsheba) dies.  So, what Nathan said begins to take form.
  • Solomon (Jedidiah) is born.
Psalm 89
  • The psalmist remembers God's covenant with David.  Since God was faithful to David, he trusts that God will be faithful to him

OTHER OBSERVATIONS

Nathan tells David, "You have utterly scorned the Lord."

The Hebrew text makes this insinuation: you have given the enemies of the Lord opportunity to open their mouths against God.

That's a heavy accusation.  Our deeds give others a chance to speak against God?  Well, that's not an uncommon thought.  How many times have we heard people say something like, "The church is full of hypocrites,"  or, "church people think they're holier than everyone else."?

While we cannot be held responsible for everyone's desire to turn from God, we do well to understand how much our witness matters.  

How many people are hurt when a respected pastor gets caught in a scandal?  What effects does it have on the kingdom when a Christian doesn't walk in love?  

I can hear Nathan saying to each of us, "You are the man."

Stay blessed...john


Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

March 24 + Daily notes & readings

DAY 83 The relationship between Saul and David worsens.  David is now Saul's enemy.   DAILY READINGS 1 Samuel 18-20 & Psalm 83 DAILY NOTES 1 Samuel 18 Saul's delight for David quickly turns.  Saul is jealous of David's success and the fact that everyone else seems to like David more than him. Of course, we have to think about what this evil spirit from the Lord might mean. Saul tries to kill David.  He even devises a plan to have him married into the royal family so that he can create a snare for him. What does it say about David that, even after Saul has tried to kill him, he still finds it an honor to be married to the family? David escapes Saul's traps.  So, from here on out, the text says that Saul considered David an enemy.  Think he knows what it means to love your enemies? 1 Samuel 19 Verse 5 reminds us of David's fight with Goliath.  At this point, David has fought other times.  What makes that ...
Post a Comment
Read more

May 14 + Daily readings & notes

DAY 134 We're reading another prophet today.  Here's t he Bible Project video that describes what the book is about. DAILY READINGS Jonah 1-4 & Psalm 129 DAILY NOTES Jonah 1 Notice the simple, direct message God gave Jonah.  There's no explanation for why Jonah doesn't follow through (yet).  As quickly as the word from God comes, he goes away. The mariners have their own god to cry out to for help.  They ask Jonah to cry out to his God.  Did you notice he never did?  He only told them that he worships the Lord.   The mariners feared the Lord after this.   Jonah 2 When he and the others were in trouble, Jonah didn't cry out to God.  Now that he's sitting inside a big fish, he offers a prayer to God.   And notice even the fish listens to God! Jonah 3 The word of God comes to Jonah again.  This time Jonah responds.  And the people of Nineveh respond with faith in God. Up to this p...
Post a Comment
Read more

June 4 + Daily readings

DAY 155 DAILY READINGS Proverbs 7-9 & Psalm 150 Wisdom is God's delight (Proverbs 8:30).  And I love the idea of wisdom delighting at us.  What about "the human race" did wisdom delight in?  Was it like when we watch videos of our children doing new things?  Was it when the light bulbs went off in our minds? I just think it's wonderful to consider that there is much joy for us as we seek wisdom, and that wisdom rejoices at us, too. Stay blessed...john
Post a Comment
Read more