Daily Digest

For the director of music. Of David. 1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. 2 The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. 3 All have turned away, all have become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. 4 Do all these evildoers know nothing? They devour my people as though eating bread; they never call on the Lord. 5 But there they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous. 6 You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the Lord is their refuge. 7 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the Lord restores his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

It all starts with the heart. God is passionately interested in what is in our hearts. (1 Samuel 16:7) In other parts of the Bible (Matthew 12:34, Luke 6:45) we are told that what we speak flows from what is in our heart – here the psalmist says that our actions also flow from our hearts, especially if we deny the existence of God like “the fool” does.

The psalm goes on to show that refuge and salvation come from the LORD.  It follows that if we align our hearts with God – if he is most important in our hearts, then our actions and speech will flow from Him, and we will have safe refuge and sure salvation. What a blessing!

Father, thank you that you do not look at our outward appearance like we do – you look at our hearts.  Help me to remember to guard my heart. Help me to examine my heart and submit it to you for ‘repair and maintenance’. Thank you that I can always find safe refuge in you. Amen

Written by Megan Cornell

For the director of music. According to sheminith. A psalm of David. 1 Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore; those who are loyal have vanished from the human race. 2 Everyone lies to their neighbor; they flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts. 3 May the Lord silence all flattering lips and every boastful tongue— 4 those who say, “By our tongues we will prevail; our own lips will defend us—who is lord over us?” 5 “Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the Lord. “I will protect them from those who malign them.” 6 And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times. 7 You, Lord, will keep the needy safe and will protect us forever from the wicked, 8 who freely strut about when what is vile is honored by the human race.

It has been a difficult year for many reasons, for many people. At such a time, like the psalmist, it is easy to focus on the negatives within my world. It is tempting to wistfully remember the ‘old days’ with a rosy hue, like the psalmist feeling ‘no one is faithful anymore’. The reality here is that we can leave all those things, past, present, and future, with God. Where the world lacks integrity, the words of God are trustworthy and reliable.

My experience is that time and again my circumstances have allowed me to see the words and promises of God. And what I have found is God can be trusted, He is my defender and my Saviour and provider. No matter what times we face, when the world lets me down, when my faith in humanity or circumstances is destroyed, I know that God is faithfully standing with me. He is there for you too.

Thank you Father for your faithful protection. Thank you, Lord, that I can rely on you. Help me Lord to keep my eyes on you and to not be distracted by my circumstances or the world. In Jesus name. Amen

Written by Christine Knight

1 Why, Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? 2 In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises. 3 He boasts about the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the Lord. 4 In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God. 5 His ways are always prosperous; your laws are rejected by him; he sneers at all his enemies. 6 He says to himself, “Nothing will ever shake me.” He swears, “No one will ever do me harm.” 7 His mouth is full of lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue. 8 He lies in wait near the villages; from ambush he murders the innocent. His eyes watch in secret for his victims; 9 like a lion in cover he lies in wait. He lies in wait to catch the helpless; he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net. 10 His victims are crushed, they collapse; they fall under his strength. 11 He says to himself, “God will never notice; he covers his face and never sees.” 12 Arise, Lord! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless. 13 Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, “He won’t call me to account”? 14 But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to you; you are the helper of the fatherless. 15 Break the arm of the wicked man; call the evildoer to account for his wickedness that would not otherwise be found out. 16 The Lord is King for ever and ever; the nations will perish from his land. 17 You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry, 18 defending the fatherless and the oppressed, so that mere earthly mortals will never again strike terror.

There is a secret here that the Psalmist has learned that I desperately need to learn as well. It’s the “now”, “then”, and “will soon be” secret. It’s a truth about God that can bring hope in the darkest times. 

I get so stuck in the “now”… the pain of my current situation or hardship. God wants to hear about it – he truly, truly cares (see 1 Peter 5:7). That’s what the Psalmist did in this passage.  But he quickly moves on to what he knows – for certain – what he’s witnessed in the past. God has come through for me before! (V14) The Psalmist remembers the “then”. 

Only armed with the “then” can we look confidently to the “will soon be”. (V17-18) Because God has been faithful, we can trust Him that He will be faithful.  

Please Heavenly Father, in every “now“ situation, help me remember the “then”, and, through Jesus, claim as mine the “will soon be”. 

Written by Boudy Van Noppen

For the director of music. According to gittith. A psalm of David. 1 Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens. 2 Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. 3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, 4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? 5 You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. 6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: 7 all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, 8 the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas. 9 Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

This is a beautiful Psalm to the majesty of God and celebrates the honour he has bestowed on people.

Verse 4 encapsulates the wonder of grace – that God shows favour to me, wants relationship with me. It is wonderful!

I do not recall ever reading verse 2. It seems strange in the midst of these verses. As a children’s church leader, I was drawn to the importance and power of the praises of children. Praise is powerful – to receive praise is transformative in my life. But to give God praise establishes a “strong hold” and “silences” our enemies. Enemies such as circumstances or the subtle influences of the world. Enemies also include things which stop me recognising the majesty of God, such as doubts, fear, or conversely self-reliance. God is greater than any of these influences, but when I worship him as the creator of the universe I guard against their attack on my spirit.

Lord, I praise you and thank you for who you are – a magnificent creator but also my loving heavenly Father. I want to draw closer to you today. Amen

Written by Claire Moore

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. According to sheminith. A psalm of David. 1 Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. 2 Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am faint; heal me, Lord, for my bones are in agony. 3 My soul is in deep anguish. How long, Lord, how long? 4 Turn, Lord, and deliver me; save me because of your unfailing love. 5 Among the dead no one proclaims your name. Who praises you from the grave? 6 I am worn out from my groaning. All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. 7 My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes. 8 Away from me, all you who do evil, for the Lord has heard my weeping. 9 The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer. 10 All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish; they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame.

Ever felt devastated, like the world is against you, and particular people!!  I love how the Bible is so true to life – no polished lives here, just the raw reality of life as we experience it.  Here the Psalmist hangs out life when we are under pressure with images that we can identify with.  ‘Eyes to weak with sorrow’, ‘flood my bed with tears’.  The Bible doesn’t hold back.  I love this about God’s Word.  Religious books polish the presentation of life – the Bible – living and active – doesn’t sugar coat faith in Jesus – we get to cry out to the God who never fails, even in the words of anguish of life when everything is against us!  Our challenge is for us to cry out like the Psalmist as well as experiencing the deliverance the Psalmist experienced.

Father, thank you that you are not so high and mighty that you are distant from us.  You enter our reality now through prayer and we are certain of this because you sent Your Son to enter our experience and He experienced life in its fullness of emotion, physicality, joys and disappointments, even to death.  So we cry out to you in our experience knowing you will deliver us!

Written by Ps. Richard Botta

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David. 1 Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer. 2 How long will you people turn my glory into shame? How long will you love delusions and seek false gods? 3 Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself; the Lord hears when I call to him. 4 Tremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. 5 Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the Lord. 6 Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?” Let the light of your face shine on us. 7 Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound. 8 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 4 is thought to be a pair with Psalm 3, which was written by David while he was being pursued by his son Absalom. David is in real danger of being killed by the son he loves deeply. You can sense the swirling turmoil in David’s mind in these fragments of an argument with his enemies: How long will you shame me? It may not look like it now, but you should know that the Lord will hear me. You should be trembling on your beds as you lie down.

I can relate to that swirling conversation in the mind of what I should have said (except I didn’t), and what I would say if … (except I won’t) – and it doesn’t help. What will help?

Surrounding this tumult are two parts addressed to God. It begins with desperate pleas to “answer me when I call to you”; and “give me relief from my distress”. Clearly, he hasn’t seen an answer yet and is still in distress. But David bases his hope on who God is: “my righteous God”. It ends in confidence: unlike his enemies trembling on their beds, “In peace I will lie down and sleep”. Again, that confidence comes from who God is.

Lord, “let your face shine on us”. “Fill my heart with joy”. Because you are “my righteous God” who does answer when I call and does have mercy on me, “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

Written by David Cornell

1 Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, 3 “Let us break their chains and throw off their shackles.” 4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. 5 He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, 6 “I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.” 7 I will proclaim the Lord’s decree: He said to me, “You are my son; today I have become your father. 8 Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You will break them with a rod of iron; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.” 10 Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling. 12 Kiss his son, or he will be angry and your way will lead to your destruction, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

V 7 – “I will reveal the eternal purpose of God”

V 8 – “Ask me and I will give you the nations and I will do it”

V 10-11 – “Learn your lesson….serve and worship”

V 12 – “but many blessings are waiting, for all who turn aside to hide themselves in Him”

As I read this Psalm in The Passion Translation, the above verses jumped out at me.

As I write this we continue to journey through this “COVID” season, it has reminded me of the movie “Groundhog Day”.  The story of a reporter who wakes up and relives the same day over and over again.   At times, this COVID season feels like that.  As the days roll on, they seem similar!!  The news is the same, constrictions remain, recommendations come continually, etc. 

Then it made me think about the computer and how at times it becomes slow and is in need of “rebooting” and “refreshing”.

I wonder if in this season you are feeling flat, feeling that your prayers haven’t been answered, maybe feeling that God has become distant, you haven’t heard words from Him afresh.

God wants and desires to speak to us daily.  He desires that we would have open hearts and hear from Him.

I know that in my life and in my spiritual life I have been here before.  It has required me to “reboot”/”refresh” myself. 

So how do I do this?

I ask myself some questions:  Where is my heart at present?  Have I become stale in my walk with Jesus?  I spend some time reflecting on where I am at.  Then I think of what needs to change – I hit the “Refresh”/”Reboot” button of my soul:  What can I change?  What shall I start new?

I pray:  Come Holy Spirit, fill me afresh with your love and grace.

Come and overflow into my dry areas and bring your peace, your presence and your mercy.

Jesus you have eternal purposes for my life.  Reveal to me afresh your love.  Help me to learn your lesson at this time.  Revive in me a desire to serve and worship you.  Help me to hide myself in you at this difficult time.

Thank you that you love me and you promise to reveal to those who ask, will receive.

In Jesus Name.  Amen  

Written by Ps. Sue Botta

18 On that day Gad went to David and said to him, “Go up and build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.” 19 So David went up, as the Lord had commanded through Gad. 20 When Araunah looked and saw the king and his officials coming toward him, he went out and bowed down before the king with his face to the ground. 21 Araunah said, “Why has my lord the king come to his servant?” “To buy your threshing floor,” David answered, “so I can build an altar to the Lord, that the plague on the people may be stopped.” 22 Araunah said to David, “Let my lord the king take whatever he wishes and offer it up. Here are oxen for the burnt offering, and here are threshing sledges and ox yokes for the wood. 23 Your Majesty, Araunah[a] gives all this to the king.” Araunah also said to him, “May the Lord your God accept you.” 24 But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen and paid fifty shekels[b] of silver for them. 25 David built an altar to the Lord there and sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then the Lord answered his prayer in behalf of the land, and the plague on Israel was stopped.

David is overwhelmed by the impact his sin (of taking a census) is having on the whole nation of Israel – 70,000 men have died because of his actions and he is filled with sorrow. He pleads with the Lord to end the plague because the people shouldn’t suffer because of his wrong doing. The Lord hears him and tells him to make a sacrifice of burnt offerings to atone for his sin.

This time David fully obeys the Lord. He goes to Araunah, who wants to provide everything that David needs. While this might be generous of Araunah, David does not want to choose the easy way out – v24 “I will not present burnt offerings to the Lord my God that have cost me nothing”. David already knows what happens when he does things his way. This time, David takes full responsibility and pays the full price for his wrongdoing. The result? The Lord is pleased and ends the plague.

For such a public sin and consequence, we also get another glimpse into the personal relationship David has with the Lord. That even though he made a very costly mistake, the Lord provides a way out for him by asking him to make a sacrifice. David’s heart response is to also make a peace offering, or fellowship offering, to the Lord to express his thankfulness and gratitude for the Lord’s generosity and kindness.

Father God, I thank you that when I sin, I can ask for forgiveness because of Jesus’ sacrifice for me. I thank you that because of Your actions our relationship can continue.   

Written by Gab Martin

8 These are the names of David’s mighty warriors: Josheb-Basshebeth, a Tahkemonite, was chief of the Three; he raised his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed[c] in one encounter. 9 Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty warriors, he was with David when they taunted the Philistines gathered at Pas Dammim for battle. Then the Israelites retreated, 10 but Eleazar stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day. The troops returned to Eleazar, but only to strip the dead. 11 Next to him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. When the Philistines banded together at a place where there was a field full of lentils, Israel’s troops fled from them. 12 But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the Lord brought about a great victory. 13 During harvest time, three of the thirty chief warriors came down to David at the cave of Adullam, while a band of Philistines was encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. 14 At that time David was in the stronghold, and the Philistine garrison was at Bethlehem. 15 David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” 16 So the three mighty warriors broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David. But he refused to drink it; instead, he poured it out before the Lord. 17 “Far be it from me, Lord, to do this!” he said. “Is it not the blood of men who went at the risk of their lives?” And David would not drink it. Such were the exploits of the three mighty warriors. 18 Abishai the brother of Joab son of Zeruiah was chief of the Three. He raised his spear against three hundred men, whom he killed, and so he became as famous as the Three. 19 Was he not held in greater honor than the Three? He became their commander, even though he was not included among them. 20 Benaiah son of Jehoiada, a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, performed great exploits. He struck down Moab’s two mightiest warriors. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. 21 And he struck down a huge Egyptian. Although the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club. He snatched the spear from the Egyptian’s hand and killed him with his own spear. 22 Such were the exploits of Benaiah son of Jehoiada; he too was as famous as the three mighty warriors. 23 He was held in greater honor than any of the Thirty, but he was not included among the Three. And David put him in charge of his bodyguard. 24 Among the Thirty were: Asahel the brother of Joab, Elhanan son of Dodo from Bethlehem, 25 Shammah the Harodite, Elika the Harodite, 26 Helez the Paltite, Ira son of Ikkesh from Tekoa, 27 Abiezer from Anathoth, Sibbekai[f] the Hushathite, 28 Zalmon the Ahohite, Maharai the Netophathite, 29 Heled[g] son of Baanah the Netophathite, Ithai son of Ribai from Gibeah in Benjamin, 30 Benaiah the Pirathonite, Hiddai[h] from the ravines of Gaash, 31 Abi-Albon the Arbathite, Azmaveth the Barhumite, 32 Eliahba the Shaalbonite, the sons of Jashen, Jonathan 33 son of Shammah the Hararite, Ahiam son of Sharar the Hararite, 34 Eliphelet son of Ahasbai the Maakathite, Eliam son of Ahithophel the Gilonite, 35 Hezro the Carmelite, Paarai the Arbite, 36 Igal son of Nathan from Zobah, the son of Hagri, 37 Zelek the Ammonite, Naharai the Beerothite, the armor-bearer of Joab son of Zeruiah, 38 Ira the Ithrite, Gareb the Ithrite 39 and Uriah the Hittite. There were thirty-seven in all.

A few years back a friend of mine helped me demolish our en-suite ready for renovation. He lives south of the city and probably spent close to 2 hours in traffic to get to our house. We worked all day – hot, sweaty and dirty (it was mid-summer). He would have got home after dark. He did it just out of love for me.

Such generosity can’t be taken lightly. It’s precious and very rare. It has a sacredness about it, and I think that’s what David felt in verse 17 with the water from the well. “This act was so precious – how could I drink it all myself? I’ll pour it out in worship to God!”

It’s the same with Jesus. His gift of dying in my place on the cross is so precious, how could I ever keep that for myself? I must pour it out to others. (See Romans 12:1)

Jesus, please help me see and never forget that extravagant love you poured out for me on the cross. Show me how I can pour out that love to others.   Amen

Written by Boudy van Noppen

21 During the reign of David, there was a famine for three successive years; so David sought the face of the Lord. The Lord said, “It is on account of Saul and his blood-stained house; it is because he put the Gibeonites to death.” 2 The king summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them. (Now the Gibeonites were not a part of Israel but were survivors of the Amorites; the Israelites had sworn to spare them, but Saul in his zeal for Israel and Judah had tried to annihilate them.) 3 David asked the Gibeonites, “What shall I do for you? How shall I make atonement so that you will bless the Lord’s inheritance?” 4 The Gibeonites answered him, “We have no right to demand silver or gold from Saul or his family, nor do we have the right to put anyone in Israel to death.” “What do you want me to do for you?” David asked. 5 They answered the king, “As for the man who destroyed us and plotted against us so that we have been decimated and have no place anywhere in Israel, 6 let seven of his male descendants be given to us to be killed and their bodies exposed before the Lord at Gibeah of Saul—the Lord’s chosen one.” So the king said, “I will give them to you.” 7 The king spared Mephibosheth son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, because of the oath before the Lord between David and Jonathan son of Saul. 8 But the king took Armoni and Mephibosheth, the two sons of Aiah’s daughter Rizpah, whom she had borne to Saul, together with the five sons of Saul’s daughter Merab,[a] whom she had borne to Adriel son of Barzillai the Meholathite. 9 He handed them over to the Gibeonites, who killed them and exposed their bodies on a hill before the Lord. All seven of them fell together; they were put to death during the first days of the harvest, just as the barley harvest was beginning. 10 Rizpah daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it out for herself on a rock. From the beginning of the harvest till the rain poured down from the heavens on the bodies, she did not let the birds touch them by day or the wild animals by night. 11 When David was told what Aiah’s daughter Rizpah, Saul’s concubine, had done, 12 he went and took the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from the citizens of Jabesh Gilead. (They had stolen their bodies from the public square at Beth Shan, where the Philistines had hung them after they struck Saul down on Gilboa.) 13 David brought the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan from there, and the bones of those who had been killed and exposed were gathered up. 14 They buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the tomb of Saul’s father Kish, at Zela in Benjamin, and did everything the king commanded. After that, God answered prayer in behalf of the land. 15 Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted. 16 And Ishbi-Benob, one of the descendants of Rapha, whose bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels[b] and who was armed with a new sword, said he would kill David. 17 But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David’s rescue; he struck the Philistine down and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, saying, “Never again will you go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished.” 18 In the course of time, there was another battle with the Philistines, at Gob. At that time Sibbekai the Hushathite killed Saph, one of the descendants of Rapha. 19 In another battle with the Philistines at Gob, Elhanan son of Jair the Bethlehemite killed the brother of Goliath the Gittite, who had a spear with a shaft like a weaver’s rod. 20 In still another battle, which took place at Gath, there was a huge man with six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four in all. He also was descended from Rapha. 21 When he taunted Israel, Jonathan son of Shimeah, David’s brother, killed him. 22 These four were descendants of Rapha in Gath, and they fell at the hands of David and his men.

The Gibeonites had obtained an allegiance with the Israelites through deception (see Joshua 9), and the Israelites did not seek God’s face before making this promise of allegiance. Despite these circumstances God took the promise seriously – generations later He sends a famine as a message to His people that they need to make right this promise that Saul has broken.

We also see in this passage the far-reaching effects of sin. By not seeking God’s face years before, Joshua made an allegiance that had to be honoured by his people for generations. Saul’s sin (done in zeal but wrong nonetheless) resulted in famine for his people and death for seven of his sons.

Ultimately, the justice of God requires that sin be paid for through bloodshed. Saul’s sin was ‘paid for’ by his sons’ blood. But God in His mercy knew this was not enough to make things right. Years later He sent His own perfect Son Jesus to be similarly hung on a tree and willingly shed His blood. But this time the blood was perfect, the sacrifice without blemish. And God promises that this bloodshed is enough to cover all sins for all time. And as we know God is serious about promises, especially His own. 

Thank you Lord that you promise that your precious blood is enough to cover all sin for all time. And thank you that we can trust your promise. 

Written by Rhiannon Mellor

9 Throughout the tribes of Israel, all the people were arguing among themselves, saying, “The king delivered us from the hand of our enemies; he is the one who rescued us from the hand of the Philistines. But now he has fled the country to escape from Absalom; 10 and Absalom, whom we anointed to rule over us, has died in battle. So why do you say nothing about bringing the king back?” 11 King David sent this message to Zadok and Abiathar, the priests: “Ask the elders of Judah, ‘Why should you be the last to bring the king back to his palace, since what is being said throughout Israel has reached the king at his quarters? 12 You are my relatives, my own flesh and blood. So why should you be the last to bring back the king?’ 13 And say to Amasa, ‘Are you not my own flesh and blood? May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if you are not the commander of my army for life in place of Joab.’” 14 He won over the hearts of the men of Judah so that they were all of one mind. They sent word to the king, “Return, you and all your men.” 15 Then the king returned and went as far as the Jordan. Now the men of Judah had come to Gilgal to go out and meet the king and bring him across the Jordan. 16 Shimei son of Gera, the Benjamite from Bahurim, hurried down with the men of Judah to meet King David. 17 With him were a thousand Benjamites, along with Ziba, the steward of Saul’s household, and his fifteen sons and twenty servants. They rushed to the Jordan, where the king was. 18 They crossed at the ford to take the king’s household over and to do whatever he wished. When Shimei son of Gera crossed the Jordan, he fell prostrate before the king 19 and said to him, “May my lord not hold me guilty. Do not remember how your servant did wrong on the day my lord the king left Jerusalem. May the king put it out of his mind. 20 For I your servant know that I have sinned, but today I have come here as the first from the tribes of Joseph to come down and meet my lord the king.” 21 Then Abishai son of Zeruiah said, “Shouldn’t Shimei be put to death for this? He cursed the Lord’s anointed.” 22 David replied, “What does this have to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? What right do you have to interfere? Should anyone be put to death in Israel today? Don’t I know that today I am king over Israel?” 23 So the king said to Shimei, “You shall not die.” And the king promised him on oath. 24 Mephibosheth, Saul’s grandson, also went down to meet the king. He had not taken care of his feet or trimmed his mustache or washed his clothes from the day the king left until the day he returned safely. 25 When he came from Jerusalem to meet the king, the king asked him, “Why didn’t you go with me, Mephibosheth?” 26 He said, “My lord the king, since I your servant am lame, I said, ‘I will have my donkey saddled and will ride on it, so I can go with the king.’ But Ziba my servant betrayed me. 27 And he has slandered your servant to my lord the king. My lord the king is like an angel of God; so do whatever you wish. 28 All my grandfather’s descendants deserved nothing but death from my lord the king, but you gave your servant a place among those who eat at your table. So what right do I have to make any more appeals to the king?” 29 The king said to him, “Why say more? I order you and Ziba to divide the land.” 30 Mephibosheth said to the king, “Let him take everything, now that my lord the king has returned home safely.” 31 Barzillai the Gileadite also came down from Rogelim to cross the Jordan with the king and to send him on his way from there. 32 Now Barzillai was very old, eighty years of age. He had provided for the king during his stay in Mahanaim, for he was a very wealthy man. 33 The king said to Barzillai, “Cross over with me and stay with me in Jerusalem, and I will provide for you.” 34 But Barzillai answered the king, “How many more years will I live, that I should go up to Jerusalem with the king? 35 I am now eighty years old. Can I tell the difference between what is enjoyable and what is not? Can your servant taste what he eats and drinks? Can I still hear the voices of male and female singers? Why should your servant be an added burden to my lord the king? 36 Your servant will cross over the Jordan with the king for a short distance, but why should the king reward me in this way? 37 Let your servant return, that I may die in my own town near the tomb of my father and mother. But here is your servant Kimham. Let him cross over with my lord the king. Do for him whatever you wish.” 38 The king said, “Kimham shall cross over with me, and I will do for him whatever you wish. And anything you desire from me I will do for you.” 39 So all the people crossed the Jordan, and then the king crossed over. The king kissed Barzillai and bid him farewell, and Barzillai returned to his home. 40 When the king crossed over to Gilgal, Kimham crossed with him. All the troops of Judah and half the troops of Israel had taken the king over. 41 Soon all the men of Israel were coming to the king and saying to him, “Why did our brothers, the men of Judah, steal the king away and bring him and his household across the Jordan, together with all his men?” 42 All the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, “We did this because the king is closely related to us. Why are you angry about it? Have we eaten any of the king’s provisions? Have we taken anything for ourselves?” 43 Then the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, “We have ten shares in the king; so we have a greater claim on David than you have. Why then do you treat us with contempt? Weren’t we the first to speak of bringing back our king?” But the men of Judah pressed their claims even more forcefully than the men of Israel.

Oh my goodness so much has been happening for David. Now all the difficulties resolve and David gets to take back his role as King. Talk about complicated – both family and friends. How did he keep it all straight – who was with him and who was against?

The beautiful thing about this story is how David chooses to behave in the circumstances. Many people turned on him in quite nasty ways while other people just did nothing and sided with David’s enemies. So now that it’s all gone back in David’s favour you might think he would be angry with those who turned on him. Instead he first listens to each one and then chooses to forgive.

The passage also starts with the men of Israel fighting amongst themselves and it then ends with them all having another argument. David is being wise and compassionate in between. You think they might have noticed how David was behaving but no they didn’t. I want to learn how to make choices like David rather than the rest of the people.

Lord thanks again for the pictures you paint with the stories you tell us. How amazing that David could behave well in these circumstances. Thank you for the things you taught him when in earlier times he did not choose to behave well. Help me to remember that it is possible to choose to behave well even when people attack me or treat me badly. I have Your love all of the time forever so if people don’t always love me I can still love them anyway – with your help which is always available.

Written by Therese Manning

19 Now Ahimaaz son of Zadok said, “Let me run and take the news to the king that the Lord has vindicated him by delivering him from the hand of his enemies.” 20 “You are not the one to take the news today,” Joab told him. “You may take the news another time, but you must not do so today, because the king’s son is dead.” 21 Then Joab said to a Cushite, “Go, tell the king what you have seen.” The Cushite bowed down before Joab and ran off. 22 Ahimaaz son of Zadok again said to Joab, “Come what may, please let me run behind the Cushite.” But Joab replied, “My son, why do you want to go? You don’t have any news that will bring you a reward.” 23 He said, “Come what may, I want to run.” So Joab said, “Run!” Then Ahimaaz ran by way of the plain[a] and outran the Cushite. 24 While David was sitting between the inner and outer gates, the watchman went up to the roof of the gateway by the wall. As he looked out, he saw a man running alone. 25 The watchman called out to the king and reported it. The king said, “If he is alone, he must have good news.” And the runner came closer and closer. 26 Then the watchman saw another runner, and he called down to the gatekeeper, “Look, another man running alone!” The king said, “He must be bringing good news, too.” 27 The watchman said, “It seems to me that the first one runs like Ahimaaz son of Zadok.” “He’s a good man,” the king said. “He comes with good news.” 28 Then Ahimaaz called out to the king, “All is well!” He bowed down before the king with his face to the ground and said, “Praise be to the Lord your God! He has delivered up those who lifted their hands against my lord the king.” 29 The king asked, “Is the young man Absalom safe?” Ahimaaz answered, “I saw great confusion just as Joab was about to send the king’s servant and me, your servant, but I don’t know what it was.” 30 The king said, “Stand aside and wait here.” So he stepped aside and stood there. 31 Then the Cushite arrived and said, “My lord the king, hear the good news! The Lord has vindicated you today by delivering you from the hand of all who rose up against you.” 32 The king asked the Cushite, “Is the young man Absalom safe?” The Cushite replied, “May the enemies of my lord the king and all who rise up to harm you be like that young man.” 33 The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!”

David cops a fair bit of criticism as father, and not without good reason. But not many fathers have their lives recorded and scrutinised as he did. Even though this is the conclusion to an attempted coup, at the heart of this passage is a real family struggle. All families have them, just not usually this deadly.

From this story, and the many other stories of father’s in the bible, as well as remembering my own father, I am learning a lot about the father heart of God towards me.

Absalom set his heart to killing his own father, and led an army against David. Tragically, Absalom is killed and the news of Absalom’s death is sent to David. When David hears of Absalom’s death his immediate reaction is to grieve and really mourn the loss of his son. This son wanted to murder his own dad and his father mourns when hearing he has died. Whatever you think of David as a father, he deeply loved all his children.

If an imperfect earthly father loves his children so much, how much more does our perfect heavenly father love us? The bible tells us. Romans 5:8. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us WHILE WE WERE STILL SINNERS. Romans 5:10 We are restored to God by the death of his son while we were still his enemies.

Do you think God doesn’t or couldn’t or won’t love you? Think again. He already does, and always will. Can God love you more than he already does? 

No.

Heavenly father, I am overwhelmed by your amazing and unconditional love for me. 

Written by Andrew Martin

17 Ahithophel said to Absalom, “I would choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David. 2 I would attack him while he is weary and weak. I would strike him with terror, and then all the people with him will flee. I would strike down only the king 3 and bring all the people back to you. The death of the man you seek will mean the return of all; all the people will be unharmed.” 4 This plan seemed good to Absalom and to all the elders of Israel. 5 But Absalom said, “Summon also Hushai the Arkite, so we can hear what he has to say as well.” 6 When Hushai came to him, Absalom said, “Ahithophel has given this advice. Should we do what he says? If not, give us your opinion.” 7 Hushai replied to Absalom, “The advice Ahithophel has given is not good this time. 8 You know your father and his men; they are fighters, and as fierce as a wild bear robbed of her cubs. Besides, your father is an experienced fighter; he will not spend the night with the troops. 9 Even now, he is hidden in a cave or some other place. If he should attack your troops first, whoever hears about it will say, ‘There has been a slaughter among the troops who follow Absalom.’ 10 Then even the bravest soldier, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will melt with fear, for all Israel knows that your father is a fighter and that those with him are brave. 11 “So I advise you: Let all Israel, from Dan to Beersheba—as numerous as the sand on the seashore—be gathered to you, with you yourself leading them into battle. 12 Then we will attack him wherever he may be found, and we will fall on him as dew settles on the ground. Neither he nor any of his men will be left alive. 13 If he withdraws into a city, then all Israel will bring ropes to that city, and we will drag it down to the valley until not so much as a pebble is left.” 14 Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Arkite is better than that of Ahithophel.” For the Lord had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom. 15 Hushai told Zadok and Abiathar, the priests, “Ahithophel has advised Absalom and the elders of Israel to do such and such, but I have advised them to do so and so. 16 Now send a message at once and tell David, ‘Do not spend the night at the fords in the wilderness; cross over without fail, or the king and all the people with him will be swallowed up.’” 17 Jonathan and Ahimaaz were staying at En Rogel. A female servant was to go and inform them, and they were to go and tell King David, for they could not risk being seen entering the city. 18 But a young man saw them and told Absalom. So the two of them left at once and went to the house of a man in Bahurim. He had a well in his courtyard, and they climbed down into it. 19 His wife took a covering and spread it out over the opening of the well and scattered grain over it. No one knew anything about it. 20 When Absalom’s men came to the woman at the house, they asked, “Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?” The woman answered them, “They crossed over the brook.” The men searched but found no one, so they returned to Jerusalem. 21 After they had gone, the two climbed out of the well and went to inform King David. They said to him, “Set out and cross the river at once; Ahithophel has advised such and such against you.” 22 So David and all the people with him set out and crossed the Jordan. By daybreak, no one was left who had not crossed the Jordan. 23 When Ahithophel saw that his advice had not been followed, he saddled his donkey and set out for his house in his hometown. He put his house in order and then hanged himself. So he died and was buried in his father’s tomb. 24 David went to Mahanaim, and Absalom crossed the Jordan with all the men of Israel. 25 Absalom had appointed Amasa over the army in place of Joab. Amasa was the son of Jether, an Ishmaelite who had married Abigail, the daughter of Nahash and sister of Zeruiah the mother of Joab. 26 The Israelites and Absalom camped in the land of Gilead. 27 When David came to Mahanaim, Shobi son of Nahash from Rabbah of the Ammonites, and Makir son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim 28 brought bedding and bowls and articles of pottery. They also brought wheat and barley, flour and roasted grain, beans and lentils, 29 honey and curds, sheep, and cheese from cows’ milk for David and his people to eat. For they said, “The people have become exhausted and hungry and thirsty in the wilderness.”

David continues to evade Absalom (his son) and Absalom’s posse. The stakes keep on escalating and are at their highest: Absalom is plotting total annihilation for David. But David, as God’s anointed, gets forewarned. David’s closest allies, Jonathan and Ahimaaz, have the warning message that will put David out of harm’s way once again. Pursued by enemies the messengers hide in a well, kept safe until they can continue their mission to warn David. David, his household and followers are saved and then the final showdown between him and Absalom begins.

The favour of God, the same favour that rested on King David, rests on us by God’s Holy Spirit because of Jesus. God puts distance between us and forces that wish to destroy us. In so many circumstances, God warns us in advance and we can escape troubles to live to fight another day.

Thank you Jesus for your loving protection. Thank you for your guidance and wisdom sent to us in the midst of every challenging season of our lives. Thank you for shelter when we need it. I trust you for strength and the ability to go on when facing down any threat. Amen.Written by Sam Stewart