Thurs.’s Devo - Taking Jerusalem

Read: 1 Chonicles 11:1-12:18; Acts 28:1-31; Psalm 9:1-12; Proverbs 19:1-3
With Saul dead, Israel needed a new king and no one was as worthy as David. The people knew that Samuel had anointed him king and it was just a matter of time before it happened since none of Samuels’ words fell to the ground. All Israel met at Hebron where they had proclaimed David king.
Hebron was the place they met because Hebron was the first land that Abraham bought in the promised land. He bought it to bury his wife, Sarah. It became a city of refuge and the place where David would live before he finally moved to Jerusalem.
Then they marched to Jebus and to take it from the Jebusites. David promised the man who led the attack to be his commander-in-chief. Joab went first, so he became David’s commander-in-chief. Along with a list of mighty men, they took the city of Jebus and renamed it Jerusalem.
Three of David’s men were known as his Three mighty men. Their exploits were given and then a list of his other mighty men. Interestingly, they had followed David when he ran from Saul and fought with the Philistines. They were also with him when his family was taken and all their possessions at Ziklag. The Lord helped them recover everything they had lost, but the most interesting thing about them is that they were kinsmen of Saul and from the tribe of Benjamin. Some soldiers from Gad also defected to follow David during this time.
In Acts, Paul’s ship had been completely destroyed during the storm and they had swum ashore of the island they were to learn was named Malta. Malta means “escaping”. It was definitely an escape for them.
The people of the island welcomed them and made a fire for them because it was cold and raining. As Paul gathered wood for the fire, a viper struck Paul on the arm and held on. Paul shook him off in the fire, and the island people watched in fear of his impending death. But Paul showed no signs of effect of the snake which made them now wonder if Paul wasn’t a god.
The chief of the island, Publius had them stay at his house for three days, but he was sick of a fever. Paul laid his hands on him and prayed for him and he was healed. Many others with sicknesses came to Paul and received healing. They left with honors and everything they would need to finish their journey, thanks to Paul, thanks to God.
When they finally did reach Rome, all the prisoners were put in jail, but Paul. He was given a house and a soldier to keep him safe. The only thing that kept him from being set free was his appeal to Caesar. While he was awaiting his audience with Caesar, the Romans and Jews asked him to tell them about his religious views. He preached from morning till evening, telling them the truth of Jesus and his own testimony. Some believed and some didn’t which was just what Isaiah had prophesied. Some hearts would be closed and some open. It made Paul more and more determined to get his message to the Gentiles.
Lord, I thank you for giving us hearts to receive you and not be hardened. Send us to the people you want to hear the good news and let us not worry about the outcome because that is your business. It is your truth that needs to be told.