Tues.’s Devo - Nothing is Done in Secret

Read: 2 Samuel 9:1-11:27; John 15:1-27; Psalm 119:49-64; Proverbs 16:1-3
David wanted to carry out his vow to Jonathan so he found Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth and brought him in. He was the son that had become crippled when his nurse dropped him trying to save his life. David gave him all of the land that Saul owned and gave Ziba and his fifteen sons and twenty servants the job of working Mephibosheth’s land. Mephibosheth and his son lived in Jerusalem where they ate with David every day as a member of his family.
The Ammonite king, Nahash died and David wanted to send his condolences to his son, Hanun. Nahash had been kind to David when he was running from Saul. Hanun unwisely listened to the advise of his commanders who accused David’s men of being spies. They took David’s ambassadors and shaved off half of each man’s beard, cut off their robes exposing their rears and sent them home in shame.
When David heard what had happened, he had them stay in Jericho until their beards grew out and rallied an army to fight.
The Ammonites hired the Armenians to fight with them against David. Israel’s army was attacked from in front by the Ammonites and behind by the Armenians. They ended up winning both fronts and killing the Armenian commander. The Armenians left vowing never to fight Israel again.
Next, we have the sad story of Bathsheba who was happily married to Uriah, one of David’s valiant men listed in 2 Chronicles 11:41. David should have gone with his men to war, but instead stayed home. He was tempted with a beautiful woman’s body, took her and used her. When he found out she was pregnant he did everything to cover up his sin. God didn’t let him get away with it. With honor comes responsibility.
Uriah proved to be worthy of David’s list in every way. His integrity only made David’s lack of integrity come to light.
David had some branches that needed to be pruned like Jesus was talking about in John.
Jesus explained that if you are a branch in his vine you will be loved by him and the Father, but the world will hate you. Then he promised them again of the gift of the Holy Spirit which would be the Advocate. In John 14:16, Jesus said that the Advocate would never leave us but lead us into all truth. In John 14:26 it says that the Advocate would be his representative and he would teach them everything and remind them of everything Jesus had told them.
In 15:26 it says that the Advocate is the Spirit of truth and he will testify all about Jesus and he will help us testify about Jesus also.
Lord, thank you for the Advocate who is truth. Thank you that you see everything done in secret and you expose it on the hilltops. May your Spirit of truth cause us to reverently fear you and testify of your greatness and salvation.