Fri.’s Devo - The Gift is Given 6-4-21

Read: 2 Samuel 22:1-23:23; Acts 2:1-47; Psalm 122:1-9; Proverbs 16:19-20 This same song was recorded in Psalms 18. It is a Messianic psalm and I believe it describes what went on during the three hours of darkness on the cross. Jesus is describing his battle with his spiritual enemies and especially the enemy of Death. When the grave was wrapping its ropes around him (vs. 6) He cried out to his Father for help. The earth quaked and trembled and the foundations of the heavens shook. God was so angry he opened the heavens and came down shrouded in dark storm clouds. God shot arrows scattering Jesus’ enemies with his lightning and confusing them. God reached down and rescued Jesus from those who hated him and were too powerful for him. God took Jesus to a place of safety and rescued him because of his innocence. He rewarded him for obeying him. He ends it with a promise to show unfailing love to Jesus and all his descendants. In David’s last words he proclaims who he was on the earth. He was the son of Jesse, the man that God raised up on high, the man God anointed and the sweet song writer. He experienced the Lord speaking through him and identified God as the Rock of Israel. Then he proclaimed how God identified him, who was a type of Jesus: David was the one who ruled righteously and in the fear of the Lord. He was like the light of a cloudless morning when the sun shines on the wet grass. God’s Word is guaranteed to the last detail and it ensures our safety and success. Our enemies will be torn down and totally consumed by fire. David’s mightiest warriors were named. The first one with his city means “the wise ones will return.” The second one’s names mean “God helps those he loves and is a brother to those who rest in him.” The third one’s names mean “the desolation of the curser.” These men snuck into the enemy camp to get some water for David when he was thirsty. They lived up to their names: they returned because they rested in the Lord and knew that they had power over the curser. Abishai, Joab’s brother was also a great warrior who killed 300 in one battle. He was over 30 mighty men. His name means “father of the gift”. Benaiah was David’s body guard. His name means “built of Jehovah.” He was built to be a body guard of God’s leader. In Acts, it was the day Jesus had told them about. God sent his gift to them, the Holy Spirit. It had been prophesied by Joel and when it came, they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in tongues. The day of Pentecost celebrated the giving of the law in the days of Moses. When God gave the law, the mountain quaked; fire and smoke rose out of the top of the mountain. On this day, the disciples became the holy mountain of the Lord and tongues of fire appeared over their heads. They went out on the busy streets of Jerusalem as all the Jewish men had come for the celebration. They spoke their tongues which were the languages of the people who were there from everywhere. In their tongues, they proclaimed the mighty Word of the Lord. Peter stood and spoke to the crowd explaining what was going on and 3,000 were saved. That was the same number of people who were killed by the Lord when they made the golden calf. The law kills, but the Spirit gives life. The “New Testament Church” was born on this day. Lord, thank you for the Gift of the Holy Spirit. Thank you that it is always with us and empowers us to be your witnesses wherever we go.