Mon.’s Devo - The Shifts of Kingdoms

Read: 2 Samuel 1:1-2:11; John 12:20-5-; Psalm 118:19-20; Proverbs 15:27-28 David returned from his battle with the Amalekites totally victorious, recovering all and gaining much more. Saul didn’t come back from his battle with the Philistines. He lost everything including his life and his position as king. *** A man from Saul’s camp came to David with news of the war and the crown and armband of Saul’s. He was expecting a reward. He gave David the news of Israel’s defeat then confessed that he had killed Saul by Saul’s request. David and his men mourned the death of Saul and Jonathan and the defeat of Israel. David ordered the messenger to be put to death. David composed a funeral song for Saul and taught it to the people. It gave honor to Saul and Jonathan. *** David asked God what he should do next and God told him to move to Hebron. The men of Judah crowned him king over Judah. He sent news to the people of Jabesh-Gilead thanking them for burning Saul and Jonathan. He asked them to be loyal to him since Judah had crowned him king. They told him that Abner, Saul’s army commander had proclaimed Ishbosheth, Saul’s son the king over Gilead, Zezreel, Ephraim, Benjamin, the land of the Ashurites, and all the rest of Israel. Ishbosheth ruled for two years in Mahanaim. Meanwhile, David made Hebron his capital and ruled as king of Judah for seven and a half years. *** In John, some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover came to Philip’s house wanting to see Jesus. All Jesus could talk about was his death which would lead to his glory. When they could not understand what he was saying, he explained it like a kernel that had to go into the earth and die so that it could produce many new kernels and result in a huge harvest. He was the kernel of wheat. He had come to plant his seed in all of them also. *** Jesus prayed that God would save him from the hour he knew was coming soon, but he also knew this was the very reason he came to earth. He prayed that God would bring glory to himself through Jesus. God answered from heaven with a voice that said he had already brought glory to his name and would do it again. Many heard the voice but to them it sounded like thunder or those with ears to hear thought it was an angel’s voice. *** Jesus explained that the voice was for them. It was time for judgment to fall on the world and Satan, the ruler of the world would be cast out. When he, Jesus would be lifted on the cross, drawing everyone to himself. *** The people were confused because they thought the scriptures said that the Messiah would live forever. Jesus didn’t answer their question but told them what they needed to hear. Jesus replied that he was the light and they were to walk in his light because the time was coming when the light would be gone. *** With all the miracles and wonderful things Jesus taught, most did not believe… fulfilling the words of Isaiah. A remnant did believe, including some of the Jewish leaders, but they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would throw them out of the synagogue. They proved that they would rather have the praises of man over the praises of God. *** Jesus came right out and explained that if they trusted him, they were trusting God. He was the light in this dark world and to believe in him was to walk in the light. He didn’t come to judge them now, but judgment would come in the end to all people. It is God’s commands that will lead to eternal life which will save them from judgment. *** Lord, may we desire your praises over man’s. May we walk in the light as you are in the light and shine to the darkness in the world. May we spread the good news everywhere we go today.