Tues.’s Devo - God’s Great Love for Us

Read: 2 Samuel 12:1-31; John 16:1-33; Psalm 119:65-80; Proverbs 16:4-5 After David had Uriah killed in the battle, God sent Nathan to give David an allegory. He told him about a rich man who stole a poor man’s only lamb that he dearly loved. David was furious at the man for having no pity and said he must repay four lambs to the poor man, though he deserved to die. *** Nathan then told David that he was the man. He had stolen the love of Uriah’s life and then his own life when David had many wives and could have had any unmarried woman he wanted. The Lord’s penalty was that someone in his own household would rebel against him and take his wives and sleep with them and all Israel would see it. Because David had shown utter contempt for God’s word by doing this, the child Bathsheba was carrying would die. *** David did repent and when the child had became ill, David fasted for a week, praying God would change his mind about his death. When the child died, David went and changed his clothes from his mourning clothes to his royal clothes and went to the Tabernacle to worship the Lord. Then he ate. *** His amazed advisors asked him how he could eat now. David explained that he fasted hoping God would change his mind about the child dying. Now that the matter was settled, he could eat. There was nothing more he could do. *** Our prayers are important to God, but He is also sovereign and some things are set and can not be changed. But, God always has a plan of redemption. *** David comforted Bathsheba and slept with her and she had a son which David named Solomon. Nathan told David that God dearly loved this boy and his name should be Jedidiah which means “beloved of the Lord”. *** Even in discipline, we see the Lord’s mercy and love. God does not stay mad at us, but quickly punishes so he can quickly go back to blessing us. *** While David was cleaning up the mess he had made at home, Joab had been out fighting his battles with the Ammonites. He sent a message to David that he was about to capture the city of Rabbah and if David wanted the credit, he needed to come and fight in the last battle. David did and removed the crown from the king’s head and had it placed on his head. It was made of gold with many jewels and weighed 75 pounds. Crowns were symbols of royalty and heavenly rewards. *** David also took much plunder and forced the people of Rabbah into forced labor. *** In John, Jesus was talking to his disciples about leaving them. He told them he was leaving so they wouldn’t lose hope when he did leave. He didn’t want them to give up on all he had taught them. He commented that everyone was sad he was leaving, but no one was asking where he was going. He told them he was going to his Father and would be able to pray for them from where he was. *** Jesus explained that if he didn’t go, he couldn’t send the Comforter who will convict the people of sin, compare their sin to God’s righteousness and warn of the judgment to come. He would guide them into truth and tell them about what was coming. He would be the one who would be the middle man between us and Jesus. In all he does, he will bring glory to Jesus. *** We now pray to the Father through Jesus. God dearly loves us and wants our fellowship. We now have an audience with the king. *** Jesus left them with this: “here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows, But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” *** Lord, may we remember that you overcame the world so we can walk in victory and not shame and defeat. Thank you for your discipline because we know it leads to great rewards when we repent.