Wed.’s Devo - David is Disciplined -

Read: 2 Samuel 12:1-31; John 16:1-33; Psalm 119:65-80; Proverbs 16:4-5 Nathan went to David and gave him the scenario of two men. One was very rich, while they other had one lamb which he greatly loved and was part of his family. The rich man had a visitor and needed to prepare a meal for him. Instead of taking from his own abundant supply, he took the poor man’s lamb and killed it and prepared it for his guest. *** When David heard the story he was so angry. He wanted the rich man to restore four lambs to the poor man, then he deserved to die. *** Nathan then told David that he was the rich man. He had stolen Uriah’s wife, while he had a palace full of women. He had used the Ammonites to kill him, so now, the sword would not leave David’s house. His wives would be taken by someone from his own family. God would not kill David, but his son would not live. *** Everything that Nathan said came to pass. The son that he and Bathsheba had became sick and finally died. Year later, Absalom would lie with his wives, and David was constantly at war. *** Nothing David did stopped what the Lord had said. He fasted and prayed, but his son still died. David and Bathsheba did have another son, Solomon, who would become David’s heir to the kingdom. *** Meanwhile, Joab was fighting against Rabbah of the Ammonites and was about to take the city. He told David to come and finish the battle so he could get the glory and not Joab. David helped Joab finish the battle and they took the crown of its king and placed it on David’s head. It weighed 75 pounds! David brought back the people as captives and made them do manual labor. *** In John, Jesus warned them of what was coming so they wouldn’t be discouraged and lose their faith when it happened. They would be thrown out of the synagogue because of their faith in him. But, they were to know that the leaders of the synagogue didn’t know God or Jesus. *** Jesus knew that they were sad when he explained he was leaving them, but he told them that it was for their advantage that he go. He would send them the Helper who would always be with them. He would convict the world of their sin, reveal true righteousness and judge the ruler of this world. He would lead them into all truth because he is the Spirit of truth. He will glorify Jesus and reveal Jesus to them. *** Jesus told them that when he leaves, they will lament and mourn - but only for a short time. The world will rejoice because he is gone. But they will see him again, and rejoice. He told them to ask anything in his name and they will receive it. Then he will speak plainly to them and answer their questions. He was leaving and going back to his Father, God. *** The disciples said they finally understood what he was saying, but Jesus told them that in the near future, they would leave him all alone. He wanted them to know that when they looked back on that time in guilt, they were to know that he was never alone. His Father was with him. He told them this so they would be at peace because this world is full of tribulations. We can take heart - Jesus overcame the world! *** Lord, help us remember this when we think we have failed you. You are always at peace and understand our weaknesses. You love us and have already forgiven us. We are so grateful for our Helper, Holy Spirit who is our friend, comforter, teacher and the Spirit of truth. May we walk in your truth.