Thurs.’s Devo - Arise and Shine!

Read: 2 Samuel 23:24-25; Acts 3:1-26; Psalm 123:1-4; Proverbs 16:21-23 David’s Thirty warriors where listed and where they were from. The last one on the list was Uriah the Hittite. David killed one of his most valuable men for lust. *** God was angry at Israel and we are not told why. Usually it was for following after other gods, but the last famine was because of what Saul had done to the Gibeonites. To punish the people, God put in David’s mind to count the people which is to “bring them to an account.” It is like bringing a person to the throne of God after they had died and having them account for their lives. Since Jesus had not come yet, the sentence would be death. *** In Exodus 30:12-16 it explains that if you count the people, they were to pay a half shekel to redeem themselves back. This would keep them from being judged by a plague. It was their redemption before Jesus came and paid it all. David did not required this of them which brought the plague. Seventy thousand people died in the plague. David saw the angel about to strike Jerusalem and fell on his face and interceded for the people. God did stop the plague and told David to build an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah. Araunah means “make you shine and shout joyfully.” David asked to pay for the land from Araunah who was willing to give it to David. David insisted on paying so his offering to the Lord would cost him something. David built the altar and God answered the prayer for the nation and the plague was stopped. *** In Acts, Peter and John were going to the Temple for the evening hour of prayer. They passed a man who lay at the gate of the Temple every day. He had been born lame. When Peter and John passed him he asked them for money. They looked at him and Peter told him they didn’t have any silver or gold but they would give them what they had. In the name of Jesus they told him to get up and walk. He did get up and walked right into the Temple praising God. The people saw and heard him coming in and were amazed. Peter took the opportunity to witness about Christ. He began at the prophecies of Samuel and brought them through all the things said about the Messiah by the prophets and explained how Jesus fulfilled every one of them. He explained their future to be a blessing on the earth to all people. But, they must repent and turn to the Lord and believe in his son, Jesus Christ. *** Peter took every opportunity he had to testify of Christ. Lord, may we be so bold as to let our light shine everywhere we go.

Wed.’s Devo - Baptism of Fire

Read: 2 Samuel 22:1-23:23; Acts 2:1-47; Psalm 122:1-9; Proverbs 16:19-20 Samuel 22 is repeated word for word in Psalm 18. It is a Messianic Psalm and was written by David when God rescued him from all his enemies. It was Jesus’ prayer when God rescued him from death on the cross. *** Verse 8 begins talking about how the earth quaked and the heavens shook when God, cloaked in darkness, came down and fought off Satan and his beings. This war happened in those three hours on the cross when the sky went black and the earth shook. *** It sounds like a trial took place and Jesus got to plead his case. He didn’t do that on earth - he had remained quiet, but not in God’s court. It was not just a trial, but a war that took place. God armed Jesus with strength to fight and he subdued all his enemies, trampling them to dust. God was his salvation. *** These words were true for David who was saved from Absalo - his enemy in his own household, and the enemies all around him. *** David’s three mightiest warriors were named. Their names mean: 1 - the people will return to wisdom, 2 - God helps those he loves, 3 - I will increase the removal of those who curse. What a message for us! *** David tells the story of how he and his men were hiding in a stronghold about to attack the Philistines who had taken over Bethlehem. He voiced how he would love to have some of the water from the well by the gate of Bethlehem. Three of his men risked their lives to go and get him some. When they gave it to him, he refused to drink it because it represented their lives. He poured it out as an offering to the Lord to commemorate their lives. Abishai and Benaiah were mentioned for their exploits. God never forgets what we do for him. Everything is recorded in his books and will be read on the day of judgment. That will be a day of judgment for the wicked and rewards for the faithful. *** In Acts, the day of Pentecost had arrived. It was always 50 days after Passover. For us, that will be April 1st. *** The believers were meeting together when suddenly, they heard a sound from heaven that sounded like a wind blowing really hard. It came in the house and filled it. Flames were lit on everyone of them and they began speaking with tongues. This was Jesus’ baptism of fire. *** Many were in Jerusalem for the festival and they heard the wind and came running. They heard the friends of Jesus all speaking in their languages. They were amazed that they could speak the languages of places they had never been before. *** People who didn’t know they were actually speaking languages accused them of being drunk. Peter then stood up to defend what God was doing. He told them they were not drunk, but they were witnessing the prophecy of Joel who said that in the last days, God would pour out his Spirit upon all people and those of all ages would witness who he is. Then, Peter gave a sermon explaining who Jesus was and how he died, but God raised him back to life. Then he told them what David had said about Jesus - God would not leave his soul among the dead or let his body rot in the grave. David wasn’t talking about himself, but Jesus. God did raise Jesus to be our Lord and Messiah. *** Peter’s words pierced their soul and they asked what they could do now. He told them to repent of their sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus. Then they would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Three thousand listened to Peter and believed and were baptized. The apostles did many miracles and began meeting together regularly. They shared meals together, and each day others were brought into the family of God. *** Lord, thank you that we are returning to those days where your Spirit is moving in your people. May our eyes be open to opportunities to shine your light for others. Baptize us with fresh fire.

Tues.’s Devo - Covenants

Read: 2 Samuel 20:14-21:22; Acts 1:1-26; Psalm 121:1-8; Proverbs 16:18 Sheba, traveled throughout Israel trying to raise support to take over David’s throne. He came to the town of Abel-beth-maach. All the men from his own clan, the Bicrites followed him into the town. Joab arrived and built a siege ramp against the town. *** A wise woman went to talk to Joab and find out why they were attacking a town in Israel. She told him that their town was known for having very wise people who gave advise to others and it would be ashamed to kill them all. Joab told her he was only interested in the head of Sheba. She said they would throw his head over the wall. *** She went to the leaders of the town and told them what Joab had said and soon Sheba’s head came flying over the wall. Joab blew the ram’s horn and called his troops and they went home. *** Israel had a famine for three years. When David asked the Lord why, he told him that it was because Saul had murdered the Gibeonites. They were the ones who fooled Joshua into thinking they were from a far off land, so he made a covenant with them. Saul had broken that covenant. Covenants don’t wear out with years. They are eternal. Thank God they are because God has a covenant with us that is everlasting. *** David went to them and apologized for Saul’s zeal and asked how he could make amends. They wanted seven of Saul’s sons handed over to them so they could execute them. David held back Mephibosheth because of his covenant with Jonathan. He gave them seven other sons of Saul. They were killed around Passover. Passover’s theme was that a sacrifice had to be made to atone sin. That is what this was. *** One of the mothers of two of the sons came and watched over the dead bodies of her sons making sure the wild animals or the birds didn’t eat them. That would mean they were cursed. When David found out what she was doing, he had their bones taken down and buried in their family plot. Then the famine stopped. It was very important where bones were laid to rest because they spent all that time in Sheol till Jesus died and came and delivered them. *** Then we read of the killing of four giants of Gath that David and his warriors killed. *** In Acts, Luke is writing again to Theophilus, who he wrote his book of Luke to also. Luke had told him in the Book of Luke all the things Jesus had done till he was taken to heaven. This would be the sequel. Before he went, Jesus told his disciples about the kingdom of God and told them to wait in Jerusalem for the gift of the Holy Spirit. *** The apostles had asked Jesus over and over when would be the time he would free Israel and restore the kingdom. Jesus told them he had no authority over that, but this was the time when they would receive power to be his witnesses on the earth. *** Then, Jesus was taken up into a cloud. Two angels told them to stop staring into the sky - Jesus was gone for now. He would return the same way much later. *** The apostles returned to Jerusalem and met in an upper room. There were 120 of them who met regularly and prayed. They prayed and cast lots and chose Matthias to take Judas Iscariot’s place. *** Lord, help us to discern the times we are in and be faithful to the moment we were created to live in. Thank you for our covenant of peace and salvation.

Mon.’s Devo - David’s Return

Read: 2 Samuel 19:11-20:13; John 21:1-25; Psalm 120:1-7; Proverbs 16:16-17 David sent a message to the elders of Jerusalem asking them why they were the last to welcome him back to his palace. He even said that he would appoint Amasa, who had been Absalom’s commander to be his new commander. When Amasa heard this, he swayed the men of Judah to bring the king back. *** Many people met David at the Jordan River to escort him back to Jerusalem. Shimei, the one who had cursed him came and begged David’s forgiveness. David spared his life and gave him mercy for the time being. Ziba and his 15 sons came and helped him and his supplies across the Jordan. Even Mephibosheth came explaining how Ziba tricked him and didn’t allow him to with David when he left. David divided Saul’s property evenly between him and Ziba. Mephibosheth seemed fine with it. *** Barzillai, who had brought David so much provisions when he left came to welcome David. David wanted to bring him home and care for him but Barzillai wanted to stay where he was and die in peace with his own family. He gave David his son Kilham instead. *** The people of Israel complained that they didn’t get to help David come back because the men of Judah had stolen the opportunity from them. A troublemaker rose up named Sheba from the tribe of Benjamin. He blew a ram’s horn and cursed the dynasty of David and led the men of Israel to desert David and follow him. *** David arrived back in his palace and had his concubines, who had been defiled by Absalom, put in seclusion where they lived as widows. *** David sent Amasa to mobilize troops and go after Sheba before he could get to a fortified town. When Amasa didn’t return in the given time, David sent Joab and Abishai with troops to go after Sheba. Joab stabbed him in the stomach with a dagger and he died. Then, Joab led his army to capture Sheba. *** In John, seven of the disciples were fishing in the Sea of Galilee and were not catching anything. Jesus appeared on the shore and told them to put their net on the other side and they caught so much they couldn’t bring them all in. John recognized the man as being Jesus. Peter jumped into the water and swam ashore while the others struggled with the fish. They made it to shore where Jesus had made a fire to cook the fish for breakfast. They counted their fish and had 153. This was the third time Jesus had appeared to them. *** After breakfast, Jesus asked Peter three times if he loved him. Each time with more meaning. Peter answered “yes” to all three. Jesus told him to feed his lambs, take care of his sheep and feed his lambs. It is my opinion that Jesus was giving Peter the assignment of shepherding God’s people like he had. Peter went on to do these things in his life. *** John had another assignment which Jesus pointed out was not Peter’s worries what John did. Peter was to stick to his assignment. A good word to us. We are to be who God made us to be. *** Lord, may we not compare ourselves to others, but say ‘yes’ to our role. May we be joyful and content to be ourselves, filled with your spirit.

Sun.’s Devo - The Victory of the True King

Read: 2 Samuel 18:1-19:10; John 20:1-31; Psalm 119:153-176; Proverbs 16:14-15 David divided his troops into three groups and put one of his commanders in charge of each group. He planned to go out with them until his commanders told him he was worth 10,000 of them. David agreed to stay in the town and send help if they needed. David agreed, and stood at the gate while his troops went out. He gave the order to his three commanders to not kill Absalom and all the men heard it. *** They fought in the forest of Ephraim and more men died because of the forest than the sword. Davids men won but during the battle, Absalom’s hair got caught in the thickets and his mule kept going leaving him hanging from the branches. One of David’s men reported what he saw to Joab who asked him why he didn’t kill him. The man wouldn’t betray David and kill his son, so Joab stabbed Absalom in the heart with three daggers killing him. Then he blew the ram’s horn signaling to his men the battle was over. They threw Absalom’s body into a pit and piled stones on top of it. *** What a contrast to what Absalom thought of himself. He had had a monument built to himself in the King’s Valley because he had no son to carry on his name. *** Zadok’s son, Ahimaaz wanted to run to give the message to David, but Joab wouldn’t let him. He knew David would not receive it as good news and didn’t want Ahimaaz to be killed. He was probably remembering how David had killed the man who brought the news to him that Saul was killed. Instead, he sent an Ethiopian. Ahimaaz kept begging Joab to go till finally, he let him. Ahimaaz knew a shortcut and got to David first. He told him that they had won. When David asked about Absalom, he told him he had heard a commotion, but wasn’t sure what it was about. The Ethiopian arrived next and gently gave David the news about Absalom. *** David cried out for Absalom and deeply mourned. His army was humiliated and got no welcoming or celebration for their win. Joab came to David and rebuked him for the way he had acted and told him to go out and congratulate his army or they would abandon him. David went and sat at the gate till the people came to hear what he had to say. *** The Israelites who had supported Absalom fled to their homes. All wondered whether they should bring David back as their king. *** In John, we have some of the same themes. We have runners of messages, fear and hiding and the resurrection of the rightful king. *** Mary had found the tomb open and empty and ran to tell Peter. Peter set out for the tomb, but another, probably John, outran him and got the news first. The linen that Jesus had been wrapped in was folded and was laid where Jesus’ head had been. Many say this was what a carpenter would do with his apron when he had finished a project he had been working on. Who knows, but they began to remember the scriptures had said he would rise from the dead. *** Mary saw two angels inside the tomb and when she turned to leave, Jesus was standing in the garden. He asked her why she was crying and who she was looking for. It wasn’t till Jesus called her name that she recognized who he was. He wouldn’t let her hug him because he hadn’t ascended to his Father yet. He told her to go and find the rest of his disciples and tell them that he was rising to his Father. *** She went and told the disciples and they met that night behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Jesus came and stood among them and blessed them with peace. He told them that just as God had sent him to them, he was sending them to the world. He breathed on them the Holy Spirit and told them to receive him. He also told them to forgive others sins. *** When they told Thomas, he said he wouldn’t believe it was Jesus until he saw the wounds from the nails in his hands and put his fingers into them and placed his hand on his side. *** Eight days later, Thomas got his opportunity. Jesus appeared and told him to do what he had said. Thomas believed. Jesus blessed us who would not have to see Jesus to believe. *** David was a picture of Christ in so many ways. His whole life was full of battles to win the position he was suppose to occupy. Jesus overcame death which was the final enemy. Now, we no longer fear death because we know that death leads to life. *** Lord, thank you for giving us eyes to see and hearts to believe. Thank you that you are patient with us and help us in our unbelief. May we receive your Holy Spirit and be your witnesses.

Sat.’s Devo - It is Finished

Read: 2 Samuel 17:1-29; John 19:23-42; Psalm 119:129-152; Proverbs 16:12-13 Absalom went to Ahithophel for advise which was to immediately go after David and his men and only kill David. Then he could bring all his followers back and they would follow him. All the elders agreed, but Absalom wanted to hear what Hushai advised before he made his decision. *** Hushai advised that they gather all Israel and that Absalom lead the army into battle. Absalom liked Hushai’s advise the best, so that was what they planned to do. Ahithophel was so upset that the king had not taken his advise, he went home and killed himself. *** Hushai got word to the priests and they sent the message through Jonathan and Ahimaaz. They finally made it to David who gathered his group and crossed the Jordan that night and went into the wilderness. *** David arrived at Mahanaim where he was greeted by Shobi, Makir and Barzillai who brought provisions for him and his men. Meanwhile Absalom was mobilizing his army. He appointed Amasa to command his army. Amasa was Joab’s cousin and David’s sister’s son. They set up camp in the land of Gilead. *** In John, the soldiers crucified Jesus, then gambled for his seamless robe. (Psalm 22:18) *** Jesus gave his mother to John to take care of as his own mother who took her into his own home. *** Jesus had finished his mission on earth and was now thirsty for God. But when he said he thirsted, they gave him vinegar, just like Psalm 69:21 says, “They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” Jesus tasted the vinegar then said “It is finished” and gave up his spirit. ** It was the day before the Sabbath so everyone had to prepare for it. The Jewish leaders didn’t want Jesus body left hanging on the Sabbath so they had him taken down. Thinking he would still be alive, they went to break his legs so he couldn’t push up to breathe. Jesus was already dead so they didn’t have to break his bones, fulfilling the scriptures (Psalm 34:20). They pierced his side with a spear and blood and water flowed out (Zechariah 12:10). *** Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate’s permission to take Jesus’ body down and put him in his grave. (Joseph’s grave would be emptied just as Joseph in the Old Testament’s grave was emptied and his bones taken to the promised land.) *** Nicodemus came with 75 pounds of spices and his body was covered with the spices and wrapped in the linen cloth. He was placed in a new tomb in a garden. *** Life started in a garden and Jesus’ body was placed in a garden. It would be in a garden that Jesus would appear risen and alive. We are going back to the garden here on earth. Right now we are getting the weeds out of God’s garden in our hearts and in our world. *** Thank you, Jesus for enduring the cross to save us. Thank you for all the suffering you went through to purchase our freedom. Lord, may we learn to live in your garden, in love and awe of you and all you have created for our pleasure. You are a good Father and an awesome God.

Fri.’s Devo - Yielding to God

Read: 2 Samuel 15:23-16:23; John 18:25-19:22; Psalm 119:113-128; Proverbs 16:10-11 As David and his followers fled Jerusalem, the people who loved him cried out. Zadok and all the priests accompanied David bringing the Ark with them. They set it down and offered sacrifices to the Lord, then David commanded that the Ark be taken back to Jerusalem. If it was the Lord’s will, God would bring him back to worship at the Ark again. *** David told Zadok and his sons where he would be hiding so they could bring him reports of what was going on in the palace. David continued in mourning to the Mount of Olives. David felt much like Jesus when he went that last night to the Mount of Olives. Both had lost their earthly kingdom and were close to losing their lives. *** David’s adviser, Ahithophel had betrayed him to follow Absalom much like Judas had betrayed Jesus to the Pharisees. David prayed that Ahithophel would give Absalom bad advice. He sent Hushai to be his spy. Hushai was an older man who had also been an advisor to David. Hushai went back and got there just before Absalom entered the city. *** Next, David met Ziba, the man David had set in place to serve Mephibosheth. He met David with two donkeys for David to ride on and food for him and his men. When David asked where Mephibosheth was, Ziba said he had stayed in Jerusalem to get back the kingdom of his grandfather, Saul. *** We are never told if this was a lie or the truth about Mephibosheth because when David returned, he was so glad to see him and said because he was crippled, he couldn’t follow David. Who knows but God! David did give Ziba all of Mephibosheth’s land. *** David next met Shimei who was from Saul’s clan. Shimei called David a murderer and told him he was getting what he deserved. He threw stones at him and cursed him. Abishai wanted to kill him but David would’t let him. He left it in God’s hands. They stopped to rest at the Jordan River. *** Meanwhile, Absalom arrived in Jerusalem with Ahithopel. Hushai met him and when Absalom asked why he abandoned David, he said he was here to support God’s chosen man, to be his advisor like he was to David. Absalom believed him. *** Absalom went to Ahithophel and asked him what he should do first. Ahithophel told him to set a tent on the palace roof and put David’s concubines in it. Then go sleep with them so all Israel could see that he had no plans of reconciling with his Father. This was an act of total disrespect and was the fulfillment of the prophecy that Nathan had given David because of what he did with Bathsheba. *** In John, Peter denied Jesus the last two times and the rooster crowed. They finished their mock trial at Caiaphas’ house early in the morning and took Jesus to Pilate. Pilate wanted to know Jesus’ crime. *** They didn’t have a good answer so they just said, “We wouldn’t be turning him over to you if he wasn’t a criminal.” Pilate told them to settle the matter themselves, but they couldn’t because the law of Mose didn’t allow them to crucify people, only Romans could do that and they wanted him crucified. *** Pilate wanted to do this legally so he set up court. He asked Jesus if he was the king of the Jews. That was the only thing he was interested in. Jesus asked him if this was his own question or did others tell him about him. Jesus knew that Pilate had his own questions about who Jesus was. Jesus was asking him a heart question, not a legal one. *** Pilate then backtracked and told him he wasn’t a Jew as if to say, don’t make this personal. He asked Jesus what he had done. *** Jesus then answered his first question. He told him that his kingdom was not on this earth. If it was, his followers would fight to keep him from being killed. His kingdom was not of this world. *** Pilate was confused, but he asked again, “So, you are a king?” Jesus said that he was born to bring the truth and all who love truth listen to him. *** Pilate went out and told the crowd that he did not find Jesus guilty of any crime. But, since they had a custom of asking him to release one prisoner each year at Passover, he could make it Jesus. *** They crowd shouted that they wanted Barabbas, the revolutionary to be released to them. *** Pilate had Jesus flogged and dressed him like a king with a crown of thorns on his head. He brought him out and presented him as the King of the Jews and told the crowd again that he found no fault in him. *** The crowd yelled for Pilate to crucify him. Pilate gave him over to them to crucify. The Jewish leaders told him that he was dying because he claimed to be God’s Son. This frightened Pilate even more so he brought Jesus back in to question him further. He asked him where he came from but Jesus wouldn’t answer him. When he told Jesus that he had the power to release him or crucify him, Jesus spoke up. He told Pilate he didn’t have any power over him unless God gives it to him. Pilate was even more afraid of what was happening and tried to release him but the people accused him of rebelling against Caesar. *** Pilate tried one last trick. He brought Jesus out and presented him as their king. When they yelled that their king was Caesar, not Jesus, he turned Jesus over to them. *** They took Jesus to Golgotha and nailed him to the cross. Two other men were crucified on either side of him. Pilate posted a sign that read, Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. When the leading priest objected to the sign and wanted to change it to “he said he was the king of the Jews”, Pilate refused. Hatred leads to murder. People want to kill what they don’t understand. *** Lord, help us to not be impulsive. Even David refused to take retaliation in his hands but let the Lord fight his battle for him. Jesus did the same thing as he yielded himself to shame and humiliation and being wrongfully accused and misunderstood so that we would one day see the truth and invite him into our hearts. Thank you for the momentary shame and pain you endured to gain our salvation. May we walk in your salvation and wear your righteousness like a robe.