DAVID AND BATHSHEBA

[40]
Read 2 Samuel 11:1–12:25

. . . then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." 2 Samuel 12:13 NIV

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     David, though a man after God’s own heart, was far from perfect. He was involved in an adulterous affair with Bathsheba and sent her husband into the heat of battle to cover his sin. But God does not allow sin to be hidden forever. He sent the prophet Nathan to confront David saying, “Why did you despise the word of the LORD by doing what is evil in his eyes?” (12:9a)

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     There would be serious consequences for David’s sin. His own son Absalom would turn against him and be killed in battle as a result. The child born to Bathsheba would also die. But even as these consequences played out, we see that God did not give up on David. David’s faith brought him back to fellowship with the Lord, and God’s plan moved forward. David and Bathsheba had another son, Solomon, who is an ancestor of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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     Lord, thank You that Your faithfulness does not depend on our perfection. I will never be the perfect wife or mother or friend. But when I fail, I know that I can come to you for forgiveness and restoration.

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     "He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD." Psalm 40:2‑3 NIV

FAITH AND PATIENCE

LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES - Hebrews

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Read Hebrews 5 - 6

     For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.    Hebrews 5:12 NKJV

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     In the midst of persecution both physical and spiritual, these Hebrew believers needed encouragement. Some doubted their salvation, perhaps because of the areas where they felt so weak. This letter is to assure them that they have a high priest in Jesus Christ who already paid the price for their sins.
     Those who continue to go back to the beginning to renew their salvation “crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.” Hebrews 6:6 NKJV

     Instead, they (and we) must press on in patience toward spiritual maturity. “But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner.”(6:9) We should not be discouraged because “God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” (6:10)

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     Lord, I pray that you will help me and the members of my family and church as we grow toward maturity in the things that matter. Help our spirit of apathy when things become difficult and keep us true to Your Word. Thank you for the gift of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

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     And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.    Hebrews 6:11-12

A QUIET AND PEACEFUL LIFE

[31]

LETTERS TO THE CHURCHES - Timothy

Read 1 Timothy 1-2

This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 1 Timothy 1:15

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Timothy had been a disciple and traveling partner of the apostle Paul. Now he is the pastor of the church at Ephesus. Paul begins the letter by expressing his thankfulness for God’s mercy in his own life. He is the “chief of sinners” whom Jesus came to save, because he was at one time a persecutor of Christians. “However,” he writes, “for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.” (1 Timothy 1:16 NKJV)

In relationship to unbelievers, Paul writes, “I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” (2:1-2)

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Lord, I pray for our President and for all in his administration that they will acknowledge your authority and that we may lead godly and reverent lives among our neighbors. Thank you for showing mercy to me, a sinner.

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“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all...” 1 Timothy 2:3-6 NKJV

THE MAN WHO RAISED HAVOC

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FROM DAMASCUS TO JERUSALEM

Read: Acts 9:23–31

All those who heard him were astonished and asked, "Isn't he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name?" Acts 9:21 NIV

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After Saul's conversion, and recovery from blindness, he began to preach openly, that "Jesus is the Son of God." Believers were afraid of him, and Jews wanted to kill him; so his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall. (9:25) From there he traveled back to Jerusalem to join the believers there, but they didn't think he was sincere. With the help of Barnabas, he told his story to the apostles, and was accepted into the church. For a time he spoke boldly to the Jews about his newfound faith, but persecution began again, and Saul left for Tarsus.

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Lord, I can just imagine how those early Christians must have felt. Saul was the one who stood by while Stephen was martyred. He was the one who dragged off men and women and put them in prison. Not only did they need to believe him, they also had to forgive him. Thank You for forgiving me, and help me to learn to forgive others who have "caused havoc in the church."

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Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit; it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord. Acts 9:31 NIV