David returns to Jerusalem as king... after fleeing from his son Absalom...
Civil unrest lies just below the surface... A contemptible fellow willing to keep the pot stirred... ends up losing his head...
We see David sequester the concubines left behind... destined to live out their lives as widows... because of Absalom's rebellion...
The nation endures a three year famine... because of the former king's sin...
David became responsible for settling the matter with the offended party...
Seven descendants of Saul... seven young men... end up dying to make restitution for their father's sin...
Then... God seems to incite David to sin... in order to pour out His anger on His people...
No specific reason stated...
When David realizes what he's done and seeks forgiveness... God gives him three choices to choose from for atonement...
Shall seven years of famine come into your land?
Or will you flee three months before your pursuing enemies?
Or do you prefer three days of pestilence in your land?
2 Samuel 24:13 Amp
David becomes greatly distressed... but his answer is one we need to remember...
Let us fall into the hands of the Lord,
for His mercies are many and great;
but let me not fall into the hands of man.
2 Samuel 24:14 Amp
I wonder at David's answer... all he's done... seen... experienced... trials... rebellion... judgment... and still he sees above all... in all... God's mercies... many and great...
Do you see His mercies...? consider them many and great...? when you are going through extremely difficult times...?
This week of readings just happened to lead us into Palm Sunday... and the upcoming Passion Week...
In worship today... the music ministry presented an Easter cantata offering... The Passion and the Promise... and I saw some parallels... between David... and Jesus...
We know... today's palm branches... become tomorrow's ashes...
In just a few short days... the crowds went from... Hosanna...! to... Crucify...!
And I wonder at His pain... both Son's... and... Father's...
Can you see His great mercies in the cross... and all that led up to it...?
In the betrayal...?
the injustice...?
the mocking...?
the persecution...?
the crucifixion...?
It's a challenge to see mercy... beauty... in the midst of pain... suffering...
But from the ashes... come salvation... redemption... resurrection...
In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine, a wondrous beauty I see, for 'twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died, to pardon and sanctify me.
---The Old Rugged Cross, verse 3Do you see...? His great mercies...?
Come learn more about the mystery of His great mercies... join The Journey...
This week's readings...
Monday Psalm 1-5
Tuesday Psalm 6-8
Wednesday Psalm 9-10
Thursday Psalm 11-15
Friday Psalm 16-17
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