Reading for today
Old Testament: 2 Samuel 19, 20, 21
New Testament: Acts 7
Thoughts from today’s reading
2 Samuel 20:4-10. David had appointed Amasa his nephew as the captain over the army, but it was clear that he lacked the necessary experience to lead the whole army. The appointment of Amasa was out of David’s frustration with Joab who was the experienced General and leader of the army. Joab then executed Amasa who was not even aware that he was in danger.
It’s not every opportunity for exposure that is good for us, and we should pray not to be exposed before we are ready.
2 Samuel 21. God takes the issue of covenant seriously. Even though the Gibeonite’s had obtained the covenant by deceit, God still honoured it hundreds of years later. Jesus said, let your yes be yes, and your no be no. Our words justify us or condemn us so we must be careful to use them wisely and not break them.
Acts 7:54-60. Stephen’s preaching of the gospel was so charged with conviction that the people could not physically restrain their response. Because they were resisting the message of Christ, they attacked him and took him out to stone him to death. He prayed that God would not hold this act as sin towards these people. Stephen’s prayer for mercy and forgiveness on the ones that killed could be linked to the powerful encounter that Saul, who was consenting to his death, recieved from the Lord Jesus.
Prayer
1. Heavenly Father, you said you will never give us a temptation that we are unable to bear. We pray that we will not be recommended to places we are not ready for. Give us wisdom to decline opportunities that will lead us to danger or harm, and may we walk with you to keep building our lives to a place of strength that can handle the assignments you have reserved for us.
2. Father fill us with your power as we preach and declare the message of Christ. Lord we continue to pray for mercy on those that resist our message that you will not lay it as sin towards them. We believe that you Lord are able to touch them in a special way that will cause the scales on their eyes to fall off. This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.