2 Samuel 15:23-16:23, John 18:25-19:22, Psalms 119:113-128, Proverbs 16:10-11
Today is the 30th day of May welcome to the Daily Audio Bible I am Brian it’s great to be here with you today as we gather around the Global Campfire and take the next step forward together. That next step is waiting for us in the book of second Samuel. We’re reading from the New Living translation this week. Second Samuel chapter 15 verse 23 through 16 verse 23. And just by way of reminder, Absalom has come back from Geshur to the city of Jerusalem, and he has slowly, methodically gained the loyalty and the hearts of the people. He has gone to Hebron where he is staging a coup against his father to take over the kingdom. Word has gotten to King David who is now fleeing Jerusalem and that’s where we pick up the story.
Commentary:
Okay. So, in the book of second Samuel we see very very clearly that things have shifted for King David and this all started when King David took Bathsheba the wife of Uriah the Hittite to his own bed and she became pregnant and he was killed in battle on purpose and then he became…and she became King David’s wife. A really big shift inside David’s family happened and it has lead us all the way to what we read today with Absalom, David’s son, one of the princes of Israel taking over, marching into Jerusalem taking over and King David and his entourage fleeing the city of Jerusalem to escape. One of the things that we should notice is David’s posture because even as he is fleeing he is acknowledging his utter dependence on God even…even at those who are cursing him. He is in his own mind and even as he says it out as his mouth if…if the Lord wants them to curse me then we won’t stop them. I’m in the hands of the Lord, the Lord will do with me what he seems is right. This is a familiar posture with David. This is how we saw him behave when he was on the run from King Saul. Now he’s on the run from his son Absalom. So much of what is happening now are repercussions that begin with Bathsheba and just undermine and tear apart the fabric of the family of the king. And we will of course continue that journey and that story tomorrow.
And then as we come into the book of John today, we are experiencing yet again the passion narrative, the story of Jesus arrest and trial and crucifixion and death. And each time we’ve passed through this territory in each of the Gospels we’ve paid attention to this because we should. This is a salvation story. This is also a story of unbelievable injustice and the story of a Savior willingly laying down His life on behalf of others. It’s important to pay attention to the story because this story shapes everything in the life of a believer, a disciple, a follower of Jesus. And we only have just a small handful of days left before we will conclude the gospel of John. And when we conclude the gospel of John, we will have concluded the Gospels and the narrative stories of Jesus life and teachings and ministry. And, so, this is the last time we’re going to be moving through this territory this year. And, so, it is particularly important for us to totally immerse ourselves to the best of our ability to truly focus on the sacrifice and the profound love that is beyond description on our behalf. We are the beneficiaries. We are the recipients of the rescue and the reunification of mankind and God without this chasm separating them so that we can now go boldly into the throne of grace. Because when we go boldly into the throne of…throne of grace, we are going to visit with our Father. The sacrifice of Jesus paved the way. So, we may have heard it 10,000 times, and we may have heard it to the point that it’s just another story because we’ve heard it so much but we slow down, consider then the utmost of humility should wash over us, the awareness that we were in a predicament there was no hope to get out of until Jesus. But with Jesus all things have become possible. This is a story we should think about most every day with a grateful heart. And, so, let’s embrace it as we move through the gospel of John, the final of the four Gospels before we move forward into what happened next.
Prayer:
Jesus, we love You. We hear the echoes of what You told Your disciples, that we would be known by our love for one another and You said that and then demonstrated a love that is so profound it is nearly impossible to understand. And, so, it is that love that is rescued us, it is that love that has pursued us, it is that love that dwells within us as we believe and walk in Your footsteps and follow Your path so that that love may spill out of us into the world. May this be true for each and every one of us we pray. In Your precious name, we ask. Amen.
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And that’s it for today. I’m Brian I love you and I’ll be waiting for you here tomorrow.
Community Prayer and Praise:
Hey DAB family this is Steve from Scotland. I will give You thanks with all my heart. Before the heavenly assembly I was sing praises to You. From Psalm 138. Do you know what guys? You are the heavenly assembly. Those of us who know, and love of the Lord Jesus are already living in eternity. Isn’t that amazing? You are part of that heavenly assembly today even though you’re here on earth. And I just want to give thanks to God for my son Josh who’s gone through a pretty last cancer experience. But he’s been given the all clear. And that’s because of the love and the dedication of health care professionals who dedicate their lives to serving others. They’re just amazing people, aren’t they? I’ve also got a prayer request. A couple months ago somebody broke into our home, burgled us, and then set fire to it and we’ve lost every earthly possession, but we’ve not lost a single thing that we now can’t now take to heaven. And I just give thanks again to God that he is present in the process that we’re going through. So would you just pray that God would give us favor wisdom and discernment in terms of where we live? We’ve been pretty nomadic the past couple of months and a home where we can rebuild from would be just awesome at the moment. And God’s been so clear that the vision that he’s had for our property, the place that we were just called to love and serve others still remains and we know His word won’t come back empty. Also, if you could just pray for the young man that did this, that he would know the love of God and that he would forgive himself. That would be amazing. And finally Sparky, brother, just keep rocking it. I just loved hearing you praying out the other day and just encourage you keep going man. I love you all. Have an amazing day.
Hello this is Bob from Arizona I believe it’s the 25th of May podcast. I really…I have to react and call quickly even though I still don’t have my thoughts gathered Brian, but you are…you’re teaching is profound to you and profound to me in that our love for one another is paramount in the Lord’s teaching to us and as you said as he’s modeled to us. And certainly not young new to that. I, you know, I’m in my 70s, saved at 25. Speaks nothing to, you know, my closeness of the Lord. Every day’s a walk. But I do know when I hear the truth over and over again like you’re teaching that it’s so profound, so essential. I believe you said if we don’t get this, you know, it's…it’s essential. We need to get this. And I need to get this. You know totally. I guess practically I’m thinking I do want to call someone for coffee, a brother of mine seems to be troubled. Even though I drink coffee I’ll have something. But I…just to do something to start there. You know. Every day’s…somehow I’m trying to reach an understanding of the Lord, what is your will or this is your will show me how to how to live out your will Lord. Thank you so much Brian. You put our hearts in the right spot, you direct us well. I appreciate that and I thank You Father, Son, Holy Spirit for leading Brian’s teaching and for leading us in our hearts and for Your…just Your mercy to us, that we are capable of doing so much…so much more.
Hello my DAB family this is Jamie in New Jersey Standing on the Word of God. I humbly ask you to please pray with me. Dear Father in heaven thank You that You have plans for us that are for our good and Your glory. Everything You touch is powerfully transformed. Let us know that powerful touch in our lives. Lord, we confess that often we believe we have no choices or no possibilities for success in the situations we face. We kindle our unwavering belief in You and remind us to put our lives in Your hands every day. We trust You will guide us toward those things that are meant for us. Help us to fully believe You are God of all that is possible. Give us the strength to follow You. Your word says that to those who ask it will be given for those who seek it will be found and to those who will knock the door will be open. Here our prayers for miracles and grant our requests we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen. Thank you for praying along with me my brothers and sisters. I want to mention that today was my son’s college graduation. As I told you before he was diagnosed with autism when he was three hours old and many predicted that this day would never come. But I want to give God all the glory that He’s heard my prayers and answered them on His behalf. I want to encourage every parent and grandparent who has a child in the autism spectrum that nothing is impossible with God. God will guide them, God will teach them, God will get them to where they need to be. I lift them all up in Jesus’ name and I ask that He would touch each and every one of them as He has my son. Thank you all so much for praying me with me. I love you all. I bless you all. Have a good night.
My goodness it’s Susan from Canada God’s Yellow Flower. This is my third or fourth attempt. Something’s always going wrong. But anyway, I’ll try again. Dobson and your buddies know that I am praying for you deeply. I’m so…I worked with people in prison for over 10 years and I made some really good friends there and actually married one. But anyways that’s all I the past. But anyway, I want you to know I’m praying for the ministries in the prison to…to flourish and grow and change lives. So, dear God I just want You to…to…I’m asking You Lord God to raise Your hand over these prisons and change these hearts of stone into hearts of flesh that You can mold and shape into what You want them to be. You never create junk Lord. You only create good and beautiful things and there’s a beautiful gem inside each of them that needs to be polished up and molded into something wonderful. So, we pray dear God in the blessedly of Jesus that You would move in these prisons, that You would bless the people who are bringing the good news to You…the good news to them and that You would just bless them mightily in Jesus’ precious and holy name. Amen.