I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord, the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord has granted us, and the great goodness to the house of Israel that he has granted them according to his compassion, according to the abundance of his steadfast love.

Isaiah 61-63

I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord, the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord has granted us, and the great goodness to the house of Israel that he has granted them according to his compassion, according to the abundance of his steadfast love. Isaiah 63:7

I resume my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series.  My study of Isaiah moves on to day 5 (of 5) of week 22, which looks at Isaiah 61-63.  Day 5 focuses on a more detailed examination of how Isaiah 63 depicts judgement day.  My study includes comparisons of Isaiah 63 to Isaiah 61:2, 59:15-16, Joel 3:9-17, Zechariah 14:1-19, Revelation 14:14-20, and 19:11-16.  My study urges me, and all believers to live a holy, Godly life, maintaining faith and trust in God as I prepare for judgement day.  Isaiah 63:7 helps in this regard by constantly reminding myself of all the blessings God has poured out for me - and His steadfast love and compassion. My study also refers me to 2 Peter 3:11-12 as preparation for judgement day:

Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father Jesus, You are an amazing God and You are judge and justice - and Your justice is perfect and You are perfect in all of Your ways.  We cannot fully appreciate Your ways and thoughts and know as we live an earthly life, but we can rest knowing that You alone are our refuge, now and forevermore!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love, grace, and compassion.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor[.]

Isaiah 61-63

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor[.] Isaiah 61:1-2, Luke 4:18-19

I continue my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series.  My study of Isaiah moves on to day 2 (of 5) of week 22, which looks at Isaiah 61-63.  Day 2 focuses on a more detailed examination of Isaiah 61. Core to an examination of Isaiah 61 is how we see a prophecy of not just Israel's redemption from Assyria (who took northern kingdom captive during the middle of Isaiah's ministry) and Babylon (who took the southern kingdom captive well after the end of Isaiah's ministry), but also a Messianic prophecy and how Jesus Christ comes to redeem all of humanity from their sins. My study refers me to Luke 4:13-21, and urges a comparison to Isaiah 61:1-2.  This comparison reveals that in Luke 4, Jesus is early in His ministry and in Nazareth reading from the scroll of Isaiah in the synagogue.  Jesus reads everything from Isaiah 61:1-2 except how the anointed one will proclaim vengeance.  This is important because Jesus's ministry was not one that was expected in terms of a an earthly conquering king, but of a King who's mission was to defeat sin and death, and to provide hope and salvation for all of humanity, not just Israel.

It is important for us to recognize how vengeance is the Lord's - He is the judge.  This should both give us fear (in our own lives for the sin we commit) and peace (that others will face justice for the sins they commit). 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who is Judge - this should serve as a preservative for me to not commit sin, and as peace that all will be repaid for the sin they commit.  Thank You Jesus for these blessings.  I am not deserving of Your Justice, grace, salvation, etc. My sin is great and it continues.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

 Leviticus 24

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17-21

This morning, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - continuing chapter twenty-one - In God's Presence  - covering Leviticus 24:1-23, looking specifically at the fourth theme for the chapter - We Respond to People Graciously.  Here, the commentary theme for today examines Leviticus 24:17-23 and what Bible scholars refer to as the law of retaliation.  While modern culture sees revenge as commonplace, often using the words written here by Moses (eye for eye, tooth for tooth, etc.), the commentary strongly encourages us to see justice as belonging to the Lord.  The commentary states: "First, God did not give the authority of retaliation to individuals, but to all His people, the nation of Israel.  The New Testament teaches the same truth--punishing lawbreakers is the role of the government, not individuals.  Second, in the cultures surrounding Israel, "vicious revenge was the general rule".  Laws like those in Leviticus 24 limited punishment and fitted punishment exactly to the crime.  If someone injured another person, the guilty party was not put to death; he was made to suffer in some way that was equivalent.....Whatever the government may do in response to wrongdoing, individual followers of Jesus don't take revenge.  We turn the other cheek....Jesus did not retaliate.  Neither should we. The commentary refers us to the following scriptures to reinforce the point that "retaliation does not belong to individuals:

• Romans 13:1-7
• Matthew 5:38-41
• Romans 12:17-21

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed. Romans 13:1-7

 Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You alone are judge and authority over all, including earthly authorities that You place in our lives.  You are full of mercy and compassion for me as I know I have sinned and the wages of sin are death - yet You continue to spare me despite my sin - thank You Jesus!  I am certainly not deserving of the grace You pour out on me...every single day.  I have sin of worry, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And the priest who is anointed and consecrated as priest in his father's place shall make atonement, wearing the holy linen garments. He shall make atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make atonement for the tent of meeting and for the altar, and he shall make atonement for the priests and for all the people of the assembly.

Leviticus 16

And the priest who is anointed and consecrated as priest in his father's place shall make atonement, wearing the holy linen garments. He shall make atonement for the holy sanctuary, and he shall make atonement for the tent of meeting and for the altar, and he shall make atonement for the priests and for all the people of the assembly. Leviticus 16:32-33

This morning, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - continuing chapter fourteen - God Forgives and Removes Sin - covering Leviticus 16:1-34, looking specifically at the third theme for the chapter - God Offers Atonement for Sin.  Here, the commentary starts by stating that "atonement" appears fifteen times in Leviticus 16.  Atonement is required by God for our sin - it is, according to the commentary, "doing what God says is necessary to reconcile us to Him."  The commentary also talks about the role of judges in God's justice.  It first describes the role of judge in Israel's history (see Exodus 23:6-8 and Deuteronomy 1:16-17).  It then discusses how sin must be punished by the judge and it states that "[a] judge who lets a guilty person go free with no punishment for his wrongdoing is not a good judge; he is not upholding justice."  The commentary then moves to how God solves the "tension between His justice and mercy.  However, God must let guilty people go free if He is going to save guilty sinners like us.  God is merciful and loving, so He doesn't want us to perish for our sin....God expressed His justice against sin in the death of the sacrifice, and God expressed His mercy to the sinner by allowing the sacrifice to substitute for the sinner....The old covenant sacrifices atoned for sin, they taught the world the meaning of sacrificial atonement, and they prepared the world for the sacrifice of Jesus."  See also this post from DesiringGod.com.

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You provided the "once and for all" sacrifice for me and for all of humanity!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such an incredible gift of grace.  My sin of worry, etc. continues.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Do not repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord”....Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12-13

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord”....Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17-19, 21

 

This afternoon, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I started chapter sixteen Living in View of That Day, which covers Romans 12:17-13:14.  My focus today is v12:17-21, which my commentary refers to under the heading "Leave Vengeance to God." As I posted yesterday, once again, the focus today is for believers to be "counter-cultural." God wants us to act in such a way that others see Him in us.  This of course requires us to submit to Him - through daily scripture reading, prayer, worship, service, etc. - and allow Him to work through us. It is certainly not natural for us to avoid vengeance or even for us to avoid the thought of vengeance; it then goes beyond natural human custom for us to treat someone who harms us with hospitality (v12:20). This requires the Holy Spirit to move within us to cause obedience. I am often reminded of true stories and examples of how God moves in us to draw others to Him through forgiveness - check this out - a classic for sure and a great example of God at work!

Scripture is clear - love and forgive others as God has done for us - see John 13:34 and Ephesians 4:32. 

 

My commentary points to Paul's use of both Deuteronomy 32:35 and Proverbs 25:21 as divine inspiration for Paul in verse v12:17.  We are reminded that God's wrath exists, is real, and He can just as easily exercise His wrath on us (as all are deserving of such wrath - Romans 6:23) - so should be clear that we are to leave wrath and retaliation/vengeance to Him.

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of mercy, compassion and forgiveness for me - thank You Jesus!  Of course I am completely undeserving of such mercy, compassion and forgiveness as I have sinned greatly and I continue to sin - worry, anger, harsh words, etc. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.

Romans 8

Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Romans 8:33

This afternoon, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I continued with chapter twelve God is for Us, which covers Romans 8:31-39.  My focus today is Romans 8:33, which my commentary refers to under the heading Who Can Bring a Charge Against Us. Even believers may falter in their faith with doubt - questioning what God has done for them.  Yet just as we see in Romans 8:1 where there is "no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus", in v33 we see Paul explaining why this is the case.  If God is the Judge over all, and He is the ultimate arbiter of who is justified and condemned - and He has already deemed you justified - then case closed with no further proceedings.  No one can overturn this ruling - period!  This is great news!  My commentary describes how "[t]he accuser, Satan, will certainly try to accuse you, bringing up your sins and your past.  When this happens, you need to go back to the gospel and realize that the verdict has already been pronounced.  God has justified us through faith in Christ (Romans 5:1). Therefore, we do not have to fear future condemnation." Amen!

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and saved me!  Thank You Jesus for sealing me for Heaven!  I am not deserving of such a gift - the greatest gift of all time!  My sin is great and it continues - worry, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.” With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul.

1 Samuel 22:5-25:1, Psalms 52, 63, 54 and 57 

 Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.” With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. 1 Samuel 24:5-7

Day 91 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on Saul's continued pursuit of David.  While on the run and in hiding, David has an opportunity to attack and kill Saul (1 Samuel 24:3-4) yet he merely cuts off a corner of Saul's robe.  Afterwards, he is conscience-stricken by his own action.

According to the MacArthur Bible Study Commentary (for purchase), "David recognized that the Lord Himself had placed Saul in the kingship. Thus, the judgment and removal of Saul had to be left to the Lord".

As I posted a few days ago, we may feel tempted to take matters into our own hands, but we must recognize that God alone is judge and justice belongs to the Lord.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has blessed me beyond what I deserve.  Thank You Jesus - I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin continues...please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them. Then he and his disciples went to another village.

Luke 9

And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them. Then he and his disciples went to another village. v52-56

There will always be those who spurn the Good News of Jesus Christ.  The Bible is replete with such people.  We must keep in mind that as I posted a few days ago, faith is a gift from God, so God allows or it is by His plan that some choose not to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  We are not to judge these people - this is God's role - but instead to love these people and in some circumstances to move on in "our mission".  God wants us to be the messenger and we can leave the rest to Him.

My Prayer: Jesus, You are an amazing God and I am grateful that You put others in my life to share the Good News with me - thank You Jesus!  I am undeserving of such love.  I daily miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom, energy and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

Matthew 7

Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces. v6

Jesus focuses our attention to judgement...that we are to avoid judging others. First of all, that is not our role - God alone is judge.  Second, we are to love (John 13:34), forgive (Ephesians 4:32), and be graceful to others as God is to us.  In verse 6, Jesus turns our attention to how we should treat others who spurn our words of truth.  MacArthur claims Jesus' statements here do not contradict his previous statements (Matthew 5:39, Luke 6:29) on how we should treat our enemies. John Piper's thoughts on this are consistent - that no one is beyond our prayers. 

Everyone is worthy of Jesus' grace.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome and incredible God - I know You love me, You died for me, and You are so full of grace and compassion for me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I continue to miss the mark - daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will put them on trial for what they did to my inheritance, my people Israel, because they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land.

Joel 3

I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will put them on trial for what they did to my inheritance, my people Israel, because they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land. v2

God punished Judah for turning away from Him (see chapter 1-2) as an example of how we all face consequences for our sin.  While we are held accountable for our actions, it is not our role to judge others in their own sin.  Judah's neighbors were certainly not innocent - see v2-3,5 - but it is God's role to judge others.

Do not judge.

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:1-2

...

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. Romans 14:13

...

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Matthew 7:3-5

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who punishes me out of love - thank You Jesus!  Yet I am not worthy of Your love because I judge others.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Let all their wickedness come before you; deal with them as you have dealt with me because of all my sins. My groans are many and my heart is faint.”

Lamentations 1

Let all their wickedness come before you; deal with them as you have dealt with me because of all my sins.  My groans are many and my heart is faint. v22

As this overview points out:

"Lamentations is a moment of self-awareness: anyone reading the scroll would remember why Jerusalem fell and why the survivors were taken to Babylon. But the book also would have been a hearty (and solemn) encouragement to those who return in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah: no matter how faithless His people are, God remains faithful."

God is faithful indeed.  God loves us even when we sin, even during our punishment, and He always keeps His promises. 

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

We can also count on God's perfect justice - in Lamentations 1:22 Jeremiah pleads with God to bring justice to all - not just the Jews.  Clearly, the Jews are surrounded by sin and wickedness, yet they (and we!) need not concern themselves about justice - God is the Judge and all will be judged. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me, even when I sin!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worthy of such love.  Please forgive me Jesus for my worry and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind  and help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

David thought, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me.”

2 Samuel 10

David thought, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, just as his father showed kindness to me.” v2

Here we have David expressing what I will call transactional kindness - this is in contrast to my previous post where David not only expresses kindness to Jonathan's son Mephibosheth, but also to Saul's servant Ziba and Ziba's family - despite Saul's sinful behavior to David.  

Nahash (per Mcarthur Commentary) was an enemy of Saul and thus he and David shared an implied alliance.  Yet we are not only to provide kindness to our friends but also to our enemies.  Again, per my post yesterday, we are not in a position to judge as ALL are deserving of God's love.

If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. Luke 6:29

You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48

...and the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10).

It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another. Psalm 75:7

 My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has shown kindness to me - despite my sin.  I am often deserving of Your kindness yet You continue to love me and show kindness to me.  Thank You Jesus.  Please forgive me for my gossip and worry.  Help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, “Praise be to the Lord, who has upheld my cause against Nabal for treating me with contempt. He has kept his servant from doing wrong and has brought Nabal’s wrongdoing down on his own head.”

1 Samuel 25

When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, “Praise be to the Lord, who has upheld my cause against Nabal for treating me with contempt. He has kept his servant from doing wrong and has brought Nabal’s wrongdoing down on his own head.” v39

Evil has been in the world since the very beginning - see Genesis 3.  Evil not only exists but it is pervasive.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 1 Peter 5:8-9

 

David nearly succumbs to temptation by killing Nabal but he realizes that this is wrong and that justice belongs to God alone.

 

We must repay evil with good.

 

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.  Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3:8-9

 

Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs. Proverbs 10:12

 

Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is. Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts. Perhaps the Lord God Almighty will have mercy on the remnant of Joseph. Amos 5:14-15

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed a great God who sees my evil and pays me back with good.  I know that I don't get what I deserve but I do get what I don't deserve - grace.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love.  I often fail to come to You with my first fruits.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

Jude 1

Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. v22-23

Jude warns us how people claiming to be believers weaken our church by openly sinning against God - despite their claim to be believers.  We see this today in the church and so Jude's warning is just as relevant today as it was when it was written.  Yet our role is not to be judge but instead to encourage others to repent and believe - to be saved.

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

My Prayer: Lord, You indeed are a great God, full of mercy and compassion for me.  You loved me while I was still sinning and You chose me...adopted me as Your son, going to the cross for me.  What love!  I am not worth such love.  I worry and I am weak and disobedient.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.

Habakkuk 2

For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. v3

Habakkuk pleads with the Lord for justice for the Chaldeans (Babylonians) and the Lord tells Habakkuk that all will have to stand for their sin - be assured that the Lord will bring justice to the Chaldeans.

As a follow up to yesterday, we must not only allow God alone to serve justice but we must also live in reverent fear of the Lord today and offer ourselves as a "living sacrifice" (Romans 12:1) with the hope and confidence that God will save us from eternal damnation. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God full of love and compassion for me...I am easily distracted and my priorities are often not of You....thank You for Your great mercies but please forgive me this morning!  Help me overcome such sin and turn towards You first and with my best efforts. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal her of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, the church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free.

Proverbs 11

Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free. v21

We often see the sinful deeds of others and the temptation is to judge them.  Yet we all sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).  See also:

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8

In John 8, Jesus defends the Adulterous Woman in the face of scorn and says:

Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her. John 8:7

Jesus also says:

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. Matthew 7:3-5 

We must understand that God is the only judge and He is both all knowing and equitable.

For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Luke 8:17

He rules the world in righteousness and judges the peoples with equity. Psalm 9:8

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are!  You know all of my sin yet You are full of mercy, patience, compassion, and forgiveness.  Thank You Jesus.  Yet I am not worth such love and blessings.  I worry, and I am harsh with my words and actions.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do. Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo. Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

There are six things the Lord hates-no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.

Proverbs 6

There are six things the Lord hates-no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family. v16-19

Bottom line: God hates sin:

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Romans 12:9

Yet at the same time, God loves all His children equally and all are deserving of grace, mercy, salvation in His eyes.

The notes in Jude 23 of the NIV version are helpful here:

Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others,^[a] but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.^[b] Jude 23

a. 22-23a Some manuscripts have only two categories of people: (1) those whose faith is wavering and therefore need to be snatched from the flames of judgment, and (2) those who need to be shown mercy.
b. 23b Greek with fear, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh.

The suggestion is that those who sin need to be saved (non believers) or be shown mercy (believers).  Sin should be greeted with judgement, not certainly by humans as judgement is reserved for God alone - see also James 4:11-12 (although God provides guidance in Matthew 18:15-17 for how to deal with sin in the church).

I am in the camp that we are to love - never does it say hate anyone and we need to be careful about how we interpret "hate the sin" because I believe we are to hate sin in relation to protecting OURSELVES from sin.  With respect to others, we are to love others as Jesus loves us (John 13:34-35).

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.  1 Peter 4:8

This last scriptural reference is consistent with Jesus' reference to the greatest commands (Matthew 22:37-40).

My Prayer: Lord God what a great God You are!  You are worthy of my praise and worship.  You are so full of mercy and grace for me even though I am undeserving.  Thank You Jesus.  Please forgive me for my laziness and my sloth.  Help me overcome my desire for comfort and serve You and others.  Help me turn away from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

How long must your servant wait? When will you punish my persecutors?

Psalm 119

How long must your servant wait? When will you punish my persecutors? v84

I often see the behavior of others, particularly in the context of what they may do to me, and judge others, hoping that perhaps God will intervene to punish them.  Yet judgement is not mine - it is God's and it will come to all, including believers.


Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy.”

“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.  Revelation 22:11-12

There is both comfort (that ultimately perfect judgement from God awaits) and fear (a good fear - one that breeds respect of God's sovereignty and power) in these verses.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are!  You are perfect in all ways, all of the time!  I am nothing without You as I know apart from You I can do no good things and You provide for my every need.  Thank You Jesus!  I love You Jesus and I am desperate for You as I am broken.  I worry and I am easily distracted by the things of this world.  Please forgive me and help me turn from such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do. Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

With my mouth I will greatly extol the Lord; in the great throng of worshipers I will praise him. For he stands at the right hand of the needy, to save their lives from those who would condemn them.

Psalm 109

With my mouth I will greatly extol the Lord; in the great throng of worshipers I will praise him. For he stands at the right hand of the needy, to save their lives from those who would condemn them. v30-31

David spends much of this Psalm pleading with God to punish those who accuse and wrong him.  Justice is never a bad thing to seek but it should not preoccupy or consume us.  I am reminded of a movie I've recently seen - The Revenant (recommended BTW) - where a determined father struggles through great challenges with a core motivation being revenge on the man who killed his son.  In the end, the father gives up on his revenge as he recognizes that justice is God's alone.  Indeed, this is where we should focus.  Once we give up on revenge and justice, we will be motivated by love - to forgive, pray for, and love those who scorn us.  Easier said than done but God's will for us.

Scriptural examples include:
Luke 10:25-37 (Parable of the Good Samaritan)
Matthew 5:39
Luke 6:29

My Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You are a great God and You are a righteous judge, able to know all of what has been done, to be done and all of our motivations.  You judge perfectly and completely.  Thank You Jesus for taking care of this in my life so I can be freed from having a hardended heart that prevents me from carrying out Your will for my life.  I seek to glorify You alone.  Yet I often fail and I have neglected my relationship with You.  Forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do...even when they scorn me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Give Eunice and the Peterson family strength and comfort.  Praise that Will is with You and enjoying eternity with His Heavenly Father.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another.

Psalm 75

It is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another. v7

As humans it is not impossible to form judgements, about people, circumstances...we are constantly making judgements.  However, we should not condemn others regarding their sin.  That is between that person and God alone.  

In the church, however, we are to support and encourage one another by speaking truth into a brother or sister's life.

If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. Matthew 18:15

We are designed to live together (Proverbs 27:17) and to confess our sins to one another.

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You alone are judge...and You are just.  You are also full of mercy and grace, holding back punishment when we deserve it, forgiving us, and blessing us also when we don't deserve it. You are an awesome God!  Thank You Jesus as I am not worth such mercy, grace, and blessing.  I am broken...full of arrogance, pride, selfishness, etc.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.