Journey Thru The Bible! (2 Samuel 19 -21)

Click on the above Scripture to read today's Bible text!

Here are a few lessons we can learn from today's Bible reading...

1) MERCY should rule our lives! Micah 6:8 says, "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Did you see that? We are to "love mercy!" Mercy should rule in our lives! In chapter 19, we see two great examples of David's extending his mercy to two scoundrels - Shimei and Mephibosheth. Both of these men turned against David when David was fleeing from Absalom. They only worshipped David with lip service when David was at the height of his strength and power. Then, when David was in his most vulnerable moment, they mocked him! Shimei cursed him and threw stones at him and his men as they crossed the desert. Mephibosheth, who ate at King David's table and was financially supported by David, tried to take control of the throne after David had left! One of David's commander, Abishai, wanted to kill both of these guys and probably deserved it, but David extended his mercy towards them!

Even we, as Christians, can so often show a lack of mercy when it comes to people who've offended us. Some even seethe in thought about how to get back at those people who've hurt us. But, God - who is mercy - wants us to shower mercy upon those who've caused us such pain. Jesus taught us in Matthew 5:43-45, "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 sons of your Father in heaven.

2) The best protection against harm is good communications! I remember when my brother and his friend was challenged to a fight one night while they were in high school. Apparently, they offended a HUGE, drunken biker dude at a local Burger King. While the guy was waiting for them outside, I happened to walk in right after the challenge was made. When they shared how they were going to get into a fight in a few moments, I turned on my heels and walked outside and right up to the guy with a big, friendly smile and began talking with him. Within a couple of minutes, his anger subsided, his friend asked me for forgiveness and took his drunken friend across the parking lot to cool things down. I can't tell you how many fights I've avoided with good communications skills.

In chapter 20, you see a wise woman doing the same thing! In fact, she spared the lives of hundreds of people with her good communication skills. As Joab and his mighty army surrounded the city to destroy everyone in town, a smart and wise woman began negotiations with Joab and found that all he wanted was a traitor and instigator by the name of Bicri. She agreed to have him killed and throw his head over the wall. This one act of effective negotiations spared the entire population!

3) Famine, earthquakes, wars, etc...can be the result of God's judgment on a nation! Throughout the Bible we see God causing famine, earthquakes, and a variety of other national problems as a result of sin in the land. In chapter 21, David goes to the Lord about why there's such a horrible a famine going on in the land. God replies and says in 21:1, "The famine has come because Saul and his family are guilty of murdering the Gibeonites." If you remember in the books of Deuteronomy and Joshua, God warned the leaders of Israel against descrating the land with acts of murder. In this event, Saul's murder of the Gibeonites (whom Israel promised protection of), angered the Lord because Israel did not keep their promise to this group of people. Therefore, as punishment, God sent a famine throughout the land.

What do you think God feels about our nation? We've allowed the innocent murder of millions of unborn (and born!) babies! Murder fills the air waves on our nightly news cast! How long can we get away with this before God strikes against us as a nation? Perhaps He already has! We are falling headlong into a national financial crisis and a loss of position in the world's view of importance and power! The Bible tells us in Proverbs 14:34, "Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people."

Well, that's all for now! May His wonderful countenance shine upon you today!