Author: Don Guthrie

Re: Verse reading–1 Samuel 8:1-10, 1 Samuel 12:1-5 (day one)
“But when they said, ‘Give us a king to lead us,’ this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord.”  (8:6)  Our RE Verse passage this week points our attention to Samuel at the end of his career.  Like many Senior Adults, Samuel struggles with value and despair issues as he faces this important life transition.  When the elders of the nation express a desire for a “change”–from prophet leadership to a king (government which would not involve his sons)  he was tempted to take it personally.  His next move was very wise.  Rather than react, he prayed.  God’s wisdom?  “This is not about you.”  “You will worry less about what people think of you, when you realize how seldom they do”–Jane Witcher.  We are all wise to interpret our disappointments with similar perspective.  Our children, our friends, our family. . they are not doing things “to us”.  The issue that matters is relationship to God.

Re: Verse reading–2 Samuel 13:1-2, 20-22,30-37, 2 Samuel 14:21-24, 2 Samuel 15:7-14, 2 Samuel 18:6-15, 33 (day seven)
David’s cry touches my heart.  “My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you”  (18:33)  I am certain he was sincere.  Death is often easier than life–preferred over the burden that God requires us to carry.  The crown, however, belonged on David’s head.  Not Absalom’s.  David had to survive so that Christ could come.  The true “Son of David” would also die.  Not in rebellion against authority, but in submission to it.  Not in an attempt to gain glory for himself, but in an act of obedience that would bring “many sons to glory”  Strange irony.  David preferred his own death if his son might  live.  God planned for His Son to die so that others might have life.  David’s assignment was to survive.  Christ’s assignment was to die.  God’s deep, unbending grace requires courage and submission of us all.   Not my will but thine be done.

Re: Verse reading–2 Samuel 13:1-2, 20-22, 30-37, 2 Samuel 14: 21-24, 2 Samuel 15:7-14, 2 Samuel 18:6-15, 33 (day six)
“The king said to him, ‘Go in peace.’  So he (Absalom) went to Hebron.”  (15:9)   He should have known better.  David knew his own heart–how prone to sin it was, how weak when not held accountable.  He should have been more vigilant with his sons.  Should have questioned Amnon more carefully.  “Now why is it that only Tamar can help you feel better, and why does she need to come to your bedroom?”  More cautious with Absalom’s plans.  “Now, what is happening in Hebron?”  Sometimes I feel guilty for being suspicious, careful with others.  (As if it is a character flaw to not trust people easily, automatically)  John 2 makes an interesting observation about Jesus.  “He was not entrusting Himself to them, because He knew what was in all men.”  Jesus knew. It is possible to be too trusting.  We are to be as wise as serpents AND as gentle as doves.

Re: Verse reading–2 Samuel 13:1-2, 20-22, 30-37, 2 Samuel 14:21-24, 2 Samuel 15:7-14, 2 Samuel 18:6-15, 33  (day five)
“As soon as you hear the trumpets, then say, ‘Absalom is king in Hebron.’ ” (15:10)  It is an old story.  Young man. . .thinks he is ready for leadership. . .impatient. . .willing to do whatever to have his opportunity. . .even betray his father, challenge God’s choice.  He has not, like his father, graduated from the school of patience.  Absalom is a fool.  For years, David has been off-balanced by his own sin and resultant loss of moral authority.  He has been too lenient.  Too trusting.  At the end however, he rises to fight for the place that God has given him.  Was he conflicted to do so?  Yes.  Did he summon up the courage to fight?  Yes.  The loser was Absalom.  “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven.”  (John 3:27)  “Wait on the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage;  Yes, wait on the Lord.”  (Psalm 27:14)

Re: Verse reading–2 Samuel 13:1-2, 20-22,30-37, 2 Samuel 14:21-24, 2 Samuel 15:7-14, 2 Samuel 18:6-15, 33 (day one)
According to some recent studies, 40% of American children grow up in a home without a Dad.  The emotional and spiritual cost is high.  To society.  To individuals.  Not less, perhaps, when the Father is present physically, but absent emotionally.  Our RE Verse reading for this week (Thank you FBC for your willingness to read scripture in unity) is the tragic story of David’s relationship with his sons.  Was it busyness?  Was it guilt from the affair with Bathsheba?  What eroded his moral authority?  What made him hesitant to lead?  The scripture never says.  It does report that first Amnon and then Absalom challenged their father’s expectations and authority without any effective response from him.  Impotent with rage.  Filled with remorse.  David helplessly stood by as his family collapsed into crisis.  “He will turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children.”  (Malachi 4:6)  Please God!  Before it is too late.

Re: Verse reading–Genesis 47:27-31, 48:1-2,8-19, 49:33, 50:1-6 (day seven)
“Then Israel bowed in worship at the head of the bed.”  (47:31)  By now they are regularly calling him Israel.  Jacob was his old name.  It meant “cheat or schemer”.  Years of learning the mercy of a sovereign God have now given him a new heart and a new name.  Israel meant “God- conquered” (sarah=to struggle, el=God)  See Genesis 32 for this amazing turning-point story.  As Jacob struggled with the God of grace, he was conquered by Love.  He became a new man.  Now at the end of life, his new natures shines.  He is calm, trusting.  He sees the future with hope and confidence.  He worships God (at a time when many are tempted to become distracted and self-absorbed).  Strange irony.  Jacob was never more ALIVE than on the day of his DEATH.  Will this be true of me?  You?  Will your last moments be your best, the highest expression of a life changed by God?

Re: Verse reading–Genesis 47:27-31, 48:1-2,8-19, 49:33, 50:1-6 (day six)
“When the time drew near for Israel to die, he called his son Joseph and said to him. . .’do not bury me in Egypt.’ ” (47:29-30)  It is a time that will come for every one of us.  The time to die.  “As for the days of our life, they contain seventy years, or, if due to strength, eighty years.”  (Psalm 90:12)  Notice Jacob’s absence of avoidance?  Both culturally and spiritually he is prepared.  No fear.  Calm preparation for the next steps.  As a Pastor, I hear the stories, (and deal with the consequences for the family) of people who refuse think/talk about death.  Too fearful.  Too depressing.  Believers have a greater opportunity.  We write our wills.  We speak to our children and friends of our wishes.  We do not fear death.  We prepare for it.  “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven”, said Jesus. (Matthew 6:20)  It is a day that comes for everyone.  Are you prepared?

Re: Verse reading–Genesis 47:27-31, 48:1-2,8-19, 49:33, 50:1-6 (day five)
“I know, my son, I know.  He too will become a people, and he too will become great.  Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a group of nations.”  (48:19)  It  was an unexpected move.  A departure from tradition.  The oldest son normally received the greater blessing and, with it, the responsibility for leadership in the family.  Jacob, however, favored Ephraim over his older brother.  We do not know how Jacob received this insight, but we do know that he was convinced that God had made this choice.  God does not govern according to our expectations. He chooses and calls according to His free and sovereign will.  Believers learn to trust His judgment.  Strange that Joseph resisted.  God made the same declaration over his life– the younger son to whom his brothers would bow.  What about you?  Open to God’s choice?  Even when it’s contrary to your expectations?

Re: Verse reading–Genesis 47:27-31; 48:1-2,8-19; 49:33; 50:1-6 (day one)
Jac0b is 147 years old.  He has learned much.  God has been patient with this scoundrel turned saint.  Now he has one final wish.  “I want to be buried in the land that God promised my fathers”, he tells his son Joseph.  I want a memorial service that will remind my family what I believe and my hope for the future–that God will eventually return the sons of Israel to Canaan and fulfill the promise made to Abraham.  Sadly, our generation regards a “last will and testament” as having mainly to do with money.  For Jacob it was more.  It was one last opportunity to declare his faith in God and to  encourage his family toward it.  Joseph would later follow his example.  (Genesis 50:25)  What about you?  Are you using every opportunity to clearly communicate your faith in God to your family.  In life?  In death?  What is in your last will and testament?