The Everyday Prayer

Re:Verse reading–2 Kings 4:8-37 (day four)

Why do bad things happen to good people?  You’ve heard the question before.  First, they want to know why it happened and then they want to know why God did not fix the situation…or heal their loved one…or why someone else received healing and they didn’t.  The focus is on the temporal…not the eternal.

In Hebrews 11, the Bible’s Hall of Faith, the faith of the Shunammite woman is identified. (v. 35) So did she have more faith?  If we read the next verses in Hebrews 11, we see others who had great faith and they were tortured, chained, imprisoned…they were stoned and sawn in two, and put to death with a sword.  We cannot speak for God…our thoughts are not His thoughts, our ways are not His ways…but we can trust our Almighty, all-knowing, all-loving God.  (Isaiah 55:8-9)  The Shunammite woman received back her son, but the greatest gift she received was her justification by faith!

Re:Verse reading–2 Kings 4:8-37 (day three) 

“Can we speak on your behalf to the king or the commander of the army?”  The Silver Rule says, “Do not do anything to others that you would not want done to you.”  Better that than the alternative, for sure.  But this passage, and later Jesus himself, teaches us to go further—not only to refrain from harm, but to seek the good.  Love, we learn, is not passive, but active.  And it’s not just frenetic activity.  It’s not merely what you think passes for a good idea.  We have probably all helped fill others’ closets with dust-gathering Christmas gifts that we thought would get the job of generosity done.  But to love and to serve is to seek the good.  That requires patience, attention, observation, and effort.  Love is less “random act” and more thoughtful doing.

Re:Verse reading–2 Kings 4:8-37 (day two) 

Whenever I describe my time at the University of Texas to people who have never been to Austin, I often talk about how the campus pulses with energy. The downtown campus mixed with the tens of thousands of students is a recipe for energy. It is palpable. Not for everyone, I grant you, but it is undeniable.

Walking through the Sanctuary and the halls of the church the last two days has had that same kind of energy. Hundreds of kids mixed with volunteers, videos, music, and joy. It is palpable. Mixed in with all of that is the gospel. It is with deep gratitude and gravity that I pray for all those who are teaching and attending. May the Word fall on fertile soil, and may the Lord be pleased. Will you pray for Vacation Bible School?

Re:Verse reading–2 Kings 4:8-37 (day one)

The Hebrew word (gadowl) means great or large (in size, importance, wealth or character).  It is used in 2 Kings 4:8 to describe a woman of Shunem  (Galilee).  In this case, it probably means “wealthy” or “prominent”, but probably also points to the “greatness of her generous heart”.

The woman of Shunem also has great spiritual insight.  She sees that Elisha is a “man of God” and recognizes her opportunity/duty to help him.  First with an occasional meal.  Then with a “permanent” place to stay at her house where he can rest and read and pray.

The Bible is full of such stories.  In Acts 16 it is Lydia.  In the gospels it is a group of women who follow the disciple-band and meet needs out of their own resources. (Luke 8).

Wherever the gospel has gone, it has done so, by the contribution of great women. Great in heart, service and sacrifice.  Thank God for them!

Re:Verse reading–2 Samuel 9 (day seven)

“Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?”–v 1

The Old Testament word for grace is the Hebrew word hesed.  It is usually translated “loving-kindness”.  Mercy undeserved.

Undeserved, however, doesn’t mean unpaid for.  Someone pays the bill.  It just goes on a credit card other than your own.

2 Samuel 9 is an perfect example.  Mephibosheth receives wealth and welcome without any reference to his own character or choices.  David’s kindness comes to this young royal in gratitude for the deeds and life of Jonathan, his father.

If you are a Christian, you understand this kind of transaction.  When God received you, forgave you, enriched you, He did so with His eyes on Christ.  Nothing about you or your behavior caused God to be kind to you.  He was kind to you in Jesus’ name. His grace rises from the unlimited merit of Christ.

Re:Verse reading–2 Samuel 9 (day five)

Then David said, “Is there yet anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” According to customs and culture, anyone from the house of Saul was considered an enemy of David. They were usually killed to prevent revolution or rivalry from occurring. The potential damage and dissension from such an enemy was very real. Yet, David does the unthinkable, He rescues and extends grace to an enemy. What kindness!! What love!!

We very seldom think ourselves as enemies of God. The Bible is very clear to point out this is indeed the case (Romans 5:10). Our rebellion and opposition to the will and purpose of God is evident. The scripture goes so far as to describe us as helpless (5:6). Sound familiar? Yet, God does the unthinkable. He takes the initiative to rescue and extend grace to His enemies (us). What Kindness!! What Love!!

Re:Verse reading–2 Samuel 9 (day four)

It was customary in those days that when a new king came to power, he killed all of the descendants of the old king to be sure that none decided to try to return to power.  Mephibosheth knew that he could not expect anything but death.  He humbled himself before David.  In contrast, Ziba believed that since he had aided the king, he deserved a just reward.  He was jealous of Mephibosheth.  David honored Mephibosheth, even though by all rights, he deserved nothing.  Ziba reminds us of Haman (thank you, Linda) who believed he deserved the king’s favor, but instead had to give honor to Mordecai. (Esther 6)

Jealousy is a deadly sin.  It can destroy relationships…it can distort the truth…it can be a cancer to our soul.  Ziba’s jealousy grew out of his greed and ambition for his own family.  Why should he have to serve a cripple?  Guard your heart against jealousy…none of us deserves anything but death.  Humbly accept God’s grace like Mephibosheth.

Re:Verse reading–2 Samuel 9 (day three)

“I will surely show you kindness.”  Some have said the Bible reveals to us a God who shows a preference for the disenfranchised.  This is not to say that God deals in favoritism.  The Bible itself dispels that notion.  It is to say that God pays attention to those that the powerful have ignored.  The paying of attention is a luxury among men, lavished only on those who promise a wealth of rewards in return.  It takes a person of immense contentment and confidence to forego such pursuits and spend the precious commodity of attention on the least among us.  When Jesus says that the greatest among you will be your servant, he says servanthood is greatness precisely because of the wealth of inner strength it requires.  God can make us that wealthy.  What kind of riches do you desire?

 

Re:Verse reading–2 Samuel 9 (day two) So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate at the king’s table regularly. Now he was lame in both feet. vs. 13

Twice in this narrative the writer tells us of Mephibosheth’s condition. Why is this important? What bearing does it play in David’s response to him? David was honoring a commitment of love and friendship that he had with Jonathan. There was no political motivation, no real need to honor this lame young man. He could not work or fight for him, but that was not the motivation in David’s heart. He was not interested in what Mephibosheth could or could not do, he was more interested in honoring a debt of love.

Sound familiar? What did you do to earn Jesus’ offer of salvation. What do any of us bring of worth to the author and perfecter of our faith? Even so he offers us a place at his table. He lavishes on us underserved blessing. This is an offer worth celebrating.