Meditation

01/02/2020

“David was conscience-stricken after he had counted he fighting men, and he said to the Lord, ‘I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, O Lord, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing.’” (2^nd Samuel24:10)

Remember in Chapter 12, when Nathan confronted David on his sin with Uriah’s wife and though he told David that God had removed his sin and that he would not die, he was still accountable for that sin. The child of David and Uriah’s wife Bathsheba was stricken and died. David’s sin was in sending Uriah to certain death, so that he could wed Bathsheba. Beloved, we are all accountable for our sins as this parable states.

In the story from Chapter 24, before preparing to go into battle, he had a count taken of his soldiers. Seems simple enough, right? In truth, David did not fully trust in God to deliver him in battle; thus, this sin he recognized almost immediately, and told the Lord he had sinned, and begged for forgiveness. See the difference?

PRAYER FOR THE DAY:

Precious Abba, the stories of David reveal to us all that no matter what we do, we will atone for our sins. David tried to hide his sin, but sending Uriah into certain death and was held accountable for that action. By making a different sin and then recognizing what he had done, he immediately told the Lord of his sin and sought forgiveness. His sin of not trusting God enough, was truly an his part, but by quickly telling the Lord he realized his sin and sought forgiveness, he received his reprieve. Abba, we have all made mistakes of judgment and/or actions, and seek Your forgiveness for those we have committed, while recommitting ourselves in service to You. This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY:

“Feed your faith and your doubts will stare to death!”

KNOWING GOD:

“But if it were I, I would appeal to God; I would lay my cause before him.” (Job5:8)

Job’s good friend Eliphaz demonstrated a fundamental misunderstanding of Job. He expected Job humbly to confess his sins and seek God’s pardon. Confession was not an option for Job. He could not discover any sin deserving such suffering. Nor could he discover God’s presence. Job’s honest confrontation with God, not false confession, was the proper mode of prayer in his situation. One person cannot tell another how to pray. No one type of prayer is proper in all situations. The one who claims to be an authority on prayer lie Eliphaz may actually stand in need of prayer (Read 42:7-8).

I AM:

“Prayer, Confession”: (Isaiah59:12-15)

The prophet led the people in confessing their sins. Confession involves admitting guilt, listing specific sins, acknowledging that sin is against God, and seeking forgiveness. God responded to Israel’s confession with determination to act.

Second Thought of the Day:

“Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord. Let us life up our hearts and our hands to God in heaven, and say: ‘We have sinned and rebelled and you have not forgiven.’” (Lamentations3:40–42)

God’s purpose had been to bring Judah to repentance for their sins of turning away from Him. After all, they had recognized their sin and decided to lift their hearts and hands up to God, naming their sins and that they had not been forgiven.

In verse 22 it states: “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassion’s never fail. God’s compassion defined is simply this: His love deeper than any parent’s, springs forth fresh to us each day, ready to received His penitent people. Wrath may mark yesterday, but today can be the day of love when we relate rightly to Him. God is always faithful to His people and to His own basic character.”