II Samuel 1
Account of the death of Saul givenverses 1-10
Now it came to pass after the death of Saul
when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites
and David had abode two days in Ziklag
It came even to pass on the THIRD day – that behold
a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent
and earth upon his head – and so it was
when he came to David
that he fell to the earth and did obeisance
And David said to him
From whence come you?
And he said to him
Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped
And David said to him
How went the matter? – I pray you – tell me
And he answered
That the people are fled from the battle
and many of the people also are fallen and dead
and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also
And David said to the young man that told him
How know you that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead?
And the young man that told him
said
As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa – BEHOLD
Saul leaned on his spear
and lo the chariots and horsemen followed hard
after him – and when he looked behind him
he saw me and called to me
And I answered
Here am I
And he said to me
Who are you?
And I answered him
I am an Amalekite
He said to me again
Stand – I pray you – upon me – and slay me
for anguish is come upon me
BECAUSE my life is yet whole in me
So I stood upon him – and slew him
because I was sure that he could not live
after that he was fallen
and I took the crown that was upon his head
and the bracelet that was on his arm
and brought them hither to my lord
David and his men wept and fastingverses 11-12
Then David took hold on his clothes – and rent them
and likewise all the men that were with him
and they mourned – wept – fasted until evening
for Saul and for Jonathan his son
and for the people of the LORD
the house of Israel
because they were fallen by the sword
David orders death of Amalekiteverses 13-16
And David said to the young man that told him
Whence are you?
And he answered
I am the son of a stranger – an Amalekite
And David said to him
How were you not afraid to stretch forth your hand
to destroy the LORD’S anointed?
And David called one of the young men
and said
Go near – and fall upon him
and he smote him that he died
And David said to him
Your blood be upon your head
for your mouth hath testified against you
saying
I have slain the LORD’S anointed
David write funeral songverses 17-27
And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul
and over Jonathan his son -(also he bade them teach the
children of Judah the use of the bow
behold it is written in the book of Jasher)
The beauty of Israel is slain upon your high places
how are the mighty fallen
Tell it not in Gath – publish it not in the streets of Askelon
lest the daughter of the Philistines rejoice
lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph
You mountains of Gilboa – let there be no dew
neither let there be rain on you – nor fields of offerings
for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away
the shield of Saul
as though he had not been anointed with oil
From the blood of the slain – from the fat of the mighty
the bow of Jonathan turned not back
the sword of Saul returned not empty
Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives
and in their death they were not divided
they were swifter than eagles
they were stronger than lions
You daughters of Israel – weep over Saul
who clothed you in scarlet
with other delights
who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel
How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle
O Jonathan – you were slain in your high places
I am distressed for you – my brother Jonathan
very pleasant hast you been unto me
your love to me was wonderful
passing the love of women
How are the mighty fallen – and the weapons of war perished
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 2 It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth on his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance. (2331 “obeisance” [chavah] means to bow down, to get into prostrate position, to sink down, bow in worship, bow down deeply, or make a low stance as a sign of honor, worship and homage of deity)
DEVOTION: When we study the Word of God we will come across the words “on the third day” very often throughout history. We know that the LORD arose from the dead on the third day, so we see that it is significant in the eyes of the LORD.
Jonah was three days in the belly of the great fish. We read about something being three day’s journey for Abraham. We see many times something happening on the third day.
As you read the third day the LORD met with the children of Israel after they had cleansed themselves to meet HIM in Exodus 20. Food was not to be left beyond the third day. When someone was unclean he had to wait until the third day to be clean.
So we need to study the Word of God with thoughts of why some things are said often. The significance of the third day is one thing that we can mark in our Bible to help us remember that we serve a resurrected Savior and HE is on the throne today.
Samuel took three times to realize that the LORD was calling him to service.
CHALLENGE: Is the LORD speaking to you for the third time regarding something HE wants you do in your service to HIM?
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 10 So I stood on him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was on his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither to my lord. (685 “bracelet” [‘ets’adah] means chains, armlet, ankle chain, a band worn around the arm for decoration, pace-chain, bangle, or an ornamental chain worn on a limb of the body)
DEVOTION: Here was a man who took everything off the body of Saul to bring it somewhere. Did he know that he was going to run into David? Was he going to sell what he had to whoever would buy it? Was he was just going to keep it for himself?
We don’t know his reason but we know that he had all these things in his possession when he met David and his men.
So we wanted to give them to David and hoped for a reward. We cannot be sure what he was thinking but David was not pleased that he killed Saul to take the possessions. He thought that maybe Saul could have lived and he could have brought Saul to him.
In the previous book we read that Saul was dead. So we don’t know all of the story.
What can we learn from this verse? It seems that we need to make sure that we are doing the right thing in the eyes of those who we meet or else we could just keep our mouth quiet.
God wants us to know what is right and wrong in every situation. Apparently, David thought he had done wrong and should be judged for his actions. David did judge him and he didn’t get what he thought he would.
Each situation that we find ourselves in we need to think through whether it is right or wrong. Our actions have consequences. Sometimes the consequences come quick and somethings we will face them after we die.
CHALLENGE: When faced with an action we need to make sure we pray before we answer for our actions. Our answer makes all the difference in the way others will treat us.
: 12 And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the LORD, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword. (5307 “fallen” [naphal] means to die, as in battle or in a hunt, collapse, lie prostate, or have an object go from a higher position to a lower position, or stop.)
DEVOTION: Is it wrong for Christians to mourn the death of a fellow believer? Here we find that David and his men not only mourned but they wept when they were remembering the lives of Saul and his sons. David was especially remembering his friend Jonathan.
When we have close friends who are believers we know that they are going to be with the LORD which is far better than living in this present evil world. Each day it seems that our nation, as well as, the rest of the world had nothing good to say about Christians.
There are many who would rather see all the believer’s dead rather than listen to their message of salvation through Jesus Christ. Christians are a unique group of people who believe that there is only one way to get into heaven and that is through Jesus Christ alone.
Not only do we believe that there is only one way to get into heaven but we also believe that all other religions are leading to a literal place called the lake of fire for eternity for all those who will not believe in Jesus Christ.
So it is a small group of individuals compared to the population of the world of seven billion that truly believe in Jesus Christ. We should mourn for every believer that is killed or dies. We should even fast as David and his men did to ask the LORD to rise up more believers because we have just lost a believer in our life.
Our LORD wept for his friend Lazarus and HE was going to raise him from the dead right away.
CHALLENGE: Our mourning is not the same as those who don’t know the LORD. We know that we will see fellow believers in heaven.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 16 And David said to him, Your blood be upon your head; for your mouth has testified against you, saying, I have slain the LORD’S anointed. (6030 “testified” [‘anah] means answer, hear, speak, witness, respond, declare, or announce.)
DEVOTION: We have one account recorded in I Samuel of the death of Saul and here we have a second account that is different. An Amalekite comes into the camp of David with a story regarding the death of Saul. He has with him Saul’s crown and bracelet. He informs David that he killed Saul because he wasn’t dead when he found him.
David confronts him regarding his testimony. He wondered why he thought it was good to kill the LORD’S anointed king of Israel. He was not sure of his story but on the basis of his story he had one of his men kill the man for killing the LORD’S anointed.
We have to be careful what we do with those who are anointed of the LORD. Every genuine believer is anointed of the LORD by the Holy Spirit to do a service to the LORD. Each individual Christian is important to the work of the LORD because the LORD gifts them for service in the local church. We are not to hurt the LORD’S anointed.
The LORD will judge today those who afflict the anointed of HIM. HE is the one who will defend HIS people against all accusations. HE is the one who will help those who are faithful to HIM.
Saul was judged of the LORD because of his disobedience but the disobedience of others doesn’t help the LORD. We are to be obedient in our treatment of our fellow believers and those who are outside of Christ. Our witness is based on our actions toward both groups.
In your conversations are they a blessing to all those who love the LORD or are we involved in putting down fellow believers with our mouth. Anger toward a fellow believer is like murder in the eyes of the LORD. We have to turn our anger over to the LORD and let HIM deal with HIS children in HIS timing.
CHALLENGE: Our words can encourage or discourage. Our words can condemn us or bless us.
: 26 I am distressed for you, my brother, Jonathan: very pleasant have you been to me: your love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women. (6381 “wonderful” [pala] means separate, distinguish, marvelous, things to high, extraordinary, or wondrous)
DEVOTION: Can a man love another man? Should a man love a man like a woman? Here we have David expressing his love for a friend that was closer than any other. He compared his love for Jonathan to that of a woman.
David received word of the death of Saul and his three sons. David had a special relationship with Jonathan. They were close friends. Few men have close friends. These two men enjoyed the time together with each other. They were on the same page regarding the will of the LORD for the future. They made a covenant to protect each other’s families.
Here we see a relationship between two men that was true friendship. By Jonathan’s actions he showed that he loved David. Jonathan was willing to give up the throne to David. Here is a friendship that is closer than a brother. Does this imply sinful affections toward one another –NO! The Bible would call a sin a sin, not call it love.
There are many in our world that would like to make it something sinful. There is never an occasion in Scripture where we find such a friendship except with the relationship between the apostle John and Christ.
John was called the “beloved disciple.” We know that Christ was God and HE would never do anything that was sinful in the eyes of HIS Father. We need to establish our relationship to God first and then to fellow human beings. We too can have a genuine friendship here on earth. It is hard in our day and age to have a friendship with those around us. We are all too busy.
However, I have a few men that I consider closer than a brother. I have a cousin who has been a friend through good times and through hard times. He has helped me. We have prayed together. I know that if I had a genuine need he would be there for me. I would be there for him. I have other unrelated friends who also fit into this category.
Men need other men to talk to and share things with that they know will stay with the individual. That is what David had with Jonathan. Jonathan knew the future regarding the reign of David. He still wanted to be his best friend.
CHALLENGE: Be a close friend to someone of the same sex. It will be hard but it can happen. Are you willing to die for him or her??? Are you willing to be there when they need you? It might take sacrifice!!!
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
David and his men fasted until eveningverse 12
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Book of Jasherverse 18
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal)verses 12, 14, 16
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead – God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Amalekitesverses 1, 8, 13
Amaliekite came to Davidverses 2-15
Came to camp of David
Did obeisance
Saul leaned on his spear
Saul asked him to kill him
Took Saul’s crown and bracelet
Young man killed him
Gathverse 20
Askelonverse 20
Philistinesverse 20
Uncircumcisedverse 20
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Killing the LORD’S anointedverses 14, 16
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Mournverse 12
Weptverse 12
Fastedverse 12
Death penaltyverse 16
Anointed with oilverse 21
Brotherly loveverse 26
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Saulverses 1, 4-27
Death of
Beauty of Israel
Davidverses 1-27
Slaughter of Amalekites
Ziklag
Rent clothes at news of death of Saul
Mourned
Fasted
Asked why Amalekite killed
LORD’S anointed
Lamentation over Saul by David
Camp of Israelverse 3
Jonathanverses 4, 5, 12, 17, 23-27
People of the LORDverse 12
House of Israelverse 12
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
Death of Saulverses 1, 23
Jonathan deadverse 4
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QUOTES regarding passage
Like Joshua’s poetic address to the sun and moon (Josh 10:12–13), David’s lament was eventually written down in the “Book of Jashar” (v.18; cf. also 1 Kings 8:13 [LXX 8:53], where the LXX adds: “It is written in the book of the song [tēs ōdēs],” the last two words of which are generally believed to be based on a Heb. text that read hšyr a transcriptional error for hyšr [“Jashar”]). Hebrew hayyāšār means literally “the upright,” perhaps an overall descriptive term for the contents of the poetic collection. Freedman suggests that the earliest editions of the “Book of the Wars of the Lord” (Num 21:14) and the Book of Jashar “may well go back to the time of the judges, but the final published form must be dated in the monarchic period” (“Divine Names,” p. 99 n. 18). (Youngblood, R. F. (1992). 1, 2 Samuel. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel (Vol. 3, p. 811). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
David’s public expression of grief over the deaths of Saul and Jonathan has been preserved in a poem, “The Song of the Bow” (vv. 19–27). This in turn is part of a now-lost longer composition referred to by the historian as the Book of Jashar (cf. Josh. 10:13). The same epic contained the short quatrain sung by Joshua on the occasion of the defeat of the Amorite league (Josh. 10:12–13). (Merrill, E. H. (1985). 2 Samuel. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 458). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
This lament came to be known as “The Song of the Bow” (v. 18) and was recorded in the Book of Jasher (Josh. 10:12–13), a collection of poems and songs that commemorated great events in the history of Israel. “How are the mighty fallen” is the major theme of the elegy (vv. 19, 25, 27), and the emphasis is on the greatness of Saul and Jonathan even in defeat and death. David celebrated their skill and bravery and their willingness to give their lives for their country. Like Hebrews 11, nothing is recorded in the song that speaks of any sins or mistakes in the lives of Saul and Jonathan. (Wiersbe, W. W. (2002). Be restored (pp. 14–15). Colorado Springs, CO: Victor.)
1:18 the song of the bow. This was the title of the poem in which the word “bow” may have been chosen with reference to Jonathan, whose bow is mentioned in v. 22. book of Jashar. A poetic collection of Israel’s wars in which Israel’s events and great men were commemorated (cf. Jos 10:13). (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (2 Sa 1:18). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
1:18 The Hebrew phrase the children of Judah, means not young people but the descendants or tribe of Judah. the Song of the Bow: The words for “the Song of” do not appear in the Hebrew, leading some to suggest that the men of Judah were to be instructed in warfare and the use of the bow (Ps. 18:34; 144:1; 149:6). Others suggest that the poem was known as The Song of the Bow, based on the reference in v. 22. It is also possible the title refers to the tune for the song. The Book of Jasher was perhaps a collection of hymns about of Israel’s wars, in which important events and national figures were commemorated in poetry (Num. 21:14–18; Josh. 10:13). (Radmacher, E. D., Allen, R. B., & House, H. W. (1999). Nelson’s new illustrated Bible commentary (p. 388). Nashville: T. Nelson Publishers.)
Ver. 18. (Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow, &c.] These words, with what follow in this verse, are rightly put into a parenthesis, since they don’t begin nor make any part of the elegiac song, or lamentation of David; and are here inserted to shew, that, amidst his sorrow and lamentation, he was not unmindful of the welfare of the people, and to provide for their defense and security; and therefore gave orders that care should be taken, especially in the tribe of Judah, which was his own tribe, and where he had the greatest authority, and for whom he might have the chiefest concern, that they should be trained up in military exercises, learn the art of war, and the use of every weapon of war, particularly of the bow, which, being a principal one, may be put for all; and which may be the rather mentioned, because the Philistines were expert in the use of it, and seemed to have done much execution with it in the late battle, see 1 Sam. 31:3. They are said to be the inventors of it; though Plinyq ascribes it to others; and it may be the people of Israel and of Judah had of late neglected to learn the use of it, and to make use of it, and instead of that had taken to other sort of arms in fighting; for that that was not unknown to them, or wholly disused, is clear from this song, ver. 22. see also 1 Chron. 12:2. Moreover, as the Philistines, especially the Cherethites, were expert in archery, David found ways and means to get some of them afterwards into his service, and by whom he might improve his people in the art, see ch. 8:18. though some are of opinion that the word keshet, or bow, was the title of the following lamentation or song, taken from the mention of Jonathan’s bow in it; which song the children of Judah were to be taught to sing; but then, as has been observed by some, for this there would have been no need of the following reference, since the whole of this song is here recorded: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher); which the Targum calls the book of the law; and Jarchi and Ben Gersom restrain it to the book of Genesis, the book of the upright, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and suppose respect is had to the prophecy concerning Judah, Gen. 49:8, 9. but Kimchi, extending it to all the five books of Moses, adds his blessing, in Deut. 33:7. In the Arabic version it is explained of the book of Samuel, interpreted the book of songs, as if it was a collection of songs; which favours the above sense. Jerom interprets it of the same book, the book of the righteous prophets, Samuel, Gad, and Nathan: but this book seems to have been a public register or annals, in which were recorded memorable actions in any age, and bad its name from the uprightness and faithfulness in which it was kept; and in this were set down the order of David for the teaching the children of Judah the use of the bow, and perhaps the method which he directed to for instruction in it; see the note on Josh. 10:13. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 2, p. 567). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
TEMPTATION
poem by Anne R. C. Neale
If you are on a diet, and you are tempted to splurge,
To eat something you know that you should not,
You have the power within you, you know
To control that sudden urge,
You have the strength and also the will power,
Within you so that you can control,
God has put that power within you,
It’s up to you to use it for your mind, Spirit, Body, and Soul,
Temptation is the Devil’s plan
To win you into His Satanic Group,
You have the power within you to diet,
Use that power, it’s from God, don’t be a dope.
Rescuing the Victims of the Sexual Revolution
Imagine a young man with every advantage. He’s well-educated, goes to church, lives in a nice neighborhood, able to secure strong employment … but he grew up without ever having known his father. Even as he moves into adulthood, his desire to know his father, his sense of loss for what he missed, is somewhere between insistent and consuming.
There used to be a time when fatherlessness was considered a tragedy. Now, raising a child without a father or, in some cases, without a mother is a perfectly acceptable intentional choice. The only thing that matters are the adults making the decision who have desires to meet. The adults are put first; the children, all too often, come in a distant second.
This sweeping social change didn’t happen overnight, or by accident. It’s the logical outcome of the three fundamental lies of the sexual revolution. These lies are now so widely embedded in modern society that we don’t give them a second thought. But it wasn’t always this way.
The first lie of the sexual revolution (and I owe my friend Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse for the wording here) is that sex, marriage, and babies are separable. That these created realities were part of a biological, social and religious package deal, went unquestioned until quite recently.
Technological innovations, such as the pill, IVF, and surrogacy, legal innovations such as no-fault divorce, and cultural innovations such as ubiquitous pornography and “hook-up” apps, have all made it increasingly easy to imagine that sex is not inherently connected to childbearing, and that childbearing is not necessarily best placed in the context of marriage.
The second lie of the sexual revolution (thanks again to Dr. Morse for this wording) is that men and women are interchangeable. What we mean by this has evolved to a much more fundamental level. Interchangeability in rights was a good thing. Interchangeability in roles was, at times, good and, at other times, blurred biological distinctions. Today, of course, we talk as if men and women are interchangeable in reality, as if men can bear children and “not all women menstruate,” and as if love can make a second mom into a dad. None of this is true.
The third lie of the sexual revolution is that human dignity derives from autonomy, that our ability to sexually self-determine, not only in our behavior but our identity, is the essence of human dignity. In that equation, those unable to sexually self-determine, or who stand in the way of someone’s “true self” (typically defined by happiness) are excluded from the category of dignity.
These three lies of the sexual revolution were largely justified by a myth, one repeated over and over in different ways, to assuage our collective consciences as we fundamentally violate the created and social order. That myth was “the kids will be fine.”
But, of course, they aren’t fine. Not even close. In her new book, Them Before Us: Why We Need a Global Children’s Rights Movement, Katy Faust documents all the ways the kids aren’t fine, and all the ways their well-being is sacrificed on the altar of adult happiness.
This is essential reading, not only so we can take our place in Christian history among those who stood for and defending children from hyper-sexualization, abandonment, abuse, and social experimentation, but also because too many Christians embrace cultural norms about reproductive technologies, sexuality, and marriage. In doing so, the Church is complicit in putting children at risk.
In Them Before Us, Faust begins in a crucially different place than the sexual revolution: the rights of the child, not the happiness of adult. That’s what “them before us” means. Simply put, adults must do those hard things that honor the fundamental right of children to be known and loved by both mother and father.
The results of the sexual revolution are in: Children are the victims of our bad ideas. In response, Christians are called to be agents of restoration in whatever time and place they find themselves. For us, now, that means advocating for children’s rights. As Faust writes, “Our culture and our laws must incentivize and encourage adults to conform their behavior to the needs of their children if we are to have any hope of a healthy and thriving society.” (BreakPoint)
Jesus begins His ministry of miracles and preaching and calls His first disciples.
INSIGHT
Mark writes that after Jesus’ baptism the Spirit impels Him to go out into the wilderness, where He is tempted by Satan.
The next 40 days are enormously difficult for Jesus. It is not true that if you follow God’s will, you will have a life of ease. Often, the way of God involves circumstances in which we must trust in the Lord and draw on His truth and strength.
Jesus was the God-man. Yet His life on this earth was filled with trials He had to endure. And we should expect to encounter trials during our sojourning in this world, but we can endure if we draw strength from the One who has paved the way for us. (Quiet Walk)
The Reason for Writing
But these are written that you may believe.
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GOD’S SPECIAL PEOPLE
Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation,a peculiar people.
I Peter 2:9
The doctrine that Christians are God’s special people is given in a very remarkable way in John 17, but it is taught everywhere throughout the New Testament. It is found, for instance, in that mighty first chapter of the Epistle to the Ephesians, but especially in Paul’s prayer for the church at Ephesus. He prays that the eyes of their understanding may be enlightened. He wants them to grasp this truth with their minds and with their understanding because it is so vital. He prays that they may know what is the hope of their calling and then, second, what are “the riches of the glory of his inheritance”—God’s inheritance—“in the saints.” I want you to know, he says, and to see yourselves as God’s inheritance. I want you to grasp this idea of God’s special people. It is his prayer, above everything else, that these people might know this.
Consider, too, what he wrote to Timothy. Timothy was very troubled and worried about certain things that were happening in some of the churches for which he was responsible, and Paul in effect said, “Timothy, you need not be troubled, ‘The Lord knoweth them that are his.’” God knows His own people, and that means that He not only knows them, but He looks after them, He keeps His eye upon them. Then in Hebrews 2:13 these words are applied to the Lord: “Behold I and the children which God hath given me.” That is how the Lord Jesus Christ refers to Christians and to the members of His church. Peter also writes on the same theme in his epistle: “Ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation,a peculiar people” (1 Peter 2:9), which means a people for God’s special interest and possession. God has chosen and marked out and separated a people for Himself.
A Thought to Ponder
Christians are a people for God’s special interest and possession.
(From Safe in the World, pp. 34-36, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
The Dying Thief
“And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:42-43)
One of the most remarkable scriptural passages is that of the “deathbed” conversion of the sinful thief crucified with Jesus. Christ recognized his repentance, forgave his sin, and offered him eternal life as he died. As reflected in the hymn “There Is a Fountain,” salvation comes to sinners who repent, turn from their sin, and believe on Him, without any works involved or strings attached.
The dying thief rejoiced to see
That fountain in his day;
And there may I, though vile as he,
Wash all my sins away.
The “fountain” of blood flowing from the cross produces great rejoicing in those who have acknowledged His lasting work. “With the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:19), we can be forgiven and born into His family. We receive the ability for and privilege of living victorious, holy lives. “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed” (1 Peter 2:24).
All have chosen sin; all deserve judgment. “There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). But because of Him, we can be “justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24). “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33). (JDM, The Institute for Creation Research)
The values of the Beatitudes turn the world as we know it upside down. Following Jesus means weeping as others laugh, longing for real shalom as others endorse the status quo, and being marginalized as others flourish. But it’s worth it when you consider the radical reversal of fortunes that will occur when God blows the whistle and ends the game. Jesus’ followers already enjoy the blessedness of his Lordship during difficult times, but when the game is over, the worship party really begins.
By Dr. David Turner.
Tony Evans: The only firewall left for the saving of this nation is the church. Once that gets breeched, there is little hope remaining. We are called to be the salt and light in the culture. Let’s be nothing less than that.
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