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May 11th
Our Bible reading today is in 2 Samuel 10 and 1 Chronicles 19 along with Ps. 20.
All three of these passages relate to King David’s early reign in Israel. The song is David’s recollection of Israel’s prayers for him. And the Samuel and Chronicle records mirror each other’s account of David’s leadership and dealings with the Ammonites.
The reading inspired me in several ways. Prayer for our church and national leaders is God’s will. God will use them for His glory and our God-ordained benefit. Just as He worked through the interceeding Israelites in David’s day.
Thanks for “Godly Israelites” who prayed for their king in desperate times. May we follow suit.
David sent a friendly group of ambassadors, representing him, to the new king of the Ammonites, King Hanum. Anytime I see the words embassy or ambassadors I think of Paul’s message to the church at Corinth. He reminds these fellow believers that they are “ambassadors” for Christ with His message of “reconciliation” to God for the city of Corinth.
We are ambassadors for Christ too dear friends. Jesus has entrusted us with His message of the gospel to our neighborhoods and cities. God help us. David sent condolences for the death of Hanum’s father. He was sending mercy and grace to Hanum and the Ammonites.
Did you notice how David used a common occurrence in life as an opportunity to reach out in loving kindness and tender mercies, even to an enemy? Friends, that’s the Gospel of Christ...to us...and for us moving forward in our spiritual lives in Christ.
Jesus reached out to us, even when we were His enemies, in the midst of our everyday living offering grace snd mercy. The cross to reconcile us to God for eternal salvation. At our conversion and for our growing up into Christ. Praise His Name!
The Ammonites had been Israel’s enemies for 400 plus years. Beginning with their refusal to aid in Israel’s journey from Egypt to Canaan. And after they joined the Moabites against Joshua’s army, it became obvious that the Ammonites would never be friendly neighbors to Israel.
But David was willing to put the past bitterness behind him and build a bridge of understanding and common decency between the two nations. Thus he sent an embassy of goodwill to Hanum. But Hanum was influenced by wicked counsel to reject David’s offer as nothing less than a scheme to spy out their own stronghold for future battles.
By the way, when we pray for our leaders, that God would give them wisdom and discernment for decision making, also pray for those who counsel them...that their counsel would be in harmony with God’s purposes.
Back to the text...Hanum and the Ammonites treated David’s ambassadors shamefully, cutting their beards and their robes before sending them home.
In ancient times, a man’s beard was his most valued adornment. It said that he was apart of a community and not a despised, shaven slave.
Friends, do you remember how the Apostle Paul identified himself to the Ephesian church? Let us listen...”we are not men-pleasers...but slaves to Christ, doing the will of God from our hearts...”
He called himself, and all others who followed Jesus, a slave. A slave of Jesus Christ. No longer living as though he were the master of his own fate, but living in humble gratitude to the one who died and rose again to save him from the penalty of his sins. And save him for a home in heaven one day...and save him for significant and fruitful work alongside the loving, powerful and eternal Master Jesus! Praise His Name!
David sent kindness. Ammonites sent shameful rejection and disrespect.
David protected the dignity of his ambassadors. And made slaves of the Ammonites and their compatriots.
Jesus...mercy, and grace
You and I, we receive God’s salvation and discipleship...doing God’s will from our hearts!
Have a great day
