Ishbosheth and the Unborn

439 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 4:10 "when someone told me, saying, 'Look, Saul is dead,' thinking to have brought good news, I arrested him and had him executed in Ziklag-the one who thought I would give him a reward for his news. 11 "How much more, when wicked men have killed a righteous person in his own house on his bed? Therefore, shall I not now require his blood at your hand and remove you from the earth?" 12 So David commanded his young men, and they executed them, cut off their hands and feet, and hanged them by the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth and buried it in the tomb of Abner in Hebron. Man this is messy.....real messy. But let's try not to get caught up in the gory details. They are included here to remind us how much God hates the spilling of innocent blood. Remember these two men went into the house of a man who had done no wrong, entered the sanctuary of his own bedroom and slew him. This is the lot of thousands of unborn children every single day in America. The innocent unborn child, in the sanctuary of the womb, is done away with either by chemical or physical means. The slaying of Ishbosheth is a picture of abortion wherever and whenever the innocent life, that begins at fertilization is ended. In our world today it is vital that we teach our children and others about the sanctity of life. They need to know....we need to know, that God hates the shedding of innocent blood. Pr 6:16,17 says, “These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, and Pr 1:15 says, “My son, do not walk in the way with them, Keep your foot from their path; 16 For their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed blood. Now, God is not going to come after sinners and cut off their hands and feet like David did. David did it as an example to us, to remind us that hands and feet are not to be used to shed innocent blood., and it is vital that we assure those who have participated in this act that there is no sin that Jesus did not pay for on the cross. His hands and feet were nailed to the tree, that our hands and feet (which are so swift to sin in so many different ways) may be spared. Abortion is like any other sin, in that it must be confessed, and then by faith, receive the gift of forgiveness that is offered through faith in Jesus. Father, thank You for this reminder. I pray that our land will once again cherish Your gift of life, and that You will set those free who are languishing in guilt because of any and all wrong choices made in the past.

The Footprints In the Sand Syndrome

438, - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 4:8-11, “And they brought the head of Ishbosheth to David at Hebron, and said to the king, "Here is the head of Ishbosheth, the son of Saul your enemy, who sought your life; and the LORD has avenged my lord the king this day of Saul and his descendants." 9 But David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said to them, "As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my life from all adversity, 10 "when someone told me, saying, 'Look, Saul is dead,' thinking to have brought good news, I arrested him and had him executed in Ziklag-the one who thought I would give him a reward for his news. 11 "How much more, when wicked men have killed a righteous person in his own house on his bed? Therefore, shall I not now require his blood at your hand and remove you from the earth?" ( 2 Sam 4:8-11) Once again David is approached by men who sincerely thought they were doing him a favor. Was this not the son of that nemesis Saul, who constantly sought to kill David? Would not the elimination of Ishbosheth give the kingdom to David free and clear from any more threats from the family of Saul? They claim that God used them to avenge all those years that Saul pursued David. But David makes an oath in the name of the Lord who had delivered him from all his adversity, to execute justice upon these men for killing an innocent man. If David teaches us nothing else let us learn from his determination to trust God to deliver him from adversities. How did he learn this? He learned it from God's track record in his life. Time after time David found himself in adverse situations with the Philistines and Saul, and time after time he waited on the Lord to deliver him. David also remembered and trusted the promise of the Lord given to him in 1Sa 25:29 "Yet a man has risen to pursue you and seek your life, but the life of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of the living with the LORD your God; and the lives of your enemies He shall sling out, as from the pocket of a sling.” The Lord would take care of his adversaries. And finally David knew that the Lord walked with him through all his troubles. “ Ps 31:7b says, “For You have considered my trouble; You have known my soul in adversities,” This is the old “Footprints in the Sand” syndrome.” Believe it. Trust it. Put it to the test! God knows your adversities. Let Him walk you through them. And know that more adversities are coming your way, but be like David and remember the Lord, who has, “redeemed your life from all adversity,”

The Violent World We Live In

438 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 4:5-7, “Then the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, set out and came at about the heat of the day to the house of Ishbosheth, who was lying on his bed at noon. 6 And they came there, all the way into the house, as though to get wheat, and they stabbed him in the stomach. Then Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped. 7 For when they came into the house, he was lying on his bed in his bedroom; then they struck him and killed him, beheaded him and took his head, and were all night escaping through the plain. (2 Sam 4:5-7) The power struggle continues. Rechab and Baanah devised a plan to assassinate the king of Israel. They would go to the palace during the heat of the day, when most people, including the king, would be resting from the heat. Their plan was to pretend to be visiting the palace in order to collect wheat. Remember, these men were captains of troops in Israel's army and it was customary to pay soldiers with wheat, so this activity was perfectly normal for them. So they sneak into the king's chamber, stab him, and cut off his head. They likely put it into a grain sack and then made their getaway. Sometimes the Bible makes for gory reading. But remember this is the real life stuff of the violent world we live in. Let's be honest, our newspapers often make for gory reading as well. School children, who should be safe inside the walls of their school, are massacred. Airplanes are hijacked and flown into buildings. All these terrible things happen because our world is infected with the disease of sin. Sin spills out of the wicked hearts of men and brings death and destruction with it. Is there anyplace that is safe from the effects of sin? I'm afraid not. One day, Jesus commented on the daily news in Palestine, where a tower had collapsed and killed many, and a bloody massacre had occurred in the temple. (Luke 13:1-5) He didn't say that Christians were immune to such disasters. He just used these events to remind us all, “unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” The message is clear. There are tragic eternal consequences for those who refuse to bow there knee to Jesus in the here and now, but there is also a safe place in the life to come, and that place is in the arms of Jesus. This is our only guarantee in this world, let us embrace it and Jesus today. Father, thank You for the safety and refuge we have in Jesus.

The Glorious Unfolding

436 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 4:4 Jonathan, Saul's son, had a son who was lame in his feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel; and his nurse took him up and fled. And it happened, as she made haste to flee, that he fell and became lame. His name was Mephibosheth. What a tragic day for this family. They lost their grandfather, (Saul) their father,(Jonathan) and now the lone surviving son is crippled in an accident when the nurse who was carrying him dropped him. No ER, no hospital to go to, no doctor to set the bones. Mephibosheth is crippled for life. Where are You God in all of this! It's not fair! Whatever happened to those verses in the 91st Psalm? You know, “For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. 12 In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.” Were the angels on a holiday? These are questions that we often find ourselves asking when tragedy befalls us. It's okay. God's not afraid of your honesty. He just asks that we continue to trust Him, and He will turn our situation into eventual good. As we read on in 2 Samuel, we will see how God used Mephibosheth to paint an everlasting picture of God's grace. So stay tuned. Steven Curtis Chapman sings a song called “Glorious Unfolding” and I think the lyrics are appropriate here. “Don't try to figure it out, just listen to what I'm whispering in your heart. “Cause I know this is not, anything like you thought, the story of your life was gonna be. And it feels like the end has started closing in on you, but it's just not true, there's so much more of the story that's still yet to unfold. And this is going to be a glorious unfolding, just you wait and see and you will be amazed. You've just got to believe the story is far from over. So hold on to every promise God has made to us, and watch this glorious unfolding. God's plan from the start, for this world and your heart, has been to show His glory and His grace, forever revealing the depth and the beauty of His unfailing love. And the story has only begun. We were made to run through the fields of forever, (Was he thinking about Mephibosheth when he wrote that line?) Singing songs to our Savior and King. So let us remember this life we're living, is just the beginning of the beginning.” ….great song! So persevere in your situation, brother, sister, and know one day there will be a glorious unfolding for your story as well. Put that mental picture of Mephibosheth running through the fields of heaven for all eternity, singing praises to our Savior and King. In the long run, it's the only reality that matters.

Troubled Hearts: Breeding Grounds For Unwise Actions

435 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 4:1-3, “When Saul's son heard that Abner had died in Hebron, he lost heart, and all Israel was troubled. 2 Now Saul's son had two men who were captains of troops. The name of one was Baanah and the name of the other Rechab, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, of the children of Benjamin. (For Beeroth also was part of Benjamin, 3 because the Beerothites fled to Gittaim and have been sojourners there until this day.) (2 Sam 4:1-3) The story of David's ascension to the throne of Israel continues with the introduction of two more characters. Baanah and Rechab were Benjamites who had high standing in Ishbosheth's army. The royal family of Saul was not in good straits at this time. Ishbosheth had lost all heart when he heard the news about Abner's death, and with a cowering leader, all the rest of Israel was troubled as well. Israel was in a state of fearful agitation. Fearful, troubled hearts are breeding grounds for hasty unwise actions. It was fear that caused Abraham to try to pawn Sarah off as his sister (Gen 12:12) It was fear that caused Saul to give in to the people and take spoil that God had forbidden ( 1 Sam 15:24) It is fear that often causes us to ignore God's instructions in His Word, and take matters into our own hands. No wonder we see the phrase “fear not” so often in Scripture. No wonder Jesus reminded us to not be troubled. Joh 14:1 "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.” Joh 14:27b, “ Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” Yes, there will be circumstances in our lives that will produce a fearful unrest or agitation. When they occur, try to remember these words of Jesus and look at things from an eternal perspective. The Bible promises that even if we are troubled in this life, the day is coming when the faithful will receive their rest. 2Th 1:7 says, “ to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,” Father, give the troubled the heart to wait on You in their troubled times.

Help For Spiritual Bullying

434 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 3:38,39, “Then the king said to his servants, "Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel? 39 "And I am weak today, though anointed king; and these men, the sons of Zeruiah, are too harsh for me. The LORD shall repay the evildoer according to his wickedness." (2 Sam 3:38,39) David is fasting, mourning the death of Abner. Fasting is a powerful spiritual tool that God has given to His church, and Jesus made it clear that when He left this world, His disciples would engage in fasting. Referring to Himself in Mt 9:15b He says, “But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.” Jesus would no longer be walking side by side with His disciples, and they would need something to protect them from that bully, the devil. Now, here's the power behind fasting. We take nourishment for our physical strength. If you don't eat, you will become weak and eventually die. So our fasting, is meant to be a declaration of our own weakness. It is saying to God, the angels, the demons, ...all spiritual beings, “I can't do this, I am calling on the help of God.” Fasting is a picture of what the Holy Spirit spoke through the Apostle Paul in, 2Co 12:10b, “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” So David, in fasting on this occasion, is admitting that he is not strong enough to take on Joab and his clan, He'll let God take care of the matter. "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. (Rom 12:19) What sort of spiritual battle are you currently engaged in? What besetting sin, keeps coming back to haunt you. What is causing you to be mired down in your spiritual walk? How is the devil bullying you? Have you tried fasting? Have you tries skipping lunch? Declare your weakness before the spiritual world in this physical manner and call on God to be your strength. Call on God to give you the eventual victory. Father, again we thank You for this powerful tool, give us the desire and the strength to use it!

Fasting To Find Favor

433 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 3:35-37, “And when all the people came to persuade David to eat food while it was still day, David took an oath, saying, "God do so to me, and more also, if I taste bread or anything else til the sun goes down!" 36 Now all the people took note of it, and it pleased them, since whatever the king did pleased all the people. 37 For all the people and all Israel understood that day that it had not been the king's intent to kill Abner the son of Ner.” Let's spend a little time today talking about fasting. It's one of the three spiritual disciplines of the Christian that Jesus spoke of in the sermon on the mount, the others being prayer, and giving to the poor. (See MT 6:1-18) Most of the time our fasting should be done quietly and privately, but there are times when it is appropriate to fast publicly. In this instance, those attending the wake for Abner seek to persuade David to have something to eat, but he refuses, announcing that he is fasting until sundown. This fasting tells everyone that the death of Abner mattered to David. He was genuinely sorrowful over his loss. His fasting had a powerful impact on all of Israel. They could see clearly that it was not David's intent to slay Abner. But I think there is more at work here. We are told TWICE in this passage that the people were “pleased” with David. The Hebrew word means that he was pleasing to their eyes,” in other words, he found favor with the people. This is not an isolated example of such favor finding due to fasting found in Scripture. When Esther desired a favor from the king, she asked the people to fast on her behalf, guess what happened when she approached and made her request? He replied, "Bring Haman quickly, that he may do as Esther has said." (Est 5:5) Are you in a situation where you need to find favor? Maybe it's a job interview, or a situation with a landlord, maybe even a relationship that needs shoring up. Have you tried fasting? Have you tried denying yourself food for a short period of time, in order to invite the persuasive power of God into your situation? Father, thank You for this powerful tool of fasting that You have made available to your children, may we learn to use it wisely.

More On Forgiveness

432 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 3:30-34, “So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had killed their brother Asahel at Gibeon in the battle. 31 Then David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, "Tear your clothes, gird yourselves with sackcloth, and mourn for Abner." And King David followed the coffin. 32 So they buried Abner in Hebron; and the king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner, and all the people wept. 33 And the king sang a lament over Abner and said: "Should Abner die as a fool dies? 34 Your hands were not bound Nor your feet put into fetters; As a man falls before wicked men, so you fell." Then all the people wept over him again. ( 2 Sam 3:30-34,) The motive for killing Abner is made clear. It was a family revenge killing and Abishai is lumped in with Joab as the culprits. This was a very critical time for David in the political arena. If there is no sign of sorrow over the revenge killing of Abner, the other tribes would likely resist the idea of David ruling over them. So David orders Joab and all the people who were with him, (perhaps those who felt that he had acted justly in the slaying of Abner) to make a public display of sorrow over the death of Abner. This would serve as an outward sign of repentance for committing the deed. Then to demonstrate that his government was genuinely sorry for the death of Abner, the king himself, follows the coffin to the grave. Then David, ever the composer, weeps, and sings a lamentation over the body of Abner. The meaning of his song can be summed up with these words. “Why was Abner treated like a wicked man in his death. I had sent him away in peace, his hands were not bound, he was not fettered. He was free and at peace with me, but then a man with wicked intent killed him.” Can we learn from this? I think so. Abner came to David seeking peace, David granted it. Even if Abner's motivation and sincerity were skewed, he was forgiven by David. Let God judge the sincerity and the motivation of Abner and others like him. How many times must Abner be forgiven by Joab? By you and I? ? Seven? No, Peter, Jesus said seven times seventy” Or as often as they seek it. Dear Christian brothers and sisters, let us learn to forgive as Christ forgave us. Father, help me to have a more forgiving spirit.

Don't Let Sin Fester

431 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 3:28,29, “Afterward, when David heard it, he said, "My kingdom and I are guiltless before the LORD forever of the blood of Abner the son of Ner. 29 "Let it rest on the head of Joab and on all his father's house; and let there never fail to be in the house of Joab one who has a discharge or is a leper, who leans on a staff or falls by the sword, or who lacks bread." (2 Sam 3:28,29) David washes his hands of this cold-blooded murder carried out at the hands of Joab. One has to wonder, why he didn't do something about it. This shepherd boy had taken down Goliath in battle, yet he claims he is too “weak” to deal with these “sons of Zeruiah.” (v 39) This weakness was not a personal weakness but rather David felt that he did not have the political power to pull it off. I guess we can just say that David is only human. This lack of fortitude on his part in dealing with Joab would come back and haunt him later on, as Joab would commit further grievous acts. David never forgot this ruthless act of Joab's and one of his last instructions to his son Solomon was to execute justice in this matter. We read about it in , 1Ki 2:5 "Moreover you know also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two commanders of the armies of Israel, to Abner the son of Ner and Amasa the son of Jether, whom he killed. And he shed the blood of war in peacetime, and put the blood of war on his belt that was around his waist, and on his sandals that were on his feet. 6 "Therefore do according to your wisdom, and do not let his gray hair go down to the grave in peace.” As Joab did not honor the peace that David had bestowed upon Abner, David commands Solomon to not allow Joab to die in peace. The lesson for all of us is twofold. First of all we must not be like Joab, unwilling to forgive others, lest God not forgive us. Jesus said in Mt 6:15 "But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Secondly we must learn to deal with that great disrupter of peace in our own lives.....sin. If we don't it will continue to rise up and bite us causing more problems for us and those around us. Take your sins to the cross today and every day. Let Jesus deal with them so you can live in peace now and forever. Father, help us to not let sin of any type fester in our lives.

Refuge! Refuge!

430 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 3:26,27, “And when Joab had gone from David's presence, he sent messengers after Abner, who brought him back from the well of Sirah. But David did not know it. 27 Now when Abner had returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him privately, and there stabbed him in the stomach, so that he died for the blood of Asahel his brother. Joab acting without the permission of David, hauls Abner back to Hebron and avenges the death of his brother Asahel. What makes this crime even more despicable is that it occurs in the gate of the city of Hebron, which was a designated city of refuge. Long story short, a city of refuge was a place where a man who was the subject of a revenge killing could flee to for safety. There were six such cities designated by God for the Israelites. These cities were so important that the roads leading to them were extra wide, they were to be as level as possible with nothing hindering the traveler from reaching the safety of the city. Every intersection along the way was to be clearly marked, “Refuge! Refuge! as to make sure the traveler would not make a wrong turn. If you haven't figured it out by now, Jesus serves as our cities of refuge, and it was John the Baptist who paved the way for us to find Him. Mt 3:1-3 says, “In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.'" John prepared the way to Jesus by calling people to repentance, and when Jesus arrived on the scene John pointed to Him and said, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” Which is another way of saying, “Refuge! Refuge!” We are all guilty of sin and deserving of death, and that fact is our call to repentance, but Jesus is our city of refuge! Flee to Him today. The way is prepared as you realize your need for forgiveness, and you are safe the moment you put your trust in Him. Father, thank You for providing a refuge for us in Jesus.

Obligated

429 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 3:22-25, “At that moment the servants of David and Joab came from a raid and brought much spoil with them. But Abner was not with David in Hebron, for he had sent him away, and he had gone in peace. 23 When Joab and all the troops that were with him had come, they told Joab, saying, "Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he sent him away, and he has gone in peace." 24 Then Joab came to the king and said, "What have you done? Look, Abner came to you; why is it that you sent him away, and he has already gone? 25 "Surely you realize that Abner the son of Ner came to deceive you, to know your going out and your coming in, and to know all that you are doing." (2 Sam 3:22-25) “At that moment,” The dust was probably still kicking up behind the legs of Abner as he leaves Hebron, and Joab, (David's right hand man) returns from a successful raid. The timing is important here because it gives Joab the opportunity to catch up with Abner immediately. At this point, it's good to remember that Abner had killed Joab's brother, and Joab had a vested interest in evening the score. He was astounded that David had him in his hands and let him go. Joab knew the character of Abner well. He knew from past dealings with him that Abner was a manipulator, and a person to be extremely wary of. But Joab forgot something here that is mentioned twice for emphasis. David let Abner go in peace. That means that he sent him away with no reason to fear harm from David and his men. He left with David's word of complete safety. In this respect, David is a type of Christ. Christ, who forgives our past mistakes and allows us to live in peace. It's very similar to New Testament church discipline. When an offending party confesses their sin, they are to be forgiven, and allowed to live in peace. They may offend again, and we ought to be wary of that, but even if they do, church discipline must be invoked again with the aim of restoration of the erring soul. How many times must we forgive an erring brother? Jesus said 7 times 70 times, which is just another way of saying....as often as necessary. When Jesus sends someone away in peace, we are obligated to do the same.

Abner the Salesman

428 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 3:17-21, “Now Abner had communicated with the elders of Israel, saying, "In time past you were seeking for David to be king over you. 18 "Now then, do it! For the LORD has spoken of David, saying, 'By the hand of My servant David, I will save My people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and the hand of all their enemies.'" 19 And Abner also spoke in the hearing of Benjamin. Then Abner also went to speak in the hearing of David in Hebron all that seemed good to Israel and the whole house of Benjamin. 20 So Abner and twenty men with him came to David at Hebron. And David made a feast for Abner and the men who were with him. 21 Then Abner said to David, "I will arise and go, and gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your heart desires." So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace. ( 2 Sam 3:17-21) Abner, now seeks to make good on his oath to turn the kingdom of Saul's son Ishbosheth over to David. He was the right man for the job. Abner was one of those guys who could talk people into most anything. He had a history of being a persuader. He was a born salesman. It was Abner who persuaded Joab to put up 12 men against his 12 men, winner take all. (See 2 Sam 2:14) He tried to persuade Asahel from following after him in an ill-fated attempt to kill Abner. I imagine he had to do a lot of persuading to get Michal to leave her husband and return to David. Yes, if anyone could get Israel, and the tribe of Benjamin to cooperate and name David king, it was Abner. But there is one thing that bothers me about Abner. He seems to have forgotten where this “gift of persuasion” came from. He leaves David with these words, “I will gather all of Israel that you may reign.” It was all about Abner and not about God. Ro 12:3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. It is God who does the gifting. Give Him the glory Rev, 14:7 says, “Fear God and give glory to Him!” Father, guard us from the sin of pride. Let us ever be thankful for Your good gifts to us.

The Pain of Tearing Asunder

427 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 3:12-16, “Then Abner sent messengers on his behalf to David, saying, "Whose is the land?" saying also, "Make your covenant with me, and indeed my hand shall be with you to bring all Israel to you." 13 And David said, "Good, I will make a covenant with you. But one thing I require of you: you shall not see my face unless you first bring Michal, Saul's daughter, when you come to see my face." 14 So David sent messengers to Ishbosheth, Saul's son, saying, "Give me my wife Michal, whom I betrothed to myself for a hundred foreskins of the Philistines." 15 And Ishbosheth sent and took her from her husband, from Paltiel the son of Laish. 16 Then her husband went along with her to Bahurim, weeping behind her. So Abner said to him, "Go, return!" And he returned.” Abner is ready to deal with David. He promises to deliver the rest of Israel to David if David will make a covenant with him. David has only one stipulation. Abner must bring Saul's daughter Michal to him. If you recall, Michal was David's first wife. He had paid for her by delivering 100 foreskins of the Philistines to Saul. But then Saul took her away from David and gave her to Paltiel. Before we get too sentimental over this request of David to be reunited with his first wife, the cold hard fact is, this was probably nothing more than a political move to strengthen David's hand. Remember, this is Saul's daughter. To possess her, is to further weaken any resistance from the house of Saul against him. In other words, this was just another power play by David with Michal serving as a pawn. Pay special attention to the pain of Paltiel as his bride is taken away: “Then her husband went along with her to Bahurim, weeping behind her.” I wonder how many marriages today are torn apart by similar selfish ambitions of another party. Sometimes the decision to leave a marriage is made a little too hastily, and the full impact on those left behind is not taken into consideration and entire families are left behind wounded and weeping. I was at a funeral several weeks ago and as I spoke to the widow, she said the death of her husband was like her soul was split in half. This is the way it is with those things that God has joined together. Perhaps you have experienced this excruciating pain in your own life. God knows. He cares. He forgives and He heals. Look to Him, to pick up the pieces of your life and set you back on the path to wholeness and peace.

Loyalty

426 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 3:8-11, “ Then Abner became very angry at the words of Ishbosheth, and said, "Am I a dog's head that belongs to Judah? Today I show loyalty to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not delivered you into the hand of David; and you charge me today with a fault concerning this woman? 9 "May God do so to Abner, and more also, if I do not do for David as the LORD has sworn to him- 10 "to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul, and set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan to Beersheba." 11 And he could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him. (2 Sam 3:8-11) Abner voices his displeasure with Ishbosheth's charge of dallying with the king's harem. “Am I a dog's head that belongs to Judah?” In other words, “are you saying that I am a traitor who has about as much control over lust as a dog does? How can you say such a thing to the man who has showed continued loyalty to the house of your father. Look Ishbosheth, you are on the throne only because I haven't turned you over to David. Well guess what? I swear to you today that I will turn your kingdom over to David.” As I read this, I can't help but think I have had similar heated discussions in my own life. It's like those times when you've made a mistake, and you are looking for an out. An opportunity presents itself for you to express your indignation, and you do, and in so doing you are able to extricate yourself from, what you consider to be, a bad situation. I think Abner could see that the reign of Ishbosheth was going nowhere and he would be better off throwing in with David. The grass appeared to be greener on that side of the fence. As we read on on this story, we will see that it's not....it never is. God appreciates loyalty. Let us all learn to be loyal to Him and others. 2Ch 16:9 says, "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” Is your loyalty being challenged today by the lure of greener grass? Stay the course, seek to follow God's will and His instructions, and He will reward your loyalty by showing Himself strong in your situation. Father, help me to cherish Your loyalty to me, that I might demonstrate loyalty to others.

Sexual Intimacy

425 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 3:6,7, “ Now it was so, while there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, that Abner was strengthening his hold on the house of Saul. 7 And Saul had a concubine, whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. So Ishbosheth said to Abner, "Why have you gone in to my father's concubine?" ( 2 Sam 3:6,7) Multiple wives, heathen wives, concubines, harems. Isn't it amazing how quickly God's children turn from Him and adopt the ways of the world? Using women in this fashion was the world's way of demonstrating power over others. Some things never change do they? Observe the dating scene as it is today, and has almost always been. For the most part men look at women as an object to be conquered, and conquest always speaks of a demonstration of power. How many women have been victimized by this power play? How many have been used in this manner and then tossed aside, used, abused, scarred? For the Christian man, this should not be so! God has given us this wonderful gift of intimacy to be enjoyed this side of heaven, and He has laid down parameters for it's use within the bounds of marriage. This gift is never to be used to wield strength or power over another, on the contrary, the intimacy of marriage as designed by God is to be a denying of self and a complete giving of oneself to the other. It's about mutual giving....not taking. 1Co 7:3,4 says, “ Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.” Did you catch that? This rendering of affection and surrendering of authority, remove power from the equation, and put intimacy in it's rightful place. Father, I pray that followers of Jesus Christ, will resist the world and it's ways, and seek to put intimacy in the high and rightful place that You have reserved for it in marriage.

The Fruit of the Womb Is A Reward

424 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 3:1-5, “Now there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. But David grew stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. 2 Sons were born to David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon by Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; 3 his second, Chileab, by Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite; the third, Absalom the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur; 4 the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; 5 and the sixth, Ithream, by David's wife Eglah. These were born to David in Hebron.” (2 Sam 3:1-5) Notice the link here between David's house growing stronger and the birth of all these sons. There is an undeniable link between children and strength in the Old Testament, where children were considered a blessing from God. Ps 127:3-5, says, “ Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth. 5 Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; They shall not be ashamed, But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.” Do you see the link? The man with many children speaks from a position of strength with his enemies. 'Well, that's Old Testament stuff, it doesn't apply anymore.” But it does. A nation needs a replacement rate of 2.1 children to allow for economic security, and many nations are just now slowly waking up to that fact, including the United States which has a birth-rate below this minimum figure. This connection between children and security is further borne out in Ps 8:2 Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, (the word strength means security) Further, God's declaration that children (plural) are a reward and a blessing from Him, has not changed and never will, and that in itself should tell us something. He states in Mal 2:15, that one of the reasons for holy matrimony is to produce godly offspring. “But did He not make them one, Having a remnant of the Spirit? And why one? He seeks godly offspring.” This is a topic that married couples and prospective spouses need to prayerfully explore, remembering that marriage is not so much about pleasing self, it's more about pleasing God.

Let God's Word Trump Your Carnal Desires

422 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 3:1-5, “Now there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. But David grew stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. 2 Sons were born to David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon by Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; 3 his second, Chileab, by Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite; the third, Absalom the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur; 4 the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; 5 and the sixth, Ithream, by David's wife Eglah. These were born to David in Hebron.” (2 Sam 3:1-5) Not only did David sin by taking multiple wives, but he even took a heathen bride from King Talmai. This was likely one of those marriages designed to strengthen an empire by obtaining kingdoms through marriage. It was the “way of the world” but certainly against the will of God. De 7:3,4 says, “Nor shall you make marriages with them. (heathen) You shall not give your daughter to their son, nor take their daughter for your son. 4 "For they will turn your sons away from following Me, to serve other gods; so the anger of the LORD will be aroused against you and destroy you suddenly.” And look at how this example set by David affected his son Solomon! 1Ki 11:1,2, “But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites- 2 from the nations of whom the LORD had said to the children of Israel, "You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods." Solomon clung to these in love. Solomon “clung to these in love,” The words “clung” and “love” here have sexual overtones, and it's plain that Solomon's sexual desires trumped his desire to be true to God's Word. Does that sound familiar? How many problems in this life, could be avoided, if we would only seek to do it God's way. If only we would let God's Word trump our carnal desires. God help us to allow you to reign over our fleshly desires.

God's Unchangeable Plan For Marriage

422 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 3:1-5, “Now there was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. But David grew stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. 2 Sons were born to David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon by Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; 3 his second, Chileab, by Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite; the third, Absalom the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur; 4 the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; 5 and the sixth, Ithream, by David's wife Eglah. These were born to David in Hebron.” (2 Sam 3:1-5) The struggle for a unified kingdom continues between the house of David and the house of Saul. David gets stronger and stronger, Saul's house gets weaker and weaker. Please note the sign given for strength here, namely the number of children that David fathered. I'll speak to that in a later Devo. For now let's first examine David's disobedience in this matter of multiple wives. The Bible does not allow for multiple wives and six wives are listed here. De 17:17 says "Neither shall he (the king) multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away;” God's plan for marriage has always been the same. It was the same for Adam, the same for David, and the same for you and me. One man, one woman, “till death do us part.” Jesus made that clear when he addressed the Pharisees on the matter of divorce. Mt 19:4 And He answered and said to them, "Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female,' 5 "and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? 6 "So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." It seems we have really lost sight of this truth in our world today. But the Good News is God forgives. He is capable of healing. He is capable of restoring. No matter where you find yourself in this marriage equation today, draw a line in the sand, and say, “from now on, I will seek to do it God's way.” Is this not what we should say for all of our missteps in life? Father, help me from this day forward to make the best of my situation and henceforth seek to live according to Your will.

Revere the Dead

421 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 2:29-32, “Then Abner and his men went on all that night through the plain, crossed over the Jordan, and went through all Bithron; and they came to Mahanaim. 30 So Joab returned from pursuing Abner. And when he had gathered all the people together, there were missing of David's servants nineteen men and Asahel. 31 But the servants of David had struck down, of Benjamin and Abner's men, three hundred and sixty men who died. 32 Then they took up Asahel and buried him in his father's tomb, which was in Bethlehem. And Joab and his men went all night, and they came to Hebron at daybreak. ( 2 Sam 2:29-32) With a truce enacted, Joab takes the time to give his brother a proper burial. I am writing this devo on Memorial Day weekend. On Memorial Day we take time to commend all our fallen soldiers, such as Asahel, who gave up their lives on the battlefield. There are parades, solemn observances, and many take the time on this day to visit and decorate gravesites of all loved ones. I'll be honest here, I have never understood this pre-occupation with the deceased. I mean, they are gone! Their souls departed the minute their last breath was breathed. This dead body that we pay so much attention to is nothing but a shell. It was a tent, a temporary dwelling for that soul. Why all the hoopla? But you know what? I think I need to repent of that attitude. I think I need to think differently about the bodies of the deceased and their resting places. Instead of having a negative mindset about these empty shells and their resting place maybe I ought to pause and consider that each one of them were “fearfully and wonderfully made,” by God! God thought so much of these individual bodies that He sent His only Son to not only redeem their souls, but to one day redeem their bodies as well. These resting places are to be hallowed because when our Lord returns they will be launching pads for the reuniting of body and soul. Even the bodies in the sea will rise up like mighty Poseidon missiles on that Day! Revere the bodies of the deceased. Honor their resting places, because one day they will be the focal point of the culmination of all things won for us by Christ on the cross. The bodies and grave-sites are to be blessed because our hope is blessed. Father, help me to revere all life. Give me a proper attitude toward the living and the dead.