For Christ's Sake

585 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 2Sa 18:5,6, “Now the king had commanded Joab, Abishai, and Ittai, saying, "Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom." And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains orders concerning Absalom. ( 2 Sam 18:5-8) David had great confidence in his troops to gain the victory over Absalom, and “for his sake,” he instructs all three of his generals (within earshot of all) to deal gently with his rebel son. Reminds me of the words of Jesus when He hung on the cross and said, (within ear shot of all) “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,” and also the words of Stephen as he was being stoned to death, “Lord, do not lay this sin to their charge.” Forgiveness of our own sins and the forgiving of others for the sake of Christ is the heart of Christianity. It's why we pray in the Lord's prayer: “forgive us our debts as we also forgive our debtors.” and why Jesus added at the end of the prayer in Mt 6:14,15, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; 15 but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Perhaps some of you will remember the part of your worship service that incorporated this confession of sin, “ Almighty God, our Maker and Redeemer; we poor sinners confess unto You that we are by nature sinful and unclean, and that we have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed. Therefore we flee for refuge to Your infinite mercy, and ask You FOR CHRIST'S SAKE, grant us forgiveness of all our sins.” It is all for the sake of Christ and what He did on Calvary for us. He died on a tree so that we would not have to die on a tree as Absalom did. It is because of what He did that we can ask for and receive forgiveness and it is for His sake that we are to forgive others. Eph 4:32 says, “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you.” Father, thank You for dealing gently with us and as the Psalmist said, Ps 103:10 You have not dealt with us according to our sins, Nor punished us according to our iniquities.”

Pastors: Beware of Isolation

584 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 2Sa 18:1-4, “And David numbered the people who were with him, and set captains of thousands and captains of hundreds over them. 2 Then David sent out one third of the people under the hand of Joab, one third under the hand of Abishai the son of Zeruiah, Joab's brother, and one third under the hand of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said to the people, "I also will surely go out with you myself." 3 But the people answered, "You shall not go out! For if we flee away, they will not care about us; nor if half of us die, will they care about us. But you are worth ten thousand of us now. For you are now more help to us in the city." 4 Then the king said to them, "Whatever seems best to you I will do." So the king stood beside the gate, and all the people went out by hundreds and by thousands. (2 Sam 18:1-4) David, ever and always the man of war, immediately takes inventory of his troops and then organizes them under captains. He sets up three divisions as he prepares to do battle with the rebels. His original thought was to go out with his troops into the battle, but the people urge him to stay behind because they know that he has a big old target on his back, and if he falls, the nation falls. If you recall, Ahithophel's advice to Absalom was to chase David down and kill him only. “and I will strike only the king,” (2Sa 17:2b) "I will come upon him while he is weary and weak, and make him afraid. And all the people who are with him will flee, and I will strike only the king. On the night in which Jesus was betrayed, He quoted from the prophet Zechariah, as He reminded His disciples that if the shepherd is stricken the flock will scatter. (Mk 14:27) The shepherd or pastor is most vulnerable when he is alone and isolated, therefore it is vital that pastors guard against this temptation to be the Lone Ranger. Pastor you need fellowship! You need accountability. You need to be able to openly share with trusted brothers in the Lord. Don't hide in your office, behind your computer, but seek out men to meet with regularly, and pray for one another, and always remember that pride goes before the fall. (Prov 16:18) Father, guard Your shepherds from isolation.

An Agent of Refreshment

583 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 2Sa 17:24-29, “ Then David went to Mahanaim. And Absalom crossed over the Jordan, he and all the men of Israel with him. 25 And Absalom made Amasa captain of the army instead of Joab. This Amasa was the son of a man whose name was Jithra, an Israelite, who had gone in to Abigail the daughter of Nahash, sister of Zeruiah, Joab's mother. 26 So Israel and Absalom encamped in the land of Gilead. 27 Now it happened, when David had come to Mahanaim, that Shobi the son of Nahash from Rabbah of the people of Ammon, Machir the son of Ammiel from Lo Debar, and Barzillai the Gileadite from Rogelim, 28 brought beds and basins, earthen vessels and wheat, barley and flour, parched grain and beans, lentils and parched seeds, 29 honey and curds, sheep and cheese of the herd, for David and the people who were with him to eat. For they said, "The people are hungry and weary and thirsty in the wilderness." (2 Sam 17:23-29) All these names, all these places, (the majority of which I grossly mispronounce) yet the inclusion of them all serves as a reminder that these were not fairy tales. Real people, real places, that hold real meaning for the early readers of this Book, the Bible. Mothers, fathers, cousins, cities, regions, even the supplies brought to David are painstakingly noted. While the Bible should never be used as a pure history book, it contains enough of history to add to it's credibility. A credibility that seems to grow with every new archaeological discovery. In this portion we are again reminded of how much this revolt of Absalom's was a family feud, and we are reminded of the kindness of the sons of Barzillai the Gileadite, who came out to meet David and refresh him. Later David, on his death bed, would instruct Solomon to show special kindness to the sons of Barzillai for this act of love. Let that be the major lesson we take home today. I know that even as I write this devo, there are people like the sons of Barzillai who are providing meals for people in crisis. The kindness of the sons of Barzillai was noted in Scripture by the Holy Spirit and your kindness is well noted too. Why, just providing someone with a cup of water in the name of Jesus is noted in heaven. Ga 6:9 says, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” How might you be an agent of refreshment for others today?

Baffled Ambition

582 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 17:21-23) Now it came to pass, after they had departed, that they came up out of the well and went and told King David, and said to David, "Arise and cross over the water quickly. For thus has Ahithophel advised against you." 22 So David and all the people who were with him arose and crossed over the Jordan. By morning light not one of them was left who had not gone over the Jordan. 23 Now when Ahithophel saw that his advice was not followed, he saddled a donkey, and arose and went home to his house, to his city. Then he put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died; and he was buried in his father's tomb. (2 Sam 17:21-23) The spies report to David and he crosses the Jordan and not one of His people were left behind. This should cause us to remember the high priestly prayer of Jesus on His last night on earth, “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. (Jn 17:12) Jesus was speaking of Judas as “the son of perdition,” who like Ahithophel, committed suicide when his plans did not work out according to what he had envisioned. The biblical commentator Paul E. Kretzmann called Ahithophel's suicide, a “suicide of baffled ambition and despair.” That may seem a little simplistic in the complex matter of suicide, but it should cause us all to consider one of the major tactics of the devil, whom Jesus described as a murderer and a liar from the beginning. (Joh 8:44) To baffle as a verb means to confuse, or cloud one's thinking, “Did God really say?” as a noun, a baffle is something that restricts flow. The devil continually seeks to block the flow of God's grace and truth to us, he ever seeks to extinguish hope. When Jesus was laid in the tomb, His disciples were baffled. All hope seemed lost, but it wasn't! Because on the third day He rose again from the dead. Hope is alive! He is risen! He is risen indeed, and with His resurrection hope is alive! Pro 23:18 says, “Indeed surely there is a future hope, And your hope will not be cut off.” When life baffles your ambitions, when despair comes knocking at your door, seek to cling to the truth of God's Word. He really did say! He really does have plans for your future and they include a future with a hope! (Jer 29:11) In those dark times seek to stick with Jesus as the people stuck with David, He like David will get you safely across the Jordan.

Love Life

581 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 17:17-20, “Now Jonathan and Ahimaaz stayed at En Rogel, for they dared not be seen coming into the city; so a female servant would come and tell them, and they would go and tell King David. 18 Nevertheless a lad saw them, and told Absalom. But both of them went away quickly and came to a man's house in Bahurim, who had a well in his court; and they went down into it. 19 Then the woman took and spread a covering over the well's mouth, and spread ground grain on it; and the thing was not known. 20 And when Absalom's servants came to the woman at the house, they said, "Where are Ahimaaz and Jonathan?" So the woman said to them, "They have gone over the water brook." And when they had searched and could not find them, they returned to Jerusalem. (2 Sam 17:17-20) This whole scene is reminiscent of the time that Joshua's spies were sheltered and hidden by Rahab in Jericho. In this scenario, the spies were told to not go into the city but to wait by the town laundromat on the outskirts of town. (En Rogel was the place where clothes were washed) A woman brings the message to the spies but unfortunately Absalom has a little rat fink nearby who tells Absalom what he saw, and so Absalom sends men that were hot on their tail. The woman very cleverly hides them in a well and then lies to their pursuers, enabling the spies to escape. This in no way is an endorsement of lying, but it is an endorsement on the importance of protecting human life. Rahab received special commendation for her protection of the spies. We read of it in Jas 2:25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? Further, were not the midwifes commended for lying to the Egyptians in their attempts to save the newborn? “Therefore God dealt well with the midwives,” (Ex 1:20) I think of others who have lied to protect human life such as those involved with the underground railroad in America, and those like the Ten Booms, hid Jews from the Nazis in Germany. The Ten Booms were prompted to action by Ps 122:6 which states, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May they prosper who love you. They loved, and for the sake of the Jewish lives, they lied, and as we read in 1Pe 4:8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins." Little children, in all things let love be your guide.

A Message For Liars

580 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 17:15,16, “Then Hushai said to Zadok and Abiathar the priests, "Thus and so Ahithophel advised Absalom and the elders of Israel, and thus and so I have advised. 16 "Now therefore, send quickly and tell David, saying, 'Do not spend this night in the plains of the wilderness, but speedily cross over, lest the king and all the people who are with him be swallowed up.'" What is Hushai doing? Wasn't he aware that Absalom has decided to follow his advice rather than Ahithophel's? It's possible that Absalom's decision was made behind closed doors and Hushai and Ahithophel weren't aware of the plan, in which case Hushai would need to warn David of a worst case scenario and tell him to put as much distance between he and the Absalom's troops as possible. I'm more inclined to believe that Hushai just didn't trust that snake Absalom! Snakes are more into quick strikes than long drawn out campaigns, and snakes personified are liars. You just can't trust them. Absalom, serves as a type of devil here, and this is one thing we know about the devil. He is a liar. Jesus said in Joh 8:44 "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. Unbelievers, (children of the devil) lie. It's in their DNA. Hushai knew this and the Holy Spirit here reminds us to proceed with caution when dealing with liars. Children of God, on the other hand, seek to tell the truth, it's in their spiritual DNA. Ps 51:6 says, “Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts,” A funny thing happens to converts to Christianity. They become truth tellers, but because of their past record of lying it often takes a long time to rebuild that trust among believers...and rightly so. Hushai proceeded with caution and so should we, lest we get burnt. For the habitual liar, who has truly become a follower of Jesus, let me say this. The only thing you can do to restore trust is to build a track record of truth-telling. How long will that take? It doesn't matter. When you sign on with Jesus you sign on with truth. Get on with it and patiently wait for the results. As a new convert remember this word from the Lord in Pr 12:22, “Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, But those who deal truthfully are His delight.” Do you want to bring delight to the Lord? Then become a truth-teller.

That's Why It's Called His-Story

579 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 17:14 So Absalom and all the men of Israel said, "The advice of Hushai the Archite is better than the advice of Ahithophel." For the LORD had purposed to defeat the good advice of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring disaster on Absalom. (2 Sam 17:14) History gives us some great examples of “good advice” defeated or ignored. Many cases simply defy all logic and should cause all to ponder the Sovereignty of God. Napoleon and Hitler both rejected the advice of advisers who urged them not to open up a two front war by attacking Russia. This was a fatal mistake for both men. In 1940 Hitler missed two major opportunities to defeat Britain when it was weakest. In June, when allied defenses in France and Belgium collapsed, he ordered his tanks not to attack the British force of 338,000 soldiers besieged on the beach at Dunkirk. So the most powerful units of the German army had to idly watch from short distance as the core of the British army was allowed to escape from a hopeless situation. Three months later, in the peak of the Battle of Britain, when the German Air Force was getting close to breaking the smaller British Air Force, Hitler changed the objective of the German Air Force from defeating the British Air Force to killing the people of London in an air bombardment campaign. The result was that the British Air Force could then recover, keep fighting effectively, and win the battle, keeping Britain from invasion. Hitler, Napoleon, Absalom, it makes no difference, kings can only advance as far as the Sovereign God allows.....that's why it's called His Story. So why does God allow them to advance in the first place? Many times, it's a matter of giving us what we ask for. Take Hitler for instance. He came to power on the heels of the eugenics movement championed by Margaret Sanger of Planned Parenthood. Hitler showed us the hellish destination of unchecked eugenics. You'd think we'd learn! We tend to wring our hands over the decisions made by those in power, but very often, we are just getting what we ask for. No need to fret. God is in control and they can only go as far as He allows for Pr 21:1 says, “The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD, Like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes.”

Tearing Down Strongholds

578 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 17:12,13, "So we will come upon him in some place where he may be found, and we will fall on him as the dew falls on the ground. And of him and all the men who are with him there shall not be left so much as one. 13 "Moreover, if he has withdrawn into a city, then all Israel shall bring ropes to that city; and we will pull it into the river, until there is not one small stone found there."(2 Sam 17:12,13) Hushai continues to play to the pride of Absalom, painting a picture of utter annihilation of David and his forces with the sheer numbers of Absalom's loyal followers. David and his forces would be overwhelmed just as the grass is overwhelmed with morning dew. And if David is holed up in a fortified city, then let us bring ropes and tear the city down one stone at a time and throw them into the river. This dismantling of a city was usually done for the purpose of showing others not to mess with the conqueror. Again Hushai played to Absalom's pride. By the way, this strategy of “pulling down strongholds” is mentioned in 2Co 10:3-5, “ For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,” Remember your arguments against God? Remember how you exalted your knowledge and wisdom over the knowledge and wisdom of God? You had built fortifications of resistance and fleshly reasoning against God and His Word. What happened? You were overpowered by the Spirit of God, by the Word of God! Stronghold are basically, “wrong thinkings,” wrong reasonings if you will. And it is the preaching or proclaiming of the Word of God that tears down strongholds. The preaching of God's Word brings us to repentance and to repent is to “think differently.” And so as the Word penetrates our spiritual ears, by the grace of God, our wrong thinking is overpowered by the One who is greater than he who is in the world, and we come to the one true faith. Faith in God and His Word tears down strongholds, and it comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.

Feeding the Animal of Pride

578 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 17:9-11, "Surely by now he is hidden in some pit, or in some other place. And it will be, when some of them are overthrown at the first, that whoever hears it will say, 'There is a slaughter among the people who follow Absalom.' 10 "And even he who is valiant, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will melt completely. For all Israel knows that your father is a mighty man, and those who are with him are valiant men. 11 "Therefore I advise that all Israel be fully gathered to you, from Dan to Beersheba, like the sand that is by the sea for multitude, and that you go to battle in person. (2 Sam 17:9-11) Hushai seeks to buy David some time by thwarting the advice of Ahithophel. He reminds Absalom of David's past battlefield strategies involving ambush. David was a master at guerrilla warfare and even now was likely holed up in a place where he would be able to spring a surprise attack on any unwitting enemy. Hushai has already thrown out words like a mama bear protecting her cubs and now uses the word valiant to describe David and his men. This would stir up memories of past battlefield exploits of David and send a few chills down the spine of Absalom and his men. Then Hushai plays to Absalom's pride. Why not go after David with all the men of Israel, and YOU lead the way. Imagine the press clippings as you move out from Jerusalem with such a massive army of loyal soldiers led by their new king. Pride. The chink in the armor of Absalom, and a huge chink in our armor as well. The Bible has much to say about pride: For instance we know that, “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble, (James 4:6) and Pr 11:2 says, “When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom.” Ps 138:6 says, “Though the LORD is on high, Yet He regards the lowly; But the proud He knows from afar.” And in Col 3:12 we are admonished to “clothe ourselves in humility.” Pride is an animal easily roused and easily fed, our flesh always wants to think more highly of itself than it ought. Resist the flattery of the flesh and remember that “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Prov 16:18) Father, guard our hearts from pride.

Like A Bear Deprived of Her Cubs

577 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 17:5-8, “ Then Absalom said, "Now call Hushai the Archite also, and let us hear what he says too." 6 And when Hushai came to Absalom, Absalom spoke to him, saying, "Ahithophel has spoken in this manner. Shall we do as he says? If not, speak up." 7 So Hushai said to Absalom: "The advice that Ahithophel has given is not good at this time. 8 "For," said Hushai, "you know your father and his men, that they are mighty men, and they are enraged in their minds, like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field; and your father is a man of war, and will not camp with the people. (2 Sam 17:5-8) Absalom now calls David's other trusted adviser Hushai and asks him what he thinks of Ahithophel's plan. Hushai, says, “Not a good idea Absalom.' Then he describes the state of David and his men when they left the city. He says they were “enraged in their minds, like a bear robbed of her cubs in the field.” The maternal protective fervor of the mama bear is and always has been well noted. Hushai's comparison has the effect of immediately causing Absalom to draw back. Discretion might be the better part of valor here. This is not the only place in Scripture where the fierceness of a mama bear is noted. In Ho 13:4-8 we read, "Yet I am the LORD your God Ever since the land of Egypt, And you shall know no God but Me; For there is no Savior besides Me. 5 I knew you in the wilderness, In the land of great drought. 6 When they had pasture, they were filled; They were filled and their heart was exalted; Therefore they forgot Me. 7 "So I will be to them like a lion; Like a leopard by the road I will lurk; 8 I will meet them like a bear deprived of her cubs; I will tear open their rib cage, And there I will devour them like a lion. Wow! This is a picture of God that isn't painted very often. Yet here it is. He was upset with the people because when they experienced material blessing they became full of themselves and stopped relying on Him. They “forgot Him!” Ex 34:14 '(for you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God). People don't forget God! To forget God is to lay Him aside. When you do, you are being as foolish as one who would poke a bear cub with a stick when mama bear is present. Father, guard our hearts from idolatry. Help us to acknowledge You in all our ways.

Scattering the Sheep

576 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 17:2,,3, “I will come upon him while he is weary and weak, and make him afraid. And all the people who are with him will flee, and I will strike only the king. 3 "Then I will bring back all the people to you. When all return except the man whom you seek, all the people will be at peace." (2 Sam 17:2,3) I want to spend one more day on this passage simply because it is so......devilish. And I hope that you will have an added urgency to pray for pastors. There was a “Far Side” cartoon several years ago that had two deer engaged in a conversation. One of the deer had an outline of a shooting target on his chest, and the other deer says, “Bummer of a birthmark Hal.” Well, pastors have similar marks and are prime targets for the evil one. Ahithophel, (a type of instrument of the devil) says, “I will strike only the king.” And in Zech 13:7, we read, "Strike the Shepherd, And the sheep will be scattered;” Get the leader to fall and the flock is put in great danger. Moral failure of course is always a danger to the credibility of the pastor's message, but perhaps a more dangerous threat is the pastor who speaks from the pulpit with compromised lips. Jer 23:17 says, “They (False prophets) continually say to those who despise Me, 'The LORD has said, "You shall have peace"'; And to everyone who walks according to the dictates of his own heart, they say, 'No evil shall come upon you.'" Such prophets have been stricken by that liar the devil and the spirit of this world, and their compromising message scatters the flock and leads them to down the path of destruction. Speaking of these compromisers in Jer 23:1, we read, “ "Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!" says the LORD. Ahithophel asserts that with the king gone, the people will be at peace with Absalom, (a type of Satan) it is the same with compromised pulpits. There is a warning about the acceptance of compromising teachers in 2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; Lord, give us true shepherds who preach Your truth without compromise!

For the Weary, Weak, and Fearful

575 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 17:2,,3, “I will come upon him while he is weary and weak, and make him afraid. And all the people who are with him will flee, and I will strike only the king. 3 "Then I will bring back all the people to you. When all return except the man whom you seek, all the people will be at peace." (2 Sam 17:2,3) Ahithophel serves as a “type” of Judas here, and Judas if you recall had become an agent of Satan. Lu 22:3,4 says, “ Then Satan entered Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the twelve. 4 So he went his way and conferred with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him to them.” I mention this because I think it is important to know one of the tactics that Satan uses against us. He comes upon us when we are like David, “weak, weary, and fearful.” 1Pe 5:8 gives us a word picture to dwell on in this regard. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” Much like a lion attacking a herd of wildebeest, singling out the weak, weary, and fearful for the kill. The roar of the lion instills fear wherever it is heard and can create panic, and when we panic we often make wrong choices. Learn to stay in the safety of the herd, surrounding yourselves with brothers and sisters in Christ who can help you withstand the attacks of the evil one. Strengthen yourself with a steady diet of hearing God's Word and worshiping your Deliverer. “Resist the devil, steadfast in the faith, (making right choices) knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” And when fear strikes, hear the words of the Holy Spirit spoken through the prophet Isaiah, “ Isa 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.' 11 "Behold, all those who were incensed against you Shall be ashamed and disgraced; They shall be as nothing, And those who strive with you shall perish. 12 You shall seek them and not find them-Those who contended with you. Those who war against you Shall be as nothing, As a nonexistent thing.” This is the end of Satan and his allies. Believe it! Persevere in the faith, make right choices, for the battle is the Lord's and He has already won!

Ahithophel: A Type of Judas

575 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 16:23-17:4, “Now the advice of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if one had inquired at the oracle of God. So was all the advice of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom. 17:1 Moreover Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Now let me choose twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue David tonight. 2 "I will come upon him while he is weary and weak, and make him afraid. And all the people who are with him will flee, and I will strike only the king. 3 "Then I will bring back all the people to you. When all return except the man whom you seek, all the people will be at peace." 4 And the saying pleased Absalom and all the elders of Israel. (2 Sam 16:23-17:4) This is an amazing picture of our Lord's last night on earth. Ahithophel here, serving as a “type” of Judas, who worked with the council in Jerusalem to bring Jesus in and put Him to death. Judas took an excessive number of soldiers with him to take Jesus in, and that was Ahithophel's plan to take David as well. The strategy was right out of Mt 21:38, “Come, let us kill him and seize his inheritance.' and Zec 13:7 "Awake, O sword, against My Shepherd, Against the Man who is My Companion," Says the LORD of hosts. "Strike the Shepherd, And the sheep will be scattered; Then I will turn My hand against the little ones.” Ahithophel said in v2, “I will come upon him while he is weary and weak, and make him afraid. (Jesus was weary, weak, and afraid as He prayed in the Garden) And all the people who are with him will flee, (that's exactly what happened in the Garden as the disciples scattered!) and I will strike only the king. (Jesus alone was arrested) 3 "Then I will bring back all the people to you. When all return except the man whom you seek, all the people will be at peace." (This was the hope of the ruling council at Jerusalem. The end of Jesus would be the end of this movement, and they could go on living in their sweet arrangement of compromise with the Romans.) The plan seemed so right to the council, but God had other ideas. Take heart from this incident, knowing the truth of Isa 54:17 No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, And their righteousness is from Me," Says the LORD. Father, help us to always remember our heritage in Christ, especially when the enemy threatens.

The Perfect Justice of God

574 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 16:20 Then Absalom said to Ahithophel, "Give counsel as to what we should do." 21 And Ahithophel said to Absalom, "Go in to your father's concubines, whom he has left to keep the house; and all Israel will hear that you are abhorred by your father. Then the hands of all who are with you will be strong." 22 So they pitched a tent for Absalom on the top of the house, and Absalom went in to his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel. ( 2 Sam 16:20-22) Ahithophel's advice seems bizarre to us, but according to the customs of the times, this act on the part of Absalom would signify that he had wrested all of the kingdom from his father, (even the concubines of the king were his!) This was an irreconcilable act on his part. There was no turning back at this point. The rest of Israel would know for sure now that Absalom was totally committed to wresting the kingdom from his father and this would strengthen their resolve to follow him. Of course this act was a fulfillment of the prophecy given by Nathan concerning David's penalty for the whole Bathsheba affair. 2Sa 12:11 "Thus says the LORD: 'Behold, I will raise up adversity against you from your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. How ironic that this act of Absalom's would take place on the very spot where David first laid eyes on Ahithophel's granddaughter...Bathsheba. Here's a question for you. Do you think it was irony or an example of fitting justice? Given the track record of other judgments carried out in the Bible I would vote for the latter. (I think specifically of Haman in the Book of Esther, who was hanged on the very platform that he had set up for Mordecai!) This should serve as a reminder to all that God's justice is fitting and it is perfect. He means what He says and He will carry out His judgment perfectly. This then is the judgment of God! Receive His Son Jesus as your Lord and Savior and live. Reject Him and you die. It is fitting and it is perfect. Father, I pray for those who have shrugged off the idea that you are a just God. There is a heaven, there is a hell, grant to them, the gift of repentance, that they might be spared.

Pride

573 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 16:14-19, “Now the king and all the people who were with him became weary; so they refreshed themselves there. 15 Meanwhile Absalom and all the people, the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem; and Ahithophel was with him. 16 And so it was, when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, came to Absalom, that Hushai said to Absalom, "Long live the king! Long live the king!" 17 So Absalom said to Hushai, "Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?" 18 And Hushai said to Absalom, "No, but whom the LORD and this people and all the men of Israel choose, his I will be, and with him I will remain. 19 "Furthermore, whom should I serve? Should I not serve in the presence of his son? As I have served in your father's presence, so will I be in your presence." ( 2 Sam 16:14-19) David and his men are safely out of Jerusalem and take a break to recharge their batteries. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Absalom has heard of David's departure and moves quickly to occupy the city. He was pleasantly surprised to find Hushai waiting for him, since Hushai was one of his father's closest friends and greatest advisers. This is almost too good to be true! Absalom can't believe his eyes and questions Hushai about his loyalty. What I find interesting about Hushai's response, is he never really says that he has stopped serving David. Listen again to his words: “Long live the king! Long live the king!" (He can just as easily mean King David) Then he says, “whom the LORD and this people and all the men of Israel choose, his I will be, and with him I will remain. (believing that the Lord has chosen David, he can just be restating that loyalty to David) Then he says, “As I have served in your father's presence, so will I be in your presence." ( This again can be taken as “I remain loyal to David!”) But Absalom is so sure of himself, so enamored with his press clippings and success, he imagines that all of Hushai's comments speak of loyalty to him! It is just as we read in Pr 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. John Ruskin has said “In general, pride is at the bottom of all great mistakes.” it's what caused Absalom to seek to ascend to the throne in the first place, and it was pride that allowed him to misinterpret the words of Hushai, which ultimately led to his demise. It wasn't the words of Hushai that deceived him, it was the pride in his heart!! Ob 1:3 says, “ The pride of your heart has deceived you! Father, guard our hearts from pride.

The Peope We Hurt Will Often Throw Stones At Us

572 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 16:12 "It may be that the LORD will look on my affliction, and that the LORD will repay me with good for his cursing this day." 13 And as David and his men went along the road, Shimei went along the hillside opposite him and cursed as he went, threw stones at him and kicked up dust. ( 2 Sam 16:12,13) Shimei has met David and his men with cursing and David believes that this cursing was from the Lord and so he accepts it. His hope is that as he endures the cursing of Shimei without retaliation, that the Lord will see and repay him for his merciful reaction. David embraced the cursing of Shimei because he knew he had it coming. This was God's way of showing David that sins have repercussions David knew that he had been forgiven by God, but this incident reminded him that others aren't going to be so quick to forgive. This is a lesson, we would all do well to learn. We have this tendency to think that once we have hurt someone and fessed up to that hurt, that God forgives us and that's the end of the story, man up, move on.....it's not. The people we have hurt will often throw stones at us because they are still hurting from the harm we have brought into their lives. They will “browbeat” us (and that's the meaning of the word “affliction” here.) In other words, they will keep dragging up our past mistakes unless, God works forgiveness into their hearts. Notice that David didn't grab Shimea by the lapels and demand that Shimei forgive him, he knew that was something God had to work in Shimei's heart, and that would take time. Meanwhile, David would take the browbeating, trusting that God would work his patient submission into something good. The Holy Spirit puts it this way in Jas 1:2-4, “ My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” Learn the patience of David. Learn to take it. Learn to say your deeply sorry for your wrongs as many times as you need to. Embrace the depth of the pain you have caused others by your sin. Knowing that God is using this to build you and them into the person He wants you and them to be.

When God Curses

571 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 16:10b-11, “ So let him curse, because the LORD has said to him, 'Curse David.' Who then shall say, 'Why have you done so?'" 11 And David said to Abishai and all his servants, "See how my son who came from my own body seeks my life. How much more now may this Benjamite? Let him alone, and let him curse; for so the LORD has ordered him. (2 Sam 16:10b,11) David is convinced that the Lord has ordered Shimei to utter these curse words against him. Wait a minute. God “orders” someone to curse another? What is that all about? In this particular instance, God has instructed Shimei to curse David for the purpose of reminding him of his past failures with Bathsheba, Uriah, Amnon, and Absalom. In short, David is telling his men, “I've got it coming.” This is an earmark of repentance! Ps 119:21 says, “You rebuke the proud-the cursed, Who stray from Your commandments.” David had strayed and these events that were unfolding in his life served as reminders of what Nathan had told him back in 2Sa 12:10 'Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.' We should never forget the curses that God has pronounced against sinners. Ga 3:10 says, “for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them." “Everyone? All things? Let that sink in. This verse in Galatians, is Shimei following the orders of God, throwing stones at you and I, cursing us, reminding us that we all deserve to be cursed. But then beloved, jump ahead to Ga 3:13 and believe it! “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"), God curses sin! But Jesus became that curse for us when He died on a cross on Calvary. So be like David and let the curse of God ring in your ears reminding you of the penalty for sin, then look to Jesus, receive Him as your Lord and Savior and have that curse AND penalty removed. Jesus, thank You for taking the curse of my sins upon You.

Living In the Age of Grace

570 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 16:9-10a, “ Then Abishai the son of Zeruiah said to the king, "Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Please, let me go over and take off his head!" 10 But the king said, "What have I to do with you, you sons of Zeruiah? (2 Sam 16:9,10a) David's right hand men have had enough of Shimei's yipping and they want to put an end to it, by killing him. It reminds me of the time that Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem for the last time, and the Samaritans refused to extend hospitality to Him and His disciples. We read about it in Lu 9:54, “And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, "Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?" 55 But He turned and rebuked them, and said, "You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. 56 "For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them." Now, pay attention here. David's reply of "What have I to do with you,” is the gist of Jesus' reply, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are.” As a baptized believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Spirit of God dwells in you, and this Spirit desires life for men, not death. Joh 3:17 says, "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” and in Joh 12:47b we read, "for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world.” And 2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. If then, you and I have the Spirit of God dwelling in us, we too, ought to seek life for those who are on the wide road to destruction. Retaliation doesn't come into play until the Last Day, when God will deal with those who went to their grave cursing His Son by rejecting the Gospel. We are living in the age of grace until our Lord returns, and we should seek to live in the Spirit of Christ , “who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; (1 Pet 2:23) God, make our hearts more tender toward those who are on the path to destruction.

Cursing God

569 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from: 2Sa 16:5-7, Now when King David came to Bahurim, there was a man from the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei the son of Gera, coming from there. He came out, cursing continuously as he came. 6 And he threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David. And all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left. 7 Also Shimei said thus when he cursed: "Come out! Come out! You bloodthirsty man, you rogue! Shimei was very bitter about the slayings of Abner and Ishbosheth, and uses this opportunity to come out and curse the king. This cursing of the king, (our rulers both ecclesiastical and civil) is not taken lightly by God. Ex 22:28 says, "You shall not revile God, nor curse a ruler of your people.” Do you understand what is being said here? You curse your ruler and you are reviling or cursing God! That's the essence of Ro 13:1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Curse the ruler, you curse the One who put him there. In Ec 10:20 we read, “Do not curse the king, even in your thought; Do not curse the rich, even in your bedroom; For a bird of the air may carry your voice, And a bird in flight may tell the matter.” I don't want to get overly “spooky” here but these birds symbolically spoken of are spirit beings, demons, that are agents of the devil, and he will somehow use that cursing as a wedge to further his cause. Stop providing ammo to the evil one. Stop reviling our rulers! Stop cursing God! This concern about cursing rulers is not just an Old Testament thing either. When Paul was brought before Ananias he spoke a curse against him, and “those who stood by said, "Do you revile God's high priest?" Then Paul said, "I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, 'You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'" (Acts 23:4,5)As I read the revilings on Facebook about our president and other leaders, and listen to Christian talk radio, I am amazed by the number of professing Christians who ignore these words in Scripture and are cursing the very God whom they claim to serve. Listen to God's promise to those who do not revile their leaders: Ex 23:22 "But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries. Do you want to fight with your puny revilings, or do you want the God of the universe to fight for your cause? Father forgive us of this grievous sin, and grant us understanding in the area of respecting authority.