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?