Jesus Must Be Number One!

597 - Today's Prime Time Devo comes from 2Sa 19:5-7, “ Then Joab came into the house to the king, and said, "Today you have disgraced all your servants who today have saved your life, the lives of your sons and daughters, the lives of your wives and the lives of your concubines, 6 "in that you love your enemies and hate your friends. For you have declared today that you regard neither princes nor servants; for today I perceive that if Absalom had lived and all of us had died today, then it would have pleased you well. 7 "Now therefore, arise, go out and speak comfort to your servants. For I swear by the LORD, if you do not go out, not one will stay with you this night. And that will be worse for you than all the evil that has befallen you from your youth until now." ( 2 Sam 19:5-7) David has been grieving the loss of his son Absalom. So much so that the victory that should have been celebrated by the people was replaced with a national pall. Why, it appears to the people that David would've been happier with being defeated! Joab tells David to get a grip on his misplaced priorities, or the evil that has befallen David in his life up to this point will pale compared to the evil that will come his way. David needs to put the kingdom above his own flesh and blood. This is the lesson for all of us. Jesus sternly reminds us in Mt 10:34-39, “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 "For I have come to 'set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law'; 36 "and 'a man's enemies will be those of his own household.' 37 "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 "And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 "He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” Jesus and His kingdom must be number one in our lives. He must be more important than ourselves and our families. Love Jesus first, and let Him work out the love of family. Jesus, help me to give You the proper place in all my relationships.