II Samuel 4
Israel in fear upon hearing of death of Abnerverses 1-3
And when Saul’s son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron
his hand were feeble – and all the Israelites were troubled
And Saul’s son had two men that were captains of bands
the name of the one was Baanah
the name of the other Rechab
the sons of Rimmon a Beerothite – of the children of Benjamin
(for Beeroth also was reckoned to Benjamin
and the Beerothites fled to Gittaim
and were sojourners there until this day)
Mephibosheth – Jonathan’s sonverse 4
And Jonathan – Saul’s son – had a son that was lame of his feet
he was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan
out of Jezreel – and his nurse took him up – and fled
and it came to pass – as she made haste to flee
that he fell – and became lame
And his name was Mephibosheth
Ish-bosheth’s head presented to Davidverses 5-8
And the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite – Rechab and Baanah went
and came about the heat of the day to the house of Ish-bosheth
who lay on a bed at noon
And they came thither into the midst of the house
as though they would have fetched wheat
and they smote him under the fifth rib
and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped
For when they came into the house – he lay on his bed in his bed chamber
and they smote him – and slew him – and beheaded him
and took his head
and gat them away through the plain all night
And they brought the head of Ish-bosheth to David to Hebron
and said to the king
BEHOLD – the head of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul your enemy
which sought your life
And the LORD has avenged my lord the king this day of Saul
and of his seed
David declares penalty to Rechab and Baanahverses 9-11
And David
answered Rechab and Baanah his brother
the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite
and said unto them
As the LORD lives – WHO has redeemed my soul
out of all adversity
When one told me – saying – BEHOLD – Saul is dead
thinking to have brought good tidings
I took hold of him and slew him in Ziklag
who thought that I would have given
him a reward for his tidings
How much more – when wicked men have slain a
righteous person in his own house on his bed?
Shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand
and take you away from the earth?
David orders Rechab and Baanah’s deathverse 12
And David commanded his young men – and they slew them
and cut off their hands and their feet
and hanged them up over the pool of Hebron
BUT they took the head of Ish-bosheth
and buried it in the sepulcher of Abner in Hebron
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 1 And when Saul’s son heard that Abner was dead in Hebron, his hands were feeble, and all the Israelites were troubled. (926 “troubled” [bahal] means to be horrified, to be out of one’s sense, to be filled with apprehension or alarm, to be in trepidation, be dismayed, or bewildered)
DEVOTION: What happens when human count on other humans for their safety? This verse explains what happens. Here is a king that was put in power because of his general. Here is a group of people who were counting on a general to keep them safe from their enemies.
These tribes were far from the LORD. Remember that David was anointed by Samuel to be the next king of Israel. They fought the one the LORD anointed for years. Now the one who was leading the fight was dead. He was killed by individuals that he trusted.
So now all the courage was gone from the eleven tribes that counted on Abner. . All the people were paralyzed with fear concerning what was going to happen next. They thought the worst. Two men thought they could gain David’s favor if they killed Ishbosheth. They were wrong.
However, David didn’t have any animosity toward the other tribes. He knew he had to wait for the LORD’S timing regarding his becoming king of all of Israel. He was willing to wait for the LORD to act.
We need to be like David and wait on the LORD to act in HIS timing. When we count on a human being or our own strength is when we realize that we are against a strong enemy called the Devil who wants us to fear him and lose our courage.
God is the one who can give us courage and cast out fear when we face a challenge that seems too big for us alone. Count on HIM to provide the strength you need for each battle you fight.
When bad news come to you what is your reaction? It is one of fear or prayer? Do we realize that everything that happens to us if for our good? God loves HIS children and is there by our side whatever comes our way.
CHALLENGE: We need to TRUST in the LORD no matter the circumstances.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 4 And Jonathan, Saul’s son, had a son that was lame of his feet. He was five years old when the tidings came of Saul and Jonathan out of Jerzreel, and his nurse took him up, and fled: and it came to pass, as she made haste to flee, that he fell, and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth. (2648 “made haste” [chaphaz] means to run away in haste, be in trepidation, alarm, hurry away, be terrified, or to act or move at high speed)
DEVOTION: Here we have the introduction of Mephibosheth and what happened to him when he was only five years old. He was the son of Jonathan the son of Saul but also the son of the best friend of David.
He had a nurse who was moving too fast when she heard the news that the Philistines were coming to kill all those who were left in Israel. They were going to live in the cities that Saul left unprotected at his death. So the people thought their only option was to run fast.
One of the problems was that most of the time those who had conquered a king also wanted to kill the rest of his family, so that, there would not be people following the family of the last king. There was a reason to run.
So we have a lame son of Jonathan. Who needs to be cared for during the rest of his life. This is going to be a way that David can keep his promise to Jonathan. He might seem to have no hope but the LORD is going to provide the help he needs.
We have to realize that the LORD knows the future. HE will help David keep his promise to Jonathan. If we have made a promise to someone and it seems like there would be no way to be keep our promises. The LORD might just give us a chance to fulfill our promises to others.
Bad news can provide good news for those who are trusting in the LORD to take care of their every need. HE knows what each person needs before they even realize what their genuine needs are. HE is watching over what is going on in this world. HE is never taken by surprise.
What need does the LORD have to provide for you? Are you trusting HIM to provide it in HIS time and in HIS way?
CHALLENGE: God cares for those who are in need of help from others. We need to be available.
: 6 And they came thither into the midst of the house, as though they would have fetched wheat; and they smote him under the fifth rib: and Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped. (4422 “escaped” [malat] means to flee to safety, to save oneself, to leave undisturbed, or to successfully run away form or avoid confinement or danger)
DEVOTION: Have you ever wanted to escape from some wrongdoing in your life? Did you think that the LORD would allow you to get away with something that was sin?
Here we have two men who thought they were be rewarded for killing a descendant of Saul.
They plotted to kill him and took his head as proof that he was dead to one they thought would reward them for their evil deed. They were wrong but that the time they thought they were going to get a prize for their efforts.
We need to make sure that we don’t do things for the wrong reasons. We need to make sure we are doing things that are pleasing to the LORD and not that are just pleasing to us.
God knows what is going on in this world. HE knows that are actions have consequences. HE wants us to act according to HIS will. HE wants us to make sure that before we plan something we are looking for HIS blessings on our actions.
God doesn’t want us to hurt people for our own personal gain. Our responsibility is to help those that we can help. The LORD gives us wisdom if we ask HIM regarding who we should be helping.
Here we find that these two men did something that was evil and they received their reward for their actions right away. Sometimes the LORD doesn’t deal with us right away but HE is going to deal with us for our wrong actions.
CHALLENGE: Always remember that the LORD is a just God and will find a way to treat all humans justly for their actions while they are alive or in the final judgment. We are not going to escape!
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 9 And David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Be-e-roth-ite, and said to them, As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my soul out of all adversity. (6299 “redeemed” [padah] means deliver, ransom, rescued, be released, to loose, preserve, or rescue a person in distress.)
DEVOTION: These two brothers thought that it would please David that they killed the king of Israel. They brought him his head to show what they had done. He was not pleased.
He told them what he did to the one who brought him the crown from Saul. He had one of his men kill the man for touching the LORD’S anointed king.
Now these men were going to die as well for killing a king. David knew that it was the LORD who was in control of what was happening in Israel and in his life.
This verse is an acknowledgement of what the LORD had done for David in the past and what HE was going to do in the future for him. He knew that it was the LORD that saved him from the lion and bear. He knew that it was the LORD who delivered Goliath into his hands. He knew that the LORD was the one who protected him from the Philistines. He knew that it was the LORD who protected him from the soldiers of Saul. He knew that every victory was given to him by the LORD. He gave the LORD the glory for all his protection.
We need to know that it is the LORD that is watching over us when we face any adversity. We are supposed to fact them because that is the only way we grow in the LORD. Our trust in HIM grows as we realize just how much the LORD has shown HIS love for us.
As we look over our lives we know that we have faced many challenges that we could not have faced alone. We would rather not have had the challenges but we also realize that we needed them to help us understand how much help we have received from the LORD.
Some people think that they have handled all their challenges by themselves even when they claim to be followers of Jesus Christ. This is when those individuals have to see if they are handling their problems by themselves because they have not really trusted in the LORD or they have to see the LORD working with them as they faced their challenges. The only one that can answer that is each individual.
Is the LORD the one who is giving you redemption from your challenges or are you doing it without HIM? If without HIM then you need salvation.
CHALLENGE: If with HIM you need to acknowledge HIS help and thank HIM. David thanked HIM!!
: 11 How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house on his bed? Shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth? (6662 “righteous” [tsaddiyq] means just, lawful, right and correct)
DEVOTION: David had respected Ish-bosheth as a son of Saul. They were working on a plan to get the twelve tribes back together. The killing of Abner was not David’s idea. The killing of the sons of Saul was not his idea. He believed that the king was allowed to reign by the LORD.
The two sons of Rimmon killed Ish-bosheth thinking that they would receive a reward from David. David told the two sons of Rimmon that Ish-bosheth was doing things right. He thought they should not have killed him. He judged them worthy of death and executed them. He treated them the same way that he treated the man who brought him news of Saul’s death.
David wanted to be king but not this way. There is a proper way of doing things and an improper way – we need to do things the proper way at all time. We need to watch how we treat those who are right in God’s eyes. Too often we think we are doing the right thing by taking a leader out of office. Too often we are ready to take things into our own hands. Too often we are not inquiring of the LORD what we should do next.
Our responsibility is to follow the example of Christ. Christ always went to the Father when HE was going to make a decision. Remember that Christ and the Father were one in essence and purpose. Christ was showing us the proper way to handle things. We need to be especially careful regarding our fellow heirs.
CHALLENGE: When we take things into our own hands without asking the LORD for direction, we sin. HE wants us to be dependent on HIM for all our decisions. HE is in the little things of life!!!!
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal)verses 8, 9
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead – God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Feebleverse 1
Troubledverse 1
Killed Ish-bo-shethverse 8
Avengeverse 8
Wickedverse 11
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Redeemedverse 9
Righteousverse 11
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Baanah – son of Rimmon: Berrothileverses 2-12
Captain of bands
Child of Benjamin
Killed Ish-bosheth
Brought head to David
Rechab – son of Rimmon: Berrothileverses 2-12
Captain of bands
Child of Benjamin
Killed Ish-bosheth
Brought head to David
Ish-boshethverses 5, 11
Killed by Baanah & Rechab
Righteous one
Head buried in sepulcher of Abner
David – in Hebronverses 8-12
Head of Ish-bosheth brought to him
By Baanah & Rechab
Tells them that he killed the man
Who brought news of Saul’s
Death
Young men killed Baanah & Rechab
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
Abner diedverse 1
Rechab and Baanah killedverse 12
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QUOTES regarding passage
8 Presenting the head of Ish-Bosheth to David, Recab and Baanah remind him that Ish-Bosheth’s father, Saul, had been David’s “enemy” (see comments on 1 Sam 18:29; on 19:17; and on 24:4). Indeed, Saul had “tried to take” (lit., “sought”) David’s “life” on many occasions (see comment on 1 Sam 20:1). But now, say the assassins, the Lord himself—to whom belongs all vengeance (cf. David’s words to Saul in 1 Sam 24:12; cf. also Deut 32:35; Rom 12:19; Heb 10:30)—has “avenged” (cf. 22:48–49a = Ps 18:47–48a) David not only against Saul but also against Saul’s “offspring” (including Ish-Bosheth, the last viable scion of the Saulide line). And now that none of Saul’s descendants remains an obstacle to Davidic pretensions or ambitions, “the gift of Ish-Bosheth’s head [to David] is at the same time the gift of the kingdom” (David M. Gunn, “David and the Gift of the Kingdom [2 Sam 2–4, 9–20, 1 Kings 1–2],” Semeia 3 [1975]: 17). (Youngblood, R. F. (1992). 1, 2 Samuel. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 & 2 Samuel (Vol. 3, p. 845). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
Ish-Bosheth was powerless, two Benjamite assassins—Baanah and Recab (vv. 2–3)—gained access to Ish-Bosheth’s house at Mahanaim at midday and slew him in his bed (stabbed him in the stomach, v. 6; cf. the identical means of assassination of Abner by Joab, 3:27), beheaded him (4:7), and carried his head to David at Hebron (v. 8).
Within the narrative is a reference (v.4) to Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth (otherwise and originally Merib-Baal,1 Chron. 8:34). The name change is similar to that of Esh-Baal to Ish-Bosheth, but here the change was from “Baal contends” to “from the mouth of shamefulness.” His lameness occurred when his nurse, who was carrying the young five-year-old lad out of danger after Jonathan’s death, dropped him and injured him. Mephibosheth reappears later in the story as one in special need of protection (2 Sam. 9). Hence this parenthetical note prepares readers for what follows. (Merrill, E. H. (1985). 2 Samuel. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 460). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
4:8 the Lord has given … vengeance. The murderers of Ish-bosheth came to David and proclaimed that the Lord had avenged David. However, as happened earlier to the Amalekite (1:2–15), the men were very surprised at the response of David. David did not see their deed as the Lord’s vengeance, but as murder of an innocent man. (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (2 Sa 4:8). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
Ver. 8. And they brought the head of Ish-bosheth unto David to Hebron, &c.] Supposing it would have been a very acceptable present to him: and said to the king, behold the head of Ish-bosheth the sun of Saul thine enemy, which sought thy life; all which, his relation to Saul, his enmity to David, and his designs upon his life, are artfully put together to raise the indignation of David against him, and make their present of his head to him the more agreeable: and the Lord hath avenged my lord the king this day of Saul and of his seed: for all the evils and injuries they had done him; this being the last of the sons of Saul by a lawful wife, the two remaining were by a concubine; and these men impiously ascribe to the Lord what they with wicked hands had done. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 2, p. 582). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
8–11. Observe; with what faith and assurance David speaks of redemption. Not as a thing to be done; but as a work already accomplished. Sweet thought this! So concluded holy men of old. “Blessed, (said Zacharias) be the Lord God of Israel, for he hath visited, and redeemed his people. Let thy servant, (said Simeon) depart in peace according to thy word! for mine eyes have seen thy salvation.” Luke 1:68; 2:29, 30. The just detestation of David at this horridly cruel and unprovoked deed of Rechab and Baanah, could not have been expressed in a stronger manner. (Hawker, R. (2013). Poor Man’s Old Testament Commentary: Deuteronomy–2 Samuel (Vol. 2, p. 657). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)
FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
LOVING THE BRETHREN
He that loveth his brother abideth in the light. 1 John 2:10
As Christians look at their fellow men and women, they see people exactly like themselves before their eyes were opened, and now they are sorry for them. They begin to love hateful persons instead of hating them. They say, We are all in the same position, and they begin to have an eye of compassion for them. Their knowledge of the love of God in Christ makes them love other people even as they have been loved themselves. They are new men and women with a new outlook; they are in a new realm. They feel the love of God in their heart, and they want to love Him and glorify Him, and they know they can glorify God most of all by being new men and women, by living as Christ lived and thereby showing and proving that they are indeed true disciples.
Christ our Lord put this perfectly once in the parable of the man who was a servant and was in trouble. He went to his lord and pleaded for forgiveness, and that lord forgave him. But there was another man who was a servant under the first servant who came to him and made exactly the same plea, but the forgiven servant took the other by the throat and said, No, I won’t let you offend you have to pay to the last farthing. Well, said our Lord (Matthew 18:23-35), that man must not think he has been forgiven, for the man who does not forgive will not be forgiven.
What this means is that you and I can only be happy about the fact that we are Christians if we find this loving, forgiving spirit within ourselves. It is idle for us to say that we know God has forgiven us if we ourselves are not loving and forgiving. People who say they are in the light but who hate and do not forgive their brother are in darkness even now.
A Thought to Ponder: It is idle for us to say that we know that God has forgiven us if we ourselves are not loving and forgiving. (From Walking with God, pp. 64-65.by Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones)
Out of Our Poverty
They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.
Mark 12:44
Warren Buffett and Bill and Melinda Gates made history when they launched the Giving Pledge, promising to donate half of their money. As of 2018, this meant giving away 92 billion dollars. The pledge made psychologist Paul Piff curious to study giving patterns. Through a research test, he discovered that the poor were inclined to give 44 percent more of what they had than wealthy people. Those who’ve felt their own poverty are often moved to greater generosity.
Jesus knew this. Visiting the temple, He watched the crowds drop gifts into the treasury (Mark 12:41). The rich tossed in wads of cash, but a poor widow pulled out her last two copper coins, worth maybe a penny, and placed them into the basket. I picture Jesus standing up, delighted and astounded. Immediately, He gathered His disciples, making sure they didn’t miss this dazzling act. “This poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others,” Jesus exclaimed (v. 43). The disciples looked at each other, bewildered, hoping someone could explain what Jesus was talking about. So, He made it plain: those bringing huge gifts “gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything” (v. 44).
We may have little to give, but Jesus invites us to give out of our poverty. Though it may seem meager to others, we give what we have, and God finds great joy in our lavish gifts. By Winn Collier
Overcoming Worry
David Egner
Worry can either bring us to the Father in heaven, or it can drive us away from Him. The challenge is how we choose to deal with it. Author David Egner offers a biblical and practical perspective on how we can put our worries to work for us, rather than allow them to consume us. He spells out how we can actively trust God with the unknown and experience the beauty of His peace.
1. Let Worry Turn Your Attention to God
When we worry, we are actually acknowledging the truth that we are not adequate to meet the demands of life in our own strength. This is our moment to remind ourselves of some important truths about God. He is everywhere. There is no place, no matter how alone we may feel, that God cannot be. He is everywhere! (Psalm 139:7–12; Jeremiah 23:23–24). He knows everything. He knows how afraid we are, how bad we feel, and what scares us. The more worried we become, the more we act as if God were ignorant of our situation. We don’t know the future, but God does; and He knows our needs (Job 7:20; Psalm 33:13–14). He is all-powerful. Worriers feel that no one has the power to stop bad things from happening—not even God. But God has limitless power and His own wise reasons for what He permits (Genesis 17:1; 18:14; Matthew 19:26).
2. Let Worry Turn You to the Words of Jesus
In Matthew 6:25–34, Jesus challenged His followers to see that the opportunities of heaven are more important than the potential losses of life. He urged them to believe that if God takes care of the birds of the air and the flowers of the fields, He will take care of His children. Jesus understands our inclinations, so He reminds us that just like the natural world around us, we were not made to worry. Birds have to eat, but they don’t get migraines obsessing about it. Flowers “wear clothes,” but they don’t have to be treated for ulcers. Their heavenly Father takes care of them.
3. Turn Worry Into Prayer
Few of us have endured the kind of problems encountered by the apostle Paul. Yet in spite of all the threats on his life, the beatings, and the imprisonments, he wrote to the Philippians: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6–7). When we are worried, we need to take that worry to God. Ask for His help. Earnestly petition Him. The God who told us to ask, seek, and knock will give, help us find, and answer (Matthew 7:7–8).
4. Turn Worry Into Practical Choices
The apostle Peter wrote to people undergoing intense persecution and offered this alternative to worry: “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you”(1 Peter 5:6–7). Two steps are involved in this process: Accept What We Cannot Change. Instead of emotionally unraveling, or avoiding reality by denying our worry, we can humbly accept that these circumstances are part of our life. Give to God What We Cannot Change. Peter’s words also encourage us to put our helpless feelings of worry into those same all-powerful hands. He urges us to cast our cares on God, entrusting ourselves to the One who cared enough for us to send His Son to die for us. A decision to let the ultimate worry bring us to the One who died for us is the first step. From then on, every concern of life, regardless of how troubling, can help us to care for others or trust the Lord for what He alone can do.
Jesus teaches on the Beatitudes.
INSIGHT
Love is the fundamental factor of all meaningful relationships. Love is an action — the action of selflessness, of esteeming others above ourselves. All interpersonal problems could be solved with a faithful, mutual expression of love.
Imagine what the world would be like if everyone acted in love. No war. No divorce. No AIDS. No murder. No rape. No tears.
Though Jesus knew that sin presently prevents perfect love, He held believers to a high standard of showing His love in this world: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
(Quiet Walk)
HE NAME OF GOD
I have manifested thy name…
John 17:6
In Scripture the name always stands for the character; it represents what a person really is. Let me remind you of some of the names that are used for God in the Scriptures. God is given the name Jehovah-nissi—the Lord Our Banner—in Exodus 17:15. That is the name He revealed to the children of Israel after a great victory, a victory won not by their own strength, nor by their own military prowess, but because God enabled them to obtain the victory—the Lord Our Banner.
You and I have enemies to meet in this world—sin and temptation. The world is full of these subtle enemies, and behind them all is the devil himself with all his power. Do you know what it is to be attacked by him? Do you know, for example, what it is to have blasphemous thoughts insinuated into your minds? The saints of God have had to experience that. The devil hurls fiery darts, says Paul, and who are we to meet such a foe? We are small and weak and helpless, but thank God, we know One whose name is Jehovah-nissi, the Lord Our Banner, who can help us smite every foe and rout and conquer every enemy
But let me give you another: Jehovah-shalom—The Lord Is Peace. That was the name by which God revealed Himself to Gideon. Gideon was fearful and unhappy, but God told him that He was Jehovah-shalom (Judges 6:24), and this is one of the most precious promises. It does not matter what kind of turmoil you are in or how heart-sore you may be. If you are beside yourself and cannot understand why things are happening to you, go to Him. He has promised to give you peace. Remember that noble statement in Hebrews 13:20, “…the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus.” Jehovah-shalom—The Lord Is Peace—He makes peace with His people.
A Thought to Ponder: We know One whose name is Jehovah-nissi, the Lord Our Banner. (From Safe in the World, pp. 46, 51-52, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)
Practice These Things
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