He Heareth the Prayer of the Righteous

2 Samuel 2:12–3:39; John 13:1-30; Psalm 119:1-16; Proverbs 15:29-30

The Lord is Far from the Wicked
And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel? And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness. – 2 Samuel 3:38-39

Saul has died and David, while not king of Israel, is king of Judah. Saul’s son Ishbosheth is king of the nation of Israel. Because there are two kings there are issues and conflict. In the passages today we read of some of the conflict. Abner (Saul’s general) killed the brother of Joab (David’s general) during one of the battles that rose up from these conflicts. Abner however did everything he could to stop the pursuit of Joab’s brother so he could avoid killing him. The brother would not heed the warning and so Abner killed him. Once there was peace, David made a covenant with Abner. When Joab heard of it he called for Abner and took revenge by killing him. All eyes turned to David after this tragedy, and David acknowledged and greived for Abner because he was a fallen national hero. And to Joab, David said, the Lord shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.

He Heareth the Prayer of the Righteous
The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. – Proverbs 15:29

Happy Are Ye If Ye Do Them
Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter saith unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Jesus saith to him, He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, Ye are not all clean. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. – John 13:8-17

Do we heed the words of Jesus in this passage? Do we humble ourselves to wash the filth from the feet of others? Do we humble ourselves that others can wash the dirt off ours? Whether we take foot washings literally or figuratively it requires a heart that is humble and honest. More often than not, we live pretending to have no filth or we work to hide our filth from everyone. According to Jesus, however, this humble and honest posture is the path toward blessing from God. Only if we release dominance and control and take on servanthood and allow others to serve us also, will we find the blessings and happiness in life that we seek and need. Jesus said, “IF.”

That I Might Not Sin Against Thee
Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD. Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart. They also do no iniquity: they walk in his ways. Thou hast commanded us to keep thy precepts diligently. O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes! Then shall I not be ashamed, when I have respect unto all thy commandments. I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. I will keep thy statutes: O forsake me not utterly. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. – Psalm 119:1-16

Please help me today, Father to hid Your Words in my heart that I might not sin against You!!! In Jesus Name I ask this. Amen!