If anyone knows Melissa…

1 Kings 2:1–3:2; Acts 5:1-42; Psalm 125:1-5; Proverbs 16:25

By the Hands of the Apostles
And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them.There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. – Acts 5:12-16

The apostles were ministering and seeing many signs and wonders. They were ALL in one accord. People brought their sick and laid them on the streets so that even their shadows would pass over them. It wasn’t just a few, it was a multitude, and this passage tells us that these were healed – EVERY ONE.

A couple of words stood out to me again today. ALL (ALL means ALL) and EVERY ONE (EVERY ONE means EVERY single one). All the people were in one accord, and everyone brought to them for sickness or deliverance was healed.

We are His Witnesses
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. – Acts 5:29-32

Obey God rather than men.

A Pharisee Named Gamaliel
When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; and said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: but if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God. – Acts 5:33-39

Gamaliel was a Pharisee. He was a doctor of the law and a man of great esteem. Here we read that he encouraged the other Pharisees to show leniency to the apostles of Jesus Christ. In Acts 22:3, we find that Gamaliel is a teacher of a very zealous student name Saul.

I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilici, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. – Acts 22:3

They Ceased Not to Teach and Preach Jesus Christ
And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. – Acts 5:40-42

The Pharisees agreed with what Gamaliel had to say, but they still beat the apostles and commanded them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus. The apostles’ response was to rejoice that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And the Bible says that the did not cease to teach and preach Jesus.

When we are faced with suffering shame for His name, do we rejoice? You say we don’t suffer shame, but some do – in their families, in their workplaces, in their neighborhoods. Some, like these apostles, suffer even in their churches. Have you ever been thought to be a little overzealous in your worship or your praise? How about in your prayer life? The way you preach or teach?

I have, and I know others that have? The issue is not whether we will suffer shame. There will be times that we will suffer shame or rejection or “correction” to make others feel more comfortable. The question is afterward, do we back away? Do we back away and tone down our praise and worship or our prayer life? Do we cease to teach and preach Jesus? We ought always to obey God, rather than man, and REJOICE that we are counted worthy to suffer for His Name!!! JESUS!!!

The Lord is Round About His People
They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever. – Psalm 125:1-2

There is a Way That Seemeth Right
There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. – Proverbs 16:25

The Days of David Drew Nigh
Now the days of David drew nigh that he should die; and he charged Solomon his son, saying, I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man; and keep the charge of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and his testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself: that the LORD may continue his word which he spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said he) a man on the throne of Israel. – 1 Kings 2:1-4

1 Kings 1:1-53; Acts 4:1-37; Psalm 124:1-8; Proverbs 16:24

If He Will Shew Himself a Worthy Man
And Jonathan answered and said to Adonijah, Verily our lord king David hath made Solomon king. And the king hath sent with him Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, and they have caused him to ride upon the king’s mule: and Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet have anointed him king in Gihon: and they are come up from thence rejoicing, so that the city rang again. This is the noise that ye have heard. And also Solomon sitteth on the throne of the kingdom. And moreover the king’s servants came to bless our lord king David, saying, God make the name of Solomon better than thy name, and make his throne greater than thy throne. And the king bowed himself upon the bed. And also thus said the king, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which hath given one to sit on my throne this day, mine eyes even seeing it. 

And all the guests that were with Adonijah were afraid, and rose up, and went every man his way. And Adonijah feared because of Solomon, and arose, and went, and caught hold on the horns of the altar. And it was told Solomon, saying, Behold, Adonijah feareth king Solomon: for, lo, he hath caught hold on the horns of the altar, saying, Let king Solomon swear unto me today that he will not slay his servant with the sword. 

And Solomon said, If he will shew himself a worthy man, there shall not an hair of him fall to the earth: but if wickedness shall be found in him, he shall die. So king Solomon sent, and they brought him down from the altar. And he came and bowed himself to king Solomon: and Solomon said unto him, Go to thine house. – 1 Kings 1:43-53

Boldness
And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, by stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. – Acts 4:29-31

Our Help is in the Name of the Lord
Blessed be the LORD, who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped. Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth. – Psalm 124:6-8

Pleasant Words
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. – Proverbs 16:24

2 Samuel 23:24–24:25; Acts 3:1-26; Psalm 123:1-4; Proverbs 16:21-23

That Your Sins May Be Blotted Out
And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering. And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; and killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. – Acts 3:11-16

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. – Acts 3:19-21

Every Soul Which Will Not Hear
And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. – Acts 3:23

Neither Will I Offer Offerings Unto the Lord That Cost Me Nothing
And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel. – 2 Samuel 23:24-25

So Our Eyes Wait Upon the Lord Our God
Unto thee lift I up mine eyes, O thou that dwellest in the heavens. Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the LORD our God, until that he have mercy upon us. – Psalm 123:1-2

Understanding is a Wellspring of Life
Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly. The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. – Proverbs 16:22-23

 

 

 

 

 

2 Samuel 22:1–23:23; Acts 2:1-47; Psalm 122:1-9; Proverbs 16:19-20

Thou Hast Made Known to Me the Ways of Life
Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. – Acts 2:28

Oh That One Would Give Me Drink
And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate! And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD. And he said, Be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men. – 2 Samuel 23:15-17

Repent, and be Baptized
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. – Acts 2:38-39

Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. – Psalm 122:6

Be of an Humble Spirit
Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud. – Proverbs 16:19

 

 

 

 

2 Samuel 20:14–21:22; Acts 1:1-26; Psalm 121:1-8; Proverbs 16:18

The Lord Shall Preserve Thee
The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore. – Psalm 121:7-8

Atonement and Oaths
Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? and wherewith shall I make the atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of the LORD? And the Gibeonites said unto him, We will have no silver nor gold of Saul, nor of his house; neither for us shalt thou kill any man in Israel. And he said, What ye shall say, that will I do for you. And they answered the king, The man that consumed us, and that devised against us that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the coasts of Israel, let seven men of his sons be delivered unto us, and we will hang them up unto the LORD in Gibeah of Saul, whom the LORD did choose. And the king said, I will give them. But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul, because of the LORD’s oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan the son of Saul. – 2 Samuel 21:3-7

God told David there was famine because Saul killed many Gibeonites unjustly. So, David goes to the Gibeonites and asks them what he can do to make atonement. They didn’t ask for silver or gold but for seven of Saul’s sons to be delivered to them. David agreed but spared Mephibosheth because of his love for his father, Jonathon, and the oath they had taken before the Lord.

It is Not for You to Know the Times or the Seasons
And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. – Acts 1:7-9

It is not for us to know the times or the seasons, BUT ye shall receive power. This says to me – focus on what God is doing instead of trying to figure out what He is going to do (even in the next moment).

Pride and an Haughty Spirit
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. – Proverbs 16:18

Pride – high or inordinate opinion of one’s own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority.

Haughty – having or showing an attitude of superiority and contempt for people or things perceived to be inferior

2 Samuel 19:11–20:13; John 21:1-25; Psalm 120:1-7; Proverbs 16:16-17

What is That to Thee?
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me. Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? 21Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? 22 Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. – John 21:18-22

Jesus talked with Peter about how he would die and then gave him the command, “Follow Me!” When Peter heard this, he did what we do. He looked at one of the other disciples and asked, “What about him, Jesus?” He ignored the command entirely and fell into comparison about how each of them would die. We do that, and probably way more than we realize. The things we compare usually being things that are temporary rather than eternal. And if they are eternal, we cheapen them by placing them into comparison. Jesus responded to Peter with words we should ask ourselves when we start comparing that should stop us in our tracks. He said “if I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?” What is that to you? Jesus’ question exposes the jealousy that is in our hearts and was in Peter’s. Then Jesus gives the command again. He refocuses Peter to His command and should refocus us. These were Jesus’ last two Words recorded in the Gospels, “Follow Me!”

This is a word for us today. Stop spending your time and energy comparing your life to others and “Follow me!”

Take Heed to the Sword
And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him. But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab’s hand: so he smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri. – 2 Samuel 20:9-10

Amasa ignored the sword in the hand of Joab, and it cost him his life. We should be aware of what those around us hold in their hand, and if someone has a sword (something that can take life rather than give life), we should seek the Lord before allowing them too close.

He Hears
In my distress I cried unto the LORD, and he heard me. – Psalm 120:1

Depart from Evil
The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul. – Proverbs 16:17

 

 

2 Samuel 18:1–19:10; John 20:1-31; Psalm 119:153-176; Proverbs 16:14-15

Deal Gently with the Young Man
And the king commanded Joab and Abishai and Ittai, saying, Deal gently for my sake with the young man, even with Absalom. And all the people heard when the king gave all the captains charge concerning Absalom. – 2 Samuel 18:5

The Victory was Turned to Mourning
And the king was much moved, and went up to the chamber over the gate, and wept: and as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son! And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom. And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son. And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle. But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son! – 2 Samuel 18:33-19:4

Joab Confronts and Warns the King
And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, which this day have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines; in that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends. For thou hast declared this day, that thou regardest neither princes nor servants: for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well. Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thy servants: for I swear by the LORD, if thou go not forth, there will not tarry one with thee this night: and that will be worse unto thee than all the evil that befell thee from thy youth until now. Then the king arose, and sat in the gate. And they told unto all the people, saying, Behold, the king doth sit in the gate. And all the people came before the king: for Israel had fled every man to his tent. And all the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, The king saved us out of the hand of our enemies, and he delivered us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he is fled out of the land for Absalom. And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back? – 2 Samuel 19:5-10

In the Light of the King’s Countenance is Life
In the light of the king’s countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain. – Proverbs 16:15

We saw this verse played out today in the reading of 2 Samuel. David’s son, Absalom, wants to overthrow his father, King David. There is a battle, and King David and his men win the war, but his son, Absalom dies. The people have victory but when they see that their King isn’t celebrating the victory at all. He is mourning his son. The feeling of victory leave and the people feel only shame.

Blessed are They That Have Not Seen, and Yet Have Believed
Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: but these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. – John 20:29-31

This passage is full of encouragement to anyone struggling to get into the Word. Sometimes we are like Thomas, and we don’t believe because we don’t see things happen according to our timetable. This verse says that if you believe when you don’t yet see in fullness, you are blessed! Then it continues and says the Bible is written that you would believe that Jesus is the Son of God so that when you believe you will have LIFE through Him. This Word is written that we would have LIFE.

And isn’t it appropriate that today we would finish the reading of Psalm 119? If you haven’t noticed, I posted all of Psalm 119 over these last ten days. This Psalm is all about the Word of God, and it encourages me so much to love His Word, to dig deeper into His Word, to seek Him through His Word, and to share of the Word what I feel is shared with me. Truly this Word is LIFE.

Thy Righteous Judgments Endureth Forever
Consider mine affliction, and deliver me: for I do not forget thy law. Plead my cause, and deliver me: quicken me according to thy word. Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes. Great are thy tender mercies, O LORD: quicken me according to thy judgments. Many are my persecutors and mine enemies; yet do I not decline from thy testimonies. I beheld the transgressors, and was grieved; because they kept not thy word. Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O LORD, according to thy lovingkindness. Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever. – Psalm 119:153-160

My Heart Standeth in Awe of Thy Word
Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word. I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil. I hate and abhor lying: but thy law do I love. Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments. Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments. My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly. I have kept thy precepts and thy testimonies: for all my ways are before thee. – Psalm 119:161-168

My Tongue Shall Speak of Thy Word
Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word. Let my supplication come before thee: deliver me according to thy word. My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes. My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness. Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts. I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight. Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments. – Psalm 119:169-176

I challenge you – If you want a blessing today or if you are struggling to read the Word or with the concept that it is LIFE that you join me and take some time to read the passage above from John and then to open your Bible and read aloud all of Psalm 119 in its entirety. It is a long chapter, but it only takes about 15 minutes. Read it aloud – it makes a difference!!!.

Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for sending the Word, Your Word that is LIFE. Help me to study Your Word, honor Your Word, celebrate Your Word, and love Your Word with my whole heart. Order my steps in Your Word today that all I do would be pleasing to You and that You could use it to draw others to Yourself. Raise my faith today, Lord. Please help me to believe Your Words and Your promises not just because I have seen but because I trust You and know You and Your heart. Please help me to know Your heart more and more. I ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen!!!

2 Samuel 17:1-29; John 19:23-42; Psalm 119:129-152; Proverbs 16:12-13

Order My Steps in Thy Word
Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them. The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments. Look thou upon me, and be merciful unto me, as thou usest to do unto those that love thy name. Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me. Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts. Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes. Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law. – Psalm 119:129-136

Thy Word giveth light. It giveth understanding. Order my steps in Thy Word that sin would not have dominion over me. Deliver me from oppression. Make Thy face shine upon me. Teach me Thy Word.

Such mighty prayers are contained in these verses. They remind me of the two passages we say every Sunday morning in our worship services. They are also from this blessed chapter of Psalm.

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto to my path. (Psalm 119:105)

Thy Word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee. (Psalm 119:11)

An Everlasting Righteousness
Righteous art thou, O LORD, and upright are thy judgments. Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful. My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words. Thy word is very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. I am small and despised: yet do not I forget thy precepts. Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth. Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me: yet thy commandments are my delights. The righteousness of thy testimonies is everlasting: give me understanding, and I shall live. – Psalm 119:137-144

You Word is upright, righteous, very faithful, pure, everlasting, true!

Thou Hast Founded Them Forever
I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O LORD: I will keep thy statutes. I cried unto thee; save me, and I shall keep thy testimonies. I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word. Mine eyes prevent the night watches, that I might meditate in thy word. Hear my voice according unto thy lovingkindness: O LORD, quicken me according to thy judgment. They draw nigh that follow after mischief: they are far from thy law. Thou art near, O LORD; and all thy commandments are truth. Concerning thy testimonies, I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever. – Psalm 119:145-152

I will keep thy statutes. I shall keep thy testimonies. I hoped in thy word. I meditate in thy word. Quicken me according to thy judgment. All thy commandments are truth. Thou hast founded them (thy testimonies) forever.

For the Lord had Appointed to Defeat the Good Counsel
And Absalom and all the men of Israel said, The counsel of Hushai the Archite is better than the counsel of Ahithophel. For the LORD had appointed to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel, to the intent that the LORD might bring evil upon Absalom. – 2 Samuel 17:14

The Word reminds me again today that if I live according to God’s will and line my life up with His Word, He will fight my battles and even if someone has a near perfect plan to destroy me, He will appoint defeat of that plan.

Ahithophel Saw That His Counsel Was Not Followed
And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father. – 2 Samuel 17:23

Ahithopel touched the Lord’s anointed and God stepped in against him.

It Is Finished
Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home. After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. – John 19:25-30

“It is finished.” Jesus’ last Words as He fought the final battle for you and me. Every other battle that we will face in this life, Jesus has already fought. All we need to do is realize He has already sealed the victory and yield to Him. Hallelujah!

An Abomination to Kings
It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness. – Proverbs 16:12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 Samuel 15:23–16:23; John 18:25–19:22; Psalm 119:113-128; Proverbs 16:10-11

Let Him Do to Me as Seemeth Good Unto Him
And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation: but if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him. The king said also unto Zadok the priest, Art not thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar. See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me. Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there. And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up. And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness. – 2 Samuel 15:25-31

My Hiding Place and My Shield
I hate vain thoughts: but thy law do I love. Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word. Depart from me, ye evildoers: for I will keep the commandments of my God. Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope. Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes continually. Thou hast trodden down all them that err from thy statutes: for their deceit is falsehood. Thou puttest away all the wicked of the earth like dross: therefore I love thy testimonies. My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments. – Psalm 119:113-120

Deal with Thy Servant According Unto Thy Mercy
I have done judgment and justice: leave me not to mine oppressors. Be surety for thy servant for good: let not the proud oppress me. Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness. Deal with thy servant according unto thy mercy, and teach me thy statutes. I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies. It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law. Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold. Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way. – Psalm 119:121-128

Pilate Wrote a Title
And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS. This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, and Greek, and Latin. Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews. Pilate answered, What I have written I have written. – John 19:19-22

A Just Weight and Balance
A just weight and balance are the LORD’s: all the weights of the bag are his work. – Proverbs 16:11

2 Samuel 14:1–15:22; John 18:1-24; Psalm 119:97-112; Proverbs 16:8-9

Sweeter Than Honey
O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me. How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.- Psalm 119:97-104

Thy Testimonies Have I Taken as an Heritage
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep thy righteous judgments. I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word. Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD, and teach me thy judgments. My soul is continually in my hand: yet do I not forget thy law. The wicked have laid a snare for me: yet I erred not from thy precepts. Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart. I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end. – Psalm 119:105-112

There Was None to be So Much Praised
But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him. – 2 Samuel 14:25

The Cup Which My Father Hath Given
Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus. Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? – John 18:10-11

The Lord Directeth
A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. – Proverbs 16:9