BETRAYER

Time with Jesus - Monday, 26 November 2012

Hi all,

Ahitophel! The name sounds ordinary. But he was far from being ordinary. He was a traitor. He betrayed King David in much the same way that Judas betrayed Jesus. Psalm 55 describes David’s circumstances. ¹² It is not an enemy who taunts me--I could bear that. It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me--I could have hidden from them. ¹³ Instead, it is you--my equal, my companion and close friend. Psalm 55:12-13 NLT  I started writing about this and found that I was only halfway through when I came to the end of the usually allotted space. So there is no introduction today. The story of Ahitophel is enough to meditate on anyway!

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Monday, 26 November 2012			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
©	These devotionals are the intellectual property of Jim Strickland and copyright protected. You are welcome to copy and distribute them to anyone provided it is for non-commercial Christian purposes					©
AHITOPHEL			DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	BETRAYER
He had a reputation, for being very wise. And when it came to counsel, there surely “were no flies”, On what he’d said to David. He usually was right. But it was most unfortunate what he had said that night. His name “brother of foolishness” was surely rather apt. He always chose the “winning side” and thereby, he was trapped. He was Bathsheba’s grandfather, is what some scholars say. Perhaps that’s why he saw the king at any time of day? Had he been reliable? I guess he must have been. And since he was related, to David’s favourite queen, He must have had some influence on what the monarch said. No doubt this sort of impact would “turn King David’s” head. He would start to trust this man; this crafty Gilonite. And the king concluded, he “always” got things right. But he had one purpose. To have authority. To be David’s advisor. Get him to do what he, Said he should be doing. The power behind the throne, Is what he really wanted, all for his very own! So he befriended David. It easily was done. Because he was related to David’s wife and son. He gained a reputation, for often being right. Thus he always looked so good, within King David’s sight. And so their “friendship” blossomed. And very soon he knew, The King would do precisely what he told him to do! And so they had walked together and David loved him well. It really was a tragedy for bad Ahitophel. But it was insufficient. He wanted so much more. He joined himself with Absalom. He sort of “crossed the floor” And when the young pretender entered Jerusalem. Ahitophel had obviously taken sides with them. What this new king needed was getting some advice. Ahitophel said something that Absalom thought nice.  2 Sam 16:21 “Take your father’s concubines upon the palace roof. And there, before the people, give them the living proof, That you have taken over. Then take each one by force. Where everyone could see them, have sexual intercourse.” Absalom consented and soon he had had it done. He thought it was exciting and also lots of fun. Continued under Betrayer			10 For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There's no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death. 2 Corinthians 7:10 NLT 23 When Ahithophel saw that his advice hadn't been followed, he saddled his donkey, left, and went home to his own city. He gave instructions to his family. Then he hanged himself, died, and was buried in his father's tomb. 2 Samuel 17:23 GW 14 A person's spirit can endure sickness, but who can bear a broken spirit? Proverbs 18:14 GW 22 Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people? Jeremiah 8:22 TNIV 1 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon Me, for the LORD has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent Me to comfort the broken-hearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. 2 He has sent Me to tell those who mourn that the time of the LORD's favour has come, and with it, the day of God's anger against their enemies. 3 To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for His own glory. Isaiah 61:1-3 NLT 28 Then Jesus said, "Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." Matthew 11:28-30 NLT 35 So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus. Acts 8:35 NLT 3 He heals the broken-hearted and bandages their wounds. Psalms 147:3 NLT	But what he didn’t realise, was it would take some time. He was still a strong young man quite early in his prime. When all of this was over, Absalom’s next move, Was still to be decided. What was it he’d approve? Ahitophel suggested, that almost straight away, Absalom should chase the King, without further delay. “Give me twelve thousand soldiers and I will run him down I will kill King David and you will get his crown!” Ahitophel’s suggestion was excellent and good. The “New King” would have done it as quickly as he could. But first he called for Hushai, the Arkite to advise, If this is what he ought to do and if the course was wise? Now Hushai still supported King David and so he, Spoke and said to Absalom, “That isn’t right for me. David is still powerful. You need a lot more men Otherwise he will return and take the crown again. So wait until your army is a far larger size. Send a call for extra troops; I think that would be wise.” So Absalom decided to simply hang around. It’s likely that the pleasure that Absalom had found, Was rather preferential to running off to war. The women had been fabulous. Perhaps he wanted more? So Absalom decided that he would rather stay. He’d resume the battle upon some other day. This would be disastrous; bad for Ahitophel. It sounded like the first stroke of this traitor’s own death knell. He realised that very soon, King David would return. And that when David saw him, his ire would surely burn. There were no other prospects. A most unpleasant death. Surely now was threatening, to snatch his final breath. He had no further comment. He knew what to do next. He’d better be untouchable when David’s ire was vexed. He saddled up his donkey and headed off for home. Suicide was better than waiting all alone, For David’s men to find him and give him to the King. Rather death by hanging. He wouldn’t feel a thing. He put his house in order. Took a rope and died. What a dreadful ending; committing suicide!               2 Sam 17:23 Jim Strickland  Written 26th November 2012

IT’S NOT FAIR!

Time with Jesus - Sunday, 25 November 2012

Hi all,

Today we talk about “fairness” and God. I’ve always maintained God is not “fair”. He is perfectly just. But justice and fairness are not the same. It’s “fair” when I get what I deserve. If I don’t, it’s unfair. It wasn’t “fair” for Christ to die for me. He wasn’t the sinner. I was! So if He dies for my sins, that’s unfair! But it is “just” because someone must die for my sins. For Christ to die for me is unfair, but it’s His idea anyway! So justice is served. My sins are paid for and I can become His Father’s adopted Son. Wow! This unfairness is greatly appreciated.

Blessings,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Sunday, 25 November 2012			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
©	These devotionals are the intellectual property of Jim Strickland and copyright protected. You are welcome to copy and distribute them to anyone provided it is for non-commercial Christian purposes					©
INTRODUCTION			DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	IT’S NOT FAIR!
One of the biggest lessons I learned about life is that people can be very different! This is not intended as an insult to anyone. It’s stated as a fact, not a criticism. By way of illustration, let’s look at one of our Western customs. We try to never walk between two people who are talking. We walk round them so no one is offended. But when a black person walks between us, we get annoyed and say he/she is an ignorant so and so. We shouldn’t. In their culture you don’t walk behind someone’s back. If you do, their culture says you intend to kill then. So they walk between you to show they have nothing to hide. Which culture is correct? The answer is both are correct! In the West we say, ladies first, We walk behind the ladies. We protect them from behind; In the black culture, they walk ahead of the ladies to protect them from the front. Which is correct? Both of them! Yet we evaluate others in terms of our own culture. Could it be that theirs provides the better way for the situation? In our own, we talk about fairness. Is it correct for both parties? Even our laws are founded on this principle. Equal pay for equal work. Sadly it appears that there are still differences for women doing the same work as men. But I digress. However, a man is not equal to a woman and a woman is not equal to a man. If they were, why didn’t God create all of us genderless? Procreation may be a problem under those conditions. But He would solve that His own way. After all, it would be His problem! Children seem to know instinctively what is and what is not fair. They seem to have minds that can calculate to an almost infinite number of decimals, when one gets more than another! It’s uncanny! But God does not see things from a human perspective. He sees us all as “equal” sinners. He doesn’t count and say I’ve committed 25 more sins than you! He sees us both as sinners needing His grace. Grace is free for all. But it is never cheap. The cost was the Life Blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God Himself. He died for all of us regardless how big or bad a sinner we were! Perhaps in the final analysis, I’ve more to forgive than you. Perhaps not as much as Ivan the Terrible or Pontius Pilate. No! His blood covers and forgives all who come to Him in repentance and ask for forgiveness. The truth is that if there is not enough of His blood to cover the sins of Adolf Hitler, there certainly isn’t enough to cover mine. The only question is whether forgiveness has or has not been requested. If the individual has repented from what he/she has done to sin against God, Jesus’ blood is the great leveller. It washes our sins whiter than snow. Anyone and everyone who comes to Jesus in repentance will be forgiven. Even a monster like Adolf Hitler. Even the “monster of iniquity” who reads this. If you repent, you will be forgiven! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			21 Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' (Joel 2:28-32) Acts 2:21 NIrV 2 Manasseh did what was evil in the sight of the LORD. He followed the practices of the nations. The LORD hated those practices. He had driven those nations out to make room for the people of Israel. 3 Manasseh rebuilt the high places. His father Hezekiah had destroyed them. Manasseh also set up altars to the god Baal. He made a pole that was used to worship the goddess Asherah. Ahab, the king of Israel, had done those same things. Manasseh even bowed down to all of the stars. And he worshiped them. 4 He built altars in the LORD's temple. The LORD had said about his temple, "I will put my Name there in Jerusalem." 5 In both courtyards of the LORD's temple Manasseh built altars to honour all of the stars. 6 He sacrificed his own son in the fire to another god. He practiced all kinds of evil magic. He got messages from those who had died. He talked to the spirits of the dead. He did many things that were evil in the sight of the LORD. He made him very angry. 2 Kings 21:2-6 NIrV 12 When Manasseh was in trouble, he asked the LORD his God to show favour to him. He made himself very low in the sight of the God of his people. 13 Manasseh prayed to him. When he did, the LORD felt sorry for him. He answered his prayer. He brought him back to Jerusalem and his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God. 2 Chronicles 33:12-13 NIrV 18 "Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. Isaiah 1:18 ESV 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfil his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 ESV	There’s one thing we can celebrate. The Lord God isn’t fair. But He has promised “justice” to all men everywhere. It’s not a contradiction. Fairness isn’t right. If it was, we’d all be sent to Hell this very night! Fairness is a little game we play with one another. If I get a little less, than you give to my brother, I will be offended; feel miserable and pout. Why should he get more than me? There isn’t any doubt, That both of us are equal.  But He’s got more than me. “It isn’t fair” I bellyache and murmur sulkily. How about another? Why should the first be last! I have worked much harder. Perhaps I’m not as fast. I think I’m being “slighted” and give a heavy groan! But how dare I tell God to do with that which is His own? Fairness looks at “human rights” In God we haven’t any. I am just a bond slave. I don’t deserve a penny! If He gives it all to you, then why should I complain? Thinking “I deserve it” is surely rather vain. One thing’s which is absolute. The Most High God is just. Whatever He decides to do, I know that I can trust. I’ve only done my duty. Just that and little more. So, if He has appointed me to sweep and mop the floor, It’s the way I do it, that shows who is my King. I’m doing it for Jesus. To Him my praise I bring. I could be Adolf Hitler. I could be Joan of Arc. God has no objections. In both He’s placed a spark, That draws them to Christ Jesus and He will let them in, Provided they’ve repented and turned away from sin. But pride is in our character. We think it isn’t fair, A man like Adolf Hitler could ever get in there? So we will have a double-take and say, “That isn’t right! What is it he’s doing here? Lord, this offends my sight!” “My child that is judgemental. I know how bad he’s been. Potentially you’re just as bad, so do not sulk and preen. My Word says whosoever will call upon My Name, Surely I will save them; for that is why I came. So when a man’s repented, I wash him white as snow. This fact is universal and always will be so.” Jim Strickland  25th November 2012