Evil kills, but God makes well

New Guest: Like this one, most posts are devotional; those related to CAR BIZ can be found by searching for that title. You might start with 'Welcome,' the first post, dated November 12, 2008, in the archives, where I introduce myself and the blog.

Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Devotions: Ps 72; 119:73-96; 2 Sam 3:22-39; Acts 16:16-24; Mk 6:47-56

Lord, watch over our society and our culture; bless our leaders and defend the cause of the poor and powerless. Jesus is Lord; may He continue in Your holy love forever. May righteousness and peace come upon us. May God’s rule extend across the planet and the universe; may His enemies be brought low before Him. May prosperity bless our land and our people. Blessed is YHWH, God of Israel, Worker of wonders; and blessed be His glorious name forever! May God’s glory fill all the earth. Amen.

Lord, Your hand has made and fashioned me; give me understanding, that I may learn thy commands. Let me have fellowship with all who obey You and keep Your word. Let Your steadfast love comfort me today; pour out Your mercy upon me, Lord. For Your law is my delight! Put to shame the godless, while I meditate on Your precepts and live under Your authority. May my heart, mind and conduct be blameless; keep me from guilt and shame, my God. Spare my life to serve You. Your word is eternal, fixed and stable forever. I will never forget Your precepts, and I will live by them, with Your boundless grace!

When Joab returned to David’s stronghold and heard that Abner had visited the king and had departed in peace. Joab confronted David, saying that Abner had come only to deceive the king and to scout out his goings and comings, with an eye toward treachery. Joab sent messengers, and got Abner to return, then he and his brother Abishai stabbed and killed Abner, in revenge for Abner’s killing of their brother Asahel. David commanded Joab and all his people to rend their clothes and mourn for Abner; David followed the bier to Abner’s tomb in Hebron, and lamented him and his death there. David fasted till sundown. The people noted David’s conduct, and approved; they understood that David had no part in the killing of Abner. David said, ‘I am anointed king, but I have no power in relation to these sons of Zeruiah; I leave it to YHWH to requite the evildoer according to his wickedness.’

As Paul’s party went to pray, they were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination; she made a lot of money for her owners by soothsaying. She trailed Paul and his party crying out, ‘These men are servants of the Most High God; they proclaim the Way of salvation to you!’ After she had done this for many days, Paul became annoyed; he turned and spoke to the spirit within her: ‘I charge you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her!’ And the spirit departed immediately. When her owners saw that she was no longer a source of income for them, they had Paul and Silas seized and dragged before rulers and magistrates in the city center. They charged, ‘These men are Jews and are disturbing our city. They advocate customs unlawful for Romans to accept or practice.’ The mob joined in their accusations and attacked Paul and Silas. The magistrates had them stripped, and ordered that the apostles be beaten with rods. After a severe beating, Paul and Silas were thrown into prison, and the jailer was sternly charged to keep them securely. He put them in the inner prison and fastened their feet in stocks.

After feeding the 5000 in the Trans-Jordan wilderness, when evening came, Jesus could see the disciples in their boat, laboring and making little progress against strong headwinds. About the fourth watch, Jesus came to them, walking upon the water of the Sea of Galilee. He meant to pass them by, but they saw Him, and thinking He was a ghost, they cried out in terror. Immediately He spoke to them: ‘Take heart; it is I; have no fear!’ He got into the boat, and the wind ceased. They were astounded, still not understanding how He had fed the multitude, because their hearts were hardened. They crossed over to Gennesaret and moored on the shore. The people immediately recognized Jesus; they scurried around, and brought all the sick to Him on their pallets. Wherever Jesus went, the people laid the sick before Him and sought to touch Him. All those who did so were made well!