Humility heals; hubris destroys

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 15, 2009
Devotions: Ps 38, 119:25-48; 1 Sam 20:1-23; Acts 12:18-25; Mk 2:13-22

Lord, I am laid open to Your discipline. Your indignation weighs me down; I beg You to forgive and heal me. I wait upon You; I am in Your power, and I appeal to Your mercy. I confess my sin, and I am sorry for it. Don’t forsake me, YHWH; You are my Savior. Revive me by Your word; help me understand Your statutes, and I will meditate on Your wondrous works and ways. I will put false ways aside; graciously teach me Your Law, my God. Give me understanding and lead me in right paths. Incline my heart to health and holiness; turn my eyes from vanities, and turn Your reproach aside from me. Let Your steadfast love overflow me; keep Your true word on my tongue, and I will walk in liberty under Your authority. God, I love You; and Your word is my treasure and my light.

After David had escaped Saul’s wrath, he returned from Naioth and sought out Jonathan. He protested his innocence, and Jonathan assured David that Saul kept his son in his counsel—Saul would not plan evil against David without Jonathan’s knowledge. David pointed out that Saul knew that Jonathan and David were fast friends, and so he was concealing his malice from his son. They devised a plan to test Saul’s intent. Jonathan acknowledged that David, not himself, would succeed Saul as king; and Jonathan asked David’s favor: ‘Let not Jonathan’s name be cut off from the house of David.’ David swore his love and protection for his friend. And they put their plan into action.

When God delivered Peter from Herod’s prison, Herod examined the sentries and had them executed. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea. Herod was angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. They sent emissaries to sue for peace, because Herod controlled their food supplies. Herod donned royal robes and made an oration to them. His audience sought Herod’s favor, and shouted, ‘The voice of a god, not a man!’ Because Herod did not give God the glory, an angel of the Lord struck him. Herod’s innards were eaten by worms, and he died an agonizing and shameful death. But God’s word multiplied; Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their charitable mission there, bringing with them John Mark.

Jesus moved from Peter’s house to the lakeside to teach the crowds that sought Him. As He passed along, he came across Levi, son of Alphaeus, sitting at the tax office. Jesus said, ‘Follow Me,’ and Levi arose and followed Him. Later, Jesus and His disciples attended a meal at Levi’s house, along with many tax collectors and others publicly noted as ‘sinners’. The scribes and Pharisees, noting all this, said to Jesus’ disciples, ‘Why does he eat with these publicans and sinners?’ Jesus answered: ‘Those who are well need no physician; those in need are the sick. I came to call sinners, not the self-righteous.’ Disciples of John the Baptizer and those of the Pharisees were fasting, so people came to Jesus asking, ‘Why do these fast, but Your disciples do not fast?’ And Jesus responded, ‘Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? Not as long as He is with them. But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken from them, and then they will fast. No one sews unshrunk cloth over a tear in an old garment. If he does, the patch when it shrinks will pull away, and the tear is made worse. Likewise, no one puts new wine in old wineskins; if he does, the new wine will burst the old skins, and both wine and skins are lost. New wine is for fresh skins!’