Through affliction to glory

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 22, 2009
Devotions: Ps 49, 119:49-72; 1 Sam 25:23-44; Acts 14:19-28; Mk 4:35-41

Let everyone who can hear listen to this wisdom. There is nothing to fear for those who rest in God’s care—and there is no other way of escape for anyone in trouble. The wise and foolish, rich and poor alike, are mortal; wealth and power end at death. Only God can ransom my soul from desolation, and He will do it! God, Your promise brings me hope and life. The wicked anger me, but I will cling to You and Your precepts. I hurry to keep Your commands; I enjoy the fellowship of Your people. Teach me good judgment and godly knowledge, that I may abide in Your favor, my God. My afflictions help focus me to grow in godliness; better God’s wisdom than worldly wealth.

Abigail hurried to forestall the destruction her foolish husband was bringing on himself and his household. She threw herself down before David and begged him not to lower himself by responding violently to Nabal’s folly in spurning David’s request for charity for David's men. She begged David’s forgiveness; she invoked YHWH’s protection and favor upon David and his forces, and God’s destruction on all his enemies. She begged that David not endanger his own future bliss by sinning; and she asked that David remember her when YHWH had secured his blessings. David blessed God for Abigail’s discretion and counsel, for '[you] have kept me this day from bloodguilt and from avenging myself with my own hand!’ He dismissed her in peace, having received her offering and granted her petition. The next day, Abigail informed her husband Nabal of all that had transpired, ‘and his heart died within him.’ Within ten days, Nabal was dead. David, hearing this, blessed God for avenging him against Nabal. And he wooed and wed Abigail. He was also married to Ahinoam of Jezreel. Saul had given David’s first wife, Saul’s daughter Michal, to Palti bar-Laish of Gallim.

One moment, the people of Lystra were calling Paul a god and trying to offer him sacrifices. Soon after, Jews from Antioch and Iconium swayed them to stone Paul. They dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. But Paul recovered; the next day, he went on to Derbe, accompanied by Barnabas. Then they retraced their steps, returning to strengthen the new disciples in Lystra, Iconium and Pisidian Antioch. They encouraged them to perseverant faith, saying that we enter God’s kingdom by passing through many tribulations. They appointed elders to oversee each church and with prayer and fasting committed them to the Lord in Whom they had believed. Then they completed their journey, passing through Pisidia and Pamphylia, Perga and Attalia, and finally returning to Syrian Antioch, whence they had come, commended by God’s grace. They gathered their home church and told them the story of their missionary journey, and how God had prospered His ministry among the Gentiles. They stayed then for some time with the disciples in Antioch.

After teaching multitudes, Jesus led His close followers across the lake. As they crossed, a great storm fell upon the boats and they began to founder. Jesus was in the stern asleep, so they woke Him. Jesus rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ And the wind and sea became calm. Then Jesus said to His companions, ‘Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?’ They were awestruck, asking one another, ‘Who is this, Whom even the wind and waves obey?’