Take refuge in God

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.

Friday, August 21, 2009
Devotions: Ps 140-43; 2 Sam 19:24-43; Acts 24:24-25:12; Mk 12:35-44

Lord, deliver me from sharp-tongued men and the hands of the wicked. I will cleave to God and God’s way. Keep my heart from hardness and bitterness, O God, and let others who will not relent experience the eternal consequences of their unrepentance. I know that God upholds the righteous. I will set a guard over my tongue and I ask, Lord, that You shape my heart to Your ways. Let the good rebuke me, and let not the enmity of evil people deflect me from the path to God. My eyes are on You, my God, and I make my way home to You! My cries ring out to my Savior; deliver me, Lord, from my persecutors; let me abide with the righteous in Your presence. Hear and answer my prayer, my Lord. Let me recall Your steadfast love and live in Your shadow. I take refuge in God; let Your Spirit lead me on a level path.

As David returned to Jerusalem from his victory over Absalom, he was met by various well-wishers. One was Mephibosheth, the crippled son of Saul. David asked why Mephibosheth had not evacuated with David, and he replied that his servant Ziba had deceived both Mephibosheth and David. David understood, and offered to return Mephibosheth half the land David had previously awarded to Ziba—but Mephibosheth said, ‘Let him keep it all, since my lord the king has come safely home.’ Next was Barzillai of Gilead, a man of 80 who had helped supply the king’s party when they hastily evacuated Jerusalem at the onslaught of Absalom and his rebellion. David invited Barzillai to join his court and live under his provision and protection in Jerusalem. But the old man demurred: ‘I am an old man and useless, my lord king. The wonders of the court would be wasted on me. I’ll accompany you across the river a bit, but then let me return to my own city to live out my life, and be buried near my father and mother. Take my dear Chimham in my place, and you can do for him whatever it would please you to do for me.’ This David accepted, and when the time came, he dismissed old Barzillai with a kiss, and let Chimham accompany him back to the court. And the men of Judah and the men of Israel contested to see who would show the greater honor and loyalty to King David.

As Paul sojourned in Caesarea, held due to the false charges brought against him by the Jewish authorities in Jerusalem, Felix and his Jewish wife Drusilla listened to Paul’s message about faith in the Messiah Jesus, and about justice, self-control and the future judgment. These matters disturbed the governor, and he dismissed Paul. He kept him prisoner, hoping for a bribe; but in time, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but left Paul in prison as a favor to the Jews. When Festus took office, within three days, the Jews were clamoring against Paul, hoping to get him transferred to Jerusalem; they still hoped to murder Paul in an ambush. Festus replied that they could travel to Caesarea and confront Paul in his presence there. Again Paul argued his own defense; again, the governor sought favor with the Jews, and asked Paul if he would stand trial in Jerusalem. But Paul replied, ‘I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I should be tried; I have done the Jews no wrong. If I have committed a capital offense, I don’t seek to avoid execution; but if there is no substance in their charges, no one can surrender me to them. I appeal to Caesar.’ When Festus had conferred with his counselors, he affirmed, ‘You have appealed to Caesar; to Caesar you shall go.’

Jesus taught in the Jerusalem temple: ‘How can the scribes say the Messiah is David’s son, since David himself calls the Messiah his lord? Inspired by the Holy Spirit, David wrote, “YHWH said to my Lord, ‘Sit at My right hand until I put Your enemies under Your feet.” How can he call him “Lord” if he is David’s son?’ The crowds were delighted! He also said, ‘Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and be saluted in public; they take the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at feasts; they devour widow’s estates, and make long, pretentious prayers. Theirs will be the greater condemnation!’ He sat watching as many made contributions to the temple treasury. Many of the rich made large and showy contributions; one poor widow came and dropped in two copper lepta. Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, ‘Truly I say to you: this poor widow has put in more than all those other contributors. For they all gave from their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had—her whole living!’