Bible Reading Commitment, Encouragement, and Challenge
July 9 – 2 Samuel 15-17
Observe with some (Interpretation in Parentheses)
- Focusing on 2 Samuel 15-17
- In the midst of judgment and discipline, God is still full of mercy
- In chapter 12:11-12, because of David’s sin against Bathsheba and Uriah (adultery, lying, conspiracy, murder – all with no convicted conscience until rebuked), God tells David that part of his punishment is rebellion from within his own house, and the rebel sleeping with his wives in plain sight (which is what we see with Absalom in these chapters)
- Yet, in the midst of deserved judgment and discipline, God is still full of mercy
- David is able to flee Jerusalem and keep his life
- Those who follow David are able to follow him and not be ruthlessly killed in the traitorous rebellion
- God provided Hushai to thwart the wise counsel of Ahithophel in order to spare David and his men
- 17:14 is clear that it is all because of the Lord’s sovereign mercy and faithfulness to His promises to David that He ordained to defeat the good counsel of Ahithophel
- In the midst of deserved judgment and discipline, God is full of mercy and faithful to His Gospel Promises
How Points to Christ
- All of God’s mercy is only available because justice fell upon Christ, not upon sinners who deserve not just temporary earthly judgment and discipline, but eternal wrath from God in justice
- All of God’s faithfulness leads to God’s Son Jesus Christ, the promised King from the line of David
Apply
- Praise God that because of Christ, all those in Christ will never be punitively judged or punished or condemned again (Christ bore all of our punishment on the cross)
- Yet, Hebrews tells us that as a loving Father, He still disciplines his children in love
- And, in general, life in a fallen world will be full of trials that test and grow our faith
- Please pray that during times of trial and/or discipline (many times it is hard to discern the two), I would grow in trusting God and crying out to Him for undeserved mercy (as David prayed when he left Jerusalem)
- Please pray that I would recognize my sin quickly and repent quickly and keep clinging to Christ
Leave a comment