04/21/22 Warnings

READING: 2 Samuel 3:6-4:12

It must have been a gruesome scene. Recab and Baanah had made the choice to kill Ishbosheth, the crippled son of David’s deep friend, Jonathan. They thought they had done David a favor because Ishbosheth was of the house of Saul, but David took no delight in their actions. Instead, he cast sentence on them for taking a defenseless life—and he called for cutting off their hands and feet and hanging their dead bodies beside a pool that likely was a public site in Hebron. On one hand, the mutilation and death were clear evidences of judgment against an unrighteous act. At the same time, David’s call for judgment was evidence he himself (as the one in line to become the king) had not ordered the murder.  

Further, it was a public warning for others who might consider such a heinous act. At the risk of bringing up painful memories for some, I think today about another type of evidence of unfaithful choices: the wounded marriages, wrecked ministries, and shattered testimonies of believers who have followed their own whims into minefields of sin in the past, only to discover that sin brings only anguish and destruction. We may not know all the details of each situation, but we know enough to grieve. 

May we today reflect on the truth that apart from the grace of God, we could all become markers of sinful choices. Indeed, may we choose to leave throughout this day a godly mark that does not become a warning to others; instead, it compels others to faithfulness. 

PERSONAL REFLECTION: What negative and positive markers have you seen in your life?   

TODAY’S PRAYER: “Help me, God, to make right choices today. May others see my life and want to know You.” 

TOMORROW’S READING:  2 Samuel 5:1-3; 1 Chronicles 11:1-3; 1 Chronicles 12:23-40; 2 Samuel 5:17-25; 1 Chronicles 14:8-17; 2 Samuel 5:6-10; 1 Chronicles 11:4-9; 1 Chronicles 3:4b; 2 Samuel 5:13, 4-5, 11-12; 1 Chronicles 14:1-2; 1 Chronicles 13:1-5; 2 Samuel 6:1-11; 1 Chronicles 13:6-14

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