Tag: reap what was sowed
Rejoice: God is just!
Scripture reading for March 9th: Judges 9-12
Key Scriptures: Judges 9:22-24 “After Abimelech had governed Israel three years, God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the citizens of Shechem, who acted treacherously against Abimelech. God did this in order that the crime against Jerub-Baal’s (Gideon) seventy sons, the shedding of their blood, might be avenged on their brother Abimelech and on the citizens of Shechem who had helped him murder his brothers.”
God is just. A man will reap what he has sowed. Abimelech, the son of a Gideon and a prostitute from Shechem, wanted power and authority. He used intimidation to gain power and murdered all but one of his half-brothers. God allowed an evil spirit to bring about justice on these rebellious people.
Rejoice in God’s justice: Under the New Covenant, Christ offers forgiveness to repentant sinners and commands His people to allow Him to bring justice! “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.” (Romans 12:17-19)
Connecting with God
Scripture reading for July 2nd: Psalms 140-145
David’s life was one of deep trouble and prolonged times of pursuit by his enemies. Often these enemies were from his own friends or family! His brothers were jealous of him and spoke in a derogatory manner about him. His boss, King Saul, tried to kill him and hunted him mercilessly for a number of years. His own wife, Michal, despised him for dancing before the Ark! His son Absalom tried to take his throne by force and hunted him for a time! David developed a habit of prayer that helped him to keep his soul steady and in tune with the Lord. These psalms are written down for us to give us encouragement to pray!
In Psalm 140, David was crying out to the Lord for rescue from evil men. These men had sharp tongues and plotted violence and war against him. David realized that he needed God’s mercy to make it through the battles. He prayed that those who surrounded him would be covered with the trouble that their own lips had caused! (Psalm 140:9) He knew they would reap what was sowed!
In Psalm 141 David asked the Lord to come quickly and help him! He asked that his prayer would come before God like incense. The priests would add incense to the burnt offerings to make the smell of the burning meat more fragrant. As they offered the prayers before the golden Altar of Incense in the Holy Place, the incense on the coals would rise in sweet fragrance to the Lord before the veil. In Revelation 8:3-5, John the Apostle saw an angel offering incense with the prayers of the saints on the golden altar before God’s throne. David knew the power of prayer and expected God to help him!
As we read this series of psalms, we realize that we are totally dependent on God. A powerful prayer example is found in Psalm 143:10-11. “Rescue me from my enemies, O Lord, for I hide myself in you. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground. For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life; in your righteousness, bring me out of trouble.