May
5
Written by:
Route 365
5/5/2010 7:46 AM
written by by Melinda Messick
The events in these chapters fly by as David gets his ducks in a row. Having purged Israel’s enemies, dedicated everything to the Lord, and set up the government, in this chapter he now looks for a way to honor past relationships. He decides to show kindness to the relatives of his deceased friend, Jonathan. Actually, in verse 3, he says he speaks of his desire to show “God’s kindness” to them. Here again, David sets a great example for me to follow in my own life. It seems that his motivation for helping Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son, is to selflessly honor God. It seems that he is doing it to genuinely show kindness, rather than to build alliances or some other less noble purpose. Are my good works motivated by God’s desires rather than my own? Do I strive to give credit to Him or take it for myself? “Search me, O God, and know my heart: test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.”(Ps 139:23, 24)
Another idea that spoke to me in this passage is that of God’s perfect timing and plan. It appears that David’s first thought after stabilizing Israel was to show “God’s kindness” to Jonathan’s family. However, he didn’t try to do it before his primary obligations as king were taken care of. Everything has its proper order and timing. Do I sometimes try to jump ahead of God by doing works that make me feel good, before I’ve taken care of my primary calling? Do I linger in my successes, enjoying them, when I could be seeking out someone to whom I can show God’s kindness? How perfectly David’s (God’s) kindness was tailored for Mephibosheth, to be just what he needed. God’s love is like that – am I passing that along?
Your Fellow Traveler,
Melinda
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3 comment(s) so far...
Re: 2 Samuel 9:1-13; Matthew 25:31-46 : Passing Along God’s Kindness
Spoke right to my heart today, Melinda!
Thanks so much for sharing :)
By Debbie Vanderpool on
5/5/2010 10:35 AM
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Re: 2 Samuel 9:1-13; Matthew 25:31-46 : Passing Along God’s Kindness
Are my good works motivated by God’s desires rather than my own? Do I strive to give credit to Him or take it for myself? “Search me, O God, and know my heart: test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.”(Ps 139:23, 24)
Melinda, thanks for your message today! You were a message from God as i am pursuing something to help a friend right now and need SO MUCH for it to be God's desires and not my own! Blessings!
By Alice Hill on
5/5/2010 11:23 AM
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Re: 2 Samuel 9:1-13; Matthew 25:31-46 : Passing Along God’s Kindness
Good job on these devotions. You understand this passage well and shared from you heart. You have been a blessing to many.
By Duane Cook on
5/5/2010 7:38 PM
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