[NOTE: For those who are continuing the 1-year Bible reading plan we started on April 1, 2018, just go to the end of this entry and you will find the Day 358 – 2 Peter 1-3; Luke 17 summary!]
In 2 Samuel 5, we read of David being made king over all of Israel at the city of Hebron. It took David seven years to overtake Jerusalem and make it his home and the capital of Israel. We’re told David “ruled” over Israel for forty years. We also read of David defeating the Philistines, and the LORD defeating them a second time. The LORD was with David as we have already seen and will continue to see as we move through 2 Samuel.
In 2 Samuel 6, David has the Ark of the Covenant returned to Jerusalem, but not without difficulty. Uzzah, one of the men who transported the Ark was killed when he reached out to steady it, because the ox had stumbled. While it seems Uzzah was only trying to help, he was not a priest. This both frightened and angered David, so he left the Ark where it was at the home of Obed-edom. During the three months it was there, the family of Obed-edom was blessed, so David decided again to bring the Ark to Jerusalem. This time he offered a sacrifice to the LORD after every six steps. David danced before the LORD, and Michal, his wife, was offended by David’s display before the LORD. As a result, she never had children. Again, we see actions have consequences, and they were often more immediate than at times in our lives.
In 2 Samuel 7, David told Nathan the prophet he wanted to build a “house” for the LORD. Nathan told him to do what was in his heart, but then the LORD told Nathan David would not be the one to build the Temple, but David’s son. The LORD promised the leadership of Israel would never depart from one of his offspring. David’s response was gratitude and humility.
In 2 Samuel 8, we read of David’s conquests over the near neighbors of Israel. Often David gave the spoils of the victories to the LORD. While it’s fitting That David did so, we find David’s response was consistently right and good, unlike that of Saul who came before Him. Soon enough David will show his own weaknesses, but in the initial years of his reign, he followed the LORD faithfully.
As we return to Mark 9 once again, we’re reminded of the powerful moment when Jesus was transfigured with Moses and Elijah in front of Peter, James, and John. The moment shows us all Jesus is who He says He is. It only confirms what Peter had proclaimed in Mark 8. When the foursome travelled down the mountain, they found the other nine disciples struggling unsuccessfully to remove a demon from a boy. Jesus shows an unusual lack of patience, or a bit of consternation at the situation. He heals the boy, but not before a brief confrontation with the boy’s father. When the man said, “If you can do something…” Jesus corrected the man, “If?…All things are possible for those who believe.” What a helpful reminder to us as well. Jesus’ power to save, heal, deliver people from demons, and whatever else needs to be done in our lives is more than sufficient. We must sometimes ask Jesus to help us in our unbelief, and He will. Our task is to open ourselves to Jesus in every situation, so He can work in and through us to will and to work for His good pleasure!
Day 358 – 2 Peter 1-3; Luke 17
Today we turn to Peter’s second letter to the universal Church of his day. In this letter, Peter focuses on correcting heresy or false teaching. He also reminds us to live faithfully as we’re waiting for Jesus’ return.
In 2 Peter 1, Peter exhorts his readers to continue in the faith and to grow in the faith they have received from Jesus Christ. Peter also appeals to his experience of the transfiguration as evidence that Jesus is truly Lord. He tells his readers he is going to be dying soon, and he wants to ensure that after he is gone, they will continue in the faith. He reminds them that the prophetic word must be interpreted faithfully in accordance with the truth of God.
In 2 Peter 2, Peter rehearses many types of false teaching and false teachers that were seeking to lead people away. Peter offers a “laundry list” of the types of false teaching and immorality they faced. He reminded his readers of God’s protection from the evil we face, using Lot as an example of how God has protected His people from ancient times. As we seek to follow Jesus in our lives, we must remember the importance of holiness and godliness, which come from learning the truth of God and living it out in the power of the Holy Spirit.
In 2 Peter 3, Peter reminds everyone to prepare for Jesus’ return, because He isreturning. Some had told the believers Jesus wouldn’t be returning, because He hadn’t returned yet. Peter reminded them for the Lord a thousand years are as a day, and that He wasn’t being slow in returning, but patient. My prayer is for the Lord’s patience to continue, because I don’t want the billions of people in the world who don’t know Him to miss the opportunity of being saved. Peter closes by reminding the folks the importance of the Scriptures and includes the Apostle Paul’s writings in the list of the Scriptures. That is important to us, because in Peter and Paul’s day, the Scriptures were the Jewish Scriptures, what we call the Old Testament. Peter’s own words help us to see that Paul’s writings are God’s word, too.
As we return to Luke 17, Jesus reminds us how important it is for us to be faithful to Him, and particularly important not to lead one of His “little ones” to sin. Then Jesus heals ten lepers, but only one returns to give Him thanks. The one was a Samaritan. Jesus asked why only one of ten returned to say, “Thank you.”? It’s a great question. Sometimes, we take so much for granted, and forget every good and perfect gift comes from God. That leads us to have a hart of gratitude. The chapter closes out with Jesus talking about the time of His return and the importance of being ready. So often, I remind us that more important than whenJesus will return is that He will return, so we must be ready when He comes!