1 Chronicles 19:3
And the princes of the people of Ammon said to Hanun, “Do you think that David really honors your father because he has sent comforters to you? Did his servants not come to you to search and to overthrow and to spy out the land?”
Wherever there is good, Satan is always looking for someone who will do evil. Unfortunately, he never has to look very far.
1 Chronicles 19:13
Be of good courage, and let us be strong for our people and for the cities of our God. And may the Lord do what is good in His sight.”
When we find ourselves in a difficult situation, we must trust the Lord, be strong and then wait for the Lord to do what He wants to do.
1 Chronicles 20:1
1 It happened in the spring of the year, at the time kings go out to battle, that Joab led out the armed forces and ravaged the country of the people of Ammon, and came and besieged Rabbah. But David stayed at Jerusalem. And Joab defeated Rabbah and overthrew it.
If you recall, it was at this time (according to 2 Samuel 11) that David fell into the sin of adultery with Bathsheba. There are various reasons why scholars believe it is not written of here in Chronicles. One of which is, that it is a reminder of the forgiveness of God. Once our sin is forgiven of God, there is no need for it to be mentioned any further. God has forgiven it, and in God’s eyes it is gone. I like that!
1 Chronicles 21:8
So David said to God, “I have sinned greatly, because I have done this thing; but now, I pray, take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have done very foolishly.”
Again, we see the characteristic of a man after God’s own heart…confession of sin and an acknowledgement of wrong done. God knows that we will sin. He simply desire us to take ownership for it.
1 Chronicles 21:17
And David said to God, “Was it not I who commanded the people to be numbered? I am the one who has sinned and done evil indeed; but these sheep, what have they done? Let Your hand, I pray, O Lord my God, be against me and my father’s house, but not against Your people that they should be plagued.”
I love people who take responsibility for their actions, especially when those actions have been wrong. David is an example of that. It is not easy to do, but there is great honor is doing so. I believe it brings glory to God, and accurately represents a truly converted and humble heart.
John 8:5
Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?”
This incident was a complete setup by the Jews. Once of the reasons we know that, is because there is no man. According to Jewish law, when a couple was caught in such an act, they were both to be stoned.
John 8:11
She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “ Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.”
This is one of the most beautiful pictures of the forgiveness of God in all the Scriptures. Here is a woman who is confronted with her sin, caught in the very act, and there is no way out of it. As she stands condemned by her sin, before the Son of God (the only One who could rightfully condemn), with nowhere to turn, she is forgiven. I am convinced that from this point forward, the loving kindness of the Lord, led her to repentance, and she never fell into the sin of adultery again. Oh how sweet is the forgiveness of our Lord!
John 8:24
Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.”
There is nothing more horrible than the thought of dying in our sin. Everyone who dies in their sin, remains unforgiven and therefore condemned. This is a spiritual truth that cannot be explained or wished away. Jesus is the only one who can bring us out of such a condition. How tragic it is for people to refuse such forgiveness, because of their love of sin, and as a result…end up dying in that sin.
John 8:31-32
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “ If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. 32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Abiding, dwelling in the Word is a sign that we are truly His disciples. I love meditating upon the day I was set free from the bondage of my sin. Nothing but the love and truth of Jesus can do such a thing. No matter how hard we try, our sin remains, and we are never really free. However, when Jesus sets us free…we are free indeed!
John 8:44
You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
If there was ever any doubt about Jesus’s willingness to confront wrong thinking, this should dispel it. Because He is the essence of truth, He will always stand against untruth. Because we are His disciples, His children, we must always do likewise.
John 8:58
Jesus said to them, “ Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.”
Read Exodus 3:14 and you will see that this is a clear declaration that Jesus is God!
Reading the Word 