Luke 16:31 “But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’”
Dear God,
I have been blessed again from reading Your Word, even though some of the subject matter was not one to seek out. Firstly the account of the sexual immorality of king David’s son, Amnon to his half-sister Tamor; followed later by the murder of Amnon, by his half-brother, Absolom the brother of Tamor. The moral decline of Absolom continued, as he conspired to make himself king in place of his father: being prepared to murder his father and many residents of Jerusalem as well, in the effort to achieve his own ends.
Their father David’s previous sin of immorality and murder, brought disharmony and much sin in his family, as You had foretold; even though David was forgiven by You. These events are a timely warning to all of us, for the consequences of our own premeditated sins, can keep being reaped around us, even though we have experienced God’s forgiveness.
Thank You God that You offer us the ability to retain peace through out; and so it was for David, as evidenced by the increasing faith and wisdom he exhibited in the face of these happenings, because he submitted and trusted in You for himself personally and for the affairs of the kingdom of Judea; which You had given him.
By experience I also know that you are my refuge and Rock in all situations and experiences, and again today I praise You for Your goodness and unfailing care.
In Luke 16, Jesus is again giving counsel to the priests and other listeners that the Word of God given through Moses and other prophets, for ever stands. God does not go back on His prophetic utterances, V17 “And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail.”
Down through bible times and thereafter, people have tried to get around the requirements of the law or change it for themselves. Jesus by His own words has reminded me (us) that we can’t put anything above our love for God and still be really serving You even though by our motions, we may think we are! I think about money and wealth – these can become too important for some and not others, when they have acquired abundance. Others struggle financially; in all cases we may be close or far from You; it all depends upon our heart allegiance to You as our God and not permanently to the circumstances experienced; though for many they may impact initially. Our example Jesus remained tranquil, as He rested in His sure connection and trust in You love and care. Hallelujah, we are promised I (we) can through Jesus, believe His promises and rest at peace in Your care, as He did. I praise You that the more I claim this promise to be granted to me, in times of need; the more I am blessed with increasing peace.
Search my heart today, my God, and reveal to me anything that does or may come between You and me. Then I ask also to be filled with Your Spirit, so that whatever wrong is revealed to me, can be rooted out of my heart; for Jesus has said I can only love and serve one Master. I also request, that my love and acceptance for and of Your Word will continue to grow.
Amen