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July 9

Reading 1 - 1Samuel 21 & 22

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ch.21 - We have a story here of a desperate man. I'm not sure how many of us in this modern age can relate at all to this degree of fear and distress. In his need (which is driven by this distress) he is moved to use carefully planned deceit in order to get food and weapons. This action to get bread is certainly not condemned by Jesus when he refers to it in the gospels [Matt.12:3,4]. There are so many things in David's life which we would condemn as sin (adultery and murder rate amongst these, as well as multiplying wives and owning horses [1Chr.14:3, 18:4] both of which were condemned under the law for the king to do [Deut.17:16,17]) and yet God preserved him and looked after him because of his faith. In the Old Testament, he is second to none as an example of how a man's faith can bring about God's mercy even in the light of substantial sin. Attitude is everything. Let us develop our own.
Peter Cresswell
22 v.17 shows us that there were those who would not obey Saul in matters that were contrary to their conscience, and, it would appear, they do not lose their lives for this or even receive a reprimand. Doeg, however, is willing - and one assumes some others as well, it seems unlikely that he could kill 85 priests single handed - and so the deed is done. What a blow for David, who feels such a personal responsibility for it (v.22). We cannot help feeling a yearning sympathy for this man whose life is so frought with unmerited danger.
Peter Cresswell

21 v.5 - the mention of 'three days' indicates that three days had elapsed since David left Samuel.

21 v.10 - 22 v.2 provides the background to Psalm 34 - SEE STUDY PAGES
Peter Forbes
This time was a very stressful time in David's life. It spawned a number of Spirit guided Psalms. Psalm 52 is a letter to Doeg, or so it reads. Psalm 34 speaks of the time when David was afraid of Achish Psalm 56 speaks of the time when the Philistines took him in Gath. Reading these Psalms against this historical background shows us the mind of a man who was a man after God's own heart. So from the way David responded to his troubles we can learn how a Godly man responded - and learn from that and apply the principles in our own lives.


ch 22 - Another Psalm from this time is Psalm 57, speaking of the time when David had fled from Achish and was in the cave of Adullam.
Peter Forbes

21:11 One wonders why David thought he would be safe amongst the Philistines. He was carrying Goliath's sword. His spirits must have flagged when he heard the Philistines repeating the words sung of David (1 Samuel 18:7) after he had killed Goliath. How often do we think that we should do something only to find out what we have planned is a disaster?

22:1-2 We should not think of these men who came to David as criminals. Saul had enslaved the nation - 1 Samuel 17:25 indicates this. These men who came to David had been wronged by Saul as had David. There was a fellow feeling with David because of their common experience of Saul.
Peter Forbes

Reading 2 - Isaiah 65

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v.5 - we have picked up this phrase 'holier than thou' and use it against those that think they know it all. Surely we must be more careful than ever in this godless world that this phrase is not aimed at ourselves. Let us aim for a humility of mind that causes others to respect rather than despise us. Luke 18:9-12 - The Pharisees were wrong in their attitude. Let us learn from that.
Peter Cresswell
v.1-7 - So often we read of God's disappointment with his people. The purpose of recording these things is not that we should gloat but that we should learn. 1Cor.10:6-12
Peter Cresswell
v.3 - An ‘altar of brick’ actually violated the Law of Moses for any altar was to built of rough stone [Exodus 20:25]
Peter Forbes

The miracle of the healing of Legion (Mark 5) echoes elements of this chapter.

The man was not looking for Jesus, Jesus went out of his way to meet him Jesus crossed Galilee to heal Legion
the graves
Mark 5:5
Swine's flesh
Mark 5:11
'come not near me'
Mark 5:7
Mountain
Mark 5:11

Peter Forbes

:21 So the kingdom is established and Israel are blessed. So the curse of Deuteronomy 28:30 will be reversed. Instead of building houses which are then taken from them the children of Israel will inhabit the houses they build.
Peter Forbes
ETERNITY The instruction is to "Be glad and rejoice in what I (God) will create." Sometimes life seems depressing, stressful, too busy, lonely or painful. This is because we live in a world that is cursed by sin and death. But when God creates the new heavens and the new earth, all the ways of this life we now live will be a thing of the past. God says that "the former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind."
Our life now is nothing compared to the eternity that God has stretched out in front of us in the kingdom.
A person 100 years old in the kingdom will be considered a youth. Our mere 70 or so years living now will seem insignificant compared to living 1000 years in a perfect world. The short time of trial now will fade into obscurity when we have entered into Gods "rest" in the kingdom. So let us look past the present troubles and pain and the moments that seem like they last an eternity, and see the future glory of the real eternity stretched out before us and be glad and rejoice in what God will create.
Robert Prins

Reading 3 - Matthew 10

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v.11 - If the disciples arrived at our town, would our names be on the list of those who were worthy? Would we be willing to offer them hospitality? Consider these examples - Gen.19:1-3, Jud.19:16-21, 1Kings 17:9-24, Job 31:32, Luke 10:38-42, 19:7 Acts 16:15, 18:1-3, 3John v.7,8.
Peter Cresswell

10 v.2 - The order of the naming of the 12 apostles

From which we can conclude:- Lebbaeus, Thaddaeus and Judas the brother of James are the same person Simon the Canaanite and Simon Zelotes is the same person Mark 2:14 has 'Levi the son of Alphaeus' the tax gather who is Matthew. Thus Matthew / Levi and James are brothers.
Peter Forbes
deny me will I also deny
2 Timothy 2:12

The way in which Paul speaks to Timothy using Jesus' words highlights that Jesus words very powerfully become the message that the Apostles taught.
Peter Forbes

:3 Matthew the publican is the brother of James the son of Alphaeus (Mark 2:14)
Peter Forbes
Verse 6 explains what Jesus is doing in this chapter. He is fulfilling his own parable by being the good shepherd searching for the lost sheep of Israel. It is clear that he includes all Israel in this. This seems to be the start of the last call to repentance of the people of God, after having had generation after generation of prophets urging them to repent and turn back to Him. Chapter 11 v 13 tells us that John the baptist was the last of those prophets. God was sending His own son out to plead with the people to repent, showing great signs and wonders, as a last resort before He had to destroy them. It may be for this reason that Jesus is at pains to point out that they were going "in my name", or "for my sake" (v18, 22, 39, 40). The desciples were going out amongst the people as if they were Jesus, the son of God, and if the people responded to them, then they responded to that son. If they were kind to them, then they were kind to the son of God. If they only gave a cup of cold water to a disciple, then it was as unto the son of God. It is this that seems to be the guide as to whom would be judged, and who wouldn't. The judgements of Christ in AD70 would be based upon the response of these people to his disciples. (Matt 23v34-38; 25v31-46).

A further point to ponder:
After telling his disciples to go out and preach, heal the sick, and cast out demons, he commands them to leave all food, money, and extra clothing behind. The reason he gives is "for the worker is worthy of his wages". Who were they working for, and who would provide the wages? Is Jesus reminding them that if they are working for their Father in heaven, they will be looked after by Him? Is this the basis of his exhortation in Matt 6v33, that if we are trying to do His will in our lives, He will look after the rest?
Robin de Jongh