Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for May 29

PASSIVE FATHERS AND REBELLIOUS SONS

From: May 29, 2024

“… So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel” (2 Samuel 15:6 ESV).

Absalom was the third born son of David. His mother was Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur (2 Sam. 3:3). He was the son and the grandson of kings. He was praised above all others in Israel for his good looks. And he knew how to use them, charming all Israel not only by his appearance, but with his endearing words. Yet, Absalom, whose name means, “My father is peace” (“Ab” = “father” + “shalom” = “peace”), brought rebellion to his father’s house.

Ironically, it wasn’t his father’s peace, but his passivity that opened the door to Absalom’s treason. After David had passively stayed home from war with Ammon, he fell into sin with a married woman, committing adultery and having her husband murdered to cover it up. The prophet Nathan delivered God’s judgment that even though the Lord had forgiven him, the “sword would never depart” from his house (2 Sam.12:10). The sins of the father would become the sins of the sons.

David’s firstborn, Amnon, committed adultery with his half-sister, Tamar, the full-sister of Absalom. Although David was angry, he did nothing. So, Absalom took matters into his own hands and conspired to have Amnon killed. After he fled to his mother’s family for a while, David later invited him back home, yet did not meet with him to address what had happened. Over time, Absalom took advantage of David’s passivity and began to woo the people to see him as their new king.

Surely David heard about Absalom’s behavior, riding about in a horse drawn chariot with 50 men running before him, sitting as a judge in the city gates, offering to be a better king to anyone who would listen. But David took no action. So, Absalom “stole the hearts” of Israel and went to Hebron to declare himself king. So David fled from Jerusalem to hide from his own son.

Absalom was named to be the son of his father’s peace. Yet in reality, he was the son of his father’s passivity. And passive fathers often produce rebellious sons.

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You that You are not passive, but active in our lives. You have moved to save us and You are faithful to discipline us as sons. For Your love for us is active and strong. For while we were yet sinners, You sent Your Son to die for us and save us and to give us peace with You. Thank You, Father. In Jesus’ name, amen.

DID JESUS GIVE MALCHUS EARS TO HEAR?

From: May 29, 2023

“Then Simon Peter drew a sword and slashed off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s slave” (John 18:10 NLT).

All of the gospels tell the story of the high priest’s servant losing an ear to one of the disciple’s swords. Yet, only John names names. We are not surprised to learn that the sword belonged to Simon Peter, but we are somewhat amazed to learn the name of the ear’s owner, namely, “Malchus.” The Synoptics only referred to him as the “high priest’s servant,” but John gave us his name.

John recorded the names, but only Luke recorded the miracle, that Jesus healed the ear. Malchus did not have to go through the rest of his life without his right ear. Its absence would have always reminded him of the sword, but its presence no doubt, always reminded him of Christ’s healing touch.

I wonder. Does John record his name to add further fact to his testimony? Or is it because Malchus became better known to the disciples later on, having become a disciple himself?

Jesus often told the crowds, “He that has ears to hear, let him hear.” I’d like to think that Malchus starting really hearing for the first time that day.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we believe that Jesus still heals ears, so that we can truly hear Your Word and Your Spirit speak. Thank You! Now strengthen us by Your Spirit this day that we might hear and obey. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to him, so he stepped forward to meet them” (John 18:4 NLT).

From: May 29, 2022

HOW MUCH DID JESUS KNOW ABOUT WHAT HE FACED?

When the soldiers came in the cover of darkness with torches blazing and swords clanging, Jesus and his disciples might’ve easily escaped. Instead, Jesus fully realized that this was the moment for which he had come, so he stepped into the open to meet them. What determined courage! Jesus “fully realized all” they were going to do to him, yet he still boldly “stepped forward.”

The book of Hebrews calls us to consider Christ’s determined courage, so that we don’t “grow weary and lose heart” (Heb. 12:3). We can focus our eyes on Jesus who courageously stepped forward to save us. It is this Jesus who died to save us. And it is this Jesus who was raised and lives within us.

So, when the Lord calls out, “Who will go for us?”, how will you answer. We rarely “fully realize all” that such a call may mean. But we can step forward and answer as the prophet Isaiah did saying, “Here I am, send me.”

PRAYER: Father, thank you for Jesus. He is our all in all. Everything about Him is wonderful and strong. He is our Savior and our Champion. He is our ever-present Friend. Thank You Jesus that You “stepped forward” to save us! We love You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it, struck the high priest’s slave, and cut off his right ear (The slave’s name was Malchus.)” (John 18:10 HCSB).

From: May 29, 2021

DID JESUS GIVE MALCHUS EARS TO HEAR?

All of the gospels tell the story of the high priest’s servant losing an ear to one of the disciple’s swords. Yet, only John names names. We are not surprised to learn that the sword belonged to Simon Peter, but we are somewhat amazed to learn the name of the ear’s owner, namely, “Malchus.” The Synoptics only referred to him as the “high priest’s servant,” but John gave us his name.

John recorded the names, but only Luke recorded the miracle, that Jesus healed the ear. Malchus did not have to go through the rest of his life without his right ear. It’s absence would have always reminded him of the sword, but it’s presence no doubt, always reminded him of Christ’s healing touch.

I wonder. Does John record his name to add further fact to his testimony? Or is it because Malchus became better known to the disciples later on, having become a disciple himself?

Jesus often told the crowds, “He that has ears to hear, let him hear.” I’d like to think that Malchus starting really hearing for the first time that day.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we believe that Jesus still heals ears, so that we can truly hear Your Word and Your Spirit speak. Thank You! Now strengthen us by Your Spirit this day that we might hear and obey. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps” (Proverbs 16:9 NKJV).

From: May 29, 2020

MAKING PLANS DURING A TIME LIKE THIS

There is no biblical prohibition against making plans. There is wisdom in planning for the future. Yet, it is foolish to leave the Lord out of our planning for God is the one who holds the future. So, ask for God’s wisdom when making plans. Seek godly counsel. Pray for clarity and follow God’s instruction. And when things don’t go according to plan, don’t get frustrated. Adjust. Be flexible and listen. Perhaps God has a better plan.

PRAYER: Dear Father, we are exhausted from making plans that often come to nothing. Teach us to make plans according to Your wisdom and will. And when our plans fail, help us to look to You, rather than becoming frustrated and giving up. Direct our steps, Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Jesus fully realized all that was going to happen to him, so he stepped forward to meet them” (John 18:4 NLT).

From: May 29, 2019

THE DETERMINED COURAGE OF OUR SAVIOR

When the soldiers came in the cover of darkness with torches blazing and swords clanging, Jesus and his disciples might’ve easily escaped. Instead, Jesus fully realized that this was the moment for which he had come, so he stepped into the open to meet them. What determined courage! Jesus “fully realized all” they were going to do to him, yet he still boldly “stepped forward.”

The book of Hebrews calls us to consider Christ’s determined courage, so that we don’t “grow weary and lose heart” (Heb. 12:3). We can focus our eyes on Jesus who courageously “stepped forward” to save us. It is this Jesus who died to save us. And it is this Jesus who was raised and lives within us. So, when the Lord calls out, “Who will go for us?”, we can step forward and answer like the prophet Isaiah, “Here I am, send me.”

PRAYER: Father, thank you for Jesus. He is our all in all. Everything about Him is wonderful and strong. He is our Savior and our Champion. He is our ever-present Friend. Thank You Jesus that You “stepped forward” to save us! We love You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“Then Simon Peter drew a sword and slashed off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest’s slave” (John 18:10 NLT).

From: May 29, 2018

WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO MALCHUS?

All of the gospels tell the story of the high priest’s servant losing an ear to one of the disciple’s swords. Yet, only John names names. We are not surprised to learn that the sword belonged to Simon Peter, but we are somewhat amazed to learn the name of the ear’s owner, namely, “Malchus.” The Synoptics only referred to him as the “high priest’s servant,” but John gave us his name.

John recorded the names, but only Luke recorded the miracle. Jesus healed the ear. Malchus did not have to go through the rest of his life without his right ear. It’s absence would have always reminded him of the sword, but it’s presence no doubt, always reminded him of Christ’s healing touch. I wonder. Does John record his name to add further fact to his testimony? Or is it because Malchus became better known to the disciples later on, having become a disciple himself?

“…So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel” (2 Samuel 15:6 NKJV).

From: May 29, 2017

Who was Absalom?

Absalom was the third born son of David. His mother was Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur (2 Sam. 3:3). He was the son and the grandson of kings. He was praised above all others in Israel for his good looks. And he knew how to use them, charming all Israel not only with his looks, but with his endearing words. Yet, Absalom, whose name means “My father is peace” (Ab “father” + Shalom “peace”), brought rebellion to his father’s house.

Ironically, it wasn’t his father’s peace, but his passivity that opened the door to Absalom’s treason. After David had passively stayed home from war with Ammon, he fell into sin with a married woman, committing adultery and having her husband murdered to cover it up. The prophet Nathan delivered God’s judgment that even though the Lord had forgiven him, the “sword would never depart” from his house (2 Sam.12:10). The sins of the father would become the sins of the sons.

David’s firstborn, Amnon, committed adultery with his half-sister, Tamar, the full-sister of Absalom. Although David was angry, he passively did nothing. So, Absalom took matters into his own hands and conspired to have Amnon killed. After he fled to his mother’s family for a while, David later invited him back home, yet passively did not meet with him to address what had happened. Over time, Absalom took advantage of David’s passivity and began to woo the people to see him as their new king.

Surely David heard about Absalom’s behavior, riding about in a horse drawn chariot with 50 men running before him, sitting as a judge in the city gates, offering to be a better king to anyone who would listen. But David took no action.

So, Absalom “stole the hearts” of Israel and went to Hebron to declare himself king. And David fled from Jerusalem to hide from his own son.

Absalom was named to be the son of his father’s peace. Yet in reality, he was the son of his father’s passivity. And passive fathers often produce rebellious sons.

‘Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.”’ (John 18:8-9 ESV)

From: May 29, 2016

When the soldiers came to arrest him, Jesus protected his disciples. He did this in fulfillment of his own promise to keep the sheep that the Father had given him. This displayed the character of Christ. He lay down his life for his lambs. While he was physically present, he protected his own. And then, he entrusted their care to the Father (John 17:15). Jesus continues as the Advocate and Protector for his sheep. He ever stands before the Father advocating for us.

“A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps” (Proverbs 16:9 NKJV)

From: May 29, 2015

There is no biblical prohibition against making plans. There is wisdom in planning for the future. Yet, it is foolish to leave the Lord out of our planning for God is the one who holds the future. So, ask for God’s wisdom when making plans. Seek godly counsel. Pray for clarity and follow God’s instruction. And when things don’t go according to plan, don’t get frustrated. Adjust. Be flexible and listen. Perhaps God has a better plan.