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| For Thursday, July 2 |
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| SCRIPTURE READING: 2 Samuel 9:8-13 |
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| KEY VERSE: Ziba said to the king, "Your servant will do whatever . . . the king commands" (2 Sam. 9:11).
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| Permanent Residence Granted |
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What David did for Mephibosheth was no small thing. The young man, married and with a son of his own, was the recipient of King David's kindness. Actually, the servant, Ziba, benefited from the king's actions as well. Had he not been Saul's servant and also subject to possible exile? David was, indeed, a gracious person and not only gave Mephibosheth a place at his table, but also gave to Ziba the responsibility of caring for the farms that had been King Saul's. This was an assignment that carried with it honor and respect.
We could wish this was the conclusion to the whole story of Mephibosheth and Ziba. The young cripple found that life could be good again, and the servant had his meaningful responsibilities. But trouble was brewing. King David had a son named Absalom. This prince actually set out to take the throne from his father, which became a time when true gratitude would be tested. This is a reminder to all of us. In good times it is relatively easy to serve the Lord; however, we face a time when our gratitude will be tested. In the light of all He does for us, He deserves loyalty that is deep and undivided.
With both Mephibosheth and Ziba, we will find reasons to question each of them on their depth of gratitude. Fortunately for them, David was more steadfast than they were. In the light of God's faithfulness to us, do we respond with adequate gratitude and expressions of thanks? |
| -Jerald Johnson |
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| SING TO THE LORD |
| Count your blessings; name them one by one.
Count your many blessings; see what God has done.
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| "Count Your Blessings" by Johnson Oatman, Jr. |
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| REACH OUT IN PRAYER |
| Developing Christian leaders in Burkina |
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| THOUGHT FOR THE DAY |
| Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; His love endures forever (Ps. 118:29). |
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| THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR |
| Hosea 1-4 |
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All Scripture quotations not otherwise designated are from the Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV®). Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
All hymn texts are taken from the hymnal Sing to the Lord. Copyright © 1993 by Lillenas Publishing Company.
Copyright © 2009 by WordAction Publishing Company. All rights reserved. Http://www.WordAction.com |
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