THE STORY OF JESUS: 2 Samuel 14-17
“Wherever you go, if it means life or death, there will your servant be.” (2 Samuel 15:21)
Our reading raises the issue of choosing sides, and what happens with that choice.
By choosing to follow David, these people were sacrificing everything.
Following David meant going into the wilderness.
It meant being aliens in their homeland, and the target of curses and death threats.
As a Jesus-follower, we have signed on to follow wherever our Lord may be.
And where does the Lord lead us, but in paths of humility and weakness.
His path involves love, compassion, forgiveness, serving others including enemies.
His path puts comfort and safety aside to focus on loving God and others.
We say we want to be wherever Jesus is — do we really?
Jesus does not hide in the church bubble, He lives in the midst of human misery.
Jesus does not run away from suffering and sacrifice, He enters it for love’s sake.
Following Jesus is not easy, but it is right and good… and the only way to LIFE.
I wonder whether it would help to make these words a part of our profession of faith.
“Wherever You go, if it means life or death, there will your servant be.” (2 Samuel 15:21)
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, is this what I have committed to, is this what I meant when I chose to follow You? If not, it should be. And if so, how am I doing? Am I really following You into the places You are?
Actions and words. They need to be in tune.
Our words must become our actions and our actions must be our words.
And all – words and actions – must be in tune with His Word.
The only way that this can happen is to walk daily with my God. Each day anew I need to ‘dress’ myself with the armour of God so that I can live the fruit of the Spirit.
I need to be His servant doing His will.
My heart, my allegience must be for the Lord, my King. ‘There will Your servant be.’
I am always in His presence.
Lord, help me to live each day in your service that others may see You in me.
1
Living for Jesus a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad-hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
O Jesus, Lord and Savior,
I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy [redemption],*
Didst give Thyself for me;
I own no other Master,
My heart shall be Thy throne,
My life I give, henceforth to live,
O Christ, for Thee alone.
2
Living for Jesus who died in my place,
Bearing on Calv’ry my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all.
3
Living for Jesus wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His holy name;
Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross.
4
Living for Jesus through earth’s little while,
My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;
Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.