PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: 2 Samuel 3-4
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“May the Lord repay the evildoer according to his evil deeds!” (2 Samuel 3:39)
God works through the ‘soap opera’ of human history to raise up Jesus.
Jesus is the son of David, but he is vastly different from David.
David had his moments, but he is not an example to us of ‘the good life’.
Here David curses those who do evil, and invokes God to do that.
This is not what Jesus did; he did not repay us for our deeds.
God is not working to punish me, or anyone, for our evil deeds.
God takes the curse in Jesus, so that we don’t have to.
With Jesus the Son of David, we are blessed and not cursed.
Our world will continue to be a ‘soap opera’ if we don’t follow Jesus.
“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” (Luke 6:27)
As Jesus followers we need to break the cycle of the curse.
We are not to be overcome by evil, but to overcome with good.
Am I following David, or the Son of David, in how I deal with others?
PRAYER
Lord, I want to follow you in this, to break the cycle of the curse. Fill my heart and mind with your grace, mercy and peace!
Seeking revenge – tit for tat -seems to be what we would do. But look at the mess it makes. David says: “May the Lord repay the evildoer according to his evil deeds!” I think that is best. The Lord will work things out – David didn’t want Ish-Bosheth killed – but the 2 brothers Rekab and Baanah thought it would please David – so David had them executed for murdering Ish-Bosheth. Joab kills Abner to avenge the killing of his brother Asahel. This revenge killing has to stop – it is better to leave the revenge – the justice up to the Lord who knows the hearts of men! He knows my heart – Lord help me not to wish ill on anyone!
Doing unto others.
Eye for an eye and a life for a life.
God’s way is not our way. I am not my own but His and need to do His will. Serve Him. Do to others as I want them do to me. Live at peace with one another and that is ony a possibility through the blood of Christ.
Love one another.
God will take care of me. I need to live for Jesus in all I say and do.
1 Be not dismayed whate’er betide,
God will take care of you;
Beneath his wings of love abide,
God will take care of you.
Refrain:
God will take care of you,
through ev’ry day, o’er all the way;
He will take care of you,
God will take care of you.
2 Through days of toil when heart doth fail,
God will take care of you;
When dangers fierce your path assail,
God will take care of you. [Refrain]
3 No matter what may be the test,
God will take care of you;
Lean, weary one, upon his breast,
God will take care of you. [Refrain]