169th Week, II Samuel Chapters 13-16 & Psalm 55 (Click on Title for Video Introduction)

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Click on Title for Video Introduction



Monday, II Samuel Chapter 13
II Samuel 13
Verse 5
Bart Strayer

Verse 5:  “Go to bed and pretend to be ill.” Jonadab said. “When your father comes to see you, say to him, ‘I would like my sister Tamar to come and give me something to eat. Let her prepare the food in my sight so I may watch her and then eat it from her hand.’”

THOUGHT
Amnon was a victim of bad, bad counsel. I know I have gone over this before, but I feel compelled to reemphasize the warning of bad counsel. As a young Christian, it is easy to be influenced by bad counsel. It is important to pray for God’s detection and protection against bad counsel. As we mature, we are able to identify bad ungodly advice. So be forewarned when someone gives you advice without prayer. Take heed.

When giving counsel, many times our best response can be, “I don’t know what to tell you, but I’ll pray with you about it.”  We men can be the worst. We think we need to offer quick solutions to everything, Godly or not. Don’t rush to quick counsel without advising God first.

PRAYER
Dear Jesus, we ask for Your guiding hand in our lives. We ask for Your help in detecting bad counsel. Protect us from ungodly advice. Help strengthen us so that we may ground ourselves on Godly wisdom in which to live. Help us to give Godly guidance to others when You want us to.  We pray in Jesus Name.  AMEN


Tuesday, II Samuel Chapter 14
II Samuel 14
Bart Strayer

THOUGHT
These events in Second Samuel are starting to remind me of the beginning of First Samuel. Remember, how Eli’s sons did ungodly things and their actions went undisciplined? What a mess. This is turning into the same thing. Absalom’s actions against Amnon went unpunished, and now David is on the
eve of one of his biggest political challenges. 

This story reminds me of how things in our lives can go from bad to worse. When we don’t first come back to God for guidance and strength, problems seem to start piling on top of each other. We then start to lose our strength, focus, perspective, etc. 

This is where our church family, along with our little Salt Shaker group, serves its purpose by helping each other when we encounter life’s struggles.

PRAYER
Dear Jesus, we thank You for this time of togetherness. You have blessed us so much. Continue to help us draw strength and guidance from You. We thank You for this little group of believers. Help us Salt Shakers always be there for one another. Help us build each other up, to give You all the Glory You deserve. We pray in Jesus Name. AMEN


Wednesday, II Samuel Chapter 15
II Samuel 15
Verses 1-6
Matt Strayer

THOUGHT
I just want to discuss the first 6 verses of this chapter. Here we can see that Absalom is definitely trying to gain political favor from the people through unjust ways. He is becoming someone he is not, “putting on a front” to gain political favor. It is not surprising that later we find out that Absalom is an evil ruler.

I think we can look closely at our lives and the lives of others we have come in close contact with and see ways in which deception was created to portray something that wasn’t really true. It’s obvious that God hates deception and falsities, so in the end the plan will always fail. 

I just think we need to remind others and ourselves to truly be ourselves. We need to display our inner character and let others see our heart.

“Let your gentleness be evident to all.”

We need to be who God created us to be, and we don’t need to put on a front. Success will be the result of being true to ourselves, being true to others and most importantly being true to God. We know He cannot be fooled.

PRAYER
Dear God, help us steer clear of the deception and falsities in this world. Help us make good judgments and decisions based on truth. We are so thankful we have Your Word and our Salt Shaker group to remind us of that. In Jesus Name. AMEN


Thursday, II Samuel Chapter 16
II Samuel 16
Verse 12
Matt Strayer

Verse 12:  It may be that the Lord will see my distress and repay me with good for the cursing I am receiving today.

THOUGHT
In verses 5-14 Shimei is ripping David up one side and down the other. I believe Shimei felt that King David had killed Saul, but as we know these accusations were totally unjustified.  Shimei revolted with anger by throwing stones, cursing and accusing David of things he did not do.

The lesson to be learned is in the way David reacts to what is going on. David quietly allows this behavior to take place and does not react with haste, anger and rebellion. I think this is one of the hardest things to do in life. It’s hard because it is so easy to react. It’s just natural, and when someone falsely throws bad words your way for reasons untrue, it is hard to grin and bear it. 

David teaches us a great lesson. God sees our distress and will repay us with good for the cursing we receive. Remember to trust Him, take refuge in Him and don’t react as the rest of the world does.

PRAYER
Dear God, Thank You for this great example that David gives of how to behave in the midst of strife. Please allow us to learn from this and give us the strength to react the way he did if we encounter a similar situation. We pray this in Jesus Name. AMEN


Friday, Psalm Chapter 55
Theme:  Expressing deep dismay over the treachery of a close friend.  When friends hut us, the burden is too difficult to carry alone.  
Author:  David
Psalm 55
Verses 16 & 17
Jane Jones

Verses 16 & 17:  “But I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning, and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.”

THOUGHT
Family, there is never a time that the Lord does not hear you. No prayer is ever lost, or any prayer ever breathed in vain. There is no such thing as prayer unanswered or unnoticed by God, and some things we see as refusals or denials are simply delays.

Christ sometimes delays His help so He may test our faith and energize our prayers. Our boat may be tossed by the waves while He continues to sleep, but He will awake before it sinks.  He sleeps but He never oversleeps, for He is never too late.  He will hear our prayer. He will answer our prayer. We need to listen and be watchful.

PRAYER
Dearest Father, You are ever present in our lives.  I praise You for that!!  May we reach out to You in need, in prayer, in praise and in joy!!  Thank You for always hearing our cry.  AMEN

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