Day 118 of the 2nd Bible Study Journey - 28 Apr 2022 reflections
Day 118, 28 Apr 2022
1) 2 Samuel 19:31-43
2 Samuel 20
Psalms 7
2 Samuel 21
1 Chronicles 20:4-8
2 SAMUEL 19
31 (1Ki 2:7) Now Barzillai the Gileadite had come down from Rogelim
in order to see the king across the Jordan.
32 (1Sa 25:2) Barzillai was very old, eighty years old. But he sustained
the king during his stay in Mahanaim, for he was a very rich man.
33 The king said to Barzillai, "Cross over with me and I will sustain you
with me in Jerusalem."
34 Barzillai said to the king, "How many days are left in my life that
I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?
35 (2Sa 15:33; Ezr 2:65) I am now eighty years old. Can I discern what
is pleasant from what is harmful? Can your servant taste what I eat
and what I drink? Can I still hear the voices of men and women who sing?
Why, then, should your servant be a burden to my lord the king?
36 Your servant is merely crossing over the Jordan with the king.
Why should the king repay me with this reward?
37 (1Ki 2:7; Jer 41:17) Now allow your servant to return, that I may die
in my own city with the grave of my father and my mother.
But here is your servant Kimham. He will cross over with my lord the king.
Do for him what seems best to you."
38 The king said, "Kimham will cross over with me, and I will do for him
what seems best to you. Whatever you require of me, I will do for you."
39 (Ge 31:55; 47:7; Ru 1:14) All of the people crossed over the Jordan.
And when the king had crossed over, the king kissed Barzillai a
nd blessed him and he returned to his own place.
40 The king passed on to Gilgal, and Kimham went on with him;
all of the people of Judah and half of the people of Israel passed
on with the king.
41 (Jdg 8:1; 12:1) Now all of the men of Israel were coming to the king
and said to the king, "Why have our brothers, the men of Judah,
stolen you away and brought the king and his household across the Jordan,
and all of the men of David with him?"
42 (2Sa 19:12) All of the men of Judah answered the men of Israel,
"Because the king is our close relative. Why are you angry over this matter?
Have we eaten at all at the king's expense? Has he given any gift to us?"
43 (2Sa 5:1; Gal 5:20) And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah
and said, "We have ten shares in the king. Therefore we also have more claim
on David than you. Why then did you treat us with contempt?
Were we not the first to advise bringing back our king?"
But the words of the men of Judah were harsher than the words
of the men of Israel.
[31] And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim, and went over
Jordan with the king, to conduct him over Jordan.
[32] Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old: and he had
provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very
great man.
[33] And the king said unto Barzillai, Come thou over with me, and I will
feed thee with me in Jerusalem.
[34] And Barzillai said unto the king, How long have I to live, that I
should go up with the king unto Jerusalem?
[35] I am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good and
evil? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more
the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore then should thy
servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king?
[36] Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king: and why
should the king recompense it me with such a reward?
[37] Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine
own city, and be buried by the grave of my father and of my mother. But
behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to
him what shall seem good unto thee.
[38] And the king answered, Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to
him that which shall seem good unto thee: and whatsoever thou shalt require
of me, that will I do for thee.
[39] And all the people went over Jordan. And when the king was come over,
the king kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; and he returned unto his own
place.
[40] Then the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him: and all
the people of Judah conducted the king, and also half the people of Israel.
[41] And, behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said unto the
king, Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and have
brought the king, and his household, and all David's men with him, over
Jordan?
[42] And all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, Because the king
is near of kin to us: wherefore then be ye angry for this matter? have we
eaten at all of the king's cost? or hath he given us any gift?
[43] And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have ten
parts in the king, and we have also more right in David than ye: why then
did ye despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back
our king? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of
the men of Israel.
2 Samuel 20
Sheba Rebels Against David
1 (1Ki 12:16; Dt 13:13) There happened to be a worthless man there whose name
was Sheba the son of Bikri, a Benjamite. He sounded the trumpet and said,
"We have no share in David,nor do we have an inheritance in the son of Jesse;
every man to his tents, O Israel."
2 So every man of Israel withdrew from following David and followed
after Sheba the son of Bikri, but the men of Judah stayed with their king,
from the Jordan as far as Jerusalem.
3 (2Sa 15:16; 16:21-22) When the king came to his house in Jerusalem,
he took the ten women, the concubines whom he had left to keep
watch over the house, and he placed them in custody. He provided
for them but did not go in to them. They were shut up until the day
of their deaths, living as in widowhood.
4 (2Sa 17:25; 19:13) Then the king said to Amasa, "Summon for me the men
of Judah in three days, then present yourself here."
5 (1Sa 13:8) So Amasa went to summon Judah, but he delayed beyond
the deadline determined for him.
6 (2Sa 11:11; 21:17) So David said to Abishai, "Now Sheba the son of Bikri
will cause more harm for us than Absalom. You take your lord's servants
and pursue after him. Otherwise, he will find fortified cities and escape
from our sight."
7 (2Sa 8:18; 1Ki 1:38) The men of Joab went out after him,
along with the Kerethites, the Pelethites, and all of the warriors;
and they went out from Jerusalem to pursue after Sheba the son of Bikri.
8 (2Sa 2:13; 3:30) When they were at the large stone which is in Gibeon,
Amasa came to meet them. Now Joab was dressed in his battle armor,
and fastened on it was a belt with a sword in its sheath at the waist.
As he went forward, it fell out.
9 Joab said to Amasa, "Is it well with you, my brother?" and he took Amasa
by the beard with his right hand to kiss him.
10 (2Sa 2:23; 3:27) Amasa was not on guard against the sword
in the hand of Joab, and he struck him in the midsection spilling
his entrails on the ground. He died without being struck a second time.
Then Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bikri.
11 (2Sa 20:13) Now one of the young men of Joab stood by him and said,
"Whoever favors Joab and whoever is for David, let him follow Joab."
12 Now Amasa was wallowing in his own blood in the middle of the path.
When the man saw that all of the people stood still, he moved Amasa
from the path to the field and threw a covering over him,
when he observed that everyone who passed by would stop.
13 Once he removed him from the path, all of the men passed by,
following Joab in pursuit of Sheba the son of Bikri.
14 (2Ki 15:29) He passed through all of the tribes of Israel toward
Abel Beth Maakah, also passing by all of the Bikrites. Once assembled,
they also came after him.
15 (2Ki 19:32; Jer 32:24) They came and besieged him in Abel Beth Maakah.
They constructed a siege ramp against the city, standing it against
the rampart. As all of the people who were with Joab were battering
the city wall in order to bring it down,
16 (2Sa 14:2) a wise woman called from the city, "Listen! Listen! Say to Joab,
'Come closer so that I may speak with you.' "
17 When he came near, the woman said, "Are you Joab?" He said, "I am."
She said to him, "Listen to the words of your servant,"
and he said, "I'm listening."
18 She said, "In former times, they would say,
'Let them inquire carefully in Abel,' and thus they would resolve an issue.
19 (1Sa 26:19; 2Sa 21:3) I am a trustworthy and faithful one of Israel.
You are attempting to destroy a city, even a mother, in Israel.
Why do you swallow up the inheritance of the Lord?"
20 Joab responded, "Far be it, far be it from me to swallow up or destroy.
21 That is not true. But a man from the hill country of Ephraim,
Sheba the son of Bikri by name, has lifted his hand against King David.
Only deliver him, and I will depart from the city."
And the woman said to Joab, "His head will be thrown to you over the wall."
22 (2Sa 20:1) The woman, with her wisdom, came to all of the people
in the city, and they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bikri.
When they threw it to Joab, he blew the horn, and they dispersed
from the city, each going to his own tent.
Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.
David's Officials
23 (2Sa 8:16-18) Now Joab was over the entire army of Israel.
Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites.
24 (1Ki 4:3; 12:18) Adoniram was over conscripted labor. Jehoshaphat
the son of Ahilud was secretary.
25 (2Sa 8:17; 1Ki 4:4) Sheva was scribe. Zadok and Abiathar were priests,
26 (2Sa 23:38) and also Ira the Jairite was priest to David.
2 Samuel 20
[1] And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba,
the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no
part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to
his tents, O Israel.
[2] So every man of Israel went up from after David, and followed Sheba the
son of Bichri: but the men of Judah clave unto their king, from Jordan even
to Jerusalem.
[3] And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten
women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in
ward, and fed them, but went not in unto them. So they were shut up unto the
day of their death, living in widowhood.
[4] Then said the king to Amasa, Assemble me the men of Judah within three
days, and be thou here present.
[5] So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah: but he tarried longer than
the set time which he had appointed him.
[6] And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more
harm than did Absalom: take thou thy lord's servants, and pursue after him,
lest he get him fenced cities, and escape us.
[7] And there went out after him Joab's men, and the Cherethites, and the
Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem, to
pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.
[8] When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa went before
them. And Joab's garment that he had put on was girded unto him, and upon it
a girdle with a sword fastened upon his loins in the sheath thereof; and as
he went forth it fell out.
[9] And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took
Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him.
[10] But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab's hand: so he
smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground,
and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother
pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri.
[11] And one of Joab's men stood by him, and said, He that favoureth Joab,
and he that is for David, let him go after Joab.
[12] And Amasa wallowed in blood in the midst of the highway. And when the
man saw that all the people stood still, he removed Amasa out of the highway
into the field, and cast a cloth upon him, when he saw that every one that
came by him stood still.
[13] When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on after
Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.
[14] And he went through all the tribes of Israel unto Abel, and to
Beth-maachah, and all the Berites: and they were gathered together, and went
also after him.
[15] And they came and besieged him in Abel of Beth-maachah, and they cast
up a bank against the city, and it stood in the trench: and all the people
that were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down.
[16] Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear, hear; say, I pray you,
unto Joab, Come near hither, that I may speak with thee.
[17] And when he was come near unto her, the woman said, Art thou Joab? And
he answered, I am he. Then she said unto him, Hear the words of thine
handmaid. And he answered, I do hear.
[18] Then she spake, saying, They were wont to speak in old time, saying,
They shall surely ask counsel at Abel: and so they ended the matter.
[19] I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel: thou
seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why wilt thou swallow up
the inheritance of the LORD?
[20] And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should
swallow up or destroy.
[21] The matter is not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of
Bichri by name, hath lifted up his hand against the king, even against
David: deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. And the woman said
unto Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall.
[22] Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off
the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast it out to Joab. And he blew a
trumpet, and they retired from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab
returned to Jerusalem unto the king.
[23] Now Joab was over all the host of Israel: and Benaiah the son of
Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites:
[24] And Adoram was over the tribute: and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was
recorder:
[25] And Sheva was scribe: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests:
[26] And Ira also the Jairite was a chief ruler about David.
PSALMS 7
A Shiggaion of David, which he sang to the Lord concerning
the words of Cush, a Benjamite.
1 O Lord my God, in You I put my trust;
save me from all those who persecute me, and deliver me,
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) lest they tear my soul like a lion,
rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) O Lord my God, if I have done this,
if there is iniquity in the palms of my hands,
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) if I have repaid evil to him who was at peace with me,
or have delivered my adversary without cause,
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) then may the enemy pursue my life and overtake me;
may my enemy trample my life to the ground,
and lay my honor in the dust. Selah
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) Arise, O Lord, in Your anger;
rise up because of the rage of my adversaries,
and awaken Yourself for me; You have commanded justice.
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) The congregation of the peoples surround You;
return above it to heaven's heights.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) The Lord will judge the peoples;
grant me justice, O Lord, according to my righteousness,
and according to my integrity within me.
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) May the evil of the wicked come to an end;
may You vindicate the righteous one;
You are a righteous God who examines the minds and hearts.
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) My defense depends on God,
who saves the upright in heart.
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) God is a righteous judge,
and God has indignation every day.
12 If one does not repent,
God will sharpen His sword;
He has bent His bow and made it ready.
13 He has prepared for Himself deadly weapons;
He makes His arrows flaming shafts.
14 The wicked man writhes in pain of iniquity;
he has conceived mischief and brought forth falsehood.
15 He who digs a hole and hollows it
will then fall into his own pit.
16 His mischief will return on his own head;
his violence will descend on the crown of his own head.
17 I will thank the Lord according to His righteousness,
and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.
Psalms 7
[1] O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that
persecute me, and deliver me:
[2] Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is
none to deliver.
[3] O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands;
[4] If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have
delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)
[5] Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my
life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.
[6] Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of
mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded.
[7] So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their
sakes therefore return thou on high.
[8] The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my
righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.
[9] Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the
just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.
[10] My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.
[11] God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.
[12] If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made
it ready.
[13] He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth
his arrows against the persecutors.
[14] Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and
brought forth falsehood.
[15] He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he
made.
[16] His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing
shall come down upon his own pate.
[17] I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing
praise to the name of the LORD most high.
2 Samuel 21
David Avenges the Gibeonites
1 (Ge 12:10; Nu 27:21) Now there was a famine in the days of David
for three years, year after year; and David called upon the Lord.
The Lord said, "There is blood guilt upon Saul and upon his house
because he put the Gibeonites to death."
2 So the king summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them.
Now the Gibeonites were not from the children of Israel.
Instead they were a remnant of the Amorites.
Although the children of Israel had made a pact with them,
Saul attempted to destroy them in his zeal for the people of Israel and Judah.
3 (2Sa 20:19; 1Sa 26:19) David said to the Gibeonites, "What must I do
for you, and with what may I appease you that you may bless the inheritance
of the Lord?"
4 The Gibeonites said to him, "We have no concern for silver or gold from Saul
or his household, nor is it for us to put any man in Israel to death."
He said to them, "What are you saying I should do for you?"
5 (2Sa 21:1) They said to the king, "Regarding the man who put an end to us
and planned to exterminate us from the entire territory of Israel,
6 (1Sa 10:24; 10:26) let seven of his male descendants be handed over to us,
and we will hang them before the Lord at Gibeah of Saul,
the chosen one of the Lord." The king said, "I will hand them over."
7 (1Sa 18:3; 20:8) But the king spared Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan,
the son of Saul on account of the oath of the Lord that was between them,
between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.
8 (1Sa 18:19; 2Sa 3:7) So the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter
of Aiah, Armoni and Mephibosheth, whom she had born to Saul,
and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she had born to Adriel
the son of Barzillai the Meholathite.
9 (Ru 1:22) He delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites,
and they hanged them on the mountain before the Lord;
the seven of them fell together. They were put to death in the first days
of harvest, in the beginning of the barley harvest.
10 (Dt 21:23) Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it
for herself on the rock, from the beginning of the harvest until the rains
poured on them from heaven. She did not allow the birds of the air to rest
on them by day nor the animals of the field by night.
11 When it was reported to David that which Rizpah the daughter of Aiah,
the concubine of Saul, had done,
12 (Jos 17:11; 1Sa 31:10-13) David went and took the bones of Saul
and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabesh Gilead
who had secretly taken them from the plaza in Beth Shan,
where the Philistines had hung them the day the Philistines
struck down Saul on Gilboa.
13 He brought up the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son
from there, and they gathered the bones of those who had been hanged.
14 (Jos 18:28; 2Sa 24:25) They interred the bones of Saul and Jonathan
his son in the land of Benjamin at Zela, in the tomb of Kish, his father.
They did everything that the king commanded.
After that God was entreated regarding the land.
Wars With the Philistines
1Ch 20:4-8
15 (2Sa 5:17; 5:22) Now once again there was a battle between the Philistines
and Israel. So David went down and his servants with him to fight
the Philistines, and David grew weary.
16 (2Sa 21:18; 21:20) Now Ishbi-Benob, who was among the descendants
of the giant and was girded with new weaponry, had a spear weighing
three hundred bronze shekels and had said that he would strike David down.
17 (2Sa 18:3; 1Ki 11:36) But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his aid.
He struck down the Philistine and killed him. Then the men of David made
an oath with him, saying, "You shall no longer come out with us to battle,
so that you do not extinguish the lamp of Israel."
18 (1Ch 11:29; 2Sa 21:20) Now afterwards there was again a battle with
the Philistines at Gob. Then Sibbekai the Hushathite struck down Saph,
who was among the descendants of the giant.
19 (1Ch 20:5) Once again, there was a battle with the Philistines at Gob.
On this occasion, -Elhanan the son of Jaare-Oregim the Bethlehemite
struck down Goliath the Gittite, whose spear shaft was like a weaver's beam.
20 (2Sa 21:16; 21:18) Once again, there was war at Gath. There was a man
of stature who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot,
twenty-four in number. Now he also was born to the giant.
21 (1Sa 16:9; 17:10) When he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimeah,
the brother of David, struck him down.
22 (1Ch 20:8) Now these four were born to the giant in Gath,
and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.
2 Samuel 21
[1] Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after
year; and David inquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul,
and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.
[2] And the king called the Gibeonites, and said unto them; (now the
Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the
Amorites; and the children of Israel had sworn unto them: and Saul sought to
slay them in his zeal to the children of Israel and Judah.)
[3] Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? and
wherewith shall I make the atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of
the LORD?
[4] And the Gibeonites said unto him, We will have no silver nor gold of
Saul, nor of his house; neither for us shalt thou kill any man in Israel.
And he said, What ye shall say, that will I do for you.
[5] And they answered the king, The man that consumed us, and that devised
against us that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the coasts
of Israel,
[6] Let seven men of his sons be delivered unto us, and we will hang them up
unto the LORD in Gibeah of Saul, whom the LORD did choose. And the king
said, I will give them.
[7] But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul,
because of the LORD's oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan
the son of Saul.
[8] But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she
bare unto Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal the
daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the
Meholathite:
[9] And he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged
them in the hill before the LORD: and they fell all seven together, and were
put to death in the days of harvest, in the first days, in the beginning of
barley harvest.
[10] And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her
upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water dropped upon them
out of heaven, and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by
day, nor the beasts of the field by night.
[11] And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine
of Saul, had done.
[12] And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his
son from the men of Jabesh-gilead, which had stolen them from the street of
Beth-shan, where the Philistines had hanged them, when the Philistines had
slain Saul in Gilboa:
[13] And he brought up from thence the bones of Saul and the bones of
Jonathan his son; and they gathered the bones of them that were hanged.
[14] And the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son buried they in the country
of Benjamin in Zelah, in the sepulchre of Kish his father: and they
performed all that the king commanded. And after that God was intreated for
the land.
[15] Moreover the Philistines had yet war again with Israel; and David went
down, and his servants with him, and fought against the Philistines: and
David waxed faint.
[16] And Ishbi-benob, which was of the sons of the giant, the weight of
whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being
girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David.
[17] But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine,
and killed him. Then the men of David sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go
no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel.
[18] And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the
Philistines at Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which was of
the sons of the giant.
[19] And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan
the son of Jaare-oregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the
Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam.
[20] And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of great stature,
that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and
twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant.
[21] And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea the brother of
David slew him.
[22] These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of
David, and by the hand of his servants.
1 CHRONICLES 20
Philistine Giants Killed
2Sa 21:15-22
4 (2Sa 21:18-22) Now after this, when war broke out in Gezer
with the Philistines, Sibbekai of Hushah killed Sippai,
who was one of the descendants of the giants, and they were humbled.
5 (2Sa 21:19) Again there was war with the Philistines, and Elhanan
the son of Jair killed Lahmi, the brother of Goliath the Gittite,
the shaft of whose wooden spear was like a weaver's beam.
6 Yet again there was war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature,
who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, 24 in number;
and he also was descended from the giants.
7 (1Sa 16:9; 1Ch 2:13) When he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea,
David's brother, killed him.
8 These were descended from the giants in Gath,
and they fell by the hand of David and his servants.
[4] And it came to pass after this, that there arose war at Gezer with
the Philistines; at which time Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Sippai,
that was of the children of the giant: and they were subdued.
[5] And there was war again with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair
slew Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, whose spear staff was like
a weaver's beam.
[6] And yet again there was war at Gath, where was a man of great stature,
whose fingers and toes were four and twenty, six on each hand,
and six on each foot: and he also was the son of the giant.
[7] But when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea David's brother
slew him.
[8] These were born unto the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand
of David, and by the hand of his servants.
2) Our Daily Bread for 28 April 2022
https://odb.org/CA/2022/04/28/growing-in-faith
entitled Growing in Faith
James 1:2-4
Faith and Wisdom
2 (Jas 1:12) My brothers, count it all joy
when you fall into diverse temptations,
3 (Heb 10:36; 2Pe 1:6) knowing that the trying
of your faith develops patience.
4 (Mt 5:48; Lk 21:19) But let patience perfect its work,
that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
[2] My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
[3] Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
[4] But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and
entire, wanting nothing.
At the beginning of my gardening journey, I'd wake up early and run to my
vegetable garden to see if anything had sprouted. Nothing.
After an internet search for "fast garden growth," I learned that the
seedling stage is the most important phase of a plant's lifespan.
Knowing now that this process couldn't be rushed, I came to appreciate
the strength of small sprouts fighting their way through the soil toward
the sun and their resilience to temperamental weather. After waiting patiently
for a few weeks, I was finally greeted by bursts of green sprouts creeping
through the soil.
Sometimes it's easy to praise the victories and triumphs in our lives
without similarly acknowledging that growth in our character often comes
through time and struggle. James instructs us to "count it all joy
when you fall into diverse temptations” (James 1:2). But what could possibly
be delightful about trials?
God will sometimes allow us to go through challenges and hardships so that
we can be molded into who He’s called us to be. He waits in anticipation
for us to come out of the trials of life "perfect and complete,
lacking nothing" (v. 4). By staying grounded in Jesus, we can persevere
through any challenge, growing stronger and ultimately allowing the fruit
of the Spirit to blossom in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23). His wisdom gives
us the nourishment we need to truly flourish each and every day (John 15:5).
By: Kimya Loder
Reflect & Pray
What trials have you been working through recently?
What lessons are these circumstances revealing to you?
Dear heavenly Father, sometimes the trials I face seem unbearable.
Please give me the strength to persevere, and help me as I grow
in faith and develop into the fruit-bearing believer
that You've called me to be.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 8 Guided by Grace Day 5 - Waiting for the Wind
Is 40:31
31 (2Co 4:16; Ps 103:5; Ex 19:4)
but those who wait upon the Lord
shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
and they shall walk and not faint.
31 but they that wait upon the LORD
shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles;
they shall run, and not be weary;
and they shall walk, and not faint.
High above civilisation, alone on his craggy peak, the eagle waits.
He watches, senses, and then, with effortless grace, he spreads
his wings and soars. He does not flap frantically to gain altitude,
he merely turns his wings into the wind and rises.
Is 40:31 promises that we, too, can be like the eagle,
mounting up on wings, soaring effortlessly,
without weariness. But this is not often our experience.
We usually flap around like invalid pigeons, scratching
for mere existence, flying only when our place in the park is disturbed.
We need to learn to wait on the Lord. Like the wind that raises the eagle
to the heights, the wind of the Spirit will lift us up as well - beyond
the weariness of daily life, beyond the struggle for existence, beyond
the plodding pace of normal interaction.
But the eagle does not rise without plunging for the cliff into the wind.
His ability to stay aloft is based on his understand of wind currents;
when the wind is against him,he rises. He waits on the cliff
until the right moment, then allows the contrary breezes to lift him up.
Most of us are grounded by the winds that are against us. We give up
and never take the first flight. We fear the plunge from the cliff into the
buoyant breath of God, and so we stand fixed, afraid to launch out.
But when we do take the risk, when we wait upon the Lord, and then
give ourselves in obedience to a free-fall from the cliffs of his will,
we discover that there is rest in soaring with him. We do not have to
struggle; we have only to fly, and in flying, to find new strength.
Application
a) Why is "waiting upon the Lord" essential
to "Mounting up with wings as the eagle"?
b) How can this verse help me be more willing to take risks in God's will?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Mark 4:20-25
20 (Mk 4:8; Jn 15:4–5) "Still others are seed sown on good ground,
those who hear the word, and receive it, and bear fruit:
thirty, sixty, or a hundred times as much."
A Light Under a Basket
Lk 8:16-18
21 (Mt 5:15; Lk 8:16) He said to them, "Is a candle brought to be put
under a basket or under a bed and not to be set on a candlestick?
22 (Lk 8:17) For there is nothing hidden except to be revealed;
neither is anything kept secret except to be proclaimed.
23 (Mk 4:9; Mt 11:15)If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."
24 (Mt 7:2) He said to them, "Take heed what you hear.
The measure you give will be measured for you,
and to you who hear will more be given.
25 (Mt 13:12; Lk 8:18) For to him who has will more be given.
And from him who has not will be taken, even what he has."
20 And these are they which are sown on good ground;
such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit,
some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.
21 And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put
under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?
22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested;
neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.
23 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
24 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete,
it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.
25 For he that hath, to him shall be given:
and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Help in Times of Temptation
Hebrews 4:14-16
Jesus the Great High Priest
14 (Heb 6:20; 1:2-3) Since then we have a great High Priest
Who has passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God,
let us hold firmly to our confession.
15 (2Co 5:21; Jn 8:46) For we do not have a High Priest
who cannot sympathise with our weaknesses,
but One who was in every sense tempted like we are, yet without sin.
16 (Eph 3:12; Php 4:6-7) Let us then come with confidence
to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy
and find grace to help in time of need.
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest,
that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God,
let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest
which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities;
but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly
unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy,
and find grace to help in time of need.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)
Manitoba
Quick facts on Muslims in Manitoba
Manitoba 2015 population 1 282 000
est Muslim Population 21 349
CNMM Networks: Winnipeg
The Muslim population of Manitoba, understandably centred in Winnipeg, is very
diverse and represents some 48 different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
Conservative estimates put their number at 21000 , with some suggesting
it might be twice that size.
Some outreach among Muslims has started, yet in comparison to the size
of this community, there is the need and opportunity for far more engagement.
Continued influx of new immigrants and refugees continues to see the growth
of this Muslim centre in Manitoba.
We rejoice in the Arabic fellowship meeting there and the energetic workers
among Muslims in Winnipeg.
Let us intercede in unity for:
- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population
- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim
communities around them, as well as training new workers
- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim
background believers and for effectiveness in outreach
- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground
in the face of opposition to her new faith.
- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged
with great support
Adding further
https://www.30daysprayer.com/pages/reaching-frontier-people-groups-in-morocco/
Reaching Frontier People Groups in Morocco
When the first American missionaries reached Morocco in 1895, they discovered
a challenging mission field. Now, more than 125 years later, the soil
of Moroccan hearts remains tough.
Morocco, a North African country that's home to 37 million people, is also
home to 24 Frontier People Groups (FPG), according to Joshua Project.
It defines an FPG as "an Unreached People Group with 0.1 percent
or fewer Christians of any kind,
and no evidence of a self-sustaining Gospel movement."
Most Moroccans seem content with Islam's convincing proverbs
and entrenched teachings from the Qur'an. Islam is Morocco's state religion,
but the country's constitution grants people freedom of thought,
expression, and assembly-freedoms that can be rare in other Islamic nations.
Christian workers in Morocco see signs that Isaiah’s prophecy is being
fulfilled today: "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
those who dwell in the land of the shadow of death,
upon them the light has shined. / The people that walked in darkness have
seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death,
upon them hath the light shined. " (Isaiah 9:2).
More workers are needed in these hard mission fields because God wants
people in Morocco's 24 FPGs to know Him. As we labor in prayer for those
living in darkness, may the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
shine brightly on them.
Pray that God will send more laborers to minister to Moroccans.
Ask God to lift the veil from their eyes as they hear about Jesus.
Pray for people in the 24 FPGs in the Joshua Project database.
Ask God to encourage missionary families serving among Moroccans
and to give them a deep sense of His presence.
Pray for an Acts 6:7 moment to take place among Moroccan Imams and Muslims.
7 (Ac 12:24; 19:20) So the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples
grew rapidly in Jerusalem, and a great number of the priests
were obedient to the faith.
[7] And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples
multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were
obedient to the faith.
And
Thank you for praying through the
5 Days of Prayer for Sikhs.
"My name is Kam. I'm 29 years of age, and I grew up Sikh. As a teenager,
I struggled with depression, brokenness, and addiction to
cannabis. I didn't know how to stop or how to get help.
Then a friend invited me to church. As I spent time with Christians
and heard the message of the Gospel, I experienced the
love of Jesus Christ, and it was like nothing I'd known before.
One night I had a dream where I saw Him - a figure surrounded by
light who I knew was Jesus, the light of the world.
As I began to understand the gospel message, I encountered a reassuring and
confident solution to the problem of sin. I knew that I needed a solution
to my sin problem, and I gave my life to Christ.
Slowly, God began to heal my broken heart and my addiction.
Nine years have passed, and I am a devoted husband and a father
to two beautiful boys. I grow deeper in love with Jesus each day.
I ask you to continue praying with me, and others around the world, for Sikhs.
God is the only one who can draw people to Himself. He works in and through
the prayers of His people. I want Sikhs to know the freedom
and healing that is only available through Jesus Christ."
13 (Ro 14:17; 12:12) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy
and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope,
through the power of the Holy Spirit.
[13] Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that
ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
ROMANS 15:13
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
Day 28 of the Month
a) Pray for new Canadians, that they will have opportunity to hear
and respond to the Gospel and place their faith in Jesus Christ.
(
John 5:24
24 (Jn 3:18; 1Jn 3:14; Jn 3:36) "Truly, truly I say to you, whoever
hears My word and believes in Him who sent
Me has eternal life and shall not come into condemnation,
but has passed from death into life."
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word,
and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life,
and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
)
b) Pray for God's kingdom to come in the life of someone you
know today . (
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. "
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and thank Him for protecting you from your enemies.
Pray to the Lord: "Dear heavenly Father, sometimes the trials I face
seem unbearable. Please give me the strength to persevere, and help me
as I grow in faith and develop into the fruit-bearing believer
that You've called me to be."
Pray to the Lord and pray to wait upon the Lord.
Pray to the Lord and pray to plant good spiritual seed.
Pray to the Lord and pray to Him while in temptation.
Agree in prayer with us for:
- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population
- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim
communities around them, as well as training new workers
- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim
background believers and for effectiveness in outreach
- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground
in the face of opposition to her new faith.
- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged
with great support
Pray that Muslims' hearts will be hungry for God
during the fast of Ramadan.
Pray that God will send more laborers to minister to Moroccans.
Ask God to lift the veil from their eyes as they hear about Jesus.
Pray for people in the 24 FPGs in the Joshua Project database.
Ask God to encourage missionary families serving among Moroccans
and to give them a deep sense of His presence.
Pray for an Acts 6:7 moment to take place among Moroccan Imams and Muslims.
Pray continually for Sikhs to find Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
Pray for new Canadians, that they will have opportunity to hear
and respond to the Gospel and place their faith in Jesus Christ.
Pray for God's kingdom to come in the life of someone you
know today .
Pray that churches in Azerbaijan will reach out to those who lost
income during the pandemic.
1) 2 Samuel 19:31-43
2 Samuel 20
Psalms 7
2 Samuel 21
1 Chronicles 20:4-8
2 SAMUEL 19
31 (1Ki 2:7) Now Barzillai the Gileadite had come down from Rogelim
in order to see the king across the Jordan.
32 (1Sa 25:2) Barzillai was very old, eighty years old. But he sustained
the king during his stay in Mahanaim, for he was a very rich man.
33 The king said to Barzillai, "Cross over with me and I will sustain you
with me in Jerusalem."
34 Barzillai said to the king, "How many days are left in my life that
I should go up with the king to Jerusalem?
35 (2Sa 15:33; Ezr 2:65) I am now eighty years old. Can I discern what
is pleasant from what is harmful? Can your servant taste what I eat
and what I drink? Can I still hear the voices of men and women who sing?
Why, then, should your servant be a burden to my lord the king?
36 Your servant is merely crossing over the Jordan with the king.
Why should the king repay me with this reward?
37 (1Ki 2:7; Jer 41:17) Now allow your servant to return, that I may die
in my own city with the grave of my father and my mother.
But here is your servant Kimham. He will cross over with my lord the king.
Do for him what seems best to you."
38 The king said, "Kimham will cross over with me, and I will do for him
what seems best to you. Whatever you require of me, I will do for you."
39 (Ge 31:55; 47:7; Ru 1:14) All of the people crossed over the Jordan.
And when the king had crossed over, the king kissed Barzillai a
nd blessed him and he returned to his own place.
40 The king passed on to Gilgal, and Kimham went on with him;
all of the people of Judah and half of the people of Israel passed
on with the king.
41 (Jdg 8:1; 12:1) Now all of the men of Israel were coming to the king
and said to the king, "Why have our brothers, the men of Judah,
stolen you away and brought the king and his household across the Jordan,
and all of the men of David with him?"
42 (2Sa 19:12) All of the men of Judah answered the men of Israel,
"Because the king is our close relative. Why are you angry over this matter?
Have we eaten at all at the king's expense? Has he given any gift to us?"
43 (2Sa 5:1; Gal 5:20) And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah
and said, "We have ten shares in the king. Therefore we also have more claim
on David than you. Why then did you treat us with contempt?
Were we not the first to advise bringing back our king?"
But the words of the men of Judah were harsher than the words
of the men of Israel.
[31] And Barzillai the Gileadite came down from Rogelim, and went over
Jordan with the king, to conduct him over Jordan.
[32] Now Barzillai was a very aged man, even fourscore years old: and he had
provided the king of sustenance while he lay at Mahanaim; for he was a very
great man.
[33] And the king said unto Barzillai, Come thou over with me, and I will
feed thee with me in Jerusalem.
[34] And Barzillai said unto the king, How long have I to live, that I
should go up with the king unto Jerusalem?
[35] I am this day fourscore years old: and can I discern between good and
evil? can thy servant taste what I eat or what I drink? can I hear any more
the voice of singing men and singing women? wherefore then should thy
servant be yet a burden unto my lord the king?
[36] Thy servant will go a little way over Jordan with the king: and why
should the king recompense it me with such a reward?
[37] Let thy servant, I pray thee, turn back again, that I may die in mine
own city, and be buried by the grave of my father and of my mother. But
behold thy servant Chimham; let him go over with my lord the king; and do to
him what shall seem good unto thee.
[38] And the king answered, Chimham shall go over with me, and I will do to
him that which shall seem good unto thee: and whatsoever thou shalt require
of me, that will I do for thee.
[39] And all the people went over Jordan. And when the king was come over,
the king kissed Barzillai, and blessed him; and he returned unto his own
place.
[40] Then the king went on to Gilgal, and Chimham went on with him: and all
the people of Judah conducted the king, and also half the people of Israel.
[41] And, behold, all the men of Israel came to the king, and said unto the
king, Why have our brethren the men of Judah stolen thee away, and have
brought the king, and his household, and all David's men with him, over
Jordan?
[42] And all the men of Judah answered the men of Israel, Because the king
is near of kin to us: wherefore then be ye angry for this matter? have we
eaten at all of the king's cost? or hath he given us any gift?
[43] And the men of Israel answered the men of Judah, and said, We have ten
parts in the king, and we have also more right in David than ye: why then
did ye despise us, that our advice should not be first had in bringing back
our king? And the words of the men of Judah were fiercer than the words of
the men of Israel.
2 Samuel 20
Sheba Rebels Against David
1 (1Ki 12:16; Dt 13:13) There happened to be a worthless man there whose name
was Sheba the son of Bikri, a Benjamite. He sounded the trumpet and said,
"We have no share in David,nor do we have an inheritance in the son of Jesse;
every man to his tents, O Israel."
2 So every man of Israel withdrew from following David and followed
after Sheba the son of Bikri, but the men of Judah stayed with their king,
from the Jordan as far as Jerusalem.
3 (2Sa 15:16; 16:21-22) When the king came to his house in Jerusalem,
he took the ten women, the concubines whom he had left to keep
watch over the house, and he placed them in custody. He provided
for them but did not go in to them. They were shut up until the day
of their deaths, living as in widowhood.
4 (2Sa 17:25; 19:13) Then the king said to Amasa, "Summon for me the men
of Judah in three days, then present yourself here."
5 (1Sa 13:8) So Amasa went to summon Judah, but he delayed beyond
the deadline determined for him.
6 (2Sa 11:11; 21:17) So David said to Abishai, "Now Sheba the son of Bikri
will cause more harm for us than Absalom. You take your lord's servants
and pursue after him. Otherwise, he will find fortified cities and escape
from our sight."
7 (2Sa 8:18; 1Ki 1:38) The men of Joab went out after him,
along with the Kerethites, the Pelethites, and all of the warriors;
and they went out from Jerusalem to pursue after Sheba the son of Bikri.
8 (2Sa 2:13; 3:30) When they were at the large stone which is in Gibeon,
Amasa came to meet them. Now Joab was dressed in his battle armor,
and fastened on it was a belt with a sword in its sheath at the waist.
As he went forward, it fell out.
9 Joab said to Amasa, "Is it well with you, my brother?" and he took Amasa
by the beard with his right hand to kiss him.
10 (2Sa 2:23; 3:27) Amasa was not on guard against the sword
in the hand of Joab, and he struck him in the midsection spilling
his entrails on the ground. He died without being struck a second time.
Then Joab and Abishai his brother pursued after Sheba the son of Bikri.
11 (2Sa 20:13) Now one of the young men of Joab stood by him and said,
"Whoever favors Joab and whoever is for David, let him follow Joab."
12 Now Amasa was wallowing in his own blood in the middle of the path.
When the man saw that all of the people stood still, he moved Amasa
from the path to the field and threw a covering over him,
when he observed that everyone who passed by would stop.
13 Once he removed him from the path, all of the men passed by,
following Joab in pursuit of Sheba the son of Bikri.
14 (2Ki 15:29) He passed through all of the tribes of Israel toward
Abel Beth Maakah, also passing by all of the Bikrites. Once assembled,
they also came after him.
15 (2Ki 19:32; Jer 32:24) They came and besieged him in Abel Beth Maakah.
They constructed a siege ramp against the city, standing it against
the rampart. As all of the people who were with Joab were battering
the city wall in order to bring it down,
16 (2Sa 14:2) a wise woman called from the city, "Listen! Listen! Say to Joab,
'Come closer so that I may speak with you.' "
17 When he came near, the woman said, "Are you Joab?" He said, "I am."
She said to him, "Listen to the words of your servant,"
and he said, "I'm listening."
18 She said, "In former times, they would say,
'Let them inquire carefully in Abel,' and thus they would resolve an issue.
19 (1Sa 26:19; 2Sa 21:3) I am a trustworthy and faithful one of Israel.
You are attempting to destroy a city, even a mother, in Israel.
Why do you swallow up the inheritance of the Lord?"
20 Joab responded, "Far be it, far be it from me to swallow up or destroy.
21 That is not true. But a man from the hill country of Ephraim,
Sheba the son of Bikri by name, has lifted his hand against King David.
Only deliver him, and I will depart from the city."
And the woman said to Joab, "His head will be thrown to you over the wall."
22 (2Sa 20:1) The woman, with her wisdom, came to all of the people
in the city, and they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bikri.
When they threw it to Joab, he blew the horn, and they dispersed
from the city, each going to his own tent.
Joab returned to Jerusalem to the king.
David's Officials
23 (2Sa 8:16-18) Now Joab was over the entire army of Israel.
Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over the Kerethites and Pelethites.
24 (1Ki 4:3; 12:18) Adoniram was over conscripted labor. Jehoshaphat
the son of Ahilud was secretary.
25 (2Sa 8:17; 1Ki 4:4) Sheva was scribe. Zadok and Abiathar were priests,
26 (2Sa 23:38) and also Ira the Jairite was priest to David.
2 Samuel 20
[1] And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba,
the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no
part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to
his tents, O Israel.
[2] So every man of Israel went up from after David, and followed Sheba the
son of Bichri: but the men of Judah clave unto their king, from Jordan even
to Jerusalem.
[3] And David came to his house at Jerusalem; and the king took the ten
women his concubines, whom he had left to keep the house, and put them in
ward, and fed them, but went not in unto them. So they were shut up unto the
day of their death, living in widowhood.
[4] Then said the king to Amasa, Assemble me the men of Judah within three
days, and be thou here present.
[5] So Amasa went to assemble the men of Judah: but he tarried longer than
the set time which he had appointed him.
[6] And David said to Abishai, Now shall Sheba the son of Bichri do us more
harm than did Absalom: take thou thy lord's servants, and pursue after him,
lest he get him fenced cities, and escape us.
[7] And there went out after him Joab's men, and the Cherethites, and the
Pelethites, and all the mighty men: and they went out of Jerusalem, to
pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.
[8] When they were at the great stone which is in Gibeon, Amasa went before
them. And Joab's garment that he had put on was girded unto him, and upon it
a girdle with a sword fastened upon his loins in the sheath thereof; and as
he went forth it fell out.
[9] And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took
Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him.
[10] But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab's hand: so he
smote him therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground,
and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his brother
pursued after Sheba the son of Bichri.
[11] And one of Joab's men stood by him, and said, He that favoureth Joab,
and he that is for David, let him go after Joab.
[12] And Amasa wallowed in blood in the midst of the highway. And when the
man saw that all the people stood still, he removed Amasa out of the highway
into the field, and cast a cloth upon him, when he saw that every one that
came by him stood still.
[13] When he was removed out of the highway, all the people went on after
Joab, to pursue after Sheba the son of Bichri.
[14] And he went through all the tribes of Israel unto Abel, and to
Beth-maachah, and all the Berites: and they were gathered together, and went
also after him.
[15] And they came and besieged him in Abel of Beth-maachah, and they cast
up a bank against the city, and it stood in the trench: and all the people
that were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down.
[16] Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear, hear; say, I pray you,
unto Joab, Come near hither, that I may speak with thee.
[17] And when he was come near unto her, the woman said, Art thou Joab? And
he answered, I am he. Then she said unto him, Hear the words of thine
handmaid. And he answered, I do hear.
[18] Then she spake, saying, They were wont to speak in old time, saying,
They shall surely ask counsel at Abel: and so they ended the matter.
[19] I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel: thou
seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why wilt thou swallow up
the inheritance of the LORD?
[20] And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should
swallow up or destroy.
[21] The matter is not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of
Bichri by name, hath lifted up his hand against the king, even against
David: deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. And the woman said
unto Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall.
[22] Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off
the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast it out to Joab. And he blew a
trumpet, and they retired from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab
returned to Jerusalem unto the king.
[23] Now Joab was over all the host of Israel: and Benaiah the son of
Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and over the Pelethites:
[24] And Adoram was over the tribute: and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was
recorder:
[25] And Sheva was scribe: and Zadok and Abiathar were the priests:
[26] And Ira also the Jairite was a chief ruler about David.
PSALMS 7
A Shiggaion of David, which he sang to the Lord concerning
the words of Cush, a Benjamite.
1 O Lord my God, in You I put my trust;
save me from all those who persecute me, and deliver me,
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) lest they tear my soul like a lion,
rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) O Lord my God, if I have done this,
if there is iniquity in the palms of my hands,
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) if I have repaid evil to him who was at peace with me,
or have delivered my adversary without cause,
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) then may the enemy pursue my life and overtake me;
may my enemy trample my life to the ground,
and lay my honor in the dust. Selah
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) Arise, O Lord, in Your anger;
rise up because of the rage of my adversaries,
and awaken Yourself for me; You have commanded justice.
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) The congregation of the peoples surround You;
return above it to heaven's heights.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) The Lord will judge the peoples;
grant me justice, O Lord, according to my righteousness,
and according to my integrity within me.
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) May the evil of the wicked come to an end;
may You vindicate the righteous one;
You are a righteous God who examines the minds and hearts.
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) My defense depends on God,
who saves the upright in heart.
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) God is a righteous judge,
and God has indignation every day.
12 If one does not repent,
God will sharpen His sword;
He has bent His bow and made it ready.
13 He has prepared for Himself deadly weapons;
He makes His arrows flaming shafts.
14 The wicked man writhes in pain of iniquity;
he has conceived mischief and brought forth falsehood.
15 He who digs a hole and hollows it
will then fall into his own pit.
16 His mischief will return on his own head;
his violence will descend on the crown of his own head.
17 I will thank the Lord according to His righteousness,
and will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.
Psalms 7
[1] O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that
persecute me, and deliver me:
[2] Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is
none to deliver.
[3] O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands;
[4] If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have
delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:)
[5] Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my
life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.
[6] Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself because of the rage of
mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that thou hast commanded.
[7] So shall the congregation of the people compass thee about: for their
sakes therefore return thou on high.
[8] The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my
righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.
[9] Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the
just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.
[10] My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.
[11] God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day.
[12] If he turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made
it ready.
[13] He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he ordaineth
his arrows against the persecutors.
[14] Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and
brought forth falsehood.
[15] He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he
made.
[16] His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing
shall come down upon his own pate.
[17] I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing
praise to the name of the LORD most high.
2 Samuel 21
David Avenges the Gibeonites
1 (Ge 12:10; Nu 27:21) Now there was a famine in the days of David
for three years, year after year; and David called upon the Lord.
The Lord said, "There is blood guilt upon Saul and upon his house
because he put the Gibeonites to death."
2 So the king summoned the Gibeonites and spoke to them.
Now the Gibeonites were not from the children of Israel.
Instead they were a remnant of the Amorites.
Although the children of Israel had made a pact with them,
Saul attempted to destroy them in his zeal for the people of Israel and Judah.
3 (2Sa 20:19; 1Sa 26:19) David said to the Gibeonites, "What must I do
for you, and with what may I appease you that you may bless the inheritance
of the Lord?"
4 The Gibeonites said to him, "We have no concern for silver or gold from Saul
or his household, nor is it for us to put any man in Israel to death."
He said to them, "What are you saying I should do for you?"
5 (2Sa 21:1) They said to the king, "Regarding the man who put an end to us
and planned to exterminate us from the entire territory of Israel,
6 (1Sa 10:24; 10:26) let seven of his male descendants be handed over to us,
and we will hang them before the Lord at Gibeah of Saul,
the chosen one of the Lord." The king said, "I will hand them over."
7 (1Sa 18:3; 20:8) But the king spared Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan,
the son of Saul on account of the oath of the Lord that was between them,
between David and Jonathan the son of Saul.
8 (1Sa 18:19; 2Sa 3:7) So the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter
of Aiah, Armoni and Mephibosheth, whom she had born to Saul,
and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she had born to Adriel
the son of Barzillai the Meholathite.
9 (Ru 1:22) He delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites,
and they hanged them on the mountain before the Lord;
the seven of them fell together. They were put to death in the first days
of harvest, in the beginning of the barley harvest.
10 (Dt 21:23) Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it
for herself on the rock, from the beginning of the harvest until the rains
poured on them from heaven. She did not allow the birds of the air to rest
on them by day nor the animals of the field by night.
11 When it was reported to David that which Rizpah the daughter of Aiah,
the concubine of Saul, had done,
12 (Jos 17:11; 1Sa 31:10-13) David went and took the bones of Saul
and the bones of Jonathan his son from the men of Jabesh Gilead
who had secretly taken them from the plaza in Beth Shan,
where the Philistines had hung them the day the Philistines
struck down Saul on Gilboa.
13 He brought up the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his son
from there, and they gathered the bones of those who had been hanged.
14 (Jos 18:28; 2Sa 24:25) They interred the bones of Saul and Jonathan
his son in the land of Benjamin at Zela, in the tomb of Kish, his father.
They did everything that the king commanded.
After that God was entreated regarding the land.
Wars With the Philistines
1Ch 20:4-8
15 (2Sa 5:17; 5:22) Now once again there was a battle between the Philistines
and Israel. So David went down and his servants with him to fight
the Philistines, and David grew weary.
16 (2Sa 21:18; 21:20) Now Ishbi-Benob, who was among the descendants
of the giant and was girded with new weaponry, had a spear weighing
three hundred bronze shekels and had said that he would strike David down.
17 (2Sa 18:3; 1Ki 11:36) But Abishai the son of Zeruiah came to his aid.
He struck down the Philistine and killed him. Then the men of David made
an oath with him, saying, "You shall no longer come out with us to battle,
so that you do not extinguish the lamp of Israel."
18 (1Ch 11:29; 2Sa 21:20) Now afterwards there was again a battle with
the Philistines at Gob. Then Sibbekai the Hushathite struck down Saph,
who was among the descendants of the giant.
19 (1Ch 20:5) Once again, there was a battle with the Philistines at Gob.
On this occasion, -Elhanan the son of Jaare-Oregim the Bethlehemite
struck down Goliath the Gittite, whose spear shaft was like a weaver's beam.
20 (2Sa 21:16; 21:18) Once again, there was war at Gath. There was a man
of stature who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot,
twenty-four in number. Now he also was born to the giant.
21 (1Sa 16:9; 17:10) When he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimeah,
the brother of David, struck him down.
22 (1Ch 20:8) Now these four were born to the giant in Gath,
and they fell by the hand of David and by the hand of his servants.
2 Samuel 21
[1] Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after
year; and David inquired of the LORD. And the LORD answered, It is for Saul,
and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.
[2] And the king called the Gibeonites, and said unto them; (now the
Gibeonites were not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the
Amorites; and the children of Israel had sworn unto them: and Saul sought to
slay them in his zeal to the children of Israel and Judah.)
[3] Wherefore David said unto the Gibeonites, What shall I do for you? and
wherewith shall I make the atonement, that ye may bless the inheritance of
the LORD?
[4] And the Gibeonites said unto him, We will have no silver nor gold of
Saul, nor of his house; neither for us shalt thou kill any man in Israel.
And he said, What ye shall say, that will I do for you.
[5] And they answered the king, The man that consumed us, and that devised
against us that we should be destroyed from remaining in any of the coasts
of Israel,
[6] Let seven men of his sons be delivered unto us, and we will hang them up
unto the LORD in Gibeah of Saul, whom the LORD did choose. And the king
said, I will give them.
[7] But the king spared Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan the son of Saul,
because of the LORD's oath that was between them, between David and Jonathan
the son of Saul.
[8] But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she
bare unto Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal the
daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the
Meholathite:
[9] And he delivered them into the hands of the Gibeonites, and they hanged
them in the hill before the LORD: and they fell all seven together, and were
put to death in the days of harvest, in the first days, in the beginning of
barley harvest.
[10] And Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth, and spread it for her
upon the rock, from the beginning of harvest until water dropped upon them
out of heaven, and suffered neither the birds of the air to rest on them by
day, nor the beasts of the field by night.
[11] And it was told David what Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, the concubine
of Saul, had done.
[12] And David went and took the bones of Saul and the bones of Jonathan his
son from the men of Jabesh-gilead, which had stolen them from the street of
Beth-shan, where the Philistines had hanged them, when the Philistines had
slain Saul in Gilboa:
[13] And he brought up from thence the bones of Saul and the bones of
Jonathan his son; and they gathered the bones of them that were hanged.
[14] And the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son buried they in the country
of Benjamin in Zelah, in the sepulchre of Kish his father: and they
performed all that the king commanded. And after that God was intreated for
the land.
[15] Moreover the Philistines had yet war again with Israel; and David went
down, and his servants with him, and fought against the Philistines: and
David waxed faint.
[16] And Ishbi-benob, which was of the sons of the giant, the weight of
whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being
girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David.
[17] But Abishai the son of Zeruiah succoured him, and smote the Philistine,
and killed him. Then the men of David sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go
no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel.
[18] And it came to pass after this, that there was again a battle with the
Philistines at Gob: then Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which was of
the sons of the giant.
[19] And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan
the son of Jaare-oregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the
Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam.
[20] And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of great stature,
that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and
twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant.
[21] And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea the brother of
David slew him.
[22] These four were born to the giant in Gath, and fell by the hand of
David, and by the hand of his servants.
1 CHRONICLES 20
Philistine Giants Killed
2Sa 21:15-22
4 (2Sa 21:18-22) Now after this, when war broke out in Gezer
with the Philistines, Sibbekai of Hushah killed Sippai,
who was one of the descendants of the giants, and they were humbled.
5 (2Sa 21:19) Again there was war with the Philistines, and Elhanan
the son of Jair killed Lahmi, the brother of Goliath the Gittite,
the shaft of whose wooden spear was like a weaver's beam.
6 Yet again there was war at Gath, where there was a man of great stature,
who had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot, 24 in number;
and he also was descended from the giants.
7 (1Sa 16:9; 1Ch 2:13) When he taunted Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea,
David's brother, killed him.
8 These were descended from the giants in Gath,
and they fell by the hand of David and his servants.
[4] And it came to pass after this, that there arose war at Gezer with
the Philistines; at which time Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Sippai,
that was of the children of the giant: and they were subdued.
[5] And there was war again with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair
slew Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, whose spear staff was like
a weaver's beam.
[6] And yet again there was war at Gath, where was a man of great stature,
whose fingers and toes were four and twenty, six on each hand,
and six on each foot: and he also was the son of the giant.
[7] But when he defied Israel, Jonathan the son of Shimea David's brother
slew him.
[8] These were born unto the giant in Gath; and they fell by the hand
of David, and by the hand of his servants.
2) Our Daily Bread for 28 April 2022
https://odb.org/CA/2022/04/28/growing-in-faith
entitled Growing in Faith
James 1:2-4
Faith and Wisdom
2 (Jas 1:12) My brothers, count it all joy
when you fall into diverse temptations,
3 (Heb 10:36; 2Pe 1:6) knowing that the trying
of your faith develops patience.
4 (Mt 5:48; Lk 21:19) But let patience perfect its work,
that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.
[2] My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
[3] Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
[4] But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and
entire, wanting nothing.
At the beginning of my gardening journey, I'd wake up early and run to my
vegetable garden to see if anything had sprouted. Nothing.
After an internet search for "fast garden growth," I learned that the
seedling stage is the most important phase of a plant's lifespan.
Knowing now that this process couldn't be rushed, I came to appreciate
the strength of small sprouts fighting their way through the soil toward
the sun and their resilience to temperamental weather. After waiting patiently
for a few weeks, I was finally greeted by bursts of green sprouts creeping
through the soil.
Sometimes it's easy to praise the victories and triumphs in our lives
without similarly acknowledging that growth in our character often comes
through time and struggle. James instructs us to "count it all joy
when you fall into diverse temptations” (James 1:2). But what could possibly
be delightful about trials?
God will sometimes allow us to go through challenges and hardships so that
we can be molded into who He’s called us to be. He waits in anticipation
for us to come out of the trials of life "perfect and complete,
lacking nothing" (v. 4). By staying grounded in Jesus, we can persevere
through any challenge, growing stronger and ultimately allowing the fruit
of the Spirit to blossom in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23). His wisdom gives
us the nourishment we need to truly flourish each and every day (John 15:5).
By: Kimya Loder
Reflect & Pray
What trials have you been working through recently?
What lessons are these circumstances revealing to you?
Dear heavenly Father, sometimes the trials I face seem unbearable.
Please give me the strength to persevere, and help me as I grow
in faith and develop into the fruit-bearing believer
that You've called me to be.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 8 Guided by Grace Day 5 - Waiting for the Wind
Is 40:31
31 (2Co 4:16; Ps 103:5; Ex 19:4)
but those who wait upon the Lord
shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
and they shall walk and not faint.
31 but they that wait upon the LORD
shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles;
they shall run, and not be weary;
and they shall walk, and not faint.
High above civilisation, alone on his craggy peak, the eagle waits.
He watches, senses, and then, with effortless grace, he spreads
his wings and soars. He does not flap frantically to gain altitude,
he merely turns his wings into the wind and rises.
Is 40:31 promises that we, too, can be like the eagle,
mounting up on wings, soaring effortlessly,
without weariness. But this is not often our experience.
We usually flap around like invalid pigeons, scratching
for mere existence, flying only when our place in the park is disturbed.
We need to learn to wait on the Lord. Like the wind that raises the eagle
to the heights, the wind of the Spirit will lift us up as well - beyond
the weariness of daily life, beyond the struggle for existence, beyond
the plodding pace of normal interaction.
But the eagle does not rise without plunging for the cliff into the wind.
His ability to stay aloft is based on his understand of wind currents;
when the wind is against him,he rises. He waits on the cliff
until the right moment, then allows the contrary breezes to lift him up.
Most of us are grounded by the winds that are against us. We give up
and never take the first flight. We fear the plunge from the cliff into the
buoyant breath of God, and so we stand fixed, afraid to launch out.
But when we do take the risk, when we wait upon the Lord, and then
give ourselves in obedience to a free-fall from the cliffs of his will,
we discover that there is rest in soaring with him. We do not have to
struggle; we have only to fly, and in flying, to find new strength.
Application
a) Why is "waiting upon the Lord" essential
to "Mounting up with wings as the eagle"?
b) How can this verse help me be more willing to take risks in God's will?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Mark 4:20-25
20 (Mk 4:8; Jn 15:4–5) "Still others are seed sown on good ground,
those who hear the word, and receive it, and bear fruit:
thirty, sixty, or a hundred times as much."
A Light Under a Basket
Lk 8:16-18
21 (Mt 5:15; Lk 8:16) He said to them, "Is a candle brought to be put
under a basket or under a bed and not to be set on a candlestick?
22 (Lk 8:17) For there is nothing hidden except to be revealed;
neither is anything kept secret except to be proclaimed.
23 (Mk 4:9; Mt 11:15)If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."
24 (Mt 7:2) He said to them, "Take heed what you hear.
The measure you give will be measured for you,
and to you who hear will more be given.
25 (Mt 13:12; Lk 8:18) For to him who has will more be given.
And from him who has not will be taken, even what he has."
20 And these are they which are sown on good ground;
such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit,
some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.
21 And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put
under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?
22 For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested;
neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.
23 If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
24 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete,
it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.
25 For he that hath, to him shall be given:
and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Help in Times of Temptation
Hebrews 4:14-16
Jesus the Great High Priest
14 (Heb 6:20; 1:2-3) Since then we have a great High Priest
Who has passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God,
let us hold firmly to our confession.
15 (2Co 5:21; Jn 8:46) For we do not have a High Priest
who cannot sympathise with our weaknesses,
but One who was in every sense tempted like we are, yet without sin.
16 (Eph 3:12; Php 4:6-7) Let us then come with confidence
to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy
and find grace to help in time of need.
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest,
that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God,
let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest
which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities;
but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly
unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy,
and find grace to help in time of need.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)
Manitoba
Quick facts on Muslims in Manitoba
Manitoba 2015 population 1 282 000
est Muslim Population 21 349
CNMM Networks: Winnipeg
The Muslim population of Manitoba, understandably centred in Winnipeg, is very
diverse and represents some 48 different cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
Conservative estimates put their number at 21000 , with some suggesting
it might be twice that size.
Some outreach among Muslims has started, yet in comparison to the size
of this community, there is the need and opportunity for far more engagement.
Continued influx of new immigrants and refugees continues to see the growth
of this Muslim centre in Manitoba.
We rejoice in the Arabic fellowship meeting there and the energetic workers
among Muslims in Winnipeg.
Let us intercede in unity for:
- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population
- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim
communities around them, as well as training new workers
- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim
background believers and for effectiveness in outreach
- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground
in the face of opposition to her new faith.
- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged
with great support
Adding further
https://www.30daysprayer.com/pages/reaching-frontier-people-groups-in-morocco/
Reaching Frontier People Groups in Morocco
When the first American missionaries reached Morocco in 1895, they discovered
a challenging mission field. Now, more than 125 years later, the soil
of Moroccan hearts remains tough.
Morocco, a North African country that's home to 37 million people, is also
home to 24 Frontier People Groups (FPG), according to Joshua Project.
It defines an FPG as "an Unreached People Group with 0.1 percent
or fewer Christians of any kind,
and no evidence of a self-sustaining Gospel movement."
Most Moroccans seem content with Islam's convincing proverbs
and entrenched teachings from the Qur'an. Islam is Morocco's state religion,
but the country's constitution grants people freedom of thought,
expression, and assembly-freedoms that can be rare in other Islamic nations.
Christian workers in Morocco see signs that Isaiah’s prophecy is being
fulfilled today: "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light;
those who dwell in the land of the shadow of death,
upon them the light has shined. / The people that walked in darkness have
seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death,
upon them hath the light shined. " (Isaiah 9:2).
More workers are needed in these hard mission fields because God wants
people in Morocco's 24 FPGs to know Him. As we labor in prayer for those
living in darkness, may the light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ
shine brightly on them.
Pray that God will send more laborers to minister to Moroccans.
Ask God to lift the veil from their eyes as they hear about Jesus.
Pray for people in the 24 FPGs in the Joshua Project database.
Ask God to encourage missionary families serving among Moroccans
and to give them a deep sense of His presence.
Pray for an Acts 6:7 moment to take place among Moroccan Imams and Muslims.
7 (Ac 12:24; 19:20) So the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples
grew rapidly in Jerusalem, and a great number of the priests
were obedient to the faith.
[7] And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples
multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were
obedient to the faith.
And
Thank you for praying through the
5 Days of Prayer for Sikhs.
"My name is Kam. I'm 29 years of age, and I grew up Sikh. As a teenager,
I struggled with depression, brokenness, and addiction to
cannabis. I didn't know how to stop or how to get help.
Then a friend invited me to church. As I spent time with Christians
and heard the message of the Gospel, I experienced the
love of Jesus Christ, and it was like nothing I'd known before.
One night I had a dream where I saw Him - a figure surrounded by
light who I knew was Jesus, the light of the world.
As I began to understand the gospel message, I encountered a reassuring and
confident solution to the problem of sin. I knew that I needed a solution
to my sin problem, and I gave my life to Christ.
Slowly, God began to heal my broken heart and my addiction.
Nine years have passed, and I am a devoted husband and a father
to two beautiful boys. I grow deeper in love with Jesus each day.
I ask you to continue praying with me, and others around the world, for Sikhs.
God is the only one who can draw people to Himself. He works in and through
the prayers of His people. I want Sikhs to know the freedom
and healing that is only available through Jesus Christ."
13 (Ro 14:17; 12:12) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy
and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope,
through the power of the Holy Spirit.
[13] Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that
ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
ROMANS 15:13
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
Day 28 of the Month
a) Pray for new Canadians, that they will have opportunity to hear
and respond to the Gospel and place their faith in Jesus Christ.
(
John 5:24
24 (Jn 3:18; 1Jn 3:14; Jn 3:36) "Truly, truly I say to you, whoever
hears My word and believes in Him who sent
Me has eternal life and shall not come into condemnation,
but has passed from death into life."
24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word,
and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life,
and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
)
b) Pray for God's kingdom to come in the life of someone you
know today . (
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. "
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and thank Him for protecting you from your enemies.
Pray to the Lord: "Dear heavenly Father, sometimes the trials I face
seem unbearable. Please give me the strength to persevere, and help me
as I grow in faith and develop into the fruit-bearing believer
that You've called me to be."
Pray to the Lord and pray to wait upon the Lord.
Pray to the Lord and pray to plant good spiritual seed.
Pray to the Lord and pray to Him while in temptation.
Agree in prayer with us for:
- new Christian workers among Manitoba's growing Muslim population
- new church ministries focused on prayer, equipping and reaching Muslim
communities around them, as well as training new workers
- the Arabic fellowship and their ministries of discipling new Muslim
background believers and for effectiveness in outreach
- for the recent Somali woman who found faith in Jesus and stood her ground
in the face of opposition to her new faith.
- for current workers among Muslims to be blessed, refreshed and encouraged
with great support
Pray that Muslims' hearts will be hungry for God
during the fast of Ramadan.
Pray that God will send more laborers to minister to Moroccans.
Ask God to lift the veil from their eyes as they hear about Jesus.
Pray for people in the 24 FPGs in the Joshua Project database.
Ask God to encourage missionary families serving among Moroccans
and to give them a deep sense of His presence.
Pray for an Acts 6:7 moment to take place among Moroccan Imams and Muslims.
Pray continually for Sikhs to find Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.
Pray for new Canadians, that they will have opportunity to hear
and respond to the Gospel and place their faith in Jesus Christ.
Pray for God's kingdom to come in the life of someone you
know today .
Pray that churches in Azerbaijan will reach out to those who lost
income during the pandemic.