Friday, November 23, 2012

2 Samuel 20:16, 19, 20–22

"But a wise woman in the town called out to Joab, 'Listen to me, Joab. Come over here so I can talk to you. …

'I am one who is peace loving and faithful in Israel. But you are destroying an important town in Israel. Why do you want to devour what belongs to the LORD?' …

And Joab replied, 'Believe me, I don't want to devour or destroy your town! That's not my purpose. All I want is a man named Sheba son of Bicri from the hill country of Ephraim, who has revolted against King David. If you hand over this one man to me, I will leave the town in peace.'

'All right,' the woman replied, 'we will throw his head over the wall to you.' Then the woman went to all the people with her wise advice, and they cut off Sheba's head and threw it out to Joab. So he blew the ram's horn and called his troops back from the attack. They all returned to their homes, and Joab returned to the king at Jerusalem."

 

A wise woman (who is never even named) saved a whole town from destruction. How? She had the courage to engage Joab, who was battering down the city wall! She got his attention, ascertained who he was, asked him to listen to her, focused him on his real goal (destroy Sheba, not the city), and then went back to her people with a plan of action (kill Sheba and prove it to Joab). What an example of a woman not being afraid to speak up and take action! In fact, that's exactly what made her "wise."

Psalm 120:1

"I took my troubles to the LORD;
I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer."

 

What troubles do you need to bring to the Lord today? What cries of the heart do you need to utter before him? He is ready and waiting to hear your troubles and cries. People may not always want to hear about your difficulties, but God does! Bring them—all of them—to him. He will answer; expect it and look for it

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Psalm 119:160, 162

"The very essence of your words is truth;
all your just regulations will stand forever. …
I rejoice in your word
like one who discovers a great treasure"

 

Few things last forever or maintain their value. God's Word is one of those few things. How much do you treasure the truth you've been given? How might you restore your enthusiasm for God's Word if you've lost it? How has God's Word been a "treasure" in your life?