Day 147

2 Samuel 12:1-31; John 16:1-33; Psalm 119:65-80; Proverbs 16:4-5

IN OUR READING from 2 Samuel today, David was confronted by the prophet Nathan over killing Uriah and taking Bathsheba for his wife. Nathan told David a story that enraged the king, who didn’t realize that it was a camouflaged version of his own story. When Nathan revealed the truth, David collapsed in repentance as the full gravity of what he’d done washed over him.

In John’s Gospel, we continued to listen to Jesus speaking final words to His friends, in the last recorded conversation found in the Gospels that occurred before Jesus’ arrest.

“I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith,” Jesus said. “For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God” (John 16:1-2).

How true Jesus’ words were (and are). Throughout history, followers of Jesus have been subjected to appalling persecution, and in our own lifetimes, we’ve seen this brutality continue. Those who put Jesus to death continued in that tradition, thinking they were honoring God, and there are still those today who do the same. Take a moment to consider the freedoms we enjoy and take for granted as we deepen our relationship with God. Mixed in with that gratitude must also be the earnest plea for our persecuted brothers and sisters, who would consider these freedoms to be as the very Kingdom of God itself. Pray for the persecuted church today, that its members might feel comfort in knowing they are not forgotten.

Jesus also said, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring me glory by telling you whatever he receives from me” (John 16:13-14). The Spirit of truth Jesus was referring to is, of course, the Holy Spirit. This Spirit of God is within us and will lead us into all truth. But we must ask ourselves how much truth we really are seeking. Often, we want to have our cake and eat it too —to enjoy light and truth but keep shadows around things we’re not willing to face or expose. Unfortunately, hiding will not make us like Jesus. Although the battle may be lifelong, we must struggle to be true and walk in the light. This is what Jesus modeled for us and what we must become.

Jesus said, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Even as we read these words, their truth is self-evident. We indeed face trials and sorrows in this world. At times, we feel overwhelmed by them. But Jesus tells us that there is a peace the world cannot give or take, because this peace can only be found within an intertwined relationship with God. Take heart. Take joy. Take peace. Jesus has overcome the world, and through Him, so can we.

PRAYER:

You made me; you created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands. May all who fear you find in me a cause for joy, for I have put my hope in your word.