 Scripture: Fear and trembling come upon me, And horror has overwhelmed me. I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. Psalms 55:5-6 NASB “Because of the devastation of the afflicted, because of the groaning of the needy, Now I will arise,” says the Lord ; “I will set him in the safety for which he longs.” Psalms 12:5 NASB Application: How often we'd up and fly away from our troubles if we could! But it is the Lord Who arises and helps us when we speak freely to Him, tell Him our fears, and ask for help. We must claim our right to go to God with our every concern. He promises to set us up in safety. Prayer: When problems swell around us and trouble our sleep, arise and rescue us, Lord. Amen.  "I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd." John 10:16 NASB
"It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV Application: Grafting is the message Jesus had for us as He prayed to God on our behalf, "I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd." (John 10:16) Beautiful. Even moreso is our future reward in His kingdom. Just receive it. Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for bringing us completely into righteousness. Amen.  "Then the king said to Ittai the Gittite, “Why will you also go with us? Return and remain with the king, for you are a foreigner and also an exile; return to your own place.You came only yesterday, and shall I today make you wander with us, while I go where I will? Return and take back your brothers; mercy and truth be with you. But Ittai answered the king and said, “As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely wherever my lord the king may be, whether for death or for life, there also your servant will be.”” Therefore David said to Ittai, “Go and pass over.” So Ittai the Gittite passed over with all his men and all the little ones who were with him." 2 Samuel 15:19-22 NASB "David sent the people out... one third under the command of Ittai the Gittite. And the king said to the people, “I myself will surely go out with you also.” 2 Samuel 18:2 NASB Application: In the short references to Ittai the Gittite, we see the message of grafting of Gentiles (most of us) into God's kingdom. As David pursued his arrogant and overly ambitious son Absalom, Ittai (a foreigner) wanted to be part of David's "kingdom" and help David. David told Ittai to stay behind because, "you are a foreigner and also an exile; return to your own place (v. 19). That's a lot like most of us. Not part of God's original chosen people. But things changed when we accepted Jesus as our Savior. This parallels with Ittai's confession of faithfulness: "but Ittai answered the king [David] and said, “As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, surely wherever my lord the king may be, whether for death or for life, there also your servant will be.”(v. 20, 21) Later, we'll see how Ittai was rewarded with commandership of David's forces and the promise that the king would be with Ittai in battle. (2Sam 18:2) Prayer: We pray to always see that every good thing in the scriptures applies to us, dear God. Amen. |