3 February 2020 - what we herd

Today's Readings

(Audio)

As David went up the Mount of Olives, he wept without ceasing.
His head was covered, and he was walking barefoot.
All those who were with him also had their heads covered
and were weeping as they went.

It is at least a question as to whether perhaps David might have an excess of self-pity. His situation was hard and he was all too willing to be beaten up. He knew he did something wrong and is willing to receive any suffering as punishment for that sin. Yet not all suffering is punishment for sin. Regardless, there was a commendable aspect to David's response.

Let him alone and let him curse, for the LORD has told him to.
Perhaps the LORD will look upon my affliction
and make it up to me with benefits
for the curses he is uttering this day.

He was willing to entrust his cause to the LORD. 

for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God (see James 1:20).

David's circumstances, his pain, and his sorrow, helped him to entrust his cause to the LORD. We can learn from this. We are so eager to produce results in whatever circumstances or conflicts in which we find ourselves, especially when times are tough, that we often fail to look to God for his benefits. Doing so we may even have some success but what we ultimately achieve is something flawed and temporary when compared to the benefits God bestows. This means we need to slow down and not allow ourselves to get so wrapped up in circumstances as to define success for ourselves apart from God. We need enough stillness to recognize God even when others around us are shouting.

He  replied, “Legion is my name.  There are many of us.”

We too are torn in so many different directions that it is hard to recognize the voice of Jesus. It is hard to rely on him and follow him when so much else is pulling on us. But all we need to set our hearts back in order is that very voice. We need only ears to hear it.

The herd of about two thousand rushed down a steep bank into the sea,

Once the LORD purifies our hearts of unclean pursuits it can be a bit scary. We worry about what we will even be in the absence of these old addictions. But though it is new and unfamiliar the life Jesus offers us is infinitely better than our former chains.

“Go home to your family and announce to them
all that the Lord in his pity has done for you.”
Then the man went off and began to proclaim in the Decapolis
what Jesus had done for him; and all were amazed.