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MOURNED AND WEPT: Devotion for Saturday July 2, 2016
Text:
2 Samuel 1:11 – 12
Memory
verse: v 12 -And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and
for Jonathan his son, for the people of the Lord and for the house of Israel,
because they had fallen by the sword.
In the token of anguish, David tore his
clothes. This is a common practice in Israel (Gen. 37:29, 34; 43:13; Josh. 7:6;
2 Kings 19:1; Matt. 26:65; Acts 22:23). David was sincere in his mourning for
Saul, Jonathan and the fallen heroes of Israel; and all with him humbled
themselves under the hand of God too. David wept, mourned and fasted because of
Saul, Jonathan and other Israelis that lost their lives. For a man of his
calibre to weep openly does not mean he is weak. Such expression at times is needed
for some reasons. It eases stress and burden of the heart, and it is used to
pass message of love and empathy. Jesus did it at the tomb of Lazarus in John
11:35
David act was a clear testimony of his
righteousness. “A good man will not desire the death even of his bitterest
enemy, though it would open the way to his own elevation, influence, and honour”
according to Family Bible Notes. This was the case of David. The emotional
expression showed by David clearly underscores his previous acts of saving Saul
when he had the opportunity to have killed him as one who fears God. It takes
the fear of God to live righteously in our present day society filled with
bitterness, envy, anger and greed.
Are you heavily burdened? Are you mourning the
death of loved ones? You should not restrict yourself from expressing your
emotion even in the public. Jesus did it. One way to ease our burdened heart
especially that of bereavement is by weeping. It is not a mark of weakness. It
helps us to ease off and be revived. The act of David here should be a
challenge for us. We should not gloat over the downfall of our enemies just as
we read yesterday, rather we should show love for them and even when death or
evil befalls them, we shouldn’t gloat over them.
Food
for Thought: A
good man will not desire the death even of his bitterest enemy, though it would
open the way to his own elevation, influence, and honour.
Prayer: God, give me heart of love for those who despise and hate me.
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