Christian Art | Angels In The Bible | Audio King James Bible | KJV | Love Revealed By Jesus Christ
2 Samuel 24: 15-17 | King James Audio Bible | Powerful Prayer
‘So the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beersheba seventy thousand men. And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite. And David spake unto the LORD when he saw the angel that smote the people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father’s house.’ (2 Samuel 24:15-17, KJV)
Explanation Of Context | The Angel And The Plague In Jerusalem | Love Revealed By Jesus Christ
During the reign of King David, King David ordered a census of the people of Israel, an act that displeased the Lord as it revealed a reliance on human strength rather than on God’s providence. In response, God sent a severe pestilence that resulted in the death of seventy thousand men across the land. As the angel of the LORD was about to strike Jerusalem with the plague, God, in His mercy, commanded the angel to cease the destruction. The angel halted at the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite, just outside Jerusalem’s borders.
Reflection – Divine Judgment And Repentance | Meditations On The Love Of Jesus Christ
The account of the angel and the plague in Jerusalem is a powerful reminder of God’s holiness and of God’s prerogative to execute judgment. The plague was a consequence of David’s sinful act of taking a census for prideful and worldly reasons. God’s response highlights His intolerance for human arrogance and a lack of trust in His provision.
When we encounter God’s judgment or experience consequences of our actions, we are prompted to reflect on our own lives. Like David, we must acknowledge our sins, in humility confess our sins before the Lord, and seek God’s forgiveness. David’s plea, asking God to direct His judgment towards himself instead of the innocent people, demonstrates a heart of repentance and willingness to bear the consequences of his actions.
Powerful Prayer to Jesus | Love Revealed By Jesus
Dear Jesus,
When we face the consequences of our actions and when we witness the effects of sin in the world, we ask for your forgiveness and redemption. As you, God, sent the angel to bring judgment upon Israel, so we acknowledge that your holiness demands justice for sin.
Like David, we have sinned against you. Forgive us for the times we have relied on our strength and abilities, when we have neglected to trust in your divine provision. Help us to be humble and dependent on you alone.
May your divine judgement prompt us to examine our hearts and to confess our sins before you. Teach us to be quick to repent and turn away from our transgressions, to seek your grace and mercy.
Like David, we intercede for others, asking that your judgment be redirected from the innocent. We pray for your compassion and mercy to prevail, sparing those who may suffer the consequences of our actions.
Lord, lead us in the paths of righteousness, that we may honour and glorify your name. We surrender our lives to your will and trust in your unfailing love.
In your precious name, we pray.
Amen.
As we have heard in our Palm Sunday reading, Mary anoints Jesus. In John’s account, she anoints Jesus’ feet and wipes them with her hair. This is a sign of great love and humility, which Jesus will offer to his followers in John’s account of the Last Supper. The ointment she uses is very precious, costing a year’s wages for a labouring man, and the whole house is filled with the beautiful scent [ … ]
The Sabbath day, Saturday, was established by God in order to allow the Jewish people a special time to worship, and so therefore to fulfil their purpose and the highest good on Earth, which is to worship God. The Law was established through Moses following upon the release from Egypt, during which time of punishment the people had been prevented from worshipping God. Clearly, God wants us to have time to worship. It is sin when people prevent other people from having such time. This is central to our belief as Christians. The Lord’s Day, Sunday, is sacrosanct. It is our best opportunity in a busy and difficult world to give time to God [ … ]
It can be good to consider Pentecost as not having been only a once-in-a-lifetime event of the Church – indeed the birthday of the Church. It can be good to consider a renewal of our lives on the day of Pentecost, and to celebrate as such, just as we and our friends celebrate on our birthdays [ … ]
