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.
Psalm 148 calls to praise extending from the highest heavens to depths of the earth. This psalm is of the final doxology of the Book of Psalms, which includes Psalms 146 to 150, each beginning and ending with the Hebrew phrase ‘Hallelujah’, translated as ‘Praise ye the LORD’. Structure and content of Psalm 148 delineate a comprehensive cosmology of worship, where every element of creation is summoned to honour God [ … ]
The three parables follow one upon another, and they are addressed in Matthew’s Gospel to the disciples, rather than to the crowds. The parables of the hidden treasure and of the pearl clearly develop upon the same theme, and then the parable of the net follows and expands upon their meaning, magnifying it, while also relating to the disciples’ apostolic mission. We are taught through each parable of the supreme value of the gift of grace and of the Kingdom, and also of judgement, the rightful valuing of our gifts such that we live in accordance with God’s will [ … ]
Jesus’ great Discourse of the Mission begins in these Gospel verses with the calling together of the twelve disciples and the summative naming of the twelve. These twelve apostles are mandated; they are sent to establish the first foundations of Christ’s Church, and they are empowered by Jesus to exorcise unclean spirits and to heal the sick, to perform the very miracles of Jesus as a sign that the Kingdom of God has come. Through exorcism, the apostles are called to an imitation of Christ, and so in this way to establish the Christian community [ … ]
