I have been using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study for almost a year. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I started writing this blog because the only way I can get myself to read the Bible everyday is to pretend that I am teaching someone about what it says to me. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them. I hope that the Spirit is moving in others through these posts as the Spirit has definitely been convicting me.

     After he heard about the death of Abner, Ishbosheth lost all confidence and the forces supporting him became paralyzed. Two brothers decided to ingratiate themselves to David by killing Ishbosheth. They cut off Ishbosheth’s head and took it to David. When they presented it to David, expecting him to honor them for eliminating his rival, he ordered them killed for killing Ishbosheth.
     After the death of Ishbosheth the elders of Israel came to David and made him their king. David then set out to conquer Jerusalem and make it his capital. It is interesting that even though the account tells us that the elders of Israel came to David and made him their king immediately (or at least shortly) after the death of Ishbosheth, it also tells us that his reign was over all of Israel was not counted as starting until he moved his capital to Jerusalem. Once David took control of Jerusalem, the Philistines attacked him on two occasions. The first time David defeated them using a frontal attack. The second time, he launched a flanking attack. On both occasions, David gave credit to God for his victory.
     After these victories David decided to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem from Abinadab’s house, where it had been since it was returned by the Philistines. He gathered a force of 30,000 elite warriors to accompany the Ark (it is not made clear why he gathered such a large force for this). He had the Ark placed on a cart and began transporting it. The cart carrying the Ark was guided by Abinadab’s sons, Uzzah and Ahio. The event was a festival and a celebration worshiping God. However, the celebration was cut short when they got near to Jerusalem. The oxen pulling the cart stumbled and Uzzah reached out to steady the Ark. Uzzah was struck dead because of this. David was angry and a little afraid because of this and left the Ark in the care of the person whose land they were crossing at the time. The account tells us that God blessed the household of the man in whose care David left the Ark of God.
      After three months, when David heard about how much God had blessed the man he had left the Ark with, he decided to bring it the rest of the way to Jerusalem. Once more he began a celebration to bring the Ark to Jerusalem. This time, however, he had the Ark carried rather than transported on a cart. David threw himself fully into the celebration with no thought for his dignity. David’s wife Micah, Saul’s daughter, saw David’s behavior and was offended by it. She thought that David had failed to show the proper dignity of a king. She confronted David about his behavior. David replied that he was willing to be humiliated to worship and celebrate before God. Are we willing to face the contempt of others in order to worship God the way He calls us to do?

     After washing the disciples’ feet, Jesus told them that He would be with them only a short time longer and that where He was going, they would be unable to follow. In the meantime, they were to love one another in the same way and to the same degree that Jesus had loved them. Their love for one another would prove that they were His disciples. Peter than asked why He could not go with Jesus and stated that He was ready to die for Jesus. Jesus answered Peter that while he could not come with Jesus now, He would follow Him later. But as to being willing to die with Jesus, Jesus told Peter that he would deny Jesus three times before the cock crowed the following morning.
     Jesus then told all of His disciples to not let their hearts be troubled by His departure. They believed and trusted in God, they should do the same regarding Jesus. Jesus told them that there was plenty of room in His Father’s house and He was going to prepare a place for them. He would return and take them there when all was ready. Besides which, they knew the way.
     Thomas replied for all of the disciples by asking how they could know the way when they did not even know where He was going? Jesus answered Thomas’ question by telling the disciples that He was the way, the Truth and the Life. He continued by telling them that He was the only way to the Father. By knowing Jesus we know the Father. Philip then asked Jesus to show them the Father. To which Jesus answered, “If you have seen Me, you have seen the Father.” Jesus told the disciples that He was in the Father and the Father was in Him. If nothing else, they should believe because of the work they have seen Him do. Jesus went on to tell them that those who believe in Him will do the same works that He has done, not only that, they will do even greater works.
     Jesus told the disciples that He did the works He did because He was in the Father and the Father was in Him. In addition, He told them that because of this, they could see the Father by looking at Him. Elsewhere the scripture tells us that if we are His disciples, He will be in us. So my question is, do I live my life so that when people look at me they can see Jesus?

     Today’s psalm speaks of the value of listening to and following God’s law.

     Today’s proverbs give advice that is timeless. Listen to constructive criticism, accept the correction that others give you. This is the path to wisdom and being comfortable among the wise. If I reject discipline, I hurt myself more than any others. On the other hand, if I listen to correction, I will grow in wisdom.

     I have been using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study for almost a year. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I started writing this blog because the only way I can get myself to read the Bible everyday is to pretend that I am teaching someone about what it says to me. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them. I hope that the Spirit is moving in others through these posts as the Spirit has definitely been convicting me.

     Today’s passage recounts the war between David’s forces and those that remained loyal to the house of Saul. Reading the passage suggests that the only reason that any forces remained loyal to Saul’s son Ishbosheth was because of Abner (who had been commander of Saul’s army). At one point Joab, the commander of David’s army, led his forces out to battle Abner and his forces. When battle was entered, Joab’s forces were victorious and Abner’s forces retreated. Joab’s forces pursued them. In particular, Joab’s brother, Asahel, pursued Abner. Abner could not get away from Asahel and tried to convince him to go after someone else. Finally, when Asahel refused to turn aside, Abner killed him. Shortly after sunset, some of Abner’s troops took a stand on a hill, as Joab and his forces caught up to them Abner called out and convinced Joab to stop the pursuit. Both forces returned to their respective homes.
     As time went on Abner became more powerful. Ishbosheth reprimanded Abner for sleeping with one of Saul’s concubines. Abner flew into a rage and threatened to turn Ishbosheth’s kingdom over to David. Ishbosheth was intimidated by Abner’s outburst, but Abner nevertheless began preparations to carry out his threat. Abner contacted David to start negotiations for him to become king of all of Israel. As part of these negotiations, David demanded the return of Micah, Saul’s daughter. Interestingly, it is Ishbosheth who returns Micah to David. After this Abner met with the elders of Israel, including Benjamin, the tribe of Saul’s family, and got them to agree to make David their king. Abner then went to David and offered to gather the people of Israel in an assembly to make David king. David threw a feast for Abner and sent him on his way.
     Just after Abner left, Joab returned from a raid with a great deal of plunder. Joab was furious that David was treating with Abner and told David that Abner had merely come to spy on him. Joab then sent messengers after Abner to get him to come back. When Abner returned, Joab took him aside as if to speak privately. As soon as they were alone, Joab killed Abner in order to avenge his brother. When David learned that Joab had killed Abner, he was furious. David ordered Joab and all of those with him to mourn for Abner. On the day of Abner’s funeral (probably the following day), David fasted for the entire day despite being urged by his servants to eat. This convinced the people that David had no part in Abner’s death. David spoke to some of his men and praised Abner, lamenting his death. In addition, David expressed that he lacked the power to punish Joab and his remaining brother, Abishai.

     In today’s passage, John describes Jesus washing His disciples feet. When He came to Peter, Peter at first refused to allow Jesus to wash His feet. Jesus told Peter that if he did not allow Jesus to wash him, he would have no part of Jesus. Peter’s response was “Then wash all of me.” Jesus then told Peter that those who had bathed were clean and did not need to be washed. Jesus then returned to His seat and asked if they understood what He had done. He then went on to explain that since He, their Teacher, had washed their feet, they should wash each other’s feet.
     There are two lessons here that I think are important. The first is the obvious one. If Jesus bent down and did the lowly, servile task of washing His disciples’ feet, there is no task that is beneath us in serving our fellow-man. The second one is a lesson I have seen elsewhere, but I never noticed it here before today. When Jesus told Peter that He had to accept Jesus serving him by washing his feet, He was sending all of us a lesson. We need to let others serve us by doing things similar for us. Not letting others do for us, is as much against what Jesus taught as never doing anything to serve others. Some people are too proud to bend down and “wash someone’s feet”. But others are too proud to let someone else “wash their feet.” The latter is no more behaving as a follower of Christ than the former.

     The psalm today reminds us that the route to happiness and joy is following God’s commands and seeking Him. As I read today’s portion of this psalm, there are two phrases that stand out for me. The first is a plea to God for His assistance, a plea that God is always glad to answer:

     God is always far away from the wicked. This statement is a tautology. The wicked revel in doing evil and evil is the absence of good. Since God is the embodiment of good, by definition, the wicked must be far from Him. The second part is not so obvious. God will hear the prayer of those who strive for His righteousness, no matter how far away He seems.
     The second of today’s proverbs reminds us to always keep a cheerful demeanor even when we are feeling down because by doing so, we can lift the spirits of others (and who knows, their renewed spirits may lift our own).

     I have been using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study for almost a year. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I started writing this blog because the only way I can get myself to read the Bible everyday is to pretend that I am teaching someone about what it says to me. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them. I hope that the Spirit is moving in others through these posts as the Spirit has definitely been convicting me.

     Three days after David had returned to Ziklag a man arrived bringing news that the Israelite army had been defeated by the Philistines and that Saul and Jonathan were dead. The man who brought the news was an Amalekite who lived among the Israelites. When David questioned him about his news, he claimed that he had come upon Saul injured. Further he claimed that Saul had asked him to kill him and that he had done so because he saw that Saul would not live long in any event. The Amalekite than took Saul’s armband and crown and brought them to David. David ordered his men to kill the Amalekite based on his confession to killing King Saul. This fits into a pattern whereby David punished people who performed actions that were morally wrong but that they thought would benefit David and bring reward from him. I think this teaches us an important lesson about what to expect from those in positions of power. David did not accept those who did wrong to advance his cause with a “wink and a nod”, where he claimed to be opposed to the actions they took, but accepted them anyway. There will be several more occasions where we are told that David punished someone who came to him claiming to have done wrong to advance David’s cause.
     David composed a lament for the death of Jonathan and Saul which expressed his deep love for Jonathan and his respect for Saul. It praised Saul and Jonathan for their might in battle defending Israel. Once David finished his mourning for Jonathan and Saul he moved back to Judah with his men and their families. They settled around Hebron. The elders of Judah came to David and made him king over Judah. When David heard the news that the men of Jabesh-gilead had taken the bodies of Saul and his sons and buried them, he sent them word praising their action and blessing them for it. In his message, he asked them to accept him as king, as the tribe of Judah had done. However, in the meantime, Abner, the commander of Saul’s army, had taken Saul’s remaining son, Ishbosheth and declared him king. With Abner’s backing, Ishbosheth became king over all of Israel except for Judah.

     While Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Passover (and after the Triumphal Entry), some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast approached Philip and asked him to arrange a meeting with Jesus for them. Philip told Andrew about their request and Andrew and Philip approached Jesus. In response to this request Jesus said that the time had come for Him to enter into His glory. He went on to say that it is only as a kernel of wheat enters the ground and dies that it is able to produce more wheat. In the same way, if we hang onto our lives, if we love our lives, we will lose them, but if we are willing to sacrifice our lives for God we will gain eternal life. It is interesting that this teaching is in response to some Greeks, some non-Jews, seeking to meet with Jesus. I am not sure why that is significant, but it is.
     Jesus went on to say that His soul was troubled. But He did not wish to ask the Father to save Him from the trial He was about to face, rather He asked the Father to glorify the Father’s name. Jesus says this immediately after telling us that if we wish to serve Him, we need to go where He is. This reads to me as a model for us to follow. We, also, should ask the Father to glorify His name through the difficult times we face, rather than asking Him to take these difficult times from us. I find this to be a very difficult teaching to follow.

     I just read the last passage in John where I understood Jesus to teach us to ask God to glorify His name through the difficulties we face rather than take them from us. Then I read this psalm where it says:

     The greedy bring trouble not only on themselves, but on their entire household. Those who seek after righteousness strive to control what words they use. The wicked do not give a second thought to the type of language they use, or what they say.

     I have been using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study for almost a year. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I started writing this blog because the only way I can get myself to read the Bible everyday is to pretend that I am teaching someone about what it says to me. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them. I hope that the Spirit is moving in others through these posts as the Spirit has definitely been convicting me.

     As the Philistines mustered for battle, the other commanders asked Achish why David, a Hebrew was part of their army. They insisted that David be sent back, as they were afraid he would turn against them in battle. I am sure they were in part remembering the first major battle against Saul, when they had large numbers of Hebrews in their army who turned joined with Saul when battle was entered. Achish argued for keeping David and his men in the army, but the other Philistine commanders insisted that he be sent back. Finally, Achish agrees to send David back. David argues his case with Achish, but the decision has been made, so David and his men return to Ziklag.
     When David and his men get back to Ziklag, they discover that the town had been sacked. Their possessions had been taken and their families made slaves. David’s men were angry with him, and blamed him even though his wives have also been taken captive. David called Abiathar, the priest, to consult God as to what he should do. Abiathar told David that God was telling him that if he pursued the raiders, he wiould overtake them and recover the people and stolen goods. David set out with his 600 men in pursuit. As they were in pursuit, about 200 of his men became too exhausted to continue, so David left them to watch the supplies while he went on with the remaining 400 (this actually resembles a practice he had used before, where he left about one-third of his force to guard the supplies while the rest continued to battle).
     Shortly after this, they came upon an Egyptian in a field. David’s men brought him to David. They fed the man and gave him some water since he had not had anything to eat or drink for three days. When his strength returned, they questioned him. He told them that he had been the slave of an Amalekite who had been part of a force which had raided in Judah and burned Ziklag. The Egyptian agreed to guide David and his men to the camp of the Amalekites as long as they promised not to kill him or return him to his master. They readily agreed. The man led them to the Amalekite camp, where the raiders were spread out celebrating the success of their raid. David and his men attacked them killing all of the Amalekites except for 400 young men who fled on camels. They recovered all of their families and their goods. When they rejoined those who had been left behind, some of those who had gone into battle did not want to share the plunder with those who had remained behind. David insisted that the plunder be shared equally between those who had fought and those who had guarded the supplies. When David got back to Ziklag, he sent shared part of the plunder with the elders of Judah.
     Meanwhile, the Philistine army attacked the Israelite army and defeated it soundly. They killed three of Saul’s sons. In addition, the battle raged around Saul until Philistine archers wounded Saul. Saul asked his armor bearer to kill him so that he would not be taken alive by the Philistines. When his armor bearer refused, Saul killed himself. When his armor bearer realized Saul was dead, he also killed himself. The Philistines took the bodies of Saul and his sons and mounted them on the walls of one of their cities. The men of Jabesh-gilead went under cover of night and removed the bodies of Saul and his sons from the walls of the city and brought them back to Jabesh-gilead, where they buried them.

     As the time of the Passover Feast arrived, Jesus went to Bethany to visit with Lazarus, Mary and Martha. Martha served, Lazarus reclined at the table with Jesus and Mary took a bottle of expensive perfume and poured it on his feet, which she then wiped with her hair. Judas Iscariot complained that the perfume should have been sold and the money given to the poor. John editorializes that Judas said this because he was in charge of the disciples’ money and helped himself to what was put into it. Jesus answered Judas by telling him that Mary was preparing Him for His burial. They would have plenty of opportunity to help the poor, but only a short window with Jesus. There are two possible ways to interpret this. First is that Jesus was a special case and it was appropriate for Mary to use up this luxury item on Him because He was the Messiah. I don’t think this would have gotten this story into the Bible. The second possibility is that Jesus was telling us that sometimes we need to “treat” those around us, that we need to make sure that those we love know that we love them. I think this latter is the case. Sometimes we need to splurge a little on those who are important to us.

     What a great psalm! It has many lines that I want to pull out and remind myself of.

     Today’s three proverbs are linked. The wise do well because they remember the other two proverbs. Those who become proud of their possessions will see those possessions taken from them. Yet God protects the widow. I have seen both sides of this. God detests the plans of the evil and will bring them to ruin, but he will reward those who are upright and speak honestly.

     I have been using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study for almost a year. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I started writing this blog because the only way I can get myself to read the Bible everyday is to pretend that I am teaching someone about what it says to me. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them. I hope that the Spirit is moving in others through these posts as the Spirit has definitely been convicting me.

     Saul once more brought his army out looking for David and his men. One night while Saul and his army were sleeping, David slipped into the camp with one of his men, Abishai. David and Abishai managed to get all the way to Saul’s side with no one waking up. Abishai offered to kill Saul for David, since the Lord had placed Saul in their power. David refused to allow Abishai to kill Saul, but he took Saul’s spear and his water jug. Once the two of them had left the camp, David called out to Abner, the commander of Saul’s army. David asked Abner why he had failed to protect the king. When Saul heard David’s voice, he apologized to David for seeking his life and invited him back (although David wisely did not take Saul up on this offer, as this was the second time Saul had felt remorse for attempting to kill David after David had spared his life). I meant to touch on a point that comes up again today. David did not kill Saul because Saul was God’s anointed king over Israel. I think this tells us something important about what our attitude should be towards government leaders. We should be respectful towards those who are in positions of government authority, since they are in that position because God put them there. I struggle with following this when I disagree with those in authority, but it is something I am working on with the Holy Spirit’s help.
     When Saul withdrew from hunting David this time, David realized that he would never be safe among the Israelites as long as Saul was king and that if he stayed, eventually Saul would catch him. So David went to live among the Philistines. He took his 600 men and joined Achish, the king of Gath. He convinced Gath that he and his men should stay in one of the country towns around Gath, rather than in the city itself. Achish gave David and his men Ziklag. From this base of operation, David and his men raided the towns of enemies of Israel. When they raided a town, they killed everyone there so that no one could report that they had attacked the town. After sacking a town, David would return and report to Achish. Achish would ask him where he had raided most recently and David would reply that he had raided Judah or allies of the Israelites. Achish became convinced that David was becoming hated by the Israelites and had no choice but remain loyal to him.
     After David had lived among the Philistines for a little over a year, the Philistines prepared to go to war against Saul. King Achish called David and required him to bring his men to join the attack. David replied that now Achish would see what he could do.

     Jesus was on the east side of the Jordan River when He received word that Lazarus was very sick. Jesus told His disciples that Lazarus’ sickness would bring glory to God and remained where He was for two more days. When He told His disciples that He was going back to Judea, they responded that only a few days earlier the people of Judea had been trying to stone Him. Jesus said that Lazarus has fallen asleep and He was going to wake Him. When the disciples demonstrated that they did not understand, Jesus told them that Lazarus had died. At that point Thomas (which means twin in Aramaic), said to the others, “Let us go and die with Him.”
     When Jesus got to Bethany, where Lazarus and his sisters lived, He was told that Lazarus had been in the tomb for four days. Bethany was close to Jerusalem and many Jews had come out from Jerusalem to comfort Mary and Martha, Lazarus’ sisters. Martha came out to meet Jesus, but Mary stayed at home. When Martha greeted Jesus, she told Him that if He had been there, Lazarus would not have died. This does not appear to be an accusation, merely a statement of faith. Jesus replied that Lazarus would rise again. When Martha said that she knew he would rise on the last day, Jesus replied that He was the resurrection and the life and that everyone who believed in Him will live even after dying. He then asked Martha if she believed this. She replied that she did indeed believe that He was the Messiah.
     Martha then returned to her home and told her that Jesus had come and was looking for her. Mary went out to see Him at once. When those who had been with Mary comforting her saw her go out so hurriedly, they assumed she was going to Lazarus’ tomb to mourn for him there. So, they accompanied her. When Mary saw Jesus she threw herself at His feet and told Him that if only He had been there, Lazarus would not have died (this was closer to being an accusation then Martha’s greeting). When Jesus saw her weeping and those with her wailing, He was deeply moved and troubled. Jesus asked where they had put Lazarus. They took Jesus to Lazarus’ tomb and when Jesus got there He wept. Some of the mourners openly expressed the thought that Jesus could have kept Lazarus from dying in a manner that asked why He had not done so.
     Jesus asked them to roll aside the stone in front of the tomb. Martha protested that Lazarus had been dead for four days and by now the smell would be terrible. Jesus told her that He had said that if she believed she would see the glory of God. So the people rolled the stone aside. Jesus then loudly thanked God for hearing His requests, pointing out that He was speaking for the benefit of those listening, not because it was necessary. Jesus then called out to Lazarus and commanded him to come out of the tomb. When Lazarus emerged clothed in the traditional grave clothes, Jesus ordered those around to unwrap him and set him free. I think there is a lesson here that we do not need to pray out loud when asking for miracles from God. The only reason for praying out loud when we are requesting a miracle from God is as a witness to those who are close enough to hear what we say. This suggests that there is a time for openly praying for a miracle and a time for quietly praying for a miracle. We should be careful that when we pray out loud for a miracle, we are doing so to bring glory to God, not to ourselves.

     Praise the Lord for His faithfulness endures forever. A wonderful, although short, psalm of praise.

     When making plans, get advice from many sources. This is the best way to make sure that your plans will succeed (as long as you actually take the best of that advice). The second proverb tells us that saying the right word at the right time brings one happiness. But that does not just happen. It requires thinking about what others have said and considering one’s words carefully, and it requires being open to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

     I have been using One Year Bible Online for my daily Bible study for almost a year. For today, One Year Bible Online links here. I started writing this blog because the only way I can get myself to read the Bible everyday is to pretend that I am teaching someone about what it says to me. I hope that by posting these ruminations others may get some benefit as well. If you have any thoughts or comments regarding these verses or what I have written about them, please post them. I hope that the Spirit is moving in others through these posts as the Spirit has definitely been convicting me.

     David fled from Saul into the wilderness. His relatives joined him there, since they knew that Saul would come after them when he could not get David directly. In addition, David was joined by other men, mostly troublemakers and other discontents, for a total of 400 men. After securing the protection of the king of Moab for his parents, David returned to Judah. When Saul heard that David had returned to Judah, he threw a fit in front of his men, accusing them of being disloyal and Jonathan of plotting with David to have Saul killed. When Doeg, the Edomite, heard Saul’s rant, he came forward and offered that he had seen David consult with the priest, Ahimelech, who gave David supplies.
     Saul sent for Ahimelech and his entire family of priests. When Ahimelech appeared before Saul, Saul accused him of plotting with David against him. Ahimelech replied that he had no reason to suspect that Saul’s son-in-law, the captain of Saul’s bodyguard was plotting against Saul. Saul would hear nothing of Ahimelech’s defense and ordered his bodyguards to kill him and his family. His bodyguards refused to kill priests of God. Saul then turned to Doeg and asked him to kill them. Doeg did so and then went to their home town and killed all of their relatives and livestock. Only Abiathar, Ahimelech’s son, escaped. He fled to David in the wilderness.
     When Abiathar joined David, David expressed deep regret that he had been the cause of he murder of Abiather’s family and promised to protect him with his life. Shortly after this the Philistines began raiding an Israelite town. David consulted the Lord and felt led to go defend the town. His men were afraid to go up against the Philistines, so David asked God for more direction. Once more David received guidance from God to defend that town. This time his men were convinced. David and his men slaughtered the Philistines raiding the town and rescued the people of the town. When Saul learned that David had gone there he mustered his army and headed out to trap David in the town. David learned of Saul’s plan and once more consulted God. He asked if Saul would indeed come after him there and if the people would betray him. God answered both questions in the affirmative. So David and his men, now up to about 600, left the town and returned to the wilderness.
     Jonathan came out to visit David in the wilderness and express his continued friendship. Shortly after Jonathan’s visit, some of the men of the region where David was hiding out went to Saul and told him where David was. Saul sent them back to track David more closely, then followed with his army. When David heard that Saul was bringing his army after him, he withdrew even further into the wilderness. Finally, as Saul was about to overtake David and bring him to battle, he received word that the Philistines were attacking. Saul withdrew his army to defend against the Philistines.
     Perhaps I am making too much of it, but throughout this passage I see a difference in how the two men chose their actions. Saul chose his actions, always looking for how it benefited himself and enhanced his power, factoring in worshiping the Lord as just one more political calculation. David on the other hand, sought the Lord’s guidance every step of the way. Which is the way that I approach life?

     Today’s passage is Jesus’ illustration of Himself as the good shepherd, who cares for the sheep. In it He contrasted Himself to those who taught contrary to what He taught. He compared those other teachers to thieves and robbers, who are out to slaughter the sheep. As opposed to a good shepherd who is willing to die to protect his sheep. In addition to referring to Himself as the Good Shepherd, Jesus also compared Himself to the gate through which good shepherds come. Thieves and robbers come over the wall, but good shepherds come through the gate.
     So, we have two messages for us in one illustration. The first is the most obvious. Jesus is the Good Shepherd and laid down His life for us His sheep. He even tells us how we can tell if we, or someone else, is part of His flock. Those who are part of Jesus’ flock will listen to His voice and follow Him. Not all of those who were part of Jesus’ flock were Jews. But Jesus said that He would go, gather those other sheep and make one flock out of all of them. The second message is more subtle. Jesus tells us that He is the gate, any teacher or religious leader who does not come through Him is a thief and a robber, looking to use the sheep for his own benefit, no matter what the cost to the sheep. This gives us a guide to judge those who are proclaimed religious leaders. Do they come through Jesus? Do they suffer so that their sheep may live in comfort? Or do their sheep suffer so that they can live in comfort?

     This psalm is a reminder of what we should desire when we cry out to God for Him to rescue us and/or bless us. We do not call out to God for rescue so that we might live a life of ease, but rather so that God may be glorified. Let us seek blessings from God, not for ourselves, but so that we may use them to benefit others to the glory of God.

     There are two ways to look at today’s proverbs. The first is to consider them as advice, and they are good advice. If we allow our temper to get the better of us, we will start fights and stir up conflict. On the other hand, if we are patient and calm we will be able to soothe conflict and bring peace to those around us. If we are lazy, we will constantly find obstacles blocking our path to doing what is right. On the other hand, if we are upright and righteous, our path will be clear.
     The second way to look at this proverb is as a way to judge our own behaviors. Are we always surrounded by conflicts and getting into fights? Then we are hot-tempered. On the other hand, do we find ourselves soothing and calming those who are angry and bringing peace to those around us? Then we are cool-tempered and patient. Do we see obstacles in our path whenever we try to do the right thing? Perhaps the problem is not the obstacles, but our own laziness. On the other hand, if doing the right thing always seems obvious and almost easy, perhaps it reflects that we are truly dedicated to following God. This really challenges me, because I have been seeing obstacles whenever I try to do what I think that God is leading me to do.