For today, One Year Bible Online links here.

    We will gain more from seeking wisdom and good judgement than we will from seeking wealth. Those who seek the path of wisdom will avoid evil actions. Following the dictates of good judgement will keep one clear of danger.

    Let us take our troubles to the Lord. When life becomes difficult, let us cry out to God. He will answer our prayers and deliver us from those who lie and deceive.

    I am always struck by Jesus’ questioning of Peter in this passage. Peter had denied Jesus three times on the night of His trial. Here Jesus asks Peter if he loves Him three times. Each time when Peter affirmed that he did indeed love Jesus, Jesus told him to demonstrate that love (by caring for His sheep). Jesus gave Peter an opportunity to affirm his love for Jesus for each time that he had denied Him. There is a lesson here that I have difficulty stating. Peter needed to affirm his love for Jesus for each of the times he had denied Him.
    Jesus’ exchange with Peter here reminds us that it is not enough to affirm our love, we need to also act on that love. If we truly love Jesus, we will follow Him, and His example, even if that means a martyr’s death. We will do what is in our power to help others to follow Him and do His will. If we truly love the Lord, we will joyously embrace the outcomes which result from doing His will without concerning ourselves with the outcomes which others experience. If it is God’s plan for us that we experience suffering and torture, we will accept that joyously out of our love for Him. We should not allow ourselves to be distracted by what God plans for others.

    As David returned to Jerusalem he demonstrated his desire to restore unity to the kingdom. When Shimei, who had cursed David as he fled Jerusalem, begged forgiveness, David granted it. However, the other tribes of Israel felt slighted because they were not included in the group that met David at the Jordan and escorted him back to Jerusalem. The tribe of Judah had sent men to escort David and failed to inform or invite the rest of the tribes. The tribe of Judah failed to recognize that the other tribes had any basis for complaint and responded to their concerns harshly. This opened the door for a troublemaker named Sheba to make a power play. Sheba played on the discontent of the other tribes of Israel and used the undiplomatic responses by the leaders of Judah to increase resentment.
    The same dynamics which occurred here occur in our organizations today. Sometimes it is more important to be inclusive of those who are not part of the “inner circle” than it is that the “inner circle” does not take advantage of their access to those in power. Leaders need to be careful that they do not appear to only listen to advice from those from a particular group of “insiders”. Failure to make sure that all constituencies not only get a hearing, but perceive that those in authority are listening to their concerns leads to division and conflict. Division and conflict will detract from our ability to do God’s will.