Friday, May 15, 2026

What Is Meekness?

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” (Matthew 5:5)


Meekness begins when we put our trust in God. Then, because we trust him, we commit our way to him. We roll onto him our anxieties, our frustrations, our plans, our relationships, our jobs, our health.


And then we wait patiently for the Lord. We trust his timing and his power and his grace to work things out in the best way for his glory and for our good.


The result of trusting God, and the rolling of our anxieties onto God, and waiting patiently for him is that we don’t give way to quick and fretful anger. But instead, we give place to wrath and hand our cause over to God and let him vindicate us if he chooses.


And then, as James says, in this quiet confidence we are slow to speak and quick to listen (James 1:19). We become reasonable and open to correction (James 3:17). James calls this “the meekness of wisdom” (James 3:13).


Meekness loves to learn. And it counts the corrective blows of a friend as precious (Proverbs 27:6). And when it must say a critical word to a person caught in sin or error, it speaks from the deep conviction of its own fallibility and its own susceptibility to sin and its utter dependence on the grace of God (Galatians 6:1).


The quietness and openness and vulnerability of meekness is very beautiful and very painful. It goes against all that we are by our sinful nature. It requires supernatural help.


If you are a disciple of Jesus Christ — if you trust him and commit your way to him and wait patiently for him — God has already begun to help you and will help you even more.


And the primary way that he will help you is to assure your heart that you are a fellow heir of Jesus Christ and that the world and everything in it is yours (1 Corinthians 3:21–23). The meek inherit the earth.


John Piper 

God’s Promises Never Miss

“Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince, there shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublesome times.” DANIEL 9:25

 

PONDER THIS


I don’t know what this does for you, but when I study this passage, it helps me see every world event through the lens of God’s Word. It encourages me when I see how God so meticulously and wonderfully pinpointed the exact, precise time when Messiah would come. Daniel, so long before Jesus ever came to this Earth, prophesied the crucifixion of Jesus and the destruction of Jerusalem. Isn’t the Bible a wonderful book? It tells me God is in control and gives me hope for the Jewish nation that I love. God has a great and glorious future for His people; He has not forgotten them. Paul, in Romans 11, reminded us: “I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew” (Romans 11:1-2a). Paul went on to promise: “Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace” (Romans 11:5).


Does it encourage you to read God’s prophecies and to see them fulfilled?

How should this give us confidence in every promise God has made that has not yet been fulfilled?


PRACTICE THIS


Is there something particular you are praying about that you know is within God’s will? How do His sure promises speak into your situation?


LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

May 15

Mark 14:1-11


[1] It was now two days before the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how to arrest him by stealth and kill him, [2] for they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar from the people.”


[3] And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. [4] There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? [5] For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her. [6] But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. [7] For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. [8] She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. [9] And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”


[10] Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. [11] And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money. And he sought an opportunity to betray him.


2 Corinthians 12:11-21


[11] I have been a fool! You forced me to it, for I ought to have been commended by you. For I was not at all inferior to these super-apostles, even though I am nothing. [12] The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works. [13] For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!


[14] Here for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for I seek not what is yours but you. For children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. [15] I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more, am I to be loved less? [16] But granting that I myself did not burden you, I was crafty, you say, and got the better of you by deceit. [17] Did I take advantage of you through any of those whom I sent to you? [18] I urged Titus to go, and sent the brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not act in the same spirit? Did we not take the same steps?


[19] Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? It is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ, and all for your upbuilding, beloved. [20] For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. [21] I fear that when I come again my God may humble me before you, and I may have to mourn over many of those who sinned earlier and have not repented of the impurity, sexual immorality, and sensuality that they have practiced.


Psalm 108


A Song. A Psalm of David.


    [1] My heart is steadfast, O God!

        I will sing and make melody with all my being! 

    [2] Awake, O harp and lyre!

        I will awake the dawn! 

    [3] I will give thanks to you, O LORD, among the peoples;

        I will sing praises to you among the nations. 

    [4] For your steadfast love is great above the heavens;

        your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.


    [5] Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!

        Let your glory be over all the earth! 

    [6] That your beloved ones may be delivered,

        give salvation by your right hand and answer me!


    [7] God has promised in his holiness:

        “With exultation I will divide up Shechem

        and portion out the Valley of Succoth. 

    [8] Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine;

        Ephraim is my helmet,

        Judah my scepter. 

    [9] Moab is my washbasin;

        upon Edom I cast my shoe;

        over Philistia I shout in triumph.”


    [10] Who will bring me to the fortified city?

        Who will lead me to Edom? 

    [11] Have you not rejected us, O God?

        You do not go out, O God, with our armies. 

    [12] Oh grant us help against the foe,

        for vain is the salvation of man! 

    [13] With God we shall do valiantly;

        it is he who will tread down our foes.


2 Samuel 3


[1] There was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. And David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul became weaker and weaker.


[2] And sons were born to David at Hebron: his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam of Jezreel; [3] and his second, Chileab, of Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur; [4] and the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital; [5] and the sixth, Ithream, of Eglah, David’s wife. These were born to David in Hebron.


[6] While there was war between the house of Saul and the house of David, Abner was making himself strong in the house of Saul. [7] Now Saul had a concubine whose name was Rizpah, the daughter of Aiah. And Ish-bosheth said to Abner, “Why have you gone in to my father’s concubine?” [8] Then Abner was very angry over the words of Ish-bosheth and said, “Am I a dog’s head of Judah? To this day I keep showing steadfast love to the house of Saul your father, to his brothers, and to his friends, and have not given you into the hand of David. And yet you charge me today with a fault concerning a woman. [9] God do so to Abner and more also, if I do not accomplish for David what the LORD has sworn to him, [10] to transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan to Beersheba.” [11] And Ish-bosheth could not answer Abner another word, because he feared him.


[12] And Abner sent messengers to David on his behalf, saying, “To whom does the land belong? Make your covenant with me, and behold, my hand shall be with you to bring over all Israel to you.” [13] And he said, “Good; I will make a covenant with you. But one thing I require of you; that is, you shall not see my face unless you first bring Michal, Saul’s daughter, when you come to see my face.” [14] Then David sent messengers to Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, saying, “Give me my wife Michal, for whom I paid the bridal price of a hundred foreskins of the Philistines.” [15] And Ish-bosheth sent and took her from her husband Paltiel the son of Laish. [16] But her husband went with her, weeping after her all the way to Bahurim. Then Abner said to him, “Go, return.” And he returned.


[17] And Abner conferred with the elders of Israel, saying, “For some time past you have been seeking David as king over you. [18] Now then bring it about, for the LORD has promised David, saying, ‘By the hand of my servant David I will save my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines, and from the hand of all their enemies.’” [19] Abner also spoke to Benjamin. And then Abner went to tell David at Hebron all that Israel and the whole house of Benjamin thought good to do.


[20] When Abner came with twenty men to David at Hebron, David made a feast for Abner and the men who were with him. [21] And Abner said to David, “I will arise and go and will gather all Israel to my lord the king, that they may make a covenant with you, and that you may reign over all that your heart desires.” So David sent Abner away, and he went in peace.


[22] Just then the servants of David arrived with Joab from a raid, bringing much spoil with them. But Abner was not with David at Hebron, for he had sent him away, and he had gone in peace. [23] When Joab and all the army that was with him came, it was told Joab, “Abner the son of Ner came to the king, and he has let him go, and he has gone in peace.” [24] Then Joab went to the king and said, “What have you done? Behold, Abner came to you. Why is it that you have sent him away, so that he is gone? [25] You know that Abner the son of Ner came to deceive you and to know your going out and your coming in, and to know all that you are doing.”


[26] When Joab came out from David’s presence, he sent messengers after Abner, and they brought him back from the cistern of Sirah. But David did not know about it. [27] And when Abner returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside into the midst of the gate to speak with him privately, and there he struck him in the stomach, so that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother. [28] Afterward, when David heard of it, he said, “I and my kingdom are forever guiltless before the LORD for the blood of Abner the son of Ner. [29] May it fall upon the head of Joab and upon all his father’s house, and may the house of Joab never be without one who has a discharge or who is leprous or who holds a spindle or who falls by the sword or who lacks bread!” [30] So Joab and Abishai his brother killed Abner, because he had put their brother Asahel to death in the battle at Gibeon.


[31] Then David said to Joab and to all the people who were with him, “Tear your clothes and put on sackcloth and mourn before Abner.” And King David followed the bier. [32] They buried Abner at Hebron. And the king lifted up his voice and wept at the grave of Abner, and all the people wept. [33] And the king lamented for Abner, saying, 


    “Should Abner die as a fool dies? 

    [34] Your hands were not bound;

        your feet were not fettered;

    as one falls before the wicked

        you have fallen.”


    And all the people wept again over him.  [35] Then all the people came to persuade David to eat bread while it was yet day. But David swore, saying, “God do so to me and more also, if I taste bread or anything else till the sun goes down!” [36] And all the people took notice of it, and it pleased them, as everything that the king did pleased all the people. [37] So all the people and all Israel understood that day that it had not been the king’s will to put to death Abner the son of Ner. [38] And the king said to his servants, “Do you not know that a prince and a great man has fallen this day in Israel? [39] And I was gentle today, though anointed king. These men, the sons of Zeruiah, are more severe than I. The LORD repay the evildoer according to his wickedness!”


2 Samuel 4


[1] When Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, heard that Abner had died at Hebron, his courage failed, and all Israel was dismayed. [2] Now Saul’s son had two men who were captains of raiding bands; the name of the one was Baanah, and the name of the other Rechab, sons of Rimmon a man of Benjamin from Beeroth (for Beeroth also is counted part of Benjamin; [3] the Beerothites fled to Gittaim and have been sojourners there to this day).


[4] Jonathan, the son of Saul, had a son who was crippled in his feet. He was five years old when the news about Saul and Jonathan came from Jezreel, and his nurse took him up and fled, and as she fled in her haste, he fell and became lame. And his name was Mephibosheth.


[5] Now the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, Rechab and Baanah, set out, and about the heat of the day they came to the house of Ish-bosheth as he was taking his noonday rest. [6] And they came into the midst of the house as if to get wheat, and they stabbed him in the stomach. Then Rechab and Baanah his brother escaped. [7] When they came into the house, as he lay on his bed in his bedroom, they struck him and put him to death and beheaded him. They took his head and went by the way of the Arabah all night, [8] and brought the head of Ish-bosheth to David at Hebron. And they said to the king, “Here is the head of Ish-bosheth, the son of Saul, your enemy, who sought your life. The LORD has avenged my lord the king this day on Saul and on his offspring.” [9] But David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, “As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my life out of every adversity, [10] when one told me, ‘Behold, Saul is dead,’ and thought he was bringing good news, I seized him and killed him at Ziklag, which was the reward I gave him for his news. [11] How much more, when wicked men have killed a righteous man in his own house on his bed, shall I not now require his blood at your hand and destroy you from the earth?” [12] And David commanded his young men, and they killed them and cut off their hands and feet and hanged them beside the pool at Hebron. But they took the head of Ish-bosheth and buried it in the tomb of Abner at Hebron.

Thursday, May 14, 2026

Ideas Have Consequences

The aim of our charge is love. (1 Timothy 1:5)


Victor Frankl was imprisoned in the Nazi concentration camps of Auschwitz and Dachau during the Second World War. As a Jewish professor of neurology and psychiatry he became world renowned for his book, Man’s Search for Meaning, which sold over eight million copies.


In it he unfolds the essence of his philosophy that came to be called Logotherapy — namely, that the most fundamental human motive is to find meaning in life. He observed in the horrors of the concentration camps that man can endure almost any “how” of life, if he has a “why.” But the quote that stirred me recently was this:


I am absolutely convinced that the gas chambers of Auschwitz, Treblinka, and Maidanek were ultimately prepared not in some ministry or other in Berlin, but rather at the desks and in the lecture halls of nihilistic scientists and philosophers. (“Victor Frankl at Ninety: An Interview,” in First Things, April 1995, p. 41.)


In other words, ideas have consequences — consequences that bless or destroy. People’s behavior — good and bad — does not come out of nowhere. It comes from prevailing views of reality that take root in the mind and bring forth good or evil.


One of the ways that the Bible makes plain the truth that ideas have practical consequences is by saying things like, “Whatever was written in former days was written . . . [that] we might have hope” (Romans 15:4). The ideas presented in the Scriptures produce the practical consequence of hope.


Again, Paul says, “The aim of our charge is love” (1 Timothy 1:5). The imparting of ideas through a “charge” or through “instruction” produces love.


Hope and love do not come from nowhere. They grow out of ideas — views of reality — revealed in the Scriptures.


Another way the Scriptures show us that ideas have consequences is by using the word “therefore” (1,039 times in the NASB). “Therefore” means that what follows comes from somewhere. For example, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). Or: “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). Or: “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow” (Matthew 6:34).


If we want to live in the power of these great practical “therefores,” we must be gripped by the ideas — the views of reality — that go before them and stand under them. Ideas have consequences. So, let’s bring all our ideas under the authority of God’s word.



John Piper 

When Christ’s Church Is Complete

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” MATTHEW 24:14

 

PONDER THIS


What will determine the time Jesus is going to come and take the Church? It will be when His bride is complete. That will be when the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. Perhaps there's a service tonight in the mountains of North Carolina. Perhaps there’s a little country church there with a fill-in preacher who’s stepped in for the pastor who is ill. He's doing what a lot of preachers would do on short notice—he's just trying to explain how to be saved, and he’s using John 3:16. Maybe there are not more than forty people there in that little church building, and this layman is trying to share what Christ has done for him using John 3:16. And as he does, tears fall out of his eyes, with a trembling voice and no homiletical beauty at all, he simply tells how God loved the world and gave His Son. He says that if people would repent of their sins and trust Jesus, they’ll be saved. And a little girl steps out and comes forward to give her hand to that preacher and her heart to Jesus. And that may be the last soul that’ll ever get saved before Jesus comes. It could be today. And God says, “Gabriel, that’s it! Marshal the troops. Jesus, it’s time! My Son, go and claim your bride. She is complete.”


According to today’s verse, what must happen before Jesus will return?

Considering this truth, how is the Church directly involved in bringing about the return of Christ?


PRACTICE THIS


Consider who God has put on your heart to share the truth of the kingdom with. Make time to have that conversation today.



LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers 

May 14

Mark 13:32-37


[32] “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. [33] Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. [34] It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. [35] Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning—[36] lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. [37] And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.”


2 Corinthians 12:1-10


[1] I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. [2] I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. [3] And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—[4] and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. [5] On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses—[6] though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. [7] So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. [8] Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. [9] But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [10] For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.


Psalm 107


    [1] Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,

        for his steadfast love endures forever! 

    [2] Let the redeemed of the LORD say so,

        whom he has redeemed from trouble 

    [3] and gathered in from the lands,

        from the east and from the west,

        from the north and from the south.


    [4] Some wandered in desert wastes,

        finding no way to a city to dwell in; 

    [5] hungry and thirsty,

        their soul fainted within them. 

    [6] Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,

        and he delivered them from their distress. 

    [7] He led them by a straight way

        till they reached a city to dwell in. 

    [8] Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,

        for his wondrous works to the children of man! 

    [9] For he satisfies the longing soul,

        and the hungry soul he fills with good things.


    [10] Some sat in darkness and in the shadow of death,

        prisoners in affliction and in irons, 

    [11] for they had rebelled against the words of God,

        and spurned the counsel of the Most High. 

    [12] So he bowed their hearts down with hard labor;

        they fell down, with none to help. 

    [13] Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,

        and he delivered them from their distress. 

    [14] He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death,

        and burst their bonds apart. 

    [15] Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,

        for his wondrous works to the children of man! 

    [16] For he shatters the doors of bronze

        and cuts in two the bars of iron.


    [17] Some were fools through their sinful ways,

        and because of their iniquities suffered affliction; 

    [18] they loathed any kind of food,

        and they drew near to the gates of death. 

    [19] Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,

        and he delivered them from their distress. 

    [20] He sent out his word and healed them,

        and delivered them from their destruction. 

    [21] Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,

        for his wondrous works to the children of man! 

    [22] And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving,

        and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!


    [23] Some went down to the sea in ships,

        doing business on the great waters; 

    [24] they saw the deeds of the LORD,

        his wondrous works in the deep. 

    [25] For he commanded and raised the stormy wind,

        which lifted up the waves of the sea. 

    [26] They mounted up to heaven; they went down to the depths;

        their courage melted away in their evil plight; 

    [27] they reeled and staggered like drunken men

        and were at their wits’ end. 

    [28] Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble,

        and he delivered them from their distress. 

    [29] He made the storm be still,

        and the waves of the sea were hushed. 

    [30] Then they were glad that the waters were quiet,

        and he brought them to their desired haven. 

    [31] Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love,

        for his wondrous works to the children of man! 

    [32] Let them extol him in the congregation of the people,

        and praise him in the assembly of the elders.


    [33] He turns rivers into a desert,

        springs of water into thirsty ground, 

    [34] a fruitful land into a salty waste,

        because of the evil of its inhabitants. 

    [35] He turns a desert into pools of water,

        a parched land into springs of water. 

    [36] And there he lets the hungry dwell,

        and they establish a city to live in; 

    [37] they sow fields and plant vineyards

        and get a fruitful yield. 

    [38] By his blessing they multiply greatly,

        and he does not let their livestock diminish.


    [39] When they are diminished and brought low

        through oppression, evil, and sorrow, 

    [40] he pours contempt on princes

        and makes them wander in trackless wastes; 

    [41] but he raises up the needy out of affliction

        and makes their families like flocks. 

    [42] The upright see it and are glad,

        and all wickedness shuts its mouth.


    [43] Whoever is wise, let him attend to these things;

        let them consider the steadfast love of the LORD.


2 Samuel 1


[1] After the death of Saul, when David had returned from striking down the Amalekites, David remained two days in Ziklag. [2] And on the third day, behold, a man came from Saul’s camp, with his clothes torn and dirt on his head. And when he came to David, he fell to the ground and paid homage. [3] David said to him, “Where do you come from?” And he said to him, “I have escaped from the camp of Israel.” [4] And David said to him, “How did it go? Tell me.” And he answered, “The people fled from the battle, and also many of the people have fallen and are dead, and Saul and his son Jonathan are also dead.” [5] Then David said to the young man who told him, “How do you know that Saul and his son Jonathan are dead?” [6] And the young man who told him said, “By chance I happened to be on Mount Gilboa, and there was Saul leaning on his spear, and behold, the chariots and the horsemen were close upon him. [7] And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called to me. And I answered, ‘Here I am.’ [8] And he said to me, ‘Who are you?’ I answered him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’ [9] And he said to me, ‘Stand beside me and kill me, for anguish has seized me, and yet my life still lingers.’ [10] So I stood beside him and killed him, because I was sure that he could not live after he had fallen. And I took the crown that was on his head and the armlet that was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord.”


[11] Then David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and so did all the men who were with him. [12] And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son and for the people of the LORD and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword. [13] And David said to the young man who told him, “Where do you come from?” And he answered, “I am the son of a sojourner, an Amalekite.” [14] David said to him, “How is it you were not afraid to put out your hand to destroy the LORD’s anointed?” [15] Then David called one of the young men and said, “Go, execute him.” And he struck him down so that he died. [16] And David said to him, “Your blood be on your head, for your own mouth has testified against you, saying, ‘I have killed the LORD’s anointed.’”


[17] And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and Jonathan his son, [18] and he said it should be taught to the people of Judah; behold, it is written in the Book of Jashar. He said:


    [19] “Your glory, O Israel, is slain on your high places!

        How the mighty have fallen! 

    [20] Tell it not in Gath,

        publish it not in the streets of Ashkelon,

    lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice,

        lest the daughters of the uncircumcised exult.


    [21] “You mountains of Gilboa,

        let there be no dew or rain upon you,

        nor fields of offerings!

    For there the shield of the mighty was defiled,

        the shield of Saul, not anointed with oil.


    [22] “From the blood of the slain,

        from the fat of the mighty,

    the bow of Jonathan turned not back,

        and the sword of Saul returned not empty.


    [23] “Saul and Jonathan, beloved and lovely!

        In life and in death they were not divided;

    they were swifter than eagles;

        they were stronger than lions.


    [24] “You daughters of Israel, weep over Saul,

        who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet,

        who put ornaments of gold on your apparel.


    [25] “How the mighty have fallen

        in the midst of the battle!


    “Jonathan lies slain on your high places. 

    [26]     I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan;

    very pleasant have you been to me;

        your love to me was extraordinary,

        surpassing the love of women.


    [27] “How the mighty have fallen,

        and the weapons of war perished!”


2 Samuel 2


[1] After this David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?” And the LORD said to him, “Go up.” David said, “To which shall I go up?” And he said, “To Hebron.” [2] So David went up there, and his two wives also, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel. [3] And David brought up his men who were with him, everyone with his household, and they lived in the towns of Hebron. [4] And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. 


When they told David, “It was the men of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul,”  [5] David sent messengers to the men of Jabesh-gilead and said to them, “May you be blessed by the LORD, because you showed this loyalty to Saul your lord and buried him. [6] Now may the LORD show steadfast love and faithfulness to you. And I will do good to you because you have done this thing. [7] Now therefore let your hands be strong, and be valiant, for Saul your lord is dead, and the house of Judah has anointed me king over them.”


[8] But Abner the son of Ner, commander of Saul’s army, took Ish-bosheth the son of Saul and brought him over to Mahanaim, [9] and he made him king over Gilead and the Ashurites and Jezreel and Ephraim and Benjamin and all Israel. [10] Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David. [11] And the time that David was king in Hebron over the house of Judah was seven years and six months.


[12] Abner the son of Ner, and the servants of Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, went out from Mahanaim to Gibeon. [13] And Joab the son of Zeruiah and the servants of David went out and met them at the pool of Gibeon. And they sat down, the one on the one side of the pool, and the other on the other side of the pool. [14] And Abner said to Joab, “Let the young men arise and compete before us.” And Joab said, “Let them arise.” [15] Then they arose and passed over by number, twelve for Benjamin and Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and twelve of the servants of David. [16] And each caught his opponent by the head and thrust his sword in his opponent’s side, so they fell down together. Therefore that place was called Helkath-hazzurim, which is at Gibeon. [17] And the battle was very fierce that day. And Abner and the men of Israel were beaten before the servants of David.


[18] And the three sons of Zeruiah were there, Joab, Abishai, and Asahel. Now Asahel was as swift of foot as a wild gazelle. [19] And Asahel pursued Abner, and as he went, he turned neither to the right hand nor to the left from following Abner. [20] Then Abner looked behind him and said, “Is it you, Asahel?” And he answered, “It is I.” [21] Abner said to him, “Turn aside to your right hand or to your left, and seize one of the young men and take his spoil.” But Asahel would not turn aside from following him. [22] And Abner said again to Asahel, “Turn aside from following me. Why should I strike you to the ground? How then could I lift up my face to your brother Joab?” [23] But he refused to turn aside. Therefore Abner struck him in the stomach with the butt of his spear, so that the spear came out at his back. And he fell there and died where he was. And all who came to the place where Asahel had fallen and died, stood still.


[24] But Joab and Abishai pursued Abner. And as the sun was going down they came to the hill of Ammah, which lies before Giah on the way to the wilderness of Gibeon. [25] And the people of Benjamin gathered themselves together behind Abner and became one group and took their stand on the top of a hill. [26] Then Abner called to Joab, “Shall the sword devour forever? Do you not know that the end will be bitter? How long will it be before you tell your people to turn from the pursuit of their brothers?” [27] And Joab said, “As God lives, if you had not spoken, surely the men would not have given up the pursuit of their brothers until the morning.” [28] So Joab blew the trumpet, and all the men stopped and pursued Israel no more, nor did they fight anymore.


[29] And Abner and his men went all that night through the Arabah. They crossed the Jordan, and marching the whole morning, they came to Mahanaim. [30] Joab returned from the pursuit of Abner. And when he had gathered all the people together, there were missing from David’s servants nineteen men besides Asahel. [31] But the servants of David had struck down of Benjamin 360 of Abner’s men. [32] And they took up Asahel and buried him in the tomb of his father, which was at Bethlehem. And Joab and his men marched all night, and the day broke upon them at Hebron.

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

At the Bottom of It All

In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will. (Ephesians 1:4–5)


The experience of Charles Spurgeon is not beyond the ability of any ordinary Christian.


Spurgeon, who lived from 1834 to 1892, was a contemporary and friend of George Mueller and Hudson Taylor. He served the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London for over thirty years as the most famous pastor of his day.


His preaching was so powerful that people were converted to Christ every week. His sermons are still in print today and he is held up by many as a model soul winner.


He recalls an experience when he was sixteen that shaped his life and ministry for the rest of his days.


When I was coming to Christ, I thought I was doing it all myself, and though I sought the Lord earnestly, I had no idea the Lord was seeking me. I do not think the young convert is at first aware of this.


I can recall the very day and hour when first I received those truths [the doctrines of sovereign, overcoming grace] in my own soul — when they were, as John Bunyan says, burnt into my heart as with a hot iron, and I can recollect how I felt that I had grown, on a sudden, from a babe into a man — that I had made progress in Scriptural knowledge, through having found, once for all, that clue to the truth of God.


One weeknight, when I was sitting in the house of God, I was not thinking much about the preacher’s sermon, for I did not believe it.


The thought struck me, How did you come to be a Christian? I sought the Lord. But how did you come to seek the Lord? The truth flashed across my mind in a moment — I should not have sought Him unless there had been some previous influence in my mind to make me seek Him. I prayed, thought I, but then I asked myself, How came I to pray? I was induced to pray by reading the Scriptures. How came I to read the Scriptures? I did read them, but what led me to do so?


Then, in a moment, I saw that God was at the bottom of it all, and that He was the Author of my faith, and so the whole doctrine of grace opened up to me, and from that doctrine I have not departed to this day, and I desire to make this my constant confession, “I ascribe my change wholly to God.”


What about you? Do you ascribe your conversion wholly to God? Is he the bottom of it all? Does this cause you to praise the glory of his sovereign, overcoming grace?


John Piper