Devotion
No means mo!
David Jacobs
The world is starting to shed a bit more light on the dark plague that is sexual abuse and rape. Abusive behavior of men that has been tolerated for most of human existence is finally beginning to be considered inappropriate and immoral. Unfortunately it is a problem that has existed for as long as there has been recorded history, and it seems it is only now getting the attention it deserves. Women are often blamed for being the victims of rape. "She shouldn't have been there", "she should have known better", "she knew what kind of man he is", "she should not be wearing that", and "boys will be boys", are all excuses that I have heard in response to the sexual abuse scandals in Hollywood. The problem will persist until we change the attitudes of people thinking these things.
These verses tell a disgusting story, once again involving a son of David. Another of David's sons, Absalom, will soon conspire to overthrow and kill his father, but in these verses, Absalom's sister Tamar is raped by her half-brother, Amnon. There is more than one guilty party here, for Amnon's friend, Jonadab, initially hatches the plan. Amnon forces his half-sister, a virgin, to sleep with him, and is then disgusted by her, ignoring her pleas not to send him away, knowing the shame that it will bring the two of them. This is only the beginning of this story, because later in this chapter, Absalom plots his revenge and eventually kills his brother, Amnon.
I once again think about David's role in this story: considering the story of Bathsheba, he did not set the best male role model for his sons. This story sounds like it could be in a tabloid newspaper in modern times, so the problems have remained the same for literally thousands of years. The way that the wrongdoers behave in these verses, namely, the men, is not so different from the shaming culture that persists today.
Prayer
We can make a difference. We can learn from the sinful ways of those before us and create a new and safer society. It starts with us acknowledging that the way things were and the way things currently are is wrong. Remember the Ten Commandments; remember the teachings of Christ; remember the horror stories in these verses and in modern society. Then, and only then, will people like Amnon listen to Tamar when she implores him not to do this wicked thing. No means no.
Devotion
Manna In The Desert
Frances Taylor
We are so like the Israelites. Just when we get what we want, we decide that we want more. The Israelites have been saved from slavery and then God brought them through the sea, and now they're complaining again. God again provided what they need, but they do have to follow some rules. They were only to gather what they needed for the day and on the sixth day they collected enough for the Sabbath. What they gathered was measured so that each had what they needed and no one had more. They were instructed not to save some for the next day and, of course, there were those who didn't follow instructions and what they saved became foul. On the sixth day, they could prepare enough for the next day so that the Sabbath could be a holy day dedicated to Yahweh. Fifty years ago, there was little work done on the Sabbath, now it seems like just another day.
My mother used to talk about my grandmother who would prepare all the vegetables on Saturday for the ...
Morning Prayer
O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory.
Inspiration
There are many ways one may think of prayer and worship, and one should feel encouraged in revamping them a little if it means one may serve better ones daily practices or routines. Singing God's praises isn't just for in Church time, it is wherever, whenever. It can be your own song or one you've committed to heart, it doesn't particularly matter; God doesn't think of it as a singing competition. What is important is ones intent, ones heart, ones willingness to rejoice! If singing is really not your thing, the definition could be widened; write a poem of praise or do a dance, whatever it is, it's the joy in celebrating our Lord that counts.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I wish to sing your praises, to rejoice in the name of the Lord and his only begotten Son. For you are the object of our affection, the source of all our light, and ...
Night Prayer
For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;
Inspiration
We love our brothers and sisters in Christ and miss one another when separated. Paul was eager to see the church of Rome and anticipated blessing them with a spiritual gift. He saught to deliver encouragement by joining them in person to worship and fellowship. When we fellowship together, the unity strengthens our character, and we discover unique qualities amongst our brethren that aid in the church's ministry. We are all eager to unite in the name of God and develop and strengthen our gift of evangelism.
Prayer
Dear Lord, we love our church family and desire to make our time of fellowship a priority this day. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
