We are getting His word into our testimony.

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony and they did not love their lives to the death. Revelation 12:11

We are picking up speed in our journey in the bible this week. Matthew shares the Sermon on the Mount (the Kingdom of God’s constitution) and into Jesus’ ministry up to the sending out of the twelve. Revelation brings us to the trumpets and a detailed description of the overcoming saints. In 2 Samuel, we witness the consequences of David’s sin and God’s mercy to David as he repeatedly calls on God for mercy. “It’s complicated.” This is what the Lord said to me years ago regarding the consequences of David’s folly.

Proverbs call into comparisons of wisdom and folly, and promises, are rich in ageless truths. Wisdom calls to us today. We finish Hosea and Joel, and we come into Amos this week, where we witness the call to repentance, sacred assembly, and promised Holy Spirit and later rain blessing.

 

Matthew 5 – 10

The Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’ treatise on the Kingdom of God moves us from eternal actions to actions that begin in the heart, and the conduct by which we are now judged. Chapters eight and nine are Jesus’ ministry in it is popularity, forgiveness, miracles, and the call to multiply harvesters through prayer to the Lord of the harvest. In Chapter ten, the Lord chooses the twelve and sends them out.

Revelation 8 – 14

This book of prophecy calls us into being overcomers in every area of life and continues with the trumpets. Then the mighty angels, the seven thunders (which John is told not to write down) and the small book he is given to eat. More prophecy about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings, the two witnesses, the woman, and the dragon with the overcoming saints. I read Revelation twelve as three descriptions of the interceding church triumphant over the accuser of the brethren. Chapters thirteen and fourteen are descriptions of the Beast, false prophet, the image, and the number of the beast, then to the three angels and their proclamations and the reaping of the earth.

2 Samuel 13 – 20

David begins the funk of judgement that is as much about his being shut down in his soul. First, his son, Amnon rapes his sister Tamar, then her brother Absolom murders Amnon. Absolom flees to Geshur as David’s heart longs for reconciliation but doesn’t know how. Joab, David’s general, tries to help and he brings Absolom back to Jerusalem through a shrewd move that leaves Absalom in Jerusalem, but separate from his father David. After two years they met, kind of reconcile, but not really. Absolom begins his campaign to win the heart of Israel and leads a coup driving David out of Jerusalem. Here David begins to return to his senses, refusing to let the Ark come, but instead trusting Himself to the mercies of God. Absalom is killed, the king is in bitter grief but must pull himself together to be king. David returns to Jerusalem, shows kindness, and is welcomed back amid strife.

Another rebel rises and David deals decisively with Sheba. The Lord said to me when I read through all these events and saw the many moments things might have been different or went wrong by speaking over these family issues saying, “It’s complicated.”

Proverbs 10 – 15

Here is timeless wisdom that should be read slowly with lots of amens. Agreement with truth is the beginning of wisdom, in humility and the fear of the Lord. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverb 9:10

Hosea 14

This last chapter is a prophecy of full returning and recovery directed to Israel from the Lord and promised restoration. Read this chapter slowly and watch for all the actions that take place prophetically. O Israel, return to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity; take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to Him, take away all iniquity; receive us graciously, for we will offer the sacrifices of our lips. Hoses 14:1, 2 There is more that follows and an epilog to direct us all.

Joel 1 -3

Joel leads Israel out of the natural disaster that the locust has brought, God’s great army, into repentance and weeping between the porch and the altar. Let the priests, who minister to the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar; Let them say, “Spare Your people, O Lord, and do not give Your heritage to reproach, that the nations should rule over them. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘Where is their God?’” Joel 2:17 Followed by the promises of blessing to the great outpouring of the Holy Spirit witnessed in Acts 2.

Amos 1 – 2

Amos chapters one and two are judgments against the nations, with reasons given, “For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment.” Amos 1:3a This opening statement is repeated eight times to eight different nations.