email : Webview : Duane Brooks - Every Day with Jesus

May 30, 2018

2 Samuel 1:17-19

David took up this lament concerning Saul and his son Jonathan, and he ordered that the people of Judah be taught this lament of the bow (it is written in the Book of Jashar): “A gazelle lies slain on your heights, Israel. How the mighty have fallen!"

New International Version (NIV)

Did you participate in “Decoration Day”? I was introduced to the phrase at my first pastorate. I learned that they had a history of cancelling services on the Sunday before Memorial Day to go and decorate the graves of their loved ones at Powers Chapel. There we had buried Brother Thomas our oldest deacon in my first year as pastor. We decided to have 30 minutes of Sunday School and 30 minutes of our worship service. Then we all went down to Powers Chapel under the Brush Arbor. Grieving the loss of our loved ones is a powerful part of life.

David wrote a song of lament to commemorate the death of his friend Jonathan and King Saul on Mount Gilboa. He gave us the expression, “How the mighty have fallen,” to describe the death of these two mighty warriors. Never mind that Saul had tried to kill David. His death was a great loss and David knew it. He ordered the people of Judah to sing the song about the King and his son.

As a boy I went with my family to American Cemeteries in Bastogne, Belgium and Luxembourg to remember those who had been slain 25 years before in a battle for freedom. A few years later when we lived near Washington D. C. we walked to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery. We remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country. And we remember that on a hill outside of Jerusalem the King of Kings was slain. By his death and resurrection we are set free to know God and live for him today.

Pray with me:

Father, how we thank you for those who willingly sacrificed their lives for our country. Mighty warriors still fall in battle around the world. Thank you especially for our Lord and Savior Jesus, the Son of God who died on a hill outside of Jerusalem and came to life on the third day. May we never forget his sacrifice or neglect his calling in our lives, we pray. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

This year we focus our Every Day with Jesus readings on Jesus’ story. With references to Tallowood's Read Through the Bible in 2018 daily reading plan, let's focus our undivided attention on Jesus and follow where he lead. He will not fail. Neither will we!
Joyfully,
Duane

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