Daily Devotional for Thursday, January 18

The Rendezvous

“And it came to pass, when David was come to Mahanaim, that Shobi...and Machir... and Barzillai...brought beds, and basins, and earthen vessels, and wheat, and barley, and flour, and parched corn, and beans, and lentils, and parched pulse, and honey, and butter, and sheep, and cheese of kine, for David, and for the people that were with him, to eat: for they said, The people is hungry, and weary, and thirsty, in the wilderness,” 2 Samuel 17:27-29.

When Jesus was teaching His disciples in the well-known Sermon on the Mount, he said, “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12). In our flesh, we tend to give people what we feel they deserve. We repay kindness for kindness and rudeness for rudeness. Jesus taught that we should initiate with what we would want from others.

Throughout David’s life, he had created allies and enemies. Time and time again, he relied on the provisions of God through other people. God always provided for David, especially when he was displaced and wandering in the wilderness. David set up camp in Mahanaim along the Jabbok River probably to gather his allies and prepare for battle. God provided again through leaders from his past. Shobi was the son of the late Nahash of Ammon whose brother provoked a war with David. Nahash showed kindness to David and now Shobi, his son, did as well. Machir housed Mephibosheth after Jonathon’s death before David brought him to the palace to live as a royal son. Machir saw first-hand the kindness David bestowed upon Saul’s family even after all the turmoil. Now they brought aid to David in his time of need. It is also interesting to note that Mahanaim was the place Jacob (Israel) saw God’s camp of angels during his time of need and wrestled with God.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY
Your obedience to Matthew 7:12 could be God’s provision in another’s life.

Ashley Ridings