Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

Apr 11th, 2020 Life And Death And Life – The Saturday Morning Post

Today’s Passage – 2 Samuel 12 – 14 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Matthew 21 – 22; Proverbs 11; Psalms 51 – 55)

Read the “0411 Evening and Morning” devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

”And Nathan departed unto his house. And the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife bare unto David, and it was very sick. David therefore besought God for the child; and David fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth. And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to raise him up from the earth: but he would not, neither did he eat bread with them. And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the child was dead: for they said, Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto our voice: how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that the child is dead? But when David saw that his servants whispered, David perceived that the child was dead: therefore David said unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is dead. Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the house of the LORD, and worshipped: then he came to his own house; and when he required, they set bread before him, and he did eat. Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread. And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” (2Samuel 12:15-23)

Good morning. At the time of this writing, the Covid19 virus score of the world is: 1,450,092 cases; 83,474 deaths; but there are 309,321 victims who have recovered. In New Jersey there are 44,416 cases; 1,232 deaths; and 206 have recovered. Many of us have loved ones, friends, or relatives who may have the Coronavirus. In our reading today we see the child that David had with Bathsheba, through adultery, on his death bed. David has been praying and fasting for the child seven days. The child dies. David gets up from the ground, cleans up, goes to the tabernacle and worships the LORD. After this, he returns home and has something to eat. The servants question him as to why he is doing this, and not still morning for the child…

“Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this that thou hast done? thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread. And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell whether GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live? But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” (2Samuel 12:21-23)

Do you have a loved one, friend, or relative, who may have the virus? Pray for them. Who can tell if GOD will be gracious to you, that they may live? Call them. Praise the LORD He gave us the technology to have video phone calls, apps like Skype, Zoom, and others. David had faith knowing that the child was safe with the LORD. He told his servants: “I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.”

You don’t know if that loved one will survive the virus. Do you kow if they are saved? Are they going to Heaven when they die? Talk to them. Share the Gospel with them.

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Romans 3:10)

And…

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” (Romans 3:23)

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

“But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:8-13)

And Jesus makes us this promise…

“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.” (John 6:37-40)

Are you saved?

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” (1John 5:13)

The whole point is, is that we have an appointed time.

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” (Hebrews 9:27-28)

Nobody knows when that time is. Isn’t it time for all petty grudges to cease? All families fighting together and not speaking to one another should cease. When will loved ones, friends, and relatives be forgiving? You have no idea if you will ever see that person again. You will see them again, if you and they are saved. Just think, you will all have to spend eternity together forever in Heaven, loving each other, and praising the LORD. Wouldn’t it be nice to start now?

Before it’s too late.

Peace.