Matthew 26:42
He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, your will be done.”
Every day, we learn something new and one of them is “obedience through what we suffer” is submission to the cross. so, Jesus became the eternal source to ALL who obey him. Jesus himself obeyed likewise asked the church to obey. Unlike some men. So, 3 scriptures have been popping up to me.
The first scripture is 1 Chronicles 28: 12
12 He gave him the plans of all that the Spirit had put in his mind for the courts of the temple of the Lord and all the surrounding rooms, for the treasuries of the temple of God and for the treasuries for the dedicated things.
1 Chronicles 28: 19
“All this,” David said, “I have in writing as a result of the LORD’s hand on me, and he enabled me to understand all the details of the plan.”
So, God gave David the plan for the temple of the lord, but Solomon his son and God’s son executed it. Solomon was typically a man with many women having drinking problems too. A wise king with discernment he lost through women and subsequently hardened his heart to hearing God voice – I wonder if we know someone like that! So, the Lord hand was on David to do the writing and understand the plan to give it to Solomon his son.
The Second Scripture is Acts 9 and 10:
13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Acts 9: 13 - 19
In my life, people have often questioned why I would have mercy, and I am like in this case because he is a chosen instrument, and he will eventually suffer more for Christ name. So, it will give me good pleasure to hand over power graciously like Ananias and Paul as the baton has changed hands, from David to Solomon, Saul to Paul. It strikes me that Ananias means Yah’s grace, which is my English name. So, I will gladly forgive as I know when he knows as much as I know to build a house for the lord, he will suffer more than I have to relinquish power is not bad, if it serves for the greater good of God kingdom. But the kingdom of God from the time of John the Baptist suffereth violence and the violent taketh it by force. David, a king who knew the art of spiritual warfare would tell his son how to destroy his enemy without fighting. It took Ananias 3 days to get to Paul.
Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, 3 “Remember, Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.
4 Before Isaiah had left the middle court, the word of the Lord came to him: 5 “Go back and tell Hezekiah, the ruler of my people, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the temple of the Lord. 6 I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my sake and for the sake of my servant David.’” - 2 Kings 20 vs 2 - 6
Hezekiah was already ill, and 15 years was added to his life and there was peace and prosperity in his lifetime until his remnant were taken as Eunuch to Babylon as predicted by prophet Isaiah. Which we see in Daniel. Who know how long we have here on earth. And yes, we have to apply wisdom to our heart to number our days. Doing Gods will. The heart of a king as Hezekiah is to do Gods will.
Sometimes, it not that all things are not possible is that there are cups we have to drink, and his blood is what we share. Afterall, Nehemiah was also the cup bearer of the King. And I think this what surrender is. All things are lawful unto me but all things but not expedient, and I will not be brought under the power of any. 1 Corinthians 6:12.
A wise king who lost discernment…A prodigal son who returns to the father. To whom much is given much is expected as they say. I had thought I had wrestled with God and prevailed (as Jacob) without realizing to really give God the victory would require submission to his plan.
Songs:
It’s wise to know you can’t touch Gods anointed. David wont and advisably one shouldn’t.