May 12: 2Samuel 21-23; 1Thessalonians 1

After that…

Scripture: 2Samuel 21:14 They buried the bones of Saul and his son Jonathan in the tomb of Saul’s father Kish, at Zela in Benjamin, and did everything the king commanded. After that, God answered prayer on behalf of the land.

Observation: Each of us have "after that" experiences in our lives. These are experiences of which we enjoy the presence and blessing of God, but only after we have made the past right. We can never change the past, but we can acknowledge it and take responsibility for it. We cannot change it, but God can forgive it! Many times the past must be put to death and buried properly before the blessings of the Lord return.

Application: 1. I can acknowledge the wrong that has been done.
2. I can take responsibility and not blame others.
3. I can take the necessary actions. (Before God, on the cross, Jesus took the necessary action for me! I must take the necessary action before man.)
4. I can bury it. Burying does not mean forgetting. I can put it behind me. I am responsible for what I can do: repenting, forgiving, and making things right as I am able. Then I must leave it with the Lord who marks its grave with His blood. Now, when Satan brings it to my mind, I tell him just where to find it—under the blood of Jesus! Satan has to leave it alone and I am not going to dig it up!

Prayer: Lord, Thank you for helping me put the past behind me. Amen.

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!