DCLM DAILY MANNA - BEING A LITTLE CHRIST.

Monday November 14, 2016

Being A Little Christ

-2 SAMUEL 3:31-39

Key Verse:

"And the king said unto his servants, Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man fallen this day in Israel?" (2 Samuel 3:38).

Although David was an Old Testament saint, the Scriptures often present him as displaying the virtues of the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ in the New Testament. He loves his enemies (Matthew 5:43,44), mourns with those who mourn (Romans 12:19), does not revenge or take undue advantage of his enemies (Romans 12:19) and admits his shortcomings while honouring others (Philippians 2:4). In our text, David is seen leading the train of Abner's coffin carriers, a man whom his predecessor, Saul, used to seek his (David) death. But he knew Joab, the commander of his army, had unjustifiably killed Abner, who had made strong efforts to smite Israel and make David head the unified kingdom. Abner was instrumental to God's plans to make David rule over all Israel, never minding that he had been loyal to Saul. It was at this point that Joab slew Abner. Although Abner had his weaknesses, David did not dwell on it as he grieved and sang a dirge. He refused to eat and hailed Abner as "a prince and great man" in Israel. Those were honest and charitable compliments that reflected the greatness of David himself. Indeed, a good follower of Jesus Christ ought to be judged by how much honour he accords his opponent, by how he accommodates the flaws of unfriendly persons without compromising. The reason David had all these attributes was because he had the Spirit of God controlling him. It was the Spirit of Christ, for the Triune Spirit is one. This was the same Spirit that guided the New Testament believers, and indwells today's followers of Christ. We are urged to be the "children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" (Matt. 5:45,48).

Thought for the day: All genuine Christians should be little Christs!

Bible Reading in one Year: EZEKIEL 9-13