Mark 2:17

Mk 2:17 When Jesus heard it, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."

The “righteous” Pharisees accused Jesus of not keeping himself separate from sinners.  Jesus’ crime then was that He was a friend of sinners.  This morning I am seeing the irony in the meaning of the word “Pharisee”. It means separated one”.  The Pharisees separated themselves from what THEY considered to be unholy.  Tragically, this included Jesus, the beloved Son of God. They were separated from the love of God by their own self-declared righteousness.

Malachi 3:7 - Yet from the days of your fathers. You have gone away from My ordinances. And have not kept them.
Return to Me, and I will return to you,”
Says the LORD of hosts.
“But you said,
‘In what way shall we return?’(of what shall we repent?)

Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?
There is more hope for a fool than for him. —Prov 26:12

How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!
Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.
8 They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house,
And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.
9 For with You is the fountain of life;
In Your light we see light.
10 Oh, continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You,
And Your righteousness to the upright in heart.
11 Let not the foot of pride come against me,
And let not the hand of the wicked drive me away.
12 There the workers of iniquity have fallen;
They have been cast down and are not able to rise.—Ps 36:7-12

Sweet Lullaby....

I always think of Ps 37 as a sweet lullaby filled with truth, guidance, wisdom and comfort whispered to me by my God to quiet my fears and allay my concerns. His promises are true, His love is immeasurable and His heart is for me.  Don’t fret my love...delight yourself in me and rest. ❤️

2 Kings 8

And Elisha said to him, “Go, say to him, ‘You shall certainly recover.’ However the Lord has shown me that he will really die.” Then he set his countenance in a stare until he was ashamed; and the man of God wept. And Hazael said, “Why is my lord weeping?” He answered, “Because I know the evil that you will do to the children of Israel:—2 Kings 8:10-12a

There are times when I wish I could know what is to come or see how things in the future might turn out.  The older I get, however, the less this is the case.  I am more and more content to rest in the day...to enjoy the moment so to speak.  Truly, it is a gift from God that we are not in control....that we can’t see into another’s heart, or see into the future.  But, oh, how difficult it must have been for Elisha to see the evil that Hazael would do...his murder of Ben-hadad...the atrocities he would commit when he became king in his stead and be powerless to stop it.

Hazael speaking in response to Elisha’s revelation.

But what is your servant; a dog, that should do this gross thing?—2 Kings 8:13

I am of the opinion that Hazael had already planned this assassination and was feigning humility here, but perhaps he hadn’t planned it and was unaware of the evil that dwelt in his own heart. The application for me is the same for both scenarios.  Don’t take offense.  When God speaks, receive His word as it says in James with meekness which means without argument.  Hazael should have humbly taken this as a warning to either examine his heart and take heed to do right lest he fall or to turn and repent of his evil plan.

Father...Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your Spirit is good.  Lead me in the land of uprightness.