I biked my brother over the overpass to round table this morning at 11am for his chess lesson with Zoran. The lesson ends at 12:30, and neither my brother nor his instructor has a cell phone. At 12:40, I get a call from my dad asking about things, when I suddenly realized that I was supposed to pick up my bro.

That's what happens when I get to focused on my projects. I become absent-minded.

Here are devotion notes from my devotion time this morning. I'm hoping I'll be able to document my thoughts regularly here, but I'm not sure how feasible this idea is. We'll see.

2 Samuel 3

Joab contrasts David’s faith. Instead of seeking God’s will in everything like David has done up to this point, Joab recklessly takes matters into his own hands, murdering Abner without first consulting God or David. Eventually Joab pays for his arrogance and faithlessness, after David instructs Solomon to deal with Joab with his wisdom. It’s interesting to note that when David instructs that a census be taken of his fighting men, Joab is the one who advises him against it.

2 Samuel 4

Just like with the man who came to David and claimed to have killed Saul, David has Recab and Bannah executed for murdering Ish-Bosheth. At first it might appear that David deals with the three men unfairly or excessively, since they seem to believe that David would be pleased by their actions. However, given the circumstance, it is more than likely that all three men committed these murders not for David but for themselves. They likely thought that David would reward them richly for their actions. The man that claims to have killed Saul might have even lied about the whole incident, since his story seems to contradict what we learn in 1 Samuel 31. It’s interesting that Joab recklessly murders many men against David’s will, yet David never punishes Joab personally or immediately like he does in these cases.

Isaiah 19

In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing on the earth. The LORD Almighty will bless them, saying, "Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance."

Isaiah 20

Everything earthly that people trust in is fallible. People relied on the Egyptian empire for protection, but when God brought down Egypt and humbled them, the ones who trusted in Egypt lost their protection as well, even though they had previously “boasted in Egypt.” God is the only constant. Unchanging. From age to age the same.

Hebrews 10

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Matthew 24 and Mark 13 tell us that “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,[a] but only the Father.” How then, can we see the Day approaching? Every day we live is another day closer to the Day. Thus, the Day is always approaching, and we need to realize it, and encourage each other more and more.

If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God. [...] It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

I’ve been reading a book on Billy Graham, and these verses remind me of the way he spoke to the thousands that attended his crusades.

I was looking back on some entries today, when I came across a day I titled "Fellowship Visits". September 28, 2005.

In it, I wrote:

Once people started going home, a freshman named Laura said she was going to the ARC. Rachel, richard, and I haven't ever been inside before, so we decided to all go.

When I read, "a freshman named Laura", I smiled and realized how quickly time has gone by. It has been almost two years since I posted that entry, and I've gotten to know many of my Grace Alive peers very well. I definitely appreciate all the fellowship and encouragement they've provided me along the way. Christian friends are an enormous blessing.

Richard and Laura are getting married in a month and a few days.