READ: Matthew 5:3; 26:29; Mark 14:25

Matthew 5:3
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Father, thank You for the Godly character, grace and blessings that You have given those who are Yours! No matter our state or condition, We pray that in our minds, bodies and spirit that we would be emptied of self and filled with Your Spirit - these are true riches that are ours in Christ.
 
Lord, we humbly seek Your wisdom in any appointment that You have for us and depend on You for grace to serve Your plans and purposes. Thank You for the faithful fulfillment of the blessing to come to us, in Jesus’ name, amen. 

READ: Matthew 26:27-28; Luke 22:20

Luke 22:20
And in the same way He took the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup, which is poured out for you, is the new covenant in My blood.

Father, today we look to You in Heaven and give thanks for Your provision in Christ, the Bread of Life. We remember that He gave Himself for us and to us. He broke the guilt of our sins with the breaking of the bread-help us to take it in and let it nourish our body, soul, and spirit.
 
We are humbled that He poured Himself out to atone for our mind, heart, and will. We are grateful and by His being poured out we remember that He paid our ransom, (costing Him everything) and confirmed His promises to us. Jesus, thank You for loving us with Your whole life and for giving us new life through You! In Jesus’ name, amen!

(READ: Matthew 4:1-4; Matthew 26:26)

Matthew 4:4
But He answered and said, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes out of the mouth of God.’”

Father, we are blessed that Christ Himself when tempted, shows us how to resist and overcome it! May our appetite be satisfied as we feed on Your word of truth. When we are tempted to question it, increase our faith, help us to trust in Your care and provision for us, and to honor the Scriptures.

Thank You for providing for us the Sword of Your Spirit, help us to use it in the fear of You in our spiritual conflicts that are meant to lead us away from You and entice us to sin against You.

Lord, help us to stand firm in our identity as Your children, and lean on You for any supplies for sustenance that we need, for You are faithful, good, and able to deliver! In Jesus’ name, amen.

READ: Matthew 5:44-48; Matthew 26:21-25;

Matthew 5:44
“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”

Father, in our praying for those who hate us and want to destroy us, You call us to love unconditionally like You do. Help us to understand this is not to appease our enemies, but that we would be approved as Your children.

Jesus showed us how He prayed while on the cross, for those who put Him there. Help us to obey You as a reflection of our love for You, our trust in Your character, and our hope through Jesus Christ, Your Son, to reach ALL who are separated from You - like we were.
 
Thank You for reminding us that You are greater than those who hate You and for teaching us to be like You! In Jesus’ name, amen.

Matthew 26:20-30 

The Last Supper is the historical Passover Meal. Some of us know it as, “The Lord’s Supper” or “The Eucharist”. However you are acquainted with it, we must understand that Jesus Christ Himself was the author of it and instituted this meal during Passover, as Holy Communion while He was with His disciples in the Upper Room. This happened on the very night that He was betrayed by Judas, one of His own followers, before He was crucified. He wanted these moments to be remembered, because they are of great significance to those who are His disciples and those who will be His disciples.

The Passover Seder Celebration (The Last Supper) that Christ observes is an annual remembrance and marks the miracles of God through Moses and Aaron to bring the Israelites liberation from bondage to slavery in Egypt, and their exodus out of Egypt. There are several things here that help us grasp what our Messiah is doing that are reflective of the Passover itself:

• “Reclining at the table” - this was done to recall that they came out of Egypt (= THE HOUSE OF SLAVERY - Ex 20:2) and to appreciate the freedom brought through the sacrificial lamb of Passover.
• “The bread” - is represented by and signifies the body of Jesus Christ who was born in Bethlehem (Heb. = HOUSE OF BREAD); He tells us during His temptation (Matt. 4:4, 6:11) that “man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God”. And He also said, “I am the bread of life” (John 6:35); In his commentary, Matthew Henry tells us that this is a metaphor on which the sacrament of Holy Communion is built. Just as the life of the body is supported by bread, so the life of the soul is supported and maintained by Christ’s mediation.

“He blessed it” - setting it apart to honor God
“He broke it” - signifying that His bruises and brokenness would be effective in the forgiveness of our sins through God’s grace extended to us.
“He gave it” to all who were following and who would follow Him.
“Take and eat” is His invitation to us to accept His offering of Himself for us. Believing Christ requires us to receive Christ.

• “The cup” - The blood of Christ that seals the covenant is here signified and represented by the wine to complete the sacred feast with bread to strengthen the body, and wine (or juice, “fruit of the vine”) to make the heart happy. It is also known as the “grace cup” to be a blessing! It is the blood of the New Testament that Christ atones for us rather than the blood of bulls and goats of the Old Testament. It is for the remission of our sins (Hebrew 9:22), the redemption of His shed blood for us (Ephesians 1:7).
 
He is telling His disciples symbolically what events are coming very quickly! These elements symbolize the bridge between the Old Passover Covenant and the New Covenant of Grace. He closes their meal together with a singing of a hymn or Psalm reflecting on the traditional closing of the Passover supper which was called the “Great Hallel” (means Praise).
 
Our Messiah and Savior, Jesus Christ, knew all that was coming to Him and what purpose it would serve to the glory of the Father. He didn’t run from it, but walked through it…for you and me, and those who will be! He did it in obedience as the Father prescribed it. Whenever we come to His table, this TABLE OF REMEMBRANCE, let’s reflect on both the old and the new, remembering all that He has done for us and set before us! Let us accept His invitation and receive His reconciliation!

❖ Day 15 Christ Keeps The Passover

(READ: Exodus 12; Matthew 26:20; Mark 14:17-18; Hebrew 12:2)

Hebrew 12:2
“..looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Father, thank You for the course that You have marked out for us today that will shape and sharpen our faith in You!

Help us to focus on Jesus and His example to bear up bravely and calmly in every situation. We pray that we may have victory over challenges, annoyances, and obstacles that would keep us from spending ourselves in attaining and sharing Your truthfulness. Help us to rise above the guilt and disgrace of worldly ways.

We look to You for the blessings that You enjoy giving to those who spend themselves as a testimony of Your faithfulness! O God-be our strength and our joy to finish well today and every day! In Jesus’ name, amen.  

READ: 2 Samuel 9:1-13

This story is a reflection of what the King of Kings has in mind to do for you! 

➔ Insert the Hebrew meaning of the names given where you see them in the verses.

David = BELOVED 

Jonathan = WHOM JEHOVAH GAVE
Mica = WHO IS LIKE GOD

Saul = DESIRED/ASKED FOR 

Mephibosheth = DISPELLER OF SHAME

Jerusalem = THE TEACHING OF PEACE

➔ Write down the things that you are observing and what God wants you to learn from this true story.
➔ Praise God for being the Host and for inviting you to His Table of RESTORATION!

READ: 2 Samuel 9:12-13

2 Samuel 9:13
“So Mephibosheth lived in Jerusalem, for he ate at the king’s table regularly. Now he was lame in both feet.”

Father, thank You that King David honored his fallen friend Jonathan by rightly keeping his covenant promise to him and to taking care of his family should something happen to him.

Thank You that David honored You knowing that You were the only witness to the covenant he and Jonathan made! God, help us to be that strong and faithful to You and to remember that You serve as a witness to the promises that we make. Help us to be the kind of servants who are faithful and true - men and women of integrity!

Thank You for calling us out of lives where we have been hiding from You, maybe afraid or abandoned, broken or alone, without a family identity or purpose, or without hope of anything more. Thank You, that in our restoration, we are called as David was - to show the kindness of God to others and serve You as witnesses to Your plans to revive and restore those around us! You are the God who saves, delivers, and heals! Praise the Lord - SO BE IT! In Jesus’ matchless name, amen. 

READ: 2 Samuel 9:9-11

2 Samuel 9:9
“The king called Saul’s servant Ziba and said to him, ‘All that belonged to Saul and to all his house I have given to your master’s grandson.’”

Blessed Father, thank You that as the King of the world and Lord of our lives, You hold both the power and authority to bring full restoration to us as You see fit! Your kindness, O God, even restores hope and help to those who have endured losses with us, giving them a place and a purpose to serve in a way that honors You and takes care of them!

You are our Redeemer! Just as with Mephibosheth, on what could have been the worst day of his life or even the end of it, has suddenly become an unexpected and undeserved picture of redemption and hope! You are the Waymaker when we can’t see a way out, through, around, above, or beneath the challenges that we face - You make a way!

Help us to remember that, just like David in keeping our covenant promises with You, we too can be that example and an extension of Your unmerited grace, unconditional love, and RESTORATION to a place of honor despite the hopelessness and deep brokenness of those we encounter! We love being Yours! In Jesus’ name we pray these things! Amen!

(READ: 2 Samuel 9:5-8)

2 Samuel. 9:6 
“Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, came to David and fell on his face and prostrated himself. And David said, ‘Mephibosheth.’ and he said, ‘Here is your servant!’”

Father, thank You, that just like David we can choose not to do things in the way that this world approves of. We are not that different from Mephibosheth, just as he knew that he could be marked for death as a survivor of the former king’s family to remove any threat of revenge. We know that because of our sins, we too are marked for death. We haven’t sought You out to be reconciled - but hid from You in obscure places because of fear or shame. Yet, You have sought us out, made room for us, and given us a place at Your table as one Your own!

We are grateful that with You, we find both mercy and Your Son as the substitution for our place on the cross to restore us to a right relationship with You. Thank You for putting Your heart into King David toward Mephibosheth, and for Your heart toward us to give us a new hope and a new life! May our words echo those of Mephibosheth’s every day of our lives - “Here is your servant.” In Jesus’ name, amen.

(READ: 1 Samuel 20:14-17, 42; 2 Samuel 4:4; 2 Samuel 9:3-4)

2 Samuel 9:3
“The king said, ‘Is there not yet anyone of the house of Saul to whom I may show the kindness of God?’ And Ziba said to the king,’There is still a son of Jonathan who is crippled in both feet.’”

Father, thank You for King David’s example to honor You and bless the family of one who was his enemy, showing us that we can learn how to show Your kindness, favor, blessing and compassion on those who have suffered misfortune due to no fault of their own. It doesn’t matter whether they are related to a friend or foe when it comes to covenant promises that were made and intended to be kept. It may be that these promises kept will one day be for the blessings and benefits of our loved ones.

Help us to be merciful to others, just as You have been merciful to us when we haven’t deserved it. You have shown us Your kindness time after time and we thank You for calling us to do the same and may it glorify You. In Jesus’ name, amen.  

(READ: 1 Samuel 18-19; 2 Samuel 9:2)

2 Samuel 9:2
“Now there was a servant of the house of Saul whose name was Ziba, and they called him to David; and the king said to him, ‘Are you Ziba?’ and he said, ‘I am your servant.’”

Father- thank You for the sometimes unusual ways that You connect us to the people that You want us to minister to! May we be resolute in seeking opportunities to do good as we prepare to serve the ones You are calling us to.

Lord, help us to be respectful, kind, honest and direct with those we meet along the way who may guide us with insight and information to prepare us to serve them according to Your will and in Your way. Thank You for leading us and for those you bring us to. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

So many times we don’t think about the names of people and places and what they mean, but according to the Complete Jewish Bible, in Hebrew thought, a name wasn’t just a way of identifying a person, it was a way of revealing their very identity and essence. As we read, study and pray from 2 Samuel 9 this week, we will gain an understanding of how true that is, giving us a deeper look at what God is doing and how He works in ways we may not have seen before! There are only thirteen verses in this amazing chapter, but when we consider the backstory and insert ourselves into the picture, we will be humbled by this true account between King David and King Saul’s family. Here is what we can expect this week:

• We will be meeting the grandson of King Saul, the son of Jonathan, whose name is Mephibosheth…try saying that fast 3 times! 
• We will see a side of King David that allows us to understand what makes him “a man after God’s own heart”!
• We will be witnesses to God’s extension of unmerited grace, unconditional love, and RESTORATION to a place of honor despite hopelessness and deep brokenness, all through King David!

Here is what their names mean and some observations to consider:

David = BELOVED (A reflection of Jesus, our Savior; and those who are in Him)

Saul = DESIRED/ASKED FOR (Even in his sin, God desired Saul to trust and honor Him - He does the same for us)

Jonathan = WHOM JEHOVAH GAVE (The covenantal relationship that God was witness to between David and Jonathan that saved Mephibosheth)

Mephibosheth = DISPELLER OF SHAME (His humble acceptance of “the kindness of God” that David offered, restored to him more than he ever imagined)

Mica = WHO IS LIKE GOD (He is also the beneficiary of covenant promises kept going back to his great grandfather, Saul)

Jerusalem = THE TEACHING OF PEACE (The place where this occurred)

Here we have the summary in 2 Sam. 9:13 reading it with the Hebrew roots but you are welcome to go back and read all of 2 Sam. 9 and fill in the Hebrew meanings of these names and it will bring to light God’s heart for us in this true account of Mephibosheth and King David!

V. 13 “So Mephibosheth (THE DISPELLER OF SHAME) lived in THE TEACHING OF PEACE (Jerusalem) for he ate (devoured oppression) continually at the king’s (BELOVED’S = David’s) table.” Now he (THE DISPELLER OF SHAME - Mephibosheth) was lame in both feet.”
 
I encourage you in the journey of RESTORATION in 2 Samuel 9 this week, to daily write down what God is showing you about these people and what He wants you to learn about Him! ENJOY!!!

❖ Day 8 (Oct. 12) A Covenant Promise Remembered

(READ: 2 Samuel 9:1; 1 Samuel 18:3-4, 6-15; 20:42)

2 Samuel 9:1
“Then David said, ‘Is there yet anyone left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?’”

Father, thank You for showing us the value of loyalty, the importance to our loved ones in honoring the bond of covenant promises that we make, & remembering that it’s never too late to show kindness in doing what is right!

When the culture tells us that we don’t have to keep our word, when we ourselves are tempted to neglect our responsibilities, or when we want to take revenge, help us to turn our gaze to You, the author and perfector of our faith. Lord, remind us in those moments that You are the True Witness who will hold us to our word - help us to be found faithful & trustworthy.

Thank You for David’s example & keep us from missing opportunities to do good or show compassion to a fallen friend’s family when it is in our power to be a blessing. We are grateful that You call us to live above the ways of the world & in the fullness of Your love! In Jesus’ name, amen.

❖ Day 7 THE EMPTY TABLE OF THE TEMPTER

(READ: Proverbs 9:13-18)

Proverbs 9:17
“Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”

Father, thank You for showing us the clear difference between Wisdom and folly! If we choose folly, we can expect the fear of being found out and the punishment that inevitably follows secrecy and stealing. It is an inconvenient truth that isn’t disclosed by folly.

We pray that we would trust You for discernment to see the results of both so that we can make clear decisions that line up with Your Wisdom. We pray against ignorance, unbelief, and rebellion that lead us away from You and lead us on a pathway of ruin that has no remedy. Thank You for inviting us to Your feasting table of divine Wisdom and sharing with us so generously! In Jesus’ name, amen.

❖ Day 6 TASTING THE TEACHING OF DIVINE WISDOM

(READ: Proverbs 9:7-12; Job 28:28; Psalm 111:10)

Proverbs 9:10
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

Heavenly Father, we are humbled to be invited and honored to be instructed to gain wisdom and understanding! Lord, we begin today by worshiping You with our whole heart and with reverence for Your power in all that You are and all that You have done - Mighty and Majestic are You Lord!

We ask You to fill our minds with the truth of Your word, taught and led by Your Holy Spirit so that we would gain deeper understanding. God, help us to be resolute and steadfast to trust Your love to guide us each day as we lean in and listen to You. We ask for courage to obey You when we don’t understand and encouragement in times of discipline and correction. We are believing for all that we are asking for in Jesus’ name, amen.

❖ Day 5 INVITATION AND INSTRUCTION FROM DIVINE WISDOM

(READ: Proverbs 9:5-6; Isaiah. 55:1-3)

Proverbs 13:20
“One who walks with wise people will be wise, But a companion of fools will suffer harm.”

Father, we thank You for guiding us with Your word and for the warnings it contains! Help us to choose our friends and alignments with these humble considerations, knowing that the company that we keep speaks of the character that we have. We receive this encouragement understanding that those we spend time with will have influence in the way that we think, feel, and live our lives.

Lord, we ask that You would bring people into our lives who love You with clean hands, pure hearts, and seek first Your kingdom and Your righteousness. Guide and direct our conversations with them to be rooted and established in Your truth so that there would be a divine flow, led by Your divine influence. Help us to sharpen and encourage each other in Your will and ways so that we will honor You at all times, in all places, and with all people. In Jesus’ name, amen

❖ Day 4 WHOEVER DIVINE WISDOM INVITES

(READ: Proverbs 9:4; 1 Corinthians 3:18-23)

1 Corinthians 3:18
“Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise.”

Father, You alone have a perfect knowledge and understanding of the deepest thoughts, the secret counsels, purposes and motives of the wisest ones in all of mankind! It is all laid open and bare before You! God, we need humility to be able overcome our own arrogance that is self-absorbed and self-promoting that can lead us to self-deception in thinking that we don’t need You, which ultimately will end in our own self-destruction.

Help us above all else to trust in You and lean NOT on our own understanding so that we may have teachable hearts to gain Your wisdom from above. We pray that we would not stray from You but stand firm in the truth of Your word with pure-hearted devotion. Help us apply it to our thoughts, words, and deeds to the glory and honor of Your name. It is in the matchless name of Jesus Christ we pray, amen.

❖ Day 3 WHAT DIVINE WISDOM DOES

(READ: Proverbs 9:1-3; Genesis 1:1-31; Isaiah 11:1-2: James 1:5-7)

James 1:5
“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

Father, this promise of Yours is such a blessing to us! You knew in our weakness that we would have need for wisdom beyond ourselves or anything that the
world could offer us.

It is humbling to know and believe that Your generous heart guides a generous and guilt-free supply of Your wisdom that is ours if we just ask without doubt! You do not withhold whenever or for whatever reason we ask, You just give - forgive us for not asking more. God, steady our heart and mind in this truth, and in the purposes for which we need it. Strengthen our faith as we see it working in and through us! In Jesus’ mighty name, amen.

❖ Day 2 THE WAY OF DIVINE WISDOM

(READ: Proverbs 8:32-36; Psalms 119:1-8)

Psalm 119:1-2
“Blessed are those whose way is blameless, Who walk in the Law of the Lord. ² Blessed are those who comply with His testimonies, And seek Him with all their heart.”

Heavenly Father- We are so grateful and happy for Your generous blessings! We treasure Your word and the way You guide us to live honorably! We want to live it
with obedience and integrity!

Lord, keep us from all sin and its effects, knowing that it separates us from You. We seek You with our whole heart today with all that we are, for all that you have in mind for us to be! In Jesus’ name, amen!

COME TO THE TABLE... AN INVITATION BY DIVINE WISDOM

¹ Wisdom has built her house, She has carved out her seven pillars; ² She has prepared her food, she has mixed her wine; She has also set her table; ³ She has sent out her attendants, she calls out From the tops of the heights of the city: ⁴“Whoever is naive, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks understanding she says, ⁵ “Come, eat of my food And drink of the wine I have mixed. ⁶ Abandon your foolishness and live, And proceed in the way of understanding.” (Proverbs 9:1-6)

In the Hebrew, Wisdom looks like this , ותֹכמְ חָ , and is pronounced khok-moth', and pertains to both ethical and religious wisdom. The divine wisdom was begotten before all things to be the architect and counsellor of God in the creation (Proverbs 8:22-31).

We are introduced to Divine Wisdom who is personified as female. If we look back to Proverbs 8, we see that she belonged to the Lord before all things, and was a master workman at His side to be the architect and witness to God in the creation! We can see
that she knows how to build what the Lord desires and in these verses, we are witnessing the construction of a spiritual house, or as we would recognize it, a Church, with the specific purpose to establish a family!

Divine Wisdom is a hard worker, and gives us an example of serving God’s purposes with strength, focus, knowing our purpose and being resolute to finish with excellence what we have started:

• “She has carved out her seven pillars” to support the building and the beauty of the palace where she will host a feast for those who will accept her invitation, show up to the feast, and be fed spiritual nourishment by her instruction!
• She makes her plans and prepares every detail by anticipating what is needed not only in the building of this spiritual house, but in the purpose of it. She herself does the work to prepare her food, dress and cook the meat from the flock to the feast and has mixed and poured the wine to be put upon the table that she has set. She has fully invested herself into the preparations to make it beautiful but also welcoming, memorable, and satisfying. Here we will see and taste the goodness of God and truly enjoy the pleasant things that He has for us!
• She has several young women (ministers of the Gospel) to invite those in the city to the spiritual feast waiting for them at Divine Wisdom’s house (The Church). These ministers of the Gospel have been mentored and instructed by Divine Wisdom, where to stand in the highest parts of the city so that her gracious invitation can be heard throughout the entire city! This is an open invitation for whoever is naive (simple/seducible) as well as those who lack heart (intellect/understanding), advising them to turn into her house.
• She is the builder, the worker, the planner, and the host that holds the feast that is now ready for those who will depart from the way that leads to corruption no longer conforming to a life lived in the dark, and give them instruction. There will be conversations about their covenant with God and learn how to live rightly and to make progress in the course of the life of the God of knowledge.

All are welcome, if they will come!

Here are some questions to help guide your thoughts, study, and prayers this week:

1. What are these seven pillars or platforms that support this palace and those who will come?
   Could it be the seven days in which God built all of creation in Genesis 1:1-31?
   Could it be the seven spirits of God that sustains the heavenly home from Isaiah 11:1-2?
2. What do you imagine this feast to look like?
3. List the differences between Wisdom and the woman of folly in Proverbs 9:13-18

❖ Day 1 THE WORD OF DIVINE WISDOM

(READ: Proverbs 8:22-31; John 1:1-4)

John 1:1
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Father, thank You that through Jesus Christ You have made Your thoughts known to us since before time was! He was with You when You spoke the created world into existence and is both Your Word, thought and spoken! He is also the Word by which we speak to You as our Mediator and Intercessor!

We are humbled, grateful, and so blessed by You to have Him as our Savior and to trust Him as our Lord. He is completely dependable because He is the Word, the Truth, the Amen, and the faithful witness of Your mind! Thank You Father for Your provision of amazing grace! In the name that is above all names, we pray, amen.