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November 20, 2024

Belonging to the Truth

L. Roger Owens   |   Read Psalm 132:11-18

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Lectionary Week
November 18 24, 2024
Scripture Overview

Second Samuel records the final words of David. David takes comfort in the covenant that God has made with his family, which must be continued by kings who will honor God and rule justly. The psalmist sings of this same covenant with David’s family and the same necessity to follow God’s decrees in order to rule well. Revelation opens with a vision of Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant, the King to rule over all kings for all time. Many expected Jesus to set up a political kingdom. Yet in John, Jesus tells Pilate that his kingdom is not an earthly one. This week let us thank God that the kingdom is based not on the exercise of power but on Jesus’ example of serving others.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

Read 2 Samuel 23:1-7. What characteristics would you include in a description of a just leader? Where do you see those characteristics in world leaders today?
Read Psalm 132:1-18. What is your vision of Paradise? Who will be seated at the table with you?
Read Revelation 1:4b-8. How do you bear witness to the “Alpha and the Omega”?
Read John 18:33-37. What is your understanding of what it means to live in God’s kingdom?

Respond by posting a prayer .

Psalm 132:11-18

11 The LORD swore to David a true promise that God won’t take back: “I will put one of your own children on your throne. 12 And if your children keep my covenant and the laws that I will teach them, then their children too will rule on your throne forever.” 13 Because the LORD chose Zion; he wanted it for his home. 14 “This is my residence forever. I will live here because I wanted it for myself. 15 I will most certainly bless its food supply; I will fill its needy full of food! 16 I will dress its priests in salvation, and its faithful will shout out loud with joy! 17 It is there that I will make David’s strength thrive. I will prepare a lamp for my anointed one there. 18 I will dress his enemies in shame, but the crown he wears will shine.”

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible. Used by permission.

The sixteenth-century reformer Martin Luther said that the gospel comes to us in the form of promise: God has acted and will act to save us. The God of the Bible is a promise-making, promise-keeping God.
This psalm celebrates the promise God made to continue the line of David’s rule...

Gracious God, give me the faith to receive your promised gift of love, and free me from the belief that I have to earn that love. Amen.


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