Jehosheba is a hero of the Bible who saves a toddler from the evil schemes of a power-hungry authority.  Consider how Moses was saved under Pharaoh’s reign, or Jesus during the time of King Herod.  Even with this heroic act, we know little about Jehosheba.  She was the daughter of King Jehoram and married the priest Jehoiada.  These are two historical figures most people know little about.  Her husband led a rebellion to instill the rightful heir of David to the throne in Jerusalem.  Her father was so evil the Bible says that when he died it was to no one’s regret (2 Chron. 21:20).

It is significant that Bartimaeus throws off his cloak as Jesus beckons to him to approach. As a poor blind beggar, this cloak was almost all that he possessed, yet he was willing to set it aside that he might approach Jesus. By contrast the rich young man, with all his many possessions, was unwilling to do so.

In 2 Samuel 8, we hear about some of David’s great victories in battle- he’s at the top of his game- a picture of power and achievement.

As the cross was where the physical life of Christ was wiped out, so it is to us. Christ’s cross bids us come to die; to be emptied of anything we dare think we can offer to God in exchange for entrance into the coming kingdom.

Our Creator is not a creature. Limited as our understanding is, the impossible question often comes to mind: Where did God come from? It is incomprehensible that the Immortal One does not owe His existence to anyone or anything. His simple statement, “ I AM THAT I AM,” lends itself to all that we truly can understand of Him. YHWH simply is, and always has been and always will be.

When was the last time you made a truly eternal promise? If you’re married, hopefully, you’ve made an eternal promise of love and commitment. I’m sure if you have children, you’ve vowed to love and cherish them always. Even something as seemingly simple as getting a tattoo is a promise to yourself that you’ll carry that image on your body for the rest of your life.

The process is a mystery. Farmers and gardeners plant seeds, but just how they grow is unclear. There is a word for the process - germination - but it really is just a word to describe how air, water, and temperature are key components to what actually develops.

Integrity is a part of your character that you can’t develop overnight- it involves a lifetime of good, honest, and moral decision-making. In Psalm 101, we read words written by David telling us how he desires to live with integrity in both his personal life and in his rule. Though none of us are likely to ever be kings, we can still apply a lot of this wisdom to our own lives, but you should probably leave the destruction of the wicked to others.

How thankful we are that the Son of Man has authority both to forgive sin and physically heal. The countless physical healings recorded in scripture are abundant evidence of this power and authority, but these were signposts pointing to the greater unseen healings which matter for eternity. Without the forgiveness of sins, physical healing in this age are of limited value and benefit.