2 Samuel 17, Psalms 116, John 1:1-34

What God said to me – I know that you are despairing over the condition of your country and of the world.  You are saddened by the knowledge there is nothing you can do to stem the tide or change things.  So what are you to do?  You are to be like John the Baptist.  He was a voice crying in the wilderness for them to make straight the way of the Lord.  He called out their sin and called them to repent and he warned them of the consequences if they didn’t.  It wasn’t easy for him and he paid a great price for his stance.  He was My good and faithful servant.  You must stand firm also and call out the sin of the world around you.  Call them to repentance.  Tell them that just because the world says something is a “right” doesn’t make it right.  Warn them of the judgment that is coming if they refuse to repent.  You may pay a high price but you will hear Me say “well done My good and faithful servant.”

2 Samuel 16, Psalms 115, Romans 16

What God said to me – Which came first – ungodly people or ungodly leaders?  The answer is an indictment of the world you live in.  I could remove all of the ungodly leaders in the world today and by tomorrow they would be replaced with more ungodly leaders.  The vast majority of people have turned their backs on Me and what is holy and good.  They have chosen to go their own way.  In their “sophistication” they would never acknowledge that they are idol worshippers, but they are.  They worship themselves and their wants and desires.  They reject My holiness and My truth and My people because all of these things bring conviction of their own sin.  Rather than repent, they reject My word and they justify their sin and elect leaders who agree with and reflect their own ungodliness.  So what are My people to do – how are they to live in this ungodly place?  You are to stand firm for what is right and trust in Me as you eagerly await My return.  Your hope is in Me.

2 Samuel 14, Psalms 113, Romans 15

What God said to me – Life is hard no matter who you are so everyone needs encouragement in order to be able to persevere.  One of the reasons I gave My word to My people is so that they might learn from the history of what happened to My people – how I was always faithful – how they persevered – how they were triumphant in the end.  These things were written to instruct you and to encourage you and to give you hope.  In the same way I want you to use the testimony of all the things that have happened to you and how I was sufficient through it all to come along side others who are experiencing sorrow or trials and encourage them and give them hope.  One of the most difficult things about sorrow and trials is feeling like you are suffering alone.  When you come along side such a one and give them encouragement and empathy you help them to persevere by demonstrating My love and presence.