Daily Reading: 25 July
(from www.christianaid.org.uk)
God accepts us
Something to read
Do not be afraid, for I will show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan
- 2 Samuel 9:7 from full reading 2 Samuel 9:1-13.
Something to think about
In this passage, we learn of David’s generosity towards Mephibosheth, since he is the only living relation to Saul and Jonathan. It’s a wonderful example of someone looking for an opportunity to be generous.
David didn’t have to show generosity towards Saul’s family since Saul tried to kill David on many occasions! But David remembered his friendship with Jonathan, Saul’s son, and Mephibosheth’s father.
Mephibosheth was injured when he was a small boy fleeing after a battle with the Philistines during which Saul and Jonathan were killed.
The passage reminds us of David’s prayer of thankfulness to God for his generosity (2 Samuel 7:18-20). It also reminds us of the way God accepts us, even though we can’t offer anything in return.
Yet, God ‘prepares a table before me’ (Psalm 23:5) even though we deserve nothing of his generosity.
Something to do
Fleeing war or difficult circumstances has a great effect on families, especially children. You can stand together with these families and children by supporting Christian Aid's work to offer life-saving help to those displaced because of climate change, famine and war.
Something to pray
Thank you Lord for accepting us in Christ, even though we can’t offer you anything to deserve that. Help us to give, act and pray for those displaced because of war.
Mercher, Gorffennaf 25ain
Darllen: 2 Samuel 9:1-13
I feddwl amdano: Mae’r hanes a geir yma am Dafydd yn bod yn garedig tuag at Meffibosheth am mai ef yw’r unig un o deulu Saul a Jonathan oedd ar ôl, yn hanes hyfryd am rywun yn chwilio am gyfle i fod yn garedig.
‘Doedd dim rhaid i Dafydd ddangos dim trugaredd tuag at deulu’r brenin Saul am fod hwnnw wedi ceisio ei ladd ar nifer o achlysuron. Ond yr oedd yn cofio ei gyfeillgarwch efo Jonathan, mab Saul a thad Meffibosheth.
‘Roedd Meffibosheth wedi ei anafu fel plentyn pan oedden nhw ffoi wedi’r rhyfel yn erbyn y Philistiaid lle lladdwyd Saul a Jonathan.
Mae’r hanes yn ein hatgoffa o weddi ddiolch Dafydd i Dduw am ei haelioni (2 Samuel 7:18-29) a hefyd o’r ffordd y mae Duw yn ein derbyn ninnau er ein bod heb fedru cynnig dim iddo ac yn ‘paratoi gwledd i mi’ (Salm 23:5) heb haeddu dim o’i garedigrwydd.
I’w wneud:
Mae ffoi o ganol rhyfeloedd neu sefyllfaoedd bregus yn effeithio’n fawr ar deuluoedd ac ar y plant yn arbennig. A oes cyfle gennyt ti i fod yn codi llais gyda Cymorth Cristnogol dros y rhai sydd wedi eu dadleoli o achos newid hinsawdd, newyn a rhyfel?
I’w weddïo:
Diolch Arglwydd am dy dderbyniad ohonom ninnau yng Nghrist, er na allwn gynnig dim iti sydd yn haeddu hynny. Helpa ninnau hefyd i chwilio am rai y gallwn fod yn garedig wrthynt.
Author: Huw Powell-Davies is a minister with the Presbyterian Church in Wales in Mold and the surrounding area. He is also editor of codenominational Welsh language paper Y Pedair Tudalen.