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Hushai’s Friendship

Hushai’s Friendship by Kirk Hunt

David said to him, “If you go on with me, then you will become a burden to me. But if you return to the city, and say to Absalom, ‘I will be your servant, O king; as I was your father’s servant previously, so I will now also be your servant,’ then you may defeat the counsel of Ahithophel for me.

2 Samuel 15:33-34

Hushai left Jerusalem to flee with his friend, King David. David refused him, and instead asked him to put his life at risk to help defeat Absalom’s mutiny. Hushai, in a display of real friendship, agreed to thwart the rebels, especially Ahithophel.

Real friendship is a weighty thing. Too often, a friend drives past inconvenience and straight into serious risk and true danger. An authentic companion faces your hellhounds and snarls back.

In addition to fidelity and courage, the best friends have ability and skill. Hushai may not have claimed the extraordinary intellect and insight of Ahithophel, but he had the clout and voice of a king’s advisor. If anyone had the mind and wisdom to foil David’s enemies, it would be Hushai.

David had many advisors, but only one friend. Consider the people around you. Which of them would put their life on the line for you? Who among them could make that kind of risk pay off?

Of course, to get and keep the best folk, you must be a Godly man or women of loyalty and skill. Hushai’s friendship is a weighty thing for God’s best folk. Are you a Hushai-like friend to someone?

Think: Surround yourself with Godly men and women. You will need each other.

Pray: “Lord, surround me with men and women full of Your character and wisdom.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Ahithophel’s Advice

Ahithophel’s Advice by Kirk Hunt

Now the advice of Ahithophel, which he gave in those days, was as if one had inquired at the oracle of God. So was all the advice of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.

2 Samuel 16:23

Ahithophel was a clever, sage man. As if God Himself was revealing truth, folks listened when Ahithophel spoke. And that skill and expertise did not change when Ahithophel changed sides.

Do not confuse high skill with righteous character. King David made use of Ahithophel’s expertise and insight to make Israel a powerful, rich nation. Absalom made use of Ahithophel’s same abilities to overthrow his father and seize the throne.

Knowledge, insight and intellect are valuable tools, but righteous character and Godly intent are better. Ahithophel expertly guided Absalom to usurp political power and attempted patricide. The trusted advisor turned on the true King and made violence between father and son inevitable.

Betrayers are always detested and hated. All the good they ever did is buried under their failure to keep faith with those who trusted them. Loyal and trustworthy men and women are always honored.

Because Ahithophel turned against David, brave soldiers and a king’s son had to die. The kingdom was disrupted by the mutiny and attempted coup. And David wept bitterly over the loss of his son.

I pray all of God’s people are smart, clever and insightful. But I pray more that all of God’s people are Godly in their character and righteous in their actions. A less clever fix may take less time, but a righteous solution will cost less and last longer.

Think: Clever intelligence is good, but Godly character is better.

Pray: “Lord, I seek Your Wisdom but I plead more for Your character.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Blind Teaching

Blind Teaching by Kirk Hunt

If this Man were not from God, He could do nothing.”

They answered and said to him, “You were completely born in sins, and are you teaching us?” And they cast him out.

John 9:33-34
Please also read John 9:1-41

The formerly blind man offended the Pharisees by teaching truth. Confronted with the facts and data of Jesus’ miracle power, they excommunicated the walking, talking miracle standing before them. Keep in mind, the spirit of the Pharisees is alive and working in the world today.

The Pharisees were looking for a way to discredit Jesus. In their efforts to call Jesus a corrupt sinner, they tried to pervert the meaning and truth of an obvious miracle. The formerly blind man, clung stubbornly to his account and conclusion.

A Pharisee can always find a reason to reject you: “too young,” “too old,” “too fat,” “too skinny,” “not registered by the correct group.” Unless you say what they want you to say.

You know what Jesus did for you. Tell your story, just the way it happened. Trust that God performed His miracle in you, because He is good and true.

They may kick you out of their club of pretenders. They may not approve of you living in the truth of your transformation. Keep right on teaching the truth. If needed, use words.

“There are none so blind as those who will not see.” Their objections do not change the truth. Stubbornly cling to God’s miracle in your life.

Think: God’s miracle in your life is truth. Teach it no matter who objects.

Pray: “Lord, help me to live out Your miracle and truth in my life.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Faithful Crumbs

Faithful Crumbs by Kirk Hunt

But Jesus said to her, “Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”

And she answered and said to Him, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children’s crumbs.”

Mark 7:27-28
Please also read Mark 7:24-30

She wanted restoration for her daughter. So, she deliberately violated custom, convention and protocol. She approached not just a Jewish man, but a Rabbi, and boldly asked directly. And when He said “No,” she begged for crumbs.

The Jews had not yet fully refused Messiah. Salvation was not yet open to foreigners. Her request was too soon, and for the wrong kind of person.

But her faith did not care for the niceties of theological correctness. Her daughter needed exorcism now and she was prepared to pay the needed price. And she proved the depth of her faith, and determination, by accepting her miracle on Jesus’ terms.

She had faith in the power of God. She knew Jesus could restore her daughter with a word. Real faith knows the crumbs from God’s table are enough.

She pressed on despite rejection. She persevered through resistance. And in the end, she was not too proud to beg.

She did not need a dignified miracle. Her faith knew God’s scraps would answer the need. She gladly paid full price for something off the closeout rack.

Like the Roman Centurion, she had faith in Jesus’ simple declaration. Real faith is about results, not spectacle. Her faith touched Messiah. So, Messiah touched her life.

Think: Do I have faith to persevere through it all?

Pray: “Lord, help me to follow my faith in You to the end.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Foreigner Faith

Foreigner Faith by Kirk Hunt

The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

Matthew 8:8-9
Please also read Matthew 8:5-13

The soldier of a powerful occupying army humbled himself to an itinerant preacher, and pleaded for healing. With his helmet under his arm, he asked in calm, clear-eyed faith. The Roman Centurion did not question Jesus’ power to heal, only his willingness to speak the word.

Some foreigners have talent and treasure enough to pay their way. But mere money cannot buy the things of God. The coins that touch the throne of Heaven are faith and sincerity. The Centurion knew with complete clarity that Jesus’ power came from heaven and he had no way of compelling or bribing Him in any way.

The Centurion, despite being an outsider, acted with faith and understanding. As a soldier, he knew power and authority when he saw it. As a man of faith, he understood that the healing power of Jesus was His to dispense, or withhold. His faith, as a pagan Roman, exceeded too many of the pious Jews around him.

Men and women of faith act on their faith. Like the Centurion, they ask, knowing God can. They see the power and authority of God around them and move accordingly.

Think: Do I have faith like the Centurion?

Pray: “Lord, help me to act out my faith in You.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Foreigner Healing

Foreigner Healing by Kirk Hunt

So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?”

Luke 17:17-18
Please also read Luke 17:11-19

Ten men, all lepers, cried out for mercy. They called out from a distance, protecting their neighbors from the cruel disease ravaging their bodies. Yet, their joined voices added power to their plea for mercy and healing.

Jesus poured out mercy on their souls. Healing flowed over them, ignoring race, nationality, language or creed. And in a moment they were racing to be officially restored to their family and friends.

After too long a time of being shunned, I would rush to end my isolation. After the slow rotting death of leprosy, I would hurry to complete the ceremonies. Still, I hope it would occur to me to stop and show gratitude for mercy and healing.

I do not think it is an accident that the foreigner is the only one to return to Jesus. The man with no claim to consideration rejoiced at his restoration. A foreigner in Israel, his isolation would lessen, not disappear. Healed and restored, he would remain an outsider to his neighbors.

So he took time for gratitude. He delayed his process to bless the giver of mercy and healing. He knew God’s power in his life would tolerate a praise and worship break.

Of the ten, his faith may have been the greatest. His faith came from the deep places of hope and longing. Only a foreigner, who receives blessings from outside the regular circle, might understand his faith.

Think: Do I have faith like a foreigner?

Pray: “Lord, help me to expect and give, mercy, grace and healing.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Christ The Foreigner

Christ The Foreigner by Kirk Hunt

Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;

Matthew 25:34-35
Please also read Matthew 25:31-46

Standing before the Throne of God, men and women will receive judgment. Those who rejected foreigners (aka strangers) will themselves be rejected. Those who received foreigners will be received by Christ, into heaven. Christ plainly says that He is the foreigner you received or rejected.

No one who has read Scripture should be confused. No one who claims to be a follower of Jesus Christ should misunderstand. When we serve others, we serve Christ.

Every prisoner is a son or daughter of God. The poor, or sick, or hungry, are children of God. And every foreigner you meet is Jesus, no matter where they were born.

The Old Testament is full of commandments to care for foreigners with mercy, grace and generosity. The New Testament has multiple examples of Jesus performing miracles for foreigners. The Disciples ministered to and evangelized foreigners.

Jesus loves all of His children. He speaks their language. He loves their skin tone. And Jesus has commanded you to love and serve His children.

Keep it simple. Read the words Jesus spoke. Christ is that foreigner. Will you receive or reject that soul?

Think: God loves all of His children.

Pray: “Lord, help me to minister to all foreigners with love and grace.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Adjust But Carry On

Adjust But Carry On by Kirk Hunt

And it happened, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and that God had brought their plot to nothing, that all of us returned to the wall, everyone to his work. So it was, from that time on, that half of my servants worked at construction, while the other half held the spears, the shields, the bows, and wore armor; and the leaders were behind all the house of Judah.

Nehemiah 4:15-16
Please also read Nehemiah 4:1-23

The opposition wants to prevent you from continuing your God ordained work and mission. Your modern-day Sanballat (or Tobiah) may resort to intimidation and violence to stop you. Adjust if needed, but carry on with the work.

Sanballat and Tobiah used schemes, intimidation and the threat of the Samaritan army to stop the wall-building project. Nehemiah and the people of Judah adjusted by turning themselves into combat engineers and continued the work. “Opposition neutralized.”

Was the work slower after the adjustment? Probably. Did the swords, spears and bows demonstrate their determination to build the wall? Absolutely.

“God had brought their plot to nothing.” Father-God is not surprised by their sin and aggression. Still, He wants to work through your faithful response. God’s fire from heaven may be disguised in your acts of faithful service.

Your adjustment may not be an ideal situation, but it will keep the work going. “When God does not send angels, He sends men and women.” And to the untrained eye, it can sometimes be hard to tell the difference.

Think: My adjustment will continue God’s mission.

Pray: “Lord, help me to keep Your mission and work going.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Haters Are Despisers

Haters Are Despisers by Kirk Hunt

But when Sanballat the Horonite, Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard of it, they laughed at us and despised us, and said, “What is this thing that you are doing? Will you rebel against the king?”

Nehemiah 2:19

Nehemiah has just announced his mission (Nehemiah 2:17-18) and the haters are there early with opposition and discouragement. Haters see your positive calling as something negative. They despise you, your team and your collective efforts. Be encouraged by their scorn and derision.

While you are blessing and benefiting folks, they are cursing and tormenting them. You bring life and hope. They bring decay and despair.

The haters portray your good intentions as an evil conspiracy. The despisers declare your clear and simple plan(s) as convoluted and sinister. Haters see controversy and scandal where everyone one else sees agreement and merit.

Their opposition means you are doing the right thing. Their complaints mean you are ruining their scams and thievery. You are working to fix an injustice or inequity. They are fighting to keep wrongdoing and oppression right where it is.

Scripture calls the enemy of our souls an accuser (Revelations 12:10). Unjust accusations are an unfair attack on your life, spirit and mission. If you must pay attention to them, use their hurtful words to improve your mission plan. Be sure to thank them for helping you to fulfill God’s plan and purpose.

Be confident in God’s calling on your life. Keep doing the right things, the correct way. God’s victory will emerge from your faithfulness.

Think: Some will oppose your efforts to improve the lives of others.

Pray: “Lord, help me to help others, despite those who object.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Objections To Well-Being

Objections To Well-Being by Kirk Hunt

When Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official heard of it, they were deeply disturbed that a man had come to seek the well-being of the children of Israel.

Nehemiah 2:10

Nehemiah left his high-profile, well-paid position next to King Artaxerxes. He journeyed to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls. Restoring the walls of the city would increase the safety and wealth of the people of Israel in general, and the residents of Jerusalem in particular. Sanballat and Tobiah objected to improving the security or income of the folk.

Think about the people who fight against an effort to improve the lives of others. Almost without exception, they profit from poverty or hardship. The suffering and despair of others benefits them.

Drug pushers, pimps, slum lords and other villains make life worse for others, and reap profits or benefits for their efforts. Sanballat and Tobiah did not want a change to the circumstances in Jerusalem. The situation was good for them, despite the tears and suffering of everyone else.

There are always men and women who want things to stay the way they are. They fear losing clout or prestige. Their profits may lessen. And they will fight to keep wrongdoing and oppression right where it is.

Perhaps you have made an effort to fix an injustice or inequity. Do not let blowback or opposition stop you. Modern-day Sanballats and Tobiahs will object to you improving the lives of the people you serve. Ignore their resistance. Listen to God and make the lives of others better.

Think: Some will oppose your efforts to improve the lives of others.

Pray: “Lord, help me to help others, despite those who object.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.