Today's Reading April 22

This morning's reading, from the Old Testament, is 2nd Samuel, chapters 4, 5, and 6.
Most of this recounts David's accession to the kingship of all of Israel, the evil things that were done by those attempting to curry favor with him, and ends with the relocation of the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. This also contains a short passage that some find controversial:
1

4 And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.

For those who are, like myself, of the Southern Baptist persuasion, mention of dancing in a positive light is often viewed as akin to gross sexual immorality. But as David Jeremiah remarked once, ''I've done a very careful word study on this passage. The word means 'danced'.''
Take that for what it's worth.
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The evening's reading, from the New Testament, is from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 18, verses 18 through 43.
I love this passage, I really do. It contains two accounts that have spawned numerous sermons, discussions, books, and programs.
The first is of a rich man who comes and asks a very good question

18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.
20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother.
(Ex 20:14,13,15,16,12)
21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.
22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.
24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
26 And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?
27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

Even within the church, unfortunately, those with money sometimes are presumed to be somehow more respectable. (and, yes, I've seen the opposite presumption as well. Neither is correct).

The second part here that I really love is

35 And it came to pass, that as he was come nigh unto Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the way side begging:
36 And hearing the multitude pass by, he asked what it meant.
37 And they told him, that Jesus of Nazareth passeth by.
38 And he cried, saying, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.
39 And they which went before rebuked him, that he should hold his peace: but he cried so much the more, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.
40 And Jesus stood, and commanded him to be brought unto him: and when he was come near, he asked him,
41 Saying, What wilt thou that I shall do unto thee? And he said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.
42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.
43 And immediately he received his sight, and followed him, glorifying God: and all the people, when they saw it, gave praise unto God.

Here's what's important. The man cried out to Jesus and would not be silenced. He knew from Whom healing came and NOTHING could keep him silent. How often are we too polite to single-mindedly call out to the Lord in our distress? And how often, when He helps us, do we forget to give thanks?