Rizpah's Resilience: Turning Pain into Advocacy

Devotional

Day 1: The Ripple Effect of Unaddressed Sin

Ignoring sin can lead to prolonged suffering and consequences that affect not just the individual but also the community and future generations. In 2 Samuel 21:1-14, we see that a three-year famine struck Israel because of King Saul's unaddressed sin against the Gibeonites. King David sought to make amends by asking the Gibeonites what they required for atonement. They requested the execution of seven of Saul's male descendants, which David granted. This story teaches us that unaddressed sin has lasting consequences, both individually and nationally. We must confront and address our sins to prevent ongoing suffering. [54:25]

Numbers 14:18 (ESV): "The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation."

Reflection: Is there a sin in your life that you have been ignoring or failing to repent for? How can you take steps today to address it and seek God's forgiveness?

Day 2: Transforming Pain into Advocacy

Rizpah's vigil over her sons' bodies is a powerful example of turning personal pain into a force for change. Instead of withdrawing, she used her grief to bring attention to the injustice, much like historical figures who have used their suffering to advocate for broader societal change. Her actions eventually moved King David to give the executed sons a proper burial, which lifted the famine from the land. This narrative underscores the importance of acknowledging past wrongs and making amends to bring about healing and justice. [01:03:31]

Isaiah 61:3 (ESV): "To grant to those who mourn in Zion—to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified."

Reflection: Think of a painful experience in your life. How can you use that pain to advocate for change or help others who are going through similar struggles?

Day 3: The Power of Silent Advocacy

Rizpah's silent protest shamed King David into action, leading to the proper burial of the executed sons and the lifting of the famine. This shows that advocacy, even when it seems small or insignificant, can lead to significant changes and justice. Her actions remind us that we can make a difference through persistent and quiet advocacy, even when it seems like no one is listening. [01:12:39]

Proverbs 31:8-9 (ESV): "Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy."

Reflection: Is there a cause or issue that you feel passionate about but have been hesitant to advocate for? What small steps can you take today to begin advocating for that cause?

Day 4: God's Response to the Oppressed

Throughout the Bible, God consistently responds to the cries of the oppressed and downtrodden. Whether through prophets or direct intervention, God hears and acts on behalf of those who suffer, reminding us that divine justice is always at work. Rizpah's story is a testament to God's attention to the cries of the oppressed and His commitment to justice. [01:16:26]

Psalm 9:9-10 (ESV): "The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you."

Reflection: Are you or someone you know feeling oppressed or downtrodden? How can you seek God's help and trust in His justice today?

Day 5: Jesus as the Ultimate Advocate

Jesus' ministry was filled with acts of advocacy for the marginalized and oppressed. His life and sacrifice demonstrate the ultimate act of turning pain into power, offering hope and redemption for all. His resurrection signifies the ultimate victory over injustice and suffering. As followers of Christ, we are called to emulate His advocacy and stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves. [01:21:36]

Hebrews 7:25 (ESV): "Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them."

Reflection: How can you follow Jesus' example of advocacy in your daily life? What specific actions can you take to support and uplift the marginalized and oppressed in your community?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Welcome to New Jerusalem Ministries! Today, we celebrate making it halfway through the year and acknowledge the abundant life God has given us. We also recognize the achievements of our men's ministry in a recent golf tournament and prepare for our upcoming church engagement at First Lynn Haven Baptist Church.

Our focus today is on the story of Rizpah from 2 Samuel 21:1-14. During King David's reign, a three-year famine struck Israel due to King Saul's unaddressed sin against the Gibeonites. David sought to make amends by asking the Gibeonites what they required for atonement. They requested the execution of seven of Saul's male descendants, which David granted. Rizpah, the mother of two of the executed sons, vigilantly protected their bodies from further desecration for months, turning her pain into a powerful act of resistance.

This story teaches us that unaddressed sin has lasting consequences, both individually and nationally. It also shows that even in our pain, we can find ways to pivot towards power and advocacy. Rizpah's actions eventually moved King David to give the executed sons a proper burial, which lifted the famine from the land. This narrative underscores the importance of acknowledging past wrongs and making amends to bring about healing and justice.

###

Key Takeaways

1. lasting effects, impacting not just us but future generations. We must confront and address our sins to prevent ongoing suffering. [54:25]
2. Pivoting Pain into Power: Rizpah's vigil over her sons' bodies is a powerful example of turning personal pain into a force for change. Instead of withdrawing, she used her grief to bring attention to the injustice, much like historical figures who have used their suffering to advocate for broader societal change.

3. The Power of Advocacy: Rizpah's silent protest shamed King David into action, leading to the proper burial of the executed sons and the lifting of the famine. This shows that advocacy, even when it seems small or insignificant, can lead to significant changes and justice.

4. God Responds to the Oppressed: Throughout the Bible, God consistently responds to the cries of the oppressed and downtrodden. Whether through prophets or direct intervention, God hears and acts on behalf of those who suffer, reminding us that divine justice is always at work.

5. Jesus as the Ultimate Advocate: Jesus' ministry was filled with acts of advocacy for the marginalized and oppressed. His life and sacrifice demonstrate the ultimate act of turning pain into power, offering hope and redemption for all. His resurrection signifies the ultimate victory over injustice and suffering.

### [54:25]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[34:33] - Celebrating July Birthdays
[35:13] - Announcements and Recognitions
[45:51] - Introduction to the Sermon Series
[46:37] - Reading 2 Samuel 21:1-14
[50:28] - Moving from Pain to Power: Rizpah's Resistance
[54:25] - Unaddressed Sin Has Consequences
[63:31] - Pivoting Pain into Power
[72:39] - The Power of Advocacy
[76:26] - God Responds to the Oppressed
[81:36] - Jesus as the Ultimate Advocate
[88:17] - Invitation and Prayer
[94:22] - Closing Prayer and Benediction
[99:19] - Call to Salvation and Membership
[100:14] - Final Blessing and Farewell

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was the cause of the three-year famine during King David's reign? ([46:37])
How did King David attempt to make amends with the Gibeonites? ([47:26])
What actions did Rizpah take after the execution of her sons? ([49:11])
What was the outcome after King David gave the executed sons a proper burial? ([49:48])

Interpretation Questions

Why did the famine persist for three years, and what does this suggest about the consequences of unaddressed sin? ([54:25])
How did Rizpah's actions serve as a form of silent protest and advocacy? ([01:03:31])
In what ways did Rizpah's vigil influence King David's actions, and what does this reveal about the power of advocacy? ([01:12:39])
How does the story of Rizpah illustrate the concept of turning pain into power? ([01:05:34])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you faced the consequences of unaddressed sin in your life. How did you address it, and what was the outcome? ([54:25])
Rizpah turned her pain into a powerful act of resistance. Is there a situation in your life where you can pivot your pain into a force for positive change? ([01:03:31])
Advocacy can lead to significant changes, even when it seems small. What is one issue in your community or church that you feel passionate about advocating for? ([01:12:39])
God responds to the cries of the oppressed. How can you be more attentive to the needs of the oppressed in your community, and what actions can you take to support them? ([01:16:26])
Jesus is the ultimate advocate for the marginalized and oppressed. How can you follow His example in your daily life, especially in situations where you see injustice? ([01:21:36])
Rizpah's actions eventually led to the lifting of the famine. What steps can you take to address past wrongs in your life or community to bring about healing and justice? ([49:48])
Think of a person or group in your life who is suffering or marginalized. What specific actions can you take this week to advocate for them or support them in their struggle? ([01:18:03])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Listen, it's all about enjoying God. Enjoying the love of our brothers and our sisters. And just celebrating. We're celebrating life. Come on. God said I would have that you would have life and have it more abundantly. Can we celebrate God for abundant life today? Amen, amen." [35:13] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Is he the Lord of your life? Is he your keeper? Is he your provider? Is he your protector? Is he wonderful? Hallelujah My God is wonderful Wonderful Hallelujah Hallelujah We bless the name of the Lord Because he is good Matter of fact he is great And he is greatly to be praised I wonder if anybody came to praise him today Did anybody come to worship him today? Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah" [44:33] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "God used something that they could not ignore, something that affected the entire nation, to expose what was the condition of the country. Y'all remember back to the spring of 2020? Y'all remember what we were doing in the spring of 2020? It was the COVID pandemic. Y'all ain't forgot already. Well, in the midst of the spring of 2020, y'all remember when a police officer named Derek Chauvin kneeled on the neck of George Floyd? Remember that while the world was shut down, that everybody saw the footage and that the consciousness of the nation was raised." [58:28] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "It is possible to pivot your pain into a position of power. So these boys, when Rizba's sons, the five sons of Merib and the two sons of Rizba, when they are lynched and left hanging for the world to see, their mother Rizba says she takes a sackcloth and she goes and she puts it on a rock to make a vigil to watch over the bodies of the boys. She lacked the power to prevent David from turning her boys over for execution, but she would now make sure that no further harm comes to her sons." [01:03:31] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "God has always responded to the call of the downtrodden and the oppressed. God was on the side of Israel, the oppressed Israel, not the pharaoh of Egypt. God heard their cries and God intervened through plagues and miracles, and it is God who led the oppressed people to freedom. God has always responded to the call of the downtrodden and the oppressed." [01:16:26] (5 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "The first lesson that we learn from this text this morning is that unaddressed sin has consequences. Unaddressed sin has consequences. You all know that the famine that occurred, we told you during David's reign, was not because of anything that David did. The famine was happening because of the result of a covenant that was broken by Saul. Saul's decision to put military might, economic security, political power, and the reputation of Israel ahead of what God had ordained has now caused a desperate situation in this country." [54:25] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "David might be a man after God's own heart, but he cannot erase the past. And the effects of the decisions of the past are still being felt in his time. Now we can see how this works. We know how this works on an individual level. How many of you have to admit that some of the stuff you are dealing with today is a result of the decisions you made yesterday? Oh come on, I've got more amens than that. If I had listened to God then, I wouldn't be dealing with this now." [55:25] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "David is now aware of the why, and so he sets about to make a change. He asked the Gibeonites what he could do to make things right with them, and they basically said, 'Listen, there ain't no amount of money that's going to fix this.' I want to tell them, but you can try. But that's not what they said. They said there's no amount of money that would fix this, but we would like a punishment. And at that time, the punishment is supposed to be in alignment with the crime." [01:00:28] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "David allowed those bodies to hang. He permitted this tragedy to go on, and of course they wanted it, but David could have changed it. So it wasn't until he heard about Rizpah, it wasn't until he realized that folks were talking about what Rizpah was doing, it wasn't until her actions and her advocacy, it wasn't until she began to make—she didn't make noise, but people were making noise." [01:11:04] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The blessings of God did not return until he did right by this woman who was wrong. The blessings of God did not return until there was an acknowledgment of past wrongs. The justice of blessings of God did not return until not only was there an acknowledgment of past wrongs, but there was a repaying of past wrongs. It was not just acknowledgment, but some kind of reparation went on here, a writing of the wrongs." [01:14:31] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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