Dear
God, we are so incredibly in need of your power and your strength. We ask that
you would fill us with your Spirit of love and unity among believers all around
our world. We ask for your help to set aside our differences and look to the
greater cause, the cause of Christ. Please help us to truly live out a life of
love. We know that this is only possible through the power of your Spirit, so
we ask that you would move across our land in miraculous ways, with fresh
filling and awareness, turning your people back to you, drawing others to come
to know you.
We need your unity and your love to stir our hearts and give direction to our days. We need your wisdom to guide us, we need your Spirit to lead us, to live out godly lives that would bring honor first to you. We thank you that you are always with us; and give us great purpose and hope. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
2024-Heart
Dive 365 - 365 Days through the Bible
in one year with Kanoe Gibson
An
enriching journey through the Bible, meticulously
studying each chapter and unraveling its
profound wisdom. Extensive notes, insights,
and reflections for every chapter.
2024
Reading Plan, Heart Dive 365 with Kanoe
Gibson. PDF
link
In
2 Samuel 5, the leaders of Israel gather
at Hebron to anoint David king over all
Israel, recognizing his leadership capabilities
and God’s calling to shepherd them. David
becomes king at thirty years old and reigns
over Israel for thirty three years. David
takes his men to Jerusalem to drive out
the Jebusites. Despite their taunting, David
sends a man through the water shaft, and
they capture the city, calling it the City
of David. As David grows stronger, he begins
forming alliances, one of them being with
Hiram King of Tyre, who builds him a beautiful
home. David recognizes his favor as being
from God and for the people. It is noted
that David takes many wives and concubines,
with several sons and daughters being born
to them. Once the Philistines learn of David’s
kingship, they rise against him. But David
asks the Lord if he should attack and is
given the “go,” with specific instructions
on how to defeat them. Because David obeys,
he is successful in his two victories against
the Philistines.
In
1 Chronicles 11, the account of David’s
anointing at Hebron and his victory over
the Jebusites is retold. Following that
is an account of David’s mighty men, highlighting
Jashobeam and Eleazar and their personal
victories. Three of David’s military leadership
remained loyal to him in battle, tending
to his needs. But David refused to take
even a drink from them when he thirsted,
knowing that they risked their lives to
bring it. The chapter also highlights Abishai
and Benaiah along with their personal feats,
in addition to the three mighty warriors.
The chapter ends with a detailed list of
David’s military leaders.
In
1 Chronicles 12, the men from the tribes
of Israel who support David as king are
listed. Some of the men include ambidextrous
Benjamites from Ziklag when Saul was pursuing
David, along with experienced warriors from
the tribe of Gad. A “group of thirty” Benjamites
and Judahites is led by Amasai, and men
from Manasseh join when David was sent back
to Ziklag during the Philistine raid against
Israel. An account of the total numbers
of valiant men from each tribe of Israel
is given, and the chapter ends with a feast
in celebration of this new covenant between
David and Israel.
In
Psalm 133, David calls attention to the
importance of unity among God’s people.
He expresses how good and pleasant it is,
bringing completion and beauty to those
who dwell in it. It is like precious oil
poured on the heads of the priests, indicating
a richness and abundant blessing that comes
with it. It is also like the dew of Mt.
Hermon, bringing refreshment and life-giving
sustenance to those who sit under it. David
concludes with a declaration that where
there is unity, God will command a blessing
and eternal life.
DEEP
TRENCHES | 2 Sam. 5:8
This
underground water shaft would’ve made it
really difficult for enemies to lay
siege upon a city, because they would not
be able to cut off the water supply from
the outside. David had another plan— go
into the deep trenches and take out the
lame and the blind. And we know that it
was Joab who ended up doing this, and because
so, he was greatly rewarded. We all have
deep trenches in our soul that the Lord
wants to use to take us deeper, but the
enemy will keep lamely and blindly taunting
so that he can keep us from doing the great
things that we have felt a nudge in our
spirit to do. This is what we call insecurities
or those deep-rooted fears. But when we
finally decide to stop listening to the
devil’s taunts and instead take him out
by going into the trenches with the Lord,
we will be greatly rewarded. The missionary
who brought the gospel to India, William
Carey, wisely said, “Attempt great things
for God, expect great things from God".
Heart Check.
Are
you avoiding the trenches? What greater
things has God called you to do?
GROW
WITH THE GO | 2 Sam. 5:12
David
clearly has so much favor on his life as
he continues to grow and prosper. Some people
may have been saying, “Everything he touches
turns to gold.” Others may have said, “He
is just favored.” And while both of those
are true, they aren’t exclusive. Because
David not only had the desire to grow--
he also had the desire to go. He put in
the work. And he did so with a heart that
was set on God and for the people. It wasn’t
about his own personal agenda. He wasn’t
striving for success for himself, but for
God’s glory and for the good of the people.
It simply wasn’t about him, and because
so, he prospered. Heart check.
Are
you all about GROW with no GO? Where is
your heart set, who areyou doing it for,
and are you putting in the work to get it
done?
FRESH
WORD | 2 Sam. 5:23
David
was wise to ask the Lord for guidance once
again, instead of just assuming that he
had this victory in the bag, based on his
previous one. He knew that not every battle
is the same. This would be like taking a
fiight to a new destination with yesterday’s
fiight plans. We would never land in the
right place. We need a new manifest for
every single day. This is why we go to the
Lord, asking for a fresh word for every
path we take. But sometimes we too assume
that “we got this” based on our past experience
or confidence in ourselves. Heart check.
How
often are you getting a fresh word from
the Lord?
ENGAGED
SENSES | 2 Sam. 5:22-25
David
was victorious because every sense was engaged
and in tune with the Spirit. The Lord told
him that when he heard the sounds of the
marching in the tops of the trees, that’s
is when he was to move quickly. But how
does one hear marching in the tops of the
trees? Balsam trees or mulberry trees were
so light, that when the troops were marching
through, it would create a upwind that would
move the treetops and therefore create a
rustling sound. So they would not only hear
this but also see it. To the ordinary eye
and ear, this would just appear to be regular
wind blowing. But because David was in tune
with the Lord, that sight and sound meant
something different. Heart check.
How
engaged are your senses? Are they in tune
with the Lord? Can you hear the sound of
the Spirit moving?
WATCH
ME | 1 Chronicles 11:4
One
of the things that I love the most about
David was that he allowed his success to
speak louder than his words. Anytime the
enemy taunted him and said, “You can’t do
that,” he was like, “Watch me.” He would
find a way to make it happen. And that just
fires me up, because we too can have this
sort of confidence, knowing that we can
do all things through Christ who gives us
strength (Phil. 4:13). So we can’t always
make our decisions based on what we see
and based on logic—because that isn’t faith.
Faith goes after the unseen and the unknown,
but with full trust that the Lord is working
it out in your favor, as long as you are
following His lead. Heart check.
Are
you able to shut out the voices that say
you can't and the them, "Watch me"?
SNATCH
THE WEAPON | 1 Chronicles 11:22-25
One
of the things that I love the most about
David was that he allowed his success to
speak louder than his words. Anytime the
enemy taunted him and said, “You can’t do
that,” he was like, “Watch me.” He would
find a way to make it happen. And that just
fires me up, because we too can have this
sort of confidence, knowing that we can
do all things through Christ who gives us
strength (Phil. 4:13). So we can’t always
make our decisions based on what we see
and based on logic—because that isn’t faith.
Faith goes after the unseen and the unknown,
but with full trust that the Lord is working
it out in your favor, as long as you are
following His lead. Heart check.
What
weapons is being forged against you that
you can turn on the enemy?
WARRIORS
| 1 Chronicles 12:1-8
Notice
the kinds of men that David surrounded himself
with—they were strong and courageous, the
trained and worked hard, they were mentally
tough and confident, and they were physically
fit. This shows how confident David is because
it goes right along with the saying, “You
are the company you keep.” Someone of a
weaker and insecure mind might be intimidated
by these beefy warriors and instead surround
themselves with people who are weaker than
them. Heart check.
What
company do you keep? What kinds of warriors
are you banding up with?
SPIRITUALLY
FIT | 1 Chronicles 12:1-8
Secondly,
we know that we train for a different kind
of battle—we don’t fight fiesh and blood
but a spiritual battle. And the Lord is
still looking for valiant warriors—people
who are strong and courageous, trained up
in the Word, working hard to understand
it, mentally tough and confident so we don’t
cave under ever pressure, and even physically
fit. Our bodies are temples of the Holy
Spirit, and we are called to take care of
them and to honor God with our bodies. Heart
check.
How
spirtually fir are you?
DWELLING
IN UNITY | Psalm 133
In
the end, we live in a broken world. There
are confiicts and wars, defenses and bickering,
and it’s all a result of the Fall. Because
we know that none of that will truly get
fixed until Jesus comes back, our focus
as believers is on the brokenness of the
church. That is something we can actively
work to fix. Because unity among believers
is going to be our greatest witness as we
band together to love God, love one another,
and love the lost. If we can’t even love
each other, what would make others want
to follow our God?
But
when you find that brotherhood and sisterhood
of believers who are of the same mind, it
truly is one of the most refreshing things.
We’re not talking about perfection in unity,
but purpose in it. When you find that, God
commands a blessing. And you will see how
incredibly good and pleasant it is to dwell
in that space. Who doesn’t want a blessing
in their lives? Heart check.
Are
you dwelling together with others in unity?
Deep
Dive
What
led to the change in Israel’s attitude toward
David as king?
How
does David’s patience in waiting for his
kingship inspire you?
What
was the driving factor behind this patience,
and how can we apply this to our lives?
What
can we learn from David’s decision-making
process?
How
can we apply the bravery of David’s mighty
men to the battles we face?
How
can loyalty and unity be fostered within
our own communities?
Heavenly
Father, how we stand, declaring that we
are yours, our Greater than David.
We
want to be mighty warriors in your army,
so I pray that by your Spirit, we will be
empowered to train up in every way—in our
knowledge and understanding of the Word,
and strengthening our minds, for many of
the battles take place there first. I pray
that we are confident in who we are in you,
Jesus, while maintaining a calm humility.
We don’t need to put up a front because
you are our shield. I pray that we will
all steward our bodies, as temples of the
Holy Spirit. This doesn’t mean that if we
are weak or sick, that we can’t be valiant
warriors. Being physically fit doesn’t mean
we can bench press 300 lbs. It simply means
we are doing our best to maintain our health.
The rest is in your hands.
Thank
you for showing us the importance of loyalty
and unity. I pray that you will surround
us with people of the same mind and purpose—to
build up the church and to bring you glory.
That’s what we want to do, so I pray that
every decision we make will be based on
those standards. If it doesn’t build people
up and doesn’t bring you glory, we want
nothing to do with it. Help us to keep that
in mind this week. I pray that we will be
open to learning from others and not intimidated
by them. We all have room to grow and learn,
so we thank you for the people you place
in our lives, who we are able to glean from.
Thank
you for David and the forgiving spirit that
he had. I pray that we will be more like
that—quick to forgive but always led by
discernment that you give to us. Forgiving
others doesn’t always mean we become their
best friends, but it does mean that we don’t
hold grudges, for you want us to be a people
of freedom.
Give
us discernment to have a good understanding
of the times—current events, trends, and
how the Bible relates to it all. We know
your Word is so relevant to today, so I
pray that we will be able to communicate
that e£ectively and help others in
their understanding of it.
When
the enemy rises against us, I pray that
you will give us the eyes to identify the
weapon he is using and the precision to
grab hold of it so that it can be turned
back on him. Our greatest weapon is the
truth of your Word, so again, continue to
sharpen our swords.
We
refuse to live in fear of his attacks, for
we know that you are our Great Defender,
and you are always with us. It is by your
Spirit that battles are won, so I pray that
we never try to do it on our own strength.
And when he or anyone else tries to tell
us that we can’t do something, and if we
know full well that you have called us to
do so, I pray that we will allow our silence
and our success to be louder than our barks
of defense.
And
may we never assume that we have victory
in the bag that we used in the last battle.
We know that we probably fight an ambidextrous
enemy, so he is going to come at us at all
angles. Keep us focused on you and our ears
tuned in to your voice of guidance. We need
your voice to be our GPS—what turns to take,
when to change lanes, and having a confidence
in our destination. Give us a fresh word
today, Holy Spirit.
We
want to continue to grow with your go. I
pray that we will put in the work and never
avoid the trenches, for it is there that
we will gain access to even greater territory.
We set our heart and soul on you today.
Thank
you for these sisters and brothers who love
you and desire to dwell together in unity.
Because we set our eyes on your Word and
your purpose, you are indeed commanding
a blessing. So we will sit under your mountain,
allowing that dew to refresh us and give
us life. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for your
anointing upon the ministry of every person
here. We know you are doing a mighty work,
and we are here for it. May unity continue
to dwell within this group.
In
Psalm 106, the psalmist calls for praise,
especially for his goodness and mercy, for
none can compare to Him. He pleads with
the Lord to remember him when He rescues
and shows favor to His people so that he
can glory and rejoice with them. A communal
confession is made on behalf of the current
and previous generations for the way they
did not remember what the Lord had done
and instead rebelled against Him. He specifically
notes their salvation from the Egyptians
at the Red Sea, and their moments of faithfulness
and fickleness shortly after. He makes mention
of their testing God, their defiance against
Moses’ authority, the golden calf incident,
and the way Moses interceded on their behalf.
Regardless, they didn’t believe the report
about the Promised Land and began complaining.
More judgment was poured out on to them
due to their idolatry and immorality with
Moabite women. However, the Lord still heard
their cries and relented according to His
mercy. The psalmist ends with a cry for
salvation and a call to bless praise the
Lord.
In
Psalm 107, the psalmist begins thanksgiving
for the goodness and mercy of God. He declares
that all who have been redeemed should say
so. He describes the di£erent rescuing
characteristics of God and the way that
he delivers and leads the wandering to a
safe dwelling, feeding them and bringing
satisfaction to their souls. For those who
have been imprisoned or in places of darkness,
he broke o£ their shackles and set
them free. For the foolish who may have
su£ered severely from the consequences
of their actions, He healed them by His
word. For the weary seafarers who were stuck
in a raging storm, He stilled the wind and
waves and brought them peace. He ends the
psalms by highlighting the supremacy of
God over all creation and calls on the wise
to consider His mercy.
UNHEALTHY
CRAVINGS | Psalm 105:14-15
This
verse is a reference to the time the Israelites
were done with the Frosted Flakes and were
demanding meat. They wanted a barbecue!
And
even though it wasn’t the best thing for
them, God gave it to them anyway so that
they would perhaps learn that what He had
been giving them all along was everything
they needed to sustain them in that time.
So they got a whole lot more than they bargained
for—and not in a good way. They had quail
coming out their noses and they wasted away
from disease.
God
always knows what’s best for us, so may
our prayer always be, “If it isn’t your
best, I don’t want it.” Or in other words,
“Your will be done.” Because remember, the
groanings of our Spirit will pray for things,
so we need to keep our cravings in check.
Heart Check.
Are
there any unhealthy cravings in your life
that need to be dealt with?
STANDING
IN THE GAP | Psalm 105:23
When
we talk about standing in the gap for others
in prayer, this is the picture that we see—a
soldier who stands in the breach of a wall,
risking his life, to fight against the incoming
enemy. The Israelites created the breach
in the hedge of protection that the Lord
placed around them.
Sin
will do that in our lives—it will create
holes where the enemy can get in. So this
is why we must stand in that gap for others,
just the way that Moses did through his
intercession. Heart check.
Do
you stand in the gap for others?
TENT
LANGUAGE | Psalm 105:25
This
account of the people murmuring in the tents
followed the 10 spies report of the Promised
Land. They all went home and began complaining.Sometimes
we think that our homes are a “safe space”
for us to pour out all our angst. But complaining,
negativity, or anger isn’t any di£erent
at home than if we were to project it publicly.
Early on in my relationship with my husband,
I was insecure and negative, and I would
complain and bicker so much, that every
time I walked into the room, I brought anxiety
instead of peace. But as the Lord worked
on me and my heart, I began seeing things
so di£erently—what used to bother
me no longer does, and my quick tongue is
a lot easier to tame.
And
our home is so much more peaceful. So the
way we speak in our homes sets the tone
for the entire household. Heart check.
What
kind of language is being spoken in your
tent? Does it bring anxiety or peace?
MERCIFUL
| Psalm 106:1-47
While
the language of this psalm is mostly about
Israel’s failures, it’s intended to create
a backdrop for God’s mercy. In so many words,
he is saying, “Here are just some of the
things that could’ve taken us out completely,
yet God spared us. He had mercy on us.”
So while we all want to be able to forget
the things we did in our past, it’s healthy
for us to remember, as long as it is for
the purpose of receiving and recognizing
the mercy and goodness of God rather than
condemnation. Heart check.
How
has God been merciful to you?
SAY
SO | Psalm 107:1-3
Every
Christian has their “Come to Jesus” moment,
where are finally fed up with ourselves
and doing things our way, we’re looking
for more, and we ultimately turn to Jesus.
But at some point, someone had a “say so”
in your life—someone told you about this
Jesus, perhaps through their own testimony,
through a sermon, or maybe even an Instagram
post.
We
wouldn’t know about Jesus without the mouthpieces
of God.
So
there is power in our testimony, and this
is why the psalmist is boldly declares that
all the redeemed shall say so. Heart check.
Are
you saying so? Haveyou told others what
Jesus has done for you?
GENUINE
REPENTANCE | Psalm 107:1-32
Up
to this point, we’ve been reminded how the
Israelites were taken to the end of themselves
before they cried out to the Lord… only
for them to go right back into a bout of
foolishness once again.
So
while their repentance in that moment may
have been sincere, it was also desperate
and a last resort, therefore it didn’t run
very deep. Heart check.
Is
your repentance genuine or a cry of desperation?
When is the last time you cried out to the
Lord?
Deep
Dive
How
does remembering your past strengthen your
faith?
How
might we work toward national repentance?
Can
you relate to Israel’s history?
What
are the key messages in these psalms?
How
can you relate to the disparity of the Israelites
in Psalm 107? What characteristic of Jesus
resonates with you the most?
Heavenly
Father, We give thanks to you today, for
you are good, and your mercy endures forever.
Thank
you for the way you have rescued us from
our captivity, our storms, our sickness,
and our own desert wastelands. I pray that
we never forget those moments and the way
you showed up time and time again, for we
too want be able to rejoice in the gladness
of those who love you. We want to glory
with all of heaven.
Forgive
us for our sins and any connections we may
have failed to sever from our past. I pray
that you will loose those ties as we renounce
any strongholds that may be still trying
to keep us shackled. If you can make the
wind and waves obey, you can do the same
with us. We know it takes an agreement on
our part, so we say yes to you today. We
want to walk fully in step with you.
I
pray that we will be a living testimony
to others, starting right in our homes and
atmosphere that we create. May we be peacemakers,
bringing a calm to every room we walk into.
I pray that there will be such a huge change
within us that others begin to notice. Open
a door for us to be able to tell them it’s
you, Jesus, who did this in us.
Thank
you for always hearing our cries, whether
they come in the morning or at an hour of
desperation. But I pray that we never make
you our last resort. May our souls cry out
every day, bringing you our deepest devotion.
Help us to keep our wants and desires in
check, for we don’t want those things to
be the unspoken prayers that come to your
ears. We want your best for our lives, with
a fat but hungry soul. As we long for you,
we know that you will satisfy us completely
and feed that hunger with only good things.
For
anyone who feels lost today, weary, sick,
or like they’re about to run aground in
the middle of the storm, will you deliver
them. Thank you for being our guide, our
Deliverer, our Great Physician, and the
Prince of Peace. We look to you today for
all that we need. Thank you again for your
steadfast love. We give you all the honor
and praise.
In
1 Chronicles 13, David attempts to bring
the ark of God to Jerusalem but fails because
he follows the example of the Philistines
by placing it on a cart instead of carrying
it by the poles, as God commanded. This
chapter highlights the importance of obeying
God's instructions and not relying on human
wisdom or customs.
In
1 Chronicles 14, despite his earlier setback,
David becomes king of all Israel and experiences
military success against the Philistines.
It also highlights strategic alliances with
neighboring kingdoms and his multiple wives
and children. This chapter emphasizes God's
faithfulness in establishing David's reign
and the importance of seeking the Lord's
guidance in all endeavors, including warfare.
In
1 Chronicles 15, David learns from his mistakes
and seeks to bring the ark to Jerusalem
again, this time following God's instructions.
He organizes a proper procession with priests
and Levites carrying the ark on their shoulders.
This chapter underscores the significance
of worshiping God according to His commands
and the need for humility and obedience
in approaching Him.
In
1 Chronicles 16, the ark is finally brought
to Jerusalem, and David leads the people
in a celebration of praise and thanksgiving.
He appoints Levites to minister before the
ark and assigns Asaph and his brothers to
lead worship. This chapter showcases the
joy and reverence of true worship, as well
as the importance of acknowledging God's
sovereignty and faithfulness in all circumstances.
BIG
PRODUCTION | 1 Chronicles 13:1-8
Charles
Spurgeon had some great insight here:
“If
you read the story through, you will see
that it appears to be an affair of singing,
and harps, and psalteries, and timbrels,
and cymbals, and trumpets, and of a new
cart and cattle; that is about all there
is in it. There is not even a mention of
humiliation of heart, or of solemn awe in
the presence of that God of whom the ark
was but the outward symbol. I am afraid
that this first attempt was too much after
the will of the Flesh, and the energy of
nature.”
Before
we dive into the rest of the passage, let's
set the stage.
Israel's
in a bit of a pickle because they've drifted
from God's path. They're trying to blend
their worship practices with the world's
ways. David's leading the charge here, but
there's a problem. He's consulting people
before God. Now, that's not how this works.
Good
intentions won't cut it when it comes to
obeying God's Word. Ignoring His direct
commands leads to trouble. True worship
isn't about fiashy productions; it's about
following God's instructions, even if it
means ditching what everyone else is doing.
Heart Check.
Let's
ask ourselves, is our worship a big show,
or are we seeking God's guidance?
GOOD
TIMES | 1 Chronicles 14:1-7
Now,
picture this: It was common back then to
have multiple wives and transport idols
on carts. But God's not cool with that.
He's told us to steer clear of sin, stick
to one spouse, and handle religious relics
with utmost care.
Yet,
the Israelites ignored these rules, and
it ended badly. David's about to learn this
lesson the hard way, just like Uzzah did.
So, why is it that when life's good, we
slack off? We get comfy, and suddenly, we're
throwing away God's rules for selfish desires.
Heart Check.
So
are we letting the Holy Spirit guard our
hearts? And how can we help others join
God's exclusive club?
BOUNDARIES
| 1 Chronicles 15:29
Ever
wonder why Michal wasn't part of David's
celebration?
She's
watching from afar, all high and mighty.
It's easy to judge her, focusing on appearances
instead of true worship. But are we guilty
of the same type of judgment? Are we too
caught up in our titles, forgetting the
real goal—honoring God? Heart Check.
Are
we celebrating God, no matter what others
think?
BOUNDARIES
| 1 Chronicles 16:37-40
Imagine
a house divided between Mets and Braves
fans. It's a fun banter in my home between
myself and my husband, but what if it was
about worship? David wanted to build a temple
to unite worship under one roof. God wants
our hearts undivided, too. So, are we worshiping
God or the world? Heart
Check.
Is
our house divided between God and worldly
desires?
Deep
Dive
Why
is the appeal of luxury so alluring when
it brings so much pride and eventual downfall?
Refiecting
on David's decision to consult man before
God and the consequences it brought, how
often do we seek human advice or validation
over seeking God's guidance in our decisions?
Considering
the significance of worship and obedience
in David's story, how can we ensure that
our worship is not just a performance but
a genuine expression of reverence and obedience
to God?
Looking
at the example of Michal, who viewed the
procession with disdain, how often do we
allow judgment or bitterness to taint our
view of others' expressions of worship or
service to God?
Reflecting
on the concept of a house divided in worship,
how can we identify and reconcile any confiicting
allegiances or priorities in our hearts
to ensure that we are wholeheartedly devoted
to God?
Heavenly
Father, thank you for being merciful and
loving God worthy of praise and rejoicing.
As
we gather before Your presence, we come
humbly, recognizing that good intentions
alone are not always enough. In our earnest
desire to serve You, we may falter and stray
from Your path. Yet, we trust in Your grace
to guide us back and strengthen us to follow
Your ways wholeheartedly.
Lord,
in a world filled with distractions and
temptations, help us to remain steadfast
in our commitment to You. Grant us the discernment
to discern between our own desires and Your
perfect will for our lives. May our hearts
be aligned with Yours, and may our actions
refiect Your love and truth.
Teach
us, O Lord, to build each other up as a
community of believers. May we honor, celebrate,
and worship You together, lifting our voices
in unity and praise. Help us to rejoice
in Your goodness and faithfulness, even
in the midst of trials and challenges.
Father,
as we refiect on the lessons from 1 Chronicles
13-16, we are reminded of the importance
of seeking Your guidance in all that we
do. Like David, who consulted man before
seeking Your direction, we acknowledge our
need for Your wisdom and guidance in every
decision we make. Help us to rely on Your
Word as our guide, finding strength and
direction in its timeless truths.
Lord,
as we journey through life, may we be quick
to recognize our errors and shortcomings.
Give us humble hearts that are willing to
confess our sins and seek Your forgiveness.
Help us to learn from our mistakes, growing
in wisdom and maturity with each step we
take. In Your mercy, Lord, provide us with
the guidance we need to navigate the complexities
of life. Illuminate Your Word to us, that
we may find comfort, instruction, and encouragement
in its pages. Lead us in paths of righteousness,
that we may walk in obedience to Your will.
As
we commit ourselves to You afresh, Lord,
we pray that You would empower us to live
lives that bring glory and honor to Your
name. May our words, actions, and attitudes
refiect Your love and grace to those around
us. Use us, Lord, as instruments of Your
peace and agents of Your kingdom here on
earth.
In
all things, may Your will be done, O Lord.
We trust in Your unfailing love and faithfulness
to lead us and guide us each step of the
way.
In
Psalm 1, the psalmist contrasts the way
of the righteous and the way of the wicked.
The righteous person is blessed, does not
listen to ungodly counsel, does not walk
in the same direction as sinners, and does
not engage with sco£ers. Instead,
they delight in God’s Word and meditate
on it morning and evening. They will prosper
and bear fruit in season, and their leaves
never wither. However, the wicked are unstable
as the wind and will perish in the end.
In
Psalm 2, David questions why the nations
plot against the Lord and His Anointed while
conspiring to free themselves from the “bondage”
they’re in. But the Lord laughs in response,
declaring that His King reigns over Jerusalem.
The Anointed One announces the decree of
the Lord that He is the begotten Son who
has been promised absolute authority over
all creation, and those who rebel will be
crushed. The psalm ends with a warning to
the kings to be wise and submit to the Lord
with fear and worship, lest they be destroyed.
In
Psalm 15, David questions who can dwell
in the presence of the Lord. He responds
to his own inquiry with the requirements
of relative righteousness: walk blamelessly,
do what is right, speak truth, do not slander,
do not plot evil, do not listen to gossip,
respect God-fearing individuals, reject
the wicked, keep your word even if it hurts,
do not charge interest, and do not accept
bribes.
In
Psalm 22, David asks why the Lord has forsaken
him, leaving him with no answers to his
prayers. Despite these feelings of abandonment,
he still recognizes God’s holiness and faithfulness
to his ancestors, delivering them when they
cried out to Him. He describes his public
humiliation and scorn but still rea£irms
his trust in his lifelong God. David again
appeals to God in his distress for help
and deliverance from his brutal enemies.
The psalm turns to praise and celebration
as he declares that the Lord has heard the
cries of His people, and He is therefore
deserving of public praise and glory. He
ends the psalm with a call to all people
worship, prophesying that His righteousness
will be known by all nations in future generations.
This psalm prophetically looks to the crucifixion
and resurrection of Jesus.
In
Psalm 23, David testifies to God’s abundant
loving care and guidance, comparing Him
to a shepherd. Because He is David’s shepherd,
he feels as if he needs nothing else in
life, for the Lord provides all that he
needs. In particular, the Lord gives rest,
peace, and guidance, leading him to righteousness.
David knew that there would be times of
darkness, but the Lord would be with him,
comforting and protecting him. The Lord
will also provide favor in the midst of
David’s enemies, as He anoints and blesses
his life. David declares that as goodness
and mercy follow him, he will dwell in God’s
presence forever.
In
Psalm 24, David testifies to God’s sovereignty,
holiness, and majesty. He begins with a
declaration that the earth and everything
in it belongs to the Lord. When he asks
who can stand in the holy presence of the
Lord, he comes to realize that it’s only
those with clean hands and a pure heart,
who practice no falsehood, and do not lie.
Those individuals will receive blessing
and righteousness from God. The psalm ends
with a call to lift the gates and doors
for the King of Glory.
In
Psalm 68, David focuses on the great glory
and deliverance of God. He begins by focusing
on God as a mighty conqueror over His enemies.
As He drives them away and makes them perish,
the righteous will rejoice. David calls
for praises to be sung for His wonders and
mercies. He cares for and protects the needy
and lonely and sets the captive free. David
then reviews the works of the Lord and the
way He never abandoned but always protected
and provided for His people. At His command,
the enemies would fiee, and all would rejoice
in His triumph. David blesses the Lord for
His salvation, deliverance from death, and
continued victory over the enemy. He calls
upon singers and musicians to lead the people
in worship. The psalm ends with a prayer
for God’s glory to be known throughout the
earth and praises to be sung for His power,
strength, and majesty.
BLESSED
| Psalm 1:1-2
When
you hear, “He/she is so blessed,” what do
you imagine their life to be like? Successful?
Rich? A beautiful family with lots of kids
running around? Or do you picture one who
is perhaps poor? Or sick?
Notice
that this verse makes no reference to the
societal or physical standings of a person—it
doesn’t say, “Blessed are the rich,” or
“Blessed are the successful.” It says, “Blessed
is the man/person,” which means that the
blessed and happy life is available to everyone.
And
it is especially reserved for those who
delight in God’s Word (that’s you!) and
meditate on it day and night. It’s right
here where we will find true contentment,
fulfillment, and satisfaction. Heart Check.
How
blessed are you?
ROAD
OF RIGHTEOUSNESS | Psalm 1:1-2
Secondly,
the psalmist gives us more detail about
the blessed life and where it does not hang
out:
1.) It
does not allow ungodly counsel into their
lives from others or even from themselves
(we know we can sometimes counsel ourselves
straight into sin).
2.) It
walks the straight and narrow, meaning when
you look around, you should be traveling
the opposite direction of sin. The people
who are walking down the same road as you
should be headed toward God in the same
direction.
3.) It
does not sit in the seat of sco£ers,
meaning it does not entertain petty, cynical,
contentious, or critical conversation.
In
other words, you hit the petty delete button
and do not engage. Heart check.
Are
you on the road of righteousness? Who counsels
you? Who's traveling with you?
ITCHY
EARS | Psalm 15:3
This
term “takes up” is the Hebrew word nasa
which means to receive. So if we are talking
about reproach against a friend, this is
speaking of gossip or defamation, which
tells us that even being on the receiving
end of gossip is sinful. Heart check.
Do
you have itchy ears? Does your heart desire
to know the latest gossip?
BUGGED
| Psalm 23:5
Shepherds
would use anointing oil as a repellant so
bugs and ticks wouldn’t get into the eyes
and ears of the sheep.
Usually,
if we are constantly “bugged” or “ticked
off” at things that others seem to just
walk on by, it’s usually because there is
a deeper-rooted issue going on on the inside,
and there is a fresh anointing of the Holy
Spirit that is needed. So instead of bucking
our heads against another sheep when this
happens, we need to ask for an anointing.
Heart check.
What's
bugging you? Are you in need of a fresh
anointing?
OVERFLOWING
CUP | Psalm 23:5
Secondly,
when we have that anointing on our lives,
we will live out of the overflow.
Even
in the toughest of times, when all our strength
has been depleted, we will be able to reach
into the reserves of our spirit, where the
Holy Spirit dwells, and muster up strength
from Him.
Or
when someone is acting really unloveable,
we will manage to find enough love to pray
for them instead of fight with them. Or
when someone does not deserve our forgiveness,
we will give it to them anyway, because
the Spirit of God forgave us when we didn’t
deserve it lives in me. Charles Spurgeon
asked this question, so we will too. Heart
check.
If
God filled your cup in proportion to your
faith, how much would you have in your cup?
Would it overflow?
LIFT
THE GATES | Psalm 24:7
This
section paints the picture of the Ark of
the covenant returning but also looks to
the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem.
Each
time, the doors and gates needed to be opened
up to welcome Him in. It’s the same way
with us when we welcome Jesus into our lives—we
allow the gates of defense, pride, self-will,
independence, deceit, to be opened up so
He can enter into our hearts.
But
sometimes, we keep some of our side gates
barred—we allow Jesus to save us, but there
are still some parts that we keep locked
away that we don’t want Him to deal with
quite yet. We still want to play in that
side yard. Heart check.
Are
there any gates in your life that need to
be lifted to allow the Holy Spirit in?
Deep
Dive
Compare
God’s view and the world’s view of blessedness
and prosperity. How does it di£er?
How do you look at it?
How
does God’s confidence against the enemy
give you hope in the face of attack?
How
can we speak truth when it is taken as “hate”?
How
do you think the Father would answer Jesus’
asking of “Why?”
Memorize
Psalm 23 and meditate on one verse per day.
How
can the principles of these psalms be applied
to your life?
Heavenly
Father, We bless you today for who you are.
You
are El Shaddai, our God Almighty, our Savior,
our Deliverer, our Provider, our ever-present
help in time of need.
You
never fail, and you never waver. Your strength
in us today is just as mighty as your saving
power over the enemies in David’s day. We
celebrate every victory that you have ever
won and will continue to celebrate the future
ones. But ultimately, we set our hope on
the final victory that is yet to come, where
that fatal blow to the head of Satan will
send all evil into the Lake of Fire. You
will right every wrong and turn this world
upright. So while it hangs upside down,
we are always upright in you. Thank you
for holding us up and helping us to fight
while we are here.
Thank
you for blessing us and calling us righteous,
even when we have walked in the counsel
of the wicked or stood in the way of sinners.
We thank you for the mercy you continually
have on us every single day, as we all fall
short. We will continue to delight in your
Word and meditate on it, knowing that when
we do, we will be like a tree planted by
streams of water, yielding fruit in its
season, with leaves that do not wither.
I pray that we do not become discouraged
if we can’t yet see the fruit where we have
planted seeds. Help us to continue to nourish
and cultivate the gifts that you have given
to us. We know that there may be some pruning
that needs to take place, so that we can
pull back areas of our lives that need to
be exposed to the light.
We
submit fully to you and your will today
as we serve you with holy fear and reverence.
We take refuge in the shadow of your wings,
relying fully on your protection and abundant
care. You are our shepherd, and therefore
we need nothing else. Thank you for the
rest and comfort that you give to us. We
are even grateful for the times that you
needed to say, “Girl, sit down,” because
it was in the sitting that we found peace
and stillness in our spirit. You restore
our souls in ways that we could’ve never
imagined, and we are so grateful for it.
Will you continue to lead us in paths of
righteousness for the sake of your great
name.
We
know that there will be times when we are
in the valley, but you won’t allow us to
stay there. You will walk with us through
them, bringing us out with your sta£,
away from evil and into your presence. Thank
you for the continued favor on our lives.
We ask for a fresh anointing today, so that
anything that is not pleasing to you can
be driven out. We empty ourselves of selfishness,
pride, envy, contention, lust, greed, or
anything else that is taking up space that
cannot be shared with your glory. Help us
to trust that if you aren’t giving it to
us, it’s because it ain’t what’s best for
us.
Thank
you for allowing goodness and mercy to follow
us all the days of our lives. We respond
to that pursuit with humility and acceptance
of it all. All we want is to be able to
dwell in your presence forever, so if there
is anything leading us away from you, will
you guide us back to your road of righteousness.
Give us clean hands and a pure heart. We
take captive our thoughts and make them
obedient to you, Jesus, so that every motive
and intention is right before you. Our hands
will follow our head, so do not let us be
led astray.
Thank
you for choosing us before the foundations
of the earth, calling us your treasured
possession, and appointing us to be holy
and blameless before you. What an undeserved
calling it is, and we rejoice in that. I
pray that we will wear that crown with honor,
always bearing fruit, just as you have commanded.
And as faith continues to arise within us,
we will exult before you, making a joyful
noise and blessing you with all that is
within us. We bless your holy name today,
for you are an awesome God.
Psalm
89 begins with the psalmist singing
about the mercy and faithfulness of the
Lord and celebrating the covenant made with
David. He declares that the heavens shall
praise and fear the Lord, for none can compare.
He describes God’s awesomeness and the way
He is sovereign over creation and everything
in it. He highlights the strength, righteousness,
justice, mercy and faithfulness of God while
calling those who walk with Him blessed.
He lays out the terms of the covenant, which
includes David as the chosen and anointed
king who will not be outwitted or destroyed,
for the Lord’s mercy and faithfulness will
be upon him. This covenant is everlasting,
even to generations to come. But He warns
that if David’s children forsake the Law
and disobey His commandments, He will punish
them but will not change His mercy or the
terms of the covenant. Sadly, David’s descendants
renounce the covenant and are therefore
blamed for their fall. The psalmist cries
out, asking how long the Lord will hide
Himself from them, while appealing to His
past mercy. He ends the psalm by blessing
the Lord.
In
Psalm 96,
the psalmist calls upon the people to sing
a new song to the Lord, bless His name,
tell of His salvation and declare His glory
and works to the world. He declares the
greatness of the Lord in His majesty and
sovereignty over all else. The psalmist
implores the people to give glory and honor
and to bring sacrifice to the Lord as they
worship and fear His holiness. The psalm
ends with a celebration by all creation
of the Lord’s established reign and ultimate
judgment.
Psalm
100 is a call to all nations
to give thanks to the Lord. The psalmist
begins with a call to all the earth to make
a joyful noise unto the Lord and to serve
Him with gladness and praise. The psalmist
praises Him for being Creator and urges
the people to know Him as God and shepherd.
He ends with a call for public praise and
thanksgiving because of His everlasting
goodness, mercy, and faithfulness.
In
Psalm 101,
David commits to serving with excellence.
He begins this descriptive praise psalm
with declarations to praise the Lord, behave
wisely, live with integrity at home, focus
on God, abstain from evil, discern between
right and wrong, treat people right, and
remain teachable. He also pledges to destroy
the wicked and not allow deceitfulness to
dwell in his home.
Psalm
105 is a declaration of God’s
faithfulness and love. The psalmist begins
with a call to give thanks and praise to
the Lord, seeking Him and His presence,
and remembering His past works. He recounts
the many wonders of God as they refiect
His everlasting covenant with Abraham and
the people of Israel, including the way
He protected them in their journey to Egypt,
Joseph’s journey from slavery to ruling,
His power demonstrated through the plagues
in Egypt, and His deliverance and provision
as they made their way to the Promised Land.
He ends the psalm with a call to praise
the Lord.
Psalm
132 is the 13th Psalm of Ascent
and it focuses on God’s covenant that was
made with David. The psalmist begins with
a call to God to remember His faithfulness
to the covenant, as he recalls David’s dedication
to build the Lord a temple. He recounts
the return of the Ark of the Covenant from
Keariath-jearim to Jerusalem. The psalmist
then focuses on the terms of the covenant
with David, ensuring that the kingdom will
always belong to the lineage of David as
Israel continues to prosper as her authority
and righteousness reign forever.
BLESS
THE LORD | Psalm 89
Ethan
must’ve been so disheartened in seeing all
of this unfold before his very eyes. Knowing
the promise of God but not seeing it fulfilled
can be one of the hardest things to swallow.
It’s
even worse when we see people defying God
in the process, which is exactly what David’s
sons did. But what I love, is that at the
end of the day, Ethan was able to say, “Bless
the Lord. Even if I can’t understand any
of it, I trust you anyway.” Heart Check.
Are
you able to bless the Lord when things aren't
going as planned?
GIVING:GETTING
| Psalm 96:7-9
This
word ascribe means to attribute or give.
So in other words, the psalmist is emphasizing,
“Give to the Lord,” three times!
And
if we are being honest with ourselves, a
lot of the time when we come into the presence
of God, we are coming to get something.
We go into prayer to ask for help or for
acceptance into a school or to get that
new job. We come to the Word to receive
knowledge. We go to church to receive teaching.
And
if we walk away feeling as though we didn’t
get anything or if our prayers aren’t answered,
we get bummed out. I’ve even had people
comment, “I just don’t get anything out
of the lesson when...”
And
I just think to myself, “What did you bring
to the lesson? What kind of heart did you
come here with?” Heart check.
How
much are you giving in comparison to how
much you are trying to get?
JOY
& GLADNESS | Psalm 100:1-2
In
this response to the royal psalms, the psalmist
is now declaring that a response is required
to His majesty. And look at what it begins
with: joy and gladness! Make a joyful noise,
it says. Serve Him with gladness. And the
reason for this is because Israel was supposed
to attract other nations to want to worship
God. No one is gonna look into the windows
of curmudgeonly, grumpy, complaining people
and say, “That looks fun!” Heart check.
If
someone were to look into the windows of
your worship, what would it sound like?
Is it joyful? Is there gladness
in your heart?
THANKSGIVING
| Psalm 100
This
is an obvious Heart Check.
What
have you thanked God for today?
WALKING
WITH INTEGRITY | Psalm 101:1-2
David
knew that his integrity started in his home—where
no one on the outside could see what he
was doing. That’s what true character is—the
way you act when no one is looking. Sometimes
it’s a lot easier to behave in public than
it is in private or it’s easier to serve
at work than it is to serve at home. Heart
check.
Are
you walking with integrity? Does your home
life reflect your public appearance?
INFLUENCED
OR INFLUENCER | Psalm 101:3-4
David
declares that he won’t hang out with sinners.
But
if we know that Jesus was the friend of
sinners (thank God, because that’s me!),
how will we witness if we aren’t hanging
around sinners?
It’s
a matter of the heart. David purposed in
his heart that he wouldn’t allow bad company
to corrupt his character. In other words,
he knew that he could be easily infiuenced,
so he wisely chose to stay away from it.
But
Jesus could go anywhere and hang with anyone
because He knew He would be an infiuencer
(and not the TikTok type). Heart check.
Are
you easily influenced? Or are you an influencer?
I
WILL | Psalm 101:1-6
David
declares his purpose in these first six
verses—he is determined to praise, behave,
focus on his family, focus on God, abstain
from evil, discern between right and wrong,
treat people right, and remain teachable.
He
knows that if he gets these things right,
he can’t fall away. We know that he does
end up falling, but he was aiming for something,
for if we aim for nothing, we will surely
hit it. Heart check.
What
"I wills" have you purposed in
your heart today?
**Make
a list of "I WILLs" and "I
WILL NOTs"**
Deep
Dive
How
can we sing a new song daily?
What
is God’s glory and how do we proclaim it
to the world?
What
does it mean when creation (the seas, trees,
etc.) rejoices and sings?
How
do David’s resolutions inspire your own?
Do
you believe God still works as miraculously
as He did back then?
Heavenly
Father, That is our heart's desire--to honor
you with everything in us.
Thank
you for the powerful reminder of your faithfulness
throughout the generations. These aren’t
just word games we’re reading, this is reality.
Your faithfulness and steadfast love still
remain just as strong today as ever, for
you are unchanging.
Even
when we are at our lowest valley, feeling
as though we are alone or lost, your goodness
and promises remain true. So we will sing
of your love forever, making known your
faithfulness in the way that we live out
our lives, both at home and in front of
others. You are worthy of our wholehearted
devotion, no matter where we are or who
we are around.
So
may your wonders continue to be seen all
around the world, unveiling your wonder
that still exists today. For those who may
be struggling with doubt, will you reinforce
their faith today, for all it takes is the
tiniest amount, even as small as a mustard
seed, to be able to move mountains. So at
the end of every day, may we still bless
you, regardless of how things go, for we
know that you will work things together
for our good, because we love you.
I
pray that every day that we wake up, we
will do so with rejoicing on our lips and
gratitude in our hearts. We know that if
we don’t praise you, all creation will,
so we don’t want that to take our place,
for we do desire to worship in the splendor
of your holiness with a healthy fear of
who you are. I pray that every word we speak
and every sound we utter will be a joyful
noise. You fill our hearts with gladness,
and we know that you are God, and we are
yours. You are good, and so we bless your
holy name.
I
pray that our spirits, minds, and hearts
will be purposed and set on you, desiring
to walk with integrity, determined to focus
on you and to stay away from what can make
us fall weak. May we be a people who are
just as committed to excellence as David
was, seeking your Presence and your strength
continually.
May
we never forget what you have done in our
lives and the way that you took us out of
slavery and bondage and set us free.
We
thank you, Jesus, for fulfilling the covenant
that was made to David so that you could
make a new one with us. We are so thankful
that even though we were so undeserving,
you so desired to do it anyway, because
that’s how much you love us. May it never
be lost on us just how great your love is.
And I pray that we can return that right
back to you. For we do love you so much.
In
2 Samuel 6, David summons 30,000 of his
soldiers to retrieve the Ark of the Covenant
from Kiriath-jearim to emphasize God’s Presence
and to restore a central place of worship
for Israel.
They
carry the Ark on a new cart, with a procession
of worshippers following behind. When they
reach Nachon’s threshing fioor, the oxen
stumble. Uzzah, who is driving the cart,
reaches out to steady the Ark, and because
he touches it, he is struck dead. In his
anger and fear, David takes the Ark to the
house of Obed-edom the Gittite, where blessings
pour in.
After
three months and hearing of the blessings
being poured into Obed-edom’s home, David
decides to move the Ark once again, this
time with proper transport. After six steps,
burnt and peace o£erings are made.
David, clad in a linen ephod, dances and
worships fervently. When his wife Michal
witnesses the celebration, she criticizes
his worship and despises him in her heart.
As a result, Michal remains for the rest
of her life.
In
2 Samuel 7 and 1 Chronicles 17, King David
is troubled by the fact that he resides
in a cedar house while the Ark of the Covenant
dwells in a tent.
He
expresses his desire to build a temple for
the Lord while the land is at rest. Nathan
the Prophet supports him initially, but
the Lord instructs him to deliver a different
message instead. God informs David that
he is not the one to build him the temple.
Instead,
God will build him a different house—a
lasting dynasty, beginning with his son,
ensuring an eternal kingdom.
David,
upon hearing this, responds with a prayer
of thanksgiving and asks for the Lord to
fulfill his promise for the sake of His
great name and for the benefit of His people.
REGARDING
HIS HOLINESS | 2 Samuel 6:1-7
This
can be a really hard thing to read for us
today because our faith operates fully in
the grace and mercy of God. And because
we have been freely given this gift in such
large quantities, we sometimes forget about
the holiness of God and how it has not changed
from the time of this event taking place.
When
we bring it back into context, we must remember
that touching the Ark was a capital o£ense,
and they should’ve known this. It was also
to be carried on the shoulders of the Levites
and no one else.
So
this wasn’t just an accident—they were walking
into a disaster, one step at a time. In
fact, their mistake happened way back when
they brought the Ark into battle with the
Philistines. So even though they had good
intentions, their actions mattered just
as much. And their reverence for God’s holiness
should’ve been supreme. What about you?
How do you view God’s holiness? A good indicator
is in this Heart Check.
How
did you feel wheb you read that God Killed
Uzzah? Did it upset you? Did you feel like
it wasn't fair? Or did you understand that
God's holiness was not being regarded?
WORSHIP
CRITICISM | 2 Samuel 6:16
Why
did Michal despise David?
She
could’ve had unchecked bitterness and resentment
because of being taken away from her husband
Palti.
It
could’ve been because she was royalty and
embarrassed at David’s “commoner” actions.
She may have been jealous, as we will see
her allude to in v. 20.
Or
perhaps she just couldn’t understand this
type of worship because her heart wasn’t
right before the Lord. 1 Cor. 2:14 says
that “the natural person doesn’t accept
the things of the Spirit of God, for they
are foolish to him, and he cannot spiritually
discern them.”
As
Christians, we look foolish to others when
we worship. But also as Christians, we can
become critical of worship that we may not
understand. In Hawaii, they have redeemed
the art of hula in many churches—a dance
that was once used to exemplify Hawaiian
gods. So we have to be really careful in
the way we view others’ worship, because
who are we to say that it isn’t redeemable
or pleasing to the Lord? Heart check.
Are
you critical of the way other churches worship?
LEISURE
TIME | 2 Samuel 7:1-6
In
hearing the Lord’s response to David’s desire,
it is evident that David was going above
and beyond. The Lord never asked for a permanent
dwelling.
But
that was David—a man after God’s heart.
In his free time, he was always looking
for “what more can I do?” rather than “what’s
the least I can do to get by?”
It
has been said that you can tell a lot by
a person by what they do in their leisure
time. Heart check.
What
are you doing in your leisure time?
CLAIMING
THE PROMISES | 2 Samuel 7:25
God
made a promise, and now David is appropriating
it—he is praying for its fulfillment. He
isn’t just leaving it to pan out on its
own.
This
is why we pray the promises of God. He promises
to forgive us of all our sin, yet we continually
ask for this forgiveness as we repent. He
promises peace, but we still contend for
and pursue that peace. If we want to possess
the promises, we must do something about
it.
Are
you claiming God's promises? Whatare you
doing to appropiate them?
RESPONDING
TO NO | 2 Samuel 7:4-38
God
told David no and look how he responded—with
gratitude and praise. Amazing! I believe
it’s because he had an eternal perspective.
He won’t be the one to build the temple,
but his son will, and we know that he is
now basking in the eternal blessing that
tempered that earthly disappointment.
Heart
check.
How
do you respond when the Lord says, "No"?
Deep
Dive
Are
we careful or careless in the way we treat
God’s holiness today? What might the ark
represent in modern worship?
Why
do you think Michal despised David so much?
How
do you identify with David’s desire to build
a house for the Lord?
How
does God honor good intentions?
What
character traits stand out most about David
in these narratives? What about God’s character
traits?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for your divine plan for
all of our lives.
We
know that just as you have written every
single detail of David’s life, you have
also written out our story from beginning
to end, with every adjective, noun and verb
in their exact places. I pray that you will
breathe those words into our spirit so that
we can allow the publishing of your narrative
to unfold, rather than us crinkling up the
pages through resistance. We know that your
plan is always best, so we submit to that
today.
Help
us to see that even when our intentions
are good, sometimes they aren’t necessarily
in step with your will. Maybe the timing
isn’t right. Or perhaps it simply isn’t
our place or calling. So open our eyes today
to be able to see where you’re leading,
and I pray that we will be your sheep who
follow after you, our Great Shepherd.
When
we live our lives in humility and genuine
worship, we know that it will lead to divine
and eternal blessing. That isn’t why we
worship you, but we rejoice in it and we
are grateful. I pray that we never allow
status or success to be the driving force
behind what we do. But instead, may it always
be for your glory. If it’s for any other
reason, it is being done in vain. So we
lay it all down—every desire, every vision,
every dream, and surrender it all to you.
Thank
you for reminding us about your holiness
today. It is no di£erent than it was
when it dwelled in the Ark of the Covenant.
But now, as your holiness dwells within
us, I pray that we will treat it with the
reverence it deserves. Help us to have a
good understanding of it, so that we never
fail to uphold it. We want to live in joyful
obedience to you and never with a cynical
or scornful heart. Forgive us if we have
ever had that kind of spirit or thought
within us.
We
thank you for rest today and for the time
of leisure that you gift us with. I pray
that we will use it wisely, always looking
to please you. Thank you for your covenant
that you made with David, for it still has
an immense impact on our lives today, as
we commune with you, our King Jesus.
Sometimes
we think that we are so unworthy of the
calling placed upon our lives, or even find
it difficult to see any sort of significance
in our lives at all.
I
pray that you will bestow a boost in faith
today for those who can’t see the greatness
that you’ve placed within them through your
Holy Spirit. For there is none like you,
and you can do anything with anyone you
well please.
That
includes little ol’ us. So I pray that we
won’t resist that because of our own unbelief
in ourselves. We don’t need to believe in
ourselves, we only need to believe in you
and what you can do. So may we grab hold
of the promises you have already spoken
and appropriate them. So we humbly and expectantly
ask today that your will be done, here on
earth, as it is in heaven.
In
Psalm 25,
David opens with a lament, expressing his
trust in the Lord and seeking for his enemies
to be put to shame.
He
commits to waiting for the Lord’s guidance
and instruction, reflecting on His mercy
and love. David humbly asks for forgiveness,
recognizing the goodness and righteousness
of the Lord, who teaches those who are humble
and fear Him. He continues his plea by asking
for deliverance, grace, forgiveness, and
protection. In the end, David extends his
prayer to include redemption for Israel.
Psalm
29 is a worship psalm that begins
with David calling upon the heavenly beings
to give glory, strength, and worship to
the Lord for His holiness.
David
vividly portrays the voice of God as resembling
thunder, and symbolizing authority, power,
majesty, strength, and justice. David references
the flood and acknowledges the Lord’s sovereignty
and reign over it. The psalm concludes with
a prayer for the Lord’s strength and blessings
to be upon Israel.
In
Psalm 33,
the psalmist begins with a call for the
righteous to praise God with music and song
for His righteousness, justice, and sovereign
work in Creation.
He
recognizes that nations’ plans against God’s
will are ineffective, while the Lord’s
plans and wise counsel will endure. Those
nations that follow God and align with His
purpose will be blessed. The psalmist describes
the Lord watching over and protecting those
who trust and fear Him. He ends with a hopeful
declaration of trust, knowing that the Lord’s
mercy and protection will be upon them as
they wait upon Him.
In
Psalm 36,
David describes the complete disregard the
wicked has for God while minimizing their
sin and thinking higher of themselves than
they ought. Their words, actions, and crooked
ways follow suit. David then turns his attention
to the great mercy and love of God, and
how He shows care to both man and animal
alike, blessing those who find refuge in
Him with full satisfaction. David petitions
for the Lord to continue to extend His mercy
and righteousness to the righteous while
keeping him from pride and wickedness.
In
Psalm 39,
David asks for help in refraining from speaking
foolishly against his enemies. But because
it burns within him to remain silent, he
cries out to the Lord, asking for the Lord
to help him to understand the brevity and
vanity of life. He petitions for forgiveness
from his sins, asking for the Lord to remove
His hand of punishment from him. David ends
the psalm with a plea for the Lord to hear
His prayer but also to turn away from him
so that he can enjoy the last bit of life
that is left.
CHECK
YOUR MESSAGES | Psalm 25:8-12
We
all get to the point in our lives where
we want to know what the secret to life
is, or we ask, “What is my purpose?” Christian
or not, it’s an innate thing to ask because
we were all created by God with purpose.
But notice who has access to these “secrets”—it’s
the humble and the ones who fear the Lord.
That’s the first step.
But
then He speaks to those who are committed
to opening the messages He sends and responding
to them. So if we feel as though we don’t
know His will, it may very well be that
we left His last message unseen. And because
He’s a perfect gentleman, He is not going
to overfiow our inbox or keep texting us
like a psycho. It’s gonna be one message
and He will patiently wait for you to do
what He says before He gives you the next
step. Heart Check.
Do
you know your purpose and His will for your
life? Have you checked your messages and
responded?
SCOPE
OF PRAYER | Psalm 25:22
I
love that in the end, David expands the
scope of his prayer to include the entire
nation of Israel. It was short and sweet,
but powerful. Sometimes we think that our
prayers need to drone on to be effective,
and therefore we simply don’t pray because
we think we don’t know how. But David shows
us otherwise. “Redeem Israel out of its
troubles, O God,” he says. This prayer went
beyond himself. Heart check.
What's
the scope of your prayer life? Who are you
praying for?
SEE
THE GOOD | Psalm 33:5
Despite
all the chaos, evil and confusion in the
world, as believers, we should always be
able to see beyond all of that and unto
the goodness of the Lord. This verse says
that the earth is full of it. Heart check.
Do
you see the fullness of God's goodness in
the world?
PRAISE
| Psalm 33
This
psalmist gave us pure and simple reasons
to praise. Heart Check.
What
are you praising God for today?
PUT
A MUZZLE ON IT | Psalm 39:1
Psalms
of lament usually speak very boldly against
the psalmist’s enemies, but here David has
an unusual desire to put a muzzle on his
mouth.
But
it’s with good reason—he knows that whatever
comes out of his mouth is not going to be
good and will probably be used against him.
He knows that he needs to bite his tongue
before he says something he will regret.
This
is one of the greatest changes the Lord
made in me. Even if I know I’m right, I
don’t always jump to defend myself, because
I have learned that my silence is often
more powerful than my bark of defense. It
gives the Lord room to speak into a situation.
Most of the time, you will never regret
the horrible things you didn’t say in an
argument, but you will likely regret the
hurtful and sinful words.
Heart
check.
Do
you need to put a muzzle on? Are you quick
to bite with your words? Or can you control
your tongue?
LIFE
IS SHORT | Psalm 39:1-6
Plain
and simple, David knew life was short, and
he is feeling it more now than ever. And
laid against the backdrop of eternity, our
lives truly are but a vapor. They come and
go, so we really should be making the most
of it while we are still breathing. Heart
check.
If
you were told you only had x amount of time
to live, what would you do different? What's
keeping you from doing that now?
Deep
Dive
How
do you seek God’s guidance in your life?
How
else is God’s voice described in the Bible?
How do they compare? How does God’s voice
resound in your heart?
How
can you tell the difference between suffering
a consequence of sin and unjust suffering?
How should we approach God about this?
If
you were to write a psalm, what themes or
character traits of God would you include?
Heavenly
Father, We put our wholehearted trust in
you today.
Thank
you for allowing us to see you through the
eyes of David and the psalmists. The way
they describe you is so much greater than
even what I can comprehend, and yet this
is still such a limited view of your true
greatness and majesty. I can’t imagine what
awaits us in heaven, but what a glorious
hope that we look forward to.
Thank
you for your mercy and enduring love. Thank
you for teaching us how to continually pursue
goodness, and for leading those who are
humble, on your path that leads to righteousness.
We look to you with confidence and trust
as we wait on you. If we are waiting for
deliverance or breakthrough, strengthen
our patience and faith today so that we
do not grow weary. You have gotten our feet
untangled before, and we know that you will
do it again and again. So until then, keep
us upright and breathing as we take refuge
in you. I pray that integrity and righteousness
will guard our hearts.
We
know that there is still a debt of glory
due to you, so we give you all the glory,
honor and praise today. We worship you in
the beauty of your holiness. I pray that
your voice will thunder when we can’t hear
and whisper when we are skittish and fearful.
It is your word that will light our path
and guide us, so I pray that we won’t miss
a single word that you speak. Thank you
that your word never returns void.
I
pray that our eyes are open to your goodness
that still fills the earth today. As we
stand in awe of your creation, we contend
for those who are unable to see you. If
you spoke the earth into motion, you can
breathe upon the hearts of the lost and
move them today. Frustrate the plans of
the enemy, who wants to keep them held as
prisoners under fear or self-reliance. We
bind those spirits in Jesus name and close
every door that gives access to evil. Instead
we swing wide the doors that lead to blessing,
breakthrough and victory.
In
2 Samuel 8 and 1 Chronicles 18, David defeats
the Philistines, Moabites, Arameans/Syrians,
and the Edomites. David spares 1/3 of the
Moabites to become servants and pay tribute,
along with some of the Edomites. Moab, Damascus,
Hamath, and Edom become vassal states under
David, and the Lord gives David success
everywhere he goes. He collects large amounts
of gold, silver, and bronze from the spoils
of war, and David reigns over Israel with
genuine justice. A detailed list of his
o£icials is given, including military
commander Joab, Jehoshaphat the recorder,
Zadok and Abimelech as priests, Seraiah
as secretary, and David’s sons as priests.
2
Samuel 9 David inquires about any remaining
relatives of Saul that he can honor for
Jonathan’s sake. Ziba, a servant of Saul,
directs David to Jonathan’s crippled son
Mephibosheth. When Mephibosheth is brought
to David, he humbly submits himself. David
assures him that he will show kindness to
him by restoring Saul’s land to him and
always giving him a place at his table.
Ziba and hisfamily
are given land in return for their servanthood
to Mephibosheth.
PRIORITIZING
THE BATTLES | 2 Samuel 8:2
It
has been said that the two lines may have
represented the adults, and the one line
represented the children. David assessed
who was the greater threat, and in this
case, it was the big dogs that he needed
to deal with.
The
little guys were spared. So in a sense,
he picked his battles instead of just raging
and destroying everything in his wake.
We
too should operate like this daily, asking
the Lord, what do you want me to tackle
today?
Heart
Check.
What
are the big dogs that need to be taken out
today? Are you prioritizing your days and
choosing your battles wisely?
TO
DO LIST:
BIG
ITEMS FOR GOD:
SMALLER
ITEMS FOR LATER
WAITING
ROOM | 2 Samuel 8:11
The
fact that David is dedicating these items
to the Lord shows that this was considered
a “holy war” to David—which is any war that
was initiated and led by God. In these wars,
they were commanded not to keep any of the
spoils.
But
another thing I see here is that David was
gathering materials for the building of
the temple—remember when he so desperately
wanted to build it and the Lord said, “Nope”?
So
instead of moping around and being depressed
about what he wasn’t allowed to do, he looked
at what he could do. When I moved here to
Vegas, I had just left a dream job of being
a TV host. We traveled, we went on wild
adventures, we ate at the best restaurants—I
was “living the life.”
When
we came here, there was an opening for a
very similar show, so I applied for it.
But I didn’t even get so much as a “thank
you for applying.” Just radio silence. God
simply said, “No.” On top of that, I had
no friends, no community, no job.
I
could’ve easily crawled on to my couch and
started watching Days of Our Lives (nothing
wrong with that). But instead, I began praying,
“Lord, what do you want me to do here in
the middle of the desert?” I was looking
for what I could do in the waiting room.
And we all know where that led. Heart check.
Are
you in the middle of God's will orinthe
waiting room? If you are waiting on God,
are you looking for things to do in the
meantime?
NOTHING
TO OFFER | 2 Samuel 9:1
I
love this.
David
went from looking for things to do for God
to now looking for what he could do for
others. And instead of acting out in revenge
against his enemy, he is going against this
principle to instead show kindness.
This
is the very thing Jesus will teach. And
the thing is, Jonathan’s family has nothing
to offer him, so it’s not like David is
doing this for his own gain. Heart Check.
How
do you treat others who have nothing to
offer you? **Side note: When we ask the Lord what He wants us to do, it will probably involve serving others**
#BELIKEDAVID
| 2 Samuel 9
In
the end, David displays the heart of Jesus
in the way that he honors his covenant,
pursues the lame, weak, and poor, allows
the one who deserves death to live, shows
kindness and grace to the undeserving, gives
a seat at his table, and returns and restores
what is lost or stolen.
Jesus
did all of this for us! So I think it’s
safe to say #belikeDavid. Heart Check.
Do
you keep your promises? Can you forgive
those who have wronged you in the past?
Are you generous? Are you able to #belikedavid?
Deep
Dive
How
can we reconcile Old Testament wars with
Jesus’ teachings of peace and love?
Is
violence ever justified?
How
significant was David’s kindness toward
Mephibosheth considering the covenant he
made with Jonathan?
How
do you think Mephibosheth’s life changed
after this? How did it challenge societal
norms?
How
are covenants seen in today’s society? What
about in Christian living?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for your divine
plan for all of our lives.
We
were so undeserving, yet you laid down your
life for us anyway, all out of love and
kindness. We are so grateful that you would
bestow such grace unto us. I pray that even
when we feel like Mephibosheth—like dead
dogs—may that the warrior of David’s spirit
will arise within us. You are the Greater
than David, the Lion of Judah, who lives
in us, so may we encompass that warrior
spirit. I pray that you will lift up our
weary souls and help us to see ourselves
the way you see us. That may require a little
more humility or a little more confidence.
Whatever it is, may we submit fully to it.
Thank
you for the seat that we always have at
your table. We don’t have to wait for heaven
to dine with you. We have that opportunity
now! The abundant life is here on earth,
just as it is in heaven. This life is only
a shadow of things to come, and how we look
forward to it. But until then, we will gratefully
sit in these seats of honor that you have
gifted to us. We can’t even believe that
you would choose us to live in such a time
as this! To be witnesses to the unfolding
of your very Word. I pray for continued
expansion of our knowledge and understanding
so that we can discern the times. May we
not be fearful but ever so courageous.
Speaking
of courage, as we reach the end of the school
year, we pray for every student who is preparing
for testing. Will you give them perfect
peace as they study. Give them clarity in
their minds, and help them to remember what
they’ve been taught so that it can be applied
properly. Give them the wisdom to transfer
that knowledge to the final exams that they
will be taking. Calm any nerves and give
them sound minds. Their future is in your
hands, so we pray that they will finish
this chapter well so that they can go into
the next one even better. We pray for this
future generation, that it will be one with
sons and daughters who prophesy with courage,
speaking life into the things to come. May
your Spirit be their guide in everything
they do.
We
thank you, Jesus, for the victory that we
have in you. Because you defeated the grave,
we can live in freedom.
In
Psalm 50,
Asaph describes the beauty and sovereignty
of God Almighty as He shines from Jerusalem.
Surrounding Him is a devouring fire that
is the symbol of His judgment. The Lord
calls upon His people, testifying against
them in saying that He prefers thanksgiving
and obedience over ritualistic animal sacrifices.
His glory is revealed when He delivers those
in trouble. He then speaks to the hypocrites
and describes them as hating discipline
and living sin. He has waited long enough
in His mercy and now their judgment is upon
them. The psalmist ends with a declaration
that those who bring a sacrifice of thanksgiving
will glorify the Lord and receive salvation.
In
Psalm 53,
David describes people as fools who deny
God and live in corruption and sin. He illustrates
God as looking down from heaven for anyone
who seeks Him but finds none. He continues
with the image of God’s judgment upon David’s
enemies, scattering their bones and putting
them to shame. He ends the psalm with a
cry for Israel’ salvation and a call to
rejoice when He restores them.
In
Psalm 60,
David, after su£ering military defeat,
cries out for restoration. He describes
their land as being torn open and their
di£icult circumstances as di£icult
to navigate. David knows that they can run
under the Lord’s banner for protection,
and he pleads with the Lord to answer their
call for salvation. The Lord answers, declaring
that He is in charge and will therefore
bring victory. However, David still feels
as though God is not with them and begs
for salvation, for He is their only hope
for victory.
In
Psalm 75,
Asaph begins with thanksgiving, from the
perspective of the people who remember His
wonderful works. The psalm shifts to the
voice of God declaring that He will judge
rightly, in His proper timing, and with
power, and therefore the people should humble
themselves. The people respond with praise
and a declaration of trust in His judgment
and sovereignty, knowing that He will bring
wrath upon the wicked and lift up the righteous.
WORSHIP
TANK | Psalm 50:7-11
The
Lord is not rebuking their sacrifices, He’s
rebuking their empty worship. Their act
of sacrifice has become nothing more than
a ritual. They’re doing all the right things
religiously while living the way they want
to as soon as they leave the temple. There’s
no heart change. While we no longer o£er
animal sacrifices today, there is still
a spirit of ritualism fioating around.
We
have millions of churchgoers but few true
followers. Many know the Word, but instead
of using it to prophecy, they’re using it
to tear one another down. We know that this
is happening all over the world as evidenced
by the failure to obey the one clear commandment
that Jesus gave, which is to love God and
love people. Religion matters none if there’s
a lack of love, mercy, kindness, forgiveness,
thankfulness and grace.
Because
it’s the latter that He wants.
If
we are going to church and reading our Bibles
with no change of heart, our worship tanks
are empty. It’s just religion. But if we
are allowing His love to lead instead of
our actions, His Spirit will continually
fill us up, and it begins to push that carnal
nature out. Heart Check.
How
full is your worship tank? Is it on "E"
(empty) with lots of religious acts? Or
is it filling up with the Spirit continually?
WARNING
SIGNS | Psalm 50:21
The
Lord’s charge against them here is that
they have lost sight of His holiness. They
have mistaken His mercy and patience as
apathy, or as if He doesn’t care about their
sin. But we know that His mercy is an act
of His kindness, which is intended to lead
to repentance.
When
we look back on the mistakes we made, we
can usually pinpoint some of the warning
signs that were telling us to make a U-turn
or detour, but we didn’t listen. And before
we knew it, we wrecked and totaled our spiritual
cars. But what we may have not realized
is that even that wreckage was an act of
love.
Because
down the road was an unfinished bridge that
we would’ve plummeted off of.
That’s
the goodness of God—He loves us too much
to allow us to destroy ourselves. Heart
Check.
What
road areyou heading down? Are there any
warning signs telling you to detour to make
a U-turn?
TEACHERS
OF GOOD | Psalm 53:1-3
Here
we see this picture of God looking from
heaven with His magnifying glass, looking
for good, but sadly, He finds none. Not
a single person.
And
while this can sound really disheartening,
it’s nothing we don’t know. We are all born
with a sin nature—it’s the consequence of
the Fall. So we don’t have be taught to
do bad. In fact, quite the opposite! When
you look at a naughty kid, most people will
think, “His parents didn’t teach him right
from wrong.” But if you look at a well-mannered,
kind, and polite child, we tend to say,
“Wow, mom, you did a good job.”
So
goodness is taught, and it’s actually the
harder lesson to teach. It’s a lot easier
to convince someone to do wrong than it
is to do right. But we can’t give up—we
must be teachers of good. Heart check.
Who
are you teaching? And what are your lessons
like?
BANNER
| Psalm 60:4
This
idea of the banner is related to Israel’s
trust in the God’s deliverance and ultimate
victory.
It
comes o£ the heels of Moses’ altar
that he built when they were victorious
over the Amalekites (the time when Moses,
Aaron and Hur stood on the mountaintop praying
as Joshua went to battle).
Moses
named the altar Jehovah Nissi or Jehovah
our Banner. So when we declare that the
Lord’s banner is over us, we are declaring
His victory in our lives, no matter what
we are facing. It’s a rallying point for
us to get it back together when we feel
like we are falling apart. Heart Check.
What
banner flies over you? Is it one of victory
or one of defeat? Do others know which camp
you're in?
RUNNING
FOR PROMOTION | Psalm 75:6-7
This
is a declaration that God is the one who
will promote and demote. He’s our big boss
man. Without God the desire for self-advancement
goes nowhere.
Because
even if we get to the position we are striving
for, we will still be empty in our souls.
So
yes, preparation, hard work, and good work
ethic are all good things and they will
contribute to success, but what we have
to remember is that even that is a gift
from God. The abilities, strength, and talents
all come from Him.
So
it’s going to come down to our heart posture
of humility and gratitude and partnering
with Him instead of trying to run ahead
of Him to grasp for that promotion. Heart
check.
Are
you running after a promotion? Is God paving
that path for you?
Deep
Dive
How
can we practically apply sincere worship
in our lives?
What
does God value the most from us?
How
would you argue the existence of God?
In
knowing that we have an inherent desire
to sin, how does this push for a pursuit
of God?
How
can we practically apply the banner of God
to our lives?
Are
there any areas of your life that need to
be fully submitted to God’s sovereignty?
In
a world that feels shaken and full of turmoil,
we trust in your control over all things,
for your power is supreme, and there is
nothing that can tear down or lift up without
your permission or divine movement. So I
pray that we will be able to exhale a bit
of relief, as we place all of our desire
to control things into your hands.
Thank
you for teaching us, through your Word,
how to live a life that is good and pleasing
to you. We know that all have sinned and
fallen short of your glory, yet you still
pursue us anyway. Forgive us if we have
ever confessed our faith openly with our
mouths but denied you in our hearts. May
we always seek after you, all the days of
our lives.
I
pray that our worship is always full and
never empty. Ritualistic practices mean
nothing to you if our hearts, motives, and
perspectives are all wrong. We know that
loving you and loving others means more
to you than anything else, so please help
us to get that right. When we do, all else
falls into place. Our actions will follow
suit. Teach us how to do that. Show us how
we can touch heaven so that we can change
the earth. We want to be your vessels and
bring glory and honor to you always.
I
pray that we never mistake your mercy and
patience as apathy. We are so grateful that
you have given us so much grace, even when
we didn’t deserve it, but I pray that we
never allow your patience to lead us to
forget your holiness. You love us too much
to allow us to continue down a road that
is destructive, and sometimes we may end
up wrecking our car if it means that we
don’t go o£ the bridge.
So
help us to see the road signs that are telling
us to U-turn —they are all signs of your
patience and love. May we hear your heart
and follow after you with vigor. We repent
of any hypocrisy and so desire to live honorably
before you. So may our hearts be full of
thanksgiving and honesty
We
see evidence of your existence all around
us, but sometimes it’s hard for us to formulate
an argument for the unbelieving world. I
pray that you will continue to teach us
the evidence of your existence so that we
can boldly declare who you are, and that
truth is found only in you. Strengthen our
faith and any areas of weakness that need
tightening up.
We
know that your sovereignty remains strong,
no matter how chaotic this life seems. I
pray that our trust in that will not waver,
for we know that your divine plan and power
are at play, so sometimes we just need to
sit securely under your banner, knowing
that victory is coming. We know this because
you already defeated the grave, which is
the ultimate defeat. Thank you for the covenantal
covering in our lives. I pray that we don’t
waste another single minute fearing what
we know you can and will handle. All of
this knowledge of who you are and what you
can do will be useless if we don’t allow
it to translate to our emotions. Because
worrying is doing nothing for us. So I pray
that you will give us peace today as we
sit under your refuge. If any have lost
their way to this rallying point, I pray
that you will guide them back.
Thank
you for the reminder that you hold firmly
the pillars of the earth, so we need not
fear. We know that in your perfect timing,
you will make all things right, and we trust
in that today. So we stand before you, with
all humility, and praise you in your righteousness.
David
sends ambassadors to console the newly crowned
king of the Ammonites, Hanun, upon his father's
death. However, the King’s advisors suspect
the visit is a ploy for espionage and humiliate
David's ambassadors.
In
response, David sends an army to engage
in battle against the Ammonites and their
allies, resulting in victory for Israel.
In
1 Chronicles 19,
it parallels 2
Samuel 10 and recounts the events
surrounding David's interactions with the
Ammonites.
After
the Ammonite nobles mistreat David's ambassadors,
the Ammonites become a stench to David so
they hire an army of mercenaries from Mesopotamia
to prepare for war against the Israelites.
He sends an army led by Joab to confront
them.
Despite
initial setup of the enemy army surrounding
David’s men, the Israelites ultimately defeat
the Ammonites and their allies. This chapter
emphasizes the themes of loyalty, courage,
and the consequences of disrespect.
A
psalm of David,
Psalm 20 is a prayer for God's
blessing and protection upon the king, likely
composed for use in royal worship or military
campaigns. The psalm begins with a plea
for God's favor and assistance in times
of trouble, followed by expressions of confidence
in God's power and salvation. The people
a£irm their trust in God's ability
to grant victory over their enemies, acknowledging
Him as their ultimate source of strength
and deliverance. This psalm refiects themes
of trust, dependence on God, and the assurance
of His help in times of need.
GOING
ON THE ATTACK | 2 Sam. 10, 1 Chron. 19
In
Matthew Henry’s commentar, he implies that
if your own heart tends to be bent towards
more evil schemes, you're going to have
a paranoia that assumes that anything coming
from other people, motives wise, is also
an evil scheme.
That
paranoia is goign to make you doubt and
will not be able to see the grace, love,
humility and truth that people want gift
to you.
You
can't receive that gift. So, I wonder have
you ever been so paranoid and so full of
fear that when something is happening or
someone's approaching - you immediately
go on the offense. “I'm going to attack
you before you have the opportunity to attack
me.”
Let's
go a step further. Maybe you've been afraid
to join a Bible study because you think
they're going to judge you for not knowing
enough in the Bible. You aren’t enough or
Christian-ese enough to go to church or
they will judge your past. So you're going
to judge them before you even walk in the
door not giving them an opportunity to love
on you. Yea, I am guilt of that one. Heart
Check.
In
fear of judgement or paranoia of someone's
motives influencing your own heart behavior?
Stalling you ability to receive God's gifts
of fellowship, prayer, and community?
AMBASSADORS
| 2 Sam. 10, 1 Chron. 19
Let's
talk about Ambassadors for Christ.
Have
you ever had someone come up alongside you
when you were grieving, going through that
process, and they wanted to o£er their
shoulder or their prayers?
Perhaps
you've seen this done in movies where someone's
grieving, dealing with stress or circumstances,
and someone wants to love on them
They
want to come alongside them, yet you put
the stop sign up. You put the hold up, "No,
no, no, I don't want your love. I don't
want to be loved on. I don't want to be
comforted."
You're
denying them the opportunity to bless you.
When someone blesses, they also receive
a gift. You know, there is the gift of giving,
and if they're doing it in the name of Christ,
they're coming and building a school or
Operation Christmas Child, the whole idea
of giving. Yes, I know there might be some
discomfort with the materialism of those
types of tasks.
So
let's talk about just the emotional and
spiritual. When someone wants to love on
you and gift you and be the ambassador of
Christ, yet you put up your guard, you don't
allow them to come in.
Heart
check.
Are
you disgracing the gifts and blessings of
Christ ambassadors in your own life or are
you giving the gift of comfort as a Christ
ambassador within your own community?
NOTHING
TO OFFER | 2 Samuel 9:1
I
love this.
David
went from looking for things to do for God
to now looking for what he could do for
others. And instead of acting out in revenge
against his enemy, he is going against this
principle to instead show kindness.
This
is the very thing Jesus will teach. And
the thing is, Jonathan’s family has nothing
to o£er him, so it’s not like David
is doing this for his own gain. Heart check.
How
do you treat others who have nothing to
offer you?
**Side
note: When we ask the Lord what He wants
us to do, It will probably invole serving
others.**
LIFT
YOUR VOICES | Psalm 20:1-4
They
are praying for their king, perhaps King
David, as he goes to the temple, the Tabernacle,
to the Ark of the Covenant, and presents
burnt sacrifices.
He's
inside doing the burnt sacrifices, asking
for God's grace, mercy, and deliverance
for an upcoming battle.
They're
praying on his behalf.
The
beauty of this is that the king understands
that his victory, deliverance, and help
come from the Lord, not from his own physical
strength or proudness, nor his war strategy.
He's going to the Lord to offer sacrifices
and doing this in front of his people, for
his people to make it known to others so
they can also bear the burden and pray for
you and with you. Heart Check.
Are
you praying for your friends, and are you
also allowing your friends to share your
burdens through prayer? Futhermore, are
you celebrating with shouts of joy when
your friends experience victories in their
lives?
STRONG
LEGS | Psalm 20:8
Remember
those faith challenges in Youth group with
chairs? Do you have enough faith in the
chair if you're going to sit in that chair?
Faith that those legs will support your
weight?
But
what if that chair has wobbly legs, or even
worse, what if one of the legs is missing?
Is the foundation still strong? What if
two or three of those legs are gone? Would
you still sit on that chair?
Where
are people placing their faith? What they're
saying here is that if they place their
faith in chariots, in their own strength,
they will fall and collapse.
You
can have faith in that chair because all
four legs will support your circumstances,
bearing the weight and burden of life, because
the Lord can bear that burden for you. So
trust in Him. Heart Check.
Is
your life supported by strong legs of faith
or weak wobbly legs of fear?
Deep
Dive
How
does fear infiuence your relationships and
interactions with others, especially within
your faith community?
Are
you actively seeking and receiving comfort
and support from fellow believers, or do
you struggle to trust in their encouragement
and blessings?
Are
you consistently praying for your friends,
just as David's ambassadors sought to console
the king of the Ammonites?
How
do you respond when your friends share their
burdens with you, and do you celebrate their
victories with genuine joy?
How
does cultivating trust in God's strength
impact your response to challenges and uncertainties?
How
does trusting in God's sovereignty infiuence
your approach to navigating di£icult
relationships and circumstances?
Heavenly
Father, thank you so much that we can trust
your name.
As
we conclude our time of reflection and introspection,
we lift our hearts to You in prayer.
Thank
You for guiding us through the stories and
lessons found in Your Word today. Help us,
Lord, to apply these truths to our lives
as we walk forward in faith.Grant us discernment,
O God, to recognize the areas in our hearts
where fear and suspicion have taken root.May
Your love dispel all traces of doubt, and
may we learn to trust in Your plans and
purposes for our lives.Lord, we thank You
for the gift of community and the support
of our fellow believers.
Help
us to be both recipients and agents of Your
grace, extending comfort and encouragement
to one another in times of need.As we go
forth from this moment, may we be steadfast
in prayer, lifting up our friends and loved
ones before Your throne of grace. May we
share in their burdens and rejoice in their
victories, knowing that You are always near
to hear our cries.
Finally,
Lord, strengthen our faith and fortify our
trust in You.May we build our lives upon
the firm foundation of Your promises, standing
tall in the face of adversity and uncertainty.
Psalm
65 is a wisdom and creation psalm written
by David. He declares that praise is due
to the Lord for his forgiveness. David understands
what a great honor it is to be chosen by
God and to have access to His presence,
as His goodness and holiness satisfy all
who enter in. David celebrates God’s awesome
works of creation and power and His provision
of rain upon the earth. Because of this,
all creation is filled with joy.
In
Psalm 66, the psalmist calls upon all the
earth to praise the Lord with a joyful shout,
glorifying Him for His awesome deeds and
power. He invites them to witness for themselves
what the Lord has done for them at the Red
Sea and the Jordan. Therefore, the people
shall bless the Lord for preserving, testing,
refining, and blessing them with abundance.
The psalmist then resolves to personally
worship the Lord at the temple, fulfilling
his vows and bringing his offerings.
He concludes with a call to hear what God
has done for him, in the way that He has
answered his prayers, and therefore deserves
to be blessed.
In
Psalm 69, the psalmist begins this psalm
of lament with a plea for help against the
many enemies who come against him. In his
severe distress, he feels alienated from
his loved ones and pleads with the Lord
for mercy and deliverance. He appeals to
the compassion of God and asks for judgment
to come upon his enemies, with no allowance
for them to dwell among His people. Despite
his a£liction, He resolves to praise
and magnify the Lord so that the humble
can see His goodness. He ends the psalm
with a call for all heaven and earth to
praise the Lord as He saves and rebuilds
Jerusalem.
In
Psalm 70, David begins this psalm of lament
with an urgent plea for deliverance and
help. He asks for his enemies’ plans to
fail and for them to be put to shame and
confusion. He prays for those who seek the
Lord to be filled with gladness as they
magnify Him. He ends the psalm with
a realistic assessment that God is His only
source of hope and deliverance.
APPRECIATION
FOR CREATION | Psalm 65
In
the end, this psalm celebrates God as Creator
and beautifully displays His abundance of
blessings through nature. I’ve only recently
begun to truly enjoy nature. I’ve always
appreciated it from afar, but lately, I’ve
found a new appreciation for getting outdoors
and seeing the masterpiece of His handiwork
through hiking and sightseeing.
It’s
funny that I moved from “paradise” in Hawaii
to the desert of Las Vegas, and only now
am I truly appreciating it (I blame it on
my lifelong eczema which hates humidity).
But
I don’t think it’s the eczema that changed
things—I think it’s being in God’s word
and getting a greater understanding of His
majesty as Creator. There’s always a deeper
appreciation for something when you know
the person behind it. Heart Check.
How
much appreciation do you have for Creation
or nature?
INNOCENCE
& WONDER | Psalm 66:5-7
Here
the psalmist is giving them reasons to worship,
and he doesn’t need to do anything but have
them come and be witnesses of His awesomeness
themselves.
It’s
almost this innocent, “Look Mommy!” Usually
when a child says this, it’s things we’ve
seen our entire lives and nothing we would
ever get excited over. But the wonder in
a child’s eyes is one of the most beautiful
things, and this is why the Bible says to
“Come unto me as a little child.”
He's
not saying to be immature. He’s saying not
to lose that innocence and wonder. Heart
check.
Have
you lost your sense of innocence and wonder?
Do you want to tell people. "Look"!
MISSIONARY
SCOPE | Psalm 67:2-3
The
psalmist’s missionary scope extended well
beyond himself, his community, and even
his nation. He knew that God’s heart was
for the entire world. Sometimes we live
in our holy huddles or our Bible bubbles
and can’t see past the borders that we live
between. Or we think that it’s up to the
missionaries in the world to deal with other
nations. But we know that God’s heart is
for all to come to repentance and for all
the world to hear the gospel. Heart check.
What
is your scope of your missionary life? Is
it just for your immediate boundaries? Have
you written off other parts of the world?
Or do you have a heart for all nations?
GOD’S
BLESSING | Psalm 67:6
I
don’t know if it’s a struggle with unworthiness
or watching my dad buy lottery tickets when
I was little while asking me to pray for
God’s blessing upon it—but hearing the psalmist
ask for a blessing is a little triggering
at first.
But
when you understand the heart of psalmist,
you will know that this was not a selfish
blessing he was asking for. He was confident
that the Lord would bless them because their
heart was to turn around and be a blessing.
They were not going to hoard what God gave
them—they were going to be a source of outflow.
I
believe that when have a heart of giving,
the Lord will bless that. Whereas if we
want all the blessings but refuse to pour
out, we will eventually die in our spirits.
This is why the Dead Sea will kill anything
that comes to try to live in it—because
it has no outflow. Everything is stagnant.
Heart Check.
Why
do you seek God's blessing?
GRACE
CAPACITY | Psalm 69:9
This
verse is quoted in John 2 when Jesus goes
into the temple and overturns the tables
of the moneychangers
The
thing that drove Jesus to righteous anger
was that people had turned His Father’s
house into a den of robbers. It wasn’t the
act of thievery the bothered Him the most,
but the fact that it prevented people from
being able to come into His Father’s Presence,
for He knew that was the worst of life’s
circumstances.
It
has been said that you can determine the
size of a man by the size of the things
that bother him. If you’re quickly irritated
by small things, you are likely small-minded.
If it takes a lot to drive you to anger,
you likely have a greater capacity of grace,
forgiveness, and goodness in general. Heart
Check.
How
big of a person are you? Do you get easily
irritated? Or is your capacity for grace
greater than your problems?
Deep
Dive
What
attributes of God can be seen in these psalms?
What
leads to the loss of innocence and wonder?
How can we get it back?
If
you were to tell people to “come and see”
or to “come and hear” what the Lord has
done, what would they see and hear?
Where
do you see God’s blessings (personal, communal,
national, global, general)?
How
do the su£erings of David and Jesus
compare to ours? How does this inspire your
faith?
How
can we follow David’s choice to trust in
the Lord?
Heavenly
Father, We make that choice today to trust
in you, just as David did.
The
great equalizer for all of us is your great
mercy and goodness. There is nothing too
great that you can’t and won’t handle. So
whether our problems or issues seem colossal
or tiny in comparison to others, it all
matters to you, because we are your children,
and you do not desire to see us in despair.
We recognize that sometimes the trials of
life are needed so that we can be refined
in the process and our faith can be strengthened.
So I pray that we will hold on to you in
the fire, even when we can’t see what’s
in front of us and especially when we can’t
find our way out.
Thank
you for your grace that you have so lavishly
poured out into our lives. Thank you for
the payment of atonement for every single
sin we have committed. Thank you for choosing
us and for bringing us in and drawing us
close to you.
There
is no greater honor than to have direct
access to our King on High.
I
pray that as we look around today, we will
be able to recognize your power on display
through the beauty and uniqueness of creation.
May we never lose that innocent childlike
wonder of who you are and what you have
done. We stand in awe of you today and celebrate
the showers of blessings that you continually
pour onto the soil of our hearts. There
is nothing on this earth that could be given
to us that would make you more deserving
of glory and praise. So we will honor and
exalt you, no matter what we have or lack.
Because your blessings reach beyond the
physical.
Thank
you for steadying us when we felt as though
we were slipping. Thank you for bringing
us out of the deep mire and into the wide
open spaces of your glory. We cry out with
the angels today, “How awesome are your
deeds! So great is your power! All the earth
worships you and sings praises to you; they
sing praises to your name.”
Widen
the scope of our hearts’ mission to align
with yours—that all people will know you
and praise you, that every nation will be
glad and sing for joy. We pray that the
ends of the earth will fear you, for the
fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
Oh how we need our nations to be wise.
Thank
you, sweet Jesus, for everything you endured
for our sake. There is no distress that
can compare to yours—for you took on every
single one of our sins and the wrath that
they deserved. If we think we are su£ering—imagine
that times billions of people that you died
for. It’s something that we can’t quite
understand—that you willfully did it. Every
single step to the cross was walked with
our names written on your heart. If that
isn’t enough to get us to live our lives
for you and to bring you all the glory,
honor, and praise, I don’t know what is.
So
we praise you with every word and action,
and as we do, I pray that we will be able
to gleefully pull others in and say, “Come
and see what the Lord has done!” But how
can we show them if we can’t even see it?
So open our eyes today, widen our vision,
to your glory and wonder. May we magnify
you in everything we do so that others can
experience just a piece of that abundance
that you have given to us. So we ask for
your blessing upon our lives today and for
your face to shine upon us, not for our
gain, but so that we can be a blessing to
others.
In
2 Samuel 11, David sends his men to war
against the Ammonites while he remained
in Jerusalem. One evening, he finds himself
admiring the beauty of a neighbor woman
bathing on her rooftop. He asks who she
is and finds out she is Bathsheba, the wife
of Uriah the Hittite and daughter of Eliam
(two of David’s mighty men). David sends
messengers to bring her to him, and he lays
with her, and she conceives. In an effort
to cover up the pregnancy, David sends Uriah
home from war to sleep with his wife.
However,
Uriah refuses to partake in life’s pleasures
while men are at war. Out of desperation,
David sends a letter to his commanding officer
to abandon Uriah at the fiercest point of
battle so that he will die. When this happens,
Joab sends a messenger to tell David, and
Bathsheba mourns the death of her husband
before marrying David and giving birth to
her son. It is noted that this event displeases
the Lord.
In
2 Samuel 12, the Lord sends Nathan to rebuke
David. By way of a parable, Nathan presents
a legal dispute between a rich man who steals
a poor man’s only ewe lamb. With anger,
David casts harsh judgment upon the rich
man, demanding fourfold restitution and
death upon him. Nathan reveals that this
man is David, who has not only stolen Bathsheba
from Uriah but had him murdered, thus despising
the Word of God.
Therefore,
a threefold judgment is cast upon David
stating that there will be constant bloodshed,
familial issues, and wives stolen by his
own family. David repents, and because so,
the Lord immediately forgives him. However,
he is told his unborn child will die as
a result. When the child becomes sick, David
fasts and mourns until the child dies on
the seventh day. David worships the Lord
following the child’s death and comforts
Bathsheba. Bathsheba gives birth to another
son named Solomon, whom the Lord loves.
Solomon is also called Jedidiah, meaning
“loved by God.” The chapter ends with an
account of the final defeat of the Ammonites
by David.
In
1 Chronicles 20, Joab’s defeat of Rabbah
is noted while David remains in Jerusalem.
David takes the king’s crown, and it is
placed on his head. David collects the spoils
of war and subjects the Ammonite captives
to labor. An account is given of the defeat
of Philistine giants by David and his men
including Sibbecai’s defeat of Sippai, Elhanan’s
defeat of Lahmi, and Jonathan’s defeat of
a giant of Gath.
WHERE
ARE YOU | 2 Samuel 11:2-4
Here
we see the progression of David’s sin. It
didn’t just hit him in the face—he walked
into it, one step at a time.
The
first issue was that he should’ve been dealing
with the war and not chilling at home, so
he wasn’t where he was supposed to be, which
leads to this first Heart Check.
Are
you where you're supposed to be? Are you
hanging out in placesyou shoudn't?
SLIPPERY
SLOPE | 2 Samuel 11:2-4
Secondly,
David saw this beautiful woman, and we all
know what e£ect beautiful women have
on David. But there’s nothing wrong with
seeing beautiful people—we can look at a
person and acknowledge their beauty without
sinning. The sin came in when he chose not
to look away and decided to entertain the
thoughts that began running through his
head.
This
was the slippery slope. Sin is a lot easier
to escape at the top of the hill. Once it
begins to pick up momentum, that’s when
it ensnares and traps, and before you know
it, you’re headed right toward entrapment
at the bottom. But we have to know that
there’s always a chance to escape, no matter
where you are.
No
one twisted David’s arm to send for Bathsheba
and she didn’t throw herself at him—he took
her. Heart Check.
Are
you headind down a slippery slope? Can you
find the escape hatch?
HIDING
SIN | 2 Samuel 11:6-10
At
this point, we can see that David is starting
to panic a little. His plan isn’t working.
Sadly,
this is all stemming from the fact that
he is trying to hide his sin. Even though
we know that he will force Uriah underground,
just as the Bible says, David’s sin finds
him out.
We
may be able to hide our sin from people,
but eventually, it will surface in one way
or another. And as scary as it seems, the
freedom of coming out from under sin is
so much greater than what we fear might
happen as a consequence. Heart Check.
Are
you able to face sin head on? Or is there
something you're hiding that needs to be
confessed?
CORRECTIVE
APPROACH | 2 Samuel 12:1-15
One
of the greatest lessons we can learn from
Nathan is the wise way he presented this
conviction to David. He didn’t hit him over
the head with a Bible, he figured out a
way to get to David’s heart first. He knew
that he could pull at David’s shepherd heartstrings
with the story about the stolen lamb.
And
therefore, he didn’t come off as a critic
but rather a loving friend, and I believe
this is why David was so receptive to the
rebuke. If Nathan had come in with, “The
Lord sayeth,” David’s calloused heart may
have rebelled. After all, David had been
ignoring the Holy Spirit’s conviction this
whole time.
When
we speak truth to others, the way we present
it is sometimes more important than the
why. If our heart is not full of compassion
for the person before we rebuke, it’s likely
not our place to speak. Heart Check.
What
is your approach when rebuking or correcting?
Do you find a way to get to the heart of
a person or do you just hit them over the
head with the Bible?
PAST
SIN | 1 Chronicles 20:1-3
Notice
that the account of David’s sin with Bathsheba
is not chronicled here. It’s because Ezra
didn’t feel the need to keep talking about
sin that had already been dealt with.
The
only person who keeps tabs on our sin is
the devil. So if we keep bringing up past
sin, whether it’s our own or someone else’s,
we’re doing his work and not the work of
the Lord.
Jesus
forgives and forgets our sin. The devil
holds it over our heads. Heart Check.
Does
past sin keep coming up? Are you continuing
to hold it over yourself or others heads?
LEGACY
| 1 Chronicles 20
We’ve
talked about what Ezra left out of this
chapter, but here we can note what he felt
were important details to add—the victories
by individuals who fought, showing us that
they were able to conquer giants without
David’s help.
Remember,
his warriors started off as a bunch of discontented
rebels. And now we see that he has passed
down a legacy of victory by example, and
through guidance and infiuence. Heart Check.
What
kind of legacy are you passing down?
Deep
Dive
Why
did David stay in Jerusalem instead of fighting
in the battles? What were the consequences?
Did
David abuse his power?
How
did Uriah’s actions compare with David’s?
What lessons can we learn from his integrity?
Does
David’s sin change the way you see him?
Are there judgments being formed? How can
this foster grace when looking at how God
responded to him in the end?
Was
David’s repentance “enough” for grace and
forgiveness?
Heavenly
Father, What a testament this story is to
your unending grace and mercy.
I
pray that we can grab on to this concept
today, because as we see abuse and horrific
situations all over the world, our minds
can go to the worst places. But you are
still God and we are not. You are on the
throne. You are just. You will right every
single wrong. And we will never excuse evil
and put the blame on you. We live in a broken
and wicked world that is under the rulership
of Satan. But instead, we will trust that
you turn every single thing for good for
those who love you and are called according
to your purpose. That’s us.
So
thank you for your immediate forgiveness
when we come to repentance. There is nothing
too great that your work on the cross could
not cover. You conquered it all. Adultery,
murder, thievery, even rebellion against
you. But if we come in humility and confession,
you have proven time and again that you
will forgive and even forget. So I pray
that we too can do the same. I pray that
we will not harbor our sin or the sins of
others in our hearts. Help us to let go
so that we can live in true freedom.
If
anyone is dealing with the heartbreak from
adultery, will you restore them fully, whether
they committed it or were on the side of
betrayal. For marriages that are attempting
to reconcile, I pray that your Holy Spirit
will invade their homes and the hearts.
You are a miracle worker, and you can restore
broken marriages. I pray that this will
never be something that anyone here will
ever have to deal with moving forward.
If
there is any hidden sin within our hearts,
I pray that you will shine your light upon
it and expose it in the right way so that
we can get out from under its oppression.
We are no longer slaves to sin with you,
Jesus, so I pray that we will declare victory
over every single weakness that we have
and will you strengthen our willpower to
walk away from any destructive behavior.
Change our mindsets, our desires, and our
thoughts to align with yours.
If
there are still consequences that we will
need to bear, I pray that we will know that
you are with us in it. We are not alone.
You have put people into our lives for accountability
and for fellowship. May we not be resistant
to that. Soften our hearts so that we can
build relationships as you intended them
to be.
If
we see others who are struggling or even
meddling in sin, give us a compassionate
and merciful heart like Nathan’s. I pray
that if you have assigned us to be your
mouthpiece in speaking truth to them, may
we go in with a Godly heart that is focused
on restoring and not rebuking.
Correcting
but not condemning. Thank you for helping
us to decipher between the two.
All
in all, we want to be a reflection of you
to the world so that others have a place
to run when they are fieeing their brokenness.
Thank you for being our safe place to run.
Psalm
32 is a penitential psalm where
David declares that those who have been
forgiven by God are blessed, for He wipes
their slates clean. He recalls the time
he miserably tried to keep his sin a secret
and the immediate forgiveness he received
once he confessed. He encourages others
to quickly confess, as the Lord will keep
them safe in times of trouble.
He
refers to the Lord as his secret hiding
place that keeps him from trouble and brings
him joy through breakthrough. David hears
the Lord saying that He will remain close
to him, guiding him and teaching him, as
long as he follows after him. He states
that those who don’t come clean will ultimately
lead a life of sorrow and frustration, whereas
those who trust in His forgiveness will
be surrounded by His steadfast love. David
concludes with a call to joyfully shout
and celebrate the goodness of God.
Psalm
51 is a confessional prayer by
David after Nathan exposes his adultery
with Bathsheba. He begins by pleading for
God’s mercy and forgiveness, declaring that
His love is enough to wash him clean. He
appeals to the Lord’s compassion as he asks
for him to take his shame and guilty conscience
away. David expresses the deep anguish he
feels for sinning against God, as he recognizes
his sin nature and asks for the Lord to
set truth and wisdom deep into his heart
and spirit. David refers to himself as a
leper, pleading for the Lord to wash him
clean and purify his heart so that his joy
can once again be restored.
He
asks for a new heart to be created within
him and for pure thoughts so that he can
live a life that is pleasing to the Lord.
He pleads with the Lord not to leave him
but to restore his joy so that he can show
others the mercy and love of God. He vows
to praise the Lord in his deliverance and
acknowledges that the Lord is pleased when
one comes to him with broken spirit and
humble heart. He ends by asking the Lord
to protect and give favor to Jerusalem so
they can continually bring sacrifices before
Him in love.
Psalm
86 is a prayer of faith by David.
He begins by pleading with the Lord to bend
down to hear him speak. Feeling poor and
needy, he asks the Lord for protection,
appealing to His grace, goodness, and forgiveness.
David declares that there is none like the
Lord, and one day every nation which He
created will worship Him for all of His
great miracles and wonders.
He
asks the Lord to teach him so that he can
walk in His truth and bring Him honor, and
he vows to bring thanksgiving and glorify
His name forever. David recalls the way
the Lord rescued him from darkness and delivered
him from death. Now feeling like his back
is against the wall by enemy attackers,
he appeals once again to the mercy, patience,
and love of God and pleads for strength
and favor so that his enemies can be put
to shame.
Psalm
122 is one of the songs of a
ascent written by David. It begins at the
gates of Jerusalem with the people expressing
an exclamation of joy as they prepare to
enter into the house of the Lord.
They
sing of Jerusalem’s glory—a city of praise
where God meets with man. It is the place
where all His people come to worship Him
and where King David rules. David prays
for peace to be upon Jerusalem, declaring
that all who love her will prosper. He ends
the psalm with a resolve to always pray
for her and to seek her good.
UNCONFESSED
SIN | Psalm 32:3-4
David
is letting us know what it feels like to
live a double-life with secret sin. It’s
awful! He literally felt like he was dying.
I know that when I carried around unconfessed
sin, I always had anxiety and felt such
a heaviness in my heart. Every time the
phone rang, I feared the worst. The devil
constantly let me know that I was an imposter.
And as much as I loved the Lord, I could
never fully devote myself to Him because
of my own unworthiness and deceit. While
all depression is not caused by unrepentance,
I do believe that carrying around unconfessed
sin will lead to depression. David was there.
But so was God, ready to forgive. Heart
Check.
Are
you carrying around unconfessed sin? Is
there a heaviness upon you that needs to
be lifted?
THE
EYE | Psalm 32:8
Here
we get a picture of David’s relationship
with the Lord. He could feel the eye of
the Lord upon him. This is a genuine father-son
relationship. If you think about little
kids with their parents, and the way they
will instinctively look into the eyes of
their parents when they’ve done something
good to say, “Did you see that?” or even
when they’ve done something they know they
shouldn’t have, and they sheephishly look
to see if Mama’s eye caught a glimpse of
it. Most of us grew up with “the eye.” Just
one look, and we knew that we better get
right before our tushies had a new rosy
color. No one likes “that” eye. But we all
want the eye of protection, security, and
approval. Heart Check.
Can
you feel the eye of the Lord upon your life?
Are you getting the eye of approval or "the
eye"?
WASHED
CLEAN | Psalm 51:7
David
understood and believed in the cleansing
power of God. This wasn’t just some metaphorical
ideal, this meant actually getting a clean
slate. And it takes major faith to truly
believe that we are washed clean. It’s because
we have an enemy constantly taunting us,
telling us otherwise. Heart Check.
Do
you believe that you have been washed clean?
FLOWING
FRUIT | Psalm 51:11
David’s
joy has been sapped from him, which is what
sin will do. He recognizes that the Holy
Spirit has departed because the fruit of
the Spirit ( joy) went with it. Where the
Spirit dwells, the fruit fiows. So if we
have lost our joy, peace, patience, kindness…
it may be an indicator that we need the
Lord to search our heart for something that
we need to get right. Heart Check.
Is
the fruit flowing in your life?
JOYOUS
OCCASION | Psalm 122:1
Remember,
there was no temple in Jerusalem yet, but
we know that David did everything he could
to work toward that, even gathering supplies
for its construction. So it’s likely that
David wrote this psalm of ascent in anticipation
of the future temple in Jerusalem. And I
love how he says that it was a joyous occasion—because
that’s how going to the house of the Lord
should be! And we’re not talking about entertainment
value, but pure joy. Sadly, for some it
isn’t, perhaps because of past trauma, church
hurt, or just bad experiences with people.
However, if we come back to the heart of
what church is—a gathering of believers
who are coming to worship, pray, and give
unto the Lord, we would all be of one accord.
But if we go there trying to get something
out of it, rather than to give, our hearts
are not postured to be filled with that
fruit of joy. Heart Check.
Is
going to the house of God a joyous occasion
for you?
BLESS
THE CHURCH
Psalm
122:5-8
David
is seeking the good of Jerusalem—not because
it’s his city that he conquered, but because
the Lord chose to dwell in it. This was
the place that He wanted to do His work.
This is applicable to us today in the way
that we too should be blessing the church,
not because it’s our church, but because
it’s His. And we don’t just bless our own-
we bless all the churches that God has chosen
to do His work in. If we do the opposite
and tear down or criticize churches, then
we are criticizing the very place that God
has chosen. Heart Check.
Do
you seek good for all churches? Are you
blessing it or tearing it down?
Deep
Dive
What
does it mean when David says that God is
his “hiding place”?
How
can we reconcile David’s sin with God’s
mercy?
Did
David “deserve” grace and mercy? Why do
you think he got so much?
How
does David’s attitude toward his sin help
you understand the gravity of sin?
Is
a broken and contrite heart something we
can cultivate? Or is it simply a state of
being?
How
does David’s enthusiasm for the temple and
worship inspire you?
Thank
you for your mercy, kindness, grace, and
forgiveness. Thank you for paying the price
for our sins, Jesus, and allowing us the
chance to come clean every single day. The
mercy seat is open 24/7, and there is nothing
that we can do to exhaust the mercy that
fiows from it.
We
don’t ever want to be in a position where
we feel trapped underneath the rubble of
a mess we have made through transgression
or iniquity. I pray that if anyone is struggling
to live a double life or trying to hide
sin, that you will set them free today.
Give them the courage to confess to whomever
they need to in order to make things right.
Help them to see that the freedom that lies
just beyond that confession is something
that will take them to higher heights, restoring
their joy, and allowing you to now move
in ways that you couldn’t before. Not because
you don’t have the power to, but because
there were roadblocks set up.
Forgive
us if we have sinned against you in any
way. The only secret we want to have in
our hearts is your hiding place, your refuge,
that we can run to for protection. Thank
you for teaching us and guiding us in the
way that is right. May we not be like a
horse that refuses the bit and bridle, for
we know that will only bring pain and discomfort.
But instead, I pray that we will be fully
submitted to you, our Master, trusting your
direction and your gentle tugs at our heart.
Wash
us clean today. We know and you know exactly
what grime is trying to hang on, so use
a loofah if you have to. Create in us a
clean heart, oh God, and renew a steadfast
spirit within us. I pray that the joy of
your salvation will be restored to us, as
your Spirit continually dwells within us.
Whatever
is broken within us, will you restore it
today. We hand you every shard, every shattered
piece, knowing that you can create a beautiful
masterpiece from even ashes. There is no
other besides you, none who can do great
and wondrous things. So we glorify your
name today and worship before you, our Holy
God.
Teach
us how to walk in your truth and unite our
hearts to fear your name. I pray that we
will have a proper view of your holiness
and our standing within that.
For
those who may be seeking a church, will
you guide them to one that is solid, one
that is Bible based, teaching your truth
and delivering it with love. We want our
time spent in your house to be a joyous
occasion. Forgive us if we have ever torn
down the church with negative words or even
thoughts. I pray that you will help us to
be of one accord with other believers, recognizing
that denominations, personalities, worship
styles, are all subjective, and really shouldn’t
be our focus. Our focus should be coming
together to worship and pray and give thanksgiving
unto you. Help us to tune out the junk,
because at the end of the day, we’re all
human. We all fail, and we all have faults.
So may we not focus on that, but rather
focus on you.
We
are not turning a blind eye to false teaching
either, so I pray that you will continue
to give us wisdom and discernment when choosing
where to fellowship. Lead us to your house
where your Spirit dwells. Lead us to the
place that you have chosen to do your work,
and where you have a seat for us. We pray
for the church, the body of believers, to
continue to come together in unity. The
world is doing enough dividing—we should
be the ones that are fighting for oneness,
especially in this time. So bless your people,
bless your church, and bless all of those
who enter in.
In
2 Samuel 13, David’s son Amnon obsesses
over his half-sister Tamar, to the point
of making himself sick. His friend Jonadab
devises a plan for Amnon to pretend to be
sick and to call for Tamar to care for him.
David sends his daughter to tend to Amnon,
and when she brings him food, he grabs hold
of her and demands that she lie with him.
Despite
her pleading on both her behalf and Amnon’s,
he takes her unwilfully and violates her.
Amnon’s “love” turns to hatred for Tamar,
and he throws her out. When her brother
Absalom finds out, he tells her to hold
her peace and grows to hate Amnon.
While
David learns of the incident and becomes
angry, he does not rebuke his son.
After
two years pass, Absalom holds a sheepshearing
festival and gets Amnon drunk and has him
killed. Absalom fiees to his grandfather’s
hometown, and David mourns the loss of his
son. After three years, David longs to see
Absalom once again.
In
2 Samuel 14, David’s general Joab devises
a plan to reconcile David and his son Absalom.
He sends a wise woman from Tekoa to David,
advising her to pretend to be in mourning
and to present to him a fabricated case
about her two sons. The woman presents herself
as a widow to the king and tells him that
one of her sons was murdered by the other
in a fight, and now her family is seeking
vengeance. She fears she will lose her other
son, thus losing her family heir. David
pardons the son, opening the door for the
woman to speak truth to David. She reveals
to David that he is the family in the story,
seeking revenge for his son’s death. David
realizes he’s been set up by Joab and allows
Absalom to return to Jerusalem but refuses
to see him for two years. Absalom demands
a meeting with Joab, but he refuses, so
Absalom sets Joab’s fields on fire.
David
finally agrees to see Absalom and they are
temporarily reconciled.
In
2 Samuel 15, Absalom conspires against King
David by stirring up dissatisfaction with
the people against David’s government. He
plays to the people’s emotions and promises
to provide better judgment and leadership
where David is “failing.” After four years,
Absalom asks to go back to his birthplace
at Hebron, claiming it is a fulfillment
of a vow he made to the Lord. But it’s all
a part of his plan to get the unsuspecting
people of Jerusalem to follow him while
sending out messengers to sow seeds of disloyalty.
When a messenger tells David about the conspiracy,
David gathers the people and fiees Jerusalem
to prevent a civil war. David sends his
friend Hushai back to Jerusalem to act as
a double agent and to gather intel for Zadok
and Abiathar, David’s loyal priests.
PAST
LESSONS | 2 Samuel 13:22
This
grieves my heart so much. Why didn’t David
do anything about it? Perhaps it brought
back memories of his sin with Bathsheba,
making him feel unworthy to rebuke?
The
Dead Sea Scrolls reveal from the Septuagint
that David did not punish Amnon because
he was David’s firstborn, and he loved him.
And if you think about it, the punishment
Amnon deserved, according to the Law, was
death. Maybe he’s providing the same mercy
he received from God.
No
matter the reason, there should’ve been
some sort of rebuke or correction made.
Heart Check.
Do
your past mistakes keep you from being able
to correct or speak truth to others? Or
do past lessons fuel you to show mercy where
it has been shown to you?
LURKING
LUST | 2 Samuel 13
The
word lust doesn’t carry the sweetest tone,
and this is why we will not only mistake
lust for love, but we will even deceive
ourselves into believing that we love someone
when it’s really fueled by our fiesh.
Now
that we have seen the stark difference between
the two, Heart Check.
Is
lust lurking in your tent?
COMPLETE
FORGIVENESS | 2 Samuel 14
Even
though there is reconciliation here, it’s
too little, too late.
The
five years of conditional forgiveness has
allowed bitterness and resentment to well
up within both of these men, and now we
will see it followed up with conspiracy
and rebellion.
This
is why it is so important to completely
forgive without conditions. If we don’t
cut those ties, we will become bitter—there’s
no way around it. As it has been said, unforgiveness
is like drinking poison and waiting for
the other person to die. Heart Check.
Do
you place conditions on forgiveness? Is
there someone you need to completely forgive?
SEEING
BEYOND CHARISMA | 2 Samuel 15:6
This
was all a political ploy—Absalom was using
his good looks and charisma to win over
the hearts of the people. This still happens
today, where politicians pull the wool over
people’s eyes and eventually show their
true colors, which is exactly what Absalom
will do when he proves to be an evil ruler.
Don’t
be fooled—Christians are deceived all the
time.
So
we are not exempt from this vulnerability.
We should always prayerfully consider leadership
candidates so that charisma doesn’t mask
any deceitfulness. Heart Check.
Are
you able to see past flattery and charisma?
FIGHT
OR FLIGHT | 2 Samuel 15:14
At
first read, I thought to myself, why is
David running from his own son? Is he scared
of him?
But
what I realized is that this isn’t fear
of his son, but fear of the inevitable if
he chooses to fight. Because the rebellion
may be widespread, this will lead to an
all-out civil war.
Secondly,
he says right here that he does not want
to risk the destruction of Jerusalem. And
third, regardless of this rebellion, he
loves his son, and he probably does not
want to face seeing him get hurt. David
is wise in the sense that he knows when
to fight and when to fiight. He chooses
his battles wisely. Heart Check.
Do
you know when to fight and when to flight?
Do you consider the consequences before
jumping into a battle?
Deep
Dive
How
does Amnon’s “love” for Tamar contradict
1 Corinthians 13’s definition of love?
Why
didn’t David do anything once he found out
about the violation of Tamar?
How
does the treatment of Tamar by all refiect
the cultural view of women in this time?
How does it compare to today’s treatment
of women?
How
does chapter 14 highlight manipulation and
unresolved guilt? How can we avoid using
these tactics or falling victim to them?
How
do David’s sons’ actions refiect David’s
parenting?
What
role does discernment play, and how does
it refiect the importance of it?
Heavenly
Father, In the thick of these dishearting
accounts, we praise you.
It
is through these events that we can learn
hard lessons and perhaps hear a word of
warning so that our discernment can be increased
should we ever come face to face with lust,
deceit, vengeance, divisiveness, or betrayal.
Will
you safeguard us today—our hearts, our minds,
our thoughts, and any unchecked desires
or ambition. We lay it all down before you,
and ask that you will expose the deepest
seated parts of our soul so that there is
nothing that remains hidden.
If
there is any lust that is lurking in the
deep corners of our hearts, we ask that
you will smack us in the face with the hard
truth that this is not love. It is not your
best. And it is not honoring to you in any
way. Give us the strength to stand up and
get out from underneath its gravity. If
we have been blinded in any way, will you
remove the blindfold so that we can see
clearly. Help us to know if we are being
manipulated in any way by anyone.
If
anyone has been violated in the past, I
pray for restoration in their minds, bodies
and spirits. Heal them so that there is
not any unchecked resentment. Help them
to forgive—this doesn’t mean they subject
themselves or even communicate with that
person. This simply means forgiving to let
go and to protect their hearts from being
hurt any more than they already have. We
don’t want any bitterness to well up within
us, so I pray that you will show us if we
are harboring any of that. If we are putting
conditions on forgiveness, help us to see
it so we can release it.
Help
us to parent well, correcting and disciplining
where necessary, and training up our children
in the way that they should go, so that
when they grow older they will not depart
from it. I pray that we will not fear our
children but rather fear you. Help us to
be an example of you, our Good Father, because
we are the most important infiuencer in
their lives, especially when it comes to
godliness. We know that loving our children
does not mean keeping them happy at all
costs—because the greatest cost could very
well be their eternal destiny. So may our
correction be whole-hearted and full of
grace, just as yours is.
For
any families struggling with estranged parental
relationships, we plead for reconciliation
today. Even if it is just for us to be able
to have that peace in our hearts once again.
We can’t change people—only you can. So
we place them in your hands and trust that
you will do what you need to do to bring
restoration once again.
I
pray that we will choose our battles wisely,
knowing when to fight for righteousness
but always when to fiee from foolishness.
May we always take a moment to consider
the consequences and always inquire of you
in how to handle things. We want to be as
wise as serpents and as gentle as doves
in navigating this life. So we surrender
it all to you today and humbly submit to
your guidance.
In
Psalm 3,
David cries out to the Lord while fleeing
from Absalom. David hears the way his enemies
taunt God’s inability to save him. But David
declares that deep down, he knows that the
Lord is his shield, as His glory never ceases
to cover him as he cries out for help. David
resolves to rest easy in His safety, and
therefore he will not fear. David cries
out for help and salvation, trusting that
the Lord will strike his enemies. He ends
the psalm by declaring a blessing upon His
people.
In
Psalm 4,
David pleads for the Lord to hear his prayer.
He appeals to the Lord’s past deliverance
and righteousness, asking how long he will
be tormented by his enemies. Yet he knows
the Lord has set him apart and that He hears
his prayers.
David
encourages others not to sin in their anger,
to search their hearts in silence, and to
bring sacrifices of righteousness as they
trust in Him. He asks the Lord to prove
his sco£ers wrong when they say God
can’t help him and pleads for the Lord’s
light to shine upon him. His joy overfiows
as he knows the Lord is protecting him and
giving him rest.
In
Psalm 12,
David feels as though the righteous are
disappearing, as only lies, fiattery, and
two-faced boasting surrounds him. He asks
the Lord to rise against this and to cut
them o£. The Lord agrees and declares
that He will defend and protect the poor
and needy. David states that every word
the Lord speaks is pure, as His truth is
tested through fire and always proves faithful.
He ends the psalm with confidence in the
Lord’s protection for His people.
In
Psalm 13,
David pours out his anxieties to the Lord,
asking how much longer he will feel forgotten,
abandoned, sad, and discouraged. He asks
to Lord to answer him and to bring light
and life back to him, lest he die. He pleads
for his enemies not to exalt over him and
celebrate in his failing. But David turns
from his grief to hope, trusting in the
Lord’s steadfast love and salvation. He
vows to sing songs of praise because of
His faithfulness.
In
Psalm 28,
David calls upon the Lord, his Rock, to
answer his cries. Feeling as though he is
close to death, he pleads for mercy and
asks that he not be drug down with the two-faced
evildoers.
But
instead, he asks that they be judged for
rejecting the Lord and acting wickedly.
David’s prayer turns to praise, as he declares
his trust in the one who is his strength,
his shield, and his helper. He acknowledges
that the Lord is also the strength and shepherd
of His people, protecting and blessing them
forever.
In
Psalm 55,
David pleads with the Lord to hear his prayer
in his distress. Surrounded by fear and
dread, he wishes he could fly away to a
place of rest, away from his enemies.
He
asks the Lord to confuse the plans of the
wicked, for they are always looking for
trouble. David reveals that he is betrayed
not by an enemy, but a close friend and
advisor. He pleads for judgment to be upon
the wicked and renews his call for deliverance,
declaring that he will worship and pray
to the Lord day and night, trusting that
the Lod will humble those who are against
him. David looks back at the betrayal by
his friend and how he tricked David with
words of liattery and violated his covenant.
He ends the psalm by declaring what he’s
learned—that casting your cares upon the
Lord will strengthen you. David expresses
his renewed confidence in the Lord’s unfailing
salvation.
REST
EASY | Psalm 3:5
What’s
pretty amazing is that in the middle of
his mess, David was able to sleep well at
night. For most people, rest does not come
easy when they’re going through tough times.
The di£erence between them and David
is that he cried out to the Lord and trusted
in his assurance that He was watching and
He was handling things. His staying up worrying
was doing nothing, and he knew it. Heart
Check.
Are
you able to rest easy at night? Or are you
up worrying? Have you placed your trust
in the Lord?
PASSIONATE
PRAYER | Psalm 4:1
One
of the things that sets David apart is his
passionate pleas to the Lord. He wasn’t
just o£ering up a grocery list of
things he needed, he was crying out from
the depths of his soul. There was power
in his prayer.
And
while passion won’t convince God to do something,
it will show that we deeply care about the
things the He cares about, and because so,
our souls are stirred up. Heart Check.
How
much passion is in your prayers?
SOURCE
OF JOY | Psalm 4:7
David
is comparing two types of joy here—one that
comes from the Lord and the other that comes
from life or circumstances. Both of them
are good, but one is better. Because joy
that comes from our circumstances is fieeting.
Things
change. Things will go wrong. And if we
source our joy from that, we will be in
a dumpster fire of emotions. But when we
can source our joy from the relationship
we have with our unshakeable and unchanging
God, even when our circumstances change,
that joy doesn’t have to go with it. Heart
Check.
Where
do you source your joy? Is your joy steady
when life isn't?
WORDS
| Psalm 12:4
We
may not be able to stop others from talking
the way they do, but we can control what
we say.
God
cares so deeply about our words because
they come out of the heart. If our words
are prideful, deceitful, harmful, or hypocritical,
then so are we. And our words will be judged.
We
will be held accountable for every word
we speak, both in public and in private.
Heart Check.
If
the Lord were to pull out a manuscript of
your words, what would it reveal about your
heart?
SEE
THE LIGHT | Psalm 13:5-6
David
ends this psalm in a completely di£erent
mood—he went from asking, “How long?” to
singing for joy. It’s as if the light was
turned on in his spirit.
Yesterday
at lunch, my husband asked me, “Why do you
think God chooses to reveal Himself to some
people more than others.”
And
my response was, “I don’t think He reveals
Himself more to people—I think that some
people are just open to seeing Him more.”
Think
about it—if we have scales of pride, doubt,
or fear—those things will keep us from seeing
good and therefore seeing God. But when
the light of His salvation, faithfulness,
mercy, and goodness shine on our hearts,
we are able to see His hand in all situations,
and it casts out that fear, pride, and doubt.
Heart Check.
Can
you see the light?
Deep
Dive
How
does David’s prayer life help him to navigate
through adversity? How does this inspire
you?
What
practical ways can you source joy from the
Lord?
Search
the scriptures about God’s words—what do
they reveal about what He speaks?
After
reading these psalms of lament, how much
of a role does lamenting play in our relationship
with the Lord?
How
can these psalms draw you nearer to the
Lord?
How
can we “fiy away” or escape in times of
betrayal?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for our trusted friend.
We
cast all our cares upon you today, as we
know that you hear our every cry in times
of trouble and every praise that we utter
on the daily. We recognize that prayer is
powerful, as modeled by David-- how it can
transform our hearts in just one conversation
with you. So I pray that we will not be
afraid to pour out our hearts before you—every
anxiety, every worry, every fear, fully
trusting that you will not remain stagnant,
but will take action in your righteousness.
For
anyone feeling restless or distressed today,
I pray that you will calm their hearts and
give them peace that surpasses all understanding.
May they fiy away to higher ground with
you. Sometimes the wind rages so hard that
we can’t seem to find lift in our wings,
so I pray that as we wait upon you, you
will mount us up with wings like eagles,
helping us to run and not grow weary, to
walk and not faint. But we also plead for
good rest at night so that our strength
is renewed each morning and will endure
throughout the day.
If
anyone is su£ering from a betrayal,
I pray that you will comfort their broken
hearts today. Help them to know that you
will turn this around and it will be for
their good, for you are for us and not against
us. I pray for reconciliation in relationships,
and at the very least, allow for their personal
healing. But I still believe that you can
restore any relationship, no matter the
cause of the falling apart. Your desire
is for unity and never for destruction.
I pray that those who may have betrayed
someone will be able to seek forgiveness
and full restoration so that they do not
remain in a place of guilt or condemnation,
or unable to move in your power because
of their own feelings of unworthiness. Deal
with those whose hearts are set on hurting
others. We don’t wish bad upon them, but
we do wish for change that only you can
bring. Your unlimited power can do anything,
and that includes turning wicked to good.
But
even if the change we wish for doesn’t come
to fruition, I pray that you will help us
to remain dependent upon you so that we
do not walk away from our rock. We do not
want to sink into sand but we want to remain
on our firm foundation that is unshakeable.
Thank you, Jesus, for being that for us.
Only you can sustain us in when the tempest
rages.
Thank
you for delivering us from our problems
and bringing us to a place of praise. We
choose to rejoice today, simply because
you have given us the miracle of life and
new mercies to sustain us for another day.
Thank you for being our Good Shepherd, who
lovingly cares for, protects, and guides
us in the way everlasting. Your love is
always such a beacon of hope in dark times,
so we praise you for this endless love and
grace. If anyone’s eyes are too dim to see
that light, I pray that you will turn up
the power just a little bit more so that
your light will shine forth. Breathe life
into every person here and allow your bounty
to be seen.
You
are our shield, our glory, the lifter of
our heads, and for that we praise you.
In
2 Samuel 16, while David is leaving Jerusalem,
Mephibosheth’s servant Ziba meets him with
donkeys, bread, raisins, fruits, and wine.
When David asks Ziba where his master is,
he claims that Mephibosheth is attempting
to take back the throne of his grandfather
Saul, so David gives Mephibosheth’s land
to Ziba. When David arrives at Bahurim,
Saul’s relative Shimei begins cursing and
throwing stones at David, telling him that
the throne belongs to David’s son Absalom
because of David’s bloodshed.
One
of David’s mighty men, Abishai, threatens
to take Abishai out, but David refuses and
leaves it to God’s will. Shimei continues
to curse David as he leaves to refresh himself
at the Jordan. Absalom and Ahitophel come
to Jerusalem, and David’s friend Hushai
fakes allegiance to Absalom. Absalom seeks
counsel from Ahitophel, and he tells him
to sleep with David’s concubines to gain
power over the throne.
In
2 Samuel 17, Ahitophel asks Absalom to allow
him to take 12,000 men and go after David.
His plan is to surprise attack while David
is weary and bring all of David’s people
back to Absalom. Absalom seeks confirmation
from David’s friend Hushai, who gives advice
contrary to Ahitophel’s, claiming that David
and his men are far too experienced and
bitter for this plan to be successful. Instead,
Hushai advises Absalom to gather all the
men of Israel and personally lead them into
battle against David. Since David will be
outnumbered, he will be forced to surrender.
All the men, including Absalom, agree that
this is a better plan, and it is noted that
this was all God’s plan to discredit Ahitophel
and destroy Absalom. Hushai immediately
sends word through a servant girl to David’s
priests to warn David to cross over the
Jordan, lest they be swallowed up. But a
soldier spots the men, so they seek refuge
in a well of a man’s house in Bahurim. The
wife of the man covers the well with a rug
and grain, and she tells Absalom’s servants
that the men fied toward the river. When
the men are unable to find the priests,
they return to Jerusalem. The priests then
bring word to David, and they rise up and
cross over the Jordan to Mahanaim. When
Ahitophel realizes his counsel failed, he
hangs himself. Absalom places Amasa in Joab’s
place as head of the army, and they camp
out in Gilead, poised to attack.
Meanwhile,
the people of Mahanaim feed and care for
David and his weary men.
In
2 Samuel 18, David organizes his army into
three groups, with Joab, Abishai, and Ittai
leading the charges. When David announces
that he will fight with them, the men refuse,
stating that David is worth ten thousand
of them, and that it is not safe. David
orders the men to deal gently with his son
Absalom. David’s men set out to the Forest
of Ephraim and defeat Israel, killing 20,000
of their men. As Absalom rides his mule,
his hair gets caught in an oak tree, leaving
him hanging and exposed to one of David’s
soldiers. Joab questions why the man didn’t
kill Absalom, and he pleads obedience to
David’s orders. Joab, however, goes against
the command and kills Absalom, and they
dump his body into a pit in the forest and
cover it with rocks.
Ahimaaz
requests to bring the “good news” to David,
but Joab refuses, stating that this is not
good news. Joab, instead, orders a Cushite
to tell David, but Ahimaaz keeps pressing
to be able to deliver the news. Ahimaaz
outruns the Cushite, and tells David that
his enemies have been defeated. But just
as he is asking about Absalom, the Cushite
arrives. David questions him, and he tells
David about the fate of his son. The chapter
ends with David grieving and mourning the
death of Absalom.
FULL
TRUTH | 2 Samuel 16:1-4
David
is making a rash decision based on someone
else’s condemnation. If he would’ve gone
to the source and gotten the full story,
he may not have been so hasty in handing
everything over to Ziba. I don’t know how
this has happened, but with social media,
we are so quick to assume that what we see
on one post is the full truth. We will see
one video on YouTube about a pastor (many
times taken out of context) and quickly
jump on the “false teacher” bandwagon based
on one person’s condemnation, not even considering
the thousands, sometimes millions of lives
that have been changed because of them.
I saw one yesterday titled, “The Most Evil
Christians,” with several well-known pastors
on the thumbnail, and I just thought, “What
is happening? How has this become our mission?”
Heart Check.
Are
you quick to believe the condemnation of
one person? Or do you seek to find fulll
truth for yourself?
SELF-CONTROL
| 2 Samuel 16:9-13
Wow.
What self-control David is showing here.
He had an open door to take out this taunting
enemy. That would’ve been the spiritual
immature thing to do—to bite back. But instead,
he said, “Let him go.” And it was because
he knew that God would deal with Shimei,
so he didn’t have to. But secondly, he kept
his eye focused on the real issue.
Shimei
wasn’t his problem—he was just a distraction.
The real issue was Absalom. Kind of reminds
us of all the jeering Jesus went through
on his way to the cross. Yet He stayed focused
on His mission. Heart Check.
Are
you able to maintain self-control and the
right perspective when others are criticizing
or attacking you? Do you trust that the
Lord will deal with them?
FOOLISH
COUNSEL | 2 Samuel 16:20-23
This
is a really sad situation—Ahitophel drank
the bitter poison and hoped that David would
die. But instead, we see how bitterness
will actually kill us first. While Ahitophel
had the right to be angry because of what
happened with Bathsheba, how di£erent
this situation could’ve been had he forgiven
David instead of holding on to that resentment.
Perhaps this is why David penned, “Be angry
but do not sin” (Psalm 4:4). Heart Check.
Are
you drinking bitter poison? Is there resentment
in your spirit that needs to be dealt with?
FEED
THE FLOCK | 2 Samuel 17:27-29
What
I love here is that these men all had justifiable
reasons not to help these men. David waged
war against Shobi’s uncle Hanun, Machir
was Mephibosheth’s caretaker for many years,
and Barzillai is 80 years old. They could’ve
easily said, “Nope. He hurt me and my family.
I’m not helping him.” Or, “It’s someone
else’s responsibility. I’ve done my duty.”
Or, “I’m too old and too tired for this.”
But they didn’t. They saw that life is short
and they did the righteous thing by feeding
the fiock, which is exactly what Jesus calls
us to do—find those who are hungry and feed
them. Heart Check.
Are
you feeding the flock or toobusy making
excuses?
Deep
Dive
Is
criticism always bad? Can we grow from it?
How did David show growth through criticism?
How
much power does loyalty hold today? How
does it compare to the Bible?
How
does the advice of Ahitophel and Hushai
refiect their character?
Is
Hushai’s deceitful advice justified?
Is
Joab’s killing of Absalom justified?
When
refiecting on Absalom’s downfall, what were
the real reasons for it?
Heavenly
Father, thank you for this stark reminder
of where disobedience and rebellion will
take us in the end.
We
see the destructive power it holds, and
we want no part in it. But we also thank
you for showing us the unwavering love that
David had for his son Absalom. What a refiection
of your heart it is—how you love us despite
our failures, our egos, our pride, and our
rebellion. We also see how it hurts your
heart so much to see us fall. Thank you
for lifting us out of the pit before it
buried us alive.
I
pray that we all take note of the soil that
we are cultivating in this time so that
we don’t get to the future and wish that
we had treated it di£erently. Help
us to deal with issues now, as hard as they
may seem, because we know they will only
be colossal failures if we don’t.
Thank
you, Jesus, for doing what David couldn’t—for
dying in our place. Because so, we are no
longer suspended between heaven and earth,
and knowing that when we do get there, we
will be able to enter your gates with joy.
How it grieves our heart to think about
those who will not be received. I pray that
you will write the names on our hearts of
the people we can reach out to today to
whom we can share your grace and forgiveness.
We pray for the salvation of our loved ones.
You know who they are. Please extend your
mercy and give them time to turn their lives
over to you.
Thank
you, Father, for your divine intervention
that continues today. It wasn’t just reserved
for people like David—you are moving on
our behalf all the time, even in ways that
we can’t see. We know that we still have
the freedom to choose, so I pray that we
will choose wisely, always heeding the guidance
of your Holy Spirit. We know that if we
trust in you, your purpose in our lives
will prevail.
If
we are making any excuses against doing
your will, I pray that you will reveal it
to us today. Sometimes we can’t even recognize
our own rebellion, so will you gently rebuke
us if there is any within us. We want to
be like the men who cared for David, feeding
those who are hungry, and meeting needs
where necessary. We are your hands and feet,
Jesus, so I pray that you will show us where
we can go to put them to work.
If
there is any bitterness or resentment in
any of us, give us the willingness and ability
to forgive and let go. We don’t want to
bear murderous fruit, so I pray that you
will give us the strength to endure any
hurt that may come our way. If there is
undue criticism, help us to see your purpose
in it.
We
know that we are blessed when we are falsely
accused or persecuted, so I pray that you
will expand our petty delete buttons to
refiect that. Cover us with your truth and
let it be known.
I
pray that we won’t be quick to listen to
the criticism or condemnation of others.
Where necessary, show us how to seek out
the full story for ourselves before we end
up jumping on to a train that leads to nowhere.
But
if there is something you are trying to
reveal to us, may we be open to that as
well. Increase our discernment in all circumstances,
with the things we hear and the people we
encounter. Help us to stay focused on you
and the real issues at hand. But most of
all, I pray that our hearts will refiect
yours in all things.
In
Psalm 26,
the psalmist expresses his desire for integrity
and righteousness before God. He seeks God's
judgment and guidance, confident in his
own innocence. The psalmist acknowledges
God as his ultimate judge and seeks to walk
uprightly before Him, refusing to associate
with evildoers. He trusts God's faithfulness
and seeks to worship Him with a pure heart.
Psalm
40 refiects on the psalmist's
experience of being in a pit of despair
and crying out to God for help. Despite
the challenges and trials, the psalmist
finds hope and deliverance in God. The psalmist
emphasizes the importance of rejoicing and
being glad in the Lord, even amid difficulties.
Psalm
58 refiects on the theme of divine
judgment and justice. The psalmist acknowledges
the existence of evil in the world and calls
upon God to intervene and punish the wicked.
Despite injustice, the psalmist trusts in
God's ultimate judgment and righteousness.
Psalm
58 reflects on the theme of divine
judgment and justice. The psalmist acknowledges
the existence of evil in the world and calls
upon God to intervene and punish the wicked.
Despite injustice, the psalmist trusts in
God's ultimate judgment and righteousness.
Psalm
61 portrays the psalmist's reliance
on God as his rock of refuge and strength.
In times of trouble and distress, the psalmist
cries out to God for help and protection.
The psalmist finds assurance in God's faithfulness
and promises to praise Him forever.
Psalm
62 emphasizes trusting in God
alone for refuge and strength. The psalmist
contrasts the fieeting nature of human power
and wealth with the steadfastness of God's
love and protection. He encourages others
to find their security in God rather than
worldly possessions.
Psalm
64 refiects on the psalmist's
experience facing enemies who seek to harm
him through secret plots and deceit. The
psalmist trusts God's protection and justice
despite the threats and dangers. He calls
upon God to defend him from his enemies
and bring justice.
LEVEL
GROUND | Psalm 26
The
heart of this Psalm is a profound call to
live with unwavering integrity and to be
transparent and sincere before God, allowing
Him to truly see and know us.
"We
must be willing to be truly seen and truly
known. Without that kind of openness, there
will never be integrity." (Exalting
Jesus in Psalms 1-50)
Consider
this: the Lord, our divine heart surgeon,
provides us with a blueprint for walking
uprightly for Him and not for man. Who are
you seeking approval from? Your spouse,
friends, co-workers, your boss, or your
in-laws? If we were to break this down into
a checklist of actionable items, would you
find yourself standing on level ground?
Here's
how we can walk uprightly before God:
1. Depend
on God wholeheartedly.
2. Do
not waver from God's faithfulness as your
guide.
3. Allow
the Lord and the Holy Spirit to examine
your heart and mind.
4. Do
not sit with the evil, wicked, or hypocrites.
5. Wash
your hands—repent of evil deeds.
6. Praise
and worship the Lord.
7. Go
to church and seek fellowship.
8. Allow
the Lord into your life so He may redeem
and bless you.
9. Give
glory to the Lord in public.
Are
you on level ground
IN
THE PITS | Psalm 40
This
psalm is about finding hope and joy even
in our darkest moments. It teaches God's
faithfulness and power to lift us out of
despair.
Corrie
ten Boom once said, "No pit is so deep
that He is not deeper still; with Jesus
even in our darkest moments, the best remains
and the very best is yet to be." This
quote captures the essence of Psalm 40.
I've
been reading "The Hiding Place,"
which tells the story of Corrie ten Boom,
who was arrested for hiding Dutch Jews from
the Nazis and survived the atrocities of
a concentration camp. Despite enduring food
deprivation, infestations, beatings, and
the constant threat of death, Corrie and
her sister Betsie led worship services with
a smuggled Bible in their barracks.
● In
the pit of destruction, she proclaimed Christ.
● In
the muddy clay, she sang her song.
● In
the great congregation, she spoke of His
love.
● In
the face of her iniquities, she rejoiced.
Just
as He took thought of Corrie, He takes thought
of you. Heart Check.
Can
you rejoice and be glad in the Lord, even
in the deepest pits?
JUDGEMENT
| Psalm 58:11
God
is the ultimate judge. This teaches us to
bring our anger to God but warns against
taking vengeance into our own hands.We can
vent to God, and it's okay to feel anger.
However, we must not sin in our anger. God,
as the ultimate judge, rewards the righteous
and punishes sinners. He also o£ers
grace to those who seek forgiveness.
Corrie
ten Boom, who survived a concentration camp,
forgave the person who betrayed her family.
She said that healing was linked to forgiveness.Psalm
58:11 states, "Surely there is a reward
for the righteous; surely there is a God
who judges on earth." Despite the evil
in this world, we trust that God will bring
justice.
Even
in our most profound anger, like a mother
raging against her child's cancer, we must
remember that vengeance belongs to God because
he is the father of us, his children, with
the disease of sin that is slowly killing
us. Our role is to trust His judgment and
seek His grace. Heart Check.
Are
you ready to stand before God?
CONTINUATION
| Psalm 61
Have
you ever found yourself in a situation where
life seems to be piling up against you?
Perhaps you're juggling a medical emergency,
car troubles, unpaid bills, and family issues
all at once. It can be incredibly overwhelming
and exhausting, and I understand how it
feels.
During
such trying times, we often feel isolated
and weighed down. Yet, just as David poured
out his heart to God in his anguish, feeling
utterly overwhelmed and weary, we too can
do the same. David understood that God's
sanctuary was a place of refuge, but he
yearned for God's tangible presence and
assistance in his life.
It’s
important to seek God's justice and intervention
when life feels unbearable. It's not just
okay, it's crucial to cry out to God, asking
for a continuation of His grace, mercy,
and love. Heart Check.
Do
you need a good heart cry of lament? This
is a deep, heartfelt expression of your
pain and sorrow to God. It's a way of acknowledging
your struggles and seeking His comfort and
guidance. Do you need to ask the Lord for
a continuation of His grace, mercy, and
love in your life?
REFUGE
| Psalm 62:2, 12
This
is a reminder that God alone is our refuge
and strength. In this psalm, David emphasizes
where we should place our trust. It’s not
in money, wealth, our identity, roles, or
our own strength and power. God alone is
our true source of protection and security.
David
challenges us to reconsider our places of
refuge and protection. Often, we trust in
human strength or the accumulation of wealth.
But these will all fail us. David’s full
confidence is in God, who is always available,
always protective, and always secure. The
power we hold comes from the Lord alone.
Do
you trust God alone?
TROLLS
| Psalm 64
Have
you ever faced internet trolls? These people
hide behind their screens and hurt others
with their words. They make us worry and
question ourselves: "Am I that ugly?
Loud? Rude? Insignificant?" They create
a false state of anxiety and worry, just
like the enemies of King David, who secretly
plotted to harm him.
When
David was in danger, he turned to God, like
a child running to their father for comfort.
He asked God to help him, knowing he was
safe in God's care. This is how we should
feel when we're being hurt by others. We
find safety and comfort in God's strong
arms when we pray.
Internet
trolls act like they're above justice, thinking
they won't face any consequences. But God
sees everything. He upholds justice by punishing
the wicked, and this gives the righteous—those
who do right—a reason to rejoice. Knowing
that God is helping us feels safe and secure.
Do
you have wounds from being hurt by others?
Maybe you've even thought about getting
back at them. It's scary to realize how
deep our hearts can go, often driven by
selfish desires. When hurt or ambushed by
injustice, we should call on God. He is
mighty and worthy to deliver justice. He
will turn the tables in His own time and
way.
God's
justice ensures that we can always find
refuge in Him. So, next time you face hurtful
words or actions, remember to turn to God.
He is our safe place and our source of strength.
Heart Check.
How
can you turn to God for comfort and justice
when you face hurtful words or actions,
such as those from friends, family, co-workers,
or even complete strangers, and trust that
He will uphold justice in your life?
Deep
Dive
What
practical steps can you take today to walk
uprightly before God and stand on level
ground with Him?
How
can you remind yourself of God's faithfulness
when you're in a pit of despair and find
reasons to rejoice in Him?
When
you feel wronged, how can you trust God's
judgment instead of seeking revenge?
When
life overwhelms you, how can you find comfort
in God's promises and seek His continued
presence and support?
How
can you ensure that your desire to please
God is the main focus in your life?
How
can you keep your view of money in its proper
place and rely on God more than anything
or anyone else?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for your lovingkindness
and steadfast love.
Lord,
help us to walk in integrity and righteousness
before You, just as David did. Give us the
strength to trust in Your judgment and guidance,
even when the path seems uncertain. May
we find joy in worshiping You with pure
hearts and seek to stand on level ground
in Your presence.
When
we find ourselves in the pits of despair,
help us to turn to You for hope and deliverance.
Teach us to rejoice and be glad in You,
even when life feels overwhelming. Thank
You for being our refuge and strength in
times of trouble.
We
unwaveringly trust in Your righteous judgment
and justice. Help us always remember that
vengeance belongs to You alone and seek
Your divine guidance in times of injustice.
Grant us the strength to stand firm in our
faith and trust in Your love.
Lord,
You are our unyielding rock of refuge and
strength in times of trouble. Hear our heartfelt
cries for help and be our unwavering shelter
in the storm. We are thankful for Your steadfast
faithfulness and promise never to leave
or forsake us. May we continually praise
You for Your boundless goodness and grace.
Oh,
heavenly father, help us trust in You alone
for our refuge and strength. Keep our hearts
focused on Your steadfast love and protection,
knowing You are our ultimate security. Thank
You for being our rock and fortress where
we can always find refuge.
Protect
us from our enemies' schemes and deliver
us from harm. Give us the courage to trust
in Your protection and justice, knowing
You are our mighty fortress. Thank You for
being our shield and defender in times of
trouble.
In
2 Samuel 19, Joab is told that because of
David’s deep grief and mourning for his
son Absalom, his fighting men are demoralized
and stripped of their joy in this victory.
Joab privately rebukes David for this and
warns that if he does not go out and acknowledge
his people, they will tragically fall. David
goes out before the people to show his support.
Meanwhile,
the Israelites return home and begin complaining
to their leaders that they have no king.
David sends a message to the leaders, appealing
to them as his relatives and asking for
them to receive him as king. David places
Amasa in Joab’s position as a sign of solidarity
with them. As David returns, Saul’s relative
Shimei (who had previously cursed David)
asks for forgiveness. He brings 1000 men
with him in hopes of proving his support
of David.
Mephibosheth
meets David showing signs of mourning. David
questions why he did not come to David earlier,
and Mephibosheth explains that he could
not saddle a donkey due to his physical
condition. David then divides the land that
he had taken from Mephibosheth and gives
equal portions to him and his servant Ziba.
However,
Mephibosheth refuses, saying that David’s
safe return is enough for him. Barzillai
the Gileadite, who fed David at Marzillai,
comes down to escort David over the Jordan.
When David invites him to live in the royal
palace, Barzillai refuses, as he prefers
to live out his last years in his hometown.
He instead o£ers his servant Chimham
to David in his place.
Meanwhile,
the men of Israel taunt the Judahites, claiming
they are trying to win nepotistic favor
with David, sparking a quarrel between the
north and south.
In
2 Samuel 20, a rebellious Benjamite named
Sheba calls for a revolt against David.
A band of rebels follow him while Judah
remains loyal to David. Meanwhile, David
goes home to Jerusalem and places his defiled
concubines (by Absalom) into isolation.
David
instructs his general Amasa to pursue the
Israelite rebels. When Amasa meets up with
David’s former commander Joab, Joab strikes
Amasa dead, reclaiming his former role as
commander.
Joab
and his brother Abishai continue their pursuit
after Sheba at the city of Abel. As Joab
and his men lay siege against Abel, a wise
woman claims that the city is peaceful and
does not deserve to be destroyed on Sheba’s
behalf. Joab, therefore, demands the head
of Sheba in exchange for retreat. The chapter
ends with a detailed list of Israelite leadership.
In
2 Samuel 21, David seeks the Lord after
three years of famine. The Lord tells David
that the famine is a result of Saul’s breaking
of Israel’s covenant with the Gibeonites.
David asks the Gibeonites how he can make
restitution for their unjust deaths, and
they demand for seven of Saul’s family members
to be handed over to them. David grants
their request but spares Mephibosheth.
The
Gibeonites then hang the seven men on the
mountain at the beginning of the harvest.
Saul’s concubine Rizpah protects the exposed
bodies against scavengers until the drought
ends.
David
honors her vigilance by digging up the bones
of Jonathan and Saul and giving them a proper
burial in the tomb of Saul’s father Kish.
David also gives the seven men a proper
burial. With these acts, the famine ends.
The
chapter ends with an account of four victorious
battles over the Philistine giants, with
one of the battles almost killing David.
From that point on, David is forbidden by
his men to go to battle.
SNAP
OUT OF IT | 2 Samuel 19:1-6
Joab
is basically telling David to snap out of
it, and not because of what it’s doing to
David, but because of how it is affecting
everyone else around him. This is part of
David’s responsibility that comes with his
anointing. He cannot a£ord to allow
his feelings to rule, even though that’s
exactly what is happening here-- he’s dragging
everyone down. This happened to me last
year several times, where I wanted to crawl
into a hole and not come out. But I knew
that I had a greater responsibility and
could not allow all of you to bear the weight
of my personal grief. I had to choose joy
in times of sorrow. But in the picking up
of myself o£ the ground, it brought
a quicker healing in my heart. So while
there is a time for mourning and weeping,
there also comes a time for choosing to
renew your joy in the Lord. Heart Check.
Do
you consider how your feelings affect others?
Are you able tp snap out of it and choose
joy?
RIGHTEOUS
GIVING | 2 Samuel 19:36
Here
we see that when Barzillai fed David and
his men, he did so without any expectation
of reward. He had the means to help, and
so he did. In a sense, he was laying up
his treasure in heaven when he gave freely
without ulterior motives. Heart Check.
When
you serve or give unto others, do you expect
something in return? Or do you freely give
out of a righteous heart?
KNOW
WHEN TO QUIT | 2 Samuel 21:17
There
comes a point in every person’s life where
we are no longer able to do what we once
did. And if we don’t surrender to that,
it can become a really disheartening thing.
But here, David knows that it’s time to
hang up the gloves and retire. His body
can’t physically keep up anymore. For us,
this may look very different, but the principle
of knowing when to quit remains. Heart Check.
Do
you know when to quit? Or are you hanging
on to something that you should be retiring?
Deep
Dive
In
an offended world, what role does rebuking
play? How can it be done effectively? How
can we receive it well?
What
lessons can we learn from the pardoning
of David’s different enemies?
What
lessons can we learn from the leadership
styles of David, Joab, and the wise woman?
What
does the breaking of the covenant with Gibeonites
show about God’s character?
Look
at how loyalty is displayed throughout these
chapters—how is it significant both then
and now?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for putting on display
such a powerful testament of forgiveness.
David
showed so much integrity with the way he
was able to pardon people who wronged or
offended him. I pray that we will be the
same in the way that we offer forgiveness
and grace, especially when people come with
true repentance and seek forgiveness.
I
pray that when we are faced with rebuke,
that we will be able to see it from an outside
perspective rather than from our hurt feelings
or shattered ego. I pray we will take responsibility
and snap out of our grief so that we will
not hinder those around us. We have something
that others don’t when it comes to grieving—the
joy of the Spirit that doesn’t come with
circumstances. It comes by choice. So we
choose you today
Help
us to be a people who are loyal beyond our
own personal gain, especially when it comes
to our loyalty to you. We don’t want to
be fair-weathered friends who come and go
with the wind. So while others may be deserting
or dividing, may we be people who are steady
under pressure and who stand with our God
who fights for us.
Help
us to be wise in all circumstances like
the wise woman at Abel. When a siege is
built up against us, I pray that we will
not falter. Instead, I pray that we will
put on our feet the gospel of peace as we
face those who come against us. Help us
to display your character, Jesus, in the
way that we handle confrontation. But I
also pray that we do not shy away from it.
Help us to be bold as a lion.
If
there is something that we are carrying
around, even years old, we know it’s never
too late to make it right. In fact, time
does not overlook offense, so I pray that
that burden will be lifted from our shoulders
by the action that we take to reconcile
our di£erences. I pray for the hearts
of those we may be trying to settle with—may
they be open and receptive to this restoration.
Show us what we can do to make it right
in both your eyes and theirs.
Lord,
we know that as long as we are on this earth,
we will be facing the giants of life—there
is no furlough from the fight. But we also
recognize that our role in the battle may
change or shift a bit. Give us the wisdom
and willingness to see and accept when to
move, when to quit, and when to shift. We
don’t ever want to give up, but we also
don’t want to keep fighting a battle that
is no longer ours. So as you go before us,
help us to keep our eyes on you, our Great
Commander.
Surround
us with an army of warriors who are devoted
to your purpose.
In
Psalm 5,
David pleads with the Lord to hear the prayers
that he brings each morning. He acknowledges
that God is not pleased with the rebellious,
the prideful, liars, hypocrites, and violent
ones. But David knows the Lord welcomes
him into His dwelling because of His covenant
of mercy and love, and he therefore comes
with holy fear to worship. He asks for the
Lord to guide him on to the road to righteousness
so that he will not be taken over by his
enemies who are out to destroy him with
lying and deceit. David pleads for the Lord’s
justice to fall upon them and for His blessings
of joy and favor to be upon the righteous.
In
Psalm 38,
David pleads with the Lord not to rebuke
him in his anger, as he feels as though
the Lord’s hand is upon him both physically
and spiritually. He describes his bodily
a£lictions and severe depression.
None of his friends or family want to be
around him, and those who seek to destroy
him are constantly after him. Yet he waits
on the Lord regardless, knowing the Lord
will answer his cries. David pleads with
the Lord to restrain his enemies so that
they do not rejoice in his fall. He ends
the psalm with a confession of sin and a
plea for help from the God who saves.
In
Psalm 41,
David declares that blessed are those who
care for ones in need, as the Lord protects,
delivers, sustains, and heals them. He pleads
with the Lord to be gracious to him, confessing
to have sinned against the Lord. Both his
enemies and friends speak kindly to him
to his face while seeking his end and gossiping
behind his back. David asks again for the
Lord to be gracious to him and to continue
to hold him up in his integrity. He ends
the psalm with a blessing upon the Lord
forevermore.
In
Psalm 42,
the psalmist declares that his soul desperately
thirsts for the Lord, with his tears being
his only source of nourishment. He recalls
a time when he led worship, now feeling
far from the Lord. He speaks to his soul,
asking why it is in such turmoil and declaring
that he will choose to hope and praise the
Lord once again. He feels as though he is
underwater, with waves continuing to crash
over him, but he expresses confidence that
the Lord’s mercy and comfort are with him,
regardless of feeling as though he’s been
forgotten. He lays out his complaint of
his enemies who continually taunt him, asking
where his God is. He ends the psalm with
the same question to his soul once again.
FOCUS
IN PRAYER | Psalm 5:1
One
of the reasons David was such a great psalmist
and prayer warrior is because of his focus—it
was always on God.
While
this sounds a bit obvious, sometimes we
can be more inwardly focused on what we
need that we lose that consciousness of
who we are praying to. It’s kind of like
talking to a person who only talks about
themselves and never really acknowledges
you in the conversation. Heart Check.
When
you pray, is your focus more on God or yourself?
PRAY
FIRST | Psalm 5:3
Another
great character trait of David is that he
prayed in the morning—again, another elementary
aspect of prayer, but we don’t always do
it. While we shouldn’t be religious about
this, it’s a good habit to get into because
not only do you dedicate your entire day
to the Lord, but it helps your mindset and
the tone of what your day will look like.
Because
when you pray, if you are focused more on
God than self, it sets a standard for you
to be able to autofocus on him throughout
the day. Heart Check.
Do
you pray in the morning (or at the beginningof
your day)?
INTENTIONAL
& EXPECTANT PRAYER |Psalm 5:3
When
David says, “I prepare a sacrifice to you,”
other translations read, “I direct my prayer
to you,” meaning his prayers are intentional.
They aren’t haphazard or all over the place.
He prepares what he is going to say.
One
of the ways you can do this is to write
out your prayers and then read it to the
Lord because your thoughts will be more
defined and focused. Eventually, you will
find that your conversation with Him will
become more natural. Lastly, it says that
he watches, meaning he sits in expectation
that the Lord will answer. Heart Check.
Are
your prayers intentional and expectant?
RESTLESSNESS
| Psalm 38:1-3
David
poetically described his painful distress
here, but right at the end, he pinpoints
the why—it’s because of his sin. And sin
will bear down on us. It will cause anxiety,
depression, and restlessness, even before
we are Christian and have a greater sense
of right and wrong. Whereas when we confess
and live under the yoke of Jesus, that weight
is lifted, and He gives us peace. Heart
Check.
Are
you restless? Is there anxiety stirring
within from something that needs to be dealt
with?
PERMANENT
LIMP | Psalm 38:17
When
David says that he is ready to fall, I get
this picture of an unstable person, or someone
who needs crutches or a cane of some sort.
More
times than not, we will have these permanent
limps or weaknesses that we will deal with
for the rest of our lives. It isn’t because
God is cruel, but it’s because He wants
us to lean on Him as our crutch or cane.
So we can either look at this weakness and
whine about it, or we can say, “Lord I need
you to help me walk. I need your support.”
Heart Check.
Do
you have a permanent limp or weakness that
you need the Lord to support you in?
OLD
WATERING HOLES | Psalm 41:1-2
David
may have been watching a deer drinking at
a stream or watering hole and thought to
himself, if only I could get some relief
or from this spiritual thirst that I feel.
He knows that the only thing that will bring
that true quenching is God. It’s the same
way we will never experience true satisfaction
without Jesus. He is our Living Water from
which we drink and never thirst again. Sometimes
we will think that old watering holes might
bring some satisfaction—and it may for a
moment. But ultimately it leaves us dry
and depressed all over again. Heart Check.
Are
you drinking from old watering holes? Or
are you seeking relief from the Living Water?
CHOOSE
TO PRAISE | Psalm 42:5
David
is over here preaching to himself, challenging
his feelings, and resolving to praise God
even when he doesn’t feel like it. This
stems from knowing who His God is and knowing
that He is worthy of it, regardless of his
circumstances. Heart check.
Ate
you able to praise God when you don't feel
like it?
PRAISE
BEFORE BREAKTHROUGH | Psalm 42:11
In
the end, David is purposing his heart to
hope in God and praise Him before the breakthrough.
This isn’t natural. Go to any sporting event,
and you know that the celebration follows
the touchdown or follows the victory. It
isn’t instinctive to celebrate a win that
hasn’t happened yet. But we can. And it’s
because the victory already happened on
the cross. But that wasn’t the case for
David, and yet he was still able to look
ahead and remain hopeful. Heart Check.
Are
you hopeful? Are you praising God before
the breakthrough?
Deep
Dive
What
kind of example has David set for us to
model prayer and devotion?
How
can we distinguish between consequences
of sin vs. mere happenings of life?
What
do David’s psalms reveal about his relationship
with God? How does this compare to your
relationship with Christ?
How
can we be a blessing to those in need? What’s
your motive in acts of charity?
How
can we remain hopeful in times of hardship
or su£ering? How does David’s faith
inspire you?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for your faithfulness
in times of trouble.
You
have proven yourself time and again in the
way that you have delivered, saved, protected,
sustained, and brought a new hope to our
spirit. I pray that we never forget this
so that when the next wave of trouble comes,
we can remember your goodness and trust
in your Presence that gives us breath when
we feel as though we are under water.
We
set our hope on you, our God Almighty, who
is for us. We humble ourselves before you,
for you are worthy to be praised, even when
our feelings say otherwise. I pray that
we will make prayer and praise both a habit
and a priority. We want to start each day
with you, dedicating our days to you and
making sure that our autofocus is accurately
tracking with you.
As
we desire to walk uprightly with you, I
pray that you will make clear your will
for our lives. There are so many things
that are grabbing at our attention, so we
just ask that you guide our hearts and thoughts
as we keep ourselves postured in holy reverence
and awe.
Thank
you for your covering of protection upon
our lives and for the solid foundation on
which we stand. There is something so powerful
in knowing that we are on solid ground.
This allows us to rejoice when everything
else around us is sinking. So we do that
today—we choose joy.
Even
if we are walking with a permanent limp
or struggling with the same thing over and
over again, we will use this as an opportunity
to lean into you. You are our walking cane
and crutch. It’s in you that we find stability,
so we thank you for not letting our feet
slip, even when the enemy tries to knock
us down.
For
anyone who feels as though they are under
a heavy hand of oppression, whether it’s
through physical ailments, sickness, or
even mental challenges, I pray that you
will lift this burden o£ of them today.
Set them free. Heal them from all sickness
and disease. Give them a new bill of health.
Take away any fear, depression, anxiety,
worry, or anything else that is holding
them down. Restore them to full health today.
Lord,
forgive us if there is anything within us
that has been unpleasing to you. We are
sinners, and we know we deserve wrath, yet
you loved us too much to allow us to endure
that. Instead, Jesus, you took our place.
Thank you for that. You didn’t give us up
to the will of the enemy who so desired
to see us fail. So we ask that you will
be gracious to us in your steadfast love.
We
know that we are never forgotten and never
alone, so we praise you, even before the
breakthrough, for you are worthy of the
highest praise and honor.
In
2 Samuel 22, David speaks to the Lord through
song, one he wrote when the Lord delivered
him from Saul. He begins by extolling the
Lord for being his rock, fortress, deliverer,
horn of his salvation, shield, and savior
who is worthy to be praised. He gives a
vivid description of the way that God has
saved David from the death, coming through
in powerful natural events like earthquakes,
storms, fire, and being rescued from the
water. The Lord has set David in a safe
place because of his righteousness and integrity.
He describes the way God deals with those
the same way they deal with others—if they
show mercy, He shows mercy, but if there
are crooked, God will seem torturous. Because
the Lord lights his way, David feels he
can do anything, as the Lord will provide
power and strength, just as he has in the
past. He looks back at the way the Lord
delivered him from his enemies and praises
the living God who continues to show his
steadfast love.
In
2 Samuel 23, David’s final message is recorded,
as he proclaims a word that the Lord has
spoken to him. He professes that a good
leader fears God, rules justly, and brings
refreshment to his people. He contrasts
this with the wicked, who will come to ruin
because of their disobedience. The chapter
shifts to a detailed listing of David’s
mighty men including Josheb-basshebeth,
Eleazar, Shammah, Abishai, and Benaiah.
He includes their personal feats and honors
the thirty mighty men who have served and
remained loyal to him throughout their feats.
In
Psalm 57, David cries out to the Lord for
mercy while trusting that He will fulfill
His purpose in him. David feels as though
his soul is among lions as his enemies surround
him. Yet he exalts the Lord regardless as
he recalls how his enemies have fallen into
their own traps. Therefore, David vows to
sing and praise the Lord with music and
thanksgiving. He ends the psalm with an
exaltation and proclamation that the Lord’s
glory shall fill the earth.
GRACE
& FORGIVENESS | 2 Samuel 22:21-24
Some
commentators have said that this section
tells us that David must’ve penned this
prior to his sin with Bathsheba. Whether
it was or not, that is a moot point.
Because
either way, David knew and understood forgiveness
and grace. He knew that when he genuinely
confessed, repented, and sought the forgiveness
of God, he got it. Remember when Nathan
told him, “God has put away your sin”? He
got a clean slate! So he isn’t claiming
sinlessness but rather positional righteousness,
which is what we have all been gifted from
Jesus’ work on calvary.
But
the question is, do we truly believe this?
A telltale sign would be if you read this
and immediately said, “But he sinned.”
If
so, that is an indicator of a shallow understanding
and reception of grace and forgiveness,
especially in the lives of others. Condemnation
is a tool of Satan to keep us under the
yoke of sin. Heart Check.
Were
you triggered by David'd claim of righteousness?
Do you have a true understanding of grace
and forgiveness? Or are you continuing to
hold yourself and others under condemnation?
GOD’S
DEALING | 2 Samuel 22:26-27
The
way that David showed so much mercy to Saul
and even to his son Absalom, he got that
back in return.But not only did David have
a right perspective of God’s grace and mercy
but also of His justice. He knew that those
who reject God’s free gift of grace will
be judged one day.
Wickedness
will not prevail. Whether here on earth
or at the judgment seat, God will deal with
every single person. Heart Check.
How
has God dealt with you? What does this say
about your character?
BREAKTHROUGH
| 2 Samuel 23:16
One
of the reasons this is such a powerful testimony
is because of the breakthrough.
This
was no easy task for these men to go and
get water because it was surrounded by the
Philistine enemy. This tactic is still used
by our adversary, who seeks to keep us from
getting a drink from the Living Water.
But
our Philistines look a little different—they
may not be giants but rather small tasks
on our to do list, distractions of notifications
on our phone, personal dealings or struggles
that are weakening our faith, or anything
else that is taking priority over coming
to His word.
If
you don’t know why you haven’t seen breakthrough
in your life, it might be a good time to
ask the Lord to show you what might be standing
in the way. Heart Check.
Do
you know what the Philistines stand in the
way of your breakthrough?
WARRIORS
| 2 Samuel 23:8-23
These
men went from the cave to the inspirational
hall of fame. I can only imagine that younger
Israelites who heard this roll call would
dream that their names would one day be
written in glory.
So
what was it about these men that got them
this notoriety? I’m sure it was more than
just muscle and grit. When you look at their
record, they stood out above the rest. And
we will too if we take on some of the roles
that they did.
Josheb-basshebeth
wielded his spear—he did some heavy lifting
and was able to defeat the enemy over and
over again. Imagine having to strike down
the enemy 800 times!
Most
of us get weary after just one attack.
But
we keep wielding our spear and lifting our
hands in prayer. We don’t stop praying until
the enemy is defeated.
Secondly,
Eleazar clung to the sword until his hands
had callouses and wore out. Our sword is
the Word of God. We cling to it, and we
don’t let go. Our hands will get callouses
and our Bibles will wear out, but when it
does, that means the Word is written our
hearts because we’ve been holding on to
it so tightly.
Shammah
guarded the beans—he was a man of service—faithful
in the little things. Jesus tells us that
he who is faithful in little will be faithful
in much. When we show up and serve others,
and do it not for gain, we grow some spiritual
muscle. The three mighty men didn’t have
to be told what to do—they just knew the
heart of their king. They heard he was thirsty,
and they jumped into action willingly. This
is why it is so important to know the heartbeat
of God. If we don’t know who He is and what
He wants, how will we be able to bring him
that sacrifice of praise?
Lastly,
Benaiah took down lions in the pit, which
is symbolic of Satan. Our first victory
must be in our mind first, and we have to
be able to overcome the enemy’s ploys to
distract us from the real battle ahead,
which in this case was the Egyptian. We’ve
spoken before how in the Bible, Egypt symbolizes
the world. And one of our greatest battles
is being in this world but not of it.
Benaiah
fought of the Egyptian by using a staff.
And a staff is symbolic of a pilgrim. Therefore,
we defeat the world by recognizing that
we are just sojourners passing through.
This life is temporary. Our struggles are
temporary. Our success is temporary. The
true lasting glory is not here but in heaven.
Heart Check.
Knowing
what it takes to be a warrior, what areas
could you improve in?
PERSONAL
PSALM | 2 Samuel 22-23
In
the end, these two chapters are David’s
final words, and it’s safe to say that he
is almost writing his own eulogy. These
words summarize his life and his relationship
with God and people. Heart Check.
If
your life was summed up in a personal psalm,
how would you describe God and your relationship
wit Him and with others?
FLYING
ARROWS | Psalm 57:1-2
Up
to this point, David has been on the run
from Saul, who has been hurling spears and
arrows at him.
David
never threw spears back because he knew
it wasn’t e£ective and he also knew
that it would blatantly disobey God by touching
his anointed. So as messed up as it seems,
even Saul’s arrows coming at David were
anointed, because they ultimately gave him
the opportunity to show mercy and patience
and to trust in God to deliver him.
Sometimes
arrows that come our way may be anointed
arrows that are testing our faithfulness.
Because
we know that when we pray, “Lord make me
more like you,” it isn’t a genie in a bottle
situation where, “poof!” and we’re suddenly
holier than thou. God gives us an opportunity
to grow things like patience, mercy, kindness,
and forgiveness. It’s not to say that those
arrows won’t sting, because they do, but
when you know that God can work a good purpose
in them, the sting goes away a lot quicker
if you trust the process. The questions
is… Heart Check.
When
arrows come flying at you, do you throw
arrows back? Or are you able to allow the
Lord to fulfill His purpose in them?
Deep
Dive
Look
at the many character traits of God that
David displayed. Make a list. Which ones
resonate with you? How can you set your
focus and meditate on one attribute each
day?
How
does chapter 22 look to the coming of Jesus?
What
can we learn from David’s final words?
What
kind of legacy did David and his mighty
men leave? How does it inspire the legacy
you will leave?
What
were David’s reasons for being able to tdeclare
such trust in God?
What
does the lion represent in Psalm 55:4-6?
How is this relevant to our lives?
Heavenly
Father, We thank you, our Lion of
Judah, for being greater than anything that
could ever come our way?
You
have proven faithful time and again, and
so we agree with David today in saying,
“Be exalted, O God, above all the heavens.
Let your glory be over all the earth!” We
pray that every person will be able to see
your face or recognize you so that there
will be no way they can deny your existence
and what you have done, Jesus.
Thank
you for being merciful to us and for being
our refuge, the place we can run, especially
when the arrows are fiying. We pray for
divine protection to continue in our lives,
because we know that until the day that
we go home to be with you, the arrows will
continue to fiy. Our adversary won’t let
up. But we rest in the fact that he’s already
been defeated, and we declare that he cannot
have our soul. We have committed our lives
to you Jesus, and we look forward to the
day when he is cast into the Lake of Fire
once and for all. Until then, we will keep
praising, keep celebrating the victory that
was and the victory that is yet to be. We
will sing your praise to all nations.
You
are our rock and deliverer, our shield and
stronghold. We call upon you, who is worthy
to be praised. Thank you for hearing our
cries when we feel as though we are under
water. Thank you for your active intervention,
never leaving us to fight alone.
We
are so grateful that we can fight from a
place of righteousness, as being under a
yoke of sin will keep us weak, and that
is why the enemy works so hard to condemn
us. So I pray that we will remember that
you see us as blameless—you forget our sin
when we come in humble repentance. Thank
you that we don’t have to work for your
mercy, but it is already there for us. May
we deal with others in the same way, giving
access to mercy and kindness always. I pray
that our hearts will always be humble before
you, looking at ourselves accurately and
taking inventory of things that need fixing,
but also having grace on ourselves too.
Sometimes
we are quick to forgive others but not so
much ourselves.
What
a legacy David left, not only for young
or upcoming warriors, but for us as well.
Thank you for showing us what it takes to
be a spiritual warrior. I pray that we will
never stop lifting our hands in prayer,
that we will never let go of your Word,
and that we will look for ways that we can
serve, even in the smallest ways. May we
never look at any job as too menial or beneath
us. For we know that when we are faithful
in little, you will give us much more. May
our hearts beat in step with yours so that
we will be able to walk in your rhythm.
Help
us to hear your heartbeat in every Word
you speak, in every sunset, every smile,
and every little thing that we might take
for granted. May we never lose sight of
what is ahead as we sojourn through this
life. We look to heaven and let go of the
worries that will try to keep us shackled
to this world. The greatest thing that we
could ever strive for isn’t here. It’s at
home with you. Thank you for preparing a
place for us.
Psalm
95 is a worship and royal psalm
that calls for the people to come together
to praise the Lord with thanksgiving and
joyful praise. The psalmist declares the
greatness of God as King and Creator. He
calls for the people to posture themselves
in humility, like sheep before their shepherd.
The psalm then transitions to a warning
about disobedience, urging the people not
to be like their fathers who rebelled at
Meribah and Maasah, for the Lord was not
pleased with them and did not allow them
to enter the Promised Land.
Psalm
97 is a royal psalm that begins
with a declaration of the Lord’s supremacy
over all the earth. He graphically describes
the Presence of God using imagery of clouds,
fire, and lightning, alluding to His righteous
judgment and awesome power. The heavens
declare His righteousness and all people
see His glory, putting to shame idol worshippers.
He declares the Lord as most high, bringing
gladness to His people as He is exalted
above all. The psalm ends with a call for
those who love the Lord to reject evil and
rejoice in His holiness with gratitude.
Psalm
98 is a psalm of exuberant praise,
celebrating God for his righteousness and
salvation. The psalmist calls for the people
to sing a new song for His awesome works
and the way He has saved and delivered His
people in righteousness and mercy, allowing
His salvation to be revealed to all the
earth. He calls for the entire earth to
o£er songs of praise, just as all
of creation praises Him. The psalm ends
with a proclamation of His coming judgment
of all people.
Psalm
99 begins with a joyful declaration
of the Lord’s majesty, with poetic imagery
of his enthronement upon the cherubim and
the earth quaking beneath Him. The psalmist
calls for His people to praise God for His
greatness, awesomeness, holiness, righteousness,
and justice. He recalls the answered prayers
and spiritual guidance by God to Moses,
Aaron, and Samuel, despite their wrongdoing.
The psalm ends with a call to exalt and
worship the Lord in His holiness.
WORSHIP
| Psalm 95:1
You
could probably create an entire worship
study based on this one verse. The psalmist
is emphasizing the importance of corporate
worship—coming together with others to praise
the Lord.
God
never intended for this to become something
religious, but He stresses fellowship because
He made us to do life together and never
alone. It’s why he made Eve for Adam and
said, “It is not good for man to be alone.”
Secondly,
when we do come together, it should be a
joyful occasion as we honor the Lord with
a happy and enthusiastic heart. This is
why you will see most churches begin worship
with a more upbeat song of praise. It sets
the tone and focus of what worship is—and
it’s not about us. It’s about praising and
worshipping Him.
And
third, it says to make a joyful noise to
the rock of our salvation. Of the many words
used to describe who they’re about to worship,
this seems to be a very personal view of
God. And that’s the way it should be. Worship
isn’t just clapping our hands, reading the
words on the screen, and hoping that the
person next to you doesn’t hear you singing
off tune. There should be a connection and
a consciousness of His presence. Heart Check.
What
is worship like for you? Are you coming
together to worship with others? Is it joyful
and personal? Do you have a conscious awareness
od who you are worshipping?
WORSHIP
POSTURE | Psalm 95:6-7
Here
we’ve entered the portion that explains
songs 2-4 on the worship setlist. (Did you
ever realize there’s a pattern in worship).
This
isn’t random—it’s Biblical!
Again,
this isn’t dictating a religious practice,
but it’s a model for us that is set up so
that our hearts are properly set before
we sit down for a message. There are three
things that describe a more solemn or humble
posture.
The
word worship actually means to prostrate
oneself. Bowing down or kneeling isn’t just
a formality, it is an intentional way of
humbling yourself before a holy God. Some
people might not be able to physically do
this, but it’s more about the posture of
your heart. Heart Check.
What
is your heart posture like when you worship?
Is it humble before the Lord?
RESCUE
MISSION | Psalm 97:2
I
love this description of the throne of God—it
is built on a foundation of righteousness
and justice.
It
got me thinking that we all have the choice
to live under the rule of a righteous and
just God or a “do what you feel is right”
Satan. There’s no in between. We are either
going to choose this life of righteousness,
where we live within boundaries and with
some regulation, knowing that there will
be consequences for our choices.
Or
we will live under the ruler of this world
who says, “Do whatever you want—live as
you please. There are no rules here and
no one to judge you.” Sounds like the way
of the world right? Everyone doing what
is right in his own eyes. But sadly, this
rejection of God will come to an end when
they do stand before Him in judgment. Because
He is sovereign.
They
think they’re living a life of freedom,
but it will ultimately lead to an eternity
of torture. I don’t want to see that for
anyone. No one will walk into hell proudly.
There will be a realization that the life
they lived was all a lie. This is not an
us vs. them kind of thing. We are not the
judge.
We
are the troops who are sent out on a rescue
mission. Our job is to make people realize
that this is real. Heart Check.
Are
you part of a rescue mission? Do you have
a realistic view of the coming judgement
and are you seeking to save others from
it?
Deep
Dive
How
can we apply “worship theology” to our lives?
The
psalmist referred to God as the rock of
his salvation. What is your personal “go
to” title for God?
How
do we reconcile hating sin and loving people
without compromise or judgment?
How
does God’s judgment compare to the justice
system in the world?
Is
the idea of nature praising God figurative
or literal?
What
character traits or heartbeats of God could
be seen in today’s reading?
Heavenly
Father, We magnify you, our holy God, today.
We
celebrate your majesty, your sovereignty,
your righteousness, and justice. When we
understand the true significance of these
things, we will have no choice but to make
a joyful noise unto you. Thank you for the
privilege of being able to worship you with
gladness and thanksgiving. In light of your
greatness in majesty, we really have no
right to come into your presence based on
our unrighteousness. Yet you opened that
door anyway, and for that we are so grateful.
So we bow down in humble reverence and worship
you our God and our King. You are worthy
to be praised.
We
know that when we posture our hearts in
a humble way, you will hear our prayers
and speak to us. Help us to hear your voice
today. I pray that we will not be confused
by the many voices of this world trying
to infiuence us to live as we please. But
help us to know that the road to righteousness
is a solid road—there are no potholes to
fiatten our tires or to make us veer o£
into ditches. With you, there may be bumps
along the way, but we will never total our
spiritual cars.
Soften
our hearts today to be pliable in your hands.
We don’t want to resist your purpose and
will for our lives. Strengthen any areas
of unbelief or doubt so that we do not rebel
or reject you in any way. May we continue
to grow in knowledge of who you are so that
we can fully trust in your name. When we
do that, we know that we will enter into
rest. The heavy burdens we carry will be
lifted and we will be able to breathe easy
once again.
We
know that you are coming soon, Jesus, to
right every wrong and to put an end to all
evil, cruelty and injustice. I pray that
in this extended overtime that you have
so graciously given to us, we will all take
our position in the rescue mission to get
people to understand the realness of your
coming judgment. We don’t want to condemn
anyone or scare anyone.
But
if they will one day bow down to you anyway
once they realize that what they believed
was all a lie, I pray that they will choose
to bow down now while we are still awake.
It will not be a day of celebration on that
day of judgment. Even the angels will weep.
So
I pray that we will do our part—whatever
it takes to get others to know you, the
real you. Not this fictional character of
some deity of the past that sits in the
clouds. You are the Creator, God Almighty,
whose Presence is in the here and now. Open
their eyes to see it, soften their hearts
to receive it. Make known your salvation
to those who aren’t aware. For those who
are and have rejected it, be merciful O
God.
I
believe we are counting down the days to
your return, Jesus, so as we do, I pray
that every day will be one of praise. If
the rivers clap their hands and hills sing
for joy, so shall we. We have so many reasons
to rejoice, so help us to see it if we fail
to do so. At the very least thank you for
hearing our prayers and for saving us.
In
2 Samuel 24 and 1 Chronicles 21, Satan convinces
David to take a census of Israel, despite
the pushback from Joab and the commanders
of his army. Regardless, the men go and
number the fighting men, with over one million
available for battle. When God brings judgment
upon Israel for David’s sin, David immediately
repents and seeks forgiveness and mercy
from the Lord. The Lord tells David through
his prophet Gad to choose between three
types of punishment: famine for three years,
fieeing from his enemies for three months,
or a plague for three days. Because he knows
the Lord will be more merciful than man,
David chooses the plague, and 70,000 men
die. Just as an angel is set to destroy
Jerusalem, David again pleads for mercy,
and the Lord relents.
The
Lord tells David to build an altar on the
threshing fioor of Arnaun (or Ornan), so
David purchases the land and successfully
o£ers a burnt and peace o£ering.
In
1 Chronicles 22, David declares that the
site of the altar will also be the site
of the future temple. David begins gathering
workers and the highest quality of building
materials for the temple’s construction,
declaring that it must be exceedingly magnificent
and glorious. David then calls his young
son Solomon and gives him the charge to
build the temple, explaining that he has
been chosen by God, as he is a man of peace
and not war like David. He speaks a blessing
of peace and prosperity over Solomon and
prays for wisdom and understanding to guide
his obedience. David summons the leaders
to begin building and instructs them to
seek the Lord and set their hearts on God
before starting the work.
Psalm
30 is psalm of praise, intended to be sung
during the dedication of the temple. David
begins with a strong determination to praise
the Lord because of the way He has rescued,
healed, and restored him. He calls for praise
among all the people for the mercy and joy
they’ve been given. David knows that the
favor of God is the source of his strength,
and he continues to plead for mercy, feeling
as though he is on the verge of death. The
psalm ends with a declaration of praise
and thanksgiving to the one who has turned
his mourning into dancing and has clothed
him with glory.
OVERESTIMATING
OWNERSHIP | 2 Samuel 24:3
Joab
immediately recognizes the error here. God
did not call on David to take a census as
He did before.
But
why would this be wrong? In ancient culture,
you were only allowed to count what belonged
to you, and the people didn’t belong to
David. They belonged to God. In a sense,
David is overestimating his ownership here,
and we will find that he is doing so to
prepare for war, which shows that he is
moving ahead of God and relying on his military
strength more than God’s Presence with him.
In doing this, there was an open door for
self-glory, which stems from pride. Heart
Check.
Are
you overestimating your ownership? What
do you consider yours and what is God's?
SHORT
ACCOUNT | 2 Samuel 24:10
It
took a good 10 months for David to realize
he had done wrong, but the fact of the matter
is, he was sensitive to God’s righteous
will and his own conviction. And once he
realized he had erred, he immediately confessed
and sought forgiveness and restoration.
This was because he had a short account
with God. He knew he was on a leash in the
best way. What about you? Heart Check.
How
short is your account with God? Are you
quick to seek forgiveness once you realize
you have done wrong?
COSTLY
SACRIFICES | 2 Samuel 24
David
refused to consider something a sacrifice
if it cost him nothing. He understood what
a true sacrifice was. This concept of sacrificial
giving still exists today. If it costs us
nothing, it isn’t a sacrifice. A cost isn’t
just about money—there are costs of time,
costs of physical labor or even costs of
our ego or selfish desires. But the best
part is, God always pays us back in full,
if not with interest because He is a debtor
to no man. Heart Check
What
sacrifices do you bring to the Lord? Are
they costly?
OPERATING
IN EXCELLENCE | 1 Chronicles 22:1-5
David
was gathering the very best materials to
execute this magnificent vision that he
had of the temple—it was one of fame and
glory. It might be easy to write this o£
as we think that God does not require magnificence
or extravagance.
After
all, He bore Himself in a manger. But the
good we can take from this is that David
put forth his very best and did things with
excellence—not for his own glory, but simply
to honor a glorious God. Everything we do,
particularly in the name of the Lord, should
be done with excellence, putting our best
foot forward. Heart Check.
Are
you operating in excellence? Do you seek
to bring your best in all things? Or do
you do the bare minimum?
PEACEFUL
FOUNDATION | 1 Chronicles 22:6-10
David
isn’t being rebuked for being a man of war,
but the context is necessary to explain
why he isn’t the one who was chosen to build
the temple, and it’s because God wanted
the foundation that was being laid for his
house of worship to be one of peace and
rest.
This
is important to catch, because the foundation
that we build our lives on should be the
same way. If you are constantly warring
within your home, your foundation will be
shaky. But if you have the peace and rest
from the Holy Spirit as your foundation,
you will find a much healthier environment
overall. Heart Check.
What
kind of foundation is your home built on?
TERRITORIAL
| 1 Chronicles 22:11-16
One
of the things I love most about David was
the fact that his biggest dream has been
stripped from him and given to his son.
He could’ve thrown a tantrum, he could’ve
sulked, or he could’ve done nothing at all
and just lived out his glory years on the
beach with a pina colada (virgin of course).
But
he doesn’t.
He
looks at how he can still contribute, he
imparts wisdom and blessing upon Solomon,
and he raises him up and teaches him how
to be great. This is the trait of a great
leader. Someone who doesn’t hoard the glory
for themselves or become territorial over
their space, but instead looks for ways
to train up the next generation.
I
just recently had a senior in high school
who has been inspired by what we’re doing
here at Heart Dive, and she asked my permission
to begin her own podcast, and I told her,
“If the Holy Spirit told you to do something,
that’s all the permission you need,” and
then I o£ered to give her any advice
that she might need.
We
have to remember that this world is huge
and there are so many lives to be a£ected—there
is room for everyone. We don’t need to worry
about trying to be the only one who is called
to carry His torch. Heart Check.
Are
you territorial of your space? Or do you
desire to speak into lives of those who
are looking to do something similar to you?
SEEK
FIRST | 1 Chronicles 22:19
Notice
that David said to seek God first, then
start building. There had to be a spiritual
encounter before service. If they were to
start serving without setting their hearts
and minds on God, this would’ve been like
putting the cart before the horse. This
is why Jesus tells us to “seek first the
kingdom of God and His righteousness, then
all these things shall be added to you”
(Mt. 6:33).
His
priority is relationship with us over anything
else. But sometimes we get this backwards,
when we innocently get so excited that we
want to jump in and start serving. This
isn’t a bad thing. But sometimes the Lord
will slow us down and say, “Wait a minute,
let’s just spend some time together first.”
Heart Check.
Do
you seek the Lord first befote moving into
action? Or are you putting the cart before
the horse?
GOOD
MANNERS | Psalm 30:4
David
was so in tune with the works of God, that
he had no choice but to praise Him. But
it also compelled him to get others to join
in and to have some manners before the Lord.
We are good at teaching our kids to say
please and thank you around other people,
but what about when it comes to thanking
God? Heart Check.
Do
you nave good manners with God? Do you say
your please and thank yous the way you would
with people?
Deep
Dive
If
David was relying on his own means to success
by way of a census, how might this refiect
how we rely on our own strength rather than
God today?
David
rebelled against wise counsel. How important
are the voices of others in our lives?
What
does the choice of punishment say about
the character of God?
What
is said with God’s choosing of a younger,
more inexperienced temple builder?
How
is God’s perfect timing, choosing, and purpose
on display with the building of the temple?
Are
there dangers in seasons of prosperity?
How can we guard against them?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for allowing us to be
immersed in your Word, where we can learn
from experiences of David and others, hopefully
without having to endure the conquences
that they did.
I
pray that we will be so in tune with your
Holy Spirit so that we do not act upon past
permissions, the way that David did with
the census. We don’t want to get down the
road 10 months from now and face the realization
that we should’ve never assumed we had your
approval and jumped ahead of you. I pray
that we will also be more prayerful when
we make decisions so that we will remain
fully reliant on you and in line with your
purpose. If there are people in our lives
offering wise counsel, help us not to become
offended, especially if it is wisdom that
is coming from you through others.
Thank
you for the reminder that this world is
yours and everything in it. I pray that
we remember this so that we do not overestimate
our ownership and begin taking credit where
it is not due. Only you deserve glory, and
we don’t want to try to take from that.
But
when we do find ourselves in a pickle, where
we have strayed off the path or stepped
over the boundary line a bit, I pray that
we will be like David, who had a short account
with you and was quick to respond to conviction.
He didn’t dwell on his mistake, he simply
sought restoration and forgiveness. And
because he was so confident that he would
get it, you honored that. We know you will
do the same with us, so boost our confidence
in that.
What
grace you showed in allowing David a choice
in his punishment, and what incredible integrity
he showed in the choice he made. He didn’t
try to keep himself safe and put all others
out in front. If anyone was going down,
so was he. That’s a true shepherd, and as
hard as it may be, I pray we will be the
same.
Because
that’s what you did Jesus. You went out
in front of all of us and said, “Take me
down.” There is no greater love than those
who will lay their lives down for their
brother. We know that, so may we act upon
it.
If
there is any pride dwelling within, will
you please deal with it before it takes
us down. We know how destructive it can
be, and the enemy sure isn’t going to let
us know that we’ve got any.
In
fact, he will fan that prideful fiame so
that we burn ourselves. I pray that we always
remain humble before you, always bringing
you our sacrifice of praise. There’s no
better way to recognize your awesomeness
than by simply worshipping you.
I
pray that in everything we do, that it will
be done with a spirit of excellence. If
we get called o£ a job we thought
was ours, or if a dream we had gets taken
from us, I pray that we will trust you through
the process in knowing that maybe it wasn’t
ours or maybe it wasn’t the right time.
But instead of sulking, may our mourning
turn into dancing, as we pick ourselves
up and start imparting wisdom and helping
where we can to see it through. I pray that
you will silence the voice of the enemy
that tries to tell us that it was supposed
to be us or that we are the only ones who
can operate in this sphere. We know there
is plenty of room for everyone at your table,
so I pray that we never try to kick anyone
out of a seat that you have pulled out for
them.
Help
us to be a people of peace and rest, shining
your sweet spirit to everyone we encounter,
Jesus. If there is any war raging within
us, will you please intervene and breathe
stillness into our spirits. Help us to keep
our eyes on you and to seek you first in
all things. When we delight ourselves in
you, you will give us the desires of our
heart.
Psalm
108 is a psalm of trust, with
David fixing his heart to praise the Lord
with song from the moment he awakens, for
the Lord’s steadfast love and faithfulness
extends beyond the heavens. David exalts
God while asking for divine intervention
and salvation for His people whom He loves.
He recounts the promises of God and the
way all nations are under His dominion.
David concludes by questioning who is going
to lead him through his challenges, and
turns his focus to asking God, and reestablishing
his confidence in the Lord’s help.
Psalm
109 is an imprecatory psalm of
lament. David begins by asking the Lord
for help against those who are speaking
deceitful and hateful words toward him,
despite the love he has shown them. He calls
upon the Lord to bring justice, describing
in detail what he sees happening to them.
He will be declared guilty, his life will
be cut short, his children will su£er
because of his wickedness, he will lose
everything, including any memory of his
life.
This
will be because of their unkindness, oppression,
and cursing that they bore. David calls
upon the Lord, who is in the company of
the poor and brokenhearted, feeling both
mentally and physically depleted. He pleads
for help and salvation from the Lord, with
the hope that he will be glorified in his
blessing. David ends with a determination
to praise the Lord with thanksgiving for
his protection and salvation
Psalm
110 is a royal and messianic
psalm, giving us a listen into a heavenly
conversation between the Father and Son.
The Father declares to His Son, who is sitting
at His right hand, that He will utterly
defeat the enemy as He sets up His rule
on the earth. People will gather around
and zealously volunteer to join Him in battle.
He appoints Him to an everlasting priesthood
after the order of Melchizedek, executing
judgment upon the earth and bringing a final
victory over the enemy. In the end, He will
be refreshed and exalted as the earth rests
from war.
AWAKENED
WORSHIP | Psalm 108:2
David
is determined to give his best to the Lord,
and here he is dedicating the best part
of his day to praising the Lord. He is set
on waking up early and greeting the sun
with song. For musicians, this may sound
glorious, but to those who may not be as
musically inclined or who can’t carry a
tune, you may be thinking, “I can barely
hit the notes when I’m wide awake, let alone
before the sun rises.”
But
this isn’t about hitting notes or carrying
tunes. This is about the awakening of your
soul. In fact, Charles Spurgeon said in
the 1800s, “Some singers had need to awake,
for they sing in drawling tones, as if they
were half asleep; the tune drags wearily
along, there is no feeling or sentiment
in the singing, but the listener hears only
a dull mechanical sound…” Whoa! Heart Check.
Is
your worship awake or half asleep?
PRAISE
> PROBLEMS | Psalm 108:6
Here
David’s praise just transitioned into pleading.
This psalm started o£ on such a glorious
high note, that I would’ve never guessed
that he needed to be delivered. He has so
much praise on his lips, that his trouble
can’t be recognized.
Do
you know people like that? No matter what
they’re going through, they manage to keep
a smile on their face, and they show up,
day after day, not complaining but praising
God!
I
have a friend who has stage 4 cancer, and
had she not told me, I would’ve never known.
I believe it’s because of the way her heart
and mind is so set on her Father, and she
knows how loved she is by Him. She shows
up tired and weary but never with complaint
or seeking pity. She prays for me and encourages
me, and she tirelessly looks for ways to
disciple others. Her praise is greater than
her problems. Heart Check.
What
do people recognize in you? Praise? Or problems?
REAL
ENEMY | Psalm 109:4
David
is dodging bullets on all sides—people hurling
insults and lies, hating on him and attacking
him for no good reason, and even when he
shows them kindness and love, they return
to him hatred.
But
I love that last statement where he says,
“But I give myself to prayer,” because this
refiects the heart of Jesus. It’s almost
as if David knew the verse that says, “For
we do not wrestle against fiesh and blood,
but against principalities, powers, and
rulers of the dark world” (Ephesians 6:12).
He knew that they were not the real enemy,
and if he were to fight back, he would be
fighting the wrong battle. Heart Check.
Are
you able to recognize who the real enemy
is? Are you fighting the wrong battles by
fighting against people?
CHECK
IN THE MAIL | Psalm 109:16
Wait
a minute, did David just refer to himself
as poor and needy? Didn’t he just give millions
of dollars worth of gold and silver for
the building of the temple? Isn’t he living
in a mansion built by the Phoenicians?
The
word poor doesn’t just refer to wealth,
but rather the poorness in his spirit. In
other words, David knows that he has mishandled
so many things in his life—he has dropped
the ball, and now he’s losing at the game
of life.
He’s
fully aware of his personal poverty and
weaknesses. But remember what Jesus says
in the Sermon on the Mount?
“Blessed
are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who
mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed
are the meek, for they shall inherit the
earth” (Matthew 5:3-5).
If
you are feeling down and out, tired and
weary, depressed, discouraged, like you
have no hope, congratulations. You are blessed.
There’s good news for you—you are about
to inherit heaven and earth and comfort
is coming your way. The check from your
inheritance is in the mail. Heart Check.
is
your spirit bankrupt? Can you see the blessing
in the brokenness and the check that is
in the mail from your inheritance?
OINING
THE FIGHT | Psalm 110:2-3
These
two verses allude to those who will voluntarily
and zealously join the Lord in battle.
This
fits well with Revelation 19:14 that speaks
of the armies in fine linen who are battle
ready in the end. This isn’t a draft—it’s
volunteer based, just as it is with us.
Because the Lord doesn’t force us to do
anything.
He
gives us the choice in whether we want to
enlist with Him or not. Heart Check.
Have
ypu enlisted in His army? Are you volunteering
to join the fight?
Deep
Dive
What
is steadfast faith? What would it look like
on David compared to us?
How
does David’s outlook on God’s promises inspire
you?
How
does David’s cry for justice compare to
Jesus’ teaching of our treatment of those
who hurt us?
How
can we apply David’s prayer and plea to
our dealings with undue criticism or accusations?
If
you were to write a messianic psalm of the
2nd coming of Jesus, what would it say?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for the renewed hope
in the second coming of Jesus.
Sometimes
we can become so consumed with our issues
or battles that we are facing now, that
we forget the conversations that are taking
place in heaven—the preparations that are
being made, the training that is happening
with the angels, and the intel that we are
being given through the Word to prepare
for the glorious battle that is yet to come.
Thank
you, Jesus, that the victory has already
been declared. Knowing the end of the story
gives us strength and hope in the fight.
There is nothing that can defeat us if we
have you on our side. How we look forward
to the day that every enemy is under your
foot, and where every worry of impending
attack is gone. Help us to live under that
hope now. We are more than conquerors in
Christ Jesus.
Therefore,
we will o£er ourselves freely and
join you in the brawl. May our zeal for
you translate to the fight of the real enemy
and not be projected on to people. Help
us to see clearly and to fight o£
the spiritual opponents that wage war on
our souls. I pray that we will not be distracted
by false scrimmages on the side.
Instead,
we will call it out and keep marching toward
the front line.
We
look forward to the day that you take back
what the enemy thinks he has stolen. But
nothing can be taken from you, Lord. Your
rule is fixed and eternal. We can’t wait
for the day that your righteousness is established,
every tear is wiped away, and all people
will drink from the brook by the way. There
will be a refreshing for all when you are
exalted over all the earth. For now, any
battles that lie ahead, we ask that you
divinely intervene and be our shield. You
are our Defender and Protector.
Thank
you for your divine justice and for being
a helper of the poor and needy. With you,
we are blessed, especially in seasons of
weariness and mourning. We know that you
will comfort us. We know the check of our
inheritance is in the mail. What a blessing
that is so undeserved. But that’s our God—you
are so generous and kind to your children.
We will praise you in advance, praise you
in the problems, and praise before the breakthrough.
For you are worthy of it all.
We
are so grateful for your constant reminders
that by faith, we can endure anything if
we rely on you. Sometimes you need to shout
it a little louder when we’re in the back,
so I pray that our ears will always be in
tune with your voice so that our voices
will have no other choice but to sing praise
in response. May our prayers be fervent
and our faith steadfast as we dedicate our
lives to you with an unwavering determination.
With hearts rooted in this confidence, we
say, “I will awake the dawn and give thanks
to you, O Lord, among the nations.”
In
1 Chronicles 23, David prepares for the
end of his life and appoints his son Solomon
as King over Israel following his death.
David gathers all the leaders, priests,
and Levites, and numbers the Levites for
service. 38,000 Levites are divided and
assigned to particular tasks, with 24,000
working in the temple, 6,000 serving as
o£icers and judges, 4,000 as gatekeepers,
and 4,000 as musicians and worship leaders.
The Levites are then divided into three
clans under Levi’s sons Gershon, Kohath,
and Merari, each with their assigned duties
and responsibilities. Priests are set apart
to dedicate the holy items, bring o£erings,
minister to the Lord, and pronounce blessings.
Thenon-priests are to serve as assistants
to the priests, help to prepare o£erings,
and maintain and provide security at the
temple.
In
1 Chronicles 24, the priests are organized
with the help of Zadok and Ahimelech. The
sons of Aaron are divided into two groups
between Eleazar and Ithamar. The duties
of these clans are assigned by the casting
of lots. A detailed list is given of the
24 priestly families along with their duties
and responsibilities in the temple. These
duties are also determined by lot. The remaining
non-priestly Levites are divided and assigned
duties by lot.
In
1 Chronicles 25, the musicians are organized
with the help of the army commanders. The
288 sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun are
assigned the task of using musical instruments
to prophesy through music. A detailed list
of the assigned duties for each clan is
given through the casting of lots.
ONE-LINER
| 1 Chronicles 23:14
I
love this description of Moses: MAN OF GOD.
One simple title reflects the power and
presence of God in his life. It’s like that
one-liner we see on someone’s tombstone.
I can only hope and pray that when I leave
this earth, I will be remembered as a man
of God. Heart Check.
If
there was a one-liner to decribe you, what
would it say?
POWER
OF MUSIC | 1 Chronicles 25:1
Here
we see the importance of music and worship
to God. But it’s also just as important
to Satan. If you remember, Satan was a musician,
so it’s no wonder why he uses music to profane
the holiness of God.
He
will do it so subtly, even infiltrating
the music and singers that our children
obsess over. With the prophetic gift of
prophecy flowing through music, releasing
blessing and glory into the atmosphere,
Satan will then twist it, uttering curses
and profanity, which will permeate into
our souls without us even realizing it.
Heart Check.
What
is being released into the atmosphere through
the music in your home, car, and headphones?
ORGANIZATION
| 1 Chronicles 23-25
This
may have been a reading that many of us
have skimmed through in the past, finding
zero connection to our lives.
When
you find yourself in a dry season of reading,
one of the best pieces of advice I could
give you is to zoom out. Try to get a birds
eye view of the reading or the overall message.
And today, it’s all about organization.
God
is a God of order. Paul tells us, “Let all
things be done with decency and order” (1
Cor. 12:21). Creation began with order.
Heaven and the angels have order. So this
is important to God, which if I’m being
honest, is a heavy conviction on my creative
and often messy heart.
I’m
a right brain thinker, so organization is
not my forte. In fact, it’s a thorn in my
flesh. But because I know that planning,
structure, and organization brings more
peace and more freedom to be able to respond
easier to God, I have to be even more intentional
about it. Heart Check.
Where
does organization fall within your life?
Is it a priority?
Deep
Dive
What
does David’s detailed organization of the
Levitical duties say about organization
in worship and service?
How
do we balance organized worship with spontaneity
of the Holy Spirit?
How
do the specific roles show the importance
of every person’s role in a community?
How
might modern-day roles in the church compare
to Levitical roles?
What
does “serving in God’s house” look like
today? Are there restrictions as there were
with Levites?
Since
we no longer “cast lots,” how should priestly/worship
roles be divided today?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for giving us a glimpse
into your heart today.
We
see how you value every person, each with
their own assigned role. I pray that we
will be able to clearly see what our role
is in our home, community, and church. We
want to be able to serve well, and sometimes
when we feel out of order, it could be because
we are trying to serve in a role that was
not intended for us. So please give us wisdom
and discernment in knowing where we are
supposed to be. Help us to be content as
we dedicate ourselves to bring you glory
in whatever role you’ve placed us in. We
are grateful that we have a place, and that
you look at every single seat as one of
honor.
I
pray that we will have a sense of intentionality
with everything we do, just the way that
you do. From the beginning of time, everything
was orchestrated so beautifully, so help
us to reflect that aspect of your character.
When we worship and serve in sincerity and
truth, we know that you will anoint us for
the position so that we will be free to
be intentional in our actions. Help us to
recognize our gifts and to apply them well,
glorifying you and edifying others in it.
Thank
you for the gift of music. We see how it
can and will change the atmosphere, so I
pray that we are discerning in what we choose
to listen to. May the songs we sing and
hear release blessings into the atmosphere
and not curses. We don’t want to be channels
through which cursings come, so I pray that
we will close off any junctions that we
have allowed to be open to that.
Thank
you for the fairness and equity that you
always operate with. Sometimes we can’t
see it, so please help us to trust you in
every decision that you make. I pray that
we will value your opinion over anyone else’s
so that we don’t get caught up in what people
think of us and our place in this world.
For
any musicians or worship leaders out there,
we pray a special anointing to be upon them
and the music they create. Breathe the gift
of prophecy into them so that they can utter
your divine messages to your people while
giving us a means to declare your praises.
I
pray that there will be more anointed worship
the fills the earth, drowning out the sounds
of the enemy, who desires to profane your
holiness. There is power in music, so may
it be used for good.
Thank
you for the gift of the royal priesthood
in our lives. I pray that we will all understand
our place in this and how we can read these
chapters and apply the principles to our
own walk. We are set apart, dedicating our
lives as holy while ministering to you.
We have been blessed so that we can bless
others. So I pray that our lives will indeed
refiect this, so that when we leave this
earth, we will be declared and remembered
as men and women of God. In doing so, we
will leave a legacy of a life lived in reverence
to you. You are worthy of it all.
Psalm
131 is a psalm of trust and one
of David’s four song of ascents. David begins
by stating that he has not been prideful
or arrogant and has not selfishly desired
to go beyond the scope of what the Lord
has planned out for his life. Instead, he
has learned contentment, like a weaned child,
and calls for Israel to do the same.
Psalm
138 is a psalm of declarative
praise, where David gives thanks and brings
praise to the Lord with his whole heart
because of His steadfast love and faithfulness.
He vows to worship God at His temple, for
He has answered his cries and strengthened
his soul. David envisions all the nations
one day recognizing the goodness of God
and thanking Him for it. He also sees that
while God is on high, He is close to the
humble.
David
ends the psalm with a statement of confidence
in knowing that the Lord will fulfill His
purpose in his life, therefore he need not
be fear the trouble that surrounds him.
Psalm
139 is a wisdom psalm of descriptive
praise. David begins by acknowledging how
well the Lord knows every part of his being,
from his sitting to his rising and from
his thoughts to his spoken words, leaving
him in awe. David recognizes the Lord’s
hedge of protection and His watchful eye
upon his life. No matter where David goes
in life and death, the Lord is there. David
celebrates God’s intricate work in the way
He created him with awesome wonder in his
mother’s womb and planned each of his days.
He basks in the Lord’s precious and numerous
thoughts toward him. David shifts his focus
to the wicked, asking the Lord to bring
judgment upon them. He ends the psalm with
a prayer, opening himself in vulnerability
before the Lord, asking Him to examine his
heart and mind and change any wicked ways
within him.
Psalm
143 is a psalm of lament, and David
begins by appealing to the Lord’s mercy
and faithfulness in asking for Him to answer
his prayer despite his own sinfulness that
falls in line with all people. Feeling overwhelmed
by his enemies, David feels as though he
is on the verge of death, so he looks back
on the days of old and the mighty works
of the Lord to find comfort. In his spiritual
thirst, he continues praying and pleading
for a quick answer. David resolves to trust
the Lord for deliverance, protection, and
guidance regardless. David ends the psalm
with a final plea for the Lord to rescue
him from his enemies.
Psalm
145 is a wisdom psalm and one
of declarative praise. David begins by blessing
and praising the Lord for his greatness.
He looks to the day when every generation
will speak of what the Lord has done in
his goodness and righteousness. He focuses
on the Lord’s character, acknowledging his
grace, mercy, patience, and steadfast love
for all people. Everything He created thanks
Him and speaks of His glory and dominion
forever. He looks to the compassion of God
and the way He will uphold those who are
falling, meet every need, and satisfy every
desire for those who trust in Him. However,
He will destroy the wicked. David ends with
a resolve to be faithful in his praise to
the Lord, calling upon all people to bless
him forever.
HUMILITY
| Psalm 131:1
David
begins this psalm with his position of humility.
While he had his prideful and arrogant moments
in life, his heart was postured humbly before
the Lord and people. He didn’t think he
was better than others nor did he look down
on them. This was likely because he knew
how quickly God could humble him. It’s that
saying, “Be humble so you don’t have to
be humbled.”
When
I heard that in my early 20s, I held so
tightly to that and never looked back. Heart
Check.
How
humble are you? When you look at others,
are they beneath you?
SELFISH
AMBITION | Psalm 131:1
The
second thing David rejects here is selfish
ambition.
With
the exception of that time he took the census,
he for the most part, accepted and followed
what the Lord appointed for him in their
seasons. Jesus teaches us in Luke 14 to
take the lower position and wait patiently
for Him to lift us up in His timing. Sometimes
we will strive so hard to do the great things,
that we will completely miss the opportunities
of all the good things we could be doing
along the way.
Eventually,
we get so discouraged that the great isn’t
happening and then fail to do anything at
all.
It’s
important to note that aspiring for greater
things is not a bad thing, but there’s a
di£erence between Godly aspiration
and selfish ambition, and the di£erence
between the two is where your focus is—is
it for the benefit of God and others first?
Or for yourself? Heart Check.
Do
you have any selfish ambition? Are you working
toward Godly aspirations or only benefitting
yourself?
TRUST
| Psalm 131:2
Here
David is giving us a picture of trust. When
a baby is not weaned, they cannot calm and
quiet themselves when they’re hungry.
They
need mama to feed them and comfort them,
and they’re going to cry until they get
what they want. But a weaned child has learned
to trust their mama—that she will be there,
she will feed them, and therefore they don’t
need to cry like a baby to get that attention
any longer. They love their mama for more
than just food (I may beg to differ—my son
has me named “Chef” in his phone). But David
had such a simple and beautiful relationship
with the Lord, so it’s no wonder He delighted
in him! Heart Check.
Do
you seek the Lord only for what you can
get from Him? Or are you content knowing
that He's there and He will provide? How
do you picture your trust in the Lord?
YOUR
WHY | Psalm 138:1-6
I
believe that some of the greatest songwriters
write from personal experience, and this
is what made David such an amazing psalmist.
He wrote from his personal encounters and
relationship with God.
These
aren’t just empty declarations that he’s
making, he gives us the why behind his praise.
Sometimes our inability to praise God is
because we simply don’t know the why or
the what He has done in our lives.
We
haven’t yet recognized His grace, mercy,
forgiveness, kindness. (You will hear me
mention those four traits more than anything
else, because that is what my personal experience
with Him stems from). Heart Check.
What
is your why when it comes to praising God?
What has your personal experience been like?
What character traits have been the most
prominent in your life?
PURPOSE
| Psalm 138:8
This
psalm ends with so much hope. David had
incredible confidence that as long as he
was breathing, God was still completing.
He knew that God had a plan for him and
that He wouldn’t stop working until He finished
it. Paul later rea£irms this saying
in Phil. 1:6 when he says one of my favorite
life verses: “He who began a good work within
you will be faithful to complete it.”
God
is invested in us! Ephesians 2:10 says we
are His handiwork, which translates to the
Greek word poiema and where we get the word
“poem.”
So
as long as we are walking on this earth,
God is reading the poem He wrote about us
long before we were even in our mothers’
wombs. How can we not rest in that? Our
story is written! He’ll never abandon ship—only
we do that. Heart Check.
What
work has God begun in you? What purpose
is yet to be fulfilled?
WATCHFUL
EYE | Psalm 139:1-6
David
is describing the watchfulness of God over
his every thought, movement, posture, desire,
and spoken word. It’s as if he is in a playpen
with security cameras all around.
And
what’s amazing is that this brings him comfort.
Most
of us feel uncomfortable when surveillance
surrounds us, and not because we’re necessarily
doing anything wrong, but it almost makes
us feel like we are. We will feel one of
three ways with God—grateful and comforted
in knowing that He watches over us, uncomfortable
and convicted in knowing that He sees everything
we think and do, or indi£erent, where
we simply don’t recognize that He can see
everything, or we choose to believe that
He doesn’t. Heart Check.
How
do you feel, knowing that God sees everything
that you think and do?
GOD’S
PLANNER | Psalm 139:16
I’m
a planner. For as long as I can remember,
I have been writing in a calendar. And I
just got this vision today of our lives
written in God’s planner! Before we were
even born, every single day was already
mapped out. All we have to do is show up!
But often times, we are trying to do our
own thing on our own time. How much easier
our lives would become if we would consult
our Day Keeper. Heart Check.
Do
you check in each day with the Lord and
what He has written in his calendar for
you?
HEARING
THE GUIDANCE | Psalm 143:10
Notice
that David doesn’t say “make me do your
will” or “force me to walk on level ground.”
He says “teach me” and “lead me,” because
he knew that God wasn’t going to force him
to do anything.
He
also experienced this teaching and leading
many times before throughout his life. And
some might ask, how do you know if God is
leading you? Well for one, we know He teaches
us through His word.
But
the other way is directly speaking to us
in our spirit. So while this isn’t an audible
voice blaring o£ of Mt. Sinai, it’s
more of a whisper that sometimes even comes
from behind you and says, “Not that way,”
as he gently nudges you to go in a di£erent
direction.
The
other day, I picked up my phone to call
my friend, just to say, “Have you noticed
that so and so is not so nice anymore?”
And
how quickly the Lord said from behind, “Why
you gonna do that? What is that conversation
going to do?” And I had to repent right
then and there for being petty. But a few
years ago, I would’ve ignored that voice
while trying to make my rejected self feel
better. Heart Check.
Are
you able to hear the teaching and guidance
of the Lord?
Deep
Dive
How
can we be more conscious of our humility?
How
can we find the balance between apathy and
ambition?
Why
would God exalt His Word above His name?
What
does fearfully and wonderfully made mean
to you?
Why
is prayer important if God knows all things?
What
attributes or heartbeats of God stick out
to you the most throughout these psalms?
Heavenly
Father, We praise you today, for we are
fearfully and wonderfully made
You
are the writer of our story, the orator
of our poem. We thank you for the purpose
and plan that you have for us. We know that
what you have started, you will be faithful
to be complete. So I pray that this will
release some of the pressure from us today,
in thinking that we have to do it all on
our own, because we simply can’t. We need
your help. So thank you for never abandoning
us. I pray that we will hold on to this
promise for as long as we live, because
we know that as long as we are breathing,
you are still completing. You are reading
our poem, so may we not resist the beautiful
work of your hands in our lives.
If
we have failed to see how and where you’ve
been working, please show us so that we
will be able to praise you even more. It’s
our hearts’ desire to do so, but sometimes
we just don’t know the words to say. We
can start with the words of David and the
psalmists, but please help us to be able
to recognize how we too have personally
experienced your steadfast love and faithfulness,
or the way that you have answered prayers
that we didn’t even speak. Your word has
given us every answer we need, and that
alone is enough for us to give thanks. Thank
you for giving us boldness and strength
in our souls today.
But
we also ask that you please cultivate a
humble spirit within us. If there are any
selfish or prideful ways within, will you
please expose it. Sometimes we live so long
in a certain way or with a certain mindset,
that we don’t even realize that we may be
acting arrogantly or without humility. But
we are so grateful that you know us better
than we know ourselves. And when we see
you, Jesus, and the way you treated others,
it’s always so sobering. May our hearts
not be lifted up nor our eyes too high.
We don’t want to be forced to bow down,
so may our hearts be prostrate before you
and others so that we will foster a serene
heart that is at peace. For we know that
in the kingdom of heaven, the least will
be the greatest and not the other way around.
I would rather have the greater position
for eternity than in this short journey
we walk on this earth. Refocus our minds
if need be, as we know that you are close
to the humble and far from the proud.
We
know that you call us to higher ground and
greater things, but we also know how Satan
will try to twist that in our minds as the
world tells us to “slay the day” and “believe,
achieve, and succeed.” While we know your
desire is for us to succeed and be prosperous,
we don’t want to lose sight of the why.
We don’t want the focus to be on us and
what we can get out of it. Help us to have
a heart like yours—one that glorifies the
Father in Heaven and serves others. May
our focus not be on self but on you. Help
us to seek first the kingdom of God and
His righteousness, then all these things
will be added unto us. So I pray that we
will be content where we are, in the season
you have us in, not ignoring the good along
the way because we trying so hard to get
to the great. Help us to find the balance
between being apathetic and ambitious. Help
us to be an example of one who does things
with excellence and all for the glory of
God, for anything else would be done in
vain.
Thank
you for the way you search us each and every
day through your Word. We open ourselves
up to you completely and ask that you will
search our hearts and minds and change any
wicked ways within us. Do open heart surgery
if you need to. But I thank you that even
when you expose the worst parts of us, you
still see us as precious.
You
know every single intricate thread of our
being, from our thoughts to our unspoken
words, every motive, and every desire. You
know when we sit down and when we rise again.
And we are so grateful that you put a hedge
of protection around us so that we will
not stray or be picked o£ by the enemy.
I thank you that we while we may be able
to run from you, we surely can’t hide, nor
do we want to. Because there will come a
day when every single person will stand
in your presence and either rejoice that
they didn’t hide or will regret it for eternity.
So we pray for those who are on the run
to be intercepted by your grace and mercy.
Stand in their path the way you did with
Balaam and his donkey and may they turn
their lives to you for good.
Thank
you for the way you made us in awesome wonder.
Thank you for being our rock, our fortress,
and our strength. Thank you for your compassion
and never giving up on us. We determine
our spirits to praise you with a new song
each day. Bless each person with peace and
prosperity. Meet their needs and satisfy
their desires, because they love you.
In
1 Chronicles 26, a detailed list of the
divisions of the gatekeepers is given, which
are divided among the Korahites and Merarites,
each with their duties assigned by lot.
The lots are cast in the presence of the
commanders, priest, and the heads of each
of the families.
Each
of the temple gates in every direction have
an allotted number of gatekeepers. The treasurers
and other ministry officials are assigned
and charged to watch over the spoils of
war and temple building materials.
In
1 Chronicles 27, a detailed list of the
12 military divisions is given, each with
a commander and 24,000 valiant men who would
serve one month out of the year. Other non-military
personnel are also accounted for, including
those who oversee the king’s treasuries
and di£erent sects of agriculture,
as well as other o£icers within David’s
house.
In
1 Chronicles 28, David brings together all
the officials and armies to pass the torch
of King to his son Solomon.
He
stands before the people and declares that
while it was his desire to build a temple
for the Lord, he was instead given kingship
as his position. Instead, the Lord has chosen
Solomon, who will now reign and be the one
to build the house of the Lord. He recites
the words of the Lord, who has given conditions
for their everlasting reign—they must observe
all the commandments. David charges Solomon
to serve the Lord with his whole heart and
with a willing mind. If he does, the Lord
will find him and will be with him in whatever
he does.
David
urgently instructs Solomon to build the
temple and presents the detailed plans,
possessions, and materials of the temple.
He concludes by encouraging Solomon to be
strong and courageous and that he need not
fear, for the Lord will be with him until
the work of the temple is completed.
In
1 Chronicles 29, David announces to the
congregation that while his son Solomon
may be young and inexperienced, he has been
chosen by God to build His house.
David
unveils his own contributions of gold and
silver from his personal treasury. He implores
others to freely give and consecrate themselves
in giving to the temple. David blesses and
praises the Lord before the assembly in
powerful prayer, acknowledging their unworthiness
to give back to a God who has so generously
blessed them.
But
he vows that they will freely and joyously
give o£erings, pleading for His covenant
commitment to remain with them always. David
prays for his son Solomon to be faithful
and obedient in the building of the temple,
serving the Lord with his whole heart. David
ends with all call for the assembly to praise
the Lord.
The
next day, the Israelites bring their offerings
and anoint Solomon as King, establishing
his kingdom before the people. The chapter
ends with an account of David’s 40-year
reign and a life that had been lived in
riches and honor. David dies at a good age
and full of days.
Psalm
127 is the 8th song of ascent and one of
two psalms attributed to Solomon. Solomon
begins by declaring that unless the Lord
builds a house and watches over the city,
they are built and watched over in vain.
This
uses this metaphor to state that a life
lived apart from God is not worth living.
He describes children as the blessing that
they are, a gift and reward from the Lord,
symbolizing an abundant life.
HOLY
RISK | 1 Chronicles 26:8
If
you remember, Obed-Edom was the one who
housed the ark for three months after the
failed transport and death of Uzziah (for
touching the ark as it was falling). As
it has been said, with great risk comes
great reward. Here, 62 of Obed-Edom’s family
members are being employed in the service
of the Lord, likely due to their faithfulness
in caring for the ark. Heart Check.
What
risk have you taken for the Lord?
WORKPLACE
MINISTRY | 1 Chronicles 26:12
Some
people think that spiritual work is more
important than physical work or vice versa,
but here we see how they are on the same
playing field with the Lord. The brothers
who ministered are in the same sentence
as the ones who bounced. This tells us that
every single job matters to the Lord, whether
you are a mailman or a pastor.
Because
at the end of the day, we are all ministers,
whether in our home, in our workplaces,
or in a pulpit. This is why Paul tells us
that “whatever you do, work at it with all
your heart, as working for the Lord.”
He’s
our real boss man. This doesn’t mean that
we walk into the o£ice tomorrow and
start shouting “Repent all you sinners!”
But we can shine the light of Christ in
the way that we treat others, in our work
ethic, and in our countenance (hopefully
it’s joyful and not grumpy). Heart Check.
Do
you see your work as valuable to the Lord
and an opportunity for ministry?
GATEKEEPING
| 1 Chronicles 26:1-19
In
a sense, we are all modern-day gatekeepers.
Because if you think about what a gatekeeper
was-- they were the ones who opened and
closed doors. The guarded the entrance of
the most holy place.
We
can look at this two-fold.
1.) We
are all gatekeepers of the church as prayer
warriors. We have the ability to reject
Satan’s work within the ministry, not allowing
certain things to enter, and casting them
out by prayer and fasting, just the way
the disciples were told to do by Jesus.
We also usher in the Spirit of God with
our praise and worship—we open the gates
for His Presence to enter in.
2.) If
they were to guard the temple, then we are
all called to be gatekeepers of our own
heart, soul, and bodies. We have control
over what enters into our temple, whether
spiritually or physically. We are also responsible
for what comes out of the gate of our hearts
through our words. Heart Check.
Are
you being an effective gatekeeper?
IN
THE CENTER | 1 Chronicles 26:29-32
David
assigned 1700 valiant men to the west side
of the Jordan and 2700 to the east. Why
did they need 1000 more security guards?
Perhaps
it was because they were on the outskirts
and more susceptible to pagan culture. That’s
the way it is with Satan—he goes for the
ones on the outskirts of the fiock first.
He doesn’t go straight for the center of
the fiock (even though he does get in there).
This
is where we see the importance of being
in the center of God’s will of being within
fellowship. Going to a central place of
worship, where you will, for the most part,
be among like-minded Christians who can
lay hands on you, pray for you, encourage
you, and where you can pour into others.
If
we stay on the outside, we are more susceptible
to attack as we sit alone in our own thoughts
and with the infiuence of the voice of the
enemy on our shoulder. Heart Check.
How
secure are you? Are you in the center of
God's will? Or are you making yourself vulnerable
on the outskirts?
DO
THE WORK | 1 Chronicles 28
Solomon,
in a sense, has it made. His father has
set him up for life, giving him the land,
the money, the materials, the contractors,
the security, and the staff for the building
and operating of the temple.
All
he has to do is execute or do the work.
Spiritually speaking, we too, have been
set up by our Father. We have been given
territory, the means, the resources, the
workers, and the security of the Holy Spirit
to build a holy temple. All we need to do
is look at His plans and execute. But a
lot of us get stuck between the dream and
the actual work. Heart Check.
Are
you doing the work that the Lord laid out
in His plans for you?
GIFTS
AND OFFERINGS | 1 Chronicles 29:5
Thanks
for the heart check David! He is asking
who will contribute to the building of the
temple. The reason why he can so confidently
ask this of them is because he has done
the same. He didn’t just collect from the
people and call it a day, he dedicated much
of his own possessions and treasures for
the work of the Lord.
This
generosity stemmed from his love for God,
his love for God’s house, and his love for
the people. This concept continues into
the New Testament, with Paul reminding the
people that they were responsible to care
for those who were working in the ministry.
This
continues today with tithes and o£erings
given to ministry.
But
God doesn’t need our money, and David knew
this—this is why he mentions that in their
giving, they would consecrate themselves.
If you remember, the word consecrate means
to “fill the hands.” When we give from a
grateful heart, our hands are actually being
filled. A litte more selfishness is being
chipped away while our character becomes
more like the Ultimate Giver. So giving
will affect the person more than the project.Doubling
up on David’s Heart Check…
Do
you offer willingly and consecrate yourself
through your giving?
****Here
we come to the end of David's
life-- a man who was on the
run but died full of honor. A
warrior, who died full of days.
And a man who simply desired
God yet died full of riches.
He was a shepherd boy turned
king, a giant slayer turned
sweet psalmist, and a sinner
who brought us the savior of
the world. I just love David
so much because he exemplies
our sweet Jesus in the way that
He can turn anyone's dirt into
gold. In the hands of our Father,
we are beautiful masterpieces
made from a bunch of broken
pieces.
GOD
IN WORK | Psalm 127:1-2
We
spoke earlier about the work we do. Solomon
knows that work is important to the Lord,
but what he’s saying is that if the Lord
isn’t in it and blessing it, it’s worthless
work.
I
remember the day I came across this verse—I
was working the morning news, waking up
at 1:30 in the morning, 5 days a week, my
children were young, and I would come home
beat in the afternoon.
Then
I would go sing in the evenings and would
get 3-4 hours of sleep. My marriage was
struggling, and even though I was climbing
the ladder in the local news industry, it
hit me so hard when I read “it is in vain
that you rise up early and go late to rest,”
and I just started sobbing and told my husband
that I couldn’t do it anymore.
I
knew the Lord wasn’t in it—not in my work,
and not even in my home. I was building
a career and a house in vain. And even though
I thought my career was over after that,
I would later find out that it was just
a building block for a greater work that
God had in store. But had I not listened,
I wouldn’t be here today. Heart Check.
Is
the Lord in your work and your home? Does
He bless the work of your hands?
GOD
IN FAMILIES | Psalm 127:3-5
Solomon
had 700 wives, 300 concubines, and I don’t
know how many children (the Bible only mentions
3 of them), so he is hardly the fine example
of a true family man.
But
he knows the foundation of any home has
to be the Lord, or once again, it is built
in vain. Next to our covenant with Christ,
the marriage covenant is the equivalent
of that here on earth. This is why marriages
and families are always under attack—because
if Satan can warp the image of Christ’s
relationship with the church, then that’s
one step closer to him warping the image
that people have of God. So the best thing
we can do is raise our family on a firm
foundation—on Christ, our solid rock. We
need to be praying together, teaching our
children about Christ from an early age,
seeking Him together. If you didn’t do that,
it doesn’t mean you failed. It just means
that you have a chance to start cultivating
this now. With God, anything is possible.
It’s never too late. And if you don’t have
a family yet, pray for those who do. Pray
for your spouse and children now before
you have them. Start the habit early and
resolve to finding a God-fearing spouse
who will have the same heart to raise up
a family on God instead of just vacations
and recreation. Heart Check.
Is
your family built on a firm foundation?
What can you do know to work for it?
Deep
Dive
How
does organization of duties and offices
reflect the character of God?
Are
there any parallels that can be drawn between
David’s organized kingdom and modern day
institutions?
How
does David detail God’s omniscience (God’s
knowledge is unlimited)? How can this be
applied to your life?
What
does wholehearted devotion look like for
you?
How
does David’s prayer refiect his understanding
of God? How does your understanding of God
a£ect your prayers?
How
might the Lord’s building of the house be
a metaphor for our lives?
Heavenly
Father, May our families and work be built
upon our Solid Rock, our firm foundation
in Christ. Otherwise, we know that they
are being built in vain.
Keep
us in the center of your will in every way.
I pray that every person be in fellowship
with other believers so that they will have
another layer of protection. If anyone is
struggling or isolated on the outside, may
they find people who can surround them in
prayer and encouragement, even if that means
it’s online. But you never intended for
us to do this life alone, so help us to
see that loneliness is not the best place,
even if we feel that we want to be “left
alone.”
Thank
you, Jesus, for the greatest risk that you
took for us. We know that with great risk
comes great reward, and you won it all,
gaining the greatest inheritance of all.
It’s hard to imagine that we would be considered
such a treasure to you, yet we are. Help
us to follow your example in the way that
you laid down your life for others. We don’t
need to go to a cross, but we do need to
take it up spiritually and walk with you.
It may be considered a risk in this world,
but it comes with the greatest eternal reward.
Help us to see beyond what we can gain here,
and hold to the hope of heaven.
I
pray that we will wisely and boldly work
as unto you, no matter what job we have
been blessed with. We thank you for the
gift of work—help us to see our jobs as
such. Instead of complaining that we “have
to” go to work, I pray that we will see
that we “get to,” as we know there are many
others in this world who would give to switch
positions with us as they struggle to even
have the basic essentials. May we never
take it for granted. Show us how we can
minister effectively without breaking rules—because
you’ve called us to holiness, and that includes
following protocol. But ministry isn’t isolated
to preaching—it is just as powerful in the
way we show love, compassion, kindness,
and grace to others. It’s the way we treat
customers and the way we talk about our
bosses. It’s the way we refuse to participate
in office gossip, and it’s our productive
work ethic that will prove ourselves as
your workers. Please help us to refiect
that.
Whether
we have a job or not, we are all called
to be security as gatekeepers. I pray that
you will beef up our ability to pray for
the church, our homes, our families, and
others.
Focus
our eyes so that we can see the enemy coming
from a mile away and alert the angel armies
through prayer. Help us to stand strong
and resist the enemy so that he will fiee.
We resolve be the ones who bounce him up
out of our territory.
And
one of our greatest weapons in doing that
is our worship. When we usher in your Presence,
we have the greatest Commander and Defender
among us, so we need not fear. Help us to
also be effective gatekeepers over our minds,
bodies, and spirits, protecting them from
unholiness. Out of our hearts fiow the wellsprings
of life, so may we check our words before
they come fiying out of our mouths in a
dishonorable way.
Thank
you, Jesus, for the completion of the work
on the cross. Because of what you’ve done,
we no longer need to seek your Presence
in a building—we have you with us always.
You have set us up for life! Thank you for
giving us everything we need, for laying
out the plans, for surrounding us with people
who we can come alongside and work together
with, and for the resources to get it done.
All we need to do is be faithful in taking
the steps to get the work done. May we be
faithful in that always. We are grateful
for your everlasting kingdom and look forward
to the day that your rule is set up here
on this earth once and for all.
For
now, I pray that we will seek you with our
whole heart and soul, knowing that when
we do, you will continue to pursue us every
moment of every day, drawing us closer and
closer until we arrive in glory.
Thank
you for the life of David, and the way that
you show us the magnitude of your grace
and mercy. What an incredible testament
to the way that you can take ruins and make
them glorious, or brokenness and turn it
into a masterpiece.
There
is nothing too great or small that we could
ever do that would separate us from your
love, grace, and mercy. So I pray that we
will be more like David, who exemplified
humility, strength, courage, honor, and
righteousness. But most of all, may we be
a people who seek you above all and who
run after your heart.
Psalm
111 is a wisdom and praise psalm.
The psalmist begins with a determination
to praise with the congregation for His
great and majestic works among His people.
He describes the Lord as gracious, merciful,
and full of righteousness, feeding those
who fear Him and keeping His covenant with
them. The psalmist continues to appreciate
the Lord’s faithful and just works and His
trustworthy rules, recalling His redemption
and everlasting covenant. He ends the psalm
by declaring that those who fear the Lord
will have wisdom and understanding.
Psalm
112 is a wisdom psalm. The psalmist
begins by declaring that those who fear
and obey the Lord are blessed. He desires
to be in right standing with the Lord, he
is merciful, discerning, gracious, and generous.
His children are strong and successful,
he is financially stable, he sees light
in the darkness, he is unshakeable and unafraid,
and overall has a good life. Whereas the
wicked see this and react in anger, and
therefore, they will perish.
Psalm
113 is a psalm of descriptive
praise. The psalmist begins by calling on
all people, from the east to west, to praise
the Lord morning and evening, and forevermore.
He asserts that no one can compare to God,
for His glory extends beyond the heavens
and He is sovereign over all the earth.
While He is seated on high, He draws near
to His people and helps those in need, satisfying
even the greatest of desires. He ends the
psalm with a declaration of praise.
Psalm
114 is a celebratory psalm, focusing
on Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. The
psalmist recounts the exodus and how Judah
and Israel became the Lord’s sanctuary and
domain. He describes Israel’s enemies and
the way they fied at the Red Sea and Jordan
River, as the Lord’s Presence put His miraculous
power on display. The psalm ends with a
celebration of the redemption and a call
to recognize His majesty and power.
Psalm
115 is a psalm of community praise.
The psalmist begins by declaring that glory
is due unto Lord alone for His steadfast
love and faithfulness. He cannot fathom
how others cannot see the Living God, for
their gods are all good as dead. He describes
the pagan idols as mute, blind, deaf, motionless,
useless, and impotent.
This
is followed by a litany of trust, for He
is their help and shield, and a litany of
blessing from the Lord. For those who trust
Him, they will be remembered and have an
abundant life. The psalmist describes the
earth as a gift from the Lord and he ends
with a declaration that for as long as they
live, they will bless the Lord.
Psalm
116 is a messianic psalm of praise.
The psalmist begins with an exclamation
of his deep live for the Lord because He
has answered His cries for mercy, and therefore,
He will call on him for the rest of his
life. He describes his physical anguish
and cries to the Lord for deliverance. As
he recalls this time of distress, he also
remembers the graciousness, mercy, and righteousness
of the Lord, and the way he was delivered
from death, which brings him to a place
of comfort and rest. Even though he was
fearful at one point, he also knows how
good the Lord has been to him and vows to
publicly praise him forever. He ends the
psalm in refiection of the way the Lord
looks forward to being with His faithful
ones, and therefore, He will live out the
rest of his life in thanksgiving, faithfulness,
and praise.
Psalm
117 is a psalm of descriptive
praise that calls for all nations to praise
the Lord for His steadfast love and everlasting
faithfulness.
Psalm
118 is a psalm of declarative
praise. The psalmist begins with a call
to give thanks to the Lord for His goodness
and everlasting love. He extends the invocation
to Israel and the priests to echo this.
The psalmist recalls the times the Lord
answered him when he called upon him in
his distress. Because He has been with him,
he need not fear his enemies, for the Lord
is his refuge. He recalls the many times
he was surrounded by his enemies, yet the
Lord delivered him. The psalmist declares
the Lord is his strength, song, and salvation,
and therefore he will live. He desires to
enter the gates of righteousness with thanksgiving
and acknowledges an unexpected twist with
the metaphor of a rejected stone becoming
the cornerstone. He knows this is God’s
hand, and therefore he will rejoice. He
ends the psalm with a plea for salvation
and success and a blessing to be upon the
ones who come to His house with praise and
thanksgiving.
SETTING
AN EXAMPLE | Psalm 111:1
Notice
that the psalmist’s proclamation of “hallelujah”
came before his appeal for others to praise
with him. He was setting the example! If
we want others to praise God, love God,
know God, we’ve got to praise, love, and
know Him first! Heart Check.
What
examples are you setting for others?
GAINING
WISDOM | Psalm 111:10
The
Lord puts a lot of emphasis on wisdom, particularly
in the psalms, proverbs, and through Solomon.
But if we really think about it, wisdom
isn’t really a draw for a lot of people.
If you gave someone the choice between obtaining
wisdom and being successful, they’d probably
choose success. But as Christians, we know
how important wisdom is, for it is better
than gold, it’s where our good deeds stem
from, it’s a gift from the Lord, it protects,
it brings peace, and it’s the very basis
of life and prosperity! To despise wisdom
is considered foolish. We know this, but
at the end of the day, would we really choose
it over all else? Heart Check.
How
important is gaining wisdom to you?
FEAR
OF THE LORD | Psalm 112
If
you’re ever asked the question, “What does
fear of the Lord mean?” this psalm is your
one-stop shop of an answer.
The
psalmist shows us what it looks like:
● you
love the Word of God,
● you
happily obey it (not begrudgingly),
● you
desire to have a right standing with God
(which we are gifted as Christians, but
this means that you have a good understanding
of the cross, repentance, grace, and forgiveness,
and you don’t take advantage of it),
● you
give a lot of grace as opposed to criticism,
● you’re
merciful (instead of “giving them what they
deserve”),
● you’re
generous (when able, you lend to those who
can pay back and give to those who can’t),
● you’re
discerning and fair,
● you’re
not afraid of bad news (political future,
the end of the world, media, sickness, etc.),
● and
you have a steady heart.
And
guess what? There’s a reward that comes
with that!
The
psalmist declares a blessing of happiness,
a strong family, financial stability, the
ability to see the light in the darkness
(having insight that others can’t see),
you’ll be unshakeable and unafraid, and
you will have a good life in general.
This
is not universal or absolute, but it gives
us a mainstream guideline of what the fear
of the Lord looks like. So now that you
know… Heart Check.
Do
you truly fear the Lord?
DWELLING
PRESENCE | Psalm 114:2
This
verse anticipates the Presence of God dwelling
among the people and not just in the Holy
of Holies. It says that Judah will become
his sanctuary, and if Judah means “praise,”
then this supports the verse that says,
“He inhabits the praises of His people”
(Psalm 22:3). And if Israel, which means
“governed by God” is His dominion, then
that means that He will dwell among those
who allow him to rule and be Lord of their
lives. So if you ever hear people saying,
“You can see the Presence of God in that
person,” they are likely a people who have
praise on their lips and obedience in their
heart. Heart Check.
Is
your dwelling one of praise and obedience?
Fo you have the Presence of God within you?
WHAT
WE WORSHIP | Psalm 115:8
This
goes right along with the spiritual law
that says, “We become like that which we
worship.” So if we claim to worship Jesus,
we should be becoming more like Him. If
we worship the world, we will look more
like the world. If we worship Satan, we
may look nice and sweet on the outside,
but evil dwells within. So when you take
a look at yourself… Heart check.
What
are you like and what is reflecting about
what you worship?
BIG
HEART | Psalm 117:1
This
may be a tiny psalm but it is mighty in
the way that it shows the big heart of our
Father who loves all people. When this was
written, the implication was that the Gentiles
should praise Him, not just Israel. Some
have even called this a missionary psalm.
But sadly, Israel started looking down on
the Gentiles instead of being that light
that should’ve drawn them to the Lord. We
can sometimes be this way too when we only
hang out in our holy huddles and start to
look at “sinners” as repulsive, especially
if it’s sin that we can’t associate with.
What does this say about our hearts? Heart
Check.
How
big is your heart for all peoples? Even
the ones who are living with sin that you
can't relate to?
Deep
Dive
What
does fear of the Lord look like? How is
it di£erent from phobias or terror?
Do
any of the descriptions of a man who fears
the Lord fit your life? How can you cultivate
fear of the Lord?
What
practices can we incorporate into our daily
lives to praise from the rising to the setting
of the sun?
Heavenly
Father, We cry out, "Hallelujah, praise
the Lord!"
Thank
you for the vivid reminders of your steadfast
love, mercy, kindness, and goodness. Thank
you for the sweet psalmists who could so
vividly portray your character and put us
in a place to gain the right perspective
of who you are.
If
we have failed to see it in the past, we
declare that we will start now. As long
as we are breathing, it is never too late
to start praising. So we give you thanks
with our whole hearts, in the presence of
our brothers and sisters, and even before
those who may not believe, for you are worthy
to be praised. Your righteousness endures
forever—that means that there is no amount
of evil that could ever cast out your goodness.
We
have seen your works play out in your Holy
Word, but I pray that we never miss the
way that your majesty and power are still
on display today. You still bow down with
so much compassion and help those in need.
You grant mercy where it shouldn’t be given,
and you lift the heads of those who are
downcast. Thank for lifting us up out of
our own ash heaps and making us beautiful.
We
are so grateful for the covenant you have
made with us, your children—an everlasting
covenant that cannot be broken. I pray that
we will remain faithful and obedient to
all that you ask of us. This isn’t because
you require any works, but if we claim to
have faith, our works will prove it.
I
pray that we all have a healthy fear, respect,
and reverence for your holiness. We know
this is better than gold, and it is the
very thing that will keep us safe and bring
peace and prosperity to our lives. May we
never despise it, for we know that would
be foolish. Help us to see that in fearing
you and seeking wisdom, this is what truly
leads to the happy and blessed life. When
we love your Word and desire to obey it,
when we are gracious, generous, merciful,
and discerning, we know that it will lead
to being stable in every way. This is the
secret to the good life. So I pray that
we will plant ourselves down today on our
unshakeable and immoveable foundation. The
earth may move and quake around us, but
we will stand firm. We will not be afraid,
for you are with us.
So
may we begin and end each day with you,
and may every day that the sun rises over
our lives, be ones that are dedicated to
praise and thanksgiving. There is no other
god beside you. You reign on high and your
glory fills the earth like no other. None
can save, deliver, and redeem the worst
parts of ourselves. Only you. So not to
us, O Lord, but to your name we give glory.
We trust in you, our help and shield. So
will you bless your children today—give
them increase, bring deliverance, heal any
sicknesses, free them from any anxiety or
depression, surround them with love and
peace, cancel the plans of the enemy against
them, and give them rest today. We thank
you and praise you. You are our God, and
you are good. So we end with, “Hallelujah,
praise the Lord!”
In
1 Kings 1, as David draws near to the end
of his life, a young Shunamite woman is
brought to him to keep him warm. David’s
4th son Adonijah gains the support of Joab
and Abiathar and exalts himself as king,
behind the backs of Solomon Nathan the prophet,
Benaiah, and David’s mighty men.
When
Nathan learns of this plan, he immediately
pleads with David’s wife Bathsheba to convince
David to act, lest she and Solomon be killed
by Adonijah. Bathsheba makes Adonijah’s
plan known to David, reminding him of his
sworn promise of Solomon’s succession. Nathan
confirms this word, and David swears to
respond. David immediately gathers Zadok,
Nathan, and Benaiah and orders them to swear
in Solomon as king by having him ride on
David’s mule, anointing him with oil, and
declaring that he is king.
Meanwhile,
Adonijah is throwing a feast and hears of
this news, and all the people desert him
in fear. Adonijah seeks refuge by grabbing
the horns of the altar, and Solomon mercifully
grants him temporary reprieve.
In
1 Kings 2, at the end of David’s life, he
gives his son Solomon a final charge to
be strong and courageous, obeying the Lord
and all His commandments. If he does, he
will prosper in everything he does and there
will be an everlasting kingdom that comes
from his house.
David
also charges Solomon to bring justice upon
Joab and Shimei for their rebellion and
to deal kindly with Barzillai for his loyalty
and kindness. After the death of David,
Adonijah goes to Bathsheba and petitions
for Abishag the Shunamite to be given to
him as his wife.
Because
Solomon sees this as a power grab, he orders
his execution. Meanwhile, Abiathar is exiled
for siding with Adonijah, and Joab is also
executed for his unjust killings of Abner,
Amasa and Absalom. Shimei is ordered to
house arrest in Jerusalem for his shrewd
treatment of David, but he is executed when
he breaches the boundary lines of his confinement.
Psalm
37 is a wisdom psalm in which David reminds
us that while the wicked may prosper, it
is only temporary. He begins with an encouragement
not to fret over or be envious of the wicked,
but instead, trust in the Lord, do good,
be faithful, delight yourself in Him, and
commit your ways unto Him. He continues
in this by encouraging rest and staying
away from anger and wrath, for it is the
humble who will ultimately be eternally
prosperous. He describes the wicked as gnashing
their teeth as they plot against the righteous,
but the Lord only laughs, as He knows their
destructive end. But the righteous are promised
an abundant life.
They
will never be forsaken, their steps will
be ordered, and their children will be blessed.
He describes the righteous as those who
speak words of wisdom and justice, love
God’s word, and walk in His way. David ends
with a renewed call for patience, for the
wicked will come to an end whereas the righteous
will be saved.
Psalm
71 is a psalm of lament with overtones of
trust. The psalmist, in his older age, begins
by declaring that he will take refuge in
the Lord, his rock, trusting that He will
rescue him. He pleads for deliverance from
his enemies and declares that he will continue
to hope and trust in Him, just as he always
has from the day he was born. He pleads
for the Lord not to cast him away now that
he’s older, and he resolves to continually
praise him in his righteousness. He celebrates
God’s wondrous works of the past and renews
his trust that He will deliver him again.
He ends the psalm with a resolve to joyfully
praise the Lord with songs for God’s faithfulness.
Psalm
94 is a royal psalm that begins with the
psalmist calling upon the God of vengeance
to rise up and bring justice upon the wicked.
He asks how long they will succeed in their
boasting and arrogance, while bringing merciless
a£liction upon the innocent. The psalmist
speaks directly to wicked, asking them how
long they will remain foolish, reminding
them that their Creator God sees all, hears
all, and knows all. Alternatively, He blesses
those who allow Him to correct and teach
them. He declares that the Lord will not
forsake His people, as they follow after
His righteous judgment. He remembers the
Lord’s past salvation, comfort, and deliverance
and renews his trust in His final judgment
of the wicked.
BITTERNESS
| 1 Kings 1:7
I
couldn’t help but question why Joab and
Abiathar, two of David’s trusted men at
one point, would support Adonijah in this
rebellion. My guess is that they are both
stewing in their own bitterness. Remember,
Amasa was appointed general over Joab after
Joab killed David’s rebellious son Absalom,
going against David’s wishes. He could’ve
even been jealous of Benaiah’s military
glory as “one of the 3” mighty men. Abiathar
may also have some bitterness because of
the way that Zadok the priest is often exalted
over him (his name appears first in several
accounts).
This
is the danger that we see in allowing bitterness
and unforgiveness to remain within your
heart. It’s why both Jesus and Paul preached
against it, because they knew that it would
eventually lead to unnecessary battles.
So we ask again… Heart Check.
Is
there any bitterness dwelling in your heart?
Is there someone with whom you are waging
war within your mind?
PARTNERSHIP
| 1 Kings 1
In
the end, we see how ambition without wisdom
and without the blessing of God ends poorly.
Adonijah had all of one day of glory before
he fell in disgrace and regret. I’m sure
if we could stand before him and ask for
some advice today, he would probably tell
us, “Listen to Jesus. Don’t try to get ahead
of him and exalt yourself. He will lift
up the ones He wants to lift up.” This is
how it’s going to be in the end for us too.
Every
single person will stand before the true
King and be held accountable for everything
they’ve done. Our hope is that we’ve lived
a life that has been in partnership with
Jesus and not rebellion. Heart Check.
If
you were to stand before the King today,
would you have immediate regret for the
way you are living or would you be confident
in your partnership with Him?
CLINGING
TO THE HORNS | 1 Kings 2:28
Grabbing
a hold of the horns of the altar isn’t going
to work for Joab as it did for Adonijah,
because this was for unintentional sin or
manslaughter, not murder.
Joab
is now facing the consequences of the sin
for which he had been granted mercy under
King David. This must’ve been a very sobering
moment for Joab, in realizing that it was
too late for him to seek forgiveness now.
This
reminds me of the way Jesus said that many
will say “Lord, we prophesied, cast out
demons, and did mighty works in your name!”
yet He will reply, “Depart from me, I never
knew you” (Matthew 7:22-23).
This
is an example of those who try to cling
to the horns of the altar without ever laying
down their own lives upon it. They will
claim Christianity but never take up their
cross.
This
is why Peter tells us not to use your freedom
in Christ as a cover-up for evil (1 Peter
2:16). This means that we can’t take this
idea of once saved, always saved, and live
in willful disobedience.
Because
remember, salvation is more than just saying
a salvation prayer. It is understanding
and living with that new spirit that we
are given, meaning we are always in pursuit
of righteousness.
It
doesn’t mean we won’t fail—because we will.
But if I ever claimed salvation and didn’t
change, I would question whether I was truly
saved. But if there is change happening,
there will be no need to cling to the horns
of the altar in the end because we will
be secure in what Jesus did on that altar
and the way that we allowed His blood to
purify us into that perfected creation.
Heart Check.
Have
you allowed the altar to change you? Or
will there be a desperate "clinging
to the horns" in the end?
**
Side bar: Anytime we speak of
this, people come quickly in
defense of the surety of salvation.
Let me be clear—your salvation
is secure when you are truly
saved. There is such a thing
as a false teaching of salvation,
and these were the very people
who Jesus was addressing when
He spoke of this. I am not trying
to get anyone to doubt their
salvation, but I would rather
get you to confirm your election
and calling the way Peter told
us to do in 2 Peter 1:10 as
opposed to allow you to be lulled
into a false sense of security.
Repentance
is not a fun or feel good subject,
but it is ever so necessary
that we get a good understanding
of its importance
DELIGHT
FIRST | Psalm 37:4
I
mentioned the other day that this is one
of my favorite verses. I love it because
I’ve seen it come to fruition on so many
different levels.
The
first thing that we must understand is that
just like in any relationship, especially
in marriages, delighting in someone isn’t
always based on feelings. People irk us,
they fail us, or they don’t give us what
we want, so we end up feeling distant, and
this is where you will see a breakdown in
relationships. We know that God will never
fail us, but sometimes it feels that way,
which is why we can’t rely on our feelings
to serve as our booster for delighting in
Him.
This
is a conscious choice—where we will come
to the Word, even when it’s boring, we will
pray, even when we are tired, and we will
praise, even when things aren’t going our
way. What begins to happen when we do that,
is that our perspective begins to change
and it aligns with His desires for our lives.
So
again, this isn’t getting a Ferrari because
you want one. This is the fulfillment of
every God-given desire that comes when we
delight in Him first. St. Augustine said
it this way: “Love God with all your heart
and do whatever your want.”
Because
when you love Him with everything in you,
your heart will want to please Him. But
notice the order—delight first, then our
needs are satisfied. We usually get this
backward—we have a need, and then we seek
God. Heart Check.
Is
your life in this order? Do you delight
in the Lord first before seeking the fulfillment
of the desires of you heart?
ROLL
OVER | Psalm 37:5
The
Hebrew word for commit is, which comes from
the root word galal, which implies rolling
over. This made me think of my dog and how
when I come near, she rolls over in submission
and is able to get a belly rub out of it.
But
it’s funny because with me, she only rolls
over halfway, but with my husband, whom
she adores, she has all fours in the air,
as if he is the best belly rubber alive.
But
what I saw a picture of is the way that
she trusts him.
She
knows he’s not going to harm her when she’s
in the vulnerable position. This is what
committing our way to the Lord looks like.
It’s full submission and trust that He is
going to keep us from harm and give us a
good belly rub (a.k.a. satisfy our desires).
Heart Check.
Are
you rolled over before the Lord? Have you
committed your ways to Him?
ETERNAL
VIEW OF LIFE | Psalm 37:18-19
David
had so much confidence, despite his constant
attack and surrounding of his enemies. He
knows that his days are on God’s calendar,
which put his life on earth against the
backdrop of eternity. He was able to see
this life as the beginning of forever. But
a lot of the time, we look at this life
as all we have, which is why we end up with
so much worry and fear of it coming to an
end. But with Christ, we have a glorious
hope of the eternal. Heart Check.
How
do you see your life? As it is coming to
an end? Or just the beginning?
ORDERED
STEPS | Psalm 37:23-24
This
verse is one that can take a huge burden
o£ our shoulders. It basically says
that if we love the Lord and follow Him,
He orders our steps. This means we will
always be in the right place at the right
time. Every job, every encounter, every
season that we are in, has been written
on His calendar.
But
take note of the word “steps.”
He
doesn’t just fiy us to the end and give
us a gold medal. We have to train, we have
to gain some spiritual muscle through hard
work, and we have to be the ones to show
up and take the steps in the order that
He gave them to us. Often times, He will
only give us one step at a time. Heart Check.
Did
you take the last step that He ordered you
to take?
Deep
Dive
How
did Bathsheba play such a critical role
in Solomon’s ascension to the throne? In
the context of society in those days, how
was this possible?
What
does Nathan’s continued role in David’s
life show about David’s character, considering
Nathan rebuked David in his sin with Bathsheba
and Uriah?
Solomon
is known for his wisdom. How did he show
this early in his reign?
What
advice does David give in Psalm 37 and how
can we apply this practically in our lives?
How
does psalm 71 inspire you to live out your
faith through the end of life?
How
do you understand God’s vengeance in comparison
with His goodness and mercy?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for your goodness, your
mercy, and your divine plans that always
prevail.
When
you are for us, no one can be against us.
No matter how much scheming someone might
do, your purpose in our lives cannot be
averted. I pray we will be wise and discerning
in any advice that we take or any criticism
that we might hear about others. May we
always deal quickly but graciously when
people come against us, just the way that
David did. Help us to remember that people
are not our real enemy—we have an adversary
who fights to disarm us, but as we pray
and as we read your word, wie are strengthening
our faith and our will to fight the right
battles in the right way.
I
pray that we will all have our own Nathans
who give us godly advice and constructive
criticism where necessary. May we be like
David, who keeps those people around when
they correct us to be better people. Help
us to be good listeners, especially when
you are trying to speak to us through others.
May
we always walk in partnership with you,
never trying to exalt ourselves above others.
We know that you are the one who lifts up
and tears down. I pray that we never try
to get ahead of your promotion but simply
stay disciplined in the calling and season
that you currently have us in. We don’t
want to do things out of season—while it
may be successful initially, it likely won’t
lead to lasting success. Without you, any
“success” we have is ill-gotten gain.
If
there is any bitterness or unforgiveness
dwelling within, even if we are unaware
of it, please show us and give us the willingness
to forgive and release. We don’t want to
keep ourselves under that kind of bondage,
for we know that it will only lead to unnecessary
battles, even ones that we fight in the
battlefield of our minds. May we not waste
any energy on that but rather put that energy
into the real fight against the spiritual
enemy.
We
know that vengeance is yours and that your
justice will prevail, so we don’t need to
take matters into our own hands. So instead
of focusing on the bad that everyone else
is doing, help us to focus on our own righteousness.
Help
us to be strong and courageous, always looking
for your footprints that we can follow.
We know that when we seek first the kingdom
of God and walk in your way, we too, will
prosper in everything we do.
Thank
you, Jesus, for your ultimate sacrifice
on the altar. Thank you that we no longer
have to desperately cling to the horns of
the altar in the end because of our sin
that deserves judgment. I pray that we have
a good understanding of your grace and our
own dying to self so that we will live out
the rest of our lives with the blessed assurance
of our salvation. But may we always be consciously
aware of our sin so that we will walk in
obedience instead of willful rebellion.
What
an honor it is to be able to be witnesses
to the rise of King Solomon—what an honor
to have front row seats through your word.
I pray that we never take this for granted,
but always see it for the promise that it
brought with it—the promise of a Savior
King who would rule forever but also the
promise of our own inheritance of the throne.
We are co-heirs with you and will one day
reign with you in your Kingdom. Wow! What
a promise to look forward to!
Thank
you, Lord, that we do not need to worry
about any of the wickedness in this world.
If we say that we trust in you, our just
God, then let our patience prove that. I
pray that as we wait on you, we will not
fret or get angry, but rather delight in
you, knowing that you will give us the desires
of our hearts. I pray that as we do, our
light will shine forth like the noonday
sun. Help us to simply enjoy the blessings
that are near to us instead of looking beyond
the scope of our territory and worrying
about what everyone else is doing.
Thank
you for ordering our steps, and thank you
for your Word which illuminates the path.
I pray that we will courageously step out
each day in faith and walk in righteousness.
For if we do that, our feet will not slip.
You are our rock, our hope, and our refuge,
and we resolve to praise all the days of
our lives.
Psalm
119 is the longest chapter in the Bible
and is considered a wisdom psalm that is
focused on God’s written revelation, being
expressed through His law, word, judgments,
testimonies, commandments, statutes, and
precepts. With the psalm being written in
acrostic form, each stanza represents one
of the 22 Hebrew consonants with 8 verses
each.
The
psalmist introduces the psalm with the letter
Aleph and declares that those who
walk according to God’s Word will be blessed,
just as his heart yearns to. Beth speaks
of the purity of life and meditation on
God’s word. Gimel is a prayer for
a blessing in keeping the Word, especially
in the trials of life. Daleth is
a prayer for revival, as the psalmist feels
as though he is nearing death. He is a plea
for guidance and understanding.
Waw
speaks of the liberty that comes from
loving God’s word. Zayin highlights
the comfort and strength that comes from
the Word. Heth gives a picture of
one running to obedience and praising at
night. Teth is a prayer of praise
and petition and speaks of the benefit that
comes from affliction. Yod puts
the Lord on display as Creator and illuminates
the confidence that comes from Him. The
psalmist feels as though he is growing faint
from affliction and cries out for revival
in Kaph. After revival, the psalmist
celebrates the Word that is fixed in heaven
in Lamedh. Mem speaks of the
sweetness of God’s word that is found in
mediation.
The
psalmist expresses his unceasing confidence
in the word as it illuminates his path in
Nun . He feels held up like
a pillar by the word in Samek. He
prays for protection from the proud as he
continues to seek the word in Ayin.
He acknowledges how the word guides his
steps in Pe. Tsadde describes
the purity and truth of God’s word.
Qooph
offers a prayer for hope in God’s word.
Resh is a plea for revival according
to His word. The psalmist expresses his
awe of God’s word.
In
Tau, he feels sought by God and His
word.
BLESSED
OR BORED | Psalm 119:1
We’re
starting off with a banger. The psalmist
says that if you follow God’s Word and live
a blameless life, you will be blessed or
happy.
A
lot of people think that the Christian life
is a boring life. But I would beg to di£er.
I’ve lived a pretty exciting life, and the
only times that weren’t so blessed or happy,
were the times that I was living in disobedience.
Those were the times that ended in heartbreak
and took me down paths that I regret going
down. Heart Check.
Are
you blessed following God's ways or bored?
LOVE
OR LEGALISM | 119:1-5
Here
we see that there is some action involved
in this blessedness. The psalmist is saying
that this happiness comes from walking in
his ways and keeping His commandments diligently—this
is a choice.
But
one thing to keep in mind is the why behind
the choice. Because if it does not come
from a place of love but rather legalism,
then that will be the dividing line between
happiness and bitterness. A love for God’s
Word will lead to obedience, whereas a legalistic
approach will lead to self-righteousness,
judgment, and accusation, just as we will
see with the Pharisees. Heart Check.
What
does your obedience stem from? Love of legalism?
THE
WORD IN ACTION | Psalm 119:11
The
psalmist has stored up or hidden the word
of God in his heart. He’s done some major
heart dives and Bible studies in his lifetime.
He’s
meditated on God’s Word, reviewed it again,
and he sees it as a storehouse to pull from
when he faces the temptation to sin. And
because it’s hidden, no one can take it
from him. When we do this, our heart becomes
like an ATM machine, where we can access
the payment that was made for every sin.
You
face temptation, stick your debit card in
there, and say, “Nope, Jesus paid for that.
With every temptation, there’s always a
way for escape.” That’s the Word in action.
You see, we can fill our hearts with the
Word, but the real test is how we apply
it.
You
can be a straight A student at Dallas Theological
Seminary and still be the worst sinner if
you don’t apply the Word that you learn.
And one of simplest things we can do is
ask the Lord, “How can I apply this Word
that I’ve hidden in my heart?” Heart Check.
How
are you putting God's word into action each
day?
TALK
ABOUT IT | Psalm 119:13
Not
only does the psalmist recognize the importance
of being a hearer and a doer of the Word,
but now he touches on the importance of
speaking the Word. When the Word of God
is on our lips in conversation or in prayer,
we will ultimately be building up or edifying
others while also improving our own character.
Heart Check.
Is
the word of God on your lips? Do you talk
about it?
GPS
| Psalm 119:19
Here
the psalmist gives us this picture of “ET
phone home,” (I’m aging myself) or like
a lost traveler, who is saying, “Hey Siri,
where is the nearest gas station?” Or for
those of us who used to use maps, he’s looking
in his Thomas Guide for which interchange
to take next. The Word of God is our GPS!
It gives us a starting point, the destination,
and all the directions on how to get there.
It’s our God Positioning System. And we
are either going to get to our destination
on time, or we are gonna be hit with a whole
bunch of “rerouting” if we take the wrong
turns. And we better hope that we don’t
get caught off-roading when we are supposed
to be at our destination, dining at His
table. Heart Check.
Are
you following the direction of your GPS?
Or are you being reeouted?
WORD
VS. WEALTH | Psalm 119:36
The
psalmist knows the power and influence that
money can have. This is why he is saying
this—he knows his own weakness in seeking
wealth. It’s part of our sin nature. The
Bible says, “for the love of money is the
root of all evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). With
money representing success, influence, and
power, it’s no wonder the world puts so
much emphasis on it.
The
psalmist is basically saying, “Let your
Word be on my heart and mind more than my
work, my house, and my desire to succeed
in life.” Heart Check.
What
is on your mind more? Trying to get ahead
and get wealthy? Or God's word?
FREEDOM
IN THE WORD | Psalm 119:45
Wide
space refers to liberty or freedom, which
is what the psalmist is declaring the word
of God brings. Most people will look at
rules, regulations, boundaries, commandments
as either good or bad.
They
will see it as either restrictive or permissive.
As we were studying the laws of God, we
drove home how the boundaries of God are
actually a good thing that leads to freedom
in a safe space rather than perceived freedom
in chaos. An easy example is to look at
the United States, which was built on the
the foundation of God’s word, and this nation
prides itself on freedom.
But
the more we move away from the morals and
the boundaries of God’s word, in the name
of “freedom”, the more chaotic our nation
becomes and eventually, this will lead to
destruction if we stray far enough from
it, because we will destroy ourselves from
within and weaken our defense.
So
we will either choose to find freedom away
from God’s Word, doing whatever we want
and eventually crippling ourselves, or we
will find freedom within His Word, which
will lead to our best selves. Heart Check.
Has
God's word brought more liberty to your
life? Or do you see it closing in on you?
NIGHTTIME
THOUGHTS | Psalm 119:55
This
is awesome—the psalmist goes to bed thinking
about the Lord, and therefore He wakes up
and walks with Him. If you think about it,
whatever you go to bed thinking about, listening
to, or watching, is usually what will be
on your mind when you wake up. And it will
set the tone for how you will go about your
day.
So
if you fall asleep worrying and mulling
over something that happened, you will likely
wake up with worry and anxiety. But what
if you took that worry and before you fall
asleep, you place it at the altar and ask
the Lord to give you rest.
Then
the next morning, you will awaken to His
new mercies instead of a heavy burden. Heart
Check.
What's
the last thing you think about, watch, or
listen to at night?
ANTICIPATE
THE TURNS | Psalm 119:59
If
God’s Word is the psalmist’s GPS, now he’s
giving us the instruction booklet on how
to use it. In order not to constantly here
that annoying “rerouting,” he ponders the
direction of his life.
In
other words, he anticipates the turns rather
than waiting for the last-minute instruction
to take an exit only to realize he’s five
lanes over in rush hour traffic.
If
God’s Word is our GPS, we have to look at
it often so that we know what our next turn
is. We too must ponder our direction and
anticipate the turns. One of the best ways,
is to have a co-pilot. That will either
look like the Holy Spirit or accountability
partners, friends, or spiritual guides.
When my husband is driving, he goes full
captain mode on me and needs me to co-pilot.
He
wants affirmation of what Siri already told
him. And if I don’t say, “You have to turn
left,” he won’t turn! Heart Check.
Are
you looking for direction often and antcipating
the turns of life? Do you have co-pilots
to affirm the next turn?
PRESCRIPTION
| Psalm 119:125
The
psalmist isn’t asking for understanding
and discernment for anyone else but himself.
A
lot of the time we can sit in church or
even read God’s Word and think, “Boy I sure
wish so and so was here to hear this,” or
we will elbow our spouse when the pastor
drives our point home (I know none of us
do that, wink wink). But God’s Word is like
a prescription that says “apply to the affected
area.” I don’t bring home an ointment from
the doctor to heal my eczema and put it
on my husband in hopes that I will be healed.
I have to apply it to me! My name is on
that prescription. Heart Check.
Whose
name is on the prescription that God gives
to you? Are you listening for youself or
others?
LONGING
| Psalm 119:131
The
psalmist is giving us imagery of a dog panting
or thirsting for water. When we have a true
longing for the Word, there will be this
continual thirst for it, and vice versa.
But
notice that he says that he longs for the
commandments, not just the promises. That
means he doesn’t want to only read the feel
good proverbs and go to affirming church
services that hype you up.
He
wants to be corrected, guided, and taught
what is right. He longed for the not so
fun parts of the Word because he knew that
this is where true growth happens. Heart
Check.
Do
you long for both God's promises and His
commandants?
Deep
Dive
According
to the psalmist, how does reverence for
God’s Word reveal faith and understanding
of who God is?
Look
at the 8 words for God’s Word. How are they
similar? How do they di£er? What characteristics
follow each one according to the psalm?
1. '
Law' (tôrâ)
2. '
Testimonies' (ʿēdôt)
3. '
Precepts' (piqqūdîm)
4. '
Statutes' (ḥuqqîm)
5. '
Commandments' (miṣwôt)
6. '
Ordinances' (mišpāṭîm)
7. '
Word' (dābār)
8. '
Promise' or 'word' (ʾimrâ)
How
can you apply the Word that was learned
today?
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for your invaluable,
infalliable Word that has impacted our lives
in immense ways.
Most
of us have resolved this year to simply
try to gain a better understanding of it.
We created a habit. We are excited for the
goals and gains. But what really gets our
heart is not the checkmarks that we get
to place next to each chapter or day that
we complete, it’s the change that we see
taking place in our hearts. We don’t come
back every day out of obligation. We come
back because we have fallen in love with
your Word. I get it! I see what the psalmist
is saying! And how we wish everyone else
could feel the same!
What
a blessing it is to seek you with our whole
hearts, to know where to go, to be able
to see the path we are walking on, and to
not trip over our own feet, as your Word
guides our every step. It illuminates our
way. Thank you for helping us to see that
what we once thought was a daunting task,
far off in the distance, was really a simple
and gracious invitation to the greatest
journey that would unlock life’s answers
in such a profound way. I don’t know how
we did life before your Word.
Thank
you for helping us to see your goodness
where we may have once thought otherwise
because we simply didn’t understand your
heart behind the things you did. I pray
that we will continue to be diligent in
knowing you, studying your word, meditating
on it, memorizing it, talking about it,
teaching others, and glorifying you through
it. I pray that it always stems from a place
of love and never legalism, for that would
be the quickest means to sapping our joy.
Thank
you for the confidence boosters that we
gain every day each time your Holy Spirit
reveals something new. We stand in awe how
your Word never returns void and is the
gift that keeps on giving. May we store
it up in our hearts, allowing it to be the
gatekeeper of our souls. In doing so, we
will guard our purity and righteousness
as we seek you and desire to live according
to your ways.
We
are all a work in progress, so I pray that
we won’t feel intimidated or left behind
as others may seem to know more than we
do or to have greater understanding.
Help
us to simply look at our daily dose of our
own prescription—the sweet simple word that
you speak to us each day—and may we apply
it to the open wounds of our spirit.
I
pray that we don’t hear the Word for others
but for ourselves. It does no good to apply
medicine to someone else while we continue
to allow our infection to fester. So we
fix our eyes on you today and say, “Have
your way in me.”
We
ask that you continue to open our eyes to
your wonder so that in our sojourning, we
will always have direct access to you, our
guide. You are our GPS, and without you,
we will constantly be rerouting and confused
in this life. But when we listen to instruction
and we anticipate the turns, we will get
to our destination on time and with joy
in our hearts.
For
anyone who is feeling a little lackluster,
like there is a layer of dross over their
souls, will you bring revival. Enliven our
spirits once again. Breathe new life into
us and into your Word so that we can run
in the freedom that you always desire for
us. Your ways are never for our restriction
but always for liberty. Widen our scope
to be able to see that our boundaries are
for our good. I pray that we will not be
like sheep who wander outside the gate,
placing ourselves in a vulnerable place.
We so desire to stay within your confines,
knowing that it’s a wide open space that
brings comfort, safety, favor, revival,
healing, restoration, and the list goes
on. May we never lose sight of that.
May
our commitment to you be firmly fixed in
the heavens just as your Word is. May we
be steadfast in our faith and hope just
as your love is. May your face shine upon
your servants as keep steady our steps according
to your promise. May no evil have any dominion
over us. We renounce anything we have given
power to in our lives that has o£ended
your holiness. Renew our joy today and may
great peace be upon those who love your
word. We choose you, for you are good.
In
1 Kings 3, Solomon makes a marriage alliance
with Pharoah by marrying Pharaoh’s daughter.
While building his house and the temple,
he temporarily brings his grand o£erings
to the high place in Gibeon. While there,
the Lord speaks to him in a dream, granting
him one wish. Solomon expresses his inadequacy
as a young ruler and asks for wisdom, understanding
and discernment to be able to lead well.
Because he did not ask for riches or vengeance
upon his enemies, the Lord grants him his
wish but also gives him peace and prosperity.
The Lord also promises a long life if he
walks in obedience to Him. When Solomon
awakens and realizes it was a dream, he
throws a grand feast for his household and
servants. Solomon exercises his judgment
when two prostitutes present their case
before him. The women both had both given
birth within days of each other, and they
live in the same household. One woman claims
that when the other woman’s baby died, she
switched the babies in the night, claiming
her baby as her own. Solomon asks for a
sword and commands that the living child
be cut into two and the halves given to
each woman. When the real mother pleads
for the child to be allowed to live and
the other woman agrees for it to die, Solomon
discerns who the real mom is and gives the
child to her. All of Israel hears of the
wise judgment and stand in awe of his ability
to execute justice in a profound way.
1
Kings 4 details Solomon’s o£icials
including Azariah as priest, Benaiah as
commander of the armies, Ahishar as a palace
head, Adoniram as overseer of the forced
labor, and Zabud as a priest and friend
of the king. He also appoints twelve o£icers
or governors who oversee twelve districts
from which all the king’s provisions will
come. Each district provides food one month
out of the year. During Solomon’s reign,
there is peace, prosperity, and stability
in his kingdom. His kingdom grows expansively
along with his wealth, and his fame grows
throughout the land. The Lord gives more
wisdom to Solomon, more than anyone before
and after him and more than all the people
to the east and in Egypt. Because of his
famed wisdom, people come from all nations
to hear from him.
ONE
WISH | 1 Kings 3:3-9
Wow.
Solomon was given one wish and could’ve
gotten anything he wanted.But instead of
asking for more riches or more wives, it’s
as if he knew those things didn’t truly
satisfy, so he asked for wisdom and discernment
instead.
Yesterday
was my daughter’s birthday, and all she
wanted to do was go to the mall. After walking
in circles trying to find something that
she wanted, her friends asked her why it
was so hard to find something.
She
replied, “Because I already have everything
I want in life.” And I just thought, that
is so unlike a 10-year-old (and I wasn’t
about to push the issue). I wonder if we
would have the same kind of heart. Heart
Check.
If
you were given one wish to ask for anything
what would it be?
BRING
THE SWORD | 1 Kings 3:24
While
this seemed gruesome to onlookers, for they
did not know what the sword represented,
it would also be wise for us to call for
the sword every time we need to counsel
or make a decision. Because our sword is
the Word of God. Every answer we need is
right here. Heart Check.
How
often do you consult the Word when you need
to make a decision?
WISE
SURROUNDINGS | 1 Kings 4:1-6
Here’s
another example of Solomon’s wisdom on display--
who he chose for his leaders. He was wise
in who he wanted to have in his sphere.
Remember that wise saying, “We are the company
we keep.” Looking around at your sphere…
Heart Check.
What
kind of people surround you? Do they reflect
a wise choice in character?
PROVERBIAL
STATEMENT | 1 Kings 4:25
This
statement of “every man under his vine and
under his fig tree” was a proverb that was
spoken in times of prosperity and peace
in Israel.
I
remember when I was a little girl, my Daddy
used to say, “If I could only get $40m and
a nice wife.” (He never did get the $40m
but he did end up with a nice wife… although
I am believing he has well beyond that $40m
now in heaven). Heart Check.
What
would your proverbial statement of peace
and properity sound like? Fill in the blank.
" If only________________."
UNDERSTAND
THE ASSIGNMENT | 1 Kings 4:28
Everyone
in Solomon’s court had a duty—they knew
what they were supposed to do and they did
it.
We
are all a part of the King’s court today,
each with our own assigned duties and charges.
But
many of us fail to do it, simply because
we don’t understand the assignment, and
we don’t know what we are charged with.
Heart Check.
Do
you know what your charge is? Do you understand
theassignment?
Deep
Dive
Was
what Solomon asked for the highest gift
he could've received? Would a better relationship
with the Lord have been more pleasing to
the Lord?
How
can we discern between the desire for selfish
gain and the greater good?
What
does the story of the two women teach about
love, especially the love of a parent?
How
might Solomon's wisdom apply to a practical
situation today?
How
does Solomon's devotion tp God play out
during His reign? What fruit comes from
it
Heavenly
Father, Thank you for this powerful testament
to the value of wisdom over any gain we
could ever get on this earth
I
pray that we will all have a bit of Solomon
in us (the good parts of course), where
we desire to worship you with all that we
have, bringing our sacrifices and offerings
of praise and thanksgiving to your altar
daily. I pray that we will walk before you
in faithfulness, righteousness, and uprightness
of heart the way that David did. When we
do that, we will have the proper perspective
and that reverence and fear, which we know
is the beginning of wisdom. That’s what
we desire and ask for today as well. Give
us greater understanding to be able to steward
what you have given to us and to be able
to discern between right and wrong in every
decision we need to make. Help us to see
that when we pray selfiess prayers, there
will be widespread impact and greater blessing
for the greater good.
Should
we need to counsel anyone or make any big
decisions, I pray that we will grab the
sword first and foremost to seek your guidance.
May your wisdom flow from heaven and invade
our hearts and minds so that we will guide
others in righteousness.
May
we be wise in choosing our friends and the
people we choose to hang around. We don’t
want to be snobby and start casting people
off, but I pray for godly infiuences to
surround us. We pray the same for our spouses
and children. You desire for us to be in
healthy fellowship, so I pray that those
we surround ourselves with will be like-minds
with hearts set on you.
Help
us to be organized the way that Solomon
was. I know this is not my forte, so I need
a special anointing there. You are a God
of order, and we want to be able to refiect
that.
And
I pray that as we choose to walk out this
wisdom, that for all our days, every man
will be under his vine and under his fig
tree. May there be peace and blessing that
surrounds every person. Expand our hearts
and may our understanding be limitless and
immeasurable. Thank you in advance for hearing
our prayer.
