dailydevotional

This week’s passage is 1 Kings 2:13-46. The story of how the Kingdom became firmly into Solomon’s grip. The picture of the human condition, wanting to position themselves on the top, to make themselves king. Adonijah still believed that the kingdom was rightfully his. Though Solomon told Bathsheba that he would deny her nothing, upon hearing her request Solomon weighs it against what the LORD had said and does not accommodate her request for Adonijah to marry Abishag. Verse 24, we see what the LORD has done vs what Adonijah was trying to do. Though God’s plan will prevail, we will have to trust God and move to action through the adversity and resistance to God’s plan. God is true to His word as we see the prophecy concerning the descendants of Eli come to pass.

This week’s passage is 1 Kings 2:1-12. David, nearing his death, wants to encourage Solomon and set him up for success with his final words. Deuteronomy 31 Moses telling all Israel and then specifically to Joshua, “Be strong and courageous” followed by instructions. David wants Solomon to go into his kingship with all the knowledge and experience David gained during his own years as king. The time during Absalom’s rebellion was very impactful to David and he wanted to prepare Solomon for the character of certain people. David’s last words were important to David, and he was blessed to be able to say them to Solomon. The most important instructions, to listen to God and to obey.

This week’s passage is 1 Kings 1:32-53. The same story repeating in form of instruction, carrying in out (obedience), and the testimony of a witness. The fearful response of Adonijah and those who supported him. Calling on God when it looks like the enemy is winning. The Lord’s will prevails. In life we will have people who try to manipulate the situation to their advantage regardless of God’s instructions. In life we are to listen to God’s instructions, to go and carry it out, and to be a witness of all Jesus has done and taught.   God loves you, God’s plan will prevail and we are fortunate to be used to carry it out as we follow Him. We already know of the victory God has made as we witness to the good news.    

This week’s passage is 1 Kings 1:1-31. In every moment of life, we are in a relationship where God speaks, we listen and walk it out. 1 Chronicles 22:6-10. We need to be listening for what God says, remember what God has said, and we need to be faithful in walking it out. Like Adonijah, many people make themselves king over their life.  The faithfulness of God to carry out His good plan.  The importance of God’s discipline in our life. The questions God asks us bring us back into line and refocus us onto who God is. Proverbs 3:12, Hebrews 12:5&6. When we are missing a piece that we are supposed to fulfill, God is faithful to send people to us to spur us on to finish our call. The call be righteous is a high call, one we can only answer in Jesus.

This week’s passage is 2 Samuel 24:1-23. The anger of the Lord burned against Israel, but it does not specifically say what Israel was doing to cause God to become angry. The Census recalls Gideon and how God winnowed down the number of fighting men because our faith for victory is to be in the LORD not in the number of men we have. Joab asking David not to take the census. David does not sin again by making the choice himself but leaves the fate of the nation to God. An offering that costs you nothing is not an offering at all, recalls Cain and Abel. When you let go of what you are holding onto, God can bless and multiply it.

This week’s passage is 2 Samuel 23:1-17. A picture of God’s faithfulness throughout David’s life. His last words talk about David’s Identity and how it changed and grew through his life. The theme of continuing when everyone else abandons the fight. His men do not hesitate to risk their lives for his longing for certain water. In turn David pours out the water as an offering because he valued the blood of his men more than the water. For the men who risked their lives to bring David the water, the pouring out of the water would redirect their attention to God, and away from the human David. God has made an everlasting covenant with all people, arranged, and guaranteed in every detail. Jesus makes it all possible.

This week’s passage is 2 Samuel 21:26-51. God rescues the humble. God’s presence in David’s life did not go unrecognized. Even when things do not seem like they are going well, even when the end looks to be here, God is near. Humility acknowledges that we cannot do things in our own strength, we need others, we need help. In humility we see the strength of God do amazing things. David recognizing that all things are possible through God’s strength. Starting from a place of humility in God, David can accomplish the impossible. Preparing for life is best done in the LORD. God carries us, but we get up and move. The promise that God’s ways are perfect, and all the LORD’s promises prove true.

This week’s passage is 2 Samuel 21:1-25.  As David reflects, he gives all glory to God. His rock and his fortress were always the LORD. Circumstances seem small compared to the mightiness of God. God does not look as people the way people look at people. Sinning isn’t abandoning the LORD when we respond to His correction.  God sees to the heart of a man. David’s position of heart allowed him to continue with God. Now, through Jesus’ sacrifice, God does not see us in our sin, it is covered by His blood. When   He sees us, He sees us in our innocence.

This week’s passage is 2 Samuel 21:1-22.  Even though the rebellions have been stopped, everything was not okay, there was still need for reconciliation. A picture of God’s faithfulness. God cared about the Gibeonites. Deut. 24:16, it wasn’t a normal practice for children to be killed because of the sins of their parents. Deut. 21:22&23 required the quick burial for a criminal. Going along with what people want, and not consulting the Lord, can lead us to a place we never should have gone. The more selfish a person gets, the more they focus on their feelings of discontent and what they think will make them feel better. David’s military career started and ended with battles against giants.

This week’s passage is 2 Samuel 19:41-20:22. David is returning to Jerusalem, but the kingdom is still not united. Sheba’s words were a challenge for leadership over the people. The people wanted a king of their own. Even though Absalom’s rebellion was heartbreaking, it was in his line and the kingdom was united.  Amasa was not able to mobilize the army in the time needed, showing his inability to lead the people on the ground. Amasa was Absalom’s commander. Joab didn’t like the commanding officer being put in charge when they had not always been loyal to David. In being realistic, most people fail to break out of their current perspective. It takes surrender to gain the LORD’s perspective. Sheba’s words were directly against the LORD’s promise to David. God’s hand was all over this situation.  

This week’s passage is 2 Samuel 19:15-40. David’s experiencing a bittersweet victory. The human nature of people seen as stories and attitudes change as David leaves and now as He is coming back. Despite the flip flopping of people David treats them fairly and doesn’t take revenge on anyone, opting for no more death.  David understood that his kingship being given back to him was a gift from God. The challenge to not lash out or demand vengeance when things don’t go your way and instead surrender to God, embracing what He has for you through it. David’s mercy and kindness reflects God’s love and mercy for us. The promise we have in Jesus as our King. The promises of God will prevail, we can trust that God’s word true.

This week’s passage is 2 Samuel 18:19-19:14. God wins our battles, even the ones we don’t get to fight in. David mourns his son who he dearly loved but who was his enemy. How God mourns the loss of His children. Joab coming to David and reminding him of what is still alive. Matthew 5:4 God blesses those who mourn for they will be comforted. When we have loss, it is important to mourn the loss. We are to love God and love people, God uses us in the lives of others, be available.  

This week’s passage is 2 Samuel 16:15-17:23. The picture is painted of David’s heart and faith in the LORD. David didn’t just quit even though his family rebelled against Him. Though God’s purposes prevail, we must put one foot in front of the other, we must keep going. Absalom’s hair and vanity sets up his downfall as his hair traps him in a tree.  The 20,000 men that lost their lives because of this rebellion, the ripple effect of sin and selfishness. Korah’s rebellion in Numbers 16. Being critical of leadership often just leads to division, conflict, and rebellion. When we demand our we, rejecting God’s plan and purposes, it does not go well. Joab having enough of Absalom and the whole situation. Giving up their own life was required for reconciliation, but people don’t find that road on their own. In the middle of the mess, remember it’s not the end of the story.

This week’s passage is 2 Samuel 16:15-17:23. Absalom turns to his advisors but does not seek the Lord’s council. A warning against following our own ideas. Proverbs 19:20, it’s not wrong to seek the advice of others but the LORD’s voice should (and will) have the final say on every matter. Ahithophel, Bathsheba’s grandfather, had his own motives as did Hushai. Despite the schemes of man, the Lord’s outcome prevails. The futileness of trying to manipulate how life goes. We must come to a place of trust in the LORD.  Ahithophel’s story’s similarity to Judas’ story.

This week’s passage is 2 Samuel 15:13-37. The picture of David’s great faith in the LORD. God said that the rebellion would happen.  David owning the consequences of his sin. David cared more for the people and the city than for his position.  Laying it all down, letting go, is the cost of being a disciple. David letting go of his home and the Ark. God’s faithfulness seen in the people who remained loyal to David. The hope we have is the same hope David had, that God does not just sweep life away but makes ways to bring us back to Himself. There is nothing compared to the presence of God.

This week’s passage is 2 Samuel 14:25-15:12. Absalom’s desire to be seen and heard.  Absalom’s words, “I wish I was judge, I would give you justice”. God is the one who sees all and brings the right judgment. 2 Samuel 12:11, I will cause your own house to turn against you. Absalom’s pride, he believed he could bring justice, but his justice was really vengeance. People can sometimes let their free will lead them into believing they know best. God is the only King who can bring true justice and reign in true love. He sees everyone and hears everyone. No king in the history of kings can compare to God. We enter life when we surrender it to God.

This week’s passage is 2 Samuel 14:1-24. We see David long to see Absalom and Joab wanting David to see the situation from a different perspective. It can be hard to look at things differently. Looking at things from someone else’s perspective helps us see things more clearly. David is experiencing literal and figurative death. God is the same in both the Old and New Testaments, “God does not just sweep life away, instead, he devises ways to bring us back when we have been separated from him.” 2 Samuel 14:14; this has always been and always will be God’s heart for people. Everything gets really messy in Davids’s life as a result of his sin. Without Jesus, our lives can spiral downward just as David’s. Changing our perspective requires us to let go of our judgments and opinions. My life is without peace when I try to hold on to “my way”. The promise that God’s character is always the same and that God’s heart is for reconciliation. Despite our messes God has always had the heart to brings us back to Himself and has made the way through Jesus.  

This week’s passage is 2 Samuel 13:23-39. Summary of chapters 11, 12 and the beginning of chapter 13.  How people can fixate on what they want, or they just take it. A picture of the human condition. Amnon’s “love” was completely selfish and contrasts with the Love of God. Vengeance is mine says the LORD Deuteronomy 32:35, Romans 12:19. The painting of the Human conditions reveals the flaw of human love. Each person plays a part in every situation. David missed the opportunity to go to God before sinning with Bathsheba. Absalom was full of anger, and everyone ended up in a worse situation. How do you keep anger from overcoming your heart? Jesus is the way.   Picking up your cross daily vs going after whatever you want. What you obsess about can bring out of you an ungodly response or action because it is the fruit of your selfishness. The promise is that God has given us everything and wants to give us abundantly more. Vengeance is not satisfied until blood is spilled. God spilled His blood for you.

This week’s passage is 2 Samuel 12:13-31. David responds by confessing his sin and fasting and mourning. David asks God to change the circumstances but when nothing changes David goes and worships the LORD. David recognizes his mortality in the repercussions of it all. Even in all the ugliness of people’s sin, we can see the goodness of God. God does not force His way and will on other people’s actions. He gives each of us room to make our own decisions in response to our circumstances, and when we mess up we can count on God’s goodness to correct us. God did not pull his favor completely and still gives Joab victory, though Joab doesn’t take the credit. The challenge of remaining dependent on God when everything is going well of us. We should follow David’s example Going to God when things don’t go our way, it’s all part of dying to self and living for Christ.

This week’s passage is 2 Samuel 11:1-12:12. David was in a good place before he sinned, but he stopped going after God and focused on what he wanted and how to avoid consequences. It’s a loving act of God to show him what he’s done. The awareness of sin brought about conviction. God wants us to put our attention to the reality of our situation. How people lose sight of God when they “are in a good place”. The comfort of the good place can cause us to become stagnant, even lazy when it comes to seeking God. Much like Adam and Eve, David had everything available but took what wasn’t his. Every person is susceptible to their sin nature, God loves us still and has made a way for us. God corrects and disciplines because He loves His children. We can trust that God loves us and that when we mess up, He will set us straight.