The LORD is My Rock

Today’s reading is 2 Samuel 20-24.

“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation,
my stronghold and my refuge,
my savior; you save me from violence.
I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised,
and I am saved from my enemies.

…

“In my distress I called upon the LORD
to my God I called.
From his temple he heard my voice,
and my cry came to his ears.

…

“For who is God, but the LORD?
And who is a rock, except our God?
This God is my strong refuge
and has made my way blameless.”

2 Samuel 12:2-4, 7, 32-33 (ESV)

What could I possibly add to this?

Tomorrow’s reading is 1 Kings 1-5.

The God Satisfied Have Nothing to Prove

Today’s reading is 2 Samuel 15-19.

I know David recants his lack of vengeance against Shimei later, and I’m not completely sure what to make of that. However, I can’t help but notice what he says in 2 Samuel 19:21-23 when Abishai wants to kill Shimei a second time: “Shall anyone be put to death in Israel this day? For do I not know that I am this day king over Israel?” (ESV). What great God Satisfaction the God Filled have. David didn’t have to prove anything to anyone because he was personally convinced of his blessing from God. I love the mantra: “It’s none of my business what everyone else thinks of me.” Not that our reputation doesn’t matter at all, but our relationship with God matters foremost. If we focus on that and gain personal confidence in it, we don’t have to spin our wheels trying to prove it to everyone else. If you are in Christ, you are a king and have nothing to prove to anyone today (cf. 2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 3:21). Let’s live like the kings God has made us.

Monday’s reading is 2 Samuel 20-24.

 

A God Filled Response to Righteous Rebuke

Today’s reading is 2 Samuel 10-14.

David, a a God Filled man after God’s own heart, more than messed up, he sinned grievously. What sets David apart as God Filled, however, is not his sin, but his response to Nathan’s righteous rebuke. Not only did David accept the rebuke, respond appropriately to the rebuke, notice 1 Chronicles 3:5. David so loved his rebuker that he named one of the sons he had from Bathsheba after him. David truly lived what he wrote in Psalm 141:5: “Let a righteous man strike me–it is kindness; let him rebuke me–it is oil for my head; let my head not refuse it” (ESV). Even God Filled people like you need to be rebuked from time to time. How will you respond to it today?

We’d love to know what you got out of today’s reading or if another part of the reading stood out to you. Let us know in the comments section.

Tomorrow’s reading is 2 Samuel 15-19.

When Will It Stop?

Today’s reading is 1 Samuel 31; 2 Samuel 1-4.

Saul has died and you would think the path is now clear for David’s complete victory, but that isn’t what happens. Saul’s son Ish-bosheth wants to try his hand at kingship, so he keeps David from being the one, true king for a while. Isn’t that just like life. You get so caught up with one enemy and when it is gone you think you’ll have clear sailing, but then something else comes up. This is the stuff depression is made of. Being God Filled doesn’t mean being trouble empty. But it does mean finding the source of strength to carry on just like David did. Whatever you have faced, are facing, will face, hang on to God. Good things are coming, even if you can’t see how.

We’d love to know what you got out of today’s reading or if some other part of the passage struck you. Feel free to let us know in the comments section.

Tomorrow’s reading is 2 Samuel 5-9.