This week I read an article by a woman who had been keeping a journal for 20 years.  She said it seemed natural for her to continue when her father suffered a major stroke.  She described the benefits of her journaling during the five years she cared for her father until his death.  She observed, her daily entries provided her with perspective and a unique sustenance.          I must admit I am not the most faithful, but I see many benefits to journaling.  Within this week’s passages, we will see how it benefited Solomon as he keeps records of people and situations (and later writes 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs).  We will read of men whose responsibility it was to record the blessings and actions of God for the people of Israel.  We will read David’s journaling as he uses words to worship God meditatively.  Read More

Psalms 68-70; 86, 101. “Dealing with Guilt and Shame” In reading Psalm 69 today you probably made many direct connections to the life of Jesus.  Verse 9 was quoted by the apostle John (John 2:17) and verse 21 was fulfilled with Jesus on the cross (John 19:29).How can we, though, connect verse 5 to Jesus since it indicates that the Messiah was guilty of sin; and yet Scripture is clear that Jesus n...  Read More

Psalms 61-62, 64-67.  “Overwhelmed” Have you ever felt overwhelmed with life?  Have you ever felt distant from God and troubled?  If so, don’t be alarmed.  We have all been there, every person, including Jesus.  The first four verses of Psalm 61 seem to indicate that Jesus experienced these emotions as well.The very fact that Jesus experienced these emotions tells me that our experience of them is...  Read More

Psalms 39-41, 53, 55, 58.  “Doing God’s Will” Have you ever struggled to do God’s will?  You know what I am talking about; those situations where what you should do is very apparent and yet you still rebel and choose to sin.Jesus never had that kind of experience, for He always followed God’s will.Psalm 40:6-8 declares that Jesus delights to do the Father’s will.  These verses are also quoted in H...  Read More

Psalms 35-38.  “Mistreatment” Have you ever considered the treatment that Jesus received from those He came to save?  I think Psalm 35:11-14 provides insight into how He felt and increases our understanding of the mistreatment He received.  The ones He has prayed for, fasted for, and grieved over are now rejoicing because of the trouble He is now in.A striking example of this is in Luke 19:41 when...  Read More

Psalms 27-32. “Imprecatory Psalms” Psalm 28 is what Bible scholars call an imprecatory psalm.  This is because the psalmist asks God to judge the wicked and the enemies of the righteous.  Some have been troubled by the presence of such psalms.  They wonder how a God of love and grace could receive such a request.  Will God really act in response to this request?Today I am challenging you to think...  Read More

Psalms 22-26. “At the End of your Rope” Psalm 22 is another psalm of David or the beloved one and, once again, it is prophetically speaking of the Messiah.  This psalm is so interconnected in the life of the Messiah that the first line was spoken by Jesus as He hung on the cross.  The four gospel accounts give us information on the details of Jesus’ crucifixion, but Psalm 22 allows us to enter in...  Read More

Psalms 12-17; 19-21.  “Joy of the Messiah” When I was in seminary, one of my professors challenged us with this question: how can the ancient prayers written in the psalms to God, be God’s Word to us today?  The answer, I propose to you, is that the psalms are prophetically the prayers of Jesus, the Messiah Himself.  I know this may be a different way of understanding the psalms for you, but I bel...  Read More

When I was in seminary, one of my professors challenged us with this question: how can the ancient prayers written in the psalms to God, be God’s Word to us today?  The answer, I propose to you, is that the psalms are prophetically the prayers of Jesus, the Messiah Himself.  I know this may be a different way of understanding the psalms for you, but I believe that there is sufficient biblical evidence to support this.            So, as you read through the psalms this week, I hope you enjoy some insights into the life of the Messiah by reading through the prayers of the Messiah.  Read More

2 Samuel 23:1-7; 1 Kings 2:1-12; 1 Chronicles 29:26-30; Psalm 4-6,8,9,11. “Final Thoughts” David left a rich history.  He was an amazing leader and powerful soldier.  His life was committed to God in such a way that he was described by God as a man after His own heart (1 Sam. 13:14).At 70, David left words of advice and experience for Solomon and many others.  David had learned many lessons, and ...  Read More

1 Kings 1; 1 Chronicles 29:1-22. “Inactive” It is almost possible to read this passage and assume that King David, now rich in years, was unaware of what was taking place.  Bathsheba inquires of him whom he intended to make the next king.  Nathan inquired similarly.However, Bathsheba and Nathan do acknowledge that David is aware of the fact that his son, Adonijah, was crowning himself king.  Furt...  Read More

1 Chronicles 26-28. “Order” These chapters are describing great organization and preparation.  There are people placed in charge of music, finances, priestly duties, gatekeeping, record keeping, administration, judging, baking, and so forth.There are several lessons here for us.  One would be the charge that David placed before each person; “Do your job in honor of the LORD” (22:17-19).  The seco...  Read More

1 Chronicles 23-25.  “Priests” The duties of the priests were specific.  The qualifications and responsibilities were detailed and established by God.  It was a temporary fix until the permanent solution came.The earthly high priest entered the Most Holy Place year after year to offer blood not his own, but that of an animal.  He would offer the sacrifices time after time which never removed the s...  Read More

2 Samuel 24; 1 Chronicles 21-22.  “Perspectives” I appreciate the balance we receive by having the opportunity to read the same story from two passages.  The two accounts prove the trustworthiness of the incident, and yet it also provides different perspectives.  Today’s reading starts off with an example of varying perspective.  One account leads us to believe God tempted David, but the other acc...  Read More

2 Samuel 22; Psalm 18.  “Divine Descriptors” David was truly gifted with the pen.  He had the ability to poetically phrase commanding statements.  He had a wonderful vocabulary that expounded his capacity to describe experiences and people.  Another large part of his writing gift was his awareness of God’s working in his life.  He was constantly aware of God’s hand in each of his experiences.What ...  Read More

2 Samuel 19:31-21:22; Psalm 7; 1 Chronicles 20:4-8. “Highs and Lows” “Vision is looking at life through the lens of God’s eye.” – Charles SwindollIt is natural and understandable that we most often view things from a human outlook instead of “through the lens of God’s eye.”  However, it is amazing when we are able to view things from God’s angle.  Perhaps what is most amazing is the enormous diff...  Read More

It is natural and understandable that we most often view things from a human outlook instead of “through the lens of God’s eye.”  However, it is amazing when we are able to view things from God’s angle.  Perhaps what is most amazing is the enormous difference between how we perceive something and how God sees it.  There is often a remarkable twist and noticeable difference between the two.  God’s intentions and purpose are exciting to observe.  This week’s theme has much to do with our unique view of things.  Read More

2 Samuel 17:15-19:30; Psalms 3, 63.  “Death Results from Sin” “When Adam sinned, sin entered the entire human race.  Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.  Yes, people sinned even before the law was given.  And though there was no law to break, since it had not yet been given, they all died anyway…” (Romans 5:12-14a).Absalom’s death was tragic and unnecessary....  Read More

2 Samuel 15:1-17:14.  “Quick to Forgive” We have all been there.  We are at our lowest moment and someone says or does something to make it even worse.  This must have been how David felt as he was fleeing Jerusalem and endured the insult from Shimei.  How tempting it must have been to let Abishai kill Shimei.  However, David exercises self-control and humility in not retaliating against Shimei.  ...  Read More

2 Samuel 12:26-14:33; 1Chronicles 20:2-3. “Real Consequences” “Don’t be deceived, God cannot be mocked.  A man reaps what he sows” (Galatians 6:7).David loved the Lord, but he also made his share of mistakes.  Even though he was quick to confess his sin, that did not remove the consequences for his sin (2 Samuel 12:14).Now, from this point on, David’s kingship takes a downhill turn especially wit...  Read More

2 Samuel 5:14-16; 11:1-12:25; 1 Chronicles 3:5-9; 14:3-7; 20:1; Psalm 51.  “Confession” “If we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong” (1 John 1:9).King David sinned.  It wasn’t just a simple sin, but a messy one of lust, sexual immorality, deception and murder.  It was the kind of thing that anyone would look at and agree was wrong.  How ...  Read More

2 Samuel 8:15-10:19; 1 Chronicles 6:16-48, 50-53; 18:14-19:19.  “Grace for All” The devotional from April 15th was about how David fulfilled his covenant promise to Jonathan by showing kindness to his son, Mephibosheth.  Today, we have been reminded of this act in the reading.  As we think about this today, we are going to consider David’s treatment of Mephibosheth in light of God’s treatment of u...  Read More

2 Samuel 7:1-8:14; 1 Chronicles 17:1-18:13; Psalm 60.  “Turtle Syndrome” “For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:12).In writing Psalm 60, David is crying out to the Lord for help again...  Read More

2 Samuel 6:12-23; 1 Chronicles 15-16.  “Quick Judgments” The theme for this week is sin. I know it is not very glamorous and not so fun to think about, but it is a reality that we all live with.  This week’s readings have us right in the heart of David’s kingship. We will see him at his highest point and his lowest point during this week.  Some of the topics we will think about are judging, deprav...  Read More