Tag Archives: David

God keeps His promises (2 Samuel 6:1-15), Apr 30, 2015

Today’s Podcast

Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 2 Samuel 6:1-15
Set – 2 Samuel 6; 1 Chronicles 13; Psalms 139
Go! – 2 Samuel 6; 1 Chronicles 13; Psalms 68; Matthew 17

2 Samuel 6:1-15
¹ Once again David gathered the elite soldiers of Israel, some 30,000, ² and they went down to Baale-judah to bring back the covenant chest of the True God, called by the Name: the Eternal One, Commander of heavenly armies, who sits enthroned above the winged creatures who protect the chest.

^3-4 They carried the covenant chest of the True God on a new cart from the house of Abinadab on the hill where it had rested, and Abinadab’s sons Uzzah and Ahio directed the new cart, with Ahio walking in front of the chest. ⁵ David and all the Israelites were joyous before the Eternal; and they were accompanied by wooden lyres and harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals.

⁶ When they came alongside the threshing floor of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah put out his hand to steady the covenant chest. ⁷ The Eternal burned with anger against Uzzah, and the True God struck Uzzah dead on the spot for daring to touch the covenant chest.

⁸ David was angry that the Eternal One had broken through to strike Uzzah, so the place was named Perez-uzzah, meaning “Breech against Uzzah,” to remember that act. ⁹ David was also frightened of the Eternal that day.

David: How can I be responsible for the covenant chest of the Eternal One?

¹⁰ So he decided he did not want to take the chest of the Eternal into the city of David, and he left it there in the care of Obed-edom, a man from the Philistine city Gath. ¹¹ The covenant chest of the Eternal One remained there for three months; and in that time, the Eternal One blessed the household and farms of Obed-edom the Gittite.

¹² When news was taken to King David that the Eternal had blessed Obed-edom and all his household because of the covenant chest of God, the king went down and brought the chest from Obed-edom’s house up to the city of David, again accompanying it with rejoicing and ceremony. ¹³ When the people carrying the chest of the Eternal had gone six steps, David sacrificed an ox and a fattened calf; ¹⁴ and he danced before the Eternal One with all his might, clad in a priestly vest.

^15-16 So David and the house of Israel carried the covenant chest of the Eternal One up to the city of David with shouts and the sounding of the trumpet. When Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked out the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Eternal without thought for how he looked, she hated him.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

David was angry with Me for his failure to read the instructions. I didn’t mind that he wanted to move the covenant chest to Jerusalem. I wanted the ark near the king as a reminder that it was My power, not his that made Israel strong. I put the idea into his mind to bring the sacred chest into Jerusalem. The problem was David forgot that I also have very strict requirements about handling the sacred implements of My worship.

The ark of the covenant holds the most sacred of the treasures of the Israelite people. It holds the tables of stone on which I wrote the commands I gave Moses. It holds a jar of manna to remind the people I provide their needs. It represents My presence with them. And no one is to touch the chest. It is fitted with rings through which poles can slide to lift the lid and through which the chest can be lifted and carried. No one is to touch the chest, the seat of My presence. It is holy.

Many thought Uzzah did a good thing putting out his hand to steady the chest. The problem was, the chest should never have ridden on a cart in the first place. If David had read My word, he would know only My priests could carry the covenant chests. It didn’t belong on a cart carried by oxen. The symbol of My presence is too precious to entrust to a wooden cart on rugged roads.

But David didn’t take the time to confer with My priests. He didn’t read My words concerning the care of My tabernacle and My sacred implements of worship. He didn’t think about the dangers of mishandling the sacred symbol of My presence. Consequently, it cost one of his men his life. David could be angry with Me, but David could only find that I am just in My actions if he had only read My instructions.

Sometimes people pour their anger out on Me like David did. That’s okay. I can take it. But when you do, stop and read the instruction manual. Take a look at My word and see if the instruction manual explains things before you stay angry too long. You might find, like David did, I’m acting exactly like I said I would. I always keep My promises.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

God specializes in the impossible (2 Samuel 5:1-16), Apr 29, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 2 Samuel 5:1-16
Set – 2 Samuel 5; Psalms 139
Go! – 2 Samuel 4-5; Psalms 139; Matthew 16

2 Samuel 5:1-16
¹Then all the tribes that made up the people of Israel came to David at Hebron.

Leaders of Israel: We are all related: we are flesh of your flesh, bone of your bones. ² When Saul was king, you always led the army of Israel out and then brought it back safely. The Eternal said to you, “You will be the shepherd of My people Israel, the ruler over all of them.”

³ All the leaders of Israel came before the king there at Hebron. So King David made a covenant with the leaders there before the Eternal, and they anointed David king over all Israel. ⁴ David was 30 years old when he first became king, and he was king for 40 years; ⁵ he reigned in Hebron over Judah alone for 7½ years, and then he reigned over the united kingdom of Judah and Israel for 33 years.

⁶ At one point, David and his army marched to Jerusalem to fight the Jebusites who lived there. The Jebusites felt secure behind their walls and were sure David could not enter into the city. They jeered, “Even the blind and the lame could defend this city against you.” ⁷ Despite the taunts, David and his army managed to capture the fortress of Zion, which became the city of David.

David (to his army): ⁸ If you want to strike down the Jebusites—these blind and lame defenders whom I hate—then go through the water tunnel.

(From this exchange came the saying, “The blind and the lame cannot enter the house.”)

⁹ Once David captured the fortress, he stayed there and named it the city of David. He built it up all around, carefully terracing the hillside from the Millo inward. ¹⁰ And David continued to grow in power and reputation because the Eternal God, Commander of heavenly armies, was with him.

¹¹ King Hiram of Tyre sent diplomats to David with cedars and carpenters and masons to build David a palace.

¹² David realized then that the Eternal One had established him as king over Israel and that He was increasing David’s kingdom in power and majesty for the sake of His people Israel.

^13-14 After the move from Hebron to Jerusalem, David married more women from Jerusalem, took more concubines, and fathered more sons and daughters: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, ¹⁵ Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, ¹⁶Elishama, Eliada, and Eliphelet.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

The Jebusites became comfortable in their fortress atop the mountain. Armies had tried for decades to take the city, but no one could penetrate the city. The sides of the mountain were too steep. The passages to the city were too narrow to launch any kind of massive siege against it. The Jebusite leaders maintained confidence in their ability to hold off any enemy as they had done for many years.

However, the Jebusites didn’t know David had Me on his side. Nothing is impossible for Me. I created that mountain. I knew how the Jebusites got their water. I knew about the springs that tunneled through the mountain and I knew they were big enough for a warrior to slip through them. The Jebusites didn’t know the tunnels were that large. They didn’t know enough of an army could slip through to open the gates for David’s mighty men.

They also let themselves get soft in their false security. Because they were sure no one could get through their defenses, the Jebusites didn’t prepare to fight. They thought even their lame and blind could defend their gates, so why spend time training to fight another army? But again, they forgot I was with David and his men.

They forgot David killed Goliath. They forgot David’s famous mighty men killed tens of thousands of Philistines before the nation crowned him king in Hebron. The Jebusites didn’t consider that if just a few of those men made it into their fortress, they would wreak havoc on the city and hundreds or thousands could die before those few could be silenced by their best warriors.

Mostly, the Jebusites failed to consider I fought for David and I never lose. I’m in the business of doing the impossible and if those opposed to Me think I can’t do something, I sometimes do it just to show them I can. I had a purpose in mind for that mountain top, though. I not too many years, I would let David’s son build a Temple there. David recognized the importance of the location as a political center and military stronghold. I saw it as a center for worship. I would show David many things from the top of that mountain.

So what fortress seems impossible for you to burst through? What enemy seems impossible to defeat? What mountain seems impossible to climb? Remember, I made the universe out of nothing. I make oak trees out of acorns. I made you. I’m in the business of doing the impossible. Your mountain fortress of problems is nothing to Me. Let Me help.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

His name fit, Nabal was a fool (1 Samuel 25:23-44), Apr 22, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 1 Samuel 25:23-44
Set – 1 Samuel 24; Matthew 8
Go! – 1 Samuel 25-26; Psalms 63; Matthew 9

1 Samuel 25:23-44
²³ When Abigail saw David, she dropped quickly from her donkey and fell to the ground in front of him, bowing.

Abigail (at David’s feet): ²⁴ My lord, any guilt here falls on me. Please let me, your servant, speak, and may you hear the words I speak. ²⁵ My lord, you must not take seriously the words of this worthless man, Nabal. His actions have proven that his name and his nature are the same: Nabal is a fool. Unfortunately I, your servant, did not see the young men you sent.

²⁶ Now, my lord, as the Eternal One lives and as you live, since the Eternal has kept you from senseless killing and from seizing vengeance yourself, may your enemies and all who seek to harm you, my lord, be like Nabal.

²⁷ Now, please, accept my gift and distribute it among the young men who are with you. ²⁸ Please forgive your servant’s shortcomings. The Eternal will certainly make my lord’s house into a lasting dynasty because you fight on behalf of Him, and no evil will be found in you as long as you live. ²⁹ If anyone dares to rise up against you and seek your life, then you will be protected by the Eternal One, your True God, who will launch the lives of your enemies like stones from a sling.

³⁰ When the Eternal has done for my lord all the good things He has promised and has installed you as ruler over all Israel, ³¹ you will never have to be grieved or conscience-stricken for having shed blood needlessly or for taking vengeance into your own hands. When He has dealt generously with my lord, I pray you will remember me, your servant.

David (to Abigail): ³² Blessed is the Eternal God of Israel, who sent you here today to intercept me. ³³ And blessed is your wisdom—blessed are you—for keeping me from shedding blood needlessly and from taking vengeance into my own hands. ³⁴ For as surely as the Eternal God of Israel lives and sent you to me, if you had not hurried out to meet me, tomorrow there would not have been a single male left alive in Nabal’s household.

³⁵ Then David accepted her gifts.

David: Arise, and return home in peace. I have listened to your words, and I have granted your request.

³⁶ Abigail returned to Nabal, who was holding a kingly feast in his house. Nabal’s heart was light because he was very drunk, so Abigail chose not to tell him anything until the next morning. ³⁷ The next morning, when he was sober, Abigail told him about her meeting with David and he went cold inside. ³⁸ About 10 days later, the Eternal One struck down Nabal, and he died.

³⁹ When David heard this news, he blessed God.

David: Blessed is the Eternal One, who protected my honor from Nabal’s insults and who kept me, His servant, from executing evil. Instead, the Eternal One turned Nabal’s evil back on him.

⁴⁰ Then David sent servants to Carmel asking Abigail to be his wife.

Servants: David has sent us to bring you to him so that you can be his wife.

⁴¹ She stood, and then bowed to the ground before David’s servants.

Abigail: I am your servant, willing to wash the feet of my lord’s servants.

⁴² Then Abigail quickly got up, mounted her donkey, and went with the messengers of David attended by her five handmaidens. Not long after, she married him.

⁴³ David also married Ahinoam of Jezreel; she and Abigail were both wives of David. ⁴⁴ By this time, Saul had given his daughter Michal, David’s former wife, to Palti (the son of Laish) from Gallim.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

Nabal was a fool. He lived up to his name. Parents should be careful what they name their children because that happens too many times. You know his story. David’s men camped on his property and so protected his land from thieves and bandits. No one who might do him harm dared come close to his property as long as David’s men were around. They knew David’s reputation and would never risk taking on the warriors under David’s control for the price of a few sheep. So Nabal, for all those months, had free security from David’s mighty men.

David in return asked for a few loaves of bread and a little meat to feed his troops one day. But Nabal, the fool, refused. In fact, Nabal humiliated the men David sent with the request. Not a smart move. Nadal once more proved himself the fool. David set out to kill every man in Nabal’s household and destroy everything he owned.

Fortunately for those in Nabal’s household, he had a much smarter wife than he. She raced to David when she heard about his plans and begged for forgiveness for her husband. She used his name’s meaning as the excuse for his stupidity and saved David from his vengeance and saved the lives of all under Nabal’s roof.

My warning to all from this story is simple. Treat your neighbors well. Understand that they might be doing things for you that you really aren’t aware. Turning them away in their time of need is not conducive to your continued good health. Second, forgiveness and kindness always works better than rude and crass behavior. Third, remember I work behind the scenes with My servants. Take care of them. You don’t know how I might intervene in your life to use you to help them. Be ready to do so, though. It’s always to your advantage also.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

The source of David’s deliverance (Psalms 31), Apr 20, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Psalms 31
Set – Psalms 31; Matthew 7
Go! – 1 Samuel 23; Psalms 31, 54; Matthew 7

Psalms 31
¹ You are my shelter, O Eternal One—my soul’s sanctuary!
Shield me from shame;
rescue me by Your righteousness.
² Hear me, Lord! Turn Your ear in my direction.
Come quick! Save me!
Be my rock, my shelter,
my fortress of salvation!
³ You are my rock and my fortress—my soul’s sanctuary!
Therefore, for the sake of Your reputation, be my leader, my guide, my navigator, my commander.
⁴ Save me from the snare that has been secretly set out for me,
for You are my protection.
⁵ I entrust my spirit into Your hands.
You have redeemed me, O Eternal, God of faithfulness and truth.
⁶ I despise the people who pay respect to breathless idols,
and I trust only in You, Eternal One.
⁷ I will gladly rejoice because of Your gracious love
because You recognized the sadness of my affliction.
You felt deep compassion when You saw the pains of my soul.
⁸ You did not hand me over to the enemy,
but instead, You liberated me
and made me secure in a good and spacious land.
⁹ Show me Your grace, Eternal One, for I am in a tight spot.
My eyes are aching with grief;
my body and soul are withering with miseries.
¹⁰ My life is devoured by sorrow,
and my years are haunted with mourning.
My sin has sapped me of all my strength;
my body withers under the weight of this suffering.
¹¹ To all my enemies I am an object of scorn.
My neighbors especially are ashamed of me.
My friends are afraid to be seen with me.
When I walk down the street, people go out of their way to avoid me.
¹² I am as good as dead to them. Forgotten!
Like a shattered clay pot, I am easily discarded and gladly replaced.
¹³ For I hear their whispered plans;
terror is everywhere!
They conspire together,
planning, plotting, scheming to take my life.
¹⁴ But I pour my trust into You, Eternal One.
I’m glad to say, “You are my God!”
¹⁵ I give the moments of my life over to You, Eternal One.
Rescue me from those who hate me and who hound me with their threats.
¹⁶ Look toward me, and let Your face shine down upon Your servant.
Because of Your gracious love, save me!
¹⁷ Spare me shame, O Eternal One,
for I turn and call to You.
Instead, let those who hate me be shamed;
let death’s silence claim them.
¹⁸ Seal their lying lips forever,
for with pride and contempt boiling in their hearts,
they speak boldly against the righteous and persecute those who poured their trust into You.
¹⁹ Your overflowing goodness
You have kept for those who live in awe of You,
And You share Your goodness with those who make You their sanctuary.
²⁰ You hide them, You shelter them in Your presence,
safe from the conspiracies of sinful men.
You keep them in Your tent,
safe from the slander of accusing tongues.
²¹ Bless the Eternal!
For He has revealed His gracious love to me
when I was trapped like a city under siege.
²² I began to panic so I yelled out,
“I’m cut off. You no longer see me!”
But You heard my cry for help that day
when I called out to You.
²³ Love the Eternal, all of you, His faithful people!
He protects those who are true to Him,
but He pays back the proud in kind.
²⁴ Be strong, and live courageously,
all of you who set your hope in the Eternal!

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

When David played the part of a mentally handicapped person to avoid punishment by the king of Gath, Achish, he feared for his life and the lives of the men who followed him. Saul hunted him to kill him. The Philistines hunted him. Everyone seemed to want him dead. But Samuel had anointed him as the next king of Israel and he was under My protection. It was difficult for David to see how the future would unfold with everyone searching for him to kill him. He was confused and afraid.

David knew where to turn, though. He called out to Me and had confidence to know I could deliver. I could deliver provisions when and where he needed them. I could deliver protection when he needed it. I could deliver comfort and security. I could deliver peace. I could deliver his enemies into his hands. There is nothing I could not do for him.

David knew when he cried out to Me I would hear him and answer his prayer. He had seen Me do it in the past and knew I would answer again. I didn’t always answer the way he wanted Me to, but I always answered him in a way that was best for him and let him and others know I was in control of the situation in which he found himself.

The same is true today for My followers. I never change. And quite frankly, people haven’t changed either. Evil still has a grip on people. Modes change, media change, methods change, but people haven’t changed. Their thoughts are continually evil…until I free them from the bondage of sin. My message to humanity hasn’t changed. I am the same yesterday, today, and forever. So is mankind. Progress has not pushed man’s selfish intentions forward. But I can help with that. Progress hasn’t changed the fact that all have sinned. But I can help with that. Progress hasn’t changed people’s hearts. But I can help with that.

David knew where to go for the answer to his greatest need. He turned to Me for deliverance. Those today who are wise still know where to go for their answers. Turn to Me and I will give you the answers you need. Try Me out and see if I don’t deliver you from your darkest enemies.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Trouble comes, so does God (Psalms 34), Apr 18, 2015

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready -Psalms 34
Set – 1 Samuel 21; Psalms 34; Matthew 5
Go! – 1 Samuel 20-21; Psalms 34; Matthew 5

Psalms 34
¹ I will praise the Eternal in every moment through every situation.
Whenever I speak, my words will always praise Him.
² Everything within me wants to pay tribute to Him.
Whenever the poor and humble hear of His greatness, they will celebrate too!
³ Come and lift up the Eternal with me;
let’s praise His name together!
⁴ When I needed the Lord, I looked for Him;
I called out to Him, and He heard me and responded.
He came and rescued me from everything that made me so afraid.
⁵ Look to Him and shine,
so shame will never contort your faces.
⁶ This poor soul cried, and the Eternal heard me.
He rescued me from my troubles.
⁷ The messenger of the Eternal God surrounds
everyone who walks with Him and is always there to protect and rescue us.
⁸ Taste of His goodness; see how wonderful the Eternal truly is.
Anyone who puts trust in Him will be blessed and comforted.
⁹ Revere the Eternal, you His saints,
for those who worship Him will possess everything important in life.
¹⁰ Young lions may grow tired and hungry,
but those intent on knowing the Eternal God will have everything they need.
¹¹ Gather around, children, listen to what I’m saying;
I will teach you how to revere the Eternal.
¹² If you love life
and want to live a good, long time,
¹³ Take care with the things you say.
Don’t lie or spread gossip or talk about improper things.
¹⁴ Walk away from the evil things of the world,
and always seek peace and pursue it.
¹⁵ For the Eternal watches over the righteous,
and His ears are attuned to their prayers. He is always listening.
¹⁶ But He will punish evildoers,
and nothing they do will last. They will soon be forgotten.
¹⁷When the upright need help and cry to the Eternal, He hears their cries
and rescues them from all of their troubles.
¹⁸ When someone is hurting or brokenhearted, the Eternal moves in close
and revives him in his pain.
¹⁹ Hard times may well be the plight of the righteous—
they may often seem overwhelmed—
but the Eternal rescues the righteous from what oppresses them.
²⁰ He will protect all of their bones;
not even one bone will be broken.
²¹ Evil moves in and ultimately murders the wicked;
the enemies of the righteous will be condemned.
²² The Eternal will liberate His servants;
those who seek refuge in Him will never be condemned.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

David found himself in trouble often. That’s the way of those who follow Me. I promised My disciples they would have trouble as long as they lived in the present world. But don’t worry about it. As David understood 1,000 years before My coming in the flesh and as I told My disciples, I have already overcome the world.

The world will never understand Me. Satan has tried his best to lure My highest creation away from Me. All of you have a choice as to whether you will follow Me and My path will always look strange to the world. It seems opposite of what the world wants because the world continually pushes a selfish agenda. I want you to live a life of servanthood.

The world thinks materialistic things are important. Money, cars, houses, jobs, things you can hold in your hand and show to others mean the most to those who follow the patterns of the world. My followers know that material things don’t last. Those things also don’t bring happiness. Everyone who seeks material things as an end finds that reaching that goal only leads to wanting more.

Every thing that comes into your life also requires time to maintain it. Whatever the thing might be, it will take time from your life. Whether a house, a yard, a gadget, a time-saver, whatever the object might be, it requires time from the set number of hours in any given day. It the intangible you want to relish, the relationships with the immortal. And the immortal are you and Me. I made you in My image so you have an eternal spirit that will either live with Me or apart from Me forever. You get to choose.

David knew the right path and chose well. He understood the world’s path is one of evil, self-centeredness, and ultimate complete and final destruction. My path is one of peace, joy, and contentment even in the middle of the trouble the world brings your way. How can peace, joy, and contentment be your in the middle of trouble? Because I am with you. You can have the confidence that I will not leave you and your ultimate success rests with Me and I never fail.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

What can you find in David’s house? (1 Samuel 19:11-23), Apr 17, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 1 Samuel 19:11-23
Set – 1 Samuel 19; Matthew 4
Go! – 1 Samuel 19; 1 Chronicles 7; Psalms 59; Matthew 4

1 Samuel 19:11-23
¹¹ Saul dispatched some of his officers to watch David’s house so that they could kill him the next day. David’s wife Michal warned him.

Michal: If you don’t save yourself tonight, tomorrow morning you’ll be killed.

¹² So Michal lowered David down through the window, and he escaped. ¹³ Then she laid a large idol on the bed, made it a wig of goat’s hair, and covered it with clothes. ¹⁴ When Saul’s officers came to take David to the king, she told them, “He’s sick.”

¹⁵ Hearing this report, Saul ordered his officers to return and see David for themselves. He would not be deterred.

Saul: Even if you have to carry him to me in his bed, do it so I can kill him.

¹⁶ When the officers returned, they threw back the blankets and, instead of David, they discovered the idol with its goat-hair wig in the bed. So they took Michal to Saul.

Saul (to Michal): ¹⁷ Why have you betrayed me like this, daughter, and let my enemy escape?

Michal (lying): He said to me, “Let me go. Don’t make me kill you.”

¹⁸ David fled to Samuel in Ramah, and he told him everything that had happened. Samuel took David to the town of Naioth, and they lived there.

¹⁹ Saul soon learned that David was at Naioth in Ramah, ²⁰ so he sent officers to arrest him and bring him back. But when they came, they found a group of prophets in a prophetic trance with Samuel standing and leading them, and the Spirit of the True God entered Saul’s officers so that they, too, were caught up and prophesied.

²¹ When Saul heard this news, he sent other officers who were also affected in this way. He sent a third set of officers, and again, the same thing happened when they encountered Samuel and the prophets.

²² So finally Saul went, himself, to Ramah. When he arrived at the large cistern at Secu, he asked where he might find Samuel and David and was told they were at Naoith in Ramah. ²³ As Saul traveled, the Spirit of God entered him, and he, too, fell into a constant prophetic trance.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

Preachers preach a lot of sermons about Saul’s change of heart and his stormy relationship with David. They talk about the fact Saul never intended David to marry his daughter, Michal. He thought he ensured it would never happen by posting the unusual dowry of 100 Philistine foreskins. Saul would never have believed David would pay double the price with 200 foreskins.

We hear about My protection of David through all of Saul’s attempts to destroy David. But few ask an important question about the story of Michal’s betrayal of her father’s treachery and helping David escape his clutches. What are David and Michal doing with a life-sized idol in their home?

David let his love for Michal cloud his spiritual leadership in his home by allowing her to have the idol. Whether it belonged to her or one of her handmaids, the problem is the same. As the spiritual leader of his home, there was no place for an idol there. His children would learn about false gods from those who prayed to them, who believed in them. David created a tolerance in his household for the unholy which spread to his children and his grandchildren as seen later in the story of Israel’s kings.

I told My Moses and My children I am jealous and would not allow other gods around Me. They were to establish no idols of any kind around them. Yet here was the future king and queen with an idol close enough to use as a subterfuge for his escape. Now consider the domino affect that idol in David’s house began to have on the kingdom.

If David’s wife, Michal, would use it to disguise her husband from her father, she or others within the household no doubt kept it around as a good luck charm and told David’s children about how the idol helped him escape instead of My providence. The tolerance of the idol in the home allowed for Solomon’s tolerance of the many idols of his wives and concubines and the fact he even began to worship them at the shines on the hillsides in his later years. His son Rehoboam completely abandoned Me and worshiped pagan gods and Solomon’s officers after their rebellion set up idols in Bethel and Dan in direct violation of My commands.

You see, tolerance for the wrong things in your life can lead to disastrous results. David probably didn’t think much of the idol sitting around his house. After all, he had a heart for Me. He would not change his faith and was ready to die for Me. But those of lesser faith in his household, particularly his children and grandchildren, fell further and further from Me as the tolerance for a single idol grew to the point that shrines covered almost every hilltop across the land I had given My people.

Beware the little things you allow to creep into your life and the surroundings of your home. You never know the impact they will have on future generations.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Not just an underdog analogy (1 Samuel 17:32-51), Apr 15, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – 1 Samuel 17:32-51
Set – 1 Samuel 17; Psalms 9
Go! – 1 Samuel 17; Psalms 9; Matthew 2

1 Samuel 17:32-51
David (to Saul): ³² Don’t let anyone be frightened because of that man. I am your servant, and I will go and fight with him.

Saul: ³³ Don’t be ridiculous—you can’t fight the Philistine. You’re only a youth, and he has been a warrior since his childhood. You lack age and experience.

David: ³⁴ I work as a shepherd for my father. Whenever a lion or a bear has come and attacked one of my lambs, ³⁵ I have gone after it and struck it down to rescue the lamb from the predator’s mouth; if it turned to attack me, I would take it by the chin, beat it, and kill it. ³⁶ I have killed both a lion and a bear; and as your servant I will kill this uncircumcised Philistine, too, since he has dared to taunt the armies of the living God.

³⁷ The Eternal One, who saved me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear, will save me from the hand of this Philistine.

Saul: Go then, and may the Eternal One be with you!

³⁸ So Saul outfitted David in the king’s own armor: a bronze helmet to protect his head and a coat of mail to protect his chest. ³⁹ David strapped on Saul’s sword outside the armor and then discovered he could not move because he was not used to the restrictions of the weighty armor.

David: I’m not used to these things. How can I attack an enemy when I can’t even walk? So he removed every bit of Saul’s armor. He would fight the Philistine as he had fought those lions and bears.

⁴⁰ He took his staff in his hand and went to the stream to choose five smooth stones, which he kept in a pouch in his shepherd’s bag. He had his sling ready as he approached the Philistine.

⁴¹ The Philistine, with his shield-bearer in front of him, came closer to David. ⁴² When he saw that David was only a healthy and handsome boy, Goliath’s eyes filled with contempt.

Goliath: ⁴³ Am I a dog that you come to beat me with a stick?

And he cursed David, invoking the names of his Philistine gods.

Goliath: ⁴⁴ Come here, and I will feed your flesh to the birds of the air and the wild animals of the fields.

David: ⁴⁵ You come to me carrying a sword and spear and javelin as your weapons, but I come armed with the name of the Eternal One, the Commander of heavenly armies, the True God of the armies of Israel, the One you have insulted. ⁴⁶ This very day, the Eternal One will give you into my hands. I will strike you down and cut off your head, and I will feed the birds of the air and the wild animals of the fields with the flesh of your Philistine warriors. Then all the land will know the True God is with Israel, ⁴⁷ and all of those gathered here will know that the Eternal One does not save by sword and spear. The battle is the Eternal One’s, and He will give you into our hands.

⁴⁸ When the Philistine stood up and approached, David ran toward the line of battle to meet him. ⁴⁹ As quick as a flash, he reached into his bag, put a stone in his sling, and launched it at the Philistine, hitting him in the head. The stone sank deeply into his forehead, and the Philistine fell face-first onto the ground.

⁵⁰ That was how David defeated the Philistine with only a sling and a single stone, striking him down, ending his life without a sword in his hand.

⁵¹ Then David ran to the Philistine and stood over his lifeless body. He pulled the man’s sword from its scabbard and finished him by cutting off his head.

When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they knew they would be next, so they ran away.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

Most people know the story of David and Goliath. It has become an analogy for many underdogs in competition against a foe expected to easily win against them whether in sports, industry, or life. And it’s a great analogy. There are a few things to remember about the story, though.

Did David win the contest by his intimidation? Not a chance. David was a youth. He stood less than six feet tall and Goliath stood over nine feet tall. It’s hard for someone two-thirds your height to intimidate you by physical prowess.

Did David win by his skill? Partly, but I put him in the tribe that is noted for being able to hit a hair with a slingshot from a hundred yards. I gave him the skill. I also put the right stones in the creek and the right windage on the field of battle to assist that stone hit its mark that day.

Did David win by his trash talk and “psych” Goliath? I don’t think so. He just stated facts as he knew them and Goliath as he knew them. It’s just that David knew Me and Goliath thought he knew his gods of wood and stone. There’s not much to a god made of wood or stone. Not much they can do for you. David knew Me, so his trash talk wasn’t trash talk. David just told it like it was.

Well, the results speak for themselves. David won the battle against not just Goliath, but against the Philistine army in the field that day. With My help, his enemies saw their champion humiliated and killed within minutes and discovered they had no chance against the power wielded by those who carry out My will. The same holds true throughout the ages. It isn’t an underdog analogy. It’s the reality of a living God intervening in the lives of His children. I won’t let you suffer defeat when you obey Me.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

I always answer, just not right now. (Psalm 40), Mar 16, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Psalms 40
Set – Deuteronomy 30; Psalms 40; 1 Corinthians 1
Go! – Deuteronomy 30-31; Psalms 40; 1 Corinthians 1

Psalms 40
¹ I waited a long time for the Eternal;
He finally knelt down to hear me.
He listened to my weak and whispered cry.
² He reached down and drew me
from the deep, dark hole where I was stranded, mired in the muck and clay.
With a gentle hand, He pulled me out
To set me down safely on a warm rock;
He held me until I was steady enough to continue the journey again.
³ As if that were not enough,
because of Him my mind is clearing up.
Now I have a new song to sing—
a song of praise to the One who saved me.
Because of what He’s done, many people will see
and come to trust in the Eternal.
⁴ Surely those who trust the Eternal—
who don’t trust in proud, powerful people
Or in people who care little for reality, chasing false gods—
surely they are happy, as I have become.
⁵ You have done so many wonderful things,
had so many tender thoughts toward us, Eternal my God,
that go on and on, ever increasing.
Who can compare with You?
⁶ Sacrifices and offerings are not what You want,
but You’ve opened my ears, and now I understand.
Burnt offerings and sin offerings
are not what please You.
⁷ So I said, “See, I have come to do Your will,
as it is inscribed of me in the scroll.
⁸ I am pleased to live how You want, my God.
Your law is etched into my heart and my soul.”
⁹ I have encouraged Your people with the message of righteousness,
in Your great assembly (look and see),
I haven’t kept quiet about these things;
You know this, Eternal One.
¹⁰ I have not kept Your righteousness to myself, sealed up in the secret places of my heart;
instead, I boldly tell others how You save and how loyal You are.
I haven’t been shy to talk about Your love, nor have I been afraid to tell Your truth
before the great assembly of Your people.
¹¹ Please, Eternal One, don’t hold back
Your kind ways from me.
I need Your strong love and truth
to stand watch over me and keep me from harm.
¹² Right now I can’t see because I am surrounded by troubles;
my sins and shortcomings have caught up to me,
so I am swimming in darkness.
Like the hairs on my head, there are too many to count,
so my heart deserts me.
¹³ O Eternal One, please rescue me.
O Eternal One, hurry; I need Your help.
¹⁴ May those who are trying to destroy me
be humiliated and ashamed instead;
May those who want to ruin my reputation
be cut off and embarrassed.
¹⁵ May those who try to catch me off guard,
those who look at me and say, “Aha, we’ve trapped you,”
be caught in their own shame instead.
¹⁶ But may all who look for You
discover true joy and happiness in You;
May those who cherish how You save them
always say, “O Eternal One, You are great and are first in our hearts.”
¹⁷ Meanwhile, I am empty and need so much,
but I know the Lord is thinking of me.
You are my help; only You can save me, my True God.
Please hurry.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

David prayed and I rescued him. But he also shared an important principle that I sometimes use in preparing you for your earthly journey. In the very first of David’s song, he thought I didn’t hear him for a long time. It’s not true. I heard him, I just delayed answering him. I needed him to realize he could do absolutely nothing to get himself out of the desperate position he was in before I came to his rescue.

He had faith that I would rescue him. I had before and he prayed and asked for My help. I delayed My coming for a couple of reasons, though. First, I wanted to make sure David knew I was the one providing his rescue. I didn’t want him to think he was getting out of his troubles by means of his own strength and wisdom. I wanted him to understand clearly I provided his need and answered his prayer. Sometimes I have to let you get to the end of your strength before you realize it’s Me that gives you the answer.

I don’t enjoy watching you suffer. It hurts Me to see My children in pain just as it does to see your earthly children suffer. But as you have come to understand, sometimes the suffering is necessary for healing. So it is with some of the circumstances in which you find yourself. I come to your aid when you call, but I don’t always answer in the time or way you desire because I know what is best for you. Just like the specialists that treat your illnesses, I know how best to get you out of the troubles you experience. But you must trust Me as David did.

Second, I might be letting you go through something now to prepare you for something that you must face later. Or I might let you experience some difficulty so you can witness to someone you will encounter in the future. You might need the experience to empathize with a brother or sister to help strengthen them in their time of need.

I know that when I ask you to wait it will always seem the toughest answer. Yes is what you want to hear and no might disappoint you, but answers your prayer quickly. Waiting always seems to cause additional stress in an already stressful situation. Trust Me, though. I know what I’m doing. I’ve been at this business of answering prayer a long time. I know when to answer quickly and when it is best for you to delay My answer. Draw strength from Me and know that I will always hear you and I will always answer.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

The shepherd speaks (Psalms 23), Feb 20, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Psalms 23
Set – Psalms 23; Acts 27
Go! – Numbers 7; Psalms 23; Acts 27

Psalms 23
¹ The Eternal is my shepherd, He cares for me always.
² He provides me rest in rich, green fields
beside streams of refreshing water.
He soothes my fears;
³ He makes me whole again,
steering me off worn, hard paths
to roads where truth and righteousness echo His name.
⁴ Even in the unending shadows of death’s darkness,
I am not overcome by fear.
Because You are with me in those dark moments,
near with Your protection and guidance,
I am comforted.
⁵ You spread out a table before me,
provisions in the midst of attack from my enemies;
You care for all my needs, anointing my head with soothing, fragrant oil,
filling my cup again and again with Your grace.
⁶ Certainly Your faithful protection and loving provision will pursue me
where I go, always, everywhere.
I will always be with the Eternal,
in Your house forever.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

The passages in My word that are most familiar to you, like Psalms 23, are familiar because you learn them as children. They are comforting. They provide promises to you. They give you an assurance that I’m with you in the darkest times of your life and in the richest times as well. The psalms echo your circumstances in life whether good or bad. But those familiar verses can become so familiar that you just race through them in your mind without thinking about their meaning. John 3:16 races off your tongue and you pass by its richness and awe. So it’s good to occasionally take those familiar passages and read them from different translations to capture a different view of different scholars.

David took some time to write his song about Me. He thought long and hard about the covenant I had with him and the support I gave him each day. As a shepherd, taking care of helpless flocks of sheep, he likened men to sheep with Me as their shepherd. The sheep need the shepherd to take care of all their needs. Food. Water. Shelter from the storms. Caring for injuries. every aspect of life requires the intervention of the shepherd to keep them healthy and safe from harm. So it is with mankind.

David saw the relationship with Me in his life and in the lives of the God-fearing men around him. He saw what I did for My children and summed it up in this short poem. All your needs, I will supply. I’ll provide protection from the storms of life. I’ll make a way through them for you. I’ll be there and never let you face life’s battles alone and in the end, you’ll find peace and rest from your journey.

Try reading some of your favorite passages in other translations if you have them. If not, slow down and meditate on them for a while. Let them soak into your mind and heart until their message becomes a part of you.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.

Remember My works (Psalm 25), Feb 15, 2015

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Today’s Podcast

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Today’s Scriptures

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready – Psalms 25
Set – Psalms 25; Acts 22
Go! – Leviticus 25; Psalms 25-26; Acts 22

Psalms 25
1 ALWAYS I will lift up my soul to You, Eternal One,
2 BECAUSE You are my God and I put my trust in You.
Do not let me be humiliated.
Do not let my enemies celebrate at my expense.
3 CERTAINLY none of the people who rely on You will be shamed,
but those who are unfaithful, who intentionally deceive,
they are the ones who will be disgraced.
4 DEMONSTRATE Your ways, O Eternal One.
Teach me to understand so I can follow.
5 EASE me down the path of Your truth.
FEED me Your word
because You are the True God who has saved me.
I wait all day long, hoping, trusting in You.
6 GRACIOUS Eternal One, remember Your compassion; rekindle Your concern and love,
which have always been part of Your actions toward those who are Yours.
7 Do not HOLD against me the sins I committed when I was young;
instead, deal with me according to Your mercy and love.
Then Your goodness may be demonstrated in all the world, Eternal One.
8 IMMENSELY good and honorable is the Eternal;
that’s why He teaches sinners the way.
9 With JUSTICE, He directs the humble in all that is right,
and He shows them His way.
10 KIND and true are all the ways of the Eternal
to the people who keep His covenant and His words.
11 O LORD, the Eternal, bring glory to Your name,
and forgive my sins because they are beyond number.
12 MAY anyone who fears the Eternal
be shown the path he should choose.
13 His soul will NOT only live in goodness,
but his children will inherit the land.
14 ONLY those who stand in awe of the Eternal will have intimacy with Him,
and He will reveal His covenant to them.
15 PERPETUALLY my focus takes me to the Eternal
because He will set me free from the traps laid for me.
16 QUIETLY turn Your eyes to me and be compassionate toward me
because I am lonely and persecuted.
17 RAPIDLY my heart beats as troubles build on the horizon.
Come relieve me from these threats.
18 SEE my troubles and my misery,
and forgive all my sins.
19 TAKE notice of my enemies.
See how there are so many of them
who hate me and would seek my violent destruction.
20 Watch over my soul,
and let me face shame and defeat
UNASHAMED because You are my refuge.
21 May honor and strong character keep me safe.
VIGILANTLY I wait for You, hoping, trusting.
22 Save Israel from all its troubles,
O True God.

Today’s Devotional

From today’s background scripture God might say:

David does something in this psalm that not many people take time to do. It’s a good practice for you and I encourage you to do it. You might not be the poet David was. You might not even want to use the letters of the alphabet as he did to capture your thoughts, but then again you might. But what David did in this poem is an important exercise every once in a while for the faithful disciple.

What did he do? He stopped to consider who I am and what I do for him. To write this psalm, David spent time alone thinking about My character, My strength, My power, My intercession in his life. He thought about the times I rescued him from danger. He thought about the times I was with him in battle and brought him victory. He thought about the times he felt My presence when he felt lost and alone. He spent time thinking about our relationship together and the ways I blessed him throughout his life.

In the hustle and bustle of life, it’s easy to forget the role I play in your life. It’s easy to go through life and never see where My intervention makes a difference in your circumstances. But I urge you to stop and take time to meditate on Me. Put a pen and paper in front of you and list the ways I help you each day. Think of the events in which you see My hand at work. Understand that I am God and love you more than you can know. Begin to recognize the everlasting love I have for you that never fails.

When you see My hand at work and remember all I have done for you, you will, like David, cry out “ALWAYS I will lift up my soul to You, Eternal One, BECAUSE You are my God and I put my trust in You.” And I will be there for you.

The Voice Bible Copyright © 2012 Thomas Nelson, Inc. The Voice™ translation © 2012 Ecclesia Bible Society All rights reserved.
In accordance with the requirements for FTC full disclosure, I may have affiliate relationships with some or all of the producers of the items mentioned in this post who may provide a small commission to me when purchased through this site.