Tues.’s Devo - God’s Plans

Read: 1 Chronicles 12:19-14:17; Romans 1:1-17: Psalm 9:13-20; Proverbs 19:4-5 So many had gotten disillusioned by Saul that they joined David’s army when they heard that the Philistines were going to be fighting Israel and David would be fighting with the Philistines. The Philistines sent them home because they were afraid that David might change loyalties in the middle of the battle and fight against them. As they were going back home to Ziklag, thousands from the tribes of Judah, Simeon, Levi, Benjamin, Ephraim and both halves of Manasseh, Issachar, Zebulun, Naphtali, Dan, Asher, Gad and Reuben joined with them to make David king. That is thousands from every tribe. They had a huge celebration and feasted. Saul and his sons had been killed in that battle against the Philistines making it possible for David to now become the king. David made a declaration that all Israel should come and celebrate with him as they brought the Ark into the city of David. David had the Ark put on a new cart and celebrated its arrival. The cart hit a bump in the road and it looked like the Ark was going to slide off, so Uzzah reached out to steady it. He was struck dead on the spot and the celebration came to an abrupt end and everyone went home in fear of God. David had the Ark taken to the closest house which was Obed-edom’s. There is set for three months while Obed-edom prospered in everything he did. In David’s zeal to honor the Lord and return Israel to worshipping Him, he didn’t stop to read about how to carry the Ark. It was to be carried by poles on the shoulders of the priests. The cart was how the Philistines carried the Ark. God had his own way. We can learn from this. Sometimes our best-laid plans are not God’s. He has his way of doing things and his ways are always the best. King Hiram of Tyre sent David cedar and stonemasons and carpenters to build his palace. David married more and more wives and had 13 sons in Jerusalem. When the Philistines heard that Israel had made David king, they came to attack. The Lord gave David victory over them and called the Lord, the God of the Breakthrough. The Philistines abandoned their gods there, so David burned them. The Philistines returned and they did a counter attack and ran them off. David’s fame spread across the world and all were afraid to challenge him. Paul wrote a letter to the Christians in Rome reminding them of the prophecies about one who would come from the line of David and be God’s Promise to them. This man was Jesus who proved himself when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirt. His message is to the Jew and the Gentile which includes the Romans. The church at Rome was known for their faith. Paul longed to visit them in person and bring them a spiritual gift to help them grow even stronger in the Lord. He wanted to encourage them and be encouraged by them. Lord, may we trust in your ways and know that your plans are always the best.