Read: 2 Sam. 7, 1 Chr. 17
I used to feel sorry for David and thought that the Lord was rebuking him by not allowing him to build the Temple but now I understand that it would have messed up God’s picture. David was a type of Jesus living in us. He was the warrior who rid the nation of their enemies. He fought in the name of the Lord. His kingdom is what we are living in right now. David had an unbelievable walk with the Lord and understood intimacy with God. He was a prophet, and a king yet he was humble and loved God with all his heart. We can have that kind of relationship with God and he can help us fight all our enemies.
God told Nathan in verse five in 1 Chronicles and verse six in 2 Samuel that He had always walked in a tent and in a tabernacle which represents our natural bodies. We are the tent and the church is the tabernacle. Now God resides in us but there will be a day in the next millennium where we will have an actual temple of God to worship in. It will be like Solomon’s temple - the new Jerusalem of Revelation 21.
Lord, help us to have a heart after Your heart. Draw us near.
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Wed.’s Devo - David’s Heart
Read: Ps. 89, 95, 100, 101, 105, 132
The promises for the righteous are abundant in the Bible. It doesn’t make sense to want to be anything but righteous. David lived not only for the day, but he saw into eternity. He realized that there is going to be a judgment day where we will receive rewards according to the life we have lived here. If we live just thinking we are forgiven and it doesn’t matter what we do we are going to be greatly disappointed. We won’t get judged according to our sin but we will be judged according to our destiny. It has been written in a book all we are to do and what we do with that is what we will be judged by. God has given us everything we need to fulfill our calling. All we have to do is hear and obey. David did and he was able to be joyful and tender towards God.
David constantly goes back to what God has done in the past for his people and how they have responded. He wants them to learn from the mistakes of the past and do the right thing.
David sets boundaries for himself. He choses to behave wisely and set no wicked thing before his eyes. He determines that what the wicked do around him will not affect him. He choses his friends well. (Ps. 101)
Another thing I love about David is how he honors the Holy Spirit. He desires to have a house for the presence of the Lord.
Today, we are that house; we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Lord, I pray that we would want to prepare you a holy house for your Spirit to dwell.
The promises for the righteous are abundant in the Bible. It doesn’t make sense to want to be anything but righteous. David lived not only for the day, but he saw into eternity. He realized that there is going to be a judgment day where we will receive rewards according to the life we have lived here. If we live just thinking we are forgiven and it doesn’t matter what we do we are going to be greatly disappointed. We won’t get judged according to our sin but we will be judged according to our destiny. It has been written in a book all we are to do and what we do with that is what we will be judged by. God has given us everything we need to fulfill our calling. All we have to do is hear and obey. David did and he was able to be joyful and tender towards God.
David constantly goes back to what God has done in the past for his people and how they have responded. He wants them to learn from the mistakes of the past and do the right thing.
David sets boundaries for himself. He choses to behave wisely and set no wicked thing before his eyes. He determines that what the wicked do around him will not affect him. He choses his friends well. (Ps. 101)
Another thing I love about David is how he honors the Holy Spirit. He desires to have a house for the presence of the Lord.
Today, we are that house; we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Lord, I pray that we would want to prepare you a holy house for your Spirit to dwell.
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
Tues.’s Devo - The Power of The Psalms
Read: Ps. 1-2, 15, 22-24, 47, 68
David’s revelation of who God is and the future amazes me.
Psalm 1 is a chapter I put to memory years ago and still quote it often. What a promise to those who delight in God’s Word: to have the right fruit at the right season and to prosper in all we do!
In Psalm 2, David has learned that there is no weapon the enemy can make that will prosper against God’s people. In the last verse he talks about God’s Son! How does David know God has a Son except by the Spirit?
Psalm 15, like many of his psalms starts with a question. It is like he is asking the question and God is answering. In this psalm he is asking who can constantly live in God’s presence. The answer is the person who walks in truth, whose actions are righteous, who speaks truth and loves others.
Psalm 22 is the psalm that Jesus quoted from the cross. In Jesus’ day the Psalms weren’t numbered so they were named by their first line. Jesus was not saying God had forsaken him but referring to this Psalm so they would know He was fulfilling it. It is a Messianic Psalm. Verse 16 speaks of them piercing his hands and feet and verse 18 talks about them casting lots for his garments.
Psalm 23 is an all-time favorite!
David asks almost the same question in Ps. 24 that he did in Psalm 15: Who can stand before God? The answer is the same: a person with clean hands and a pure heart. This is actually a feast of trumpets Psalm. It speaks of the gates being opened so the King could come in.
Psalm 47 is another feast of trumpet song. The Lord will come back with a shout and the blast of the trumpet.
Psalm 68 speaks of what happens when God has come and touched the earth and what will happen when Jesus returns. His enemies will be scattered. Everything is moved when the presence of God comes.
Lord, You are the God who gives strength and power to your people. Blessed be Your name!
David’s revelation of who God is and the future amazes me.
Psalm 1 is a chapter I put to memory years ago and still quote it often. What a promise to those who delight in God’s Word: to have the right fruit at the right season and to prosper in all we do!
In Psalm 2, David has learned that there is no weapon the enemy can make that will prosper against God’s people. In the last verse he talks about God’s Son! How does David know God has a Son except by the Spirit?
Psalm 15, like many of his psalms starts with a question. It is like he is asking the question and God is answering. In this psalm he is asking who can constantly live in God’s presence. The answer is the person who walks in truth, whose actions are righteous, who speaks truth and loves others.
Psalm 22 is the psalm that Jesus quoted from the cross. In Jesus’ day the Psalms weren’t numbered so they were named by their first line. Jesus was not saying God had forsaken him but referring to this Psalm so they would know He was fulfilling it. It is a Messianic Psalm. Verse 16 speaks of them piercing his hands and feet and verse 18 talks about them casting lots for his garments.
Psalm 23 is an all-time favorite!
David asks almost the same question in Ps. 24 that he did in Psalm 15: Who can stand before God? The answer is the same: a person with clean hands and a pure heart. This is actually a feast of trumpets Psalm. It speaks of the gates being opened so the King could come in.
Psalm 47 is another feast of trumpet song. The Lord will come back with a shout and the blast of the trumpet.
Psalm 68 speaks of what happens when God has come and touched the earth and what will happen when Jesus returns. His enemies will be scattered. Everything is moved when the presence of God comes.
Lord, You are the God who gives strength and power to your people. Blessed be Your name!
Monday, May 4, 2015
Mon.’s Devo - Bringing up the Ark
Read: 2 Sam. 5:11- 6:23. 1 Chr. 13-16
David has secured the kingdom and the first thing he wants to do is bring back the presence of the Lord. He has it put on a new cart and brings it up with singing and music and praise. Everything is going fine till the ark hits a bumpy place in the road and Uzza puts his hand out to steady it so it won’t fall. Uzza means “strength.” God doesn’t want us to do anything in our own strength, God is more than able to keep his presence from falling down. God instantly kills him and the fear of God falls on everyone. The festive day turns into a funeral and David is so unsure of what to do he just leaves the ark where it is. The closest shelter is the house of Obed-edom so he gets to house the ark for the next three months. God blessed everything Obed did during that time so much that it was noticeable.
It seems to me that chapter 14 should be before chapter 13 because it tells of David’s first few years in the office of being the king. He built a house, took more wives, had more children, fought and defeated the Philistines and became more famous. Then he put a tent in his city for the ark to reside. He realized that the ark had to be carried by priests, not just ordinary men. These priests needed to be sanctified and they needed to carry the ark by poles on their shoulders the way God had set it up. They blew trumpets before the ark to proclaim the entrance of the Lord. David took off his kingly robes and danced in his linen garments. He became a common man before the ark to show his total humility before God. His wife, Saul’s daughter was humiliated by his act and told him so. He put her in her place and she became barren from that time on.
Those who humble themselves will be exalted and those who exalt themselves will be humbled.
Lord, may we never be ashamed to show our love and worship for you.
David has secured the kingdom and the first thing he wants to do is bring back the presence of the Lord. He has it put on a new cart and brings it up with singing and music and praise. Everything is going fine till the ark hits a bumpy place in the road and Uzza puts his hand out to steady it so it won’t fall. Uzza means “strength.” God doesn’t want us to do anything in our own strength, God is more than able to keep his presence from falling down. God instantly kills him and the fear of God falls on everyone. The festive day turns into a funeral and David is so unsure of what to do he just leaves the ark where it is. The closest shelter is the house of Obed-edom so he gets to house the ark for the next three months. God blessed everything Obed did during that time so much that it was noticeable.
It seems to me that chapter 14 should be before chapter 13 because it tells of David’s first few years in the office of being the king. He built a house, took more wives, had more children, fought and defeated the Philistines and became more famous. Then he put a tent in his city for the ark to reside. He realized that the ark had to be carried by priests, not just ordinary men. These priests needed to be sanctified and they needed to carry the ark by poles on their shoulders the way God had set it up. They blew trumpets before the ark to proclaim the entrance of the Lord. David took off his kingly robes and danced in his linen garments. He became a common man before the ark to show his total humility before God. His wife, Saul’s daughter was humiliated by his act and told him so. He put her in her place and she became barren from that time on.
Those who humble themselves will be exalted and those who exalt themselves will be humbled.
Lord, may we never be ashamed to show our love and worship for you.
Sunday, May 3, 2015
Sun.’s Devo - Learn From the Past
Read: Ps. 106-107
I’m going to start at the end. The last verse of 107 says, “Who is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the Lord.” We want to be wise and understand the so let’s observe what these verses are telling us. David is reminiscing over Israel’s past. They didn’t understand God and the wonders He did in Egypt or the many times God was so merciful to them. Their unbelief and lack of faith provoked God time and time again. Their faith would soar when God did something miraculous but would quickly wan when the first thing went wrong. They lusted for things they didn’t have and were ungrateful for the things they did. So God gave them what they wanted and it caused them to become even more spiritually depleted. They were jealous of their spiritual leaders and God had to judge them. If it had not been for Moses, God would have destroyed them. Once they got to the land God had promised them they grumbled and hated the land. They worshiped other gods and if not for the priest, Phinehas, they would have died of a plague. They didn’t destroy the nations in the land so the sins and gods of their enemies became their sins and gods.
Because God is long-suffering and merciful, he forgave them and delivered them when they would cry out to Him.
In Chapter 107, David sends out an appeal to his people to praise God for what He has done. Be thankful and acknowledge that God is good and He is our deliverer so worthy of our praise. He wants them to learn from the past. David reminds them that God leads us to blessings, he satisfies our soul, he saves us out of our trouble, he sends his word and heals us, and he quiets our storms.
Lord, may we remember all the things you have done and your goodness and mercy.
I’m going to start at the end. The last verse of 107 says, “Who is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the Lord.” We want to be wise and understand the so let’s observe what these verses are telling us. David is reminiscing over Israel’s past. They didn’t understand God and the wonders He did in Egypt or the many times God was so merciful to them. Their unbelief and lack of faith provoked God time and time again. Their faith would soar when God did something miraculous but would quickly wan when the first thing went wrong. They lusted for things they didn’t have and were ungrateful for the things they did. So God gave them what they wanted and it caused them to become even more spiritually depleted. They were jealous of their spiritual leaders and God had to judge them. If it had not been for Moses, God would have destroyed them. Once they got to the land God had promised them they grumbled and hated the land. They worshiped other gods and if not for the priest, Phinehas, they would have died of a plague. They didn’t destroy the nations in the land so the sins and gods of their enemies became their sins and gods.
Because God is long-suffering and merciful, he forgave them and delivered them when they would cry out to Him.
In Chapter 107, David sends out an appeal to his people to praise God for what He has done. Be thankful and acknowledge that God is good and He is our deliverer so worthy of our praise. He wants them to learn from the past. David reminds them that God leads us to blessings, he satisfies our soul, he saves us out of our trouble, he sends his word and heals us, and he quiets our storms.
Lord, may we remember all the things you have done and your goodness and mercy.
Saturday, May 2, 2015
Sat.’s Devo - The Mountain of the Lord
Read: Ps. 133
I had to look at my paper twice to make sure this was all we were suppose to read today, but it is so God must want us to look at this scripture with our spiritual magnifying glasses on. I just got back from a ladies’ retreat and on the way we were delayed by a train. I love to look at the train-graffiti. I used to try to make sense of what the words mean but gave up a long time ago when I realized they usually aren’t words but acronyms or made up words but as I was watching the trains roll by I saw this train that had the word “FOCUS” on it. I started laughing and knew it was a word for me to focus at the retreat. I figured it meant to focus on what the speaker was going to talk about but as I went through the retreat I realized it meant to focus on what the Holy Spirit was doing and on each woman I talked to so I did. I had some amazing conversations and met some amazing women. I got to see verse one play out in a very powerful way. I had only known one lady at the beginning and came home having talked with every lady there. I experienced a drama-free fellowship with sisters in the Lord. It was so full-filling - like oil running down your head! Verse two is referring to when Aaron was anointed a priest.
Verse three mentions Mount Hermon which is the highest of the seven mountains around Jerusalem. It has snow year-round causing plentiful dews which is a stark contrast to the dry land of the rest of the region. Mt. Hermon is Mt. Zion (Duet. 4:48) which is a picture of God’s permanent capital city in heavenly Jerusalem. Hermon means “abrupt” because it is so steep. Some commentators think it it the mount of Transfiguration because it is the “high mountain”. We as Christians are to be like the Mountain of Zion. We should be continuously shining and white. When the world is dry and parched, we should be a well-watered garden, always joyful and near to God.
Zechariah 2:10 says, “Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord.” (Zechariah 2:10)
Lord, come and dwell in the midst of us.
I had to look at my paper twice to make sure this was all we were suppose to read today, but it is so God must want us to look at this scripture with our spiritual magnifying glasses on. I just got back from a ladies’ retreat and on the way we were delayed by a train. I love to look at the train-graffiti. I used to try to make sense of what the words mean but gave up a long time ago when I realized they usually aren’t words but acronyms or made up words but as I was watching the trains roll by I saw this train that had the word “FOCUS” on it. I started laughing and knew it was a word for me to focus at the retreat. I figured it meant to focus on what the speaker was going to talk about but as I went through the retreat I realized it meant to focus on what the Holy Spirit was doing and on each woman I talked to so I did. I had some amazing conversations and met some amazing women. I got to see verse one play out in a very powerful way. I had only known one lady at the beginning and came home having talked with every lady there. I experienced a drama-free fellowship with sisters in the Lord. It was so full-filling - like oil running down your head! Verse two is referring to when Aaron was anointed a priest.
Verse three mentions Mount Hermon which is the highest of the seven mountains around Jerusalem. It has snow year-round causing plentiful dews which is a stark contrast to the dry land of the rest of the region. Mt. Hermon is Mt. Zion (Duet. 4:48) which is a picture of God’s permanent capital city in heavenly Jerusalem. Hermon means “abrupt” because it is so steep. Some commentators think it it the mount of Transfiguration because it is the “high mountain”. We as Christians are to be like the Mountain of Zion. We should be continuously shining and white. When the world is dry and parched, we should be a well-watered garden, always joyful and near to God.
Zechariah 2:10 says, “Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the Lord.” (Zechariah 2:10)
Lord, come and dwell in the midst of us.
Friday, May 1, 2015
Fri.’s Devo - David is King in Hebron
Read: 2 Sam. 5:1-10, 1 Chr. 11-12
David is finally anointed king! He has waited for this word to be made manifest for years and it is finally here. David is the same age that Jesus was when he began his ministry. But, as soon as David is come to his destiny, the enemy rises up to meet him. The Jebusites (“they shall trample down”) occupy Jerusalem and David wants it for his city. Jerusalem was on a high hill that had such steep embankments that the Jebusites put their blind and lame to guard the gate. In doing this they were making fun of David because they felt so secure in their city even the blind and lame could guard them against David’s men. David was not intimidated in the least and took the city. He make the statement, “The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.” Sounds mean and not compassionate but David was very compassionate towards the lame. He later had Mephibosheth who was lame come and daily eat at his table. So he was only talking about the Jebusite’s blind and lame. As a type of Jesus, David was making a statement about spiritual Jerusalem. No lame or blind will enter that city!
David had three distinguished warriors known as his “three mighty men”. There names meant “people will return”, “God is helper”, and “father of a gift”. What a prophecy for Jerusalem when Jesus sets up his kingdom there. God is already bringing people back to him. He will help them by his gift, the Holy Spirit.
It is also interesting to note that in the list of David’s great warriors, Uriah the Hittite (vs. 41) is mentioned. This is Bathsheba’s husband. David will have him later killed so he can be guiltless of fathering a child with Uriah’s wife.
Our reading ends with “there was joy in Israel”. There is always joy when Jesus is reigning!
Lord, may there be joy in our hearts today.
David is finally anointed king! He has waited for this word to be made manifest for years and it is finally here. David is the same age that Jesus was when he began his ministry. But, as soon as David is come to his destiny, the enemy rises up to meet him. The Jebusites (“they shall trample down”) occupy Jerusalem and David wants it for his city. Jerusalem was on a high hill that had such steep embankments that the Jebusites put their blind and lame to guard the gate. In doing this they were making fun of David because they felt so secure in their city even the blind and lame could guard them against David’s men. David was not intimidated in the least and took the city. He make the statement, “The blind and the lame shall not come into the house.” Sounds mean and not compassionate but David was very compassionate towards the lame. He later had Mephibosheth who was lame come and daily eat at his table. So he was only talking about the Jebusite’s blind and lame. As a type of Jesus, David was making a statement about spiritual Jerusalem. No lame or blind will enter that city!
David had three distinguished warriors known as his “three mighty men”. There names meant “people will return”, “God is helper”, and “father of a gift”. What a prophecy for Jerusalem when Jesus sets up his kingdom there. God is already bringing people back to him. He will help them by his gift, the Holy Spirit.
It is also interesting to note that in the list of David’s great warriors, Uriah the Hittite (vs. 41) is mentioned. This is Bathsheba’s husband. David will have him later killed so he can be guiltless of fathering a child with Uriah’s wife.
Our reading ends with “there was joy in Israel”. There is always joy when Jesus is reigning!
Lord, may there be joy in our hearts today.
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