1 Kings 3-4, Wise Prayer

 “At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, “Ask what I shall give you.” Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?” It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.”

‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬, ‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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Solomon’s wisdom was that he asked God for something that positively impacted all the people around him rather than just asking for a blessing himself.  I have been thinking about this lately, so much of my prayer time tends to focus on what would be helpful or be a blessing to me…Lord, fill my mind with other people while I am talking with You!

Psalm 119- Love Learning

 “Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love, and teach me your statutes.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭119‬:‭124‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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I feel conviction reading this because even though I read the Word every day, most days I do not love it.  I want to be able to declare like David, I love your commands therefore bless me!  But instead I need to say, help me love Your Word!

Psalm 111-118, Faithful Love

 “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭118‬:‭1‬ ‭ESV‬‬

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The everlasting love of God is able to withstand every season and every trial.  We can be confident in Him through every season, no matter how we feel or even perceive Him… close or far off.  His love is perfect and His patience long suffering.

Lord, we do not deserve such love!  That You freely provide it demonstrates the vast difference of Your character over mine.  Lord, make me more like You so that others may turn to You and experience Your character through me.

1 Chronicles 23-25, Gods Election

 “All these men were under their own fathers’ authority for the music in the Lord’s temple, with cymbals, harps, and lyres for the service of God’s temple. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the king’s authority. They numbered 288 together with their relatives who were all trained and skillful in music for the Lord. They cast lots for their duties, young and old alike, teacher as well as pupil. ”

‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭25‬:‭6‬-‭8‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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I wonder what happened if you were assigned to the worship team but you were born tone-deaf?  Maybe God ensured that didn’t happen, or maybe you got assigned to the rhythm section?  A silly question, but it stood out to me that these families were elected (by God) to specific areas of service based on family, not necessarily skill…

1 Chronicles 26-29, Psalm 127- Right Motives

 “They will proclaim the power of your awe-inspiring acts, and I will declare your greatness. They will give a testimony of your great goodness and will joyfully sing of your righteousness.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭145‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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Seeing an entire nation be generous to God is incredible to see.  All of them being obedient to Gods call reminds me to be looking critically at every thing I do to make sure that it is motivated by the Lord and not just my thoughts.

Psalm 108-110, Long Suffering

 “Help me, Lord my God; save me according to your faithful love so they may know that this is your hand and that you, Lord, have done it. I will fervently thank the Lord with my mouth; I will praise him in the presence of many. For he stands at the right hand of the needy to save him from those who would condemn him.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭109‬:‭26‬-‭27‬, ‭30‬-‭31‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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Lord, what a blessing that You are long suffering and patient with me.  I would have given up on me a long time ago, yet you continue to show love and grace to me.  Allow me to stay aware of Your faithfulness everyday for the rest of my life!

2 Samuel 24, 1 Chronicles 21-22, Psalm 30- Worthy Sacrifices

 “The king answered Araunah, “No, I insist on buying it from you for a price, for I will not offer to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for twenty ounces  of silver. He built an altar to the Lord there and offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then the Lord was receptive to prayer for the land,  and the plague on Israel ended.”

‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭24‬:‭24‬-‭25‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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Lord, help me to avoid the laziness of only offering You my leftovers.  Let my sacrifices for You be the most valuable things that I have…I want them to be costly to demonstrate Your majesty and splendor.

Psalm 5, 38, 41-42, Always There

 “As a deer longs for flowing streams, so I long for you, God.  I thirst for God, the living God. When can I come and appear before God? ”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭42‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Tead Context

What a joy to know that God is still there any time I need to talk, cry or be frustrated.  He is listening and ready to help me.  No matter what pain, insecurity or suffering I am enduring, he is patiently waiting for me…even when it feels like He is far away.

2 Samuel 16-18, Endure God

 “Shimei said as he cursed, “Get out, get out, you man of bloodshed, you wicked man!  The Lord has paid you back for all the blood of the house of Saul in whose place you became king, and the Lord has handed the kingdom over to your son Absalom. Look, you are in trouble because you’re a man of bloodshed! ” The king replied, “Sons of Zeruiah, do we agree on anything?  He curses  me this way because the Lord   told him, ‘Curse David! ’  Therefore, who can say, ‘Why did you do that? ’ ””

‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭16‬:‭7‬-‭8‬, ‭10‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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Absaloms fate was sealed because he was going against God.  David on the other hand allowed the guy to continue cursing him, just in case it was from God…David shows that he is willing to suffer, if it is Gods plan.

Lord, help me to look for Your guidance in every thought, woe or action I take!

2 Samuel 13-15, Destructive Desires

 “Now Absalom commanded his young men, “Watch Amnon until he is in a good mood from the wine. When I order you to strike Amnon, then kill him. Don’t be afraid. Am I not the one who has commanded you? Be strong and valiant! ”

‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭13‬:‭28‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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The amount of destruction that comes from following our own desires is shocking.  Amnon and Absalom both seek their own ways and it devastates the people around them…the pain and consequences of their sin destroys lives, families and ultimately kingdoms.

Lord, help me to lay down every desire and follow You.  Allow me to be at rest with whatever You are calling me to.  Help me to trust that You are leading me into the best path.

2 Samuel 11-12, 1 Chronicles 20- Self-Control

 “Uriah answered David, “The ark, Israel, and Judah are dwelling in tents, and my master Joab and his soldiers  are camping in the open field. How can I enter my house to eat and drink and sleep with my wife? As surely as you live and by your life, I will not do this! ”  “Stay here today also,” David said to Uriah, “and tomorrow I will send you back.” So Uriah stayed in Jerusalem that day and the next. Then David invited Uriah to eat and drink with him, and David got him drunk. He went out in the evening to lie down on his cot with his master’s servants, but he did not go home.”

‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭11‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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Our ability to “problem solve” aka hide our sin, is very refined.  David was doing everything he could think of to cover his tracks.  What a scoundrel…

It stands out to me that even drunk Uriah had more self control than David.  Lord, strengthen my self-control (a fruit of the Spirit) so that I can resist temptation or the urge to hide my sin.

Psalm 65-67, 69, 70- Mighty Savior

 “You answer us in righteousness, with awe-inspiring works, God of our salvation, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the distant seas. You establish the mountains by your power; you are robed with strength. You silence the roar of the seas, the roar of their waves, and the tumult of the nations.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭65‬:‭5‬-‭7‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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Gods strength and power are endless and we should be in awe of every act!  Thank You Lord for loving me…

1 Chronicles 19, 2 Samuel 10, Psalm 20- Gods Backing

 “Now I know that the Lord gives victory to his anointed; he will answer him from his holy heaven with mighty victories from his right hand. Some take pride in chariots, and others in horses, but we take pride in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand firm.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭20‬:‭6‬-‭8‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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When God is for you…who can win against you?

Psalm 50, 53, 60, 75- Perfect Judge

 “Our God is coming; he will not be silent! Devouring fire precedes him, and a storm rages around him. On high, he summons heaven and earth in order to judge his people:”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭50‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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It is good to remember that God is the ultimate judge not just our Father.  Lord, allow me to live in a manner that brings You glory!

2 Samuel 8-9, I Chronicles 18- Whose Power?

 “He placed garrisons throughout Edom, and all the Edomites were subject to David.  The Lord made David victorious wherever he went.  So David reigned over all Israel, administering justice and righteousness for all his people. ”

‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭8‬:‭14‬-‭15‬ ‭CSB‬‬

Trad Context

It was repeated multiple times today that it was God who made David victorious, not his ability, strength, skill, strategy or stamina…it was always the Lord. god, don’t ever allow me to get confused about whose strength I am depending…may it always be Yours!

Psalm 25, 29, 33, 36, 39- Perfect Faithfulness

 “Lord, your faithful love reaches to heaven, your faithfulness to the clouds. How priceless your faithful love is, God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭36‬:‭5‬, ‭7‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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Lord, your faithfulness includes love, protection and guidance as well as discipline, correction and reproof.  Thank You for loving me enough to demonstrate Your faithfulness in all these flavors!!!

2 Samuel 6-7, 1 Chronicles 17- Displayed Humility

 “When your time comes and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up after you your descendant, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.  He is the one who will build a house for my name,  and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. ”

‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭7‬:‭12‬-‭13‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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David’s humility to alter his plans when God changes his course was such a great demonstration of honor.  It shows us that David’s heart was not centered on doing great things, but on following Gods will.  God has laid out distinct plans for each of us, help me to know what Your plan is and be willing to change directions in an instant!  Lord, You don’t hide Your plan from us, but You rarely make it as explicit as this.  Open my eyes to see.  Allow my plans to be perfectly moldable as You reveal Your plan to me.

Psalm 89, 96, 100, 101, 105, 132- Historic Faithfulness

 “Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; proclaim his deeds among the peoples. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell about all his wondrous works! Boast in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wondrous works he has done, his wonders, and the judgments he has pronounced,”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭105‬:‭1‬-‭5‬ ‭CSB‬‬

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How powerful it is to build our faith and trust in God to remember all the things He has done for us in the past.  The Bible is full of His faithful works and my past shows His incredibly consistent help for me through hard times.  Lord, let me meditate on Your unending love and protection today.