May 5- 12

2 Samuel, I Chronicles, Psalms

“The Lord is my light and my salvation. Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life. Of whom shall I be afraid?”

This week, we travel with David down some terrible roads. He ignores the sin of his son and then creates an enemy of another son. He finds himself running again for his life, only this time it is from his own son, Absalom. Though he has failed his sons and caused much grief, he found his confidence and strength in the Lord. What a gift it is to know we don’t have to bank on our own history of failure but on God’s everlasting promises of victory and joy in Him. You can join us this week in reading through the Bible cover to cover and see some amazing insights at Bev’s site. There were many riches in this week’s readings for me.

The Lord Promises His Own Son in David’s Lineage
We started the week with the Lord telling David you don’t need to build a house for Me. I will establish a house for you! My House will be established by one of your offspring, and the most precious inheritance of David was promised. Christ Jesus came from the lineage of David.
Our thoughts are not God’s thoughts. I love that God does not rebuke David for telling the Lord what he will do for Him, but turns it around. You could do something for me? Let me tell you what I can do for you! He gives him a promise of an everlasting lineage through Christ Himself.

2nd Samuel 7:12-16

“‘The Lord declares to you that the Lord himself will establish a house for you: When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own 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. I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod of men, with floggings inflicted by men. But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.’

David’s Humble Response

David cannot believe the blessing that is bestowed on him, knowing he is so unworthy. Our Lord’s words are trustworthy and we can bank on what He says. He is ever faithful.

2 Samuel 7:27-29

“O Lord Almighty, God of Israel, you have revealed this to your servant, saying, ‘I will build a house for you.’ So your servant has found courage to offer you this prayer. O Sovereign Lord, you are God! Your words are trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant. Now be pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever in your sight; for you, O Sovereign Lord, have spoken, and with your blessing the house of your servant will be blessed forever.”

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Psalm 139 – If I ever tell you I finally understand how big our God is, someone throw the dirt over my head, because I most certainly will have died. “How precious to me are your thoughts, O God, how vast is the sum of them.” His thoughts focus each day not only on setting the sun in place or the wind at our back, or even the rain on our crops, but His thoughts towards us each day are about the details of our lives. He cares so well for us. How vast, how omnipotent, how omnipresent He is in each word of this psalm. He knows our goings and comings. He knows exactly what we will say before a word is on our tongue. (There is a prayer written between the words of this sentence for a hedge of protection over my mouth.) He is familiar with all of our ways. If we only understood how He carefully loved us from the very beginning—being fearfully and wonderfully made, personally knit together in our mother’s womb. If you ever feel unloved, this psalm alone can guide us to bask in His magnificent love for us. Who else cares this way for you? And then if Psalm 139 doesn’t speak to you, maybe Psalm 145 will tell you again just how much He watches over you. “His greatness no one can fathom!”

At the King’s Table
2 Samuel 9:8

“Mephibosheth bowed down and said, “What is your servant, that you should notice a dead dog like me?” King David remembered his friendship and oath to Jonathan and showed favor on the one remaining poor and paralyzed son of his beloved friend, Jonathan, Mephibosheth. Mephibosheth, lame in both legs, so like us, through grace and forgiveness, is given a seat at the king’s table. Not because he earned it, but because the king showed his loving-kindness towards him, Jonathan’s son is redeemed and restored with a massive inheritance.

On the Run Again

Next, we find King David fleeing from his own son Absalom in fear. He fought more enemies and wept as he went. Again he remembers the Lord alone is His Deliverer in Psalm 3 and 4, and closes with the peace that only comes from knowing the Lord. “I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” I need to remember when I am consumed with doubts that He alone keeps me safe from my enemies such as worry and self-reliance. He alone gives me safety. Then, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, David pens beautiful, sacred Psalm 23. “He prepares a table in the presence of my enemies.” Right in front of our foes, we are provided the best our King has to offer at His table. He anoints our head with the oil of His Spirit and the cup of our heart overflows with the bounty of His supply. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” If we are going on a track record here, David knew from his own experience God had always provided, and could say with utmost confidence that it surely would continue.

He also writes Psalm 36:5-7 “Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the great deep. O Lord, you preserve both man and beast. How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings.” No matter where David went, he rested knowing God’s love was ever with them and sustained them. In It, he found his refuge. Like David, it is in God’s immutable, compassionate love that we can find safety and peace in the shade of His protective Arm.

Psalm 37:4 “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” This verse always has been a stopping point and resting place for me. As much as I need His provisions, I need Him more. If I choose to delight myself in Him, then His Will is made known to me, and His Will aligns my heart to His, and I am satisfied.

Christ in our DNA

I’ll close with this from Louie Giglio, on how Christ knits us together. Bless you this day and bask in His Love.