Victory in Christ

In 2 Samuel chapter 22 we read a song of David praising God for His deliverance of David from his enemies. This song is also in Psalms 18 with some slight differences. One of the things David is thanking God for is making his walk easier. “For you are my lamp, O LORD, and my God lightens my darkness.” (2 Samuel 22:29) “He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights.” (2 Samuel 22:34) “You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip;” (2 Samuel 22:37) David knew that he sometimes made mistakes and needed help daily to stay on track. We also need help with our daily walk. If we are looking in the right place we can find that help. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7)

Today’s reading: 2 Samuel 19-21

David made his share of mistakes, but he knew where salvation could be found. “But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, “Great is the LORD!” (Psalms 40:16) David’s words remind us that salvation is available to everyone, but it requires us to seek God by studying and following His word. If we consider all He has done for us, we should want to do what this verse encourages us to do; say continually, “Great is the LORD!” 

Today’s reading: Psalms 26, 40, 58, 61-62, 64

The Psalmist reminds us that no matter what struggles we have on this earth, nothing is beyond God’s power to control. “Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” (Psalms 55:22) He also reminds us that God will handle our fears as well. “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.  In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?” (Psalms 56:3-4) He makes a similar statement again and again reminds us to give praise to Him and His word. “In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?” (Psalms 56:10-11) The words of the Psalmist are true; God is our strength and power every day if we will just follow Him.

Today’s reading: 2 Samuel 16-18

David had the best sleeping medicine known to man. In Psalms 4:8 we read “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.” We can know just as David did that no matter what happens, God is in control. He gives us life on this earth, but even more wonderful is the life we can have with Him in heaven one day if we follow His word.  (Psalms 3:8) “Salvation belongs to the LORD; your blessing be on your people!…” 

Today’s reading: Psalms 3-4, 12-13, 28, 55

David’s own son Absalom conspired against his father to take over as king. He gained power and then he had soldiers go out to try and kill David. In the battle, Absalom was killed by some of David’s men even though that is not what he had commanded them to do. “And the king ordered Joab and Abishai and Ittai, “Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.” And all the people heard when the king gave orders to all the commanders about Absalom.” (2 Samuel 18:5) With Absalom being killed, David’s life was spared but that was no comfort to David. “And the king was deeply moved and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he went, he said, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!” (2 Samuel 18:33) David knew that death on this earth was not the worst thing that could have happened to him. He was much more concerned about the soul of his son.

Today’s reading: 2 Samuel 13-15

We have all heard the saying that you can lead a horse to water but you can not make him drink. If you have ever tried to lead a mule you know how obstinate they can be when they set their mind to something. In Psalm 32 David tells us to not be like those animals. “Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.” (Psalm 32:9) We should not have an attitude of only doing the absolute least that is required of us. We should desire to go the extra mile to serve our Lord who has blessed us so richly. 

Today’s reading: Psalms 32, 51, 86, 122

David was chosen by God to be king. He was also known as a man after God’s own heart. But there were times when God was not pleased with the things David did. When he had Uriah killed and married Bathsheba, God sent Nathan to talk to David. Nathan told a story of a rich man who needed a lamb to feed his guests so he took one from a certain poor man. The poor man only owned the one lamb and it was like a pet to him. David’s response was one of anger toward the rich man and he told Nathan this man deserved to die. “Nathan said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul.” (2 Samuel 12:7) Like David, it is usually easier for us to see others faults before we see our own. Jesus teaches us this lesson as well. “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:5)

Today’s reading: 2 Samuel 11-12; 1 Chronicles 20

The Psalmist shared his experience with prayer to God. “Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul. I cried to him with my mouth, and high praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me!” (Psalms 66:16-20) We can read words from James where he also talks about the power of prayer. “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16) James includes a warning to keep our motives right. “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” (James 4:3) And greatest of all, Jesus explains to us how our Heavenly Father will respond to our requests. “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:  For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.  Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?  Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” (Matthew 7:7-11) 

Today’s reading: Psalms 65-67; 69-70

There are many people and things that we put some level of trust in everyday, but there is only one place we can put our trust and never be let down. “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God.” (Psalm 20:7) 

Today’s reading: 2 Samuel 10; 1 Chronicles 19; Psalm 20

We all want people in our lives who we can depend on when we have trouble. David had his share of people who turned against him, but he knew that no matter how many times he was betrayed by a man he always had the best source of help available. “Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man. (Psalms 60:11 KJV) The ESV translates this verse a little differently, “Oh, grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man!” Jesus also tells us about man’s saving power verses God’s saving power. “When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”  But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Mat 19:25-26) 

Today’s reading: Psalms 50, 53, 60, 75