Psalms again!  Is this fun or is this tough? We’re reading Psalm 39, 40, 41, 53, 55, and 58 today.  What are you thinking?

To be honest, it’s hard for me sometimes to read David’s prayers. Some are beautiful and personal and I’m encouraged that he expresses words that I feel myself. But other times…. When he prays for his enemies to be destroyed or for ruin to come to them, I’m uncomfortable. Maybe I’m uncomfortable because I recognize the same evil inclination in my own heart.  Maybe I’m uncomfortable because it’s so far from what I think Jesus desires for us. Maybe I’m uncomfortable because I can relate and I have to admit that I’ve had these negative feelings toward people who have done me harm as well.

I have to remind myself that David (in addition to being a man’s after God’s own heart) was a man.  He was a warrior.  This is the same guy who sent Bathsheba’s husband the front lines or wanted to murder Nabal’s husband for not sharing a meal.  He had much bigger concerns and much bigger threats to his life than I do, for sure! David’s humanity makes it easier to relate to him, and it is definitely an encouragement to be honest with the Lord!

In any case, I do believe that what happens to my “enemies” is God’s business, not mine, and I want to leave that up to Him. Letting myself dwell on the negative or wish destruction allows bitterness to grow in my heart and that’s not healthy.

Today we’re reading Psalm 35, 36, 37 and 38.

David is honest and lays his emotions bare before the Lord.  When Jesus instructed us to pray for our enemies, I don’t think he meant quite like this (!), but the Lord knows David’s heart.

Here’s a little beauty in David’s bitterness:

“God’s love is meteoric, His loyalty astronomic,
His purpose titanic, His verdicts oceanic.
Yet in His largeness nothing gets lost;
Not a man, not a mouse, slips through the cracks” (Psalm 36:5-6 MSG)

Sometimes the psalms show me that no one is perfect, even a “man after God’s own heart”. Psalm 37:5 says to “open up to God, keep nothing back”- David sets a great example for us in that! God knows our hearts and minds, no need for us to hide.

Today we’ve got Psalm 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, and 32.  Good morning or afternoon or evening – what time do you like to read?  I like mornings, but to be honest: early is best for me in all areas!  I’m an early bird for sure!  Here we go!

“Count yourself lucky, how happy you must be— you get a fresh start,
    your slate’s wiped clean.

Count yourself lucky— God holds nothing against you
    and you’re holding nothing back from Him” (Psalm 32:102 MSG)

Oh how I love Psalm 32!  God always receives us back again, puts us in right standing, always loves us, no matter where we’ve been.  This kind of love makes me want to respect His commandments (as I know they are only meant to help me) and respond to His love with faithfulness.

“God-affirmers find themselves loved every time they turn around.

Let’s read Psalm 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26 today!  What is on your mind?

The contrast between Psalm 22 and 23 alone show us how intimate and honest God’s relationship with David was.  David could pour out his heart, on good days and bad days, to the Lord.

“Your beauty and love chase after me
    every day of my life.
I’m back home in the house of God
    for the rest of my life” (Psalm 23:6 MSG)

Back home, in His house, all my life.  Home is a comfort! I pray for such an openness with God – He is ready to address my fears and address my concerns if I take them to Him.

Yours too, my friend!

Lots of Psalms today!  These are David’s psalms that Bible scholars were not able to date or connect to an event in David’s life.  Here we go: please read Psalms 12, 13, 4, 15, 16, 17 (skip 18), 19, 20 and 21.  Do you love Psalms?  Here we have so many great examples of how honest we can be in our prayer and praise – God wants to be our go-to and best friend!

I love Psalm 15, and the MSG translation is great!

“God, who gets invited to dinner at your place? How do we get on your guest list?

Sometimes we make life and the pursuit of godliness more complicated than it actually is – David reminds us that clean living (though not always easy) is always simple.

It’s a long list today, but we can do it!  Let’s go: we’re reading 1 Kings 2:1-9, 2 Samuel 23:1-7, 1 Kings 2:10-12, 1 Chronicles 29:26-30, and lots of Psalms: Psalm 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 11.  What is on your heart today?

Near the end of David’s life, read again these powerful words to his son:

“I’m about to go the way of all the earth, but you—be strong; show what you’re made of! Do what God tells you. Walk in the paths he shows you: Follow the life-map absolutely, keep an eye out for the signposts, his course for life set out in the revelation to Moses; then you’ll get on well in whatever you do and wherever you go” (1 Kings 2:1-3 MSG)

That’s great advice for anyone anywhere!  No matter where we are in life, following God absolutely will always leads us to peace.

“God’s business is putting things right;  He loves getting the lines straight, Setting us straight. Once we’re standing tall, we can look Him straight in the eye” (Psalm 11:7 MSG)

Restoration, restoration, restoration. I love that! What a legacy David left!  Because of God’s covenant with David (2 Sam 7:16), we will continue to hear about David for generations and generations.

Let’s read 1 Chronicles 29:1-22, and 1 Kings 1 today.  I’m excited to hear what you think – leave a comment and let me know! 🙂

Maybe because my children are grown, coming into themselves and following the Lord, but I am struck today by David’s confidence in Solomon.

“Then David the king addressed the congregation: “My son Solomon was singled out and chosen by God to do this. But he’s young and untested and the work is huge—this is not just a place for people to meet each other, but a house for God to meet us. I’ve done my best to get everything together for building this house for my God” (1 Chron. 19:1-2 MSG)

That’s beautiful and powerful – and I bet Solomon was even more confident because of his father’s trust in him. I also love Solomon’s response to Adonijah’s rebellion against his reign – if he proved to be a man of honor, he would live. That’s the Holy Spirit and Solomon’s raising coming out in one of his first decisions as king – be generous, be kind, and desire restoration over revenge.

I’m praying that my children’s raising will come out as a legacy of generosity, kindness and love!  Let’s agree in prayer for each other’s families today.

Today, we are continuing with the temple preparations.  Please read 1 Chronicles 26, 27 and 28.  What stands out to you today?

I love this charge from King David to Israel:

“in this public place, all Israel looking on and God listening in, as God’s people, obey and study every last one of the commandments of your God so that you can make the most of living in the good land and pass it on to your children, insuring a good future” (1 Chron, 28:8 MSG)

This charge can apply to us today as well.  We have a responsibilty to leave a legacy for future generations.  I also love how David shared all these plans and materials with Solomon, setting him up for success – there’s no competition.  His life carved out a path for Solomon, how powerful!

Who is your life carving a path for?

Lots going on this morning!  Let’s read 2 Samuel 24:1-9, 1 Chronicles 21:1-16, 2 Samuel 24:10-17, 1 Chronicles 21:7-17, 2 Samuel 24:18-25, 1 Chronicles 21:18-30, and 1 Chronicles 22.  Continuing on with David – let’s see what happens today.  Leave a comment and let’s have a dialog – what stands out to you today?

See how the MSG translates David’s prayer asking for forgiveness for taking the census:

“But when it was all done, David was overwhelmed with guilt because he had counted the people, replacing trust with statistics. And David prayed to God, ‘I have sinned badly in what I have just done. But now God forgive my guilt’ ” (2 Samuel 24:10 MSG)

Did you see the phrase: “replacing trust with statistics”? We do that too sometimes, don’t we?  Fine line between counting the cost and moving out of faith…. When God asks us to do anything for Him, we can be (we should be) confident that He will also make provision for us.

I also think about the threshing floor often, when David purchases it from Araunah, instead of receiving it as a gift:

“the king said to Araunah, ‘No. I’ve got to buy it from you for a good price; I’m not going to offer God, my God, sacrifices that are no sacrifice.’ ” (2 Samuel 24:24 MSG)

A sacrifice must be a SACRIFICE.  And also: YAY – we are starting building preparations for God’s sanctuary (1 Chronicles 22)! I love this history!  I also love how David invests in his son as well as in the temple, creating a legacy for future generations to worship.  What are you doing to leave a legacy for the next generations?

Big day!