Jesus taught that all scripture testifies about him so that in him we might have life (John 5v39-40). King David taught that it is only by living according to God's word that we're kept on the right path (Psalm 119v9). What then could be better than reading the entire Bible? Click the menu to read about the program, choose a month or Bible book - or just work through the blog posts day by day.
BEGIN WITH PRAYER
"Lord open my eyes and my heart."
Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world.
Understanding to grow in
The Spirit-inspired declaration of 12v18 is key to the whole section. Like those joining David, we align with Christ for God is with him and will establish his rule. We are now “the army of God” (12v22), doing battle with the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. As David's coronation approaches, men from every tribe come over to him. Noteable are those who had remained loyal to Saul until then, and those who “understood the times and knew what Israel should do.” The picture is of the kingdom united: Those from every tribe are “one of mind” in making David king, and so feast with him. Similarly, to understand our times is to transfer our allegiance to Christ. Through faith in him, Israel is again united. Indeed, every nation are invited to feast with him at his heavenly banquet, foreshadowed in the Lord's Supper. Once made king, David shows his uprightness by determining to bring the ark to Jerusalem because under Saul the people had “not enquired of it” – ie. of God by it (see 10v14). The story is as in 2 Samuel 6. Because Uzziah didn’t ensure it was transported as God required (Ex 25v14, 1 Chr 15v13-15, Num 4v15), he was struck down. David’s joy therefore turned to fear, and so he had the ark taken to the house of Obed-Edom. The fact that the LORD then blessed everything Obed-Edom had, proved that as long as his commands and holiness were respected, his presence would still bring blessing. The event warned David, that despite all God had done for him he must still revere God’s commands and holiness. The awesomeness of the LORD with respect to the ark is stressed (13v6). And Ananias and Sapphira make the same point about God's presence in his church (Acts 5). As you read note what is learnt of God.Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.
2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.
Devotion to offer up
You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.