(304) 31 October : Proverbs 17v28 / 2 Samuel 5-6 / Psalm 71v1-5

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.

Wisdom to chew on

Proverbs 17:28

Understanding to grow in

The reason to side with God's king is because the LORD is with him. That's the theme here. Israel give David their allegiance acknowledging it, David is able to establish his fortress (the city of David) as the heart of Jerusalem because of it, and he is able to defeat the Philistines because God fights for him. And it is no withful thinking. When God's holiness strikes Uzzah down it proves the reality of his presence, as does the blessing of Obed-Edom's house whilst the ark is there. This is why David so rejoices. God is with him. And it is a joy we can share too - alhough with an awesome reverence learnt from the Uzziah incident. We come to Jesus because we see that God is with him, and in doing so we find that God is with us for we are "in" his Son. So we are able to stand against the devil's schemes (Eph 6v10-20). Because God is for us, none can be against us, we are more than conquerors, and so we will receive all God has to give (Rom 8v31-39). As you read note how God shows he is with David.
2 Samuel 5-6

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.

Psalm 71:1-5

·       For introductions to the various Bible books click here.

·       To consult Matthew Henry’s concise commentary click here