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.
Wisdom to chew on
Understanding to grow in
The right and natural response to salvation is praise - praise to God, and praise of God to others. This is what connsumes David in seeing all the Lord has done for him. He praises God for keeping his promise to establish David as king. And although David fell hugely, because of his repentance he can acknowledge that God has established him because he feared the Lord and so lived righteously. How much more God's action for Jesus. He was utterly righteous. Obeying his Father even to death, he was therefore delivered in resurrection and given the highest place at which every knee will bow (Phil 2v5-11). But because we are in him, the foreshadowing of Christ in David's prayer is a foreshadowing of our experience too. The Lord is our stronghold against sin and all the forces of evil. Because of sin we were ensnared by death before God parted the heavens and came down in Christ. And because of his righeousness credited to our account, he took hold of us, rescued us, and will bring us to a spacious place free from all threat in the new creation to come. Moreover, in Christ's strength we have victory over our spiritual enemies, overcoming sin and fear, and eventually somehow sharing in the judgment (1 Cor 6v2-3). In short, we have much to warrant praise to God, and praise of God to others. As you read note what God if praised for.
2 Samuel 22:1-23:7
2 Samuel 22:1-23:7
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.