Author: trevongross

2 Samuel 20:14-21:22; Acts 1:1-26; Psalm 121:1-8; Proverbs 16:18

In the midst of peace, there always seems to be someone who keeps confusion going. David had made grand overtures to show he was willing to begin a period of peace and reconciliation.

They were about to return to Jerusalem and right as they were turning to leave, Sheba incited a revolt against David, which caused the men of Israel to turn away from David. David swiftly responds to Sheba’s revolt. You see, peace is precious and when someone is threatening it, you cannot allow it to go unchecked.

Sheba unleashed rebellion unnecessarily and he paid a dear price for it. Peace is worth fighting for! When you run into attacks against the peace that God has promised, be like David and stand up to it. Don’t allow anything to take away what God has given you! This peace that you have, the world didn’t give it and the world can’t take it away!

Tomorrow’s Reading: 2 Samuel 22:1-23:23; Acts 2:1-47; Psalm 122:1-9; Proverbs 16:19-20

2 Samuel 19:11-20:13; John 21:1-25; Psalm 120:1-7; Proverbs 16:16-17

David is an excellent example of how you handle victory! Many people will say, “You just wait until I get through this, I will show them.” Or, “Once I make it to the top, I’m going to get even with all those who mistreated me.” However, thoughts like this and statements like this disqualify us for God to intervene in our lives.

Even though David was betrayed by people he trusted when the dust settled, David was not trying to get even with people. He wanted to find ways to reconcile with people. His counselors and advisors wanted swift retribution against all his enemies. In fact, it was the prevailing mindset that those who hurt the king would be hurt. But, David establishes a new paradigm. This is why David was considered a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:14).

How about you? Can you commit in your heart now, that when all your prayers are answered and you stand victorious through your challenges, will you be a source of blessing or retaliation? Will you be gracious even to those who hurt you? After all, it’s the blessing of the Lord that makes us rich and He adds no sorrow. You being in a place of blessing should add blessings to people too!

Tomorrow’s Reading: 2 Samuel 20:14-21:22; Acts 1:1-26; Psalm 121:1-8; Proverbs 16:18

2 Samuel 18:1-19:10; John 20:1-31; Psalm 119:153-176; Proverbs 16:14-15

If you sowed it, you will reap it. Absalom learned this painful lesson. He took every kind gesture of his father and turned it against him. He took advantage of the people around him and abused their trust. He lied, connived and misled people. Why? Because he was seeking power and fame.

Absalom had long flowing hair and people praised him for his appearance. He became very prideful and thought he could unseat God’s choice for King. Proverbs 16:18 warns us, “Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.” A prideful person can only go in one direction: Down!

Absalom sowed evil and he received evil in return. It ultimately cost him his life. When we know better, we have to do better. Here is another caution that we learn from Proverbs 17:13, “If you repay good with evil, evil will never leave your house.” When someone has been good to you, don’t ever return it with evil because it gives the devil the open door to attack you. The solution is still the same: Repent! God can cancel the negative harvest.

Tomorrow’s Reading: 2 Samuel 19:11-20:13; John 21:1-25; Psalm 120:1-7; Proverbs 16:16-17

2 Samuel 17:1-29; John 19:23-42; Psalm 119:129-152; Proverbs 16:12-13

If you did not sow it, you will not reap it! This is a profound truth by which you should live your life. David had taken great pains to ensure that he never disrespected Saul as King. He preserved the King’s dignity even when King Saul was trying to kill him.

Now, David was faced with his own son who sought to kill him and take the throne. If you are not aware of this simple spiritual law, you would be concerned for David. However, God is clear: “Don’t be misled– you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.” (Galatians 6:7)

You may be facing a situation where it looks unfair and you are reaping something that you did not sow. It is impossible! If you never sowed it, then it cannot happen to you. And, if you are experiencing something contrary to what you have sowed, then know it’s not over. This is God’s justice! If you have sowed things for which you are not proud and do not want to reap, repent to God (and apologize to others if necessary) and cancel out that harvest and begin to sow the seeds you want to reap. It is a law that cannot be broken!

Tomorrow’s Reading: 2 Samuel 18:1-19:10; John 20:1-31; Psalm 119:153-176; Proverbs 16:14-15

2 Samuel 15:23-16:23; John 18:25-19:22; Psalm 119:113-128; Proverbs 16:10-11

Wisdom is essential when you are going through a challenging time. David’s very future was at stake and his own son was threatening everything. As David fled from Jerusalem, he needed wisdom to order his steps. David was a trained soldier and he knew how to approach a situation from a non-emotional perspective.

Even though David was emotionally hurt about his son’s betrayal, he did not let it override his ability to think strategically about the future. He sent the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem with a priest that was faithful to him. He also sent one of his key advisors back so that he would have an “inside man” to inform him of Absalom’s moves.

Absalom had might and manipulation but David had God and His wisdom. And as you can obviously conclude, wisdom from God will always win the day! No matter what circumstance you may face as a person, leader, manager, parent, or professional, know that God has the right wisdom for your situation and it will always lead to you finishing on top. Be like David and seek for God’s wisdom on your situation. It will always work!

Tomorrow’s Reading: 2 Samuel 17:1-29; John 19:23-42; Psalm 119:129-152; Proverbs 16:12-13

2 Samuel 14:1-15:22; John 18:1-24; Psalm 119:97-112; Proverbs 16:8-9

David and Absalom were separated because of his murderous act. Joab, the leader of David’s armies concocts a plan to convince David to bring Absalom back. Now, the end result is that David brings Absalom back but his heart had not changed. However, the principle of reconciliation is still true.

God does not give up on people! We shouldn’t either. “But God does not just sweep life away; instead, he devises ways to bring us back when we have been separated from him” (2 Samuel 14:14).

Aren’t you glad God never gave up on you? When we were in our sin, God devised a way for us to come back. God does not compromise on this way back. The only way to come back to Him is through Jesus. No other way will work. The same should be true for us. When a relationship has been broken, give people a chance to fix the relationship by putting in place a reconciliation plan. If they live by it, then they can come back. But, if they refuse to follow the plan, then they are not ready and you should keep praying for them. Always give people a way back.

David should have seen that Absalom wanted to come back but his heart had not changed. He ended up taking over David’s kingdom. Use wisdom in how you bring people back into your life to ensure that real change has taken place.

Tomorrow’s Reading: 2 Samuel 15:23-16:23; John 18:25-19:22; Psalm 119:113-128; Proverbs 16:10-11

2 Samuel 13:1-39; John 17:1-26; Psalm 119:81-96; Proverbs 16:6-7

There is a spirit behind all sin. Once sin is committed, it releases that spirit in our lives. You can see this in David’s life and family. His blatant sin with Bathsheba and his murder of Uriah, unleashed sin in his family.

David’s first-born son commits a disgraceful act against his own sister. In retaliation, Absalom plots to kills Amnon for his attack against his sister. All the brothers kill Amnon. So much blood shed in one family. Why? Because of the sins of David. (God said this would happen.) You may have heard of generational curses. But, as believers, blood-bought children of God, we cannot live under a curse. However, the tendency to a specific type of sin exists.

You see it played out in David’s family and even more happens. Be on guard in your own life for temptations in specific areas of sin. You don’t have to give in to them because Jesus paid the price for you to be free. “So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.” (John 8:36)

Tomorrow’s Reading: 2 Samuel 14:1-15:22; John 18:1-24; Psalm 119:97-112; Proverbs 16:8-9

 

2 Samuel 12:1-31; John 16:1-33; Psalm 119:65-80; Proverbs 16:4-5

Sin is very costly! David betrayed God’s commands when he slept with Bathsheba and killed Uriah. We know that it cost David a lot. The real cost of David’s sin will never be known. Here is what God said, “…And if that had not been enough, I would have given you much, much more” (2 Samuel 12:8).

There was so much more that God had in store for David but he would never know it because of his sinful actions. He endured great pain as a result of his affair with Bathsheba but it cost him so much more than he would ever know. Sin is costly.

Even though we are forgiven and we are recipients of God’s grace, our continued sin blocks the fullness of God’s blessings in our lives. Don’t throw away the “much, much more” that God has promised you. Learn from David’s mistake and stay away from sin. You can’t afford the consequences!

Tomorrow’s Reading: 2 Samuel 13:1-39; John 17:1-26; Psalm 119:81-96; Proverbs 16:6-7

2 Samuel 9:1-11:27; John 15:1-27; Psalm 119:49-64; Proverbs 16:1-3

Cover up plans just don’t work! David was on a powerful path to be a great king. He was enjoying the spoils of victory and he was presented with a temptation that he refused to reject. As a result, he broke God’s commands. Instead of repenting and asking God to forgive him, he enacts a cover up plan in the hopes that his sin would not be found out.

In order to hide the sin of adultery, he commits murder! David goes from bad to worse. He, now, has blood on his hands and his military commander knows it. The freedom that David once felt was no longer present because now he had a dirty, little secret that someone else knew. What’s worse is that God saw all of it unfolding and He was hoping David would repent.

The Bible tells us that “He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy” (Proverbs 28:23). Mercy is only granted to those who confess. Are you missing out on the mercies of God because you have trusted your cover up plan more than God’s mercy? Go to God today and repent of any unconfessed sin. Even ask the Holy Spirit to show you areas of unrepented sin. Confess it, renounce it and repent, then move forward with a clean conscience.

Tomorrow’s Reading: 2 Samuel 12:1-31; John 16:1-33; Psalm 119:65-80; Proverbs 16:4-5

2 Samuel 7:1-8:18; John 14:15-31; Psalm 119:33-48; Proverbs 15:33

God has always desired to live among his people. As the people traveled, so did God. His dwelling was in the Tabernacle (tent). Now that Israel was no longer nomadic, and had settled into their home, David felt that God deserved a permanent home.

He tells the Prophet Nathan about his plan to build a house for God. But, God tells David, that his role is not to build the temple but his son will. You see, the temple that God would dwell in was not His ultimate goal. God knew that His master plan included a living temple. David’s son Solomon would have the privilege of building a physical temple. But, Jesus, a descendant of David would provide a better temple.

God knew the day was coming when He would no longer be separated from humanity because of our sin. When Jesus came and paid the price for sin, God could take up residence in our hearts! Thank God today that He dwells within you which is His cherished residence!

Tomorrow’s Reading: 2 Samuel 9:1-11:27; John 15:1-27; Psalm 119:49-64; Proverbs 16:1-3