Author: trevongross

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

2 Samuel 4:1-6:23; John 13:31-14:14; Psalm 119:17-32; Proverbs 15:31-32

David defeated the Philistines and was ready to serve as King. He had acquired Jerusalem as his Royal city and it was not going to be complete without the presence of God. David assembles his elite fighting troops but this time it is not to go out to war but to escort the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem.

On the way to Jerusalem, the cart falters and Uzzah touches the Ark (which was a forbidden task). He dies instantly. David becomes fearful and leaves the Ark in the home of a faithful man of God, Obed-edom. For 3 months, Obed-edom’s house was supernaturally blessed because of God’s presence. David knew he needed this blessing in Jerusalem. However, this time, when he went to get to ark, he didn’t bring soldiers, he brought worshippers.

You see there is a time to fight battles but there is also a time to praise God! The journey from Gath to Jerusalem was long because every 6 steps, they performed a sacrifice to God. And, as they approached Jerusalem, David led the people in worship. He worshipped God so passionately, that he danced out of his robe. One of his wives became offended at his public display of extreme worship. But, David did not mind because he knew how much God had blessed him in bringing him from the field as a shepherd to become the King of Israel.

Has God done anything for you? Are you appreciative of how far God has brought you? Do you recognize where you would be if it were not for God? If so, then God deserves your best, unreserved, radical praise. (And, you don’t have to wait until Sunday!) Take some time today and give God a radical praise for all that He has done and has promised to do in your life!

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

2 Samuel 2:12-3:39; John 13:1-30; Psalm 119:1-16; Proverbs 15:29-30

Unforgiveness is a powerful and destructive force. It clouds one’s judgment and causes one to act in vengeful ways. This is what happened to Joab. David’s forces, led by Joab, were in constant battle with Saul’s forces (led by Abner). They met on the field of battle and Joab’s brother, Asahel, was killed by Abner. Joab never released this offense.

Some time later, David forges a truce with Abner so that the Kingdom of Israel can be united. Abner and David meet and they are at peace with one another and moving forward with a plan to reunite Israel. When Joab hears that Abner was with David, every ounce of unforgiveness arose in him and he, without David’s knowledge, tricks Abner into returning to Hebron for a conversation. Joab kills Abner by breaking the truce that David had just made. What was the end result of all this? David curses Joab and his descendants. Was it worth it? Maybe for a minute but not for several generations of poverty, sickness, and untimely death.

If you are holding onto any resentment or unforgiveness, I implore you, “Please let it go.” It will only cause you to derail your own future. Regardless of what they did, hear the words of Jesus, “Put away your sword… Those who use the sword will die by the sword.” Let it not be so for you!

Tomorrow’s Reading: 2 Samuel 4:1-6:23; John 13:31-14:14; Psalm 119:17-32; Proverbs 15:31-32

2 Samuel 1:1-2:11; John 12:20-50; Psalm 118:19-29; Proverbs 15:27-28

Have you ever gone on a journey and you knew you were close to your destination? You were in eager expectation of what you will do once you arrive. But something happens, a detour of some sort, and now your arrival has been delayed. How do you handle times like these?

Saul and Jonathan were dead. There was no human obstacle to stop David from taking his rightful place on the throne. Just as he was ascending to the throne, Abner, Saul’s army commander, proclaims one of Saul’s sons as the king. Hadn’t David been through enough? He endured the assassination attempts of Saul. Now, that it looks like the obstacles are clear, another one pops up.

When you have a promise from God, understand that obstacles will arise. They are meant to break your spirit and keep you from moving forward. There is a real enemy who desires to turn your faith into fear. He wants to intimidate you.  You have to purpose in your heart, whatever God has for you, it is for you. No one can take what’s yours! You hold onto what God said! He will defend you and ensure that you end up exactly where He promised!

Tomorrow’s Reading: 2 Samuel 2:12-3:39; John 13:1-30; Psalm 119:1-16; Proverbs 15:29-30

1 Samuel 29:1-31:13; John 11:55-12:19; Psalm 118:1-18; Proverbs 15:24-26

Have you ever done everything you were supposed to do and things still did not work out properly? I mean: you dotted all your “i”‘s and crossed all your “t”‘s and yet, things did not go as planned?

This is what happened to David! He and his men had lived in peace with the Philistines. They were called out to go and fight. Like the dutiful solider, he rallied his men to go to war. After spending time on the battlefield but never engaging in the battle, David and his men were sent home. When they arrived back at home to Ziklag, all their families and their possessions were taken.

David’s men were very angry because instead of protecting their families, they were fighting someone else’s battles. They turned that anger towards David. David, as you have seen, would inquire of the Lord, when his next steps were uncertain. In the end, God tells David that he will recover everything that was taken (with a bonus).

Have you ever had your Ziklag moment when you did what was right and it looked like you received the short end of the stick? Don’t fret! God is still just and He will not let you lose in any situation. Pursue and you will recover all!

Tomorrow’s Reading: 2 Samuel 1:1-2:11; John 12:20-50; Psalm 118:19-29; Proverbs 15:27-28

1 Samuel 26:1-28:25; John 11:1-54; Psalm 117:1-2; Proverbs 15:22-23

Saul had become desperate to hear the voice of God because God had been silent. There was no prophecy and no direction. He was facing a big opponent in the Philistines and Saul needed to know what to do next. Because He could not get a word from God, he took it upon himself to search for some direction.

He went to a psychic so he could speak to Samuel’s spirit. There is such a fascination with what happens after death in our culture today. It is nothing new. To be sure, there is life after death! There is a real spirit world that lives on beyond the demise of our physical body.

The person that you are is not your body but your spirit. Your spirit is immortal and will live on in eternity. Saul compounded all of his bad decisions by going to a psychic to contact the spirit world. Don’t ever allow spiritualists, tarot card or palm readers, psychics and the like to “read” your future. It is not of the Spirit of God! It opens the door to evil. God has made the Holy Spirit available to you to tell you whatever you need to know about your future (that is one benefit you have that Saul did not have).

God knows your future and is willing to tell you. Ask Him. Wait on Him. He will speak because He loves you! If He hasn’t spoken clearly, then don’t make a move because it is dangerous to go forward without direction from God.

Tomorrow’s Reading: 1 Samuel 29:1-31:13; John 11:55-12:19; Psalm 118:1-18; Proverbs 15:24-26

1 Samuel 24:1-25:44; John 10:22-42; Psalm 116:1-19; Proverbs 15:20-21

Just because you are anointed, you cannot take advantage of others. David was in a privileged position knowing that he was anointed to be king. He could have killed the man who was pursuing his life but he knew better. You see, you cannot take liberties with the favor that God has given you.

Even though David was anointed, so was Saul! David had to respect the anointing on Saul even though David was anointed too. When David drew close to Saul, he cut his robe. As soon as he did it, he was convicted that he had stepped over a line. David repented. He approached Saul and told him that even though he could have taken his life, he respected God too much to do it.

Saul, who had previously desired to kill David, now affirmed that God was with him and had truly given David the throne of Israel. David made a vow to Saul that he would never harm his children when he ascended to the throne.

When you are anointed, you can afford to be gracious. After all, you did not anoint yourself! Your anointing comes from God. Don’t frustrate the anointing by acting in a way that dishonors the calling on your life. Regardless of the pressure or the situation, protect your anointing. It is the pathway to your destiny.

Tomorrow’s Reading: 1 Samuel 26:1-28:25; John 11:1-54; Psalm 117:1-2; Proverbs 15:22-23