Category: Daily Bible Reading

1 Kings 2:1-3:2; Acts 5:1-42; Psalm 125:1-5; Proverbs 16:25

What legacy will you leave? David’s last moments are with his son who succeeded him on the throne of Israel. He gave him some wise advice that we all should heed.

Why is it that it is only when we look at our mortality that we refocus on what is most important? As David faced his end, he wanted to leave a legacy with Solomon. He gives Solomon a simple formula to living a successful life.

Be who God made you to be! David told Solomon to take courage and be a man. Solomon could not fulfill his destiny if he did not become the man whom God made him to be. He had to realize who he was and be true to it. Then David told him to obey God. Listen to what God says and do it.

Such simple wisdom but it is important for all of us. David’s legacy would be lived out through Solomon. David positioned Solomon for success by giving him a roadmap to prosperity. It will work for you too.

Tomorrow’s Reading: 1 Kings 3:3-4:34; Acts 6:1-15; Psalm 126:1-6; Proverbs 16:26-27

1 Kings 1:1-53; Acts 4:1-37; Psalm 124:1-8; Proverbs 16:24

God told David that his family would be in turmoil for the rest of his life. Here he is at the end of his days and another son incites rebellion against him! What did all his sons crave? The one thing that David received because of God’s grace: the Throne.

David never earned the throne. In fact, I suspect he didn’t even want the throne when he was tending the sheep. But, God chose David and made him worthy of that high office. Now, the next generation thinks that they can take by force or fiat what only God could give. This is a plan hatched by satan.

He will always try to get you to ignore God’s grace and get you to earn something from God! As sons of the King, all of David’s son’s would be taken care of. They should have rested in their father’s love and known that they would live a life of royalty even if they never sat on the throne. The same is true for you today. Don’t let the devil lie to you and try to get you to think you have to earn something from God. As a Christian, it’s already yours! Just receive it and live like royalty. The Throne is already taken by Jesus but you are in his royal court! Enjoy the benefits!

Tomorrow’s Reading: 1 Kings 2:1-3:2; Acts 5:1-42; Psalm 125:1-5; Proverbs 16:25

2 Samuel 23:24-24:25; Acts 3:1-26; Psalm 123:1-4; Proverbs 16:21-23

In light of all that God has done for you, how do you demonstrate your gratitude? David was near the end of his life and committed a sin against God by calling for a census of Israel.

God offered David three options for his punishment and none of them were pleasant. It was an exercise in bad choices. David had enough wisdom to choose the option that had no human intervention. We are always better off in God’s hands than human hands.

In order to stop the punishment, God allows David to offer a sacrifice. Because David was the king, he could ask for anything and his subjects would give it to him. However, Araunah offered to give him the animals for the sacrifice and the threshing floor. David would not allow it!

He knew that the offering would mean nothing if it did not cost David anything. David had a heart of gratitude for God’s goodness. As you look at all that God has done for you, gladly and willingly give Him your best as an offering. He will honor it like He did David.

Tomorrow’s Reading: 1 Kings 1:1-53; Acts 4:1-37; Psalm 124:1-8; Proverbs 16:24

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

What’s your song? Every believer ought to have a song to sing about God’s wondrous works. David had quite a song to sing. There is something about praise that helps us in our challenging times.

When things are tight, it may seem easy to complain. But, you should have a song in your heart that is ready to change the atmosphere from negativity. Why should we praise God? Because it reminds us of the source of our strength. Praise is not about any person; it is about God and what He has done! Humans need to be reminded repeatedly to trust in God and not ourselves. Praise repositions our focus on God and away from us.

Praise also defeats the schemes of the enemy. The devil pressures us so that he can get us to say something that will hurt our future. But, when we sing forth praise instead of speaking words of doubt, the devil’s plans are thwarted. Always have a song in your heart!

Tomorrow’s Reading: 2 Samuel 23:24-24:25; Acts 3:1-26; Psalm 123:1-4; Proverbs 16:21-23

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