Why it Matters - Suffering

Readings for today: Psalms 108-109

Suffering is a universal human experience. I have sat with couples suffering over the loss of a child. Spouses suffering over the loss of the one they love. Families suffering from all kinds of abuse and dysfunction. People suffering from cancer or some other terminal disease. I have traveled the world and seen the suffering of drought and famine and disease and war firsthand. I have seen the devasting impact of drugs like khat on an entire population of people. I have listened to the stories of those who have been raped and beaten. I have prayed over those broken by the violence of this world. It’s heartbreaking and overwhelming and it’s easy to feel so helpless and hopeless in the face of it all.

King David was familiar with suffering. Anyone who can write these words knows suffering intimately. “For I am oppressed and needy, my heart beats violently within me. I am fading away like a shadow at the end of the day; I am shaken off like a locust. I am so starved my knees shake; I have turned into skin and bones. I am disdained by them. When they see me, they shake their heads.” (Psalms 109:22-25 NET) David has experienced a lot of suffering over the course of his life. Despite being called a “man after God’s own heart”, his life was not always up and to the right. He didn’t jump from spiritual mountaintop to spiritual mountaintop. Quite the opposite. He suffered early in his reign. He suffered in the middle of his reign. And here he is at the end of his reign…suffering. He lived on the run when he first was anointed. Fleeing the wrath of Saul. He was betrayed by one of his own sons who launched a rebellion to try to take the kingdom from him. His own sinful pride and lust for power cost him dearly on more than one occasion. David suffers from external forces outside his control and he suffers from internal forces - also outside his control - that exist inside his own heart.

Does any of this sound or feel familiar? It should. This is the story of our lives as well. We are all subject to the principalities and powers of this world. Political forces that pass laws and public policy that impact us on a daily basis. Cultural and social forces that push against all forms of godliness. Economic forces that rise and fall according to the whims of the free market. Global forces that affect supply chains and deny us access to some of the basic staples of life. Not only that, we all suffer from a sinful human nature. The passions and desires that fill our hearts are naturally oriented away from God. It’s why we seem so susceptible to violence, deceit, greed, and selfishness. We are a broken people in desperate need of grace.

David agrees. “Help me, O Lord my God! Because you re faithful to me, deliver me!…I will thank the Lord profusely, in the middle of the crowd I will praise Him, because He stands at the right hand of the needy, to deliver Him from those who threaten his life.” (Psalms 109:26, 30-31 NET) May we look to God in the midst of our suffering and trust Him to stand at our right hand in our hour of need.

Readings for tomorrow: 1 Chronicles 23-26

Why it Matters - Numbers

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 24, 1 Chronicles 21-22, Psalms 30

I am blessed to lead a growing church. We are filling up our worship space on Sunday mornings. Our kids programming is bursting at the seems. Our student ministry is growing. Our ten year trends are up significantly. Our people are incredibly generous. We are engaged in all kinds of Kingdom work locally and globally. We also live in a community that is growing. We are getting younger as more families move into our area. We are getting more affluent as people build successful businesses and careers. We are getting more diverse ethnically and culturally. It’s amazing to be part of. But it’s also tempting. It’s tempting to place our hope in numbers. It’s tempting to place our confidence in our growth curve. It’s tempting to assume our trend lines will always be up and to the right. That’s why it’s good for me to remember the sin of David’s census.

David was tempted by Satan to measure his own strength. This is why he called for a census of the military men in his kingdom. He foolishly believed his power depended on the numbers he could call on. This is what happens when we forget the Lord. When we start to become complacent. When we lose sight of all God has done for us and try to preserve our own position and power. David’s kingship is coming apart on him. He’s allowing his anxiety and fears to get the best of him. The civil war with his son. The rebellion of men like Sheba. His rape of Bathsheba and his murder of Uriah. I imagine these things haunted David so he does what many of us do when we give into fear. He looks for comfort. He looks for control. So he counts the number of men under his command with the hope it will help him feel more secure. Tragically, it has the opposite effect. A plague strikes, killing thousands. The lesson is clear. David is not in control. David has no power except that which God grants him. David’s only comfort must come from the Lord.

How do you respond when you feel under pressure? When you feel stress? Anxiety? Fear? Do you look to your own strength or do you look to Christ? Do you trust in your own ability to power through or do you humble yourself before God? Do you turn to temporary things to help you feel in control or do you keep your eyes fixed on what is eternal and unchanging? Times of testing reveal where our hope truly lies. Does it lie with the Lord?

Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 108-109

Why it Matters - Justice

Readings for today: Psalms 97-99

My mother places a high value on being fair. Growing up, she made sure every one of her three boys was treated the same. None of us got anything we didn’t earn. If she gave one of us ten dollars, we all got ten dollars. If she assigned one of us a chore, we all got chores. If one of us got involved in an activity, we all got a chance to pick an activity. She did her best to make sure we all got equal opportunity. What we did with that opportunity was up to us. I am not sure where mom’s passion for justice came from but it didn’t end in our home. She was a teacher and did her best to make sure every one of her students got treated the same. She is heavily involved in her church and supports ministries that are particularly focused on the less fortunate. She wants to do all she can to level the playing field. This is a passion she passed on to me. I too feel a strong call to justice and much of the work I do in Parker and around the world is focused on increasing accessibility and opportunity for those who otherwise wouldn’t have it.

The Psalmist extols justice as one of the main attributes of God’s eternal character. “Equity and justice are the foundation of his throne…the sky declares his justice and all the nations see his splendor…Zion hears and rejoices, the towns of Judah are happy, because of your judgments, O Lord…the godly bask in the light; the morally upright experience joy.” (Psalms 97:2b, 6, 8, 11 NET) The success of human society depends on justice. Without justice, there can be no peace. Without justice, there can be no blessing. Without justice, nations fall into ruin. We’ve seen it time and again throughout history and it’s one of the main reasons we find ourselves once again at the brink in the United States. Truth has been exchanged for a lie. Light exchanged for darkness. Good is now evil and evil good. The embrace of hatred, outrage, and deceit as acceptable means to achieve power in our society is literally killing us. We’re watching a culture commit suicide in slow motion.

So what’s a believer in Christ to do? First, we pray. We intercede daily for our nation and our state and our community and our leaders at every level. We ask the Holy Spirit to humble our leaders and bring them to repentance so they might confess their sins and turn to Christ. Second, we check our own hearts. We relinquish any desire for political gain ourselves. We let go of our own need for influence and control. We confess our pride and greed and selfishness. We humble ourselves and repent of our sin and turn to Christ. Third, we advocate. We get involved. We engage our world using godly means. We refuse to act in underhanded or deceitful ways. We refuse to be motivated by anger or hate. We refuse to demonize or blame any particular group of people. We fight for the truth. The whole truth and nothing but the truth so help us God. Most of all, we must be motivated by love. Love of God. Love of neighbor. Love of enemy. Love of self. In that order. This is the only way to bring healing to our world.

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Samuel 24, 1 Chronicles 21-22, Psalms 30

Why it Matters - Salvation

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 22-23, Psalms 57

Salvation is real. It’s based on real events within human history. It’s an accurate record of God’s miraculous intervention on behalf of His chosen people which is why it retains such a hold on our imaginations. When I was in seminary, I remember debating fellow students and even some of my professors over the nature of salvation. They believed the events of the Bible to be largely mythological. They believed salvation to be a spiritual metaphor describing the basic human longing for freedom or liberation. They couldn’t conceive of a God who would act within history. They rejected the historicity of events like the Exodus or people like David or even the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. They began with the a priori philosophical assumption that miracles were impossible and therefore the Bible must be wrong or using hyperbole when it describes them. Everything must have a naturalistic or humanistic or scientific explanation. The problem with this approach is it doesn’t adequately explain why events like the Exodus remain so influential over the centuries.

In today’s reading, David composes a song of thanksgiving. It’s a song commemorating his victories over all his enemies. David is finally at peace. He has won all his wars. He has secured his line of succession. He has united the nation of Israel under his rule. And he rightfully gives God all the glory. As he writes his poetry, he draws on the image of the Exodus to describe all God has done. “The Lord thundered from the sky; the sovereign One shouted loudly. He shot arrows and scattered them, lightning and routed them. The depths of the sea were exposed; the inner regions of the world were uncovered by the Lord’s battle cry, by the powerful breath from his nose.” (2 Samuel‬ ‭22‬:‭14‬-‭16‬ ‭NET‬‬) He goes on to talk about God lifting him out of the deep waters to bring him to a safe place. He talks about God’s deliverance from all his enemies and how God gave him victory after victory everywhere he went. Clearly, David has in mind specific battles in specific places against specific people. These are not abstract ideas. David isn’t just talking about spiritual metaphors. He is talking about salvation in the literal sense. A real God acting on behalf of His people within real time and space. And David relates his own experiences to the experiences of God’s people throughout their history.

The question I often posed to my fellow students and professors when we would debate is how we could honestly talk about God as “Savior” if He never actually saved anyone? Why would we call Him names like “Deliverer”, “Rescuer”, “Liberator”, etc. if He wasn’t actually engaged in the business of deliverance, rescue, and liberation? It’s baffling to me that people would worship a god who never actually does anything. I am honestly stumped why anyone would seek to follow such a god? Why would we believe or trust anything this supposed god actually said? How is this not just wishful thinking? How is this not just blind hope? No, I worship a God who saves. I worship a God who delivers. I worship a God who parted the Red Sea, saved David from all his enemies, and raised Jesus Christ from the dead. I worship a God who still intervenes miraculously to save His people even today.

Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays

Why it Matters - Role Models

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 19-21, Psalms 5, 38, 42

There are some who look to David as a great role model for faith. They extol his virtues. They lift up the fact that he has a heart after God. He refuses to strike down the Lord’s anointed. He is humble. He is charismatic. He is a leader for God’s people. He is a song-writer. He is a poet. He is a warrior. Without a doubt, David is a gifted man. However, David is also a deeply flawed man. In many ways, he is a product of his culture just like we are products of our cultures. David is a classic ancient near east warlord. He uses violence to accomplish his goals. He is more than willing to sacrifice others in pursuit of his ends. He often takes matters into his own hands rather than listen to God. And he frequently refuses to accept responsibility for his actions. For example, he weeps over Absalom. While his grief is understandable, he never owns the fact that it was his actions - or inactions as it were - that led Israel to civil war. He refuses to hold Joab responsible for murdering one man after another. And when it comes to the matter of the Gibeonites, he seeks the Lord to find out the reason for the famine in the land but doesn’t ask God how he should resolve it. Instead, he takes matters into his own hands and sacrifices seven men to atone for Saul’s crimes. It’s a classic pagan, ancient near east move.

Thankfully, God has provided a greater David to serve as our example. He has provided the perfect Man to follow and pattern our life after. While we can learn from the saints of the Bible, the only role model we should seek is Jesus. He reveals the perfect will of God for our lives. He shows us the perfect way to live. He never leads us astray. He is full of the grace and truth. He is the light and life of the world. Every single saint in the Old Testament longed for the day when Messiah would appear. Every single Christian in the New Testament looked to Christ not only as their Savior but as their Lord as well. He was the one they were to be like. Him and no other. Sadly, I see far too many ministries and far too many books and far too many conference speakers lifting up the flawed human beings of the Old and New Testaments as role models for the faith. Far too often, they use their sinful actions to justify their current social and political and personal beliefs. And, again, while I can appreciate their strengths as well as their weaknesses, the only person I am going to model my life after is the Person of Jesus. What about you?

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Samuel 22-23, Psalms 57

Why it Matters - Reflection

Readings for today: Psalms 26, 40, 41, 58, 61, 62, 64

My oldest friend lost his mom recently. He reached out to me to see if I was available to officiate her funeral. As you might imagine, we started talking and reminiscing and it brought back a lot of memories. I’ve known this friend since fourth grade. He has seen me in the best of times and worst of times. He knows the challenges my family faced as I was growing up. My father’s addiction. Our financial struggles. The times we were on the verge of homelessness. He also knows the journey I’ve been on since I got married and started having my own kids. The ups and downs of ministry. The experiences of success and failure along the way. The years we labored in obscurity, on government assistance, trying to make ends meet. It hasn’t been easy. There have been times when I wondered if we would make it through. But my friend encouraged me to look at where the Lord has brought me. Look at the fruit of the ministry I get to be part of. Look at the close relationships I have with my wife and children and family. Look at all I’ve been able to accomplish as the Lord provided opportunity after opportunity. His perspective was such a blessing to me.

This is what I love most about David. He reflects back on his life. He sees the successes and failures. He sees the good times and bad. He’s honest about his sin and mistakes. And yet, he marvels over all God has done for him. “O Lord, my God, you have accomplished many things; you have done amazing things and carried out your purposes for us. No one can thwart you! I want to declare them and talk about them, but they are too numerous to recount!” (Psalms 40:5 NET) Godly perspective is important in life. It keeps us from falling into despair. It keeps us from being trapped in an endless cycle of negativity. It’s so important for us to take the time and make the time to sit and prayerfully reflect and recount all the many things God has done for us. From the small graces to the amazing miracles. God is always at work. His hand is always on us. His presence is always with us.

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Samuel 19-21, Psalms 5, 38, 42

Why it Matters - Regret

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 16-18

I have many regrets in my life. I have regrets over how I squandered the success my parents helped me achieve when I was growing up. I literally drank myself out of college after two years. Thankfully, the Lord saved me, set my feet on a new path, and I was able to finish college. I have regrets over my failure to love and serve my wife in the early years of our marriage. Thankfully, she stuck with me and we were able to work through things to get to a much better place. I have regrets over how I raised my children. I had an anger issue as a dad and I know it created a lot of pain and hurt along the way. Praise the Lord for godly counselors, the grace of God, the forgiveness of my kids, and the closeness of our relationships today. I have regrets from the last thirty years of my ministry career. The many ways I failed to love and serve those in need. The many ways I let my pride and ego get in the way. The many ways I lost sight of God’s heart and God’s mission. Thankfully, God’s steadfast love and faithfulness never failed and He continues to allow me to serve as a leader for His people.

I imagine David must have felt much the same way. Especially when he got the news about his beloved son, Absalom. I imagine he thought back over his many mistakes. His many failures. His many regrets. No wonder he cried out in agony and grief. “My son, Absalom! My son, my son, Absalom! If only I could have died in your place! Absalom, my son, my son!” (2 Samuel 18:33 NET) David understood it was his decisions that paved the way to this tragic event. It was his actions that led to Israel being divided and at war. He was culpable. He was responsible. And the weight of it all was crushing to him.

Regret is a burden that grows heavier by the year. Left unresolved, it piles up on a person. Left unaddressed, it can be soul-crushing. It’s one of the reasons I am such a big believer in keeping short accounts. As soon as I know I have sinned or failed or made a mistake, I try to acknowledge it. I confess it immediately. I ask for forgiveness and seek to reconcile with those who may be impacted. Most of all, I seek to change my ways so I don’t have to live with any regrets. I open my heart to the Holy Spirit for His sanctifying work in me. I surrender to His will and His way so I might become more like Jesus who came to serve and not be served. The more I serve. The more I give. The more I love. The more God frees me from any regret.

Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 26, 40, 41, 58, 61, 62, 64

Why it Matters - True Courage

Readings for today: Psalms 3, 4, 13, 28, 55

It’s hard for me to imagine how David must have felt. Running for his life from his own son. Knowing his son not only wanted to depose him but wanted to kill him. I can’t fathom such a scenario. Not only that but David had to know he bore some measure of responsibility for what had taken place. He refused to bring Amnon to justice. He refused to reconcile with Absalom when he lived in the city. His decisions helped create the very conditions under which a rebellion could rise up. I also wonder what kind of impact David’s crime with Bathsheba had on both his boys. What did they learn from his example? Did David ever sit down with them and share his pain and heartbreak over his sin? We will never know but it’s worth thinking about.

It’s also worth noting where David goes when he feels afraid. He goes to the Lord. He cries out to God. He rehearses what he knows about God over and over again. “But you, Lord, are a shield that protects me; you are my glory and the one who restores me. To the Lord I cried out, and he answered me from his holy hill. I rested and slept; I awoke, for the Lord protects me. I am not afraid of the multitude of people who attack me from all directions…The Lord delivers; you show favor to your people.” (Psalms‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬-‭6‬, ‭8‬ ‭NET‬‬) I don’t think this means David is any less afraid. True courage is not the absence of fear. In fact, true courage is walking by faith even in the midst of your fear. True courage is keeping your eyes fixed on God even in the middle of the chaos of our world and David’s world is incredibly chaotic at this point in his life.

We met recently with some friends. We talked with them about a recent period of their lives where they were out of work and things got hard financially. It wasn’t easy for them. They experienced all kinds of anxiety and fear. But they kept walking by faith. They kept looking to the Lord. They found the courage to keep moving forward despite their feelings. And as they leaned on the Lord, their faith deepened. It was a powerful testimony. What about you? How are you looking to the Lord in your own life? Let the Psalms lift your eyes and heart to the Lord.

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Samuel 16-18

Why it Matters - Justice

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 13-15

Injustice is a curse upon any land. It destroys relationships between individuals. Tears apart families and clans. It shatters the peace and stability of a nation. I think of the places I have been where there is no justice. National governments are corrupt, enriching themselves off of foreign aid while their own people starve. Villages are at the mercy of roving gangs who routinely raid in order to kill, steal, and destroy. There are no police. At least any that a person would trust. There are no laws. At least any that are consistently and fairly enforced. There is no hope. Only perpetual cycles of helplessness. It’s heartbreaking to witness.

We see the devastating impact of injustice in our reading for today. In the ancient kingdom of Israel, justice was one of the primary responsibilities of the king. Sadly, David’s rape of Bathsheba and murder of her husband, Uriah, leads to a series of similar crimes within his own family. Amnon rapes his half-sister Tamar. Rather than marry her, her casts her out of his home, dooming her to a life full of shame as a “ruined” woman. Rather than execute justice and punish Amnon, David seems to let it go. This leads to Absalom taking matters into his own hands. He kills Amnon in an act of vigilante violence and then flees the king’s justice himself. After three years, Absalom is allowed to return but David refuses to see him. Two more years pass. Finally, David relents to restore Absalom but it is clear there is distance between them. Absalom takes advantage of his restoration by acting in the king’s stead and offering justice to the people of Israel. As a result, their hearts turn towards him, leading to a civil war. It’s a heartbreaking cycle that only comes to an end when Absalom is killed.

Consider the cost of David’s unwillingness to promote justice in his family and in his kingdom. He loses two sons. His daughter suffers the trauma and shame of rape. His household is divided. He is betrayed by some of those closest to him. His own son rises up against him to try to steal his throne. Many of his people will die in the battles that follow. The seeds are sown for the future, more permanent, division of the kingdom of Israel. This is why we must not only pray for justice in our own country but do all we can to promote justice as well. We must hold our leaders accountable when they act selfishly and engage in corruption. We must not look away from oppression but instead rise up to fight back. Most of all, we must make sure to act justly and love mercy and walk humbly with our God in our own lives so our families and our communities will be blessed.

Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 3, 4, 13, 28, 55

Why it Matters - Rock Bottom

Readings for today: Psalms 32, 86, 102, 103, 122

I hate addiction. I hate what it does to those I love. I hate how it impacts those I serve. I have had to battle addiction in my own life and family. As a pastor, I’ve come alongside countless people struggling with addiction or struggling with someone they love who’s enslaved by addiction. I think of a young man I met years ago who struggled with substance abuse. He was unable to hold a job. Unable to find a consistent place to live. He would manipulate and threaten his mother until she gave him money to support his habit. As a result he grew isolated from the rest of his family. He lost all his friends. His only consolation was his drug. It was heartbreaking. It reminded me of what David says today in Psalms 32. “When I refused to confess my sin, my whole body wasted away, while I groaned in pain all day long. For day and night you tormented me; you tried to destroy me in the intense heat of summer.” This young man’s unwillingness to seek help and submit to a treatment program cost him everything he held dear.

My heart breaks for that young man and for the so many others I know just like him. As human beings, we somehow convince ourselves it is easier to hold onto our sin than to confess, repent, and give it up to the Lord. And the harder we hold onto sin, the more it impacts our lives. Our physical bodies. Our mental health. Our emotional well-being. Our relationships. Our stability in life. Our future hopes and dreams. But if we confess our sins, if we no longer spend so much energy attempting to hide our wrongdoing, we find forgiveness. We find freedom. We find health and wholeness. We find reconciliation and restoration.

One of my favorite passages from the Psalms comes from Psalms 32:7, “You are my hiding place; you protect me from distress. You surround me with shouts of joy from those celebrating deliverance.” The reality is God wants to be our help and our hope in time of trouble. God wants to be our refuge from all fear and anxiety. God wants to protect us from our distress but that can only happen if we trust Him. If we submit to Him. If we surrender to Him and let Him direct our steps in life. Those who continue to walk in sin will suffer a great deal of pain but the Lord’s faithfulness overwhelms those who trust in Him. Place your trust in Him today!

Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays

Why it Matters - Repentance

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 11-12, 1 Chronicles 20, Psalms 51

Repentance is a consistent theme throughout the Bible. It is the key to maintaining a right relationship with God. God isn’t interested in religion. He isn’t interested in us performing a bunch of rituals if our hearts are not in it. He doesn’t want us going through the motions. As David sings after being confronted by the prophet Nathan, “The sacrifices God desires are a humble spirit – O God, a humble and repentant heart you will not reject.” (Psalms‬ ‭51‬:‭17‬ ‭NET‬‬)

Over the years, I’ve made a lot of promises to God. Promises to be faithful. Promises to obey Him. Promises to make great sacrifices to honor Him. Sometimes I deliver on those promises, sometimes I do not. Sometimes I am faithful, sometimes I am not. Sometimes I do make great sacrifices but not always for God. I am a sinner. I am saved by grace alone through faith alone by Christ alone. And the Holy Spirit has to continually remind me that the sacrifices God desires must from me are not outward expressions of piety so much as inward humility of the heart. God wants me to live my life in a constant state of repentance. Not to make me miserable but to set me free. Not to take all the joy and fun out of life but to help me learn what it means to walk by faith and not by sight and depend on God alone.

David learned this lesson the hard way. Rather than fulfilling his duty to lead his armies in battle, he stayed home. Rather than remain faithful, he committed adultery. Rather than confess his sin, he murdered one of his mighty men and closest followers. It’s a brutal cycle. One that is tragically all too common. But God will not be mocked. He sees what David attempts to cover up and He sends Nathan to confront him. David repents but his choices still result in significant consequences. The death of a child. The disruption of a kingdom. Eventual civil war.

To whom much is given, much is expected. The more power and position and influence and authority a person is given, the more their choices impact those around them. David was a king so his choices impact a nation. The same holds true for our national, state, and local leaders today. I am a pastor so my choices impact the church I serve. I am a husband and a father and my choices impact my wife and children. What choices are you making? What impact are they having? What sacrifices are you offering to the Lord?

Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 32, 86, 102, 103, 122

Why it Matters - Provision

Readings for today: Psalms 65, 66, 67, 69, 70

I have seen plenty and I have seen want in my life. I’ve had seasons where my bank account was full and times where it was empty. I’ve had years where I made plenty of money and was able to provide abundantly for my family and years where I’ve needed public assistance to feed them. I’ve seen both ends of the economic spectrum. I’ve moved up and down the levels of our economic system. Here’s what I’ve discovered to be true…God provides. He provides what we need in the time we need it. Maybe not more than we need but never less than what we need. Maybe not what we want or desire but enough for us to make it through another day. If we are humble and if we submit to Him and if we are willing to accept His help and the help of the people or programs He brings into our lives and if we consider all our options, God is faithful.

Ancient Israel was an agrarian society. As such, they depended on the harvests each year to provide them with food. They worked hard. They were faithful to till the ground. Plant the fields. Do what they could to tear up the weeds or chase away the animals who might steal their crops. But as any farmer knows, there’s only so much one can do. Ultimately, there are so many things outside our control. The sun. The rain. The health of the soil. These things can only come from God. This is why David sings Psalm 65. It’s a song celebrating the bountiful harvest. It’s a song of praise to God the provider. It’s a song declaring the goodness of God the creator.

“You answer our prayers by performing awesome acts of deliverance, O God, our savior. All the ends of the earth trust in you, as well as those living across the wide seas. You created the mountains by your power, and demonstrated your strength. You calm the raging seas and their roaring waves, as well as the commotion made by the nations. Even those living in the most remote areas are awestruck by your acts; you cause those living in the east and west to praise you.” (Psalms‬ ‭65‬:‭5‬-‭8‬ ‭NET‬‬)

“You visit the earth and give it rain; you make it rich and fertile with overflowing streams full of water. You provide grain for them, for you prepare the earth to yield its crops. You saturate its furrows, and soak its plowed ground. With rain showers you soften its soil, and make its crops grow. You crown the year with your good blessings, and you leave abundance in your wake. The pastures in the wilderness glisten with moisture, and the hills are clothed with joy. The meadows are clothed with sheep, and the valleys are covered with grain. They shout joyfully, yes, they sing.” (Psalms‬ ‭65‬:‭9‬-‭13‬ ‭NET‬‬)

“You visit the earth and give it rain…” I love that line. Perhaps because my family has been in farming for generations, I know the importance of abundant water. In fact, my mom just replaced a well on our land up in Nebraska because the old well failed and the crops can’t survive without the water it provides. I also know the importance of Living Water. The kind of water Jesus talks about to the woman at the well in John 4. I’ve experienced it in my own life. No matter how much I’ve struggled or how far I’ve fallen or how little I may have, God always provides. His river is always flowing, providing what I need. Sometimes it feels like a trickle but it gets me through. Sometimes it feels like a torrent and I am overwhelmed by its abundance. Most of the time, I find it to be a slow, meandering stream constantly refreshing my soul.

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Samuel 11-12, 1 Chronicles 20, Psalms 51

Why it Matters - Suspicion

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 10, 1 Chronicles 19, Psalms 20, 53, 60, 75

Human beings tend to be naturally suspicious. Especially those who have been hurt before. It is hard to earn trust and when it is lost, it is almost impossible to regain. There is an old Nigerian proverb that says, “Any animal that escapes from a trap will be suspicious of every bent stick.” This rings true to me especially in our culture today. The rise of social media has led to an exponential increase in bullying and abusive behavior. The hurt and pain so many suffer online bleeds over into everyday relationships. It creates a posture where we assume the worst rather than the best of each other. We question each other’s motives and/or character rather than offer trust. We are quick to pounce on mistakes rather than extend grace. The result is a toxic emotional system which perpetuates pain and suffering on a local, national, even global scale.

There is nothing new under the sun. In our reading for today, King David reaches out to King Hanun of the Ammonites to offer his condolences after his father dies. Sadly, Hanun is deeply insecure and perceives a threat where there is none. In an effort of self-protection, he shames David’s messengers and sends them back home. This represents a significant act of aggression in the Ancient Near East so David goes to war. He defeats the Ammonites in a major battle that costs the lives of thousands of soldiers. All because one man reacted with suspicion to a compassionate gesture.

In one of my favorite all time passages, the Apostle Paul writes, “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” (1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭NET‬‬) Those who are in Christ are set free from a life of suspicion. We are set free from a life of caution and distrust. We are set free from the burden of being guarded and self-protective. We are set free to love. Love unconditionally. Love generously. Love sacrificially just as Jesus did. And as the Apostle John so famously said, “Perfect love casts out all fear.” So let me challenge you to set aside any and all of your suspicions. Step into the freedom Christ won for you on the cross. Step into the freedom Christ offers you through His Spirit. Embrace the way of love and watch how it changes your relationships with those you love and the world around you.

Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 65, 66, 67, 69, 70

Why it Matters - Hyperbole

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 8-9, 1 Chronicles 18

One of the challenges in reading the Old Testament is the use of hyperbole. This was a common rhetorical device among Ancient Near East writers especially when it came to reporting on military encounters. For the Biblical authors, the purpose was the magnify the glory of God and the overwhelming nature of His victories. This was especially true when Israel won victories against much stronger enemies. Additionally, round numbers were often used to signify the “completeness” of a victory. You see similar “epic” rhetoric used by the Egyptian Pharaohs or the Assyrian kings.

Take today’s reading for example. The author of 2 Samuel writes that David put two thirds of the Moabites to death after a battle, seized 1,700 charioteers and 20,000 infantry, and killed 22,000 Arameans. He then writes about another battle in the Valley of Salt where David defeats 18,000 more Arameans. The author of 1 Chronicles comes up with some different numbers in David’s battle with the king of Zobah - 1,000 chariots and 7,000 charioteers rather than 1,700. Is this a contradiction? Not if we are reading from an Ancient Near East point of view. The point was not to provide accurate data for a census but to magnify the successes of King David against the enemies of Israel and the fulfillment of God’s promise.

One of the key questions to ask as you read the Bible, especially the Old Testament, is what did it mean to the people it was written to. The Bible was written for us but it wasn’t originally written to us. It was written to a particular people in a particular culture who saw life through a particular worldview. This is essential for us to keep in mind lest we lose sight of the true meaning of the text or fall into the trap of anachronism. I see this happen all the time. People projecting our cultural values and ways of seeing the world back onto the text of Scripture. It never works out well and it fails to treat the Bible as a serious conversation partner when it comes to faith.

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Samuel 10, 1 Chronicles 19, Psalms 20, 53, 60, 75

Why it Matters - Credit

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 7, 1 Chronicles 17, Psalms 1, 2, 33, 127, 133

I love today’s reading. It’s one of my favorite stories in the Old Testament. David, a man after God’s own heart, looks around at his beautiful palace and the first thing he thinks about is the disparity between his house and God’s house. God lives in a tent so how can David live in a house of cedar? What does it say about David that he would live in a palace while God still has no permanent place to place His glory? So David begins to plan. He intends to build God a magnificent Temple. But this is not God’s will for David. God refuses to allow David to take any credit for what has taken place in his life. It is God who raised David up from the pasture. God who took a shepherd boy and made him king. God who defeated all David’s enemies. God who made his name famous in the region. It is God who will continue to give David success as he sits on throne and it will be God who will guarantee his dynasty for eternity.

What is David’s response? Does he argue with God? Does he point out all the work he’s put in over the course of his life? Does he seek to take credit for any of his accomplishments? Not at all. David humbles himself before the Lord. He falls on his knees in worship and praises God for all He has done. “Who am I, O Lord God, and what is my family, that should have brought me to this point?” (2 Samuel 7:18 NET) As David reflects on all that has happened in his life, he immediately turns to praise. He gives God all the glory. He gives God all the credit.

Who gets the credit for your life? It’s a very important question. Especially for a Christian. Do I claim all the credit for myself or do I give glory to God? When I look back on my life, do I attribute all I’ve accomplished to my own hard work or do I thank God for the grace He has given me? When I consider all I have experienced, do I consider it the natural result of my own effort or can I see God’s hand at work, carefully orchestrating things according to His sovereign will? The fundamental reality is this…I didn’t choose where I would be born. I didn’t choose my family. I didn’t choose my gifts and talents and abilities. God gave me all of those things. He blessed me in more ways than I could possibly imagine and it is what has allowed me to achieve whatever success I have achieved in my life. What about you?

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Samuel 8-9, 1 Chronicles 18

Why it Matters - Righteousness and Justice

Readings for today: Psalms 89, 96, 100, 101, 107

In our current political climate, there is a tug of war between righteousness and justice. Those who lean right politically tend to focus on individual righteousness. Individual responsibility. Personal choices. The temptation is to ignore the very real impact of unjust systems and structures that often impact individual lives, limit their options, and shape how they understand the moral good. Those who lean left politically tend to focus on justice. Just systems. Just structures. Just laws. The temptation is ignore the very real impact of the unrighteous choices individuals make whether due to greed, selfishness, deceit, etc. The Bible is clear we need both to thrive.

Psalms 89:14 states, “Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Loyal love and faithfulness characterize your rule.” God’s Kingdom is built on a foundation that includes both righteousness and justice. You can’t have one without the other. You have to take both seriously. Human beings are sinful. The history of humanity is a testimony to this salient, Biblical fact. As such, we will naturally love unrighteousness more than righteousness. It’s why we need Jesus. Only by accepting Christ and receiving the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit will we ever learn to love righteousness. At the same time, it’s just as important to address the systems and structures we build. Because humanity is sinful, the systems we create are naturally unjust. They privilege certain classes of people over others. They reinforce prejudice and bias. They are tilted towards those with power and influence. We must consistently fight to reform these systems in order to create a more just and equitable society. Ultimately, of course, we will never reach perfection. Not in this life. Not on our own. Not without God. But the battle is worth it. The battle for every human heart. The battle for every society and nation on earth.

Readings for tomorrow: No devotionals on Sundays

Why it Matters - Security

Readings for today: Psalms 15, 23-25, 47

Human beings have an innate need for security. Without it, we cannot flourish. Not as individuals. Not as families. Not as a society. I think of the nations I’ve worked in where there is no security. The result is all kinds of lawlessness and violence. The people there experience all kinds of pain and suffering. They are often left helpless and without hope. I think of the work a dear friend of mine is doing among immigrants in a city just north of me. So much of his focus is to bring security to a very insecure population. He works on issues like legal security, food security, housing security, and job security. Most of all, he works on spiritual security. Eternal security. Something every human being desperately needs. Recently, I was talking to someone I love dearly about his life. He has lived a quarter century at this point and most of that time has been a struggle. By his own admission, he keeps trying to do things his own way but it’s not working out for him. He wants desperately to be free of his addictions. He would love to let go of the guilt and shame of his past. He lives with all kinds of regrets over the choices he’s made. What he’s longing for is the security only Jesus can bring.

The Psalms talk a lot about how to live a secure life. First and foremost, we place our trust in God. The One who owns the earth and all it contains. The One who runs the world and all that is in it. (Psalms 24) We trust Him because He promises to provide for our needs and lead us to green pastures and still waters and restore our souls. He never leaves us or forsakes us but is with us through every dark valley in life. (Psalm 23) The more we trust God, the more we walk in His ways. We do what is right. We speak honestly. We do no harm to others. We keep our promises. (Psalms 15) Our deeds become blameless. Our hearts become pure. (Psalms 24)

God rewards those who seek Him and those who follow Him with a secure life. Not an easy life. Not a comfortable life. Not a pain-free life. But a secure life. A life that stands no matter how many storms come our way. We do not obey God in order to gain this life or earn this life but our obedience is a natural response to the life we are given when we begin a relationship with Him. Holiness and purity and righteousness characterize the lives of those who love God. And it’s why we can rest secure. Because we dwell with Him. In His home. On His holy hill. On the mountain of the Lord. In His holy dwelling place.

Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 89, 96, 100, 101, 107

Why it Matters - Holiness

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 5:11-25, 2 Samuel 6, 1 Chronicles 13-16

Holiness seems to be a forgotten concept in our culture. Even in many of our churches. We have become so familiar with Jesus that it has bread contempt. Contempt for His Word. Contempt for His ways. Contempt for His Law. We’ve settled for cheap grace. Easy believism. We falsely assume that a relationship with Jesus comes with no expectations. Nothing could be further from the truth. Jesus is clear. Those who love Him obey His commandments. Those who follow Him deny themselves. Those who become His disciples pick up a cross. There is a cost to discipleship. Not because we have to earn anything. Not because we have to prove ourselves to anyone. Not because we have to work to earn God’s favor. But simply because God is holy. And because God is holy, we must be holy. And holiness requires us to submit our will and our way to God.

David learned this the hard way. He falsely assumed he could worship God any way he wanted as long as it was sincere. The people of God were so excited to bring the ark of the covenant back home but in their fervor, they did not seek the Lord. They did not honor God’s commands when it came to worship. God had clearly prescribed a precise way to handle the ark. It was to be carried by the Levites. It was to be accompanied by musicians. Sacrifices were to be made. It was a sacred procession. Tragically, David’s first attempt to bring the ark home didn’t follow God’s prescribed commands so when Uzzah, himself a Levite and someone who should have known better, reaches out his hand to steady the ark to keep it from falling, he is struck down. Even though he was well-intentioned, he violated God’s command not to touch the holy items directly. It’s a sober reminder even for us today.

When we gather for worship, are we gathering in accordance with God’s will and God’s way? Unfortunately, a lot of churches have turned inward and focus more on their own preferences when it comes to worship. Still others focus on entertainment and self-help. Still others focus on the needs of the people rather than honoring a holy God. No church is perfect, of course. I won’t pretend the church I serve has it “right.” But the primary question that guides our worship is not “how do the people feel or respond” but does it honor God.

Readings for tomorrow: Psalms 15, 23-25, 47

Why it Matters - Unity

Readings for today: 2 Samuel 5:1-10, 1 Chronicles 11-12, Psalms 133

A fundamental principle of the Christian faith is that we are never, ever alone. First and foremost, God is with us. He promises to come and dwell with us when we give our lives to Him. Through the Holy Spirit, He indwells our hearts and abides with us forever. This is why it’s so important to spend time with God every day and gather for worship with His people every week. We need the constant reminder that He is Emmanuel, God with us. Second, God surrounds us with His people. People from all walks of life who share a common commitment to the Lord. They pray for us. They encourage us. They support us. They hold us accountable. Men and women of deep faith who do life alongside us. We build these relationships in small groups, Bible studies, and through mentoring. We connect deeply with one another as we share openly and honestly and vulnerably and transparently. This is how God designed the Christian life to work and as we follow Him faithfully, our circle of relationships grows. It’s beautiful.

This is what David experienced as well. First and foremost, the Bible says God was with David. “David’s power grew steadily, for the Lord God who commands armies was with him.” (1 Samuel 5:10 NET) The source of David’s success was the Lord. He did not win his battles by himself. He did not accomplish all the great things he accomplished on his own. God was with him to strengthen and empower him along the way. Second, God surrounded David with godly men. Mighty men. Men of valor who would have his back and fight by his side. “These were the leaders of David’s warriors who helped establish and stabilize his rule over all Israel, in accordance with the Lord’s Word.” (1 Chronicles 11:10 NET) The author of Chronicles goes on to list the names of these men and even provides some of the detail as to their accomplishments. The sacrifices these men made for David are extraordinary. These men were eventually joined by thousands of others as God brought unity to His people under David’s godly leadership.

God blesses the unity of His people. I have seen it with my own eyes. All it takes to make it happen is one person who commits to walk with the Lord. As we commit our way to Him, He will surround us with godly men and women who share the same heart and desire. And as that group of people grows, great things will be accomplished for God’s Kingdom. This is how it has always been and always will be. What role do you play in bringing God’s people together?

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Samuel 5:11-25, 2 Samuel 6, 1 Chronicles 13-16

Why it Matters - Never Forgotten

Readings for today: 1 Chronicles 7-9

Today’s reading brings us to an end of the genealogies. And while it isn’t easy to plow through all the names, it is important to remember the overarching point. God never forgets. He never forgets His people. He never forgets His promises. The Book of 1 Chronicles is most likely written to a group of people who have returned from exile. They have spent decades in Babylon wondering if God had indeed forgotten them. Now they have returned and they take a census of everyone who is resettling the land. To their amazement, all of the tribes are represented. Even the ten northern tribes who were scattered by the Assyrians centuries before. Yes, some of the tribes get more treatment than the others and it’s possible that the tribe of Dan is only indirectly referenced but all of them seem to there.

I don’t know about you but I find this deeply comforting. Though we may forget God. Though we may walk away from God. Though we may try to reject God. He never forgets us. He never walks away from us. He never rejects us. Once we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are grafted into His family forever. We are adopted as His children and He will never stop pursuing us until He has rescued every lost sheep, found every lost coin, and saved every lost son or daughter. This is His promise. No one can snatch us out of His hand. I think of the people I love who gave their lives to Christ but now are trying to live apart from Him. They try so hard to forget God but I can see His hand at work in their lives, drawing them back home. It gives me hope. Even if they push Him away for years, His grace is irresistible in the end.

Do you know people in your life who once knew the love of God and have walked away? Deconstructed? Left the Christian faith? Don’t lose heart. God never forgets. He will pursue them with His love until the day they die. That’s His promise and that’s what these verses from 1 Chronicles attest to in our reading today.

Readings for tomorrow: 2 Samuel 5:1-10, 1 Chronicles 11-12, Psalms 133