READING: 2 Samuel 22-23, Psalm 57
TEXTS AND APPLICATION: These chapters in 2 Samuel deal with David’s song of thanksgiving and his final words. As I read these chapters, I am challenged to be like David:
1. David knew who God was. In fact, David piled up terms/pictures to describe God as if he could not come up with enough words. The bottom line is that God was personal to David, and He was David’s strength.
2 Sam. 22:2-3 The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, my God, my mountain where I seek refuge. My shield, the horn of my salvation, my stronghold, my refuge, and my Savior …
2. David knew to turn to God for help. Even though he failed at times, he knew God alone was his help. More particularly, he knew his God would hear his voice.
2 Sam. 22:7 I called to the Lord in my distress; I called to my God. From His temple He heard my voice, and my cry for help reached His ears.
3. David knew that righteousness matters. He was by no means perfect, but he knew the importance of fighting for victory.
2 Sam. 22:21-25 The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; He repaid me according to the cleanness of my hands. For I have kept the ways of the Lord
and have not turned from my God to wickedness. Indeed, I have kept all His ordinances in mind and have not disregarded His statutes. I was blameless before Him and kept myself from sinning. So the Lord repaid me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in His sight.
4. David wanted the nations to hear God’s praise.
2 Sam. 22:50 Therefore I will praise You, Lord, among the nations; I will sing about Your name.
PRAYER: I recognize that God has called me to proclaim His Word; thus, I want to say with David, “His word was on my tongue” (2 Sam. 23:2). Please pray for me— and let’s pray for one another — that we will know who God is, we will turn to Him for help, we will know how much righteousness matters, and we will proclaim His name to the nations.
TOMORROW’S READING: 2 Samuel 24, 1 Chronicles 21-22, Psalm 30