READING: 2 Samuel 8-11, Luke 23:6-43
Again today, the scriptures present a sharp contrast. In the first part of today’s Old Testament reading, God’s goodness to David is evident: “The Lord gave David victory wherever he went” (2 Sam 8:6, 14). Indeed, David even became famous after he had struck down 18,000 Edomites. God was clearly with him.
Then, we read these tragic words after David’s sin with Bathsheba and his follow-up schemes with Uriah: “But the thing David had done displeased the Lord” (2 Sam 11:27). The Lord had been with him, yet David chose temporary pleasure and then committed murder to cover up his sin. The victorious warrior-king lost the spiritual battle.
This text is a reminder again that all of us who follow God today are susceptible to falling tomorrow (or even later today). Sin always lurks at the door (Gen 4:7).
PRAYER: “God, I need You every hour. Every minute. Every second, in fact.”
DAILY ACTION STEP: Be aware of anything you lust for today—and confess and repent before the devil gets a foothold.
TOMORROW’S READING: 2 Samuel 12-14, Luke 23:44-24:12
