READING:
One-year plan: 2 Samuel 21-24
Two-year plan: Psalms 55-57, Romans 10:14-11:10
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These chapters tell the story of David’s taking a census, followed by God’s judgment and David’s repentance.
David’s taking a census of his military warriors indicated his desire to know how strong his forces were — and consequently, how strong he was. In general, this act might not seem wrong, but David knew that God was to be his warrior, and any battle was to be God’s battle (1 Sam 17:47). David temporarily placed his dependence on his military might.
What strikes me is that David knew better, because he had been the shepherd boy who defeated the giant. He knew then that God was his warrior, but now he was not the shepherd boy; he was the king with power . . . and experience . . . and training . . . and troops.
As a professor and an elder, I fear that we will somehow transform trusting, risking shepherd boys into self-dependent leaders who rely on their training more than on their God. Would you please pray for me that I would be a fully dependent professor and elder who raises up fully dependent graduates and church members?
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Are you more like David the shepherd boy or David the king?
DAILY PRAYER: “Father, teach me to depend on You without exception.”
MONDAY’S READINGS:
One-year plan: 1 Kings 1-2
Two-year plan: Psalms 58-60, Romans 11:11-32
MEMORIZATION VERSE (April 1-15):
“Be strong, and let your heart be courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord.” (Psa 31:24)
*first published in 2015
