Category: 2 Samuel Devotionals

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2 Samuel Devotionals

Choosing obedience

2 Samuel

This is a difficult passage on a lot of levels.

Apparently, Israel had sinned in some way. What that sin was, we don’t know, but perhaps it was their rejection of David, God’s appointed king, and following Absalom and later Sheba.

At any rate, because of their sin, God decided to bring judgment on them.

That is important to note, by the way. Contrary to what David thought, Israel was not innocent and was worthy of judgment. (2 Samuel 24:17)

But how to account for God stirring up David against them? Did God cause David to sin?

Also, in 1 Chronicles 21, it says Satan was the one who incited David to count the people of Israel. So who was responsible?

It’s a difficult question.

But here are some things to remember.

First, Satan always stands against God’s people. And he would destroy us if he could.

But as we see in Job, God puts definite limits on what Satan can and cannot do to us. (Job chapters 1-2)

Second, for purposes of judgment or for testing, God will loosen those limits.

We see examples of judgment with Saul and King Ahab. (1 Samuel 16:14; 1 Kings 22:19-23).

We see examples of testing with Job and Jesus (Matthew 4:1).

Third, regardless of whether God loosens those limits or not, people do not have to sin. They can choose to do right. Job and Jesus chose to do right. Saul and Ahab didn’t.

So ultimately, while for purposes of judgment God loosened the limits on Satan, David still had his choice. And David chose to sin.

David himself accepted responsibility for his own sin. (2 Samuel 24:10, 17)

David didn’t sin because God made him sin.

Nor did the devil “make him do it.”

David sinned because of what was in his heart. (James 1:14)

And what seems to have been in his heart was his pride in his military strength, which may be why he wanted the people counted.

Two further points.

First, this side of the cross, as children of God, we no longer need to fear God’s judgment (1 John 4:14-19).

Like the Israelites, we are deserving of God’s judgment, but Jesus took that judgment upon himself on the cross.

So while God may discipline us at times, we will never face his judgment. (Hebrews 12:5-11; Romans 8:1)

Second, though God may loosen his limits on Satan and let us go through times of testing, we always have the choice to obey or not.

But as Paul wrote,

No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity.

But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

So let us remember the words of James, trusting in God’s goodness and faithfulness toward us, following after him.

Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12)

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2 Samuel Devotionals

How God sees us

2 Samuel

…[God] rescued me because he delighted in me.

The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; he repaid me according to the cleanness of my hands. (2 Samuel 22:20-21)

Those words are amazing when you look at David’s life, because there were so many times he failed.

And yet he could say things like,

For I have kept the ways of the Lord and have not turned from my God to wickedness.

Indeed, I let all his ordinances guide me and have not disregarded his statutes.

I was blameless before him and kept myself from my iniquity. (22-24)

I don’t think David had forgotten about his failures. Nor do I think he was making light of them.

But he did understand God’s grace. As he said in another Psalm,

He will not always accuse us or be angry forever.

He has not dealt with us as our sins deserve or repaid us according to our iniquities…

As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:9-10, 12)

Years later, God would say through the prophet Isaiah,

I am the one, I sweep away your transgressions for my own sake and remember your sins no more. (Isaiah 43:25)

How often, though, do we remember our sins and failures? How often do we beat ourselves up over them?

God has chosen to forget them. He will never bring them up with us again.

And when he sees us, he sees someone holy and blameless in his sight, clothed with Christ’s righteousness.

Our “righteousness” is often imperfect, stained with mixed motivations.

And yet, God in his grace, chooses to accept them just as he accepted David’s.

Not only, that, he delights in us.

So let us sing with David,

The Lord lives—blessed be my rock!
God, the rock of my salvation, is exalted. (47)

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2 Samuel Devotionals

Justice?

2 Samuel

This is one of those passages where I wonder, “Was this God’s will?”

Saul had broken the treaty the Israelites had made with the Gibeonites by murdering them. (Joshua 9:3-17)

As a result, the land was spiritually polluted, and God sent a famine on the land. (Numbers 35:30-34).

After three years of famine, David sought God to find the reason for the famine and God told him.

But here, things get somewhat spiritually muddy.

David goes to the Gibeonites to ask what reparations could be made. They asked that seven of Saul’s descendants be handed over to them to be executed, and David acquiesced.

But was he right to do so?

For one thing, God said that only the blood of the murderer himself could atone for the murder. (Numbers 35:33).

For another, God specifically commanded that children could not be punished for the sins of the father. (Deuteronomy 24:16)

Finally, while God never addressed a situation where the murderer was already dead, he did address a situation where the murderer could not be brought to justice.

In that case, atonement was made by sacrifice and prayer. (Deuteronomy 21:1-9)

Perhaps, God would have given slightly different instructions in this situation, but I would guess that his instructions would have been fairly close to what he had commanded before.

But the key point is, David never did ask God what to do.

Ironically, Joshua made the same mistake when he first dealt with the Gibeonites. (Joshua 9:14)

By his grace, God did bring an end to the famine. But is there any hint that David’s action wasn’t what God was looking for?

I think there is. The famine continued even past the execution of Saul’s descendants.

In fact, we see another violation of God’s law. A person who was executed was not to be left hanging overnight. (Deuteronomy 21:22-23)

It was only when the bodies were taken down and buried that the famine ended.

What’s my point?

How well do we know God’s word? Do we know it well enough to know what pleases and displeases God?

If we don’t, well-meaning though we may be, we can still do things displeasing to him.

So let us daily read and study his word. Only then can we find out how to truly please him.

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2 Samuel Devotionals

Releasing your feelings of guilt

2 Samuel

The king was deeply moved and went up to the chamber above the city gate and wept.

As he walked, he cried, “My son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you, Absalom, my son, my son!” (2 Samuel 18:33)

I can’t help but think David had a deep sense of guilt for Absalom’s death.

Guilt for not dealing with Amnon when he raped Tamar.

Guilt for holding Absalom at a distance for so long, instead of showing him the grace and mercy God had shown David.

But now, that guilt threatened to destroy him and his kingdom as Joab would point out in chapter 19.

As with David, we may feel guilt for our failures and sins. That can be especially painful when we see the effects those failures and sins have had on those we love.

But at some point, we have to let go of our guilt and move on, or that guilt will destroy us.

I’m not saying that we should make light of our guilt. To convince ourselves that what we did wasn’t so bad and try to forget about it.

On the contrary, we need to fully admit our guilt before God.

And if possible, we should also fully admit our guilt to anyone we have hurt and try to make things right.

It’s also important to reflect on and learn from our sins and failures.

But after that, embrace the forgiveness of God.

The person we hurt may never forgive us. But God will.

Feelings of guilt will destroy you if you let it. And that’s not God wants for you.

Jesus died in our place on the cross, bearing all our guilt and sin. And now by his grace, his blood has washed away our sins. (1 John 1:7)

We are spotless before him. We are blameless before him. (Ephesians 1:4, 5:27)

We are forgiven!

That may be hard to believe right now. But it’s true.

Don’t let Satan lie to you, telling you what you’ve done is unforgiveable.

You are spotless before God!

You are blameless before God!

You are forgiven!

So remember these words of Paul and make them your own:

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus… (Romans 8:1)

 

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2 Samuel Devotionals

“Unforgiveable!”

2 Samuel

“Unforgiveable!”

That’s probably what Ahithophel said when he found out what David had done to his granddaughter Bathsheba and to her husband. (2 Samuel 11:3; 23:34)

By David’s actions, he had brought disgrace to Ahithophel’s granddaughter and to Ahithophel’s family name.

It certainly explains his advice to Absalom, even to the place where Absalom slept with David’s concubines (2 Samuel 11:2; 16:20-22).

It also explains why he personally, a counselor, not a warrior, wanted to lead the troops sent to kill David (12 Samuel 7:1-13).

But in the end, his refusal to forgive destroyed him.

How about you? Is there someone you need to forgive?

To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you. — Lewis B. Smedes

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2 Samuel Devotionals

When Satan accuses us

2 Samuel

“Get out of here, you murderer, you scoundrel!” he shouted at David. “The Lord is paying you back for all the bloodshed…

At last you will taste some of your own medicine, for you are a murderer!” (2 Samuel 16:7-8, NLT)

It struck me today that those words probably stung David deeply. Obviously, he wasn’t responsible for Saul’s death or for Ish-bosheth’s. Nor had he stolen the throne.

But he was a murderer. And Nathan had told him that disaster would rise up from his own family as a result (2 Samuel 12:11).

So while Shimei’s accusations were not completely true, there was truth in them.

Perhaps that is why David said, “He curses me this way because the Lord told him, ‘Curse David!’” (10)

But while David was reaping the consequences of his sin, God was not accusing him. God had already forgiven him (2 Samuel 12:12).

More, he was on David’s side (2 Samuel 17:14).

Sometimes here on earth, we suffer the consequences for our sins. And Satan’s accusations against us sting, because there is truth behind them.

But if we have repented, let us remember, God is not accusing us. He has already forgiven us. And he is on our side.

So if you’re feeling weighed down by your guilt, remember Paul’s words:  

Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? [Not God!] God is the one who justifies.

Who is the one who condemns? [Not Jesus!] Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. (Romans 8:33-34)

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2 Samuel Devotionals

Wherever my king is

2 Samuel

But in response, Ittai vowed to the king, “As the Lord lives and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king is, whether it means life or death, your servant will be there!” (2 Samuel 15:21)

Those words resonated with me today.

Ittai was a foreigner, probably a Philistine who had started following David when he was fleeing from Saul.

Why he left Philistia, we don’t know, but after years of being on the run with David, when David became king, Ittai had found a new home.

But now David was on the run again, this time from his son Absalom..

Ittai could have just stayed in his comfortable home in Jerusalem. But instead, he chose to follow David.

David tried to convince him to stay in Jerusalem, but Ittai was determined to follow, no matter the cost.

It made me think of another man in the New Testament who had said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.”

Jesus told him something similar to what David told Ittai.

Foxes have dens, and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head. (Matthew 8:20)

How the man responded, we don’t know. Did he like Ittai say, “Wherever my Lord is, whether it means life or death, your servant will be there”?

Lord, you didn’t promise an easy life. But you love me. You saved me. You are my home. So wherever you are, my King, wherever you go, your servant will be there.

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2 Samuel Devotionals

The message we give our children

2 Samuel

What message do we give our kids when they blow it? Do we distance ourselves from them? Do we ever give them the impression that what they’ve done is unforgivable?

That’s the message David gave Absalom.

How much better would it have been if David had embraced his son. If he had reaffirmed his love for him.

Imagine if he had told Absalom, “I’ve been there. I murdered a man too. And for a lot worse reason than you did. But God gave me a path back. He can give you one too.”

Would Absalom’s path been different? Would he have repented?

I don’t know. Maybe, maybe not.

But God’s kindness led us to our repentance (Romans 2:4).

So may we show that same grace to our kids when they fall, showing them the way back home.

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2 Samuel Devotionals

Loved by the Lord

2 Samuel

She gave birth to a son and named him Solomon. The Lord loved him, and he sent a message through the prophet Nathan, who named him Jedidiah (meaning, “beloved of the Lord”), because of the Lord (2 Samuel 12:24–25).

David had seriously messed up. By his sin, he had treated the Lord with contempt. And the consequences of his sin would affect he and his family for a long time.

And yet.

With David’s repentance came forgiveness. David would write later,

As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:12)

Honestly, if I had been God, I probably would have thought, “Well, I’ll forgive David and Bathsheba. But there’s no way I’m blessing this marriage.”

But God didn’t think that way.

In naming Solomon “beloved of the Lord,” I think God was passing a message on to David and Bathsheba.

“I still love you. And though there will be hard times ahead of you because of your sin, whenever you look at this child, remember that I have not taken my love away from you. Solomon is my beloved child. And so are you.”

And ultimately, it was through David, Bathsheba, and Solomon that Jesus came. (Matthew 1:6-16)

That’s grace. That’s God’s faithful love.

What regrets do you have? Are you still struggling because of the consequences of your past sin?

Know that like David, Bathsheba, and Solomon, you are beloved of God.

And in Jesus, there is forgiveness and a way forward. So let’s take that next step together with him.

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2 Samuel Devotionals

What God thinks

2 Samuel

However, the Lord considered what David had done to be evil. (2 Samuel 11:27)

Sometimes I think the Bible, especially the Old Testament history books (Joshua-Chronicles) would be so much easier to read if we saw more words like the above.

So many times, we see questionable or downright wrong decisions made by the “good” Biblical characters and no comment is made on what God thought.

Even though we might see the negative consequences of their actions, there’s no actual direct rebuke from God.

So we think, “If God disapproved, why didn’t he say something?”

I don’t know about you, but that’s how I feel a lot of times.

But I think the thing to remember is that the writers of these books are assuming we already know what God thought about these people’s actions.

We know because we read the ten commandments and God’s other laws.

We know because we’ve seen before how God felt and responded to similar sins.

And so often times, the Biblical authors don’t go out of their way to specifically say, “By the way, what this person did was wrong.”

In this case, however, the author does go out of his way to say that the Lord considered David’s actions wrong.

Why? I don’t know.

But I do think it’s a warning to us. Like David, we can fool ourselves into thinking that what we’re doing is okay, even when God says it’s clearly wrong.

That especially can happen when we don’t immediately see any negative consequences or “sense” any rebuke from God.

But it doesn’t change the fact that what we’re doing is evil in God’s eyes. He sees. And sooner or later, he will hold us accountable.

It might be on this earth. It might be before his judgment seat in heaven. But he will hold us accountable.

So let us not fool ourselves. Let us instead, maintain soft hearts toward God, not letting our consciences get seared by ignoring God’s word.

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2 Samuel Devotionals

Because we’ve experienced God’s faithful love

2 Samuel

And the king said, “Is there not still someone of the house of Saul, that I may show the kindness (faithful love) of God to him?” (2 Samuel 9:3)

Those words struck me today, especially as I thought of chapter 7.

God showed his faithful love to David, and David was totally blown away by it.

But his response was not only thanksgiving toward God.

He wanted to be a channel of that love, and so he actively sought someone to whom he could show that faithful love to.

Because of his love for Jonathan and his promises to him (1 Samuel 20:14-15), Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth was a natural choice.

But David didn’t want to simply show his own faithful love to Mephibosheth. He wanted to show God’s faithful love to Mephibosheth. And so he did.

Lord, may I be a channel of your faithful love to those around me. Help me to actively look for people I can do that with, just as David did.

And together, may we be blown away by your faithful love, saying, “Who am I, that you would love me in this way?”

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2 Samuel Devotionals

God’s faithful love

2 Samuel

I will be his father, and he will be my son.

When he does wrong, I will discipline him with a rod of men and blows from mortals.

But my faithful love will never leave him… (2 Samuel 7:14-15)

Obviously, that was God’s promise to David concerning Solomon. But I find it interesting how the apostle Paul applied those words to us.

And I will be a Father to you, and you will be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty. (2 Corinthians 6:18)

Paul took those words concerning Solomon and lets us know, “Those words are for you. God calls you his children now.”

Even when we mess up as Solomon ultimately did, and though God may have to bring discipline in our lives, and that discipline can be hard at times, nevertheless, his faithful love will never leave us.

Always remember this important truth: our relationship with God isn’t based on our faithfulness to God, but rather on his faithful love to us. (2 Timothy 2:13)

Thank you Father for calling me your child. Thank you for your faithful love to me.

Who am I that you have brought me this far, despite my failings, despite all the times I’ve been unfaithful?

You are great, and there is no God besides you. Your words and all your promises to me are true. That’s why I have the courage to pray this prayer to you.

I love you Father. And so with confidence, I draw near to you and rest in your faithful love toward me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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2 Samuel Devotionals

Our identity

2 Samuel

Just thinking about Michal today. I found it interesting that in 2 Samuel chapter 6, she wasn’t identified as David’s wife, but as “Saul’s daughter.”

Maybe the author didn’t mean anything significant by that. After all, he often referred to Jonathan as “Saul’s son.”

Still, being David’s friend is not the same as being his wife. In Genesis, it talks about a man leaving father and mother and being joined to his wife. In the same way, a woman leaves her father and mother and is joined to her husband. (Genesis 2:24)

Yet only three times is Michal called “David’s wife,” while eight times she’s referred to as “Saul’s daughter.”

In chapter 6, she is identified twice as Saul’s daughter, which seems very appropriate since she is thinking very much like her father did.

She was far more interested in what people thought than pleasing God. (1 Samuel 15:24, 30; 18:7-8, 2 Samuel 6:16, 20)

By marrying David, she should have left her old life behind, her old identity, her old way of thinking. And yet, she lived very much as a child of Saul.

In the same way by “marrying” Christ, we, God’s church, should have left our old lives, our old identity, and our old way of thinking behind.

But have we? Or do we still live as a children of this world, thinking and acting as it does?

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2 Samuel Devotionals

Praying for our leaders

2 Samuel

Leaders will always disappoint us.

Whether government leaders or church leaders, they will disappoint us.

They disappoint us because they are human. And as humans, they have all their flaws and failings.

David may have been stronger been Ish-bosheth. But he was no better at dealing with Joab than Ish-bosheth was at dealing with Abner.

David also married many women despite God’s commands (Deuteronomy 17:17).

It seems he married at least one of them purely for political reasons. (2 Samuel 3:3)

In addition, he demanded to have Michal back, seemingly more for political reasons (she was a daughter of the former king, Saul) than actual love. This despite the fact that her new husband obviously loved her.

One also wonders how Michal felt. Certainly she had once loved David (1 Samuel 18:28).

But despite being treated badly by her father (1 Samuel 25:44), she did seem to have moved on.

Now she had to compete with multiple wives for David’s attention. And that may have led to her later attitude toward David. (2 Samuel 6:20)

And yet, God accomplished his purposes through David.

In the same way, he will accomplish his purposes through our political leaders and our church leaders, even though we can’t always see what those purposes are.

So let’s pray for our leaders. Pray that God will accomplish his purposes despite their flaws, despite their weaknesses.

For our leaders that don’t know God, pray that they will come to know him.

And for those who do know God, pray that God will continue to lead them and help them to become the leaders, more than that, the men and women calls them to be.

God shows them grace. Let us have that heart of grace as we pray for them.

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2 Samuel Devotionals

How long?

2 Samuel

How long do we hold on to anger and bitterness in our lives? At one point do we choose to let go?

Abner had killed Joab’s brother Asahel, and it seemed Joab and his other brother Abishai were determined to avenge Asahel’s death.

But in their pursuit of Abner, others were dying as well.

And so at sunset with Joab showing no signs of stopping his pursuit, Abner spoke out:

Must the sword devour forever? Don’t you realize this will only end in bitterness? How long before you tell the troops to stop pursuing their brothers? (2 Samuel 2:26)

As we’ll see, Joab was a very violent man. (So was Abishai, for that matter).

But on this day, he saw the wisdom of Abner’s words and he stopped his pursuit.

What hurts are you holding on to? Who are you refusing to forgive? Who are you constantly sniping at?

Let us listen to the words of our Lord.

“Must the sword devour forever? Don’t you realize this will only end in bitterness? Let go of your anger. Put your pain in my hands. And let me heal you.”

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2 Samuel Devotionals

Praying for our leaders

2 Samuel

I was just reading this passage with my wife this evening, and verses 3-4 really struck me.

The Spirit of the Lord spoke through me,
his word was on my tongue.

The God of Israel spoke;
the Rock of Israel said to me,

“The one who rules the people with justice,
who rules in the fear of God,
is like the morning light when the sun rises on a cloudless morning,
the glisten of rain on sprouting grass.” (2 Samuel 23:3-4)

My first thought in reading that was, “Why can’t Prime Minister Abe (I live in Japan) and President Trump (especially President Trump — I am an American citizen) be like that?”

My second thought was, “How often do I pray for them?”

It’s so easy for us when we’re praying to complain about our leaders. But God doesn’t call us to complain about them.

He calls us to pray for them.

Specifically,

First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

If we want to “change the number” in our countries, that is, to see many more people come to know Christ and give their lives to him, we need to start praying for our leaders.

Don’t waste your time praying about your leaders’ failures and stupid choices. Pray for them.

Won’t you join me in praying for them today?

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2 Samuel Devotionals

How we see God

2 Samuel

This past Sunday, I was preaching on the Sermon on the Mount, and in particular, Matthew 5:7-8.

Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (ESV)

I wonder if Jesus was at all thinking of the words of David when he said this.

With the merciful you show yourself merciful;
with the blameless man you show yourself blameless;
with the purified you deal purely,
and with the crooked you make yourself seem tortuous. (2 Samuel 22:26-27 — ESV)

How do we see God?

Some people see God as tortuous. For example, they look at how God passes judgment on people in scripture and they call it unfair.

Or, ironically, they see how God shows mercy on the undeserving and again scream, “Unfair.”

Why? Because they themselves are twisted in their thinking.

All you have to do is look at society and you can see the twistedness of people’s thinking.

What God calls sin, they call acceptable and good.  And so when God condemns and punishes such sin, they scream that he is being cruel or unjust.

On the other hand, when people wrong them, they think it only natural to “punish” them in return. And if God shows grace and mercy to the person that wrongs them, they again scream that he is unjust.

But what they fail to realize is that all of us are worthy of God’s wrath. All of us are in need of God’s mercy.

It’s why Jesus died on the cross. He took the punishment for all our sins so that we could receive mercy.

And it’s those who realize and accept this that find that mercy and are transformed.

They accept God’s standards for good and evil and seek to follow them.

When they fall, they repent.

Because they themselves have received mercy, they extend it to others.

But as long as people fail to accept that God’s standards are good and right, as long as they fail to understand that they themselves are in need of God’s mercy, they will always see God as tortuous.

They will criticize God when he condemns and punishes sin in the world and criticize him when he shows mercy to those they feel are unworthy.

They “punish” those who sin against them and get angry when God punishes their own sin.

How about you?

When you see God, do you see him as tortuous, unfair, and unjust?

Or when you see him, do you see his purity, his mercy, and his grace?

How you see him is how you will respond to him.

How do you see God?

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2 Samuel Devotionals

Always eligible for grace

2 Samuel

As I read the part about Mephibosheth in this passage, his words to David struck me.

Apparently, Mephibosheth’s servant had wrongfully accused him of turning on David when David was fleeing for his life from Absalom.

But after offering his defense, and knowing he couldn’t prove his servant’s lies, he basically told David to do as he saw best, saying,

For my grandfather’s entire family deserves death from my lord the king, but you set your servant among those who eat at your table.

So what further right do I have to keep on making appeals to the king? (2 Samuel 19:28)

Those words are striking to me.

We too deserved nothing but death from God because of our sins. And yet, God has welcomed us into his house, not just as servants, but as sons and daughters, and one day we will dine at his table in glory.

But let us always remember that when bad things happen to us, whether through our own fault or not, we always have the right to keep coming to our King and making our appeals to him.

Why? Because he is not just our King, but our loving Father. And he never tires of seeing us or hearing our requests.

As Paul said,

He did not even spare his own Son but offered him up for us all. How will he not also with him grant us everything? (Romans 8:32)

This doesn’t mean of course, that God will grant us everything we ask. After all, sometimes we ask for “snakes and rocks” thinking they are “fish and bread.” And God only gives us good gifts.

But we are always eligible to receive his grace and to come to him with our requests.

So as the writer of Hebrews says,

Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

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2 Samuel Devotionals

God’s plans

2 Samuel

As I read this passage, verse 14 struck me.

For the Lord had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom. (2 Samuel 17:14)

Sometimes we look at the evil in the world and wonder if God is really in control. We see the earthquakes, the floods, the evil that people do, and think, “Why doesn’t God do something?”

But God is not just sitting in heaven fretting about what’s going on here on earth. He has a plan, even if we can’t see it. And in his time, he will move.

The question is will we trust him until he does?

Jesus said this,

“And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?

I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly.

However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:7-8)

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2 Samuel Devotionals Psalms Devotionals

How we see sin

In these passages, we see one of the horrid sins of David, committing adultery with Bathsheba and then murdering her husband. And God had some hard words for David concerning that sin.

“Why then have you despised the Lord’s command by doing what I consider evil…you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hethite to be your own wife. (2 Samuel 12:9-10)

Think about this a minute. David sinned terribly against Bathsheba and against Uriah. And yet, God looked at that sin and said, “You have sinned against me! By that sin, you have despised me!”

David recognized that in his psalm of repentance. He wrote,

“Against you—you alone—I have sinned
and done this evil in your sight.” (Psalm 51:4)

How do you look at your sin? Do you see it as God does…as despising him? Because at root, that’s what sin is.

When you say something or do something that wounds a loved one or coworker or whoever it may be, you’re not only despising them, you’re despising God.

When you hold bitterness and unforgiveness in your heart towards someone, you’re not only despising them, you’re despising God.

So when we sin, let us recognize it for what it is: despising Jesus who went to the cross to die for our sins. And let us pray as David did.

“God, create a clean heart for me
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)

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2 Samuel Devotionals

A channel of grace and mercy

2 Samuel

As I read Mephibosheth’s words in this passage, “What is your servant that you take an interest in a dead dog like me?” (2 Samuel 9:8) it reminded me of David’s words to God in chapter 7.

Who am I, Lord God, and what is my house that you have brought me this far? (2 Samuel 7:18)

Why was David so filled with grace and mercy towards Mephibosheth? Because David himself had received so much grace and mercy from God.

If we do not truly grasp the wonder of God’s grace and mercy in our lives, we are not likely to be channels of that grace and mercy to others.

I know that I need to grasp God’s grace and mercy much more in my life.

How about you?

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2 Samuel Devotionals

Grace

2 Samuel

What is grace?

I think we see it in this passage.

So often, we, like David, think to impress God by doing something for him.

And God reminds us that what we can do for him pales in comparison to what he has done and will do for us. Not because we are better than anyone else. But because of his grace.

God tells David,

I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, to be ruler over my people Israel. (2 Samuel 7:8)

I have destroyed all your enemies before you. (9a)

I will make a great name for you… (9b)

I will designate a place for my people Israel…(10)

I will give you rest…(11)

The Lord himself will make a house for you. (11)

I will raise up after you your descendant… (12a)

I will establish his kingdom. (12b)

I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. (13)

And in Jesus, God ultimately will keep his promise to David. He will establish his kingdom forever.

In Jesus, we have many promises of grace as well.

He will crush our enemy Satan. (Genesis 3:15)

He dwells within us through his Holy Spirit. (John 14:16-17)

He gives us spiritual rest. (Hebrews 4:9-10)

He calls us his sons and daughters. (2 Corinthians 6:18-19)

Though he may discipline us, he will never take his love from us. (Hebrews 12:5-13, Hebrews 13:5)

He is preparing a place for us, and one day, we will be with him. (John 14:2-3)

So how do we respond? Like David, all we can do is stand in awe of his grace.

Who am I, Lord God, and what is my house that you have brought me this far? (2 Samuel 7:18)

There is no one like you, and there is no God besides you, as all we have heard confirms. (22)

Lord God, you are God; your words are true, and you have promised this good thing to your servant.

Now, please bless your servant’s house so that it will continue before you forever.

For you, Lord God, have spoken, and with your blessing your servant’s house will be blessed forever. (28-29)

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2 Samuel Devotionals

God’s wisdom. Our wisdom.

2 Samuel

In this passage, we see both David’s good points and bad points.

His good point was that he sought God’s wisdom. So when he fought with the Philistines, he always asked, “God, what should I do?”

His bad point? Ironically, it was that at times, he didn’t seek God’s wisdom. Not only did he have multiple wives, but he had multiple concubines as well.

Now in those days, that was considered totally normal. Kings in surrounding countries often had multiple wives and concubines.

But that wasn’t God’s will for David.

Jesus said this concerning marriage.

Haven’t you read…that he who created them in the beginning made them male and female,” and he also said, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two (not three, four, or more) will become one flesh?

So they are no longer two, but one flesh.

Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate. (Matthew 19:4-6)

Not only that, God had commanded this concerning kings in Israel.

He must not acquire many wives for himself so that his heart won’t go astray. (Deuteronomy 17:17)

Why did David have all those wives and concubines then? I don’t know. But perhaps there were two reasons.

1. David just thought it was natural for kings to have multiple wives and concubines. As a result, he didn’t even think to pray, “God should I marry more women?”

2. Because he was influenced by his culture and those around him, when he read God’s command in Deuteronomy, he thought, “I’m not marrying that many women. Besides, I will stay faithful to God.”

But in the end, because of these multiple wives and concubines, David and his family experienced many troubles. (2 Samuel 13-18; 1 Kings 1-2)

How often, because we are influenced by our own culture, do we overlook what God has taught or misunderstand it?

Each day, let us seek God’s wisdom in all we do.

As Paul wrote,

Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2)

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2 Samuel Devotionals

Anger and bitterness

2 Samuel

As I was reading this passage, I was struck by Joab’s words.

“Must the sword devour forever? Don’t you realize that this will end in bitterness?” (2 Samuel 2:26)

On Sunday, I gave a message about holding on to anger in our lives (among other things), and when I read Abner’s words, I thought about that message again.

Joab had good reason to be angry. Twelve of David’s men were killed, and Abner himself killed Joab’s brother. Because of that, Joab thought to kill Abner and all his men.

But when he heard Abner’s words of wisdom, he stopped and returned home.

How often do we hold on to anger in our lives? We may have a good reason for our anger, but we need to let it go.

In Joab’s case, he never truly let go of his anger. He later killed Abner, and for that crime (among others), he himself was killed.

In the same way, if we hold on to anger and bitterness, it will lead us to a bitter end. That anger and bitterness will bind us up, and not only affect our relationships, but our health as well. (Anger and bitterness will lead to stress, after all).

So if you are holding to anger or bitterness in your life, turn to Jesus. Ask for his help to deal with these things. He can understand you.

After all, people hated him so much, they killed him. But on the cross, he prayed, “Father forgive them. They don’t know what they’re doing.” (Luke 23:34)

Are you struggling with anger and bitterness? Remember these words:

“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16)

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2 Samuel Devotionals

Right with God

2 Samuel

David’s words strike me here.

Is it not true my house is with God?
For he has established a permanent covenant with me,
ordered and secured in every detail.

Will he not bring about
my whole salvation and my every desire? (2 Samuel 23:5)

Obviously, David is talking about the specific covenant that God made with him, that God would establish a house for him, a dynasty that would last forever. (2 Samuel 7)

And God will ultimately fulfill that promise in Jesus.

But through Jesus, we also have a permanent covenant, ordered and secured in every detail. It brings about our whole salvation, and ultimately our every desire. Desires for righteousness, justice, peace, and love.

It is permanent, ordered, and secured because Jesus took care of everything for us on the cross, and is not dependent on our efforts to be righteous.

Our house, our lives, are right with God because God has clothed us with the perfect righteousness of Jesus.

As Paul wrote,

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of his great love that he had for us, made us alive with Christ even though we were dead in trespasses.

You are saved by grace! He also raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might display the immeasurable riches of his grace through his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— not from works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:4-9)

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2 Samuel Devotionals Psalms Devotionals

The God who came down

Psalms

It’s strange how my diverse reading plans come together at times. I was reading Psalm 18 yesterday, and by chance came across 2 Samuel 22 today. They’re two different passages, but the same psalm are in them.

Something struck me today that didn’t strike me yesterday. David is talking here towards the end of his life about how God had delivered him throughout his life. And one theme we see time and again is that God came down to help David.

David talks about how in his despair when he thought he was about to die, God “bent the heavens and came down.” (Psalm 18:9)

And again,

He reached down from on high
and took hold of me;
he pulled me out of deep water. (Psalm 18:16)

And again,

You have given me the shield of your salvation;
your right hand upholds me,
and your humility exalts me. (35)

That word “humility” is translated multiple ways. “Gentleness” (ESV), “help” (NIV), you stoop down (old NIV), and “condescending gentleness” (Darby translation).

At any rate, it all has the same idea. God lowered himself to order help David when he was in trouble.

And in Jesus, he did the same for us. For Jesus,

who, existing in the form of God,
did not consider equality with God
as something to be exploited.

Instead he emptied himself
by assuming the form of a servant,
taking on the likeness of humanity.

And when he had come as a man,
he humbled himself by becoming obedient
to the point of death—
even to death on a cross. (Philippians 4:6-8)

The eternal God becoming man was an incredible display of humility.

Jesus bent the heavens, coming down as a tiny, helpless baby, dependent on a human mother and father, subject to sickness, weariness, hunger, and thirst.

Nor did he come as a king to rule, but as a servant. And after 33 years of life here, he died on an ugly death on a cross.

Why? To save us. We deserved nothing from him except judgment for our sins. But he loved us enough to die for us.

So let us meditate on his love for us, and sing as David did,

The Lord lives—blessed be my rock!
The God of my salvation is exalted. (46)