Daily Devotional

Scripture 2 Sam 21:14 They buried the bones of Saul and Jonathan his son in the country of Benjamin in Zelah, in the tomb of Kish his father. So they performed all that the king commanded. And after that God heeded the prayer for the land.

Observation: We expect God just to answer our prayers no matter what. God’s promises comes with a condition, He expects us to do something before He will do what He says. God does not answer prayers unless they are in His will. If you pray for a million dollars the chance God answers that prayer is very slim, because it’s not in His will for you. In this case there was a drought and King David called out to God and he told him that there was something He needed to do before the prayer would be answered and after he accomplished the task God heeded his prayer. Before we pray we need to make sure we are in God’s will and if there is sin in your life you may have to correct the problem before you can get your answer. For example if you are in an adulterous relationship do not expect God to answer your prayer as a matter of fact watch out for God’s wrath.

Application: I need to straighten out my own life before asking God for anything. I need to take a close look at my life and see where I’m sinning against my Lord. I need to come to Him and prayer and ask Him what I need to change so that He may hear my request and live a life honoring to Him. When I pray I need to make sure my request is in line of what God wants and that it will be in His will, not mine.

Prayer: My Lord I come to you and ask that you tell me how to live this life in honor to you. Make it clear to me what I need to change to be pleasant in your sight. Point out the sin in my life so that I may see and change so that my prayers will not be hindered, because of the life I’m leading. May this life honor you.

Scripture 2 Sam 20:16 Then a wise woman cried out from the city, “Hear, Hear! Please say to Joab, ‘Come nearby, that I may speak with you.’ ”

Observation: We are so busy listening to ourselves and having fixed in our minds what we want to do that we don’t listen to others that might be wiser than us. As a matter of fact we hate the thought that others are smarter than us, like children we like to think that we know it all and don’t need counsel. God has put people in our path to help and to speak through them and if we stop and listen and put our pride aside we would truly learn something. If it wasn’t for this wise woman a town would be destroyed and I think God used a woman here because at that time woman were not highly regarded so most men wouldn’t listen to their advice at all, but because Joab was smart enough he took the time and listened to this woman’s advice and was able to maintain his goal without bloodshed of the town or his soldiers.

Application: I don’t listen very well, I have my own agenda and stick with it no matter what, at times with great disappointment. I need to stop talking and do a lot more listening to others to hear what they are saying and truly take it in. This doesn’t mean everyone’s advice would be helpful, but I need to allow God to use them to speak to me otherwise I might as well be deaf. I need direction and I’m not always going to find it within myself, I need God and others to help direct me to do what is honoring for my Lord.

Prayer: Dear Lord put others in my path and humble your servant so that I may listen to discern what you are telling me and what way you want me to go. Remind me always that I’m only a servant and need direction to please my Master and use your other servants to help me accomplish what you desire of me. I love you my Lord, please direct me.

Scripture 2 Sam 19:30 Then Mephibosheth said to the king, “Rather, let him take it all, inasmuch as my lord the king has come back in peace to his own house.”

Observation: What’s most important to us? That has changed so many times in my life from making money, job prestige, security, recognition and other self-focused priorities. There is nothing in this world that I wouldn’t give for the safety and health of my wife, but even more important than that is how I honor God. There should never be anything more important than God in our lives, since if it wasn’t for Him we wouldn’t be here. Everything I do should be centered with God in mind, everything I do needs to honor God whether at work, rest or play my life should be a reflection of Jesus. I’m so far from that and I need to do more to accomplish this goal that the Holy Spirit has put on my heart.

Application: Sometimes I think I’m doing okay for God, but I look at the time I spent that doesn’t and I know I’m so far from what I should be doing. I need to spend my time more preciously, honoring God. He has blessed me with talents and gifts that I can use and I need to be doing just that honoring God with the time I have left on this earth. What I do now will affect me for all of eternity.

Prayer: My Lord I want to do what is right by you, but I always fall short and I need you to keep me on the path you want me to be on. Give me wisdom and courage to do what is of you and so when I come home you will welcome me with a smile and a well done good and faithful servant.

Scripture 2 Sam 18:27 So the watchman said, “I think the running of the first is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok.” And the king said, “He is a good man, and comes with good news.”

Observation: A good man would come with good news and what is the best good news? The gospel. A good man puts God first and others above himself so when an opportunity arises a good man would honor God by sharing his word and caring enough about others not to worry about how it might make him look, but putting the salvation of that person’s soul first. A good man puts others first and loves his brother as himself, but loves God with all his heart, mind and soul.

Application: I want and need to be a good man. I want to put God first in everything that I do and I want to put others before myself, but deep down I’m not a good man. I need to stop putting my desires above others and especially above God’s. I need to get my priorities straight and start living today with God first, others second and mine third. I need to strive to be that good man God calls me to be. Before doing anything check my motives in why am I doing it if it doesn’t honor God or benefit someone else, I need not to do it.

Prayer: My Lord help me be this good man you call me to be. Soften my heart and guide me to put you first always and to please you by serving others to your glory. Humble me and make me that servant you desire me to be that others will see me as a good man and want to hear what I say, because they would know it is good news.

Scripture 2 Sam 16:12 It may be that the LORD will look on my affliction, and that the LORD will repay me with good for his cursing this day.”

Observation: This scripture shows someone cursing King David and his men asked if they should kill him to shut him up. David looked at this situation coming from God, a test maybe, but he felt that God might have put him in his path. We have choices to, do we take revenge or do we look at a situation possibly coming from God? Even if it didn’t come from God, God has told us how to handle situations, we are to forgive others, love others, help them and the commandments tell us never to hurt anyone. So David felt if this was a test he wanted to pass and he knew if he did what honored God that he would be repaid, whether on this earth or the next.

Application: All day long my mind feeds on negative thoughts and the majority of thoughts towards others is negative and hurtful. I look at situations and see them in a way that I’m the one that is justified no matter who it might hurt. I need to change my heart because of there are rewards for doing good there are also consequences for doing wrong. To be a light means to shine brightly and to shine in that way we need to reflect the light of our Lord. People need to see Jesus in my life and the way I treat others is the most important step in serving God.

Prayer: My Lord help me please have a peaceful spirit and loving way towards others. I want to be repaid for the good I do, help me do good. May I be your ambassador in this dark place and shine my light to direct others to the saving grace of my Savior.

Scripture 2 Sam 15:15 And the king’s servants said to the king, “We are your servants, ready to do whatever my lord the king commands.”

Observation: These were the servants of King David and they knew what servants are supposed to do. I call myself a servant of the Lord, my King Jesus, but do I know what a servant is supposed to do? It’s pretty basic a servant serves and does what he is commanded to do. My Lord has given me commands including the ten commandments, but the Bible is full of commands my Lord expects me to carry out. None of which are too difficult to accomplish and all seem to be for my benefit anyway. Even if the commands would have been outrageous my Lord deserves the best from me to complete the tasks he sets before me.

Application: I know what my Lord wants and He does deserve all that I am to complete those tasks. I need to be obedient to His will and fulfill each command with honor to him. There is nothing he can command me to do that he would not be worthy of me doing. I need to make sure however when I do the things he calls me to do that he gets the glory and honor and not myself, for I am a lowly servant to the most high God.

Prayer: My Lord and my King, command your servant to do the tasks you desire of me. Keep me in your word and speak to me as I read and show me each day the schedule of duties that you have for me. I love you Lord and freely give you this life as your bond servant, use me please.