Category: Daily Devotional

Scripture 2 Sam 8:11 King David also dedicated these to the LORD, along with the silver and gold that he had dedicated from all the nations which he had subdued–

Observation: Throughout the Bible people are dedicating things to the Lord, but what have I dedicated? I dedicate my tithe I guess to the Lord, yet I’m only giving him back a small portion that he has given me, I dedicate my marriage and try to be the man He calls me to be, but I fail too often.. I have no riches like David or King Solomon and I have the one thing God wants. My life it should be a living sacrifice so that is holy and pleasing to Him. He deserves at least that since again he gave it to me and has preserved it through these years. He deserves much more than a tithe of it, he deserves it all and this life needs to be dedicated to him.

Application: So what do I do to dedicate my life to him. It’s a living sacrifice and a sacrifice was an offering that was pleasing to God so each day of my life should be, pleasing to God. I should live it as though God is looking down on me to see what I’m doing. As he looks it should please him in what I’m doing, make him laugh and maybe even bring a tear to his eyes now and then when I do something extraordinary for one of his children. A life worth watching and at the end of each day when God remembers me it brings a smile to his face.

Prayer: Dear Lord I dedicate this life to you. May it be holy and pleasing to you. May I follow the path you have made for me and that at the end of this life it multiplied the talent you had entrusted me with.

Scripture 2 Sam 7:18 Then King David went in and sat before the LORD; and he said: “Who am I, O Lord GOD? And what is my house, that You have brought me this far?

Observation: I’ve asked myself more than a couple of times. I tried to end my life six times and at least once was in an accident that should have killed me and yet I’m still here. Not only am I still alive, but I’ve prospered over the years, maybe not in worldly wealth but in knowledge and blessings. God has taken care of all of my needs, has blessed me with things that I wanted, has watched over my family and has blessed me with the most amazing woman to be my wife. But why? Who am I that I should be the recipient of just great mercies and blessing? Like John I’m the one He loves, like all of his children. God loves and cares for me and has a purpose for my life and if I’m obedient He will show me all the things he wants of me.

Application: Be aware of the many blessing God has bestowed on me and be grateful. Continue to ask God what he desires of me each day and then do them, no excuses. Realize I’m his creation, his child and that he loves me and wants the best for me and not to question it but to receive it by faith. Who am I? I’m his.

Prayer: Dear Lord take me by the hand and use me, increase my faith and draw me near. I am your creation, your servant and your child, command me as you desire and give me the wisdom and courage to do it. I love you with all of my heart and want to serve and please you all the days of my life.

Scripture 2 Sam 6:8 And David became angry because of the LORD’S outbreak against Uzzah; and he called the name of the place Perez Uzzah to this day.

Observation: So often we get angry because things didn’t go as we wanted. We don’t ask to see if we did something wrong to have that outcome, we just want what we want. Jesus told us we would have trial and tribulations, basically saying you’re not always going to get your way. These are our opportunity to learn and grow and not get angry. We need to find out what we need to learn when a situation doesn’t go the way we thought and ask God what to do next. With David he should have known there was a special way God wanted the ark to be moved and that it wasn’t to be touched. If he thought and prayed before he moved the ark, God would have given him the correct way to move the ark.

Application: I still get angry without cause. If something doesn’t go right or I make a mistake I get mad. It used to be before Jesus entered my life it would happen every day and it was to the point my family didn’t want to be around me. I never took the blame for not being more careful I just got angry, angry at God and any one that might be around. When Jesus did come into my life I was better, but still even now my anger can flare up quickly and if I don’t stop and pray it can get out of hand. I need to stay close and be aware that God is moving in my life and he knows exactly where I am and I need to reach out to him instantly when things do not go as plan and ask him to take my anger and open my eyes to what he is showing me.

Prayer: My Lord forgive this sinner. My thoughts go to anger before anything else and I can’t control it without you. Help me be calm and quiet so I can hear you give me directions in what you desire of me. I want to please you and I know an angry man can’t.

Scripture 2 Sam 5:19 So David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go up against the Philistines? Will You deliver them into my hand?” And the LORD said to David, “Go up, for I will doubtless deliver the Philistines into your hand.”

Observation: How often do we inquire of the Lord before we go through with our plans? In my case it must be less than ten percent. I have a desire and I act on it without considering my Lord and what He wants. I love the scripture I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me and the other not so much Apart from God I can do nothing. Do to things through Christ means, I need to do things the way He wants them done. I forget that no is an answer when I’m asking God if I should do something and even when I do inquire of my Lord I don’t sit still long enough to hear the answer.

Application: God is called my Master for a reason and that is that He is. To find out what my master desires I need to inquire and listen then obey His commands. My God loves and if I’m sure of this then I should want his advice since He obviously knows best and what the best for me. Everything I want is instant gratification with very little long term growth if any, but God want me to grow and be ready for the ultimate reward, Heaven. That is the path he has me on the path home, but there is a few things I’m to do first and I need to inquire of my Lord to find out what they are and how to do them the way He wants.

Prayer: My Lord I’ve wasted so many days doing things without inquiring of you. Slow me down that I will sit still and hear the answers you have for me. May I not make another decision without checking with you first. I know you love and care for me and want the best for me and I need to inquire each day to what those things are.

Scripture 2 Sam 4:9 But David answered Rechab and Baanah his brother, the sons of Rimmon the Beerothite, and said to them, “As the LORD lives, who has redeemed my life from all adversity,

Observation: As the Lord lives is a very definite statement, because there is no doubt that He does and will live forever. As secure as I can feel that my Lord lives, I’m also just as confident to know that He has redeemed my life. He has protected me from adversity and has also gotten me through it. My God has never failed me even though I can’t count the number of times I’ve failed Him. He has redeemed my life from hell and has redeemed and made it useful here on this earth. He has been able to use the pain in my life to help others through theirs. He has redeemed this life and now is able to use it for his glory.

Application: Each morning the negative thoughts come pouring out of my mind to the point I’m not even sure what I’m thinking. It’s as if Satan took everything that might happen to me and what has happened and poured into my head. Each time this happens I need to stop and think of my redeemer and how disappointed he must be in me. I think of the Israelites and how they continued to turn their backs on the God who continually saved them and how angry I would get at them, yet I’m not any better. I need to separate myself from my thoughts at times and meditate on God’s word and promises before taking another step.

Prayer: My Lord and my redeemer. Thank you for redeeming me from all the pain I went through and healing your servant. I thank you for never giving up on me and always being there to pick me up. Help me lead others to you and show them the love of my Redeemer.

Scripture 2 Sam 3:18 Now then, do it! For the LORD has spoken of David, saying, ‘By the hand of My servant David, I will save My people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and the hand of all their enemies.’

Observation: Throughout scripture the Lord has spoken of people like Moses, David, Solomon, Samuel and so on. He spoke of these men because they followed and obeyed God and God wanted to tell us that he was going to use this obedience. I don’t think I would have ever made the scriptures, because my walk is shallow. There will be times when I obey God, then others when I disobey and yet other times when I just ignore my Lord completely. If God was going to speak of me, it wouldn’t have been pleasant.

Application: I want to be that man that God can speak of, an obedient and loving man, a man that would put God first in everything and that I would love him with all of my heart, mind and soul. Yet I’m a sinner and my focus always comes back to me and my needs, not a God honoring man at all. It’s not too late to change, I need to put God first in everything and ask for his guidance in all that happens. Give my time freely to my Master and use it in his service. I want the Lord to speak of me, maybe to the angels as he did with Job. That he could say that I’m an upright man who honors him.

Prayer: Dear Lord I know there isn’t much about my life that you could be proud of, but you know that I love you and want to be a better man for you. Help me grow closer to you and understand what would please you with this life. May the rest of this life be an example of how to live a life in glory and honor to you.

Scripture 2 Sam 2:26 Then Abner called to Joab and said, “Shall the sword devour forever? Do you not know that it will be bitter in the latter end? How long will it be then until you tell the people to return from pursuing their brethren?”

Observation: So often we get so determined to have things are way it doesn’t matter who we hurt or what sin we might comment to get it. We feel we have to win and that is the only thing that is important to us and we pursue it without thinking. I know in my life I did it all of the time whether it was getting a promotion at work, winning an argument, or getting something I wanted. I would pursue it without thinking whether it was wrong or right I just needed to get my way and this is what this scripture is saying are we going to destroy everything for no reason. It wasn’t until Abner stopped to think of the consequences of their action and had the strength to speak out before the killing stopped. It’s funny when he spoke out Joab agreed right away because they were so focus on winning they didn’t realize the cost.

Application: I want to be the peacemaker and realize what is happening around me. I’m typically the person that causes the quarrel in the first place and I need to be the one who humbles himself and thinks of the consequences of my actions. I want to be the person that can stop others when I see what they are doing is fugal and against what God wants. If people are aware of their mistakes and have an opportunity to correct them they will. I need to be aware of what I’m doing at all times to make sure I never fight a losing battle.

Prayer: My Lord I’m typically the instigator in most matters and I want to be the peacemaker. Please give me the wisdom I will need to draw others closer to you. May the only battle I’m in be the fight for you.