The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
1 Samuel 25-27, Psalm 17, 73
Act 2: God’s Covenant People
Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people
Background Information: 1 Samuel 25-27, Psalm 17, 73
What are we to think of David asking God to do things like “Let hot coals fall on them. Let them be thrown into the fire, into the abyss, never again to rise.”? These are called “imprecatory” Psalms. An imprecation is a spoken curse. We must see these as a glimpse into the inner heart of the Psalmist. David is calling out to God to bring justice. Notice in 1 Samuel, David doesn’t take justice into his own hands when he easily could have done so. Twice he could have taken Saul’s life, but both times he refused. David had not yet, at this point in his life, received the covenant promise of a lasting royal dynasty. As he ran from a king who wanted him dead, David lived in holes, hungry and exposed to the elements. His life was enormously hard, and physical survival was often in doubt. In his prayers he rightly asked the just God to bring justice. But if we are tempted to believe that David is anything more than a sinful man, the biblical narrative sets us straight. If Abigail had not interceded on behalf of her husband, Nabal (his name means “fool”), David would have killed every male in their household. David even expressed relief that she kept him from his own folly. As you read, remember that the biblical narrator tells us what happened, not necessarily what should have happened. We should be so grateful that we have the finished Word of God and the Spirit of God indwelling us. We are equipped, and we watch our lives and doctrine closely, to live in full obedience… to consistently do what ought to be done.
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
With Easter approaching, pray for gospel opportunities in your life and pray for non-believers that will attend our service as well as other Easter services in gospel centered churches around Wichita.
Ask God for… (what else concerns you?)
Reflect:
Write down one passage of scripture that stood out to you today.
Write down why this passage stood out to you.
Engage Community:
Text or call someone now and tell them…
– What you are praying for.
– What stood out from God’s word today.