The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
2 Samuel 10, 1 Chronicles 19, Psalms 20, 53, 60, 75
Act 2: God’s Covenant People
Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people
Background Information: 2 Samuel 10, 1 Chronicles 19, Psalms 20, 53, 60, 75
We have seen God give victory to Israel’s enemies inside the promised land, and now God gives victory over their enemies outside of it. Ammon was a country east of the Jordan, and David reached out to the new king in a show of political grace. After foolishly embarrassing David’s delegation, the Ammonites realized too late that they had made a grave mistake. They allied with other regional powers northeast of the Jordan to go to war against Israel. These chapters reveal that God granted Israel it’s promised peace through strength. King David truly does point us to King Jesus, who has inaugurated a lasting peace through his victory on the cross, and who will consummate that peace when he returns. Joab was David’s nephew, though they were about the same age. He was an able military leader who led in many victories. He was also a rash and foolish man who would eventually betray David in a way that would lead to Joab’s execution. The fool who says in his heart “there is no God” is not only speaking of an intellectual atheist; it also refers to those who are “practical” atheists. It’s unlikely that there were many, if any, who didn’t believe in a god or gods when David wrote Psalm 53. However, there were many who did not yield their hearts to the one true God. There were even those, like Joab, who on the one hand would acknowledge God’s sovereign control in battle (1 Chronicles 19:13), then continually do his own thing in rebellion to God. Lip service to God without life service to him is foolish, empty, and ultimately, dangerous.
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Ask God for opportunities to share the gospel. Pray for your friends and family who do not know Christ. Pray that they would repent of their sins and trust in Jesus for salvation.
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.