The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
2 Samuel 22-23, Psalm 57
Act 2: God’s Covenant People
Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people
Background Information: 2 Samuel 22-23, Psalm 57
Why was Saul removed from the throne for his sin while David was forgiven of his? How can David write that he is righteous and has kept God’s commands? Look at verse 1… it says that David wrote this Psalm when he was rescued from the hand of Saul. At that time David had refused to kill Saul when he had the chance and had trusted God to save him. Of course, even then he was not sinless, but he had not yet committed the grievous sin with Bathsheba. This Psalm is obviously something that was remembered and recited over and over by David and others. Here at the end of David’s life it is a sort of summary description of his life. He had not kept the law in perfection, but he had lived with a constant direction. When he sinned, he confessed his sin. When Saul was caught in his sin, he blame-shifted and refused to take responsibility. God blessed David because God had chosen him. It is also true that God’s blessings follow human obedience. To the extent that David was obedient, he experienced the blessings that follow living in line with the will of God. To the extent that David was disobedient, he suffered for his sins. In Christ, our sins are not held against us. As far as the East is from the West, so far has he removed our sins from us (Psalms 103). We rejoice that the eternal consequences of sin have been removed, but we know that the death of Christ has not removed all of the temporal consequences of sin. Those who take sin lightly because Christ has forgiven them are making a mockery of grace and underestimating the ongoing danger of sin. If you blow up some part of your life through your own sin, God will forgive you, but the damage you have done may very well last throughout your life. In the end, there is no second team in heaven. The saved by grace are fully saved. In this life, we should seek to live now, like we will live then. In heaven, sin will be no more; on earth we should seek to ruthlessly put sin to death in our bodies.
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
Pray for the Heart of KS. Southern Baptist Association. It is the association of churches that we cooperate with locally. There is a new leader in the association, Kelly Randolph. Ask God to use Kelly to encourage pastors and strengthen churches. Pray for churches in our association to be healthy and strong.
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.