Once David is made King of Israel, God reveals the sovereign movement and direction taking place over David’s life. As he recognizes the piece he is playing in God’s redemptive plan, David is driven to humility and worship....
A little over a month ago, I was doing my morning devotion and the focus verse for the day was out of Leviticus 13. I was not familiar with this passage of Scripture so I read through the entire chapter. Chapter 13 details how the...
12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never...
I hear the same question all the time: Why did you adopt internationally? There are so many kids here in the U.S. that need a home. Wouldn’t that have been easier? My stomach drops to the floor and back into my throat within a moment. Because...
1 In the spring of the year, when kings normally go out to war, David sent Joab and the Israelite army to fight the Ammonites. They destroyed the Ammonite army and laid siege to the city of Rabbah. However, David stayed behind in Jerusalem. 2 Late...
In hard-hit North Carolina, swollen rivers are at last receding. As residents return to communities that were underwater for days, the Red Cross is delivering meals, snacks and relief supplies, including cleanup kits to help families muck out flood-ravaged homes....
The God I worship is the God of the universe and all of creation. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the One who holds the world in His hands and gives us life. This is the God I worship, yet sometimes I fail to...
1 When David was settled in his palace, he summoned Nathan the prophet. “Look,” David said, “I am living in a beautiful cedar palace, but the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant is out there under a tent!” 2 Nathan replied to David, “Do whatever you have...
1 Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot— yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. 2 And the Spirit of the Lord will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and...
The Ark of the Covenant represented God’s presence with His people, but it was in a foreign land and absent during Saul’s reign. As David becomes king, he recognizes God’s rightful place as King of Israel and desires to bring the Ark into Jerusalem, the...
1 I will sing of the Lord’s unfailing love forever! Young and old will hear of your faithfulness. 2 Your unfailing love will last forever. Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens. 3 The Lord said, “I have made a covenant with David, my chosen servant. I have sworn...
Life is a funny thing. It passes slowly and yet quickly. The longer we live it, the more sure we become that our time is passing and fleeting. We long to live lives filled with meaning, but then we find ourselves filling our day-to-day with...
1 When King David was settled in his palace and the Lord had given him rest from all the surrounding enemies, 2 the king summoned Nathan the prophet. “Look,” David said, “I am living in a beautiful cedar palace, but the Ark of God is...
11 Then David summoned the priests, Zadok and Abiathar, and these Levite leaders: Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel, and Amminadab. 12 He said to them, “You are the leaders of the Levite families. You must purify yourselves and all your fellow Levites, so you can...
1 The Lord is king! Let the nations tremble! He sits on his throne between the cherubim. Let the whole earth quake! 2 The Lord sits in majesty in Jerusalem, exalted above all the nations. 3 Let them praise your great and awesome name. Your name is holy! 4 Mighty King, lover of...
In 1 Samuel 25, we see Abigail live out her calling to be an Ezer, or an essential counterpart, who comes alongside both David and her husband, Nabal, to bring strength and security. She partners with both men as she shields Nabal, her fool...
Do you know those days when you feel like you’ve got it all together? You know what needs to get done, and you know exactly how you’re going to do it. You’re motivated and focused; you’re on it, and everyone else better move out of...
8 At that time the Lord set apart the tribe of Levi to carry the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant, and to stand before the Lord as his ministers, and to pronounce blessings in his name. These are their duties to this day....
10 “Have the people make an Ark of acacia wood—a sacred chest 45 inches long, 27 inches wide, and 27 inches high. 11 Overlay it inside and outside with pure gold, and run a molding of gold all around it. 12 Cast four gold rings...
In 1 Samuel 25, we read a story of David, who acts in humility and weakness; Abigail, who acts in humility and strength; and Nabal, who acts in foolishness. Abigail, caught between a fool and a weak man, lives out her Ezer calling. She provides...
1 David consulted with all his officials, including the generals and captains of his army. 2 Then he addressed the entire assembly of Israel as follows: “If you approve and if it is the will of the Lord our God, let us send messages to...