READ: 2 Samuel 15 (Focus vs. 13–14 & 23–26)
MEMORY VERSE
“Let him do to me whatever seems good to him.” 2 Samuel 15:26
BACKGROUND
Christina Rossetti, a poet and devotional writer, found that nothing came easily for her. She suffered from depression and various illnesses throughout her life and endured broken engagements. Eventually she died of cancer.
When David burst into Israel’s national consciousness, it was as a triumphant warrior. Yet throughout his life, David faced hardship. Late in his reign, his own son, along with his trusted advisor and much of the country, turned against him (2 Samuel 15:1–12).
So David took the priests Abiathar and Zadok and the sacred ark of God with him and fled Jerusalem (vv. 14, 24).
After Abiathar had offered sacrifices to God, David told the priests, “Take the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the Lord’s eyes, he will bring me back and let me see it and his dwelling place again” (v. 25).
Despite the uncertainty, David said, “If [God] says, ‘I am not pleased with you,’ . . . let him do to me whatever seems good to him” (v. 26). He knew he could trust God.
Christina Rossetti trusted God too, and her life ended in hope. The road may indeed wind uphill all the way, but it leads to our heavenly Father, who awaits us with open arms.
By: Tim Gustafson
INSIGHT
Psalm 3 is among a few psalms that include notes (superscriptions) that identify authors or other helpful information. The header reads: “A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom.”
This notation connects the psalm with 2 Samuel 15, where we see Absalom, the rival king, on the rise (vv. 1–12) and David, the rightful king, on the run (vv. 13–37).
The rebellion of Absalom, along with other family challenges (see 2 Samuel 13), fulfilled the word of the prophet: “Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you” (12:11).
Because the battered king didn’t equate the discipline of God with the abandonment of God, he could say, “But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain” (Psalm 3:3–4).
By: Arthur Jackson
APPLICATION
In what ways has life seemed uphill and winding to you? How will you trust God to lead you on the road you’re traveling?
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
“(We should not) equate the discipline of God with the abandonment of God…” Today’s Insight
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
“The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time.” Psalms 34:19 nlt
PRAYER
“Dear God, this life seems so hard sometimes. Yet I trust You to do what’s right, for me and for everyone. Help me live in Your hope, anticipating the day I’ll be with You.”
TODAY’s HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“DWELL” Fred Hammond
He who dwells in the shelter
Of the Most, High
Shall abide under
The shadow of the Almighty
Whatever storms arise won’t move me
Because my eyes are stayed on Him,
He is my King
Don’t you know, don’t you know,
He delivers me from the hand of the enemy
And every plague that shall arise, yeah
Under His wings I can seek safety
For His faithfulness is a shield for my life
Oh, what peace it is to know
That He is wherever I go,
wherever I go
There is nothing that He can’t see
And in Him I have victory
I can dwell (dwell),
I can dwell (dwell)
In my Savior there is safety
And there is no other place
In Him I dwell
Whether I move to the mountain
Or the valley
Abiding in You is the safest place only
I’ve found in You a mighty strong tower
And that’s the place
where I choose to dwell
I call on Him and He answers me
And delivers me on the double, yeah
He sets His love on me and,
He hears me constantly
And saves me,
From each and every trouble
I live, I move and I have my being
As long as I stay in Him
As long as I stay (under) the Shelter
READING THROUGH THE ENTIRE BIBLE THIS YEAR (DAILY)
I Samuel 25-26
Luke 12:32-59
