Bible Pathways - May 17, 2005

May 17

 

Read I Chronicles 17 -- 20

 

In Today's Reading:

 

David forbidden to build the Temple; God makes a Covenant with David; his prayer; God extends David's kingdom

 

Prayer and praise to God were distinguishing characteristics in the life of David. It is often recorded: David inquired of the LORD (I Samuel 23:2,4; 30:8; II Samuel 2:1; 5:19,23; 21:1; I Chronicles 14:10,14).

 

David prayed: O LORD, there is none like You, neither is there any God beside You, according to all that we have heard with our ears (17:20). Although Christians are aware of the importance of prayer, few make it as vital a part of their lives as David did. Earnestly seeking the Lord in prayer enables Christians to make right decisions.

 

As we read God's Word He is speaking to us and as we pray we are speaking to our Heavenly Father. That is open communication in the family of God. Knowing God's Word and prayer are vital links in releasing heaven's power in our lives to answer our prayers. Let us declare with utmost confidence with the psalmist: I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress (whose power the enemy forces cannot penetrate): my God; in Him I will trust (Psalm 91:2).

 

There is no better how-to-pray manual, nor reading plan, than the Bible, beginning in Genesis and ending with Revelation. It is an attitude of foolish pride to believe we are qualified to choose what not to read when the Lord has clearly said: All Scripture is . . . profitable (II Timothy 3:16). If it is all . . . profitable and we don't read all of it, then we fail to gain the best preparation for prayer that God has provided. When we recognize the Bible as His unique prayer manual written for us, we will give it priority far above all other important matters in our daily schedules.

 

Open your Bibles reverently, daily, praying that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: The eyes of your understanding (mind) being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward (toward us) who believe, according to the working of His mighty power (Ephesians 1:17-19).

 

Let the dominating motive in all your reading of God's Word be that you might walk worthy of the Lord to all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10).

 

Christ Portrayed:

 

By David, the great shepherd-king (I Chronicles 17:7; compare Matt. 1:1-6; Rom. 1:3), symbolic of Christ as the Good Shepherd (John 10:11) and the King of Kings (Revelation 19:16).

 

Word Studies:

 

17:7 sheepcote = pasturelands; 18:4 houghed = crippled by cutting leg tendons; 19:4 hard by = close to; 19:6 odious = detestable, morally offensive.

 

Prayer Needs:

 

Pray for BPM Staff: George Kopchak · Government Officials: Sen. Chuck Hagel (NE), Rep. George Miller (CA), and Sen. Ben Nelson (NE) · Country: Afghanistan (26 million) in central Asia · Major languages: Pastu and Afghan Persian (Dari) · Hostile to Christian evangelization. For a Muslim to convert to Christianity is automatic execution · Prayer Suggestion: Pray for (not against) your enemies (Luke 6:28).

 

Optional Reading: I Corinthians 4

 

Memory Verse for the Week: II Timothy 3:17