May 28
After many years of delay, David assumes Israel's throne.
INSIGHT
Earlier, Samuel had anointed David-then a young, inexperienced boy-to be king over Israel. Fourteen years elapsed between Samuel's anointing and the time when David actually assumes the rule over all of Israel.
Instead of luxuriating in the royal palace during these years, David runs from cave to cave, trying to escape from Saul who is bent on killing him. But it is these difficult experiences that build into David the strength of character, the convictions, the sensitivity to right and wrong, and the vision to be a great king.
Even for us today, the road to transformation always goes through the tunnel of trials.
· Because the Lord uses the difficult times to create Christlikeness in our lives, we can praise Him for all things:
The Lord is righteous in all His ways,
Gracious in all His works.
The Lord is near to all who call upon Him,
To all who call upon Him in truth.
He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;
He also will hear their cry and save them.
My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord,
And all flesh shall bless His holy name
Forever and ever
(Psalms 145:17-19).
· Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
No chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it (Hebrews 12:11).
· Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pause to pray this affirmation to the Lord:
Unless the Lord builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the Lord guards the city,
The watchman stays awake in vain
(Psalms 127:1).
· As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:
· greater love for others,
· the work of missions in the Middle East, the islands, and Australia,
· your activities for the day.
· Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
May the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen (1 Peter 5:10-11).
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