May 15

 1 Samuel 17:1-18:4, John 8:21-30, Psalm 111:1-10, Proverbs 15:11 

Pray: Two questions to ponder as you prayerfully begin. First, how are you in need of God’s grace? Tell Him how you feel uncertain, confused, weak, inadequate, etc. and ask Him for His strength and love. Second, how have you seen God’s grace at work in your life over the past week? Today’s psalmist tells us, “He causes us to remember his wonderful works” (111:4a). Ask for His encouragement and refreshment as He causes you to remember His provision, His protection, His guidance, etc. in your life.

Read: As you read about David’s exploits in battle with Goliath, Jesus sharing what He is prepared to do on a cross, as well as the Psalm and Proverbs; consider the price that has to be paid in order for us to live in freedom and in covenant with God. 

Edify: It is so easy to desire glory and acclaim. Some of the toughest times we experience in life are the mundane, often difficult, ordinary daily obligations. It’s tough to change diapers when no one is looking, go visit someone in a nursing home, serve at church, or do your least favorite part of your job when you know no one is noticing or rewarding you for it. Jesus withholds condemnation that we deserve in His mercy, is completely truthful, and allows Himself to be “lifted up” on a cross so we won’t die in our sins. He spent 30 years in ordinary Jewish life and building as a carpenter. He then spent 3 years in ministry proclaiming the kingdom, feeding man, healing man, and yet His reward would be a public execution of the worst kind. However, Jesus lived a Spirit-led, faithful life that gave God glory. Further, you see David ready to defend the glory of God with Goliath’s insults. The secret to David’s courage and fierce action was revealed in his faithful service to his father in the wilderness when no one but sheep were watching. David’s faithfulness in taking on bears and lions to protect the flock prepared him for the divine moment where he had the opportunity to protect God’s flock. And due to his faithful service in the wilderness, his heart was prepared to give God the glory after a momentous victory.

Practice: How is God calling you to serve Him and others in obscurity? Take courage in your current callings like being a church volunteer, mother, husband, and employee and know that “all He does is just and good…” (Psalm 111:7).  Fear Him; in other words, know that He deserves the glory. Obey His commands in the day to day life when you get no acclaim and find that you grow in wisdom.