May 16

1 Samuel 18:5-19:24, John 8:31-59, Psalm 112:1-10, Proverbs 15:12-14

Pray: Proverbs 15:14 says, “A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash.” Ask God to give you a hunger for His Word as you read today. Ask God for the knowledge to know the difference between knowledge and trash as you hear so many voices throughout this week. Commit to “taking out the trash” that communicates foolishness in your life and having the courage to face the truth of God.

Read: An invitation is to do your reading out of order today (and a challenge to read a little extra). Yesterday’s Psalm 111 celebrates the character and nature of God. Today’s Psalm 112 was meant by David to be a companion to 111 detailing the character and nature of the godly person. Psalm 111 is meant to be like the sun (the source) and Psalm 112 is like the moon which line-by-line reflects the light of the sun. Now, consider that you get a look at the life of the author of these psalms in the Old Testament reading. How does David demonstrate Psalm 112 in his life? How is Jesus the perfect image of the godly person in the New Testament reading?

Edify: Do you have an eye for the truth or do you have a jealous eye like Saul? Saul’s eye was set to murder, lie, and manipulate because he wanted to maintain control and have the most power and glory in the nation. The Scripture says that he brought on himself a “tormenting spirit” as his mind and emotions would not ever settle. He was a prisoner. He was not free. See David as one who points forward to Jesus who operates above reproach, displays strength and humility simultaneously, and even serves by playing the harp for the one who wants to harm him. David has a difficult and complicated situation, but he is the one in the story who is free. Jesus says that He IS the truth, and He has come to set us free. And we either love the truth, which is Him, or we are a son of the devil who loves deceit. And by this decision of that love, we will become more and more like Christ or like the devil. 

Practice: Out of your love for Jesus the “I AM,” ask Him to take your jealous eye towards someone and redirect your eye to Him. He is the one that will set you free from bitterness, anger, jealousy, malice, and rage that torments and imprisons us. Ask God for an opportunity to anonymously serve, in some way this week, the person that you harbor these feelings (or could potentially harbor these feelings) towards. .