May 22

2 Samuel 1:1-2:11, John 12:20-50, Psalm 118:19-29, Proverbs 15:27-28

Pray: Lord, as we read the text today we ask your Holy Spirit to open our eyes and our understanding to these words which reveal more of You to us. Yes, we realize that these are stories of persons who are sinful, yet Your redemptive purpose comes through and Your will is ultimately accomplished. Help us today to discern Your will for our lives and to be faithful in living out what You reveal to us.

Read: Today’s Old Testament passage is a paradox for King Saul is mortally wounded. He asked the Amalekite to “put me out of my misery”. The young man does as the King asks and quickens his death. When King David heard the man tell the story he ordered that this man be killed because he has “killed God’s anointed”. Today there is much discussion over persons being able to end their lives prematurely, to avoid the pain and suffering which some illness brings to those who have them. Yet, here in the text David is clear that God’s anointed should have died a natural death, not one which is ended prematurely. 

Edify: I find it difficult to understand. I know why David weeps for Jonathan because Jonathan was a true friend to David. David however, weeps for King Saul and observes a time of mourning like everyone else. David never stopped giving respect to the King’s role as the anointed of God. Though Saul tried to kill David numerous times David didn’t retaliate. David proved by his actions that he yielded first to his honor of God instead of his own anger or personal agenda.

Practice: The New Testament passage is so revealing as there were many people who heard Jesus teach and wanted to follow Jesus. But, they feared what the religious leaders would think of them. John’s Gospel gives a powerful statement when it says in verse 42, “They loved human praise more than the praise of God.” Their codependency kept them from finding their worth and their value in the very One who created them in His image. We sell out far too often to the praise of men and women and do not honor God with the way we live our lives.  How would your day, your week, be different if you and I truly loved the praise of God?