May 24

2 Samuel 4:1-6:23, John 13:31-14:14, Psalm 119:17-32, Proverbs 15:31-32

Pray: Our prayer today comes directly from our reading of the Psalm:

“Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions.” 

Read: David is anointed King of Israel. His first move, indeed his very passion, is to bring back the Ark of God. Leading 30,000 troops he is successful in bringing the Ark back. Whether David knew this intuitively or not, it is imperative for leaders to gain “wins” in order to create momentum for any organization. This win was not for himself, which is what made it so vital, but it was a win for the Kingdom of God and the people who worshiped the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Lasting wins in an organization or in relationships are usually enduring when they are about doing what is right and living beyond one’s own self-interest.

Edify: Jesus is preparing the disciples for His pending departure. This is why chapters 13, 14 and 15 of John are called the “Farewell Passages”. Jesus is preparing to turn the keys over to a rag tag group of fishermen and a tax collector. Yet, revealed in today’s reading is the amazing truth from Jesus’ own lips that if we want to come to the Father we have to go through Him. He is "the way, the truth and the life.” He is the way—there is no other way to God and when we have aligned our will with God’s will there is a peace and contentment which comes from this surrender. Jesus is the truth, so when we apply His counter-cultural teaching it exposes the myths and lies of the enemy. Jesus is the “Life” giving force of the universe. We live in a culture of death. Most people are motivated to pursue and worship youth because we are afraid of our inevitable death. Suicide bombers strap destructive devices to themselves to blow up others in the name of religion but it is not God they worship it is death. Jesus has not only come to give us life, but life abundantly. This should make us shout out loud, and dance as David did shamelessly before the Lord.

Practice: There is probably no greater “practice” or application than today’s reading from Proverbs, “If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.” Great words of advice and encouragement. So now the question, “Will you and I be open to God’s revelations today by asking for advice or input from others?” If you have already gone through your day, why not jot down one or two things you want to learn from your experiences and either do better tomorrow or not ever repeat again if it was a mistake or sin.