May 27

 2 Samuel 12:1-31, John 16:1-33, Psalm 119:65-80, Proverbs 16:4-5

Pray: Prayers are often cries of our heart to God. Many times they are for the well being of those we love. David prayed for God to spare his infant son. David felt the weight of his own sin but he did want his child to live. Our prayers should not just be for us but for others as well. Let us pray for God to open our eyes to the Scripture and to strengthen us to live it out.

Read: Acts 13 says that King David, “…was a man after God’s own heart”. David begged God for the life of his infant son. So if King David’s prayers were not answered perhaps we might understand that God’s will doesn’t always mean we get our way. Sin does have consequences. Our bad choices impact those we love. The world often makes light of sin and Christians for cautioning a broken world to cease from rebellion. Yet, there are repercussions from sin, as families face heartache with wayward children and marriages that come to an end. Followers of Christ are no different when challenges come our way, but our hope is in the One who can bring healing and hope.

Edify: Jesus is preparing His disciples for both His coming crucifixion and their persecution. However, He also gives them hope and encouragement in two ways: 1) The empowerment of the Holy Spirit, and 2) that mourning will turn to rejoicing when His death turns into resurrection. Jesus likens His resurrection from the dead like a woman going through childbirth, which I am told is quite painful, but once the child is born the pain was worth it to bring forth new life. You and I have access to this same Holy Spirit. We can ask the Holy Spirit to fill us now with His presence, with His love and the hope that He can make all things new. 

Practice: Jesus has never promised, nor implied, that once we choose to believe in Him and follow Him that we will immediately get the job, find the perfect mate, and become financially secure. However, He does promise us that He has, “overcome the world” and we can take peace and great hope in His victory over sin and death. Jesus says we will face many sorrows and challenges but we do not face them alone. We have an advocate, someone who fights for us in Jesus Christ. So straighten up, and begin to call upon the Lord no matter what you are facing for Jesus is with you. That increases your odds greatly.