4/19/19 “Cast Your Burdens on the Lord”

Today’s Deeply Rooted Devotion is from Psalm 3-4; 13; 28; 55.

Highlighted Verse(s):

“Blessed be the Lord, for he has heard the sound of my pleading. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart celebrates, and I give thanks to him with my song.” Psalm 28:6-7, CSB

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never allow the righteous to be shaken.” Psalm 55:22, CSB

Devotion:

Have you ever hung your head down towards the ground in despair? David found that God was the one who could lift up his head (Psalm 3:3). Have you ever wanted to lie down and not wake up? David found that he could lie down, sleep, and wake up because the Lord was sustaining him (Psalm 3:5). Have you ever felt numb and lifeless even though you continued to breath? Have you ever walked through a season of life where the light left your eyes?

We have all had situations and seasons that we wished we could escape. We can all identify with the Psalms found in today’s readings. As with many Psalms that were written by David, these were written in the midst of suffering. David’s own son had forces and armies trying to drive him out of Jerusalem. When David felt fear that made him tremble and horror that was overwhelming, he cried out to God (Psalm 55:4-5). David found that the Lord was the one who heard His cries even when others were not there to help (Psalm 4:4). He found that, even in the midst of trying times, God was able to put more joy into his heart (Psalm 4:7).

Cast your burdens on the Lord today. Use these Psalms to cry out to God if you are currently experiencing an attack, suffering, or despair. Use them to cry out to God for someone else who might be in a season of suffering.

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4/18/19 “The Struggle of Sin”

Today’s Reading is from 2 Samuel 13-15.

Highlighted Verse(s):

“Joab son of Zeruiah realized that the king’s mind was on Absalom.” 2 Samuel 14:1

Devotion:

Todays reading reveals much turmoil and struggle as a result of David’s sin. 2 Samuel 13-20 reveals “the evil of your own house” that the prophet Nathan spoke of to David as a result of his affair with Bathsheba. Even still, David loved Absalom (2 Sam. 14:1). David’s love for Absalom prefigures Christ’s love for sinners. And it is Christ’s love for sinners that led Him to the cross to be “just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Romans 3:26). We see that God doesn’t sweep sin under the rug in two ways. First, as we have seen today there are consequences for David’s sin. Second, Jesus Christ would die in David’s place, so that David’s faith in God and His future redeeming work (as promised in the Davidic Covenant) unites David with Christ. Because of Christ’s death and David’s faith in Christ, David’s sins are counted as Christ’s sins and Christ’s righteousness is counted as David’s righteousness.

God does the same for us who have faith in Jesus Christ. Praise the Lord for counting your sins as Christ’s sins and Christ’s righteousness as yours. David does show us the kind of mess that a lack of integrity can lead to. Asses your own life today to see if there are any areas where you might lack integrity. Ask the Lord to reveal any ways that you might use your words, attitudes, work ethic, or other actions in sinful ways. Confess these sins to the Lord and seek forgiveness today.

4/16/19 “The Faithful Love and Forgiveness of God”

Today’s Deeply Rooted Devotion is from Psalm 32; 86; 102-103; 122.

Highlighted Verse(s):

“Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not conceal my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin.” Psalm 32:5, CSB

“Bring joy to your servant’s life, because I appeal to you, Lord. For you, Lord, are kind and ready to forgive, abounding in faithful love to all who call on you.” Psalm 86:4-5, CSB

Devotion:

We have entered the season of mowing grass and keeping up the lawn. Psalm 103:15-19 reminds us that our days are like the grass. Just as grass comes and goes, grows and then is dead, so are our lives. The Lord is not the same. The Lord and His faithful love lasts from “eternity to eternity” (Psalm 103:17). His faithful love is the foundation for His forgiveness.

The theme of today’s readings in the Psalms is forgiveness, repentance, and a return to an undivided focus on the Lord (Psalm 86:11). These readings are centered on returning to the joy of our salvation. They bring us to a place where we long for the Lord to hear our prayers (Psalm 102:1; 86:4; 32:6). Psalm 32 in particular brings our focus to these things. Psalm 32 starts out with a brief introduction (v. 1-2), then moves into a personal testimony (v. 3-5), then into some general instruction to all. It is in the personal testimony that David reveals that He acknowledged his sin to the Lord and received forgiveness. The forgiveness of sins (Psalm 32:1) anticipates forgiveness that is available in Jesus Christ (Rodmans 4:7-8).

Is there a sin that you need to ask the Lord to forgive you of? Do you lack spiritual joy and need to appeal to they Lord for forgiveness? Don’t wait, do this today.

4/15/19 “David’s Example”

Today’s Deeply Rooted Devotion is from 2 Samuel 11-12; 1 Chronicles 20; Psalm 51.

Highlighted Verse(s):

“David responded to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Then Nathan replied to David, “And the Lord has taken away your sin; you will not die.” 2 Samuel 12:13, CSB

“God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore the joy of your salvation to me, and sustain me by giving me a willing spirit.” Psalm 51:10-13, CSB

“For one will scarcely die for a righteous person-though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die-but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:7-8, ESV

Devotion:

In today’s reading David shows us how not to live. David shows us that, though he is a man after God’s own heart, he is not a perfect man. Today we get the whole story: David’s act of adultery, his attempt at a cover up, murder, confrontation of his sin by Nathan, his repentance, and the consequences. Notice that even though David’s heart had become callous to sin, when confronted by Nathan, he genuinely and readily repented (Psalm 51).

I am thankful that the story of Scripture reveals the failure of God’s people. It encourages me to know that God doesn’t discard me because of my failures. Instead, in order to lead us to repentance, He comes to us and confronts us regarding our failures. We have all sinned (Romans 3:23) but Jesus died for us anyway. Because of His death and resurrection we can ask God to give us clean hearts, renew within us right spirits, and restore the joy of our salvation (Psalm 51:10-13).

Reflect on your own attitude toward sin. Are you callous toward it? Are you living in a pattern of sin? Are you trying to cover it up? Ask the Lord for forgiveness. Using Psalm 51 as a guide, genuinely and readily repent.

4/14/19 “God’s Awe-Inspiring Works”

Today’s Deeply Rooted Devotion is from Psalm 65-67; 69-70.

Highlighted Verse(s):

“Come and see the wonders of God; his acts for humanity are awe inspiring.” Psalm 66:5, CSB

“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,” Hebrews 12:28, ESV

Devotion:

Have you ever felt like you had very little limitations in life? Maybe you’ve even had a moment or two where you felt like you had no limitations. You could do anything. You felt like you were walking on air, sunshine, or water. Though we have moments where we feel like we can do anything remember that only Jesus walked on water. My point is that today’s readings bring our attention to our limitations. We have disadvantages but God will always have the advantage. God will never need assistance, but we always will. Think about salvation. There is now way to save yourself from your sin. You had to trust in God. The gift of salvation and the many other awe-inspiring works of God that we have experienced lead us to offer thanksgiving and worship. We worship our Lord in reverence and awe because of His holiness, power, and our need for Him.

Reflect on the holiness of God and ask Him to forgive you of your sins. Be specific in your confession to God.

Recognize your own limitations and seek the Lord’s help for your current situation or circumstances. Read Psalm 67:1-2 and Numbers 6:24-26. Make these Psalms your prayer today.

4/13/19 “Trust in God”

Today’s Deeply Rooted Devotion is from 2 Samuel 10; 1 Chronicles 19; Psalms 20; 53; 60; 75.

Highlighted Verse(s):

“Some take pride in chariots, and others in horses, but we take pride in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand firm. Lord, give victory to the king! May he answer us on the day that we call.” Psalm 20:7-9, CSB

Devotion:

The Psalms in today’s readings offer us help in the midst of battles and celebration in the midst of victory. Each of them point to David’s dependence on the Lord for strength, help, protection, and victory. These parallel well with our readings in the life of David. The stories in 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles are recounting David’s dominance over other nations in battle.

The highlighted verses above are some of my favorite in all of Scripture. They serve as a reminder that we can put our trust in many earthly things. Putting our trust in earthly things instead of God is the equivalent of hoarding worthless trinkets instead of investing in timeless treasures. when we could be We may not be in a war today but you are likely facing a battle. Or maybe you know someone in the midst of one. It’s likely there is a challenge in front of you. Are you depending on the Lord for strength, help, protection, and victory?

4/12/19 “Loyal to God and Kind to Others”

Today’s Deeply Rooted Devotion is from 2 Samuel 8-9; 1 Chronicles 18.

Highlighted Verse(s):

“Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “since I intend to show you kindness…” 2 Samuel 9:7, CSB

“so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:7, ESV

Devotion:

In today’s readings we see God supporting and protecting David against his enemies, literally making him “victorious wherever he went” (2 Sam. 8:14). This brings to mind many of the Psalms we have recently read. In these Psalms David cries out to God for protection for himself and judgement for his enemies. These prayers were not prayers of personal revenge but rather prayers for God to fulfill His promises to David made in their covenant.

One great piece of evidence that this is true is David’s character. In today’s reading we see that David, “reigned over all Israel, administering justice and righteousness for all people” (2 Sam. 8:15). We also see David supporting and protecting Mephibosheth, the only relative left of Saul. Mephibosheth was unable to walk do to injured feet (2 Sam. 9:3). David shows him kindness (2 Sam. 9:7). David gave him a seat at his table (2 Sam. 9:10-136). David shows graciousness and kindness by keeping the promises that he made to Jonathon (1 Sam. 20:15-17) and Saul (1 Sam. 24:21-22). David was loyal to God and kind to others. Davids actions point us to the graciousness and kindness Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:7).

Meditate on the ways that the Lord has been kind and gracious to you. Thank Him for His graciousness and kindness. Ask Him to make you more gracious and kind to others today.