APRIL 22 READINGS...2 Samuel 5:1-3 & 1 Chronicles 11:1-3 & 1 Chronicles 12:23-40 & 2 Samuel 5:17-25 & 1 Chronicles 14:8-17 & 2 Samuel 5:6-10 &1 Chronicles 11:4-9 & 1 Chronicles 3:4b & 2 Samuel 5:13 & 2 Samuel 5:4-5, 11-12 & 1 Chronicles 14:1-2 & 1 Chronicles 13:1-5 & 2 Samuel 6:1-11 & 1 Chronicles 13:6-14
In today’s reading you would have noticed that two Old Testament books share the same story about David...much like in the New Testament we have the four Gospels sharing the same story about Jesus. There are of course slight variations, as we have different authors...but in both cases the information remains the same, and is reliable. David is made King over all of Israel, and he begins to build his army. The Philistines hear that David is now king and the set out to capture him and destroy his army. They surround David, and David asks the Lord if he should attack them...the Lord says yes, and gives David a great victory. David is careful to give God the glory for the victory. Once again, the Philistines attack and God gives David the actual battle plan to defeat them...this plan included the very armies of heaven fighting and destroying the Philistines. Do we believe that the Lord knows what is going on in our lives? Do we believe as we seek Him, and obediently follow Him, that He will fight our battles? I sure hope we do...for without Him all we would know is defeated lives. I am sure we can all look back and see times when we know it was the Lord...the same God who was there in those times is with you today.
David captures Jerusalem and has plans to bring the Ark of the Covenant there. There is an interesting statement that differs from previous times with David. It says that this time David consulted his officials...it does not say he consulted God. I find this strange as every time before going into battle David would consult God, but in bringing back the Ark of the Lord he did not...that was their first mistake. Then they put the Ark on a cart to bring it to Jerusalem...that was their second mistake. I am sure you remember that the Lord told Moses that when the Ark was moved it must be carried. These mistakes cost a man his life. For when the oxen stumbled Uzzah reached up to steady it and the Lord killed him. Some find this wrong of the Lord, but what was wrong was the way they were carrying the Ark...and the holiness of God will not be infringed on by anyone. The decision of David and his officials cost an innocent man his life...that decision put Uzzah in danger. We need to continually seek the Lord...listen to Him...and follow Him obediently in all things. To do otherwise will put ourselves and others in danger. The safest place for us to be is in the will of the Lord.
Please share your thoughts on today’s interesting reading. I would love to hear your impressions on the events recorded for us in these passages.
TOMORROW’S READINGS...2 Samuel 6:12a & 1 Chronicles 15:1-28 & 2 Samuel 6:12b-16 & 1 Chronicles 15:29 & 2 Samuel 6:17-19a & 1 Chronicles 16:1-43 & 2 Samuel 6:19b-23
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