Scripture: 1Chronicles (NIV) 13:14 The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house for three months, and the LORD blessed his household and everything he had. (Also in 2Samuel 6:11)

Observation: The ark had been captured in war by the Philistines but because the troubles they experienced they sent it back to the Israelites. It had been placed in a house and left there through the reign of King Saul. Now David desires to bring the ark back to its rightful place in Jerusalem. Instead of looking into God’s Word as to how the ark was to be transported (carried on the shoulders of the priests), they just did what the Philistines had done—they built a cart. God’s displeasure was seen when the oxen stumbled and Uzzah was killed. Instead of continuing on to Jerusalem, they found a safe place for the ark—Obed-Edom’s home. Having the ark in their home became an unplanned and unexpected blessing for Obed-Edom’s household. It was good that Obed-Edom had room for the ark in his home.

Application: I need to be flexible and open to unplanned intrusions into my life, especially when they may be inconvenient. I need to make room and welcome what the Lord brings my way. It may be the source of unexpected blessing.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, watch over my schedule. May there always be room for your interruptions! Amen

April 29: 2Samuel 4,5; Psalm 139; Matthew 16

What doesn’t He know?

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 139:1 You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely. 5 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, to lofty for me to attain.

Observation: I think I hear David saying, “I know so little about you, God, but there is nothing you do not know about me! Your knowing everything about me is common knowledge for you; but my knowing everything about you is far beyond me.”

Application: How foolish of me to think that God does not know what I am thinking. How foolish to think I can hide something from God! How foolish to forget that He hears every word I speak. Such knowledge terrifies me when I live outside of His will. Such knowledge comforts me when I do my best to live a life that pleases to Him.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you are amazing! Your knowledge of me knows no limits. Continue to reveal yourself to me so that I may know you better. Amen

April 28: 2Samuel 3; 1Chronicles 12; Matthew 15

God, Our Helper!

Scripture: 1Chronicles (NIV) 12:18 Then the Spirit came on Amasai, chief of the Thirty, and he said: “We are yours, David! We are with you, so of Jesse! Success, success to you, and success to those who help you, for your God will help you.” So David received them and made them leaders of his raiding bands.

Observation: These men had come to join David but David was unsure of their motives. Had they really come to help, or had they come to betray him to his enemies. The Spirit emboldened their leader, Amasai. He spoke of commitment to David. Their hearts were bound to David and David’s cause. They could see that joining with David was joining with God. God was David’s helper. T

Application: It can be seen when God is a person’s helper. It attracts the commitment of others. Others want to join in and be a part of what God is blessing. I want to live my life is such a way that God will want to help me. His favor and blessing are of great value in living in today’s world.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I want to be living and doing things that you want to bless. Amen

Scripture: 1Chronicles (NIV) 11:9 And David became more and more powerful, because the LORD Almighty was with him.

Observation: Verses 10-47 lists many individuals and their mighty exploits that joined David. The next chapter (12) lists groups of warriors that joined David—over 330,000! Yet before we read of the great men with David, and of the great armies that were with David, we read of the Great God that was with David! It was not the size of David’s army, but the size of David’s God! “The LORD ALMIGHTY was with him!”

Application: David’s God is Leon’s God! The LORD ALMIGHTY is with me! What else needs to be said!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, LORD ALMIGHTY, thank you for your promise to never leave nor forsake me. I count on your presence! I trust your wisdom. I rest in your will. Amen

April 26: 2Samuel 1; Psalm 140; Matthew 13

…like sucking on a straw.

Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 13:58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

Observation: Jesus was in his hometown. The people had watched him grow. They knew Joseph, the carpenter. They knew his mother, Mary. They knew his brothers, James, Joseph, Simon and Judas. They knew his sisters. Now he was teaching them and they heard of the miracles he had done. But to them he was just the boy down the street. To them there was nothing special about Jesus.
Many times when Jesus healed someone he commented that it was because of their faith. In this verse it is noted that lack of faith made the difference.

Application: Faith is like sucking on a straw. It will not quench my thirst, but it will bring the refreshing liquid into my mouth. My faith puts a demand on God’s ability. It draws the reality of His ability to my need. I know that faith is only as good as its foundation; in this case it is only as good as the liquid into which the straw is inserted.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, may the end of my straw always be immersed deeply in you! Amen

Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 12:6 I tell you that one greater than the temple is here.
12:8 For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.
12:41 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one greater than Jonah is here.
12:42 The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here.

Observation: “…one greater than the temple…” “…Lord of the Sabbath.” “…one greater than Jonah…” “…one greater than Solomon…” In chapter twelve of Matthew, Jesus, the Great Truth-speaker, refers to himself in these four ways.

Application: This is the One who loves me! This is the One who died in my place! This is the one who forgave my sins! This is the one who accepts me! This is the one who lives in me by His Spirit! Is it any wonder that I have made Him the Lord of my life!

Prayer: Jesus, I am so undeserving of all you have done for me. You are my Savior and Lord! Amen

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 109:25 I am an object of scorn to my accusers; when they see me, they shake their heads.
26 Help me, O LORD my God; save me in accordance with your love.
27 Let them know that it is your hand, that you, O LORD have done it.

Observation: David was going through troubled times. His enemies were laughing at him. David calls out to the LORD for salvation. He does not appeal to his own righteousness, or the wickedness of his enemies. He does not appeal to God’s great power or wisdom. He appeals to God’s love. “Save me in accordance with your love,” he prays. David wants his enemies to recognize that the LORD was his helper.

Application: There are many things to which I can appeal when needing God’s help but none as powerful as His love for me. How appropriate that one of the first songs I learned: “Jesus loves me, this I know; For the Bible tells me so.” I desire that those around me come to see how much God loves me through the things He does for me. Then may they be open to hear how much God loves them.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, you so loved the world that you sent Your only Begotton Son to die for our sins! It would be surprising to me if you did not help me in many other ways also! On behalf of my SOAP-reading friend who needs healing, I appeal according to Your love for him. Amen

Scripture: Matthew (NIV) 10:32 Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.

Observation: It is an honor to be recognized by people we consider important on earth. But what a High Honor it is to be recognized by God the Son before the Throne of God the Father!!! There can be no greater honor! It is an honor available for all who serve Jesus during their life on earth.

Application: It is my desire to live my life in such a way that the presence of Jesus is easily recognized. I do not want people to be surprised when they hear that God, by His Holy Spirit lives in me.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, as you lived in Jesus during his earth ministry, so live in me. May those nearby easily see Jesus in me. Amen

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 63:7 Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. 8 My soul clings to you, your right hand upholds me.
Psalm 63:8 (KJV) My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.

Observation: Verse 8 brings to mind the toddler just learning to walk. He stays close to mom. He clings to her clothes. Where she goes, he goes. He is alarmed when he cannot see her. He is under mom’s feet and she almost stumbles over him. He is following hard after his mother. It is his work to stay close.

Application: That is the way I should be with God. I should cling to Him. I should follow hard after Him. In His presence I have protection, provision, and fellowship.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I want to stay close where I can enjoy your presence. I want to be close enough where it is easy for you to speak to me. May you always know where I am—right next to you! Amen

Scripture: Psalm (NIV) 57:7 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.

Observation: David’s life was not trouble-free. Even previously in this Psalm, David mentions some of the troubles he is experiencing. Yet here he testifies that in spite of his troubles, his heart remains steadfast in praising God in music and song.

Application: The praise to God that flows from my heart should come from Who He is rather than what is happening to me and around me. Trouble may surround me, but that does not change God’s character. In the midst of trouble, God remains loving and holy.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, who you have been in the past you are now, and will be in the future. You never change. You were worthy; you are worthy; you will always be worthy of my praise. My heart is steadfast in you! Amen