the Ammonite commanders said to Hanun, “Do you really think these men are coming here to honor your father? No! David has sent them to spy out the land so they can come in and conquer it!” 4So Hanun seized David’s ambassadors and shaved them, cut off their robes at the buttocks, and sent them back to David in shame.
Lord God my Father,
Keep me focused on your truth and protect me from deception.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen
“And now, O Lord God, I am your servant; do as you have promised concerning me and my family. Confirm it as a promise that will last forever.
In fact, the Lord made David victorious wherever he went.
Lord God my Father,
Have your way with me and give me strength and obedience to do your will without delay. Protect me from distraction and help me keep my focus on you alone.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen
Because you Levites did not carry the Ark the first time, the anger of the Lord our God burst out against us. We failed to ask God how to move it properly.”
After the men who were carrying the Ark of the Lord had gone six steps, David sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. 14And David danced before the Lord with all his might, wearing a priestly garment.
David turned and went home to bless his own family.
Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes! But those servant girls you mentioned will indeed think I am distinguished!”
Lord God my Father,
Help me to remember to ask you before doing anything. Help me to allow you full access to my thoughts and actions. Help me to give you glory in all things and give me boldness to be a fool for you with my praise.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen
“Do not attack them straight on,” the Lord replied. “Instead, circle around behind and attack them near the poplar5:23 Or aspen, or balsam; also in 5:24. The exact identification of this tree is uncertain. trees. 24When you hear a sound like marching feet in the tops of the poplar trees, be on the alert! That will be the signal that the Lord is moving ahead of you to strike down the Philistine army.”
they mobilized all their forces to capture him. But David was told they were coming, so he marched out to meet them.
the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out his hand and steadied the Ark of God. 7Then the Lord’s anger was aroused against Uzzah, and God struck him dead because of this.6:7 As in Dead Sea Scrolls; Masoretic Text reads because of his irreverence. So Uzzah died right there beside the Ark of God.
Ark of God remained there in Obed-edom’s house for three months, and the Lord blessed the household of Obed-edom and everything he owned.
Lord God my Father,
Give me your Peace to overwhelm my thoughts so I may hear you in the quiet. Give me obedience to follow your desire above my own and courage to act on it now. Help me to march into the struggle with confidence you provide and a fear to not question you with my doubt.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen
David remarked longingly to his men, “Oh, how I would love some of that good water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem.” 18So the Three broke through the Philistine lines, drew some water from the well by the gate in Bethlehem, and brought it back to David. But David refused to drink it. Instead, he poured it out as an offering to the Lord. 19“God forbid that I should drink this!” he exclaimed. “This water is as precious as the blood of these men11:19 Hebrew Shall I drink the lifeblood of these men? who risked their lives to bring it to me.” So David did not drink it. These are examples of the exploits of the Three.
Lord God my Father,
Give me a heart that longs for your plan in my life. Help me to ask for more and not put limits on the blessings you desire for me. Give me obedience and courage to follow your desire in my life. Cause me to thrive, not just exist.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen
But some evil troublemakers among David’s men said, “They didn’t go with us, so they can’t have any of the plunder we recovered. Give them their wives and children, and tell them to be gone.”
23But David said, “No, my brothers! Don’t be selfish with what the Lord has given us.
Lord God my Father,
Keep evil at bay and keep my heart in your delight. Allow your will to be mine and give me discernment as to your way. Capture each thought before I can direct it and cause it to become mine.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen
“No!” David said. “Don’t kill him. For who can remain innocent after attacking the Lord’s anointed one? 10Surely the Lord will strike Saul down someday, or he will die of old age or in battle.
I’ve never found a single flaw in you from the day you arrived until today.
Lord God my Father,
Help me to not ponder your plan and change it to serve me. Thank you for leading me, help me to be obedient without compromise.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen
But God is my helper. The Lord keeps me alive!
5May the evil plans of my enemies be turned against them. Do as you promised and put an end to them.
When the Lord has done all he promised and has made you leader of Israel, 31don’t let this be a blemish on your record.
David replied to Abigail, “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you to meet me today! 33Thank God for your good sense! Bless you for keeping me from murder and from carrying out vengeance with my own hands.
“Praise the Lord, who has avenged the insult I received from Nabal and has kept me from doing it myself. Nabal has received the punishment for his sin.”
Lord God my Father,
You are life, evil tries to destroy you but forever fails. Keep me in your favor and protect me from the ways of evil. Help me to trust your plan and timing. Give me patience to allow you to fight the battle in front of me in your timing.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen
When I am overwhelmed, you alone know the way I should turn.
Lord God my Father,
You are my strength and my refuge. You have planned my day. Help me to follow your plan without hesitation.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen
I will praise the Lord at all times.
I will constantly speak his praises.
2I will boast only in the Lord;
let all who are helpless take heart.
Calamity will surely destroy the wicked,
and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
22But the Lord will redeem those who serve him.
No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.
Lord God my Father,
I praise you in my struggles, for your plan makes me strong. You are my strength and delight, keep me close and protect my heart.
In Jesus name I pray,
Amen