Category: 1st and 2nd Samuel-BibleTrekToday
Trek through 1st and 2nd Samuel
Faith counted as righteousness!
Scripture reading for May 27th: 2nd Samuel 24, 1st Chronicles 21, Romans 4
Romans 4:1-5 “What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. And to the one who does not work but believes in Him Who justified the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, . .””
Paul was explaining the amazing truth of justification by faith to Gentile believers as well as Jews. Here he showed how God used Abraham’s faith to call him ‘righteous’ before the law or circumcision was given. This man Abraham simply believed God’s promise that he would become the father of many nations, even when his wife Sarah had been barren for many years. Abraham was 99 years old and Sarah was 90 and beyond the years of childbirth, but by faith they conceived and Sarah had a child as God had promised. This child and his offspring would become a nation, Israel, that would be marked by God’s presence in their midst. However, Abraham’s simple faith made him the ‘father’ of all from every nation who will believe and received the gift of righteousness! Amen!
Romans 4:16-17 “That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring–not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”–in the presence of the God in Whom he believed, Who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.”
Prayer: Father God, Thank You for giving all who believe in You and Your Son, Jesus Christ, the gift of Your righteousness and the forgiveness of our sins, guilt and shame. I am humbled and grateful to be filled with Your Presence. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and power to declare this “good news” to all people, nations, tribes and tongues that all might enjoy grace and eternal life in Your presence.
2nd Samuel 22:24-25 “But the king said to Araunah, “No, but I will buy it from you for a price. I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing.” So David built there an altar to the Lord and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the Lord responded to the plea for the land, and the plague was averted from Israel.”
Justified by Faith in Jesus Christ!
Scripture reading for May 26th: 2nd Samuel 21-23, Psalm 18, Romans 3
Romans 3:21-26 “But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it–the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, Whom God put forward as a propitiation by His blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over former sins. It was to show His righteousness at the present time, so that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”
Paul taught the Romans about justification through faith. God can declare us righteous because of the death, burial and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ. All who believe on Jesus have received mercy through His shed blood. We receive justification–God declaring us righteous in His sight through the gift of His grace by our faith. Because of God’s divine forbearance through Christ, He has blotted out our sins and remembers them no more. Now by Jesus Christ we can say with King David, “By Him I can run through a troop, by Him, I can leap over a wall!” God’s Word is indeed true! Christ is our shield of refuge and worthy of all praise in that He has saved us from all our enemies and accusers!
Psalm 18:29-30 “For by You I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall. This God–His way is perfect; the Word of the Lord proves true. He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for covering over and removing our sins by the blood of Your Son. Thank You for justifying me and all who call upon You through faith in Jesus Christ. I proclaim Your praise and call upon You to pour out Your grace on the lost as Your Gospel is preached and people are set free from their enemies!
2nd Samuel 22:2-3 “He said, “The Lord is my rock and my deliverer, my God my Rock, in Whom I take refuge, my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation, my Stronghold and my Refuge, my Savior; You save me from violence. I call upon the Lord, Who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.””
God is impartial!
Scripture reading for May 25th: 2nd Samuel 18-20, Psalm 34, Romans 2
Romans 2:6-11 “He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, He will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality.“
Paul explained to the Roman believers that faith must have accompanying works. Those who were patiently doing good works and serving God through their relationship with Jesus Christ would receive eternal life. Those that lived for themselves and lived in rebellion to God’s truth would receive only wrath and the fury of God’s anger at the judgment. The psalmist stated that God sees the righteous and listens for their cries but stands against those who are evil to eliminate them from the earth! God is impartial! But it is not God’s will that any should be cut off or perish. King David’s cry over Absalom, his rebellious son, shares the heart of God in that he would rather have died instead of the son.
Psalm 34: 15-16 “The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and His ears toward their cry. The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.”
Prayer: Father God, I am thankful that Your eyes are upon the righteous and Your ears listen for our cry! I am thankful that You would rather show mercy and sent Your Son to take the place of rebellious sinners like me. Lord give me Your heart and help me to live reflecting Your impartiality and grace through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
2nd Samuel 18:33 “And the king was deeply moved and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he went, he said, “O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom! Would I had died instead of you, O Absalom, my son, my son!”
Declared the Son of God in Power!
Scripture reading for May 24th: 2nd Samuel 15-17, Psalm 3, 63, Romans 1
Romans 1:1-6 “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the Gospel of God, which He promised beforehand through His prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning His Son, Who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of Holiness by His resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through Whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of His Name among all nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.”
As Paul set about to write this letter to Roman believers, He declared Jesus Christ as the prophesied Son of God, descended from David through his flesh, but declared to be God’s Son by His resurrection from the dead. The power of God raised Him up through the Spirit of Holiness–God’s Holy Spirit. Resurrection life had entered Jesus’ body and brought resurrection after three days and three nights in the grave. This same Jesus had met Paul on the Damascus road and called Paul to believe and appointed him an apostle to share the Gospel with all nations. God had done it all and was now calling all men to salvation and holiness through the powerful Holy Spirit.
Psalm 3:8 “Salvation belongs to the Lord, Your blessing be on Your people!”
Psalm 63:2-3 “So I have looked upon You in the Sanctuary, beholding Your power and glory. Because Your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise You.”
Prayer: Father, Thank You for the amazing salvation brought to us by Jesus Christ, Your Son! Your power displayed in raising Jesus from the dead humbles me and makes me thankful and willing to follow You all the days of my life and for eternity. Use me to declare Your Son to all nations and call all to salvation in the power and anointing of Your Holy Spirit. Where You are my King, there will Your servant be!
2nd Samuel 15:21 “But Ittai answered the king (David), “As the Lord lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king shall be, whether for death or for life, there also will your servant be.”
Convinced or disbelieving?
Scripture reading for May 23rd: 2nd Samuel 13-14, Acts 28
Acts 28: 23-26 “When they had appointed a day for him, they came to him at his lodging in greater numbers. From morning to evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. And some were convinced by what he said, but others disbelieved. And disagreeing among themselves, they departed after Paul had made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet: ‘God to this people, and say, “You will indeed hear but never understand, and you will indeed see but never perceive.”
Paul made it to Rome, through many trials and time passing. He was invited to stay with some Jewish brothers and Paul explained what had happened to him in Jerusalem and how he had gotten to Rome as a prisoner. He then shared, from morning until evening, the Gospel of the kingdom from the Jewish Scriptures. Some believed and received eternal life, but others refused to believe and Paul quoted Isaiah the Prophet to them. They had hardened their hearts and closed their eyes and ears, refusing to listen and receive God’s Good News. God would now send Paul to the Gentiles and they would listen!
Acts 28:27-28 “For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’ Therefore, let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”
Prayer: Father God, help me to always keep a teachable heart, eyes opened to see You and ears that will listen to Your Word of truth. Empower me to be bold like Paul to share honestly about my past testimony and my present relationship with Jesus Christ. Grant me standing before my King and Lord, in humble gratitude for Your amazing grace and love for me and all lost sinners.
2nd Samuel 14:33 “Then Joab went to the king and told him, and he summoned Absalom. So he came to the king and bowed himself on his face to the ground before the king, and the king kissed Absalom.”
God’s amazing mercy!
Scripture reading for May 20th: 2nd Samuel 11-12, 1st Chronicles 20, Psalm 51, 32, Acts 27
Acts 27:21-26 “Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to Whom I belong and Whom I worship, and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. But we must run aground on some island.””
Paul, the prisoner, had sought to direct the crew and captain from sailing into what Paul knew was dangerous weather. They did not listen and for two weeks they had been buffeted by a storm and all hope of escaping was gone. Paul called them all together and shared what an angel of God had revealed to him. God was merciful and granted all who were on the ship their lives but the ship would be lost. God’s Word was true and it happened just as Paul foretold. But God’s mercy is not just to save our physical lives. As the Psalm and reading from Samuel tells us today, God is merciful to all who will call upon Him in repentance and faith. God forgives even murder and adultery for King David!
Psalm 51:1-2 “Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your steadfast love; according to Your steadfast love; according to Your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!”
Prayer: Father, I am so thankful for Your abundant mercy and Your steadfast love of me, a sinner! Thank You for granting me life eternal through Your mercy in Your Son Jesus Christ. Thank You for blotting out my sins and iniquity and delivering me from death. Thank You for washing me from my sins and giving me Your righteousness. I will worship You for Your steadfast love and abundant mercy!
1st Samuel 12:13-14 “David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the Lord, the child who is born to you shall die.””
Repent and turn to God!
Scripture reading for May 19th: 2nd Samuel 9-10, 1st Chronicles 18-19, Psalm 89, Acts 26
Acts 26:19-23 “”Therefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus, then in Jerusalem and throughout all the region of Judea, and also to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance. For this reason the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me. To this day I have had the help that comes from God, and so I stand here testifying both to small and great, saying nothing but what the prophets and Moses said would come to pass: that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, He would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.””
Paul, in God’s grace was given opportunity while in prison to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the Roman rulers and kings. Jesus had called him out of the darkness of dead religion and showed him Who He was and gave him a mission to reach the Gentiles. Paul shared that testimony with all who would listen, including King Agrippa. He sought to bring the light of Jesus Christ into that ruler’s life by speaking the Word of God. God’s righteousness and justice gives each person the opportunity to hear and repent of sin and find peace with God and deliverance. The choice is given but the decision is up to us! Jesus’ love and justice through His cross and sacrifice can bring victory over death and the grave to all who will choose. He will judge the world from His throne based on truth and righteousness.
Psalm 89:13-14 “You have a mighty arm; strong is Your hand, high Your right hand. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before You.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the righteousness and justice that are the foundation of Your eternal throne! Thank You for the Gospel message that makes Your righteousness available to all men, Jew or Gentile, by faith in Your Son Jesus Christ, Who is lifted high at Your right hand. Empower me to preach this Gospel to all and bring repentance, victory, justice and equity to all who respond in faith.
1st Chronicles 18:13-14 “. . .And the Lord gave victory to David wherever he went. So David reigned over all Israel, and he administered justice and equity to all his people.”
Schemes in Jerusalem!
Scripture reading for May 18th: 2nd Samuel 7-8, 1st Chronicles 17, Psalm 132, Acts 25
Acts 25: 8-12 “Paul argued in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.” But Festus, wishing to do the Jews a favor, said to Paul, “Do you wish to go up to Jerusalem and there be tried on these charges before me?” But Paul said, “I am standing before Caesar’s tribunal, where I ought to be tried. To the Jews I hade done no wrong, as you yourself know very well. If then I am a wrongdoer and have committed anything for which I deserve to die, I do not seek to escape death. But if there is nothing to their charges against men, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar.” Then Festus, when he had conferred with his council, answered, “To Caesar you have appealed; to Caesar you shall go.””
Paul had been in prison under Roman authorities in Ceasarea for over two years. He was charged by the Jewish religious leaders for violations of their law and insurrection. Even after two years, these leaders from Jerusalem were still plotting to kill Paul or have him moved to Jerusalem. Jesus had been crucified outside Jerusalem and they wanted Paul to die there too. But God had other plans and His plans stand forever. Paul was to go to Rome and the Roman government would pay for it. God would also deal with Jerusalem, razing it to the ground in the near future. But long term, God has plans for Jerusalem and Israel. He has chosen Zion and desired it for His dwelling place forever! His blessing will rest on her and His people forever as well! Amen!
Psalm 132:13-16 “For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place; “This is My resting place forever; here I will dwell, for I have desired it. I will abundantly bless her provisions; I will satisfy her poor with bread. Her priests I will clothe with salvation, and her saints will shout for joy.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for confounding the schemes of those opposing Your plans and for fulfilling Your will. Thank You for Your abundant blessings of salvation, clothing of Your people in righteousness and filling them with peace and joy through the Holy Spirit–Who finds His resting place inside Your people! This is the greatest blessing! May it continue forever and ever!
1st Chronicles 17:27 “Now You have been pleased to bless the house of your servant, that it may continue forever before You, for it is You, O Lord, Who have blessed and it is blessed forever.”
The Lord stands by His own!
Scripture reading for May 16th: 2nd Samuel 6, 1st Chronicles 13, Psalm 60, Acts 23
Acts 23:11-15 “The following night the Lord stood by him (Paul) and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about Me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.” When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. There were more than forty who made this conspiracy. They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul. Now therefore you, along with the council, give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near.””
Paul went to Jerusalem under the leading of the Holy Spirit and was arrested by the religious leaders and brought before the council. As promised by God, he was given words to say and insight. Paul declared that he was a Pharisee himself, and was on trial because of his belief in the resurrection of the dead. This triggered a dispute between the members of the council, Sadducee and Pharisee. It became so violent that soldiers rescued Paul and put him in the barracks. Jesus met him there that night and encouraged Paul that God’s plans would take him to Rome to testify as well. Well planned schemes and oaths of Paul’s enemies to kill him came to nothing. Jesus stands by His people against all foes! Amen!
Psalm 60:11-12 “Oh, grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man! With God we shall do valiantly; it is He Who will tread down our foes.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for bringing courage to Your servants when they face trials and opposition. Help us, like King David, to worship You with all our strength each day as we bear Your presence in us by the Holy Spirit! We know You indwell us and support us and give us words for those who oppose! Stand close by me today!
2nd Samuel 6:14-16 “And David danced before the Lord with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the horn.” As the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, and she despised him in her heart.”
The peace of Jerusalem
Scripture reading for May 13th: 2nd Samuel 3-5, 1st Chronicles 12, Psalm 122, Acts 22
Acts 22: 17-21 “”When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance and saw Him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about Me.’ And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in You. And when the blood of Stephen Your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’ And He said to me, ‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.'”
Paul had been a devout Pharisee and orthodox Jew. He had persecuted Christians and had them imprisoned and put to death. He was zealous for the temple and Jerusalem as the place of God’s House and presence in the midst of His people. But when Christ appeared to him on the Damascus road, Paul was confronted with his own blindness and need to repent. After his sight was restored, he returned to Jerusalem and was warned by Jesus to leave there. The Jews would not receive his testimony. God would be with Him as he now was sent to the Gentiles. He could still pray for the peace of Jerusalem as Scripture commanded. Jesus Christ, King David’s offspring, would be with him on this new mission to tell the Good News to the world! The promised New Jerusalem would be the ultimate ‘City of Peace’!
Psalm 122:6-7 “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! May they be secure who love you! Peace be within your walls and security within you towers!”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending the Prince of Peace to Jerusalem! He, too, was rejected there and not received by His own people. He sent His disciples into the whole world with the Good News and promised that He would be with them forever! Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and power to declare the message of peace to Jew and Gentile. Jesus Christ is Lord of Lords and King of Kings!
2nd Samuel 5:9-10 “And David lived in the stronghold and called it the city of David. And David built the city all around from the Millo inward. And David became greater and greater, for the Lord, the God of Hosts, was with him.”