Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. –Luke 6:37
A quality of David we noted in “Stream of Grace” is how he let God be the one to judge and punish. He demonstrates a personality that respects authority, has patience, and there is a pleasing open-mindedness about him.
These are the same qualities brought out in the songCome to the Table by Sidewalk Prophets. Everyone needs to forgive and be forgiven. All of us are on the outside looking in but that is where grace begins. Let us all come to the table and be set free so we can be what we were meant to be.
We can learn from each other, from the Word, and from sermons about patience and God’s grace. Grace is God’s gift. This kind gift from God is always available. Let us be patient with others and with God’s timing because grace is like a flowing stream of water that keeps coming and coming.1
Today, we are reading in 2 Samuel 3. The trend of winning was on the side of David because he was following the guidance of God and had character traits that leaded to success. A quality of David we can learn today is how he let God be the one to judge and punish. He demonstrates a personality that respects authority, has patience, and there is a pleasing open-mindedness about him.
Noted in today’s passage is David’s willingness to work on an agreement for peace with his enemy named Abner. When his own military leader named Joab murdered Abner, David mourned for the loss and his response was to not accept any responsibility for the murder.
There is one common thread that binds all Christians; the power of Christ in what to believe and how to live. This day with God, let us float down the stream of grace in one direction in order to be brought together by His the winning plan.
This day with You Lord, we need to forgive others so we can be forgiven. We are thankful for Your winning plan of grace that is available to everyone. We accept, appreciate, and affirm all and leave the judging up to You. Today Lord, we unify around Your winning plan and hope to execute this plan for Your glory. Amen.
The Lord foils the plans of the nations;
He thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,
The purposes of his heart through all generations. – Ps 33:10-12
A thought from “Direction from the Father” is that going to the right person and doing the right thing leads to success. This day with God, use the greatest power by asking help from God in Jesus name. Trust, be patient, and listen; God can see the big picture and give an answer to difficult problems.
Be lifted today by the song Good, Good Father by Chris Tomlin and know you are never alone. You are loved and if searching for answers, the Father provides solutions.
Leading up to the passage today, Saul and his son Jonathan have been killed in war. Jonathan was David’s best friend and David is in a time of grief. Also, the nation was in turmoil without a king and there was a split between Judah and Israel. When we have set backs, that’s when we can count on the guidance from the Lord. Reading today in 2 Samuel 2, we learn about the principle of guidance from David in verses 1-2. Going to God for help and doing the right thing leads to success.
In reading 1 Samuel 31:8-13, we know that men from Jabesh Gilead courageously went into enemy territory to get the bodies of Saul and his sons to bury them. We learn about David’s character from his response to them as David sends messengers to tell them how thankful he was for their brave deed. These character traits of David also led to success.
Reading further in today’s passage, the son of Saul’s army named Abner had taken Ish-Bosheth the son of Saul and made him king of Israel. David was made king of the tribe of Judah. A war broke out between the two sides and noted is the success of David’s men in winning the war. Abner eventually stopped running and wanted peace.
We can take the lessons learned in today’s passage and apply in our own life. We can use the same guidance and power that David used by asking help from God in Jesus name. There may be issues at work or health problems that make us feel that we are constantly fighting battles but through prayer, we are guided towards answers to major problems. We can have faith that the guidance and power is available. We can trust, be patient, and listen knowing God can see the big picture. Through prayer, we will be given answers to our questions so we are guided along the path of success.
This day with You Lord, we have faith that you are at work to make things all right. Help us follow the way of Jesus knowing the Spirit gives us guidance in our decisions as we take on difficult problems head on. Today, we are trusting You, are patient, and listening for guidance. In Jesus name … Amen.
This Day With God - A Spiritual Journey 