Scripture2 Samuel 24:22-24 (NIV)Araunah said to David, “Let my lord the king take whatever he wishes and offer it up. Here are oxen for the burnt offering, and here are threshing sledges and ox yokes for the wood. Your Majesty, Araunah gives all this to the king.” Araunah also said to him, “May the Lord your God accept you.” But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying you for it. I wi...  Read More

Scripture2 Samuel 24:10 (NIV)David was conscience-stricken after he had counted the fighting men, and he said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, Lord, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing.”ReflectionOne of the clearest signs of spiritual growth is not perfection but responsiveness to conviction.Earlier in David's life, Nathan h...  Read More

Scripture2 Samuel 24:1-4 (NIV)Again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.” So the king said to Joab and the army commanders with him, “Go throughout the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba and enroll the fighting men, so that I may know how many there are.” But Joab replied to the king, “May the Lord yo...  Read More

Scripture“Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart. I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end.” — Psalm 119:111–112ReflectionBy the end of this passage, the psalmist no longer speaks about the Word as merely instruction. He speaks about it as joy. The Word has moved from being something he simply obeys to something he treasures. He calls God’...  Read More

Scripture“I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules. I am severely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to your word! Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O Lord, and teach me your rules. I hold my life in my hand continually, but I do not forget your law. The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from your precepts.” — Psalm 119:106–110ReflectionTh...  Read More

Scripture“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” — Psalm 119:105ReflectionMany of us want God to show us the entire journey before we are willing to move forward. We want clarity before obedience. We want certainty before trust. But the psalmist reminds us that God’s Word is a lamp, not a floodlight. In biblical times, a lamp only provided enough light for the next few steps. It d...  Read More