Tag Archives: David

August 2
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“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.”  (Psalm 4:8, NLT)

We are reminded daily of the perils of our time: Disease, injury, war, pestilence, mayhem, shortages. . .  It is enough to keep you up at night!

Times were just as tough and uncertain in David’s time (and his time was probably a good bit tougher than we have it today).  Yet, David — the author of today’s psalm — declares that “in peace I will lie down and sleep.”

David did not derive his peace from his wealth, his military might, his physicians, or his own intelligence.  His confidence was based entirely on God.  We do well to do likewise.  – Luther

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May 9
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“’Don’t be afraid,’ David said to him, ‘for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan.  I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.’”  (2 Samuel 9:7, NIV)

Conventional wisdom tells us that we ought to invest only in our children and our grandchildren, that they may one day save themselves.  However, God’s wisdom teaches that the good we do for others may, one day, be the salvation of our children and grandchildren.

Such was the case in today’s scripture, where Mephibosheth, the lame-footed son of Jonathan, was rescued by David because of what Jonathan had done for David years before.

Long after you and I have departed this earth, if we have invested our time in the lives of others, blessings will return to our children and grandchildren as surely as the seeds of an apple planted today will bless future generations with shade (shelter) and fruit (food).

Make haste to show kindness also to those who are not in your own household!  – Luther

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May 2
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“The LORD rewards everyone for their righteousness and faithfulness.  The LORD delivered you (Saul) into my (David’s) hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the LORD’s anointed.  As surely as I valued your life today, so may the LORD value my life and deliver me from all trouble.”  (I Samuel 26:23-24, NIV)

David had many good reasons — and opportunities — to reward Saul for all of the evil that Saul had done to him, but David had no excuse to avenge himself.

Being a faithful disciple of Jesus means forgoing the exercise of our human “rights” in order to grasp divine peace.

David reminds us that the grace we extend to others is multiplied and returned to us, not by the recipient (it is a bridge too far for some people to return kindness and mercy in any measure); but by the Lord God!

While our neighbors may be the beneficiaries of our restraint, it is the Lord God who sees all; and “rewards everyone for their righteousness and faithfulness.”   Always live for the audience of One!  – Luther

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