God Speaks
David Sings God’s Praises and Commemorates His Mighty Warriors
Verse of the Day: [Verses 5 and 11 of Psalm 57 are identical.] Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Your glory be over all the earth.” (Psalm 57:5 and 11 NIV 2011)
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Watch TBR Day 141
We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding 2 Samuel 22-23 and Psalm 57
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
2 Samuel 22
1. David’s song at the end of his life testifies to God’s forgiveness and cleansing from sin based on his faith in God and the future Messiah that was to come through David’s lineage.
2. People can only claim the security and righteousness that David did in his song because of faith in God and the Messiah that would be one of David’s descendants.
2 Samuel 23
1. God is the One who enables people, like King David and his mighty men, to rule righteously or to achieve mighty victories.
2. People, like Shammah, can only beat back their enemies when they depend on and obey the LORD who gives them the victory.
Psalm 57
1. God will come to the rescue of anyone facing any kind of distress, if they keep their mind focused on Him.
2. People who lay traps to oppress others will eventually be caught in their own schemes.
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding 2 Samuel 22-23?
Dear LORD God, I join King David in praising You. You are my rock and my fortress. You are my Savior. Jesus, You died for all my sins. You are the One I run to for rescue when the enemy of God raises his ugly head to accuse me of some sin of mine that I have already confessed, turned from, and You have already forgiven. You, LORD, are worthy of all praise because You are Creator of everything. You have healed me multiple times in multiple ways. Your blessings are too many to properly count. When You shake Yourself and come to my rescue, the mountains tremble. You parted the sea on behalf of Your chosen people. You have rescued me (and all who believe in You) from my powerful enemies, from those who hated me and were too strong for me (Satan and his human and/or demonic forces). But You held me close and led me to safety. Please do that for others of Your people as well. You are the source of all my delight. Any reward I may receive in life rightly belongs to You. You are the lamp for my every step, and You light up all my darkness. You make me both agile and secure. Lord God, You show Your amazing, unfailing love to all who will cry out in dependence on You. Dear God of mercy and comfort, have mercy on those of us who are trusting in You and bring more to do the same. You are the God of all comfort: comfort Your hurting people. We look to You for protection: hide us under Your wings. We cry out to God Most High: please fulfill Your purposes for myself, my family, my church, my community, and my nation. You sent help from Heaven–the Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit: help us to trust in and follow them. Enemies both physical and spiritual are set on destroying all human beings, especially those who have set their hearts and minds on You. Cause the plans of the wicked to be exposed and used against them. Deal with the wicked as their evil deeds deserve (either here on earth or banished from Your presence for eternity). May everyone who has breath praise and bring You glory, LORD. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to II Samuel 22-23? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will use 2 Samuel 22 as a model and write my own psalm of praise.
- I will read and discuss 2 Samuel 22 with young people (or those young in the faith).
- I will encourage and support someone in military service and/or their family.
- I will pray regularly for God to protect those in government, law enforcement, and the military from enemies and dangers seen and unseen.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.