April 20-26

Heart Preparation:
Take a moment each day to open your heart to Gods message to you.  Pray that these scriptures would lead you to a better understanding of Gods will for His people.  As you read this week, think of how God has shown you kindness and love throughout your life.


Weekly Reading:

• Sunday, April 20 — Psalm 121, 123-125, 128-130
• Monday, April 21 — 2 Samuel 1-4
• Tuesday, April 22 — Psalm 6, 8-10, 14, 16, 19, 21
• Wednesday, April 23 — 1 Chronicles 1-2
• Thursday, April 24 — Psalm 43-45, 49, 84-85, 87
• Friday, April 25 — 1 Chronicles 3-5
• Saturday, April 26 — Psalm 73, 77-78

What to Expect:
As we enter into 2 Samuel, we enter into the reign of King David, one of Israel’s greatest kings. At the end of 1 Samuel, Saul died in battle, as well as his son Jonathan, David’s best friend. With the death of Saul, Israel is in a state of disorder, with David being the one who was anointed king of Judah, but Ish-bosheth, Saul’s son, and makes him king of Israel. Throughout this time, David conducts himself in such a way that gains the honor and respect of the people of Israel as well, thus uniting the kingdom under his rule. 


1 Chronicles begins with genealogies. Though eventually the accounts of 1 Chronicles flows with those of 2 Samuel, the first 9 chapters are genealogies. The reason is because Chronicles is written after the exile of the people of Israel during the time of Ezra around the 5th-4th century BC. The opening with the genealogy shows that the royal line of David and Judah were chosen by God. 


When you are reading through the Psalms, they can be categorized into different general themes:

• Lament — can be either individual or collective for a group, crying out to God for help in some struggle, whether from enemies, sin, or something else 
  • Psalm 6, 9, 14, 43, 77, 85, 123, 130
• Praise — giving God praise for who He is or what He’s done 
  • Psalm 8, 19, 45, 84
• Penitence — confessing sins to God 
  • Psalm 6
• Imprecatory — calling for God’s justice against His enemies 
  • Psalm 10
• Trust — encouraging one to place their trust in God 
  • Psalm 16, 
• Thanksgiving — giving thanks to God for His works 
  • Psalm 21, 124
• Wisdom — reflect on topics often covered in wisdom literature of the Old Testament 
  • Psalm 49, 73, 128
• Historical — looks back at the history of Israel and God’s working through it
  • Psalm 78
• Ascent — these are sung on their way to Jerusalem to worship God 
  • Psalm 121-130
• Encouragement — giving the reader encouragement in who God is 
  • Psalm 121, 125

Things to Look For:
As you read through the account of 2 Samuel, look at how David handles the situations. Saul has been attempting to kill him for quite some time. In a time when many people would rejoice over their enemies death, David mourns it. He does the same when Abner dies, and also Ish-bosheth. Also take note of Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, who is going to be mentioned multiple times later on in the rest of the 2 Samuel. 


Though reading genealogies can be quite difficult and monotonous, flip over to Matthew 1 as well as Luke 3:23, the New Testament genealogies of Jesus. What I found helpful when reading through these genealogies was looking for the names that are in those genealogies as well, thus being able to trace the lineage of our Messiah. 


Personal Insight:
In 1 Samuel 16, David was anointed king of Israel, but yet he had to wait a long time, going through various trials before he was able to receive the promise of God. This could be viewed as a picture of the Christian life. As we are saved by Christ, being “adopted” as His children, and being promised a future eternal kingdom to dwell in, we still live in this life and struggle with the trials that we will face. Jesus tells us even, in this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world. Just as David continued to trust in God, and trust His plan and provision, we are called to do the same. Multiple times David could’ve taken matters into his own hands with Saul, but he entrusted himself into the hands of God. David was faithful through those difficult years, and God was faithful through them as well, and in 2 Samuel, we see the prize that David receives for his faithfulness. Stand strong, stay firm in the Lord, and trust in His timing, and you will one day receive the eternal reward that God has stored up for us in Christ Jesus our Lord! 


Prayer:
Father, thank you that no matter what is going on around us, You are good, and You are trustworthy. Help me fix my eyes on You. Help me see the eternal hope that You have stored up for me in Jesus, and may I hold fast to that hope. Thank You for the assurance of salvation found in Jesus, and for the promise that You are with me always, no matter how dark this world gets. Help me see Your light in the darkness, and help me be Your light in the darkness. Amen. 


This weeks devotion was prepared by Andrew Peterman. Andrew is the lead pastor at Center Christian Church.