Day 27 - 50 Day Journey To Christ

Daily Reading:

1 Kings 3

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

The Lord Appears to Solomon

God Speaks to Solomon in His Sleep

1 Solomon made an alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt by marrying Pharaoh’s daughter. Solomon brought her to live in the city of David until he finished building his palace, the Lord’s temple, and the wall surrounding Jerusalem. 2 However, the people were sacrificing on the high places, because until that time a temple for the Lord’s name had not been built. 3 Solomon loved the Lord by walking in the statutes of his father David, but he also sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.

4 The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there because it was the most famous high place. He offered 1,000 burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night. God said, “Ask. What should I give you?”

6 And Solomon replied, “You have shown great and faithful love to Your servant, my father David, because he walked before You in faithfulness, righteousness, and integrity. You have continued this great and faithful love for him by giving him a son to sit on his throne, as it is today.

7 “Lord my God, You have now made Your servant king in my father David’s place. Yet I am just a youth with no experience in leadership. 8 Your servant is among Your people You have chosen, a people too numerous to be numbered or counted. 9 So give Your servant an obedient heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”

10 Now it pleased the Lord that Solomon had requested this. 11 So God said to him, “Because you have requested this and did not ask for long life or riches for yourself, or the death of your enemies, but you asked discernment for yourself to understand justice, 12 I will therefore do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has never been anyone like you before and never will be again. 13 In addition, I will give you what you did not ask for: both riches and honor, so that no man in any kingdom will be your equal during your entire life. 14 If you walk in My ways and keep My statutes and commands just as your father David did, I will give you a long life.”

15 Then Solomon woke up and realized it had been a dream. He went to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord’s covenant, and offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings. Then he held a feast for all his servants.

Solomon’s Wisdom

King Solomon's Wisdom of the Baby

16 Then two women who were prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. 17 One woman said, “Please my lord, this woman and I live in the same house, and I had a baby while she was in the house. 18 On the third day after I gave birth, she also had a baby and we were alone. No one else was with us in the house; just the two of us were there. 19 During the night this woman’s son died because she lay on him. 20 She got up in the middle of the night and took my son from my side while your servant was asleep. She laid him at her breast, and she put her dead son in my arms. 21 When I got up in the morning to nurse my son, I discovered he was dead. That morning, when I looked closely at him I realized that he was not the son I gave birth to.”

22 “No,” the other woman said. “My son is the living one; your son is the dead one.”

The first woman said, “No, your son is the dead one; my son is the living one.” So they argued before the king.

23 The king replied, “This woman says, ‘This is my son who is alive, and your son is dead,’ but that woman says, ‘No, your son is dead, and my son is alive.’” 24 The king continued, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought the sword to the king. 25 Solomon said, “Cut the living boy in two and give half to one and half to the other.”

26 The woman whose son was alive spoke to the king because she felt great compassion for her son. “My lord, give her the living baby,” she said, “but please don’t have him killed!”

But the other one said, “He will not be mine or yours. Cut him in two!”

27 The king responded, “Give the living baby to the first woman, and don’t kill him. She is his mother.” 28 All Israel heard about the judgment the king had given, and they stood in awe of the king because they saw that God’s wisdom was in him to carry out justice.

Key:  Bold - Verse of the Day, Purple - Words of God

Reflection: Solomon could have asked God for anything.  He chose to ask for an obedient heart and discernment.  Solomon's desire was not to fulfill his own personal desires, but to serve God in the best way he could.  

Discussion Topic: When you approach the throne of God in your time of prayer, do you come with a heart that seeks to fulfill its own desires, or do your requests reflect your desire to please God?

Jointhe discussion on G+

Prayer: Praise you Father.  Glory to you Lord God Almighty.  I pray that I can come before you with the same heart that King Solomon had when he asked for an obedient heart and discernment.  May my prayers and requests be made from a heart that is broken and in full submission to Your will.  May Your name be praised forever and ever.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Acknowledgements: Text - BibleGateway.com, Artwork: God Speaks to Solomon in His Sleep - eborg3.com, King Solomon's Wisdom of the Baby - GoodSalt.com

Day 25 - 50 Day Journey To Christ

1 Samuel 20

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Jonathan Protects David

Jonathan & David

1 David fled from Naioth in Ramah and came to Jonathan and asked, “What have I done? What did I do wrong? How have I sinned against your father so that he wants to take my life?”

2 Jonathan said to him, “No, you won’t die. Listen, my father doesn't do anything, great or small, without telling me. So why would he hide this matter from me? This can’t be true.”

3 But David said, “Your father certainly knows that you have come to look favorably on me. He has said, ‘Jonathan must not know of this, or else he will be grieved.’” David also swore, “As surely as the Lord lives and as you yourself live, there is but a step between me and death.”

4 Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you say, I will do for you.”

5 So David told him, “Look, tomorrow is the New Moon, and I’m supposed to sit down and eat with the king. Instead, let me go, and I’ll hide in the field until the third night. 6 If your father misses me at all, say, ‘David urgently requested my permission to quickly go to his town Bethlehem for an annual sacrifice there involving the whole clan.’ 7 If he says, ‘Good,’ then your servant is safe, but if he becomes angry, you will know he has evil intentions. 8 Deal faithfully with your servant, for you have brought me into a covenant with you before the Lord. If I have done anything wrong, then kill me yourself; why take me to your father?”

9 “No!” Jonathan responded. “If I ever find out my father has evil intentions against you, wouldn't I tell you about it?”

10 So David asked Jonathan, “Who will tell me if your father answers you harshly?”

11 He answered David, “Come on, let’s go out to the field.” So both of them went out to the field. 12 “By the Lord, the God of Israel, I will sound out my father by this time tomorrow or the next day. If I find out that he is favorable toward you, will I not send for you and tell you3? 13 If my father intends to bring evil on you, may God punish Jonathan and do so severely if I do not tell you and send you away so you may go in peace. May the Lord be with you, just as He was with my father. 14 If I continue to live, treat me with the Lord’s faithful love, but if I die, 15 don’t ever withdraw your faithful love from my household—not even when the Lord cuts off every one of David’s enemies from the face of the earth.” 16 Then Jonathan made a covenant with the house of David, saying, “May the Lord hold David’s enemies accountable.” 17 Jonathan once again swore to David in his love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself.

18 Then Jonathan said to him, “Tomorrow is the New Moon; you’ll be missed because your seat will be empty. 19 The following day hurry down and go to the place where you hid on the day this incident began and stay beside the rock Ezel. 20 I will shoot three arrows beside it as if I’m aiming at a target. 21 Then I will send the young man and say, ‘Go and find the arrows!’ Now, if I expressly say to the young man, ‘Look, the arrows are on this side of you—get them,’ then come, because as the Lord lives, it is safe for you and there is no problem. 22 But if I say this to the youth: ‘Look, the arrows are beyond you!’ then go, for the Lord is sending you away. 23 As for the matter you and I have spoken about, the Lord will be a witness between you and me forever.” 24 So David hid in the field.

At the New Moon, the king sat down to eat the meal. 25 He sat at his usual place on the seat by the wall. Jonathan sat facing him and Abner took his place beside Saul, but David’s place was empty. 26 Saul did not say anything that day because he thought, “Something unexpected has happened; he must be ceremonially unclean—yes, that’s it, he is unclean.”

27 However, the day after the New Moon, the second day, David’s place was still empty, and Saul asked his son Jonathan, “Why didn't Jesse’s son come to the meal either yesterday or today?”

28 Jonathan answered, “David asked for my permission to go to Bethlehem. 29 He said, ‘Please let me go because our clan is holding a sacrifice in the town, and my brother has told me to be there. So now, if you are pleased with me, let me go so I can see my brothers.’ That’s why he didn't come to the king’s table.”

30 Then Saul became angry with Jonathan and shouted, “You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don’t I know that you are siding with Jesse’s son to your own shame and to the disgrace of your mother? 31 Every day Jesse’s son lives on earth you and your kingship are not secure. Now send for him and bring him to me—he deserves to die.”

32 Jonathan answered his father back: “Why is he to be killed? What has he done?”

33 Then Saul threw his spear at Jonathan to kill him, so he knew that his father was determined to kill David. 34 He got up from the table in fierce anger and did not eat any food that second day of the New Moon, for he was grieved because of his father’s shameful behavior toward David.

Jonathan Signals David

35 In the morning Jonathan went out to the field for the appointed meeting with David. A small young man was with him. 36 He said to the young man, “Run and find the arrows I’m shooting.” As the young man ran, Jonathan shot an arrow beyond him. 37 He came to the location of the arrow that Jonathan had shot, but Jonathan called to him and said, “The arrow is beyond you, isn't it?” 38 Then Jonathan called to him, “Hurry up and don’t stop!” Jonathan’s young man picked up the arrow and returned to his master. 39 He did not know anything; only Jonathan and David knew the arrangement. 40 Then Jonathan gave his equipment to the young man who was with him and said, “Go, take it back to the city.”

41 When the young man had gone, David got up from the south side of the stone Ezel, fell with his face to the ground, and bowed three times. Then he and Jonathan kissed each other and wept with each other, though David wept more.

42 Jonathan then said to David, “Go in the assurance the two of us pledged in the name of the Lord when we said: The Lord will be a witness between you and me and between my offspring and your offspring forever.” Then David left, and Jonathan went into the city.

Key:  Bold - Verse of the Day

Reflection:  A story of friendship.  A story of putting yourself, your future and your life aside for the sake of a friend.  Jonathan was willing to risk it all to ensure that his friend David was safe.  

Discussion Topic:  Todays story is a remarkable show of friendship and loving a friend enough that you are willing to lay down your life for them.  How are you laying down your life for your friend?  How could our community help?

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Prayer:  Father in Heaven, thank you for your loving kindness.  Thank you for not only being our Creator, but loving us enough to lay down Your Life for us.  For walking before us, walking beside us and walking behind us.  We owe it all to You.  Even our lives.  In your Holy name, the Name of Our Lord and Savior, the object of our affection, Jesus Christ.  Amen! 

Acknowledgements: Text - BibleGateway.com, Artwork (Jonathan & David): http://www.lookandlearn.com/history-images/M003090/David-and-Jonathan?search=David%20and%20Jonathan&cat=&bool=phrase, Artwork: (Jonathan Signals David): http://biblelessonsite.org/images/davjon.jpg

Day 24 - 50 Day Journey To Christ

Psalm 119

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Delight in God’s Word

Alef

1 How happy are those whose way is blameless, who live according to the Lord’s instruction!

2 Happy are those who keep His decrees and seek Him with all their heart.

3 They do nothing wrong; they follow His ways.

4 You have commanded that Your precepts be diligently kept.

5 If only my ways were committed to keeping Your statutes!

6 Then I would not be ashamed when I think about all Your commands.

7 I will praise You with a sincere heart when I learn Your righteous judgments.

8 I will keep Your statutes; never abandon me.

Bet

9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping Your word.

10 I have sought You with all my heart; don’t let me wander from Your commands.

11 I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You.

12 Lord, may You be praised; teach me Your statutes.

13 With my lips I proclaim all the judgments from Your mouth.

14 I rejoice in the way revealed by Your decrees as much as in all riches.

15 I will meditate on Your precepts and think about Your ways.

16 I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.

Gimel

17 Deal generously with Your servant so that I might live; then I will keep Your word.

18 Open my eyes so that I may contemplate wonderful things from Your instruction.

19 I am a stranger on earth; do not hide Your commands from me.

20 I am continually overcome with longing for Your judgments.

21 You rebuke the proud, the ones under a curse, who wander from Your commands.

22 Take insult and contempt away from me, for I have kept Your decrees.

23 Though princes sit together speaking against me, Your servant will think about Your statutes;

24 Your decrees are my delight and my counselors.

Dalet

25 My life is down in the dust; give me life through Your word.

26 I told You about my life, and You listened to me; teach me Your statutes.

27 Help me understand the meaning of Your precepts so that I can meditate on Your wonders.

28 I am weary from grief; strengthen me through Your word.

29 Keep me from the way of deceit and graciously give me Your instruction.

30 I have chosen the way of truth; I have set Your ordinances before me.

31 I cling to Your decrees; Lord, do not put me to shame.

32 I pursue the way of Your commands, for You broaden my understanding.

He

33 Teach me, Lord, the meaning of Your statutes, and I will always keep them.

34 Help me understand Your instruction, and I will obey it and follow it with all my heart.

35 Help me stay on the path of Your commands, for I take pleasure in it.

36 Turn my heart to Your decrees and not to material gain.

37 Turn my eyes from looking at what is worthless; give me life in Your ways.

38 Confirm what You said to Your servant, for it produces reverence for You.

39 Turn away the disgrace I dread; indeed, Your judgments are good.

40 How I long for Your precepts! Give me life through Your righteousness.

Vav

41 Let Your faithful love come to me, Lord, Your salvation, as You promised.

42 Then I can answer the one who taunts me, for I trust in Your word.

43 Never take the word of truth from my mouth, for I hope in Your judgments.

44 I will always obey Your instruction, forever and ever.

45 I will walk freely in an open place because I seek Your precepts.

46 I will speak of Your decrees before kings and not be ashamed.

47 I delight in Your commands, which I love.

48 I will lift up my hands to Your commands, which I love, and will meditate on Your statutes.

Zayin

49 Remember Your word to Your servant; You have given me hope through it.

50 This is my comfort in my affliction: Your promise has given me life.

51 The arrogant constantly ridicule me, but I do not turn away from Your instruction.

52 Lord, I remember Your judgments from long ago and find comfort.

53 Rage seizes me because of the wicked who reject Your instruction.

54 Your statutes are the theme of my song during my earthly life.

55 Yahweh, I remember Your name in the night, and I obey Your instruction.

56 This is my practice: I obey Your precepts.

Khet

57 The Lord is my portion; I have promised to keep Your words.

58 I have sought Your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to Your promise.

59 I thought about my ways and turned my steps back to Your decrees.

60 I hurried, not hesitating to keep Your commands.

61 Though the ropes of the wicked were wrapped around me, I did not forget Your instruction.

62 I rise at midnight to thank You for Your righteous judgments.

63 I am a friend to all who fear You, to those who keep Your precepts.

64 Lord, the earth is filled with Your faithful love; teach me Your statutes.

Tet

65 Lord, You have treated Your servant well, just as You promised.

66 Teach me good judgment and discernment, for I rely on Your commands.

67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word.

68 You are good, and You do what is good; teach me Your statutes.

69 The arrogant have smeared me with lies, but I obey Your precepts with all my heart.

70 Their hearts are hard and insensitive, but I delight in Your instruction.

71 It was good for me to be afflicted so that I could learn Your statutes.

72 Instruction from Your lips is better for me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

Yod

73 Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding so that I can learn Your commands.

74 Those who fear You will see me and rejoice, for I put my hope in Your word.

75 I know, Lord, that Your judgments are just and that You have afflicted me fairly.

76 May Your faithful love comfort me as You promised Your servant.

77 May Your compassion come to me so that I may live, for Your instruction is my delight.

78 Let the arrogant be put to shame for slandering me with lies; I will meditate on Your precepts.

79 Let those who fear You, those who know Your decrees, turn to me.

80 May my heart be blameless regarding Your statutes so that I will not be put to shame.

Kaf

81 I long for Your salvation; I put my hope in Your word.

82 My eyes grow weary looking for what You have promised; I ask, “When will You comfort me?”

83 Though I have become like a wineskin dried by smoke, I do not forget Your statutes.

84 How many days must Your servant wait? When will You execute judgment on my persecutors?

85 The arrogant have dug pits for me; they violate Your instruction.

86 All Your commands are true; people persecute me with lies—help me!

87 They almost ended my life on earth, but I did not abandon Your precepts.

88 Give me life in accordance with Your faithful love, and I will obey the decree You have spoken.

Lamed

89 Lord, Your word is forever; it is firmly fixed in heaven.

90 Your faithfulness is for all generations; You established the earth, and it stands firm.

91 They stand today in accordance with Your judgments, for all things are Your servants.

92 If Your instruction had not been my delight, I would have died in my affliction.

93 I will never forget Your precepts, for You have given me life through them.

94 I am Yours; save me, for I have sought Your precepts.

95 The wicked hope to destroy me, but I contemplate Your decrees.

96 I have seen a limit to all perfection, but Your command is without limit.

Mem

97 How I love Your instruction! It is my meditation all day long.

98 Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are always with me.

99 I have more insight than all my teachers because Your decrees are my meditation.

100 I understand more than the elders because I obey Your precepts.

101 I have kept my feet from every evil path to follow Your word.

102 I have not turned from Your judgments, for You Yourself have instructed me.

103 How sweet Your word is to my taste—sweeter than honey in my mouth.

104 I gain understanding from Your precepts; therefore I hate every false way.

Nun

105 Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.

106 I have solemnly sworn to keep Your righteous judgments.

107 I am severely afflicted; Lord, give me life through Your word.

108 Lord, please accept my willing offerings of praise, and teach me Your judgments.

109 My life is constantly in danger, yet I do not forget Your instruction.

110 The wicked have set a trap for me, but I have not wandered from Your precepts.

111 I have Your decrees as a heritage forever; indeed, they are the joy of my heart.

112 I am resolved to obey Your statutes to the very end.

Samek

113 I hate those who are double-minded, but I love Your instruction.

114 You are my shelter and my shield; I put my hope in Your word.

115 Depart from me, you evil ones, so that I may obey my God’s commands.

116 Sustain me as You promised, and I will live; do not let me be ashamed of my hope.

117 Sustain me so that I can be safe and always be concerned about Your statutes.

118 You reject all who stray from Your statutes, for their deceit is a lie.

119 You remove all the wicked on earth as if they were dross; therefore, I love Your decrees.

120 I tremble in awe of You; I fear Your judgments.

Ayin

121 I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors.

122 Guarantee Your servant’s well-being; do not let the arrogant oppress me.

123 My eyes grow weary looking for Your salvation and for Your righteous promise.

124 Deal with Your servant based on Your faithful love; teach me Your statutes.

125 I am Your servant; give me understanding so that I may know Your decrees.

126 It is time for the Lord to act, for they have violated Your instruction.

127 Since I love Your commands more than gold, even the purest gold,

128 I carefully follow all Your precepts and hate every false way.

Pe

129 Your decrees are wonderful; therefore I obey them.

130 The revelation of Your words brings light and gives understanding to the inexperienced.

131 I open my mouth and pant because I long for Your commands.

132 Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is Your practice toward those who love Your name.

133 Make my steps steady through Your promise; don’t let any sin dominate me.

134 Redeem me from human oppression, and I will keep Your precepts.

135 Show favor to Your servant, and teach me Your statutes.

136 My eyes pour out streams of tears because people do not follow Your instruction.

Tsade

137 You are righteous, Lord, and Your judgments are just.

138 The decrees You issue are righteous and altogether trustworthy.

139 My anger overwhelms me because my foes forget Your words.

140 Your word is completely pure, and Your servant loves it.

141 I am insignificant and despised, but I do not forget Your precepts.

142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your instruction is true.

143 Trouble and distress have overtaken me, but Your commands are my delight.

144 Your decrees are righteous forever. Give me understanding, and I will live.

Qof

145 I call with all my heart; answer me, Lord. I will obey Your statutes.

146 I call to You; save me, and I will keep Your decrees.

147 I rise before dawn and cry out for help; I put my hope in Your word.

148 I am awake through each watch of the night to meditate on Your promise.

149 In keeping with Your faithful love, hear my voice. Lord, give me life in keeping with Your justice.

150 Those who pursue evil plans come near; they are far from Your instruction.

151 You are near, Lord, and all Your commands are true.

152 Long ago I learned from Your decrees that You have established them forever.

Resh

153 Consider my affliction and rescue me, for I have not forgotten Your instruction.

154 Defend my cause and redeem me; give me life as You promised.

155 Salvation is far from the wicked because they do not seek Your statutes.

156 Your compassions are many, Lord; give me life according to Your judgments.

157 My persecutors and foes are many. I have not turned from Your decrees.

158 I have seen the disloyal and feel disgust because they do not keep Your word.

159 Consider how I love Your precepts; Lord, give me life according to Your faithful love.

160 The entirety of Your word is truth, and all Your righteous judgments endure forever.

Sin/Shin

161 Princes have persecuted me without cause, but my heart fears only Your word.

162 I rejoice over Your promise like one who finds vast treasure.

163 I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love Your instruction.

164 I praise You seven times a day for Your righteous judgments.

165 Abundant peace belongs to those who love Your instruction; nothing makes them stumble.

166 Lord, I hope for Your salvation and carry out Your commands.

167 I obey Your decrees and love them greatly.

168 I obey Your precepts and decrees, for all my ways are before You.

Tav

169 Let my cry reach You, Lord; give me understanding according to Your word.

170 Let my plea reach You; rescue me according to Your promise.

171 My lips pour out praise, for You teach me Your statutes.

172 My tongue sings about Your promise, for all Your commands are righteous.

173 May Your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen Your precepts.

174 I long for Your salvation, Lord, and Your instruction is my delight.

175 Let me live, and I will praise You; may Your judgments help me.

176 I wander like a lost sheep; seek Your servant, for I do not forget Your commands.

Key:  Bold - Verse of the Day

Reflection:  There is quite a bit happening in this psalm; praise and worship, prayer and pleading, glorifying and testifying.  Just meditating on this psalm and on the different ways in which we approach the Lord is enough to occupy our mind for quite some time.  It's amazing how intricate and intimate our relationship is with God.

Discussion Topic:  One of the main things we focus on in our relationship with the Lord is scripture.  The verse of the day says, "How happy are those whose way is blameless, who live according to the Lord’s instruction!"  Reading God's word takes time; time that some of us don't set aside, so our bible may remain unopened for days.  What do you do to be sure you're getting fed the word every day and growing in your walk with the Lord?

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Day 23 - 50 day journey to Christ

Daily Reading:

Psalm 18

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

For the choir director. Of the servant of the Lord, David, who spoke the words of this song to the Lord on the day the Lord rescued him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said:

¹ I love You, Lord, my strength.

² The Lord is my rock,
my fortress, and my deliverer,
my God, my mountain where I seek refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation,
my stronghold.
³ I called to the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
and I was saved from my enemies.

⁴ The ropes of death were wrapped around me;
the torrents of destruction terrified me.
⁵ The ropes of Sheol entangled me;
the snares of death confronted me.
⁶ I called to the Lord in my distress,
and I cried to my God for help.
From His temple He heard my voice,
and my cry to Him reached His ears.

⁷ Then the earth shook and quaked;
the foundations of the mountains trembled;
they shook because He burned with anger.
⁸ Smoke rose from His nostrils,
and consuming fire came from His mouth;
coals were set ablaze by it.
⁹ He parted the heavens and came down,
a dark cloud beneath His feet.
¹⁰ He rode on a cherub and flew,
soaring on the wings of the wind.
¹¹ He made darkness His hiding place,
dark storm clouds His canopy around Him.
¹² From the radiance of His presence,
His clouds swept onward with hail and blazing coals.
¹³ The Lord thundered from heaven;
the Most High projected His voice.
¹⁴ He shot His arrows and scattered them;
He hurled lightning bolts and routed them.
¹⁵ The depths of the sea became visible,
the foundations of the world were exposed,
at Your rebuke, Lord,
at the blast of the breath of Your nostrils.

¹⁶ He reached down from heaven
and took hold of me;
He pulled me out of deep waters.
¹⁷ He rescued me from my powerful enemy
and from those who hated me,
for they were too strong for me.
¹⁸ They confronted me in the day of my distress,
but the Lord was my support.
¹⁹ He brought me out to a spacious place;
He rescued me because He delighted in me.

²⁰ The Lord rewarded me
according to my righteousness;
He repaid me
according to the cleanness of my hands.
²¹ For I have kept the ways of the Lord
and have not turned from my God to wickedness.
²² Indeed, I have kept all His ordinances in mind
and have not disregarded His statutes.
²³ I was blameless toward Him
and kept myself from sinning.
²⁴ So the Lord repaid me
according to my righteousness,
according to the cleanness of my hands in His sight.

²⁵ With the faithful
You prove Yourself faithful;
with the blameless man
You prove Yourself blameless;
²⁶ with the pure
You prove Yourself pure,
but with the crooked
You prove Yourself shrewd.
²⁷ For You rescue an afflicted people,
but You humble those with haughty eyes.
²⁸ Lord, You light my lamp;
my God illuminates my darkness.
²⁹ With You I can attack a barrier,
and with my God I can leap over a wall.

³⁰ God—His way is perfect;
the word of the Lord is pure.
He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
³¹ For who is God besides Yahweh?
And who is a rock? Only our God.
³² God—He clothes me with strength
and makes my way perfect.
³³ He makes my feet like the feet of a deer
and sets me securely on the heights.
³⁴ He trains my hands for war;
my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
³⁵ You have given me the shield of Your salvation;
Your right hand upholds me,
and Your humility exalts me.
³⁶ You widen a place beneath me for my steps,
and my ankles do not give way.

³⁷ I pursue my enemies and overtake them;
I do not turn back until they are wiped out.
³⁸ I crush them, and they cannot get up;
they fall beneath my feet.
³⁹ You have clothed me with strength for battle;
You subdue my adversaries beneath me.
⁴⁰ You have made my enemies retreat before me;
I annihilate those who hate me.
⁴¹ They cry for help, but there is no one to save them—
they cry to the Lord, but He does not answer them.
⁴² I pulverize them like dust before the wind;
I trample them like mud in the streets.

⁴³ You have freed me from the feuds among the people;
You have appointed me the head of nations;
a people I had not known serve me.
⁴⁴ Foreigners submit to me grudgingly;
as soon as they hear, they obey me.
⁴⁵ Foreigners lose heart
and come trembling from their fortifications.

⁴⁶ The Lord lives—may my rock be praised!
The God of my salvation is exalted.
⁴⁷ God—He gives me vengeance
and subdues peoples under me.
⁴⁸ He frees me from my enemies.
You exalt me above my adversaries;
You rescue me from violent men.
⁴⁹ Therefore I will praise You, Yahweh, among the nations;
I will sing about Your name.
⁵⁰ He gives great victories to His king;
He shows loyalty to His anointed,
to David and his descendants forever.

Key:  Bold - Verse of the Day

Reflection:  Todays Psalm finds us standing in front of David, as he testifies about the Lords deliverence from the hand of his enemies.  The psalm begins in despair and humilty, and as we travel through the verses we begin to feel the rise of deliverance, the surge of emotion as he revels in the work of the Lords hand.  Look how he addresses the Lord in the opening;  his "rock", his "fortress", his "deliver", his "God", his "mountain", his "sheild", the "horn of his salvation", and finally his "stronghold."  Amazing perspective.

Discussion Topic:  Do you have a story you can share about how your were able to put God into perspective, and allow Him to put your problems into perspective accordingly?

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Acknowledgements: Text - BibleGateway.com, Image - White Cross SCA Battle Shield, Image Website - http://www.a2armory.com/scabatshielt.html