Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 16:1-13, 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 2 Samuel 5:9-12, 2 Samuel 7:1-29
I was driving in the car with my kids as we practiced their memory verse before Bible school. They were memorizing Jeremiah 29:11–12, “For I know the plans I have for you—this is the LORD’s declaration…” Afterward, I asked them if they understood what it meant for God to have a plan for their lives. Of course, they had no idea; they were too busy thinking about what they would be having for their afternoon snack. While elementary-aged kids may not be too concerned about their futures, God has plans for each of us—and this greatly excites me.
Not many of us are given as clearly defined a role as David—if only a priest like Samuel could come and visit us as young people, telling us exactly what God has in store. It’s almost like a scene out of a Hollywood movie—“Anoint him, for he is the one” (1Samuel 16:12). I can only imagine the shock and confusion David’s brothers had at his anointing.
Yet David didn’t ascend to the throne that day. While he may have been given a clear anointing, David still had to wait over a decade to step into his God-assigned role.
David probably had a lot of questions when he assumed his role as king after the many years spent in Saul’s service, fighting a giant, winning big battles for Israel, and running from his enemies in the wilderness. While “David knew that the LORD had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel” (2Samuel 5:12), his new title probably didn’t mean he had his whole life figured out. Instead, we see how God was using that time to increase David’s trust and obedience.
I believe the same is true for our purpose. Those who have been called by God have been given good plans to carry out for His glory (Romans 8:28). But many of us may still be wondering what that thing might be. I long to be a person who is consistently obeying God in the moments of my life that may feel insignificant but are building up the refined, holy person that God has for me to be. How might God use your present day to build your character like He built David’s?
Written by Bailey Hurley
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97 thoughts on "David"
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❤✝️ Lord, guide me to follow the path You planned for my life. Continue to work through me for Your glory. ❤
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Anybody else’s book out of order?
King David, well, where do I start? There have been so many lessons that I drew from him on my walk with God. He is such a humble character that resonates with me through his psalms, lamentations and anguish in praise and worship, in his poetry and songs. “How might God use your present day to build your character like He built David’s?”. How did He build David’s character? I was sitting here, thinking. The cost to be the anointed one of God is steep. David was called when he did the work on unseen fields, fighting bears and lions with no witnesses, overlooked by his own father and despised by his older brothers. David guarded the sheep with his life against bears and lions. Is it worth it? Guarding the underpaid job with our life? This reminds me of a quote by Martin Luther King Jr, a story of a street sweeper, if a man is CALLED to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as a Michaelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music…he should sweep SO well that all the hosts of heaven will PAUSE and say, “here lived a great street sweeper”. I wonder if the hosts of Heaven might have paused and said, here lived a great shepherd boy David who did his job SO well that he guarded every sheep against the vicious bears and lions. He could have let it go, but he guarded it with his life over his father’s flocks. Talking about accountability and responsibility, and further more, stewardship. I have been called to be the floor sweeper of my house. There are days I would vacuum and mop and scrub on my hands and knees, with tears, I thanked the Lord, there are days I would sigh and forget what a blessing it is. What a reminder. Is the floor worth my best? Yes it does. Despise not the humble beginnings, the unknown jobs, the thankless positions, on the isolated fields, in the mud, just to serve with empty hands. What an example we have. Thank you shes for your encouragement, kind words and prayers. I appreciate you all so much. Praying along our sisters for the prayer requests. Be blessed and have a wonderful week.
That is very motivational!
Preach it Mercy. This was so good..
You are a blessing my dear..❤️
I think God maps out our lives, we just have to be willing to trust and follow Him.
I am sharing partial lyrics to a song we sing often at church. I think it echoes David’s awe at God’s move in his life. I need to meditate more on God’s goodness/Presence and less on thinking I need more.
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I GOT SAVED
By Selah
There is a river of gladness
That pours from Emmanuel’s veins
This sinner was plunged beneath the flood and got saved
Since then I walk in forgiveness
All of my guilt was erased
The chains of the past are broken at last
I got saved
Oh, I got saved
I’m undone by the mercy of Jesus
I’m undone by the goodness of the Lord
I’m restored and made right
He got a hold on my life
I’ve got Jesus, how could I want more?
I’ve received nothing but goodness
I’ve tested and tasted Your grace
I was so lost ’til I fell at the cross
And got saved, oh I got saved
I’m undone by the mercy of Jesus
I’m undone by the goodness of the Lord
I’m restored and made right
He got a hold on my life
I’ve got Jesus, how could I want more?
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Love, hugs, and prayers! ❤
Love and hugs right back atcha Cee Gee. What lovely heart stirring words in this song.. Thank you ❤️
May I be consistent in my daily walk.
He’s not done with us! I love this reminder that God has a plan for each of us!
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I also wanted to add some lyrics from the great song “First Things First” by Consumed by Fire.
First thing’s first
I seek Your will
Not my own
Surrender all my wants to you
Keep the first thing first
To live Your truth
Walk Your ways
Set my eyes
Lord I fix my face on you
All my desires reversed
To keep the first thing first
I give it all
My life an offering
My heart is yours
So have Your way in me
Your kingdom’s all I wanna seek
I don’t wanna love what the world loves
I don’t wanna chase what the world does
I only want you
I only want you
Ooh, I love that song! ❤
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So thankful that God has much bigger plans for us than we can even imagine! Sometimes He says no to what we feel is what we are supposed to do, (building a house for God) but then He tells us His bigger and better plan. May we continue to persevere in our walk with Him and cling to Him daily!
Praying for all!
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Truly, Cheryl!
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How might God use your present day to build your character like He built David’s?
That’s a good question to start a new week, a new day. Each and every day the Lord gives me is a gift from His hand. Just keep going and that in itself, the perseverance to keep going, to seek the Lord every step of the way, no matter the circumstances. There are definitely circumstances that are a struggle, that are discouraging, frustrating, that cause fear to creep in. So much of it I quite simply, do not like. At all.:( But, not liking it, is not going to change things. Looking to the Lord, seeking His will, searching for Him, calling out to Him is what will sustain and carry me through. Its the long obedience in the same direction. Its recognizing His hand, praising Him, knowing His greatness, recounting His faithfulness and leading every step on the way knowing that His plans and His ways are good. This is where hope and peace can be found. Thank you, Father. There is none like you❤️
‘This is why you are great, Lord God. There is no one like you, and there is no God besides you, as all we have heard confirms.’ 2 Sam 7:22
This is so perfectly spoken!
Thank you for sharing, Wendy. ❤️
Yes, well said, Wendy! ❤
So true, Wendy.. thank you ❤️
I love to point out this aspect shared today to others about David and his great story. He knew (at least, was told by Samuel) he was going to be king, yet he had many a feat getting there, and thereafter as well. Sometimes it would be nice to know God’s destination for us, wouldn’t it? But I imagine then we would just want it to happen easily and quickly. There would be no lessons learned, no growth, no wisdom that can only come through a journey.
It is good to know all David went through before his crown. I’m sure he didn’t think he would be the one fleeing for his life and hiding in the caves, fighting against a big giant and army, and more. Our story is not going to be easy either, and we all are on our way to our crown. God has a good and perfect path for us, that is telling and writing our story. But what good is our story if it’s not told?! I encourage you to write your story, people, and especially loved ones, will be blessed and encouraged by it!
We often say we want a heart like David’s for the Lord. But would we want all that came with his life. No, thank you!
Lord, I do want a heart that loves you with all my heart, surrendered to your will, that has the good for all that loves you, in mind. Not to harm us, but to prosper us. It may not feel good, but your love is pruning us, shaping us.
2 Corinthians 4:17 “For our light afflictions, which are but for a moment, are working for us a far greater exceedingly and eternal weight of glory!”
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Great word, sister! ❤
Thanks for your wisdom and sharing ❤️
Thats what im talking about! Davids life was a roller coaster of events, bad choices and troubles BEFORE he became king, and even then…
BUT GOD..
HUGS Rhonda ❤️
Another gorgeous and thankfully cool morning before the heat, but wait…I like the heat haha. BEST part my daughter next to me reading her bible and commenting what she’s reading. Ironically she’s reading Ecclesiastes. As I think of David with all his flaws and their were many, I feel there’s still hope for me. PLEASE pray as I already had a short visit with a precious friend (older and wiser), had a conversation with an attorney friend of mine and after work I have another meeting with a sweet friend whose a pastor’s wife. I’m seeking some info, answers, but mainly assurance if I’m heading in the right direction or at least when do make this tough decision.
Praying for you ❤️
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Have prayed ❤️
Mari, continued prayers for peace of heart and the right outcome on your court case..
Trust God my sister, don’t waiver for He is good and He wants the best for you and yours..
Love you muchly dear sister..❤️
In 2 Samuel 5:2, the Lord told David that he would SHEPHERD his people Israel. I had never noticed that verbiage before. (David was a SHEPHERD, you know. Heeheehee!)
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And I like Bailey’s last paragraph… I don’t know what my calling is now that I am now a retired preschool teacher. What are His plans for me? And how can I carry those plans out for His glory?
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Something to ponder.
Congratulations again on being retired! I’m sure it will feel weird come fall!
It is interesting when you have done something for decades that you know was your calling, and then it comes to an end. Maybe you will be used in the same arena with young children….or something totally new! Don’t you wish a Samuel could come to you to direct?! As I wrote that, I thought, you, Rhonda, DID have a Samuel come to you. My group leader came to me and said “I thought you might join me in a meeting I’m having with someone today about her jail ministry, I think it might be something to interest you!” This mentor was leading me to something amazing!
❤ God bless these retirement days!
God sees into your heart, Adrienne.
I think God maps out our lives, we just have to be willing to trust and follow Him.
David went from shepherd to king,which I think is neat. Interesting to that it was shepherds who showed up at the manger, before anyone else.
Adrienne, it hasn’t been but a minute since you hung up your preschool teacher hat… rest in Him awhile, catch your breathe, recall who you are again, and the Lord God will in time make his plans for you known as you lean into Him..
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Congratulations dear one, now rest awhile..❤️
There is a lot going on here that I know God is using to build my character…it’s been a rough few months, but I know God is working it all out for my good. I’m thankful for His faithfulness even when it hurts and it’s hard. And I pray He gets the glory!!
Knowing that at least gives us strength and purpose, and to keep our eyes on him throughout the trials! Good for you and your awareness Erica! Prayers for your you to persevere!
Erica, He is with you! I will pray for you as you navigate these rough patches. Hold fast to Him for he has your back! Truth!
Blessings dear heart..❤️
You guys are the best! I have gone back and read your comments from yesterday several times. Jack was my biggest fan and biggest cheerleader and I miss having that!
Thank you all (y’all as we say in Alabama) for your love and support!
I noticed something today in our reading.
5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah. I didn’t realize that David’s reign was in two places. Interesting! Also, I thought about how God saw David and knew that he was the one to be king out of all the people in the world. God sees each of us too and knows are heartaches and needs! ❤️
Praying for your little mama, Kelly (NEO), for Mari’s upcoming court date, and all of the other requests. ❤️
That caught my attention as well Lynne.
Hope your day was lovely,although maybe sad, But God, He is there for you every step along this new path. It may not be perfectly smooth, but it leads into his everlasting arms!
Aw….Lynne!!! Your’re SO sweet thank you for praying for me.
Praying for you, Lynne! ❤❤❤
In my prayers dearest Lynne, covered in hugs and much love ❤️
Did anyone else’s book have questions on Bathsheba and not David?
Bathsheba is day 32. David is day 29- today
I have the digital book so I don’t know if it’s the same as the paper book. I only have questions on David following the Scriptures (q’s on page 129).
I don’t have anything on Bathsheba until page 141.
Maybe this helps?
“I long to be a person who is consistently obeying God in the moments of my life that may feel insignificant but are building up the refined, holy person that God has for me to be.” Amen!
I love this, Sharon. May i borrow it? So good! ❤️
The same God that carried David is the same God that carries you and me ❤️ agreeing with Aimee that “what hope we have knowing God directs our steps”. Praying that I can trust God in the waiting. We sang a song in church yesterday called “Always On Time” by Elevation Worship and it really spoke to me.
Thank you for all the prayers for my dad and his upcoming surgery. It means so much ❤️
Praying everyone has a blessed start to their week!
Praying for your Dad, Taylor, hopeful all goes well and that he would feel better for it.
Praying also for you, your heart, yourself, HE HAS GOT YOU, dear heart. Trust Him..❤️
Thank you God for Your direction every day!!
Good morning She’s, I want to share something from The Bible speaks Today,”David was not to build the temple,but it is not surprising that he was overwhelmed by the brightness of the future laid out for him. He begins, “Wow,just look what God has done for me and my family!’ (2 Samuel 18-19),and continues,’Wow,just think about who God is and and what he has done for his people!’ (23–24). The ‘wow’ element of prayer is something that God’s people need to recapture today. The awe that David expresses as he ponders on God’s involvement in his life and reflects on the nature of his great God should surely be reflected in the hearts of those who have been conscious of God’s presence and action in their own lives.”
Amen
I like this.. Thank you, Tanya. ❤️
God builds my character through adversity. I am constantly reminded to come to God and lay down my heavy burdens that were not meant for me to carry. He has kept me on this earth long after my immediate family has gone to be with him. I have a purpose and I am grateful for his love even though sometimes I don’t understand why it couldn’t be different. I trust in his providence.
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Submitting to those in authority over me even when I don’t agree.
Amen❤️
“How might God, use your present day to build your character like He built Davis?” At first I didn’t want to answer this question about self. For me it’s hard to look at where I am wrong, my character flaws, my mistakes and mis-steps, and all the icky-ness of having to “look in the mirror “ at oneself. While that is so incredibly hard to look at/digest, I know that Christ accepts me warts, flaws, and all. I do not have to strive at showing him that I am good. I have to turn and trust him that he is good. I long to give all of my heart to him so that my obedience increases. He will change me, he will renew and restore me to his beauty, goodness and truth.
Amen! ❤️ I hear you and ask the same of myself.
“I do not have to strive at showing him that I am good. I have to turn and trust him that he is good.” That’s wonderful, Amy. I’m going to try to hold onto that.
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Overwhelmed and humbled by David’s prayer in 2 Samuel 7:18-29, especially these bits –
Who am I, O Lord God? …. that You have brought me this far? And yet this was a small thing in Your sight, O Lord God; ….For You, Lord God, know Your servant. For Your word’s sake, and according to Your own heart, You have done all these great things…You are great, O Lord God. For there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, … So let Your name be magnified forever … O Lord God, You are God, and Your words are true.
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Have I ever knelt and prayed with this much praise, appreciation, realization and thankfulness? Possibly when I have come out of a deep valley and in looking back, knew in my heart that only by God’s grace and mercy was I able to get through that time. But then life continues, full of distractions and busyness that I let get in the way of worship, but of course still making time for the asks. Lord, may I praise, worship and thank you daily and trust in Your plan and guidance.
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Your first questions reminds me of the opening of the old song of Casting Crowns “who am I, that the Lord of all the earth, would care to know my name…”
❤ Amen!❤
You, Searching, have thrown a spanner in the works with you question…
Have I ever knelt and prayed with such praise, appreciation, realisation and thankfulness?
Ouch!
Ouch!
Ouch!
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Thank you my dear!❤️
Father what Hope I have knowing You direct my steps. Please let my words and actions lead others to You. In Jesus name, Amen
“How might God use your present day to build your character like He built David’s?”
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The Lord is definitely opening my eyes to the struggles, obstacles, and nuances of those dealing with homelessness and those who have aged out in foster care. I am hoping that my sympathy turns more toward Christ-like compassion.
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MELANI FRYER – praying you and your sister worked things out about your dad’s care.
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Praying for your requests ❤️
Praying for your young mama, Kelly, that she would be blessed with positive news this week, and with solutions to the roadblocks and disappointments.
Praying for Melani and her sister. Also praying for favor and positive news for your young mama!
Thank you so much Kelly and for all She’s that prayed for my conversation with my sister. I called her in full confidence that the Holy Spirit would speak in my heart and our conversation..AND IT WAS SO! Everything wasn’t “ironed out” but it was a great first step in the right direction, with Jesus at the helm. I continue to pray for grace, and forgiveness, between my dad and sister.
Melani, I’m so glad to hear that the conversation went well!
That is such a great start, Melani. Continued prayers for future conversations to go in similsr ways.. led by the spirit.. so good. ❤️
Much love, Kelly❤️❤️
Loved this. I have verse 2 Sam. 7:25 highlighted with a note next to it that says “It is God’s nature to keep His promises so kneel before Him and say, ‘do as thou hast said.’ He won’t be troubled or offended by reminding him of a promise He made. He loves to hear the outcry of a ready and needy soul.”
Always a good reminder to me that God is more ready to hear than we are to ask❤️
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Such a great reminder, Elise! ❤️
I love that note! Thank you for sharing!
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When Julee died, I had many calls, letters, notes and cards of condolences. One card I have tucked in my bible, from a dear friend, also gone too soon, just said..”I am so sorry, Tina, why do bad things happen to good people?”
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Here’s the thing, I WAS a good person before Julee, but I think, now, I am a better person for having God in my life and the journey since.
There has been much to gently change, much to discern and put to one side, much to re-learn, much to un-do, much to re-do, re-imagine, re-evaluate, re-align, re-purpose,re-move, resolve, re-write..
I have absolutely not done this on my own, the lessons have been and continue to be learned, and re-learned, an on going process..
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BUT GOD..
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He is never far from me or the trials and lessons and journey to be like Him, (God), I was good but I get better, I pray, as I walk and journey with the One who loves me and wants the best, ALWAYS, for me, who never falters or slumbers, where my growing in His love is concerned, where my gentle change in His grace gives way to who I have the potential to be in Him.
I am grateful for the growing process, the hard knocks and the gentle ones. The lessons to be learned and re-learned, the ‘fires’ and the storms that come, for it is in the refining that I can be a better person for His Glory..
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AMEN..
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Good morning, my precious SRT Sisters. Good morning wrapped, as always in love, hugs and prayers, continued, requested or as comes to mind..
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Much, much love to ALL..
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Tina.❤️❤️
With all this “re”creating, there is much to rejoice about!
Amen!
Beautiful Tina!
Amen, Tina! Reminds me of a song from the 80’s at church. “He’s still working on me to make me what I ought to be.”
TINA, your…
“There has been much to gently change, much to discern and put to one side, much to re-learn, much to un-do, much to re-do, re-imagine, re-evaluate, re-align, re-purpose,re-move, resolve, re-write.” AND
“change in His grace gives way to who I have the potential to be in Him.”
…these seem at first glance as though they should be simple, obvious, well-known messages but they have struck me,… convicted me quite deeply. (Bless you, sister)
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Please Jesus mold me into, not the “good person” people think that I am but the one You have created me to be. Give me a shovel to also unearth the talents I have buried and use them before the Master returns and hears my account of what I’ve done with His gifts in His “absence”. Thank You that You are indeed never absent / far away.
Amen..❤️
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