Personal Devotions
Notes from Mark's personal Bible reading and meditation
With a goal to apply one truth from each day's reading to my life that day
Feb 9, 2025, 1:22 AM
Passage Read: 2 Samuel 2-5
Meditation Verses: 5:1-2
Thought
It seems everyone knew of God's promise to David! So why the ruse of putting Saul's son on the throne and fighting David for two years?
Feb 8, 2024, 12:34 PM
Passage Read: 2 Samuel 22 - 1 Kings 1
Meditation Verses: 2 Samuel 22:17-20
Thought
It's interesting how David sees his own life, especially in contrast to Jacob. Jacob endured a number of hard things, some because of his own choices, though not necessarily because he did wrong. Yet at age 130, he told Pharaoh that his days were few and evil. David lived about half as long, and suffered many things, some because of his own sin, yet he rejoices in God's graciousness, kindness and deliverance.
Feb 7, 2024, 12:36 PM
Passage Read: 2 Samuel 18-21
Meditation Verses: 19:6-7
Thought
Joab warned David that he was shaming his servants by weeping over Absalom. If he didn't speak kindly to those who risked their lives for him and his household, they would all be gone by morning and he would be left alone. He had sent them out and they did do his bidding. They loved him more than their own lives, so he owed them gratitude. He owed them his life, though it seems he would rather be dead than Absalom.
Feb 6, 2024, 12:37 PM
Passage Read: 2 Samuel 14-17
Meditation Verse: 16:8
Thought
This is a great example that people see what they want to see and freely ascribe to the Lord what they want to be true. The text tells us why these things happened to David, and it had nothing to do with the house of Saul, whom David had only honored, not attacked. But people see what they want to see, Shimei's bitterness blinded him. He hates David and saw this as punishment from the Lord for David's rebellion and usurping of Saul's throne.
Feb 5, 2024, 12:39 PM
Passage Read: 2 Samuel 10-13
Meditation Verse: 12:14
Thought
What enemies of God would these be, that blasphemed the Lord? Who knew about David's sin except the servants who brought Bathsheba to him and the scribe who recorded the message to Joab that told him what to do with Uriah? Were they the enemies of God or the people who would tell those who hated God about David's sin? Or does God mean Satan and his rebel angels? Are there some angels still on the fence about following God, and this gives them cause to despise the Lord?
Feb 4, 2024, 12:40 PM
Passage Read: 2 Samuel 6-9
Meditation Verses: 6:8-11
Thought
How often does God do something, and I see it as hostility. I get angry and I become afraid to bring the Lord near to me, for fear of what He may do to me. God killed Uzzah for touching the ark, and David was angry because he was trying to do a good thing, then he was afraid, because God is God and can he walk in safety before Him? Can he understand what the Lord desires and please Him?
Feb 3, 2024, 12:41 PM
Passage Read: 2 Samuel 2-5
Meditation Verses: 4:11-12
Thought
David is not in a hurry to gain the whole kingdom. He understands that the Lord has promised him to rule over all Israel, so he trusts in the Lord and waits patiently for the resolution. Though it costs lives, David is patient, knowing that God will bring about His promise in His way and timing. He's already waited this long to become king of Judah, he knows how to trust and wait.
Jan 24, 2023, 6:04 PM
Passage Read: 2 Samuel 22 - 1 Kings 1
Meditation Verse: 2 Samuel 24:16
Thought
What provoked the Lord to punish Israel like this, so much that even He was grieved over the calamity? In spite of David's leadership, many of the people must've continued to worship other gods, or else they were not diligent to love their neighbor as themselves. Were they so prosperous that they loved the things of the world too much, forgetting the Lord and thinking they had acquired all their wealth by their own strength?
Jan 23, 2023, 6:13 PM
Passage Read: 2 Samuel 18-21
Meditation Verses: 19:7-8
Thought
David was overwhelmed with grief over Absalom's death; his rebellion and death were two more consequences of David's sin against Uriah. How discouraged he must have been! How ready to give up and be done with everything. But at Joab's insistence, he pulled himself together and honored his troops. As much as he wanted to let go, he understood that he was not his own, but had responsibilities to his troops and to his nation.
Jan 22, 2023, 6:15 PM
Passage Read: 2 Samuel 14-17
Meditation Verses: 16:11-12
Thought
David's humility and faith are remarkable. He is willing to be cursed, because he knows his own sin has brought about these circumstances. He is willing to suffer whatever consequences the Lord determines for Him, trusting that if any consequences goes too far, the Lord may turn and have mercy on him, even repaying good to him for the cursing he received.