Today’s Devotional – June 15th (David’s Secret Strength: Prayer & Praise!)
By admin On January 28th, 2021.
Today’s Devotional – June 15th
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David’s Secret Strength: Prayer & Praise!
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David was called by God, “a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all My will.” Acts 13:22.
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From boyhood, David had a rich relationship with the Lord.
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David Playing Harp – www.thebiblerevival.com – US public domain
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DAVID’S LOVE FOR GOD
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From the green meadows of Israel, David’s voice could be heard echoing through the canyons, as he strummed his harp, singing his praises up to God…
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“Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto Him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. Sing unto Him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.” Psalm 33:1-3
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Yes, the Psalms are greatly centered around David’s love for the Lord.
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And those Psalms reveal the essence of what a relationship with God is all about!
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David Playing Harp – www.thebiblerevival.com – US public domain
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SECRETS TO DAVID’S CLOSENESS TO GOD
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There were, perhaps three, no four aspects to David’s life, which made him stand out from among others, in his relationship to God.
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First was his contemplation of God’s Word.
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“But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in His law (His Word) doth he meditate day and night.” Psalm 1:2
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This very first Psalm 1, gives us a picture of what a full, 100% devotion to God, that David enjoyed in his everyday life!
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David Playing Harp – www.thebiblerevival.com – US public domain
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#2 – DAVID’S WILLINGNESS TO BE CHASTENED
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Second was his patient willingness to accept God’s hand of chastening.
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“For day and night Thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. I acknowledged my sin unto Thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.” Psalm 32:4, 5
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David did not murmur nor shake his fist at God, during the times when God’s chastening hand was heavy on David! The word, “longsuffering”, aptly describes David’s willingness to endure a life of correction from his heavenly Father.
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David Playing Harp – www.thebiblerevival.com – US public domain
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#3 – DAVID’S UNWAVERING TRUST
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Third, David trusted God, implicitly!
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“I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication. I poured out my complaint before Him; I showed before Him my trouble…I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.” Psalm 142:1, 2, 5.
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To David, his relationship with God was everything! David had no other desires in life, but to do the will of God. God was his Father, and David desired to be an obedient son!
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David Playing Harp – www.thebiblerevival.com – US public domain
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#4 – DAVID’S CONSTANT COMMUNION
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And last, but certainly not least, was David’s constant prayer to God, both in the times of peace, as well as in the times of need.
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“As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice.” Psalm 55:16, 17
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David Playing Harp – www.thebiblerevival.com – US public domain
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DAVID SOUGHT THE LORD IN GOOD TIMES
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The Book of Psalms shows the close relationship that David had with his Lord. Yes, David experienced many trials and tribulations, and he was constantly calling out to God for deliverance. But David sought the Lord in the good times as well! And perhaps, this was David’s great strength!
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“Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto Thee will I pray. My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up.” Psalm 5:2, 3.
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David didn’t just cry out to God when in trouble. No, he sang praises to God when times were good!
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David Playing Harp – www.thebiblerevival.com – US public domain
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RETURNED TO GOD IN SORROW
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No, David was far from perfect. But when God rebuked him for his sins, David turned to the Lord for forgiveness and restoration…
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“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.” Psalm 51:1-3
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Yes, David committed a grievous sin against God. And yet he totally and thoroughly repented of that sin. But that was the only great sin of David’s life.
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Oh yes, David sinned at other times too! But God was careful to keep His hand applied to David, and David accepted this frequent chastisement from his Lord! David knew such correction kept him close to God!
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David’s sorrow – wikigallery – public domain
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DAVID: A PICTURE OF CHRIST
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David was a picture of Christ. In Psalm 22, for instance, David’s words are the very words that Jesus cried, when on the Cross.
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Yes, David well-knew what suffering was, and his cries for deliverance echoed the very same cries that Jesus cried, when He was suffering.
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“My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me? why art Thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but Thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. But Thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.” Psalm 22:1-3
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FOLLOWING THE LAMB OF GOD!
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The child of God can and should spend much time in that Book of Psalms! It is an integral part of becoming Christ-like.
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“Yes, I need to forget about being me, and strive to allow Jesus to live out His life through me.”
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This should be my daily mantra, because it is perhaps, the great secret to the life of victory in Christ. And constant communion with God is an intimate part of becoming Christ-like!
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“Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto Thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the Rock that is higher than I. For Thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in Thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of Thy wings. Selah. Psalm 61:1-4
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Yes, the Psalms reveal the heart of God, but they also reveal the heart of every true child of God!
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Black sheep – Wikipedia & Jesus Solana – share-alike license.
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TO READ PART 2, CLICK HERE…
April 19 (David’s Secret Strength: Prayer! Part 2: “Begging & Pleading! Pleading & Begging!”)
David’s sorrow – Wikigallery – Public Domain
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TODAY’S PRAYER…
“Dear Lord, Give me a strong desire to read and contemplate the Psalms. Let the closeness of David to Thee, also be my experience. Let my prayer come before Thee in good times, and in bad…
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READ MORE…
To explore deeper into this subject, please read… February 1st (In Every Thing Give Thanks!?!), or you can also read… “January 10th (Why Doesn’t My Christianity Work?)“
Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license
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THE END
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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN
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ANOTHER HEAVENLY HOBBY: PRAYER-WALKS
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Now if you’re fortunate enough to be able to go on nightly walks, and you live in an area where you can safely view the stars, here is another Heavenly Hobby which Signs Of Heaven endorses…
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Why not combine star-watching with prayer, as you walk? What a great way to draw closer to God!
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It cannot be over-stressed, just how wonderful it is to walk under the dark canopy of Heaven, while lifting up one’s heart to our Heavenly Father! There is a closeness to God that cannot be described with words!
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(And even if you cannot safely do this, you can always do such prayer-walks in the daytime, in a safe place, such as a mall, which is every bit as effective, prayer-wise.
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And for those who are in confinement, one can view these starry signs on the Internet, or simply listen to Scripture on audio.
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Either way, all such may enjoy God’s richest blessings at this very time in which God is pouring out all Heaven’s treasures upon anyone willing to forsake all, and follow Jesus!)
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Starry Night at La Silla – cropped and altered image — Wikipedia – share-alike license
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THRICE-DAILY PRAYERS
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Now of course, the Bible commands us to, “pray without ceasing“. The Christian is to constantly talk with our Heavenly Father throughout the day.
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But the Bible also holds up the godly life of Daniel, who, when captive in Babylon, still set aside three times daily, in which he knelt for special prayer.
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And furthermore the Bible also says… “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice.” Psalm 55:17.
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Even those who are bed-fast or in a prison cell can begin to imitate Daniel in this way. And if one is fortunate to be able to walk, then this thrice-daily prayer regimen can be combined with three walks daily and even nightly.
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Marines at Prayer by Alex Raymond – wikimedia – public domain
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READ MORE…
To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “The Five Foolish Virgins Stars” or you can also read… “Discovering Bible Constellations (Part 1…A personal timeline story) 1988”
Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license
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TOMORROW:
” June 16th (God’s Royal Priesthood Today!)”
USMC – Prayer before Bible study – Wikimedia – Public Domain
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