Today’s reading is Psalm 3.
The heading of this psalm claims it was written when David fled from Absalom. 2 Samuel 12:11-12 makes one thing painfully clear. Absalom’s rebellion was part of God’s discipline against David over his adultery with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah. As David flees Jerusalem, he seems to have a painful awareness he deserves these circumstances and it may be that God has decided to fully turn the kingdom over to Absalom (see 2 Samuel 16:5-14). In this context, David writes this psalm. Does that shock you like it does me? He knows he is being disciplined for his own sin. He knows he deserves everything he is receiving. But what does he do? He prays for mercy, deliverance, and salvation anyway. Because that is the kind of God he believes in. He believes in a merciful, saving, delivering God. Honestly, I don’t know what you are facing right now. I don’t know; you may be in a mess of your own making. You probably do deserve every bit of hardship, suffering, and trauma you are experiencing. Maybe not, but maybe. But our God isn’t one who saves people who deserve it. Our God isn’t one who delivers those who have earned it. He saves those who call on Him, those who know they have no place to turn but Him. Praise the Lord! He saves and delivers people like David, people like you and me.
Tomorrow’s reading is Psalm 3.
A Word for Our Kids
Hey kids, even though this may be the first time you have read this psalm, it may not be the first time you’ve heard about David’s sins and Absalom’s rebellion. Does it surprise you to hear that even though God had forgiven David, He still disciplined David? Forgiveness doesn’t mean we won’t face consequences. Further, it doesn’t even mean we won’t face discipline. If you think about it, there are two kinds of discipline. There is the discipline intended to punish us, cast us off, and turn us away. Then there is the discipline intended to strengthen us, mold us, change us, grow us. The difference between the two usually depends on how we react to the discipline. Absalom’s rebellion was the latter because David’s reaction to it let it work growth in him. And may we always allow the Lord’s discipline to accomplish growth in us. Satan would have us allow the Lord’s discipline to drive a wedge between us and the Lord. The Lord would use it to draw us closer to Him. If we give Satan his way, the discipline becomes punishment, and we abandon the hope of forgiveness. If we give the Lord His way, discipline becomes the means by which the Lord grows us, matures us, and leads us to His true reward. How will you face discipline as you grow up?
PODCAST!!!
Click here to listen to the podcast episode that expands on this post!
Read the Bible 