The God who Hears, Day 55 What is our sacrifice to God worth to us? Read 2 Samuel chapter 24. As we close out this study over the books of Samuel, we have seen so many ways in which God hears us. The life of David and the life of Samuel are examples of God moving and working through our lives as we listen and obey him. This last chapter spells out something that David did wrong and something that David did right. Interestingly, David tried to find his sense of power and might through the number of people that he had. God reminded him that he is the power…

The God who Hears, Day 54 David’s final words. Read 2 Samuel chapter 24. David knows that he is nearing the end of his kife. He shares his continuing praise of God. When we look at David’s life, we continue to be reminded of the praise that David constantly strived for. Are we praising God for everything? Are our words a focus for us? How can we praise God in all that we do?

The God who Hears, Day 53 David’s song of victory. Read 2 Samuel chapter 22. God had worked in amazing and miraculous ways in David’s life. As a result, David wanted to spend time praising God. This entire chapter is full of lots of ways to lift up and praise God. This verse stuck out to me today. There is a book entitled “Hinds feet on High Places” that is a wonderful fictional story about this verse. Are we allowing God to set our feet on high places? Do we acknowledge all that we must go through is only to make us more like him. God gets the glory and…

The God who Hears, Day 51 Deadlines and responsibilities. Read 2 Samuel chapter 20. King David had given Amasa a responsibility. He’d also given him a time frame. People were moving against David, and he found himself in another difficult situation. God was going to save him, but Amasa wasn’t following through on his responsibilities in the time frame that he’d been given. Every as a result, it ended up with Amasa being killed. No matter what God gives us to do, obedience includes the timing. Obedience should happen immediately and we should follow through on the deadlines that we have been given or that we have committed to. What…

The God who Hears, Day 50 What does mercy look like? Read 2 Samuel chapter 19. David has been victorious. He has overcome the coup that his son Absalom incited. Now, as David looks to return to his throne, he is sifting through all of the people and all of their loyalties. This man, Shimei, had betrayed David and he comes to David and asks him for mercy. David grants him mercy and does not kill him. What is mercy? Mercy is receiving something positive when we deserve something negative. Mercy is what each and every one of us receive from God every day. The fact that we wake up…

The God who Hears, Day 49 How will we be remembered? Read 2 Samuel chapter 18. David’s army defeats Absalom. Then they have this verse that reminds us of how Absalom was tup be remembered. He made a monument to himself. How do we want others to remember us? Are we putting up monuments to ourselves or are we pointing people to God?

The God who Hears, Day 48 God hears us and works in ways that we don’t even realize. Read 2 Samuel chapter 17. David was God’s chosen king and since Absalom was trying to be king, he was going against God’s will. As a result, God was working to bring about his will. God worked in ways that David didn’t even realize. When we are following God’s will, he works in ways that we don’t even realize. He makes situations and circumstances happen that don’t even realize. There are no coincidences. God is the author of all that happens and he is never surprised. David might have been surprised. Absalom…

The God who Hears, Day 47 David had been kicked out of his kingdom. Read 2 Samuel chapter 16. As David’s son Absalom had staged a coup and tried to take over, David fled from his home. As he is leaving some of the people start to curse him. David, instead of telling them to be quiet, accepts what they are saying and just continues on. Why? He makes this statement in the verse today. David understood that truly blessings and curses only come from God. If God was choosing to curse him, then so be it. But if God decided to bless him through this trial, then God would…

The God who Hears, Day 46 People are swayed by the way they are treated. Read 2 Samuel chapter 15. As we read here, we see David’s son stage a coup and attempt to takeover. How did he manage it? He appealed to the people and he built up friends. He used people to gain their trust and to get them on his side. What is our motivation for why we do what we do? Why do we build relationships with others? Are we seeking to honor God and fellowship with others, or are we trying to manipulate others? Absalom used his relationships as a way to gain power and…

The God who Hears, Day 45 God hears us. What do we ask for? Read 2 Samuel chapter 14. Joab has a request and he wants the king to hear it, but he thinks the king may be too hard-headed to actually listen to the request. The amazing thing about making a request of God is that He hears us and he knows exactly what he is going to do. He never ignores our requests and he never makes light of them. He doesn’t always grant them, but he ensures that our requests are in line with God’s will and plan for us. He hears us.