Book: Psalms

David – a man after God’s own heart – had a dysfunctional family. When David’s son, Absalom, killed his brother, and later tried to overthrow the kingdom, we see how David’s passivity led to worse and worse situations. It’s a tragic story that we don’t have to repeat. If you feel dysfunction in your family or relationships, do the things David didn’t do: tackle issues head on, fight for unity and vision, and trust God with the things beyond your control.

David’s story reminds us that even those who walk closely with God can fall. When confronted by the prophet Nathan, David didn’t justify or hide his sin—he confessed, repented, and returned to God with a broken and humble heart (Psalm 51). Though his sin brought consequences, it also led to restoration and legacy, proving that failure is never final with God. We are not defined by our messes, but by how we respond to them. The gospel is a story of redemption—of a God who makes all things new when we turn back to Him.

Samuel anointed David as king, but he couldn’t rule Israel yet. Only after 15 years of waiting, under the command and service of King Saul, would David become the king of Israel. As Christians we can expect to wait – we wait on God to answer our prayers, to change lives, to speak to us, and ultimately to return. So how do we, as David writes in Psalm 40, “wait patiently for the Lord?”

In this new series, we look into the life of David, exploring how we can follow his example and become a person that God is looking for. God used David for amazing things, and we believe God wants to do the same now, with us, if we are ready. While the world may look at all kinds of things to decide if we are ready, God looks only at the heart. David, a “man after God’s own heart,” sought God, served humbly, and was completely satisfied in God.

Continuing our discussion on the fear of the Lord, we explore the benefits we receive from this aspect of friendship with God. How does fearing the Lord help us, prepare us, and build up our relationship with God and others?

We don’t often consider fear as a part of our… read more

We don’t like to be in dark places, or feel like we’re in a “valley of the shadow of death.” We want to be on the mountaintop! To get to those mountaintop places, we must walk through valleys, understanding that these are the places we grow, learn to trust and rely on God more, and can find indescribable peace despite our circumstances.

A good shepherd leads his sheep down right paths, taking care of them and leading them to places of safety and prosperity. We, too, have a good shepherd in Jesus that will lead us to grander places if we follow him, let him lead, and trust his protection, provision, and plan.

An interesting thing about sheep – if a sheep gets rolled over on its back, it’s considered “cast” and can’t get back up. A sheep needs the help of the shepherd to get back on its feet. Similarly, when we feel like life has left us upside down, we need the help of our good shepherd Jesus to save and restore us.