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Daily Worship

Bible readings and resources for your time with God

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DAILY READING


REFLECTION

 

Jubilation

By Kim Starr

 

This psalm is attributed to David and many think it was written when he brought the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem. Built by the Israelites under the guidance of Moses, the Ark of the Covenant was a sacred chest containing the Ten Commandments, Aaron’s rod, and a pot of manna. The Ark symbolized God’s presence and covenant with his people.

 

It took David two tries before he successfully brought the Ark to Jerusalem. The failure of the first attempt, recorded in 2 Samuel 6:1-11 and 1 Chronicles 13, made David fear the Lord and temporarily abandon his plan. The Ark was left at the home of Obed-edom the Gittite for 3 months and during that time, Obed-edom’s household received many blessings.

 

It was after David saw the blessings Obed-edom’s household received that he decided to try to bring the Ark to Jerusalem again. This time, David moved the Ark with greater reverence and in adherence to God’s instructions. The Ark's journey included sacrifices, music, and dancing and is recorded in 2 Samuel 6:12-19 and 1 Chronicles 15-16. David, wearing a sacred garment worn by the High Priest of Israel, danced with all his might, so much so that he embarrassed his wife who confronted him about his behavior. David responded, that he would continue to celebrate before the Lord. 


This psalm speaks loudly to David’s celebrating. He acknowledges that the entire earth and everything in it belongs to the Lord: the land, the water, the people, and all the creatures. Then he says only the pure in heart who love God can stand in any of God’s holy places. There, all generations will receive blessings and pardon from God. David proclaims God is the King of Glory and that he should be lifted up and invited in. He, the King of Glory, shall be above everyone and everything.

 

Can’t you just see David wearing the priestly garment dancing around, lifting his arms, singing this psalm with joy? His exuberance is beyond anything we can fathom. He is so grateful to have the Ark in Jerusalem with him. He is so excited to be near God’s presence. He epitomizes the saying attributed to Mark Twain, “Sing like no one is listening, love like you've never been hurt, dance like no one is watching, and live like it is Heaven on earth.”

 

Every day God blesses us just like he blessed David in bringing the Ark to Jerusalem. When was the last time we sang, danced, and praised God to the point that David did? We need to lift up the King of Glory and invite Him in. We need to praise Him with vigor and excitement. If you need to see an example of what this looks like, come to Vacation Bible School next week and see the joy of the Lord in each child’s singing, dancing, and praising.


PRAYER


Oh, God, too often we think about how our praising you looks to others. Help us to be like David and show our joy in you with abandon. Let us lift you up, praise and honor you with every fiber of our being. Amen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

KIM STARR

I have been a member of UALC since I was 2-years-old. Over my life I have participated in, and volunteered for, numerous ministries, programs, and activities, all of which have grown and strengthened my faith. I have been blessed beyond measure by not only being a part of this congregation, but also by being able to worship with three generations of my family.



 
 
 

DAILY READING


REFLECTION

 

Trusting the Who

By Dave Mann


Early in 1 Samuel 16, the prophet Samuel had anointed David to be king of Israel.  That was the “what.”  The “when” and the “how” of David’s kingship, Samuel had not addressed.  From the text, it appears that no one had asked those questions.  It seems that after the anointing, David simply returned to the pasture, awaiting further clarification on these additional questions.

 

King Saul had already forfeited his right to the throne through his disobedience.  (See 1 Samuel 15.)  However, David was not going to claim his right to be king.  He was allowing the Lord to show the way.


In today’s text, we read that God’s Spirit has departed from Saul because of his disobedience, and thus, the king had become the victim of a harmful spirit.  We can only imagine the effect of the weight of leadership on Saul’s shoulders without the Spirit of the Lord guiding and encouraging him.  Saul was a deeply troubled man.

 

Saul’s attendants sought a way to help the king manage his mental difficulties.  They identified someone with musical talent to soothe his spirit.  (Click here for an example of lyre music.) They found David.  In addition to being a skilled musician, David was known to be a brave soldier, good-looking, and a fine stateman.  When King Saul summoned David, his father, Jesse, sent generous gifts of food to the king -- “a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine and a young goat.”

 

Ironically, David, who knew that he was anointed to become king someday, became a servant of the disobedient Saul, helping him to have a modicum of mental stability to lead the nation.  David patiently awaited the day when the Lord would make clear when the throne would become his.  He knew the “what” – the kingship – even when there was no word on the “when” or the “how.”  How could he faithfully serve the disobedient Saul?  Because he knew the “Who.”  David trusted that he and his future were in the hands of a faithful God.

 

There are certainly applications of David’s patience to our lives.  In our numerous situations of employment, there are times when we might be tempted to give a negative review of our superiors who do a less-than-stellar job in their work.  Perhaps we could follow the example of David serving faithfully those who are, for the moment, over us in the org chart.  How can we serve them well?  By trusting the “Who” to lead.

 

PRAYER

Lord God, thank you for the example of David’s trust in you.  He surely was a person after your own heart.  Allow us to learn how to follow you even when there might be evidence to complain about poor leadership.  You are the Great Who in our lives.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.




ABOUT THE AUTHOR


DAVE MANN

I am a Pastor for Internationals (retired) in the UALC community. I am married to Pam, father of four, and grandfather of six. Pam and I have lived twenty of our years in other countries including France, Cameroon, Haiti, and Morocco. In retirement, we continue to enjoy writing devotionals, learning languages, and teaching English to internationals.



 
 
 

DAILY READING


REFLECTION

 

He Makes Me Lie Down

By Elaine Pierce


Reading these two passages together helps create a beautiful picture of how David could write Psalm 23. He wasn't just talking in the abstract about raising sheep - he was a shepherd. Psalm 23 is a beloved piece of scripture. David was intimately familiar with green pastures and quiet waters. The images were part of his everyday experience as a young man tending his family's sheep herd.


His father, Jesse, as well as Samuel the prophet, didn't even consider David to be the Lord's anointed. But the Lord was quick to remind Samuel what the important quality was for a king:


"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart" (I Samuel 16:7).


We know from the whole of scripture that David certainly wasn't perfect. But he repented quickly and he loved the Lord. His heart was given over to following the Lord. And in Psalm 23, he reminds us that no matter what our circumstances, the Lord is with us. He's with us in the quiet; he's with us in the valley; he's with us when our enemies surround us. He doesn't promise a life of quiet and ease, but he will be with us no matter what happens.


How is your heart these days? I get a physical every year, and my physician listens to my heart. She always asks me to take several deep breaths as she holds the stethoscope up to my chest. Yes, my heart has a steady beat. But what about my heart towards God, towards those in need, towards those he has called me to serve? As David said, he will guide me in paths of righteousness. Let's ask him to do that today and every day.

 


PRAYER


Lord, you are the Good Shepherd. You laid down your life for your sheep, and I am one of those unreliable sheep who often goes astray. Help me to walk with you in paths of righteousness. Amen.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ELAINE PIERCE

It is a delight and joy to write Sunday's UALC Blog post. I have been a UALC member for 20+ years and I value our community of believers. I draw strength from God's Word, and it is my hope that you join me in seeking to grow closer to Him as we read, study, and pray together. I've been married to Gene for 47 years, and we have four grown children and nine grandchildren. It is an exciting time to be alive, and I count it all joy to serve him, even in the midst of challenges. To God be the glory, for the great things he is doing!



 
 
 
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