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Daily Devotionals
Discovering Christ Day by Day
Today’s Reading: 2 Samuel 15-17
“Where He Worshipped God”
2 Samuel 15:32
In the midst of his great trial, a great trial brought upon him by his own sin, David worshipped God. How very gracious the Lord is in condescending to correct his people, in order to bring his fallen children home to himself. Without those loving, fatherly corrections, we would wander from him forever.
Our Deliverer
Precious Savior, what great lovingkindness is displayed in our recoveries from our falls by your mercy! How very sweet and blessed are your countless deliverances! Our Lord Jesus redeemed us to God by his precious blood; and there is in his blood an everlasting efficacy, which again and again effectually pleads for us in heaven.
Though he brings us down by affliction, he will not cast us off. Though we are chastened, we are not destroyed. Though in us there is nothing but weakness and sin, in our Savior is omnipotent strength and perpetual merit. He ever lives to make intercession for us; and his blood perpetually cleanses us from all sin. Our Deliverer is our Advocate with our Father; and “he is the Propitiation for our sins.”
Our Afflictions Our Gain
As we see David fleeing from Absalom, the son he cherished, and shamefully and publicly cursed by Shemei, may God the Holy Spirit remind us again that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
David’s frame of mind under very heavy and painful afflictions displays great grace in his heart, planted there by God the Holy Spirit in the gift and operation of faith. He said concerning Shemei’s vile cursing, “Let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him. It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.”
Spirit of God, give me grace to live upon the perfections, promises, and covenant engagements of my covenant keeping God, when it appears that his mercy is clean gone forever! — “Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.”
Ahithophel’s Counsel
As God turned Ahithophel’s counsel into foolishness for the destruction of Absalom and David’s enemies led by his rebel son, so it is that by his special providence, our enemies are prevented from destroying us or even harming us. It is the bridle of divine providence which our God puts into their jaws that he overrules the designs of hell and wicked men against his chosen. Christ our Redeemer holds the reins of the universe in his hands, controlling all things, even all evil, and says to the proud waves that would swallow up our souls, “Hitherto shalt thou come and no further!” It is our mighty Sovereign who causes the world that hates us to help us, even as it tries to destroy us (Revelation 12:16). Blessed Lord Jesus, how we thank you for your absolute rule of all things for our souls’ everlasting good! Give us grace to honor you by faith, trusting you, even in the midst of our most painful sorrows.
