July 20: Matthew 20, Exodus 37, Psalm 129
July 21: Matthew 21, Exodus 38, Psalm 130
July 22: Matthew 22, Exodus 39, Psalm 131
July 23: Matthew 23, Exodus 40, Psalm 132
July 24: Matthew 24, Leviticus 1, Psalm 133
July 25: Matthew 25, Leviticus 2, Psalm 134
July 26: Matthew 26, Leviticus 3, Psalm 135
July 27: Matthew 27, Leviticus 4, Psalm 136
July 28: Matthew 28, Leviticus 5, Psalm 137
July 29: Acts 1, Leviticus 6, Psalm 138
July 30: Acts 2, Leviticus 7, Psalm 139
July 31: Acts 3, Leviticus 8, Psalm 140
Psalm 52
Scripture
Psalm 52:8
Observation
Understanding
I find it interesting that David chose an olive tree to depict himself in this verse. Traditionally in the Bible, and olive tree or branch depicts peace and comfort. I mean if we take a look at David’s ;life it was everything but peaceful, yet this is the tree that he chooses to be in the house of God. And not just simply there and present, but flourishing. I think this offers a very important idea: when we chose to flourish (not just exist) in the house of God we experience a peace unlike any other. It seem like a bit of a stretch for the meaning of this verse, but I think it is important to really talk about the very thing that we starved for right now: peace.
Life Application
So what can flourishing in the house of God look like?
- Reading His word
- Journaling/meditating on His word
- Praying daily
- Taking time to be thankful for what God has already given you
- Worshipping Him
The list is endless, so let the flourishing begin!
Psalm___51
Scripture
Observation-What does it say?
Psalm 51 is a very powerful one, as King David wrote it after being confronted by the prophet Nathan for committing adultery with Bathsheba. Please read 2 Samuel 12:1-13 for the full exchange between those two men. It basically led to David being convicted by the Holy Spirit to repent and Nathan assuring David that his sin had been put away. He will not die.
Understanding-What does it mean?
Do our mistakes lead us to Godly sorrow or worldly sorrow?
Godly sorrow leads us to repentance, true inward change of the heart. Worldly sorrow is sorrow that doesn’t lead to inward heart change because it is a momentary sorrow. It is typically a result of getting caught and not wanting to deal with the consequences of our sin.
King David’s Psalm demonstrates true godly sorrow and repentance from his heart. Also, the consequences of his sin led to him to draw closer to the Lord, not further away.
Life Application
Repent and be healed! Move on! Go and sin no more, just like Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery. (John 8:1-11)
As Bible.org states, “The tragic death of David’s son is a consequence of David's sin, but it is NOT the penalty David deserves for his sin.”
There are consequences to sin. David and Bathsheba suffered the consequence of their sin, which was that they lost their son conceived as a result of their affair. However, King David’s response to that was quite humble. (Please see 2 Samuel 12:14-21).
Too many of us, after suffering the consequences of our sin, don’t move on. Consequences are meant to teach us, just like a parent who disciplines their child. However, it should train us to be stronger and better, not continue in the same unhealthy sinful cycle. David had his son by Bathsheba taken away as a consequence of his sin. Did he keep mourning after that? No. He moved on.
Jesus came, died and resurrected to set us free from the guilt of our past. Let’s truly live that out! The enemy no longer has a hold on us and his lies no longer have to keep us in bondage. We are conquerors because of Jesus, who is the reason why we no longer have to live defeated, but live grateful and victorious everyday!
Thank You Jesus for You, the most precious gift we could ever ask for. Amen!
-Michelle Gaddi