Reading Plan:
2 Samuel 22:31-37

Squeak. Squeak. Squeak. The old rocking chair moves to and fro. A gentle breeze fills the air. The leaves dance in the wind. The grass is as green as the streets after a St. Patrick’s Day parade. From the front porch, you can look out for miles on the open land. The sun is beginning to set with an explosion of orange and purple streaks. A man with snow-white hair sits in the rocking chair and takes it all in. His pockets are lined with hard butterscotch candies. His face is full of wrinkles. Each mark of his age displays the life he lived, the lessons he learned, the mistakes he made, and the grace he was given- a life spent seeking after God’s own heart. As the man reflects on his life, he cries tears of sadness in some moments remembering the past, and in the next moment is filled with tears of joy and laughter remembering the past. Through it all, he is praising God for the life he has lived. As he sits and thinks back on his life, he begins to write.

This is the scene that comes to mind when I think of 2 Samuel 22. David is near the end of his life. He is reflecting on his life, the grace God has given him, and the promise of a future king. David is the author of nearly half of the book of Psalms, so it should come as no surprise that he chooses to express himself in a song of praise here in 2 Samuel 22.

When I read today’s Bible Reading Plan in 2 Samuel 22:31-37, a couple of things caught my attention. The first thing that hits me is David’s heart. David is praising God over and over again in these verses. David says God’s ways are perfect. God’s word is flawless. God protects those who take refuge in Him. He keeps my way secure. In all of this, I hear that God is our protector. God is the Perfect Protector. His promises can be trusted. He always wants what is best for us. Our God is good.

In verse 36, David says God’s help is what has made him strong or great. This admission of weakness is so rarely heard today that it almost blows my mind to hear David give God the credit. It goes against so much of what the world tells us. The world says, “Don’t admit you have weaknesses, climb the ladder, do more, be more, have it all.” David is in essence saying, “God, you helping me in my weakness is what has made me great.” David didn’t say, “God when I was already perfect, when I already had everything together, when I already had enough money, when I already had enough of the right friends, when I already had the right job, when I already lived in the right neighborhood, when I already had a big enough house – then, and only then, did you made me great.” Those are lies from the enemy. No, David is saying that despite his weakness, his desperate need for a flawless, all-powerful, all-knowing, ever-present, and always-loving God; God made him strong. Imagine what would happen in your lives and the lives of the people around us if we lived by this truth. If we were to praise God, boast in our weaknesses, and let God help us, I think our families, neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, cities, nations, and world would be different.


Reflection & Response:
1. How has God made His faithfulness known in your life?
2. What is one thing you can begin to trust God with today?
3. Take time this week to reflect on what Jesus did for you on the cross.

If you missed Sunday’s Holy Week Family Devotion, be sure to go to the Daily Devo section of the Venture Church app to read about Palm Sunday with your family.

MONDAY – JESUS CLEARS THE TEMPLE

READ: Matthew 21:12-17

THE BACKSTORY: On Monday, the day after Palm Sunday, Jesus went to the temple. Jewish people came to the temple of God from near and far to worship and say they were sorry to God for the things they did wrong. When Jesus got to the temple, He was very upset about what He saw. The priests and religious leaders were supposed to help people worship God, but instead, they were finding ways to take more money from the people who came to the temple. Also, many people in the temple were offering cheap sacrifices instead of giving their best to God. Jesus threw out all the people buying and selling things in the temple because this was not what God wanted for His people and His temple. His temple was for prayer, learning about God, truly saying sorry, and worship. After Jesus cleared the temple, the sick and the hurting came to Him to be healed, and the children came to worship Jesus. The priests and religious leaders were not happy that people came to Jesus, but that was what the temple was for: coming to God with hurts and worries and worshiping Him! Because Jesus, the Son of God, made a way for us on the cross, we can say we are sorry, bring our problems to God, and worship Him with our whole hearts at church, at home, at school, or anywhere!

LIFE APPLICATION:
1. Why was Jesus upset at the temple? – Jesus was upset because people were offering cheap sacrifices instead of their best, as well as buying and selling things. God’s temple was for worship and prayer, not these other things.
2. How can you offer God your best this week?
3. Take some time to write down a prayer to God and think about how you can offer Him your worship.

PRAYER: God, thank you for loving us. Lord, help us give our very best to YOU. Let us come to you with our hurts and our worry. Let us worship you and love you sincerely. In Jesus’ name, Amen.