Week of 1/20-1/26: Develops - Songs for New Hearts

Day Three: Psalm 100: 1-5 Shout triumphantly to the LORD, all the earth. Serve the LORD with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Acknowledge that Yahweh is God. He made us, and we are His — His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name. For Yahweh is good, and His love is eternal; His faithfulness endures through all generations.

NOT LONG AGO, my wife and kids were in a car wreck. The vehicle they were driving was hit head-on while they were in the turning lane going into our local pool. By God’s grace they all walked away fine and my son’s only complaint was that they were not able to go to the pool that day. The police officer said if the oncoming driver had not first grazed a light pole then it would have been a different story. My family could have been hurt seriously, or even worse, killed in a moment.

When I saw them later that day I hugged them a little tighter and a lot longer than I normally do. What changed? Nothing, except reality became a little clearer in my eyes. Life is fragile and we never know what might happen. That reality often gets clouded by normalcy and routine. The truth is life is always fragile, but sometimes you are more aware of it than at other times.

When we hear about God over and over His characteristics and attributes become a bit normal. You read Psalms 100 and its easy to read past all the great truth it says about God. Sometimes we need to be shaken up a bit to realize how great a God we have. He doesn’t change, the truth of Psalms 100 never changes, but its reality can become clearer if we don’t take Him for granted. Reread Psalm 100, slower this time, and don’t skip over the things you think you already know. Praise Him for every attribute listed and thank Him for what He has done.

PAUSE AND REFLECT

▷▷What truths about God are found in Psalm 100?

▷▷Why do we sometimes get jaded about the great and wonderful aspects of God?

▷▷How can we keep from feeling this way?

Week of 1/13-1/19: Develops - God Provides Leaders

Day One: 2 Samuel 7:11-16 “ ‘The LORD declares to you: The LORD Himself will make a house for you. When your time comes and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up after you your descendant, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom.” “He will build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be a father to him, and he will be a son to Me. When he does wrong, I will discipline him with a human rod and with blows from others. But My faithful love will never leave him as I removed it from Saul; I removed him from your way.” “Your house and kingdom will endure before Me forever, and your throne will be established forever.”

DO YOU HAVE ANY POSSESSIONS left to you by an older relative? Maybe your grandfather’s old watch sits in a drawer, or your great-grandmother’s pearls are in your jewelry box. Leaving behind a tangible reminder of your life to generations that follow is a key part of the way our society remembers its previous generations. It humanizes the names we grow up hearing about and gives us something to look at to think about those who came before us. It helps those who went before us live on in our hearts and minds.

In this passage, God is making clear his intention to rule his people through a human king, David, but also to set up a lineage and a kingdom. “I w

ill raise up after you your descendant, who will come from your body,” he tells David. There would be no watch or journal left behind—future generations would remember David’s reign (and God’s fulfillment of His promises) through David’s lineage, beginning with his son, Solomon.

Items that get passed from generation to generation are clues that help us understand the person who left them. In this passage, we see some other clues—look closer at the language God uses: “I will establish his kingdom forever.” God is speaking about a greater King to come—a King whose reign will never end. A King who will never be removed from his throne. Any human king that would ever take the throne would pale to this coming King, this King Jesus, who would leave behind a life and ministry that would change the world forever. Now that’s a legacy you can’t keep in a drawer.

PAUSE AND REFLECT

▷▷How does looking at items left from one generation to another help us remember the person who left them?

▷▷How would you feel if you were given the message God gave David—that He would establish a kingdom through your lineage?

▷▷How does this promise to David point to Jesus?

Week of 1/13-1/19: Develops - God Provides Leaders

Day Two: 2 Sam. 7:18-24 Then King David went in, sat in the LORD’s presence, and said, “Who am I, Lord GOD, and what is my house that You have brought me this far? What You have done so far was a little thing to You, Lord GOD, for You have also spoken about Your servant’s house in the distant future. And this is a revelation for mankind, Lord GOD. What more can David say to You? You know Your servant, Lord GOD. Because of Your word and according to Your will, You have revealed all these great things to Your servant. “This is why You are great, Lord GOD. There is no one like You, and there is no God besides You, as all we have heard confirms. And who is like Your people Israel? God came to one nation on earth in order to redeem a people for Himself, to make a name for Himself, and to perform for them great and awesome acts, driving out nations and their gods before Your people You redeemed for Yourself from Egypt. You established Your people Israel Your own people forever, and You, LORD, have become their God.

“THIS IS IT,” Sarah said to her mother back stage. “This is my big chance; there’s no coming back from this.” Sarah was about to step on stage for one of the biggest vocal solo festivals in her state. It was her time to shine, and she knew that if she could woo the crowd, she could make first place and possibly land a recording contract. But the worst happened. The audio malfunctioned and completely broke her concentration, and her chances of landing first place. Although it

wasn’t her fault, she was thankful for the opportunity and kind to the judges when they called her out for her third place trophy. Much to Sarah’s surprise, she was offered not one, but two recording contracts that night. When she asked why, the talent scouts said that it wasn’t just her talent that mattered, but her character and her choice to be thankful despite her circumstance.

In today’s reading, King David chose to be thankful, despite his circumstances. He didn’t get what he initially wanted (to build a temple for God) and I’m sure it was hard for the king to hear the word “no,” even coming from God. Nevertheless, David’s humility, trust, and thankfulness shined through in his prayer.

How do you respond to life’s circumstances? Read again David’s prayer and notice the humility and character that exists in every word. Ultimately, David made everything about God and nothing about himself. Today, despite your successes and failures, strive to make everything about God—He deserves all the praise.

PAUSE AND REFLECT

▷▷How can you make everything about God in your daily life?

▷▷What do you think it means to be a person after God’s own heart?

▷▷What does humility look like in your school, at work, and at home?

Week of 1/13-1/19: Develops - God Provides Leaders

Day Three: 1 Kings 8:54-61 When Solomon finished praying this entire prayer and petition to the LORD, he got up from kneeling before the altar of the LORD, with his hands spread out toward heaven, and he stood and blessed the whole congregation of Israel with a loud voice: May the LORD be praised! He has given rest to His people Israel according to all He has said. Not one of all the good promises He made through His servant Moses has failed. May the LORD our God be with us as He was with our ancestors. May He not abandon us or leave us. May He incline our hearts toward Him to walk in all His ways and to keep His commands, ordinances, and judgments, which He commanded our ancestors. May my words I have made my petition with before the LORD be near the LORD our God day and night, so that He may uphold His servant’s cause and the cause of His people Israel, as each day requires, and so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God. There is no other! Let your heart be completely devoted to the LORD our God to walk in His ordinances and to keep His commands, as it is today.

MANY FAMILIES HAVE EXPERIENCED PAIN and separation throughout the years of conflict in the Middle East. When Sgt. Danny said goodbye to his only daughter, he made a vow with her that he intended to keep: “I will come back. I have never broken a promise and I don’t plan to start now.” After a year in the harsh climate of the desert, the sergeant returned safely to his daughter who was consumed with emotion. As she jumped into his arms, he was dumbfounded. “Why are you so surprised?” he asked. “Did you think I would break my promise?”

Much like the father in this story, you can count on God to keep His promises. He always keeps His word, and better yet, we have a way of finding assurance. His Word provides comfort, hope, and inerrant truth. When King Solomon dedicated the temple, he brought up the fact that God had never broken a promise: “May the Lord be praised! He has given rest to His people Israel according to all He has said. Not one of all the good promises He made through His servant Moses has failed” (1 Kings 8:56).

Find hope in God’s promises. Through His Word, He promises rest and security (Matt. 11:28-29), provision for all of your needs (Phil. 4:19), the gift of the Holy Spirit (John 14:26-27), but most of all victory in Jesus (Romans 8:37-39). As humans, we fail and we sometimes break our promises. But God is ever faithful—He always keeps His promises.

PAUSE AND REFLECT

▷▷Is it important to keep promises in your daily life? Why?

▷▷What does it feel like when someone breaks a promise with you? How does that impact the relationship?

▷▷How does it feel to know that God will never do that to you?

Week of 1/6-1/12: Develops - God Gives a Home

Day One: Joshua 1:6-9 “Be strong and courageous, for you will distribute the land I swore to their fathers to give them as an inheritance. Above all, be strong and very courageous to carefully observe the whole instruction My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you will have success wherever you go. This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night, so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do. Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Read the beginning of the story, Joshua 1:1-5, in your Bible.

THE CURRENT WAS STRONG and the waves were rough at the beach the day that 59-year-old Elizabeth decided to swim. The longer she spent in the water, the further the current dragged her away from shore, until it was too late. Elizabeth fought hard, flailing her frail arms and legs in an effort to make it back, but wave after wave pummeled her into submission. Just as her mouth filled with salt water, a hand reached out and pulled her up. The stranger, a 15-year-old boy fishing nearby, was the only one to come to her rescue. “Don’t be afraid; I’m here with you,” he said as he brought her to safety.

God uses similar words to encourage us. In today’s passage, He encouraged Joshua, who was also caught in a seemingly rough spot. Moses, the leader of the Israelites, had just passed away and God was appointing Joshua to lead 2 million nomads across the Jordan River. Talk about an interesting first assignment! Not to mention, the river was at flood stage during this time. In spite of these challenges, God still delivered the Israelites and saw Joshua through: “Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

God does not promise He will not lead you into fearful situations. He may ask you to stand against the tide of popular opinion at school, to be Christ to a stranger, or to even serve Him in a land far away. But He does promise to always be with you. And He always keeps His promises. Today, be ready to step into the river. He is faithful. Be strong and courageous.

PAUSE AND REFLECT

▷▷What would you do if you were in Joshua’s position?

▷▷How is God calling you to serve Him at school, church, etc.? How can others hold you accountable?

▷▷How can you encourage the leaders around you and those who are over you?

Week of 1/6-1/12: Develops - God Gives a Home

Day Two: Ruth 4:14-17 Then the women said to Naomi, “Praise the LORD, who has not left you without a family redeemer today. May his name be famous in Israel. He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. Indeed, your daughter-in-law, who loves you and is better to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.” Naomi took the child, placed him on her lap, and took care of him. The neighbor women said, “A son has been born to Naomi,” and they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.

FOR LAURA, a 16-year-old from Texas, cancer was something God used for good.

Throughout her high school career, clothes were more important than school, shopping took precedence over family, and partying trumped church on weekends. But one day Laura awoke with what felt like an extra bone in her right thigh. After a visit to the doctor, it turned out to be a cancerous tumor. Fortunately, the doctors caught it in time and surgically removed the majority of the cancer. The aftermath of the tumor and surgery left Laura with a limp and a deep anger at God. While in rehab, Laura learned about those who die every day from terminal cancer, and even met some who live in peace despite their circumstances. Slowly, she realized that her life, and ultimately her relationship with God, couldn’t depend on life’s circumstances.

The story of Ruth starts with desperately unpleasant circumstances: famine, death, and despair. But it changed direction due to multiple cases of undeserved kindness: Ruth to Naomi (1:16-17; 2:11-12) and Boaz to Ruth (2:13-14). The main characters were unlikely people (two widows and Boaz, the son of a prostitute), but God showed undeserved kindness to them and blessed them. In today’s Scripture, you will read about their blessings.

Today, count your blessings and choose to live life despite your circumstances. Remember that God loves you—so much so that He provided the ultimate gift of undeserved kindness: He sent Christ to sacrifice His life for you.

PAUSE AND REFLECT

▷▷Does your relationship with God depend on your life’s circumstances?

▷▷Do you ever judge God in light of your circumstances or the circumstances of the world? Is that fair?

▷▷What lessons has God taught you through seemingly “bad” situations?

Week of 1/6-1/12: Develops - God Gives a Home

Day Three: Judges 2:16-19 The LORD raised up judges, who saved them from the power of their marauders, but they did not listen to their judges. Instead, they prostituted themselves with other gods, bowing down to them. They quickly turned from the way of their fathers, who had walked in obedience to the LORD’s commands. They did not do as their fathers did. Whenever the LORD raised up a judge for the Israelites, the LORD was with him and saved the people from the power of their enemies while the judge was still alive. The LORD was moved to pity whenever they groaned because of those who were oppressing and afflicting them. Whenever the judge died, the Israelites would act even more corruptly than their fathers, going after other gods to worship and bow down to them. They did not turn from their [evil] practices or their obstinate ways.

Read the beginning of the story, Judges 2:11-15, in your Bible.

THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT COMIC-BOOK MOVIES that really seems to hit home with us. I think it’s because, even though Spider-Man is swinging around town or Batman is pummelling some thug in an alley, we can relate to something about them—a flaw, or a personal tragedy they have to overcome. Often these characters are portrayed as normal people put in extraordinary situations, doing what they can to be heroes but fighting something that lingers—some moral dilemma or dark character trait they can’t get past. Movie-screen heroes are never perfect.

The book of Judges is an account of God’s people descending into spiritual indifference and rebellion, and the efforts of judges, spiritual heroes appointed by God, to bring those people back to righteousness. The judges, however, were flawed people. The Bible honors them (Heb. 11:32) for their faith, not for their perfection. Fortunately, God sent a Hero who was perfect and who is able to rescue us from sin.

Jesus not only lived a perfect life, but He willingly died for you so that you could have a relationship with God—life with purpose. You can accept this free gift by accepting Christ as your savior, believing that He died for you and was raised again, and by repenting from your old life and trusting Him every day. If you have already done these things, then it’s time to spread the word! Because let’s face it, there’s no way we could live a sinless life and earn our way into a relationship with God—that’s what our Hero was for.

PAUSE AND REFLECT

▷▷How can you be Christ to those around you today?

▷▷Do you think the Israelites took God seriously? Why?

▷▷Do you take God’s Word seriously? What are some ways you can live that out?