YouVersion

14:1-15:15
David recognized that it was ‘the Lord’ who ‘had established him king over Israel’(14:1). David sought to honour the Lord in everything. We see this in his battles with the Philistines - (a) He ‘inquired of God’(10,14); (b) He ‘did as God commanded him’ (16,10-11); (c) He gave all the glory to God - ‘God has broken through... the Lord brought the fear of him upon all nations’(11,17). We must learn from David - Seek the will of God; Do the will of God; Give all the glory to God. David was not only a political leader - a king. He was also a spiritual leader, a leader of worship. He calls us to be sanctified, set apart for the Lord. We will not be blessed by the Lord unless we honour Him in our hearts. Let’s be sure to hear and heed this call to live our lives ‘according to the Word of the Lord’(15:11-15).

15:16-16:6
David called God’s people to worship. They were ‘to raise sounds of joy’, praising the Lord with ‘loud music’. David did not leave it to others. He gave the lead. Along with all the others, he was there, ‘dancing and making merry’. He was a true spiritual leader. He ‘blessed the people in the Name of the Lord’. He called upon the people to ‘praise the Lord’(16,28-29,2,4). God calls us to worship Him continually’(6). May God help us to be the kind of people who take ‘delight in the Word of the Lord, meditating on His Word day and night’(Psalm 1:2). Our meditation on God’s Word is to be accompanied by obedience to His Word - ‘be careful to do according to all that is written in it’(Joshua 1:8). This is the true ‘spiritual worship’ God is looking for - the dedication of our lives to Him (Romans 12:1).

16:7-36
Here, we are called to worship - ‘O give thanks to the Lord... Sing praises to Him... Glory in His holy Name... Seek His presence continually’(8-11). We are to ‘remember the wonderful works that He has done’. We are to call on others to worship Him - ‘Sing to the Lord , all the earth!’. We ‘worship the Lord’ and, filled with heavenly joy, we say to those around us - ‘Let the earth rejoice... “The Lord reigns!”’(12,23,29,31). In a book of so many names, this marvellous song of praise stands out. It is a high point. Everything else seems so commonplace. Treasure God’s special high points of praise and worship. Don’t despise the ordinariness of everyday life. Why does God give us His high points? - He wants us to return to our everyday life with renewed strength. ‘Wait on the Lord and renew your strength’(Isaiah 40:31).

16:37-17:27
Sometimes, God’s “No”means “Not now. Later”. David wanted to build a Temple for the Lord. God said, “No”- ‘You shall not build Me a House to dwell in’(1-4). This was not God’s last Word on the matter - ‘one of your own sons... shall build a House for Me’ (11-12). One ministry comes to an end. Another ministry begins. We wonder, ‘Has God said, “No”?’. Has He said, “There will be no blessing”?’. God’s “No”may mean “Not yet”. The blessing will come - but not yet. The “No”was spoken to David, yet still, there was the promise of God: ‘the Lord will build you a House’ (10). The true servant of the Lord does not say, “The blessing must come in my time”! God’s servant rejoices in the “not yet”blessing of God - ‘still the vision awaits its time... If it seem slow, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay’(25-27; Habakkuk 2:3).