Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10 ESV
Yesterday, we looked at the narrative and the outcome of David’s tryst with Bathsheba. We see David essentially commit murder to cover up his affair, and we see the prophet Nathan come and confront David about the evil that he has perpetrated.
David could have been dismissive. He could have just shrugged off Nathan’s confrontation and said, “This is where my heart led me.” He could have said, “God wants me to be happy.” But he does not deflect. Despite his error, David still desires to do what God desires of him. He wants to be right before God, and when the clarity and gravity of his treachery sink in, he shows contrition. Not combativeness. Not excuses. Contrition.
David knows that what he has done is wrong, and he knows that he is not capable of fixing himself and reorienting his life and priorities alone. He cannot wash himself clean of his sin, but God can forgive him and cleanse him of the sin that has come forth from him.
David sees what would later be written: God does not desire sacrifice, but repentance. Not a cheap get me out of this mess offering, but a recognition of the sin done and the brokenness of recognizing the gravity of the separation from God that sin causes. God accepts sacrifices, but he accepts these sacrifices from a clear conscience; he doesn’t desire sacrifices from a guilty one.
-JJ Fletcher
Reflection Questions
Why do we struggle to see the gravity of our sin?
How can we truly show contrition, not just be sad that we’ve had our sin found out?
What can we learn from Psalm 51, a psalm of repentance?
And in the spring of the year, at the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel, and they laid waste the children of Ammon and besieged Rabbah, but David stayed at Jerusalem. – 2 Samuel 11:1 (REV)
In today’s reading, we see two realities. Both happened, but at different times and represent different things. In 2nd Samuel, we see David, king of Israel. Where do we see David? At home. Sitting on his keister and not doing what a king would normally be doing: overseeing his generals as they go out to battle.
David is not where he is supposed to be. He should be meeting with his generals. He should be motivating his armies. He should be praying and fasting and seeking out God’s direction for the safety and prosperity of Israel, but he’s back in Jerusalem. Twiddling his thumbs? Playing his harp? We don’t know what he was doing at all hours of the day when he held up in his palace. We do, however, know what he was doing on one specific evening.
David is out walking on the roof, where he shouldn’t be, and he sees Bathsheba bathing. David does not turn away from seeing the nakedness of this woman whom he is not married to. He stares. He dwells. He obsesses. She’s beautiful. He needs to meet her. To be with her.
David ends up having her come into his home, and he has sex with her and gets her pregnant. We may have seen this story happen in the lives of some people we know, but this is high profile. This is a problem. A bunch of people are going to know what has happened, and this is going to be hard to explain to Bathsheba’s husband, Uriah, who is out at war, where he is supposed to be: fighting for the armies of the people of Yahweh. While the king is out preying upon the wife of his soldier.
David finds himself in a sticky situation, so he sends for Uriah and does his best to get Uriah to go have sex with his wife and cover his… keister. Uriah, however, cannot fathom such a thing while his comrades are off fighting a war. He refuses to even go visit his wife. This poses a major problem. People are going to know that Bathsheba is expecting, and they are going to know that Uriah hasn’t been with her in months, maybe longer. David tries multiple times, but no dice. Uriah is a man of honor and conviction, and that is not going to fly in this situation. David needs an out. David essentially puts out a hit job on Uriah. David cannot control his urges, so a good man dies.
The story unfolds. Uriah is dead. David marries his baby mama, and then the baby dies. Nathan the prophet comes to confront David and gets David worked up with a parable. David wants vengeance for the perpetrator in the story, but then the tables are turned when David is revealed to be the bad guy in the tale. David grieves, David repents, but the baby does not survive. It’s rough.
In 1 Chronicles 20, we see that it is the time when kings go out to war. And David goes out to war. And his armies thrive. He gets an awesome new crown. God blesses the armies of a king who acts in good faith. David is more than capable of doing the right thing, but even a man after God’s own heart can allow himself to fall off the rails.
Here’s the rub: Sometimes we get complacent. Sometimes we get lazy. Sometimes we do things, go places, consume content that we know we shouldn’t, but we’ve allowed ourselves to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, and we fall victim to the allure of the temptations of sin around us.
We’ve all allowed ourselves to be in bad situations that we could have avoided. Sometimes we may come out on top, but given enough opportunities to sin in the situations we create, we are bound to fall. We play with fire… and you know the cliché, but it’s true, we get burned.
-JJ Fletcher
Reflection Questions
Can you recall some times you allowed yourself to be in a place you shouldn’t have been? What was the outcome? How could you have avoided putting yourself in that situation? What did you learn from it?
What do you think of Nathan’s tactics of getting David to see the gravity of the wickedness that he had perpetrated?
What does the story of David and Bathsheba teach us about grace, repentance, and forgiveness?
If David can be forgiven for this travesty, who can you forgive that may have done much less harm in the way that they have wronged you?
How does the contrast of 2 Samuel 11-12 and 1 Chronicles 20 sit with you? Does it give you any insight or change the way you perceive David’s sin?
So many of the psalms focus on directly worshipping and declaring the goodness of God, which is good, but this psalm takes that knowledge of God and comes in with a missional view: Let God be known and praised by all the people. All the nations. Not just Israel, his covenant people, but by everyone.
The psalmist recognizes the goodness of God and what he has done for his people. In light of this fact, they want the goodness of God to be experienced by all people and for there to be abounding joy for all.
God provides sustenance for all people, the earth yields its produce. It does so because God designed it that way, so may the nations recognize that Yahweh created life and sustains it through his order.
Verse 4 talks about the nations being judged with equity. Equity here is the Hebrew word mishor, which literally means levelness or uprightness. God will not play favorites with his judgment, he will judge with prejudice, but he will judge fairly and give the same outcomes to the faithful of all tongues and tribes. In the same way, destruction comes from rejecting God, regardless of the background of the individual.
We can look at this through the lens of Jesus, but even without a clear picture, the psalmist saw a future where there was no Jew nor Greek, nor slave nor free, but a world where all could bask in and enjoy the glory of God and worship him in spirit and in truth.
Let the nations be glad.
-JJ Fletcher
Reflection Questions
Where does your joy come from?
Do you view your role as a believer to be missional? To bring others into a saving relationship with Jesus and his Father?
Do you have trouble with being equitable in your sharing? Can it be difficult to share with people from different backgrounds?
If you find great hope and strength in the gospel, shouldn’t you share it? Why are we worried about “offending people” with the gospel?
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we remember the name of Yahweh our God. – Psalm 20:7 (REV)
It is very easy to rely on our modern technologies for help. The United States spent around 1 trillion dollars on defense last year, and it is easy to look at that high spending and have some confidence that the US would have an upper hand in any conflicts that it is engaged in, and that soldiers might enjoy a higher level of safety. We can look at medical technologies and pharmaceuticals and have confidence that something out there can diagnose and treat our potential maladies.
Yet despite these great resources, soldiers still die, and people still get sick and do not receive the diagnosis or treatment that they want or need. Confidence can lead to letdowns when placed in earthly things.
In 1 Chronicles 19, we see King David extend kindness to his potential foes, only for it to be repaid with treachery and opposition. When the Ammonites realize that they have put themselves at odds with David, they amass a significant force of chariots to fend off any attacks. They put confidence in the technology of the day to help deliver them from the potential conflict with Israel.
As Psalm 20:7 says, some people put their trust in chariots and horses, but we remember – or put our trust in – Yahweh. David trusted his God to deliver him and his armies from whatever his enemies devised as a means of attack or defense strategy. David recognized God as sovereign and that God is capable of anything. Historically and personally, David knew that God used underdogs and laughably small forces to conquer the enemies of his chosen people.
We do not have promises from God that we will never suffer or experience pain, death, or illness. God does promise us redemption through the blood of his son Jesus. We have a promise of restoration for the earth, which is something that has never been accomplished by human effort, whether governmental or environmental.
-JJ Fletcher
Reflection Questions
What will you put your trust in?
Who will you put your trust in?
Why is God’s provision so much more powerful than earthly promises?
Psalm 50 cuts through the noise of empty ritual and gets to the core of what God truly wants from us- genuine worship.
God doesn’t need us to sacrifice animals to him- he already owns all the beasts of the forest and all the cattle of the hills and all the birds of the sky. God doesn’t need anything that we can give him, there is nothing we can offer him that he doesn’t already have.
Verses 14-15 say, “Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and perform your vows to the Most High, and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.“ God’s desire is for our hearts to be turned towards him. He asks for thanksgiving and for us to call on him when we’re in trouble, to remember that we depend on him so that He can help us.
This Psalm is a great reminder that there is no use in just going through the motions. Our spiritual practices shouldn’t be a show to look good in front of others, nor is our faith a series of boxes to check to make sure we’re being Christian enough. Our faith is a relationship with a real and true God who loves us and wants us to come to him.
-Hope Fletcher
Reflection Questions
What does God desire from you?
How would you describe your relationship with God right now? Are there changes you think God would like to see? Describe. Are you wanting to make any changes? Describe.
What will you give thanks to God for today? And tomorrow? And next week?
I bet we all have experience with someone who is prideful. We’ve heard stories of wildly successful people, and in their triumph, they forget the people who helped them get there.
In 2 Samuel 8, we hear about some of David’s great victories in battle- he’s at the top of his game- a picture of power and achievement.
Then, in stark contrast, chapter 9 gives us a glimpse at a softer and more compassionate side of David where he actively looks for someone “from the house of Saul to whom I can show God’s kindness?” David remembers the promises that he made to Jonathan and, in his moment of power, chooses kindness over vengeance. David easily could’ve broken his promise and basked in his victories- instead, he extended grace to a man who could offer him nothing in return.
This act of unexpected mercy shines a light on David’s character, revealing a heart that prioritizes loyalty and compassion over pride and power.
-Hope Fletcher
Reflection Questions
When have you been tempted toward the power and pride side – or deep into its territory? Have you found a good way to resist pridefulness?
Who do you admire for their loyalty and compassion?
Whom can you (will you) seek out to show a bit of God’s kindness to?
With the rates rising steadily over the years, I can bet that about 20% of you reading this now are struggling with anxiety of some kind. I understand this struggle personally, having navigated periods of severe anxiety that required medication and endured panic attacks with lingering effects, to feeling totally and completely normal. I won’t pretend to have any fabulous cure-all to share with you, but I can tell you something that has helped me and others.
Cultivating gratitude can shift your perspective and reduce stress. Experts confirm that gratitude releases dopamine, lowers cortisol levels, and improves sleep. While gratitude won’t eliminate life’s challenges, it can provide balance and stability.
If you’re searching for things to be thankful for, explore the Psalms- many of which sing praises about the great things God has done. Psalm 33 is one worth bookmarking to have handy when you’re searching for things to be grateful for.
Psalm 33 reminds us that we can praise God because his word is upright, and he is faithful. We can be thankful that by His words, God created the heavens and the earth and knows the depths of the sea. We can be grateful that God shares his wisdom with us and that it is unchanging and reliable. What’s more, we needn’t worry because everything is in God’s hands. Even kings can’t guarantee their safety, just like the strongest among us can’t guarantee our success. The same God that created this world is the same God that created you. Throughout our anxiety, we are encouraged to “wait for the Lord” and trust that our creator can handle it.
-Hope Fletcher
Reflection Questions
When do you feel anxious?
Practice gratitude. Remember back to a difficult time in your life. What can you be grateful for even during those troubles? What can you be thankful for today?
Read through Psalm 33 again. Look for all the things God has done and all He is that you can give thanks for and that can give you peace. What will it look like to wait on Him today?
When was the last time you made a truly eternal promise? If you’re married, hopefully, you’ve made an eternal promise of love and commitment. I’m sure if you have children, you’ve vowed to love and cherish them always. Even something as seemingly simple as getting a tattoo is a promise to yourself that you’ll carry that image on your body for the rest of your life.
Today’s scripture, 2 Samuel 7, reveals the profound truth of God’s eternal promises. This passage contains the Davidic Covenant, where God promises that David’s house will rule forever. We know this promise will be fully realized when Jesus returns to establish God’s Kingdom on earth. Think about it: God has been keeping this promise for over 3,000 years! Despite Israel’s occasional disappointments and frustrations, God remains steadfast.
While our most sincere promises can falter due to betrayal, anger, misunderstanding, or irreconcilable differences, a promise from God is unwavering. That’s a reason for a true celebration!
David’s response to this incredible promise is one of humility and awe: “How great you are, Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you, and there is no God but you, as we have heard with our own ears.” Today, may we find ways to celebrate God’s faithfulness that has endured all this time and will continue long past us.
-Hope Fletcher
Reflection Questions
When have you witnessed or experienced God’s enduring faithfulness?
When have you responded to God with humility and awe saying (similar): ““How great you are, Sovereign Lord! There is no one like you…”?
How are you at keeping your promises? Can your word be trusted?
Integrity is a part of your character that you can’t develop overnight- it involves a lifetime of good, honest, and moral decision-making. In Psalm 101, we read words written by David telling us how he desires to live with integrity in both his personal life and in his rule. Though none of us are likely to ever be kings, we can still apply a lot of this wisdom to our own lives, but you should probably leave the destruction of the wicked to others.
So, how can we walk with integrity like David? First, we see that he will “ponder the way that is blameless.” It’s a good practice to consider what it means to live in a way that glorifies God. Ponder your life and seek to be blameless in the way you live and make changes that you need to make.
Then, “I will not set anything worthless before my eyes.” What are you focusing on? What gets most of your attention throughout the day? Do me a favor and take a moment to check your Screen Time Report on your phone. Now, answer honestly- how many of the things you set before your eyes are worthless? Replace these worthless things with things that will improve your life, your mental health, and your relationship with God.
We also see that David is actively avoiding “perverse hearts,” “those who slander their neighbors,” “those with a haughty look and arrogant heart,” and those who “practice deceit.” Take a look at the people you allow to influence you, the people in your inner circle. Are they fostering your growth or hindering it? Surround yourself with people who will offer you godly advice and support. Build a community around you that will carry you when you can’t carry yourself.
-Hope Fletcher
Reflection Questions
What do you see as the importance of pondering the way that is blameless? What in your life this month has brought glory to God? What has not?
What is worthless? What is not? “What are you focusing on? What gets most of your attention throughout the day?”
“Take a look at the people you allow to influence you, the people in your inner circle. Are they fostering your growth or hindering it?” Who could you intentionally spend more time with in order to work towards your own godly growth? Set up some time together with this person/these people and pray about your time together.
Today, in Psalm 15, David gives us some great advice for living in a way that glorifies God. The things listed here are kind of no-brainers, but are also things that I think are so simple that perhaps we tend not to think of these things as being important.
Be honest. All the time. And not just with the words that come out of your mouth- make sure your intentions and motivations are truthful as well. Being honest in your heart is just as important as being honest with your words.
Don’t talk poorly about others. Even when everyone else is venting about that annoying co-worker that you all can’t stand. Or even if it’s your dorky sibling that just won’t leave you alone. Protect the reputation of others by holding your tongue.
Keep your promises. Even if a more appealing offer comes up, stick with what you’ve agreed to do. Even if it becomes costly to you, honor your agreement. Let your “yes” be “yes” and your “no” be “no.”
Be generous with people- be compassionate and share with others without wondering how they can pay you back.
This Psalm reminds us that true Godliness is woven into the fabric of our everyday lives. It’s about choosing honesty, kindness, integrity, and generosity in every interaction, big or small. These qualities, though simple, are the very things that shape us into people who are fit to dwell in God’s presence.
-Hope Fletcher
Reflection Questions
Of these four characteristics which one do you struggle with most?
When have you recently missed the mark of “true Godliness”? What could you have done instead? What difference would this have made – to yourself, others and God?
Next time you find yourself in a similar situation how might you steer yourself towards the “true Godliness” response?
Seek Grow Love 