One Year Bible: Days 144-150

Day 144 - 1 Samuel 14:24-15:35; John 14:1-31; Proverbs 12:28-13:9

“To obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22). “Whoever has My commands and keeps them is the one who loves Me … Anyone who loves Me will obey My teaching” (John 14:21,23). “In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality” (Proverbs 12:28). God is looking for an obedient people. This is the way of blessing – “The light of the righteous shines brightly” (Proverbs 13:9).

Day 145 - 1 Samuel 16:1-17:37; John 15:1-16:4; Psalm 67:1-7

David was able to face Goliath with confidence in God – “The Lord will deliver me” (1 Samuel 17:37). Saul, then, said to him, “Go, and the Lord be with you” (1 Samuel 17:38). Jesus’ disciples were able to go forward in their mission with confidence in God, since Jesus had said to them, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last” (John 15:16). With the Psalmist, we must learn to affirm our faith in God as the One who will give the blessing both to us and through us: “God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear Him” (Psalm 67:7). However great the task may be, God is greater. There is no ‘Goliath’ too strong for the Lord, as He makes His “salvation known among all nations” (Psalm 67:2).

Day 146 - 1 Samuel 17:38-18:30; John 16:5-17:5; Psalm 68:1-6

At the heart of David’s triumph over Goliath, there is this great testimony: “it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands” (1 Samuel 17:47). When we face ‘Goliaths’ in our own experience, Jesus says, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). “May God arise, may His enemies be scattered … may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God” (Psalm 68:1,3).

Day 147 - 1 Samuel 19:1-20:42; John 17:6-26; Psalm 68:7-14 

In the story of David and Jonathan, we have a great picture of human friendship. In Jesus’ prayer (John 17), we learn so much about our friendship with God. When we have been with God in the place of prayer, as Jesus was, we are empowered for service: “The Lord announced the Word, and great was the company of those who proclaimed it” (Psalm 68:11).

Day 148 - 1 Samuel 21:1-23:29; John 18:1-24; Proverbs 13:10-19

David was delivered from his pursuer, Saul. David became the king of Israel. Jesus was delivered into the hands of His enemies. Following His resurrection, Jesus was declared to be the King of kings. “The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death” (Proverbs 13:14). There is a way that leads from death to life. Jesus leads us in this way. He went to death for us. He rose to life for us.

Day 149 - 1 Samuel 24:1-25:44; John 18:25-40; Psalm 68:15-20

“The Lord … has appointed David leader over Israel” (1 Samuel 25:30). Christ’s Kingship is far greater than David’s – “My Kingdom is not of this world … My Kingdom is from another place” (John 18:36). Our God reigns (Psalm 68:16). His reign is seen in His work of salvation: “Praise be to the Lord our God … Our God is a God who saves …” (Psalm 68:19-20).

Day 150 - 1 Samuel 26:1-28:25; John 19:1-27; Psalm 68:21-27 

To be “the King of the Jews” was a great honour. David recognized this when he said, “But the Lord forbid that I should lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed” (1 Samuel 26:11). Pilate didn’t. He sent Jesus “to the cross” with this “notice … Jesus of Nazareth, the king of the Jews” (John 19:19). Psalm 68:24 speaks of “the procession of our God and king into the sanctuary.” When we understand the divine Kingship in the light of the Cross, we see Jesus, “carrying His own cross, He went out to the place of the Skull …” (John 19:17). This is the inner sanctuary, the Holy of holies – Jesus Christ, “the King of the Jews”, going to the Cross for a world of lost sinners.