One Year Bible: Days 151-157

These notes are also being posted, day-by-day, at One Year Bible.

Day 151 - 1 Samuel 29:1-31:13; John 19:28-20:9; Psalm 68:28-35

The contrast between the death of Saul, the first king of the Jews, and Jesus, the true King of the Jews, is striking. Saul’s death was a tragedy. Jesus’ death was a triumph. The contrast is the difference between a man who said, “it is enough” (Saul had had enough of life, and he wanted to live no longer) and the Man who said, “It is finished” (Jesus completed all that the Father had given Him to do). 1 Samuel ends with a burial (1 Samuel 31:13). John’s Gospel goes beyond a burial to a resurrection. Psalm 68:35 – “You, God, are awesome in Your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to His people.” Those who meet God at the inner sanctuary – the Cross of Jesus Christ – discover the power and strength of the Christ who is no longer dead, the Christ who has risen from the dead.

  Day 152 - 2 Samuel 1:1-2:7; John 20:10-31; Proverbs 13:20-14:4

David was “anointed … king over the house of Judah” (2 Samuel 2:4). Jesus was given a higher honour: “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28). “A good man leaves an inheritance for his children’s children” (Proverbs 13:22). The greatest inheritance we can leave to the rising generations is the spiritual inheritance of faith in Jesus Christ – “that they may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His Name” (John 20:31).

Day 153 - 2 Samuel 2:8-3:21; John 21:1-25; Psalm 69:1-12

God gave His own gracious promise concerning the reign of David: “For the Lord promised David, By My servant David I will rescue my people Israel from the hand of the Philistines and from the hand of all their enemies” (2 Samuel 3:18). Jesus indicated to His disciples, notably Peter, what He was going to do through them: “the net … was full of large fish” (John 21:11). Note also Jesus’ purpose for His disciples – “I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). Those who long for much blessing to come, in our day, upon the Church of Christ, say, with the Psalmist, “Zeal for Your House consumes me” (Psalm 69:9).

Day 154 -2 Samuel 3:22-5:5; Acts 1:1-22; Psalms 69:13-28

David ascended to the throne of Israel – “they anointed David king over Israel” (2 Samuel 5:3). “He reigned for forty years” (2 Samuel 5:4). Jesus ascended “into heaven” (Acts 1:11), to the right hand of God, the Father Almighty. There, He reigns forever and ever. As we look to this mighty Saviour, we find “sure salvation” (Psalm 69:13).

Day 155 - 2 Samuel 5:6-6:23; Acts 1:23-2:21; Psalms 69:29-36

The world cannot understand the working of the Holy Spirit – “when Michal, daughter of Saul, saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised him in her heart” (2 Samuel 6:16). She didn’t understand what David was doing – “I will celebrate before the Lord” (2 Samuel 6:21). “Some … made fun of them and said, ‘They have had too much wine’” (Acts 2:13). They didn’t understand what God was doing – “I will pour out My Spirit on all people …” (Acts 2:17). Whatever the world may think, God’s people must always say, “I will praise God’s Name in song and glorify Him in thanksgiving” (Psalm 69:30).

Day 156 - 2 Samuel 7:1-8:18; Acts 2:22-47; Proverbs 14:5-14

“The Lord gave David victory wherever he went” (2 Samuel 8:14). The victory, given to Jesus, was a greater victory than any victory given by God to David. Concerning David, Scripture says, “David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day” (Acts 2:29). Concerning Jesus, Scripture says, “God raised Him from the dead …” (Acts 2:24). How important it is that we have faith in Christ if we are to be raised, with Him, to eternal life: “The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the upright will flourish” (Proverbs 14:11).

Day 157 - 2 Samuel 9:1-10:19; Acts 3:1-26; Psalm 70:1-5

The kindness of God is shown in different ways. We read of “God’s kindness” being shown to Mephibosheth – “he always ate at the king’s house” (2 Samuel 9:3,7). Nevertheless, we are also told, at the end of the chapter, that “he was crippled in both feet” (2 Samuel 9:13). We read also of a man who did not receive worldly goods – “Silver or gold I do not have”, but he did receive healing – “In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” We see him, “walking and jumping and praising God” (Acts 3:6,9). We should not demand that the kindness of God must always be shown in the same way. We do, however, have every encouragement to join with the Psalmist in praying, “I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; Lord, do not delay” (Psalm 70:5).