We’ve got your daily encouragement, written by Lindsey Strickler.
Bible Reading:
2 Samuel 7:27
“For you, O Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, have made this revelation to your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house.’ Therefore your servant has found courage to pray this prayer to you.“
Word:
Imagine being the outcast, the runt, of the family. The one in the family that no one really expected to do or become much. This could very well have been the extent David’s testimony; however, God had a plan for him ultimately beyond his wildest dreams. God said He took David from the sheepfold, to the ruler over His people, and He would be with him wherever he went.
David conquered so many enemies there was singing in honor of him, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” In 2 Samuel 7, David recounts what God had done for him; he recognized that the blessings he received and how far God’s hand had carried him was not anything he deserved. And yet God had more for this servant, a Kingdom that He would establish forever.
David found courage through the Word that God spoke to him. As David sat humbly before God, he could pray this bold prayer because of the revelation of God’s covenant; this prayer indicated that he believed the Word of God. What would happen in our lives if we used the Word of God, the promises of God, to build courage and boldness in our lives?
The word tells us that God has plans for us, plans for good and not for disaster, to give us a future and hope (Jeremiah 29:11). We can have faith in Jesus because he is our High Priest, and He understands and sympathizes; he shares in our feelings of weakness, our infirmities, our experiences with temptation. Because of this, we can fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace.
At the throne, we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]. (Hebrews 4:15-16) We can build our courage through the revealed Word of God!
Prayer:
Thank you, Lord, that I can take comfort and be encouraged and confidently say that “The Lord is my help, I will not fear” I trust that you have a plan for my life. I will come boldly to the throne of grace, that I may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Skillwork:
There is a saying, “Pray hardest when it’s hardest to pray.” Suppose you find yourself in a place of weakness; that is when God’s strength is the greatest. Find a specific scripture that speaks to you and pray that to God. He hears the prayers of the righteous, and the earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.
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