November 10 | 2 Samuel 7:1-16

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2 Samuel 7:1-16

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REFLECTION

Pray First

By Elaine Pierce

Nathan the prophet messed up, didn't he? King David decided he wanted to build God a house befitting the King of the Universe. Without consulting God, Nathan agreed:

"Whatever you have in mind, go ahead and do it, for the Lord is with you." (v. 3.)

On the face of it, this sounds like good advice. After all, David has conquered Israel's enemies and the nation is at peace for the moment. David is energetic and ambitious and looking for another project. And honoring God with a suitable home will certainly please Him.

Has David prayed about this? Has Nathan? Has God asked for a home? The short answer to all of these questions is no. It is easy to assume that 'good' projects are always ordained by God. Certainly he wants what we think he wants! But after the Lord came to Nathan the very night that David announced his plans, Nathan recognized that he was wrong to assume that God would bless these plans. [Be sure to read the rest of the chapter to see David's response to God's call. Yes, David sinned, but he was a man after God's own heart (I Samuel 16:7).]

Serving communion.....lectoring....ushering....preaching....caring for those in need. These are all important tasks and ones that bring honor and glory to God and service to our fellow Christians. God has called all of us to works of service - but let's remember that what he wants more than all of those things is that our hearts are wholly his. Yes, doing God's work is important. But most important is worshiping Him in spirit and in truth.

God said 'no' to David, but he also told him that his legacy would live on:

"Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever. " (v. 16).

PRAYER

Lord, so often I rush headlong and forget to ask you to guide me. Help me today and each day to spend time with you, to enjoy your presence, and to worship you. Help me to lean on you and not my own understanding. In all my ways I acknowledge you, and you will direct my paths. Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ELAINE PIERCE

It is a delight and joy to write Sunday's UALC Blog post. I have been a UALC member for 20+ years and I value our community of believers. I draw strength from God's Word, and it is my hope that you join me in seeking to grow closer to Him as we read, study, and pray together. I've been married to Gene for 47 years, and we have four grown children and nine grandchildren. It is an exciting time to be alive, and I count it all joy to serve Him, even in the midst of challenges. To God be the glory, for the great things he is doing!

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November 9 | Luke 1:46-55

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DAILY READING

Luke 1:46-55

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REFLECTION

Great Promises Kept

by Judy Webb

He has helped his servant Israel,

remembering to be merciful

to Abraham and his descendants forever,

just as he promised our ancestors.” (Luke 1:54-55)

Mary knew God so well—that is why she could humbly accept what God intended for her. Mary’s soul magnified the Lord for His faithfulness to Israel in keeping the promises He made to Abraham and to his seed. Reading from the Old Testament is like reading a story about the future. Jesus is everywhere in the OT, everything of significance points the reader to Jesus. I have learned to read my Bible expecting to encounter our Savior in each book. For example, over and over again in the Scriptures we learn about our Redeemer.

He provided redemption for his people;  he ordained his covenant forever— holy and awesome is his name. (Psalm 111:9)

Mary knew the scriptures, and after the initial shock wore off she probably understood all the Angel had revealed. And because she was so knowledgeable, she could embrace this miracle without fear. We are often told to read our Bible so that we too can understand when God moves in a new way. When we pray for His blessing and for His will to be done, our knowledge of His word will guide us on the path He had laid out for us.

 …I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. (Habakkuk 3:18)

While Jesus was on the earth, preaching and teaching, this is told in Luke 11:27-28. As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.” He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” This was Mary. She studied the Word of God and believed and obeyed it.

I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. (Isaiah 61:10)

These are only a few of the words in Scripture which track right along with Mary’s Song. Can you find more?

PRAYER

Dear Jesus, You reveal yourself in OT and NT, and what a story you have! We can live our lives confident in your teaching and your love. Give us eyes to you in every book of our Bibles. Your goodness follows through each chapter and verse. Amen.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JUDY WEBB

I have been a member of UALC for 26 years and have been writing devotions for this site for about 17 of them. Writing is my passion. As retired staff I still love everything about UALC and its members including my small group.

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November 8 | 2 Samuel 6:12-15

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DAILY READING

2 Samuel 6:12-15

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REFLECTION

I Want What He Has

By Jennifer Jerrome

Today’s scripture starts with verse 12 when David is told “The Lord has blessed the household of Obed-Edom and everything he has, because of the ark of God.”

If we jump back to the beginning of Chapter 6, we see that David had the ark of God but became afraid when Uzzah touched it and died. David decided it was best not to take it back to Jerusalem and instead had it taken to the home of Obed-Edom.

Obed-Edom was a Gittite, from the city of Gath. He is mentioned several times in the Bible, but he’s a lesser-known, secondary character. When I first read the passage, I immediately focused on King David and his desire to seek God’s blessing by possessing the ark. But the more I thought about it, I started to wonder about Obed-Edom. What if I looked at this story from his perspective?

Imagine everyone talking about the ark that embodied God’s covenant. It was the most sacred of all objects to the Israelites, yet also terrifying. People died just looking at it and Uzzah was killed because he touched it. And now David wants him (Obed-Edom) to take it?!

I expect he was filled with multiple emotions – fear, surprise, anxiety, awe, excitement, pride, etc. God would be living under his roof. He would be in the presence of God every day. Wow!

The ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-Edom for three months, and the Lord blessed him and his entire household. (v. 11)

So, what must it have been like when David decided to take it back? Do you think Obed-Edom became sad, jealous, and angry? Was he worried the blessings would disappear? Or during his time with God, did he encounter peace beyond understanding? Did he realize he didn’t need the ark under his roof to experience God’s blessings? That God would be with him no matter where the ark was housed?

What does this mean for us? If you ask scholars where the ark is now, no one really knows. There are speculations and I must admit I often thought about Indiana Jones while writing this. But maybe the real star of the show here is Obed-Edom.

He took the ark in faith. His whole family could have died, but he took it anyway. I’m guessing he treated it with the upmost reverence and likely prayed for guidance each day. May we have that same kind of devotion and trust in the Lord.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father,

We may not have the ark under our roof, but we do have You. May we acknowledge your presence with us each day and treat it with the upmost respect. You call on everyone. Both major players and seemingly “minor” characters have a part to play in your story. Thank you for Obed-Edom and the quiet example he sets for us. Amen

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JENNIFER JERROME

I have known I was a child of God from the beginning. I was baptized and raised in the Catholic church and began attending UALC about 18 years ago when my husband I were searching for a place to worship and serve as a family. UALC has helped shape our faith over the years. We have been through several seasons of life and the constant has been our faith and family.

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