READ 2 Samuel 5
After many years of delay, David assumes Israel’s throne.

INSIGHT
Earlier, Samuel had anointed David-then a young, inexperienced boy-to be king over
Israel. Fourteen years elapsed between Samuel’s anointing and the time when David
actually assumes the rule over all of Israel. Instead of luxuriating in the royal palace
during these years, David runs from cave to cave, trying to escape from Saul who is
bent on killing him. But it is these difficult experiences that build into David the strength
of character, the convictions, the sensitivity to right and wrong, and the vision to be a
great king. Even for us today, the road to transformation always goes through the tunnel
of trials.

PRAYER
Because the Lord uses the difficult times to create Christlikeness in our lives, we can praise Him for all things:
The Lord is righteous in all his ways
And faithful in all his acts.  
The Lord is near all who call out to him,
All who call out to him with integrity.  
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
He hears their cry for help and saves them
My mouth will declare the Lord’s praise;
Let every living thing bless his holy name
Forever and ever (Psalm 145:17-19, 21).

Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin:
No discipline seems enjoyable at the time,
But painful. Later on, however, it yields
The peaceful fruit of righteousness
To those who have been trained by it
(Hebrews 12:11).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pause to pray this
affirmation to the Lord:
Unless the Lord builds a house,
Its builders labor over it in vain;  
Unless the Lord watches over a city,
The watchman stays alert in vain
(Psalm 127:1).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:

• Greater love for others
• The work of missions in the Middle East, the islands, and Australia
• Your activities for the day

Offer this closing prayer to the Lord:
The God of all grace,
Who called you to his eternal glory in Christ,  
Will himself restore, establish, strengthen,
And support you after you have suffered a little while.    
To him be dominion forever. Amen.(1 Peter 5:10-11).