The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand.

Psalm 119:130

Dear God, there are so many lessons for ya to learn from reading scripture. And the nice thing about the Bible is that the writers told us the ugly parts too. We like to think of David as this perfect king, but staying with2 Samuel 11, his mistakes, weaknesses and sin are there for all of us to see.

I met a young woman last week. She is at a real crossroads in her life as she tries to start her career. As I spoke with her, I tried to encourage her with a Bible story. I knew she grew up with Christian parents so I asked her if she knew who David was. She said, “Goliath?” I said, “Yes, but do you know anything more about him.” She didn’t. I encouraged her to take some time to just read 1 & 2 Samuel, and then I told her something about David’s life that might help her.

With my own children, I don’t know where each of them are in their hearts when it comes to their level of their desire to love and submit to you, but part of my prayer for them is that the seeds that we, family members, church friends, and Sunday school teachers planted in them as they grew will find good soil, establish roots, and bear great fruit in their lives.

Father, my heart still has a lot to learn. Help me to take your scripture and learn from it. That’s one of the things I’m trying to do with these prayer journals—learn from your word. Make it one of the things you use to sharpen and guide me.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen