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Matthew 7:13-14

09 Jun

13 “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell [the road that leads to destruction] is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. 14 But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.

Matthew 7:13-14

Dear God, I was with a group of men last night who are dealing with legal issues of one sort or another. All of differing degrees of seriousness. The meeting always starts with an icebreaker, and the question last night was, “Talk about a pivotal moment in your life.” About a third of the room talked about getting sober and the events (usually terrible) that led up to it. About a third of the room talked about a child being born and the realization that they needed to be a father for this child. I was actually both excited and embarrassed to tell them mine. It was back in July 1987 when I went to a Leadership Conference put on by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. It was there that I broke the cycle of just accepting you as savior and was actually taught to walk through the narrow gate.

The hardest part about having found the narrow gate is trying to describe it to others and encouraging them to find it too. I want for these men to discipline themselves into discipleship. I want my friends who haven’t found the narrow path to find it. Some young people look at my wife and me as “goals,” but they aren’t willing to do the work it takes to be who we are. And who we are isn’t perfect. We have our problems, sorrows, and laments. But we also have a sense of peace in you. I feel so loved and cared for by you even though everything isn’t perfect. My life could be, however, so much worse.

Father, help me show these men the narrow gate and know how to invite them to it. Help me to show them the narrow path and invite them to it. Help me to find the path today. Help me to die to myself, give up my agenda for this day, and embrace the activities you have for me. Help me to love others well. Help me to love you well.

I pray all of this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 9, 2026 in Matthew

 

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Habakkuk 3:19a

08 Jun

19 God, the Lord, is my strength;
    he makes my feet like the deer’s;
    he makes me tread on my high places.

Habakkuk 3:19a

Dear God, this book starts with Habakkuk complaining to you about how you do things and the struggles he and Israel are having. Why did you allow them to stray so far from you? Why are you allowing infidels to be your hand of punishment? In other words, you’re doing your job wrong and I don’t like it.

There are all kinds of times when I wish things were being done differently. I’m watching the happenings in my own nation now, and I get discouraged. Politically. Socially. Economically. Spiritually. And then I realize that self-pity is a huge trap. I’m reminded how I get myself into the most trouble when I’m feeling sorry for myself.

I read a Facebook post this morning from one of my wife’s longtime friends from high school. She was promoting a new dynamic nonprofit in Seattle that isn’t feeling sorry for itself, but building itself to reach the needs they see. Here’s her post:

I can’t attest to “Dan’s” faith. I’ve never met him. But I’m impressed by Dan’s tenacity and vision. I’m impressed by his love and compassion. I’m impressed that he saw a problem and didn’t just complain about why someone isn’t doing more. I have another friend right now who is frustrating me because she is feeling sorry for herself and lashing out at others instead of experiencing some introspection on how she might have contributed to the problem she’s now facing and finding a productive way forward.

Father, I pray your blessings on Dan’s work. I don’t know where anyone is in their faith, but I pray that you will use all of that work to introduce everyone involved to you. Make the pain that everyone is experiencing count. I pray for my other friends who is going through a lot of self-pity and anger. Guide her. Show her your path to forgiveness, reconciliation, and love. Help her to teach that to her children as well.

I pray all of this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 8, 2026 in Habakkuk

 

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Ephesians 3:10-19

06 Jun

10 God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.

12 Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. 13 So please don’t lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored.

14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Ephesians 3:10-19

Dear God, there are two things in this passage that struck me this morning.

  1. Verses 10-11: 10 God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord. This is kind of a lament or me because I don’t think the modern American church “displays [your] wisdom in its rich variety” very well. I’ve prayed about this before, but the TV show Ted Lasso is unique because the main character is completely a-religious, but he remarkably displays almost all of the fruits of the Spirit. Love, joy, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control. The one he is missing is peace. And I still don’t think he’s found it over the course of the entire series. But for the others, he displays those and then they spread to the rest of the characters. What would it be like if the Church, your Church, displayed the fruits of your Spirit like that (including peace).
  2. Verses 16-19: 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Speaking of the fruits of the Spirit, this is how they grow. Us dwelling with you and your dwelling in us. But we have to give the soil of our hearts continuous weeding, watering, and fertilizer so that our branch will grow deep into your vine. So our roots will graft into you. So that we will become one. Then it will be your love that keeps us strong.

Father, live and love through me today. Help me to keep my soil weeded and fed. Help me to spurn what is of this world and pursue you. Help me to give you all of the glory for everything good in my life. You and I both know my limitations–you know them better than me. I offer all of it and all of me to you.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 6, 2026 in Ephesians

 

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1 Thessalonians 5:12-22

05 Jun

12 Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. 13 Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.

14 Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.

15 See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.

16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

19 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. 20 Do not scoff at prophecies, 21 but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. 22 Stay away from every kind of evil.

1 Thessalonians 5:12-22

Dear God, I do better when listed items are in bullet points as opposed to paragraph form. Here’s a reprint of what Paul encouraged at the end of this letter:

  • Honor church leaders.
  • Show church leaders respect and wholehearted love.
  • Live peacefully with those in your Christian community.
  • Warn those who are lazy.
  • Encourage the timid.
  • Care for the weak.
  • Be patient with everyone.
  • Do not pay back evil for evil.
  • Always try to be good to those in community and to everone else.
  • Be joyful.
  • Pray unceasingly.
  • Be thankful in everything.
  • Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Provide rich soil for him to grow in you.
  • Respect prophecies while still testing them.
  • Hold on to what is good.
  • Stay away from evil.

It’s almost like a mini Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) here. He touches being a comforter. Caring for others. Eye for an eye. Prayer. Thankful. Lead me not into temptation. It’s like I just need to let my mind soak in these thoughts today.

Warning the lazy is an interesting one. I wonder how Paul was defining “lazy” here and what he wanted people to do about it. Does lazy mean not doing labor or serving others (selfish) or is it as basic as someone not disciplining themselves to spend time in prayer and pursuing you? I have a feeling it’s the latter. There are several people in my life I’ve encouraged to take the time to discipline themselves to spend time with you. I feel like I’ve totally failed in that in their lives. I don’t think any of them are doing it.

Father, I offer myself to you today. I don’t want to be lazy. I also don’t want to just push through the work I have to do under my own power and lose sight of the fact that, in everything, I am serving you and loving others. Help me to carry all of these admonishments from Paul into my day. Teach me and grow me more and more into your image.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 5, 2026 in 1 Thessalonians

 

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1 Chronicles 29:1-9

04 Jun

29 Then King David turned to the entire assembly and said, “My son Solomon, whom God has clearly chosen as the next king of Israel, is still young and inexperienced. The work ahead of him is enormous, for the Temple he will build is not for mere mortals—it is for the Lord God himself! 2 Using every resource at my command, I have gathered as much as I could for building the Temple of my God. Now there is enough gold, silver, bronze, iron, and wood, as well as great quantities of onyx, other precious stones, costly jewels, and all kinds of fine stone and marble.

3 “And now, because of my devotion to the Temple of my God, I am giving all of my own private treasures of gold and silver to help in the construction. This is in addition to the building materials I have already collected for his holy Temple. 4 I am donating more than 112 tons of gold from Ophir and 262 tons of refined silver to be used for overlaying the walls of the buildings 5 and for the other gold and silver work to be done by the craftsmen. Now then, who will follow my example and give offerings to the Lord today?”

6 Then the family leaders, the leaders of the tribes of Israel, the generals and captains of the army, and the king’s administrative officers all gave willingly. 7 For the construction of the Temple of God, they gave about 188 tons of gold, 10,000 gold coins,[e] 375 tons of silver, 675 tons of bronze, and 3,750 tons of iron. 8 They also contributed numerous precious stones, which were deposited in the treasury of the house of the Lord under the care of Jehiel, a descendant of Gershon. 9 The people rejoiced over the offerings, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord, and King David was filled with joy.

1 Chronicles 29:1-9

Dear God, I noticed two things when I read this passage this morning. One is not as important, but the othere is the one I want to spend some time on. The first that’s not as important is the difference between how 1 Kings 1 tells the story of Solomon ascending to the throne and how the succession planning is described here. It seems much more orderly and organized in this telling of the story. Which was it? I tend to believe the messier version. This one feels a little too tidy.

The more important thing I want to spend time with is the joy of giving. Verses 6-8 describe how the people all joined together in giving to you for your glory, and then verse 9 says, “The people rejoiced over the offerings, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord, and King David was filled with joy.” There’s a reason you commanded us to love you and then love others. It wasn’t for you. It isn’t even as much for the others. Giving of ourselves is for us. Giving our possessions and money. Giving our time. I mentioned the other day that it feels like I’m getting more selfish with my time, and it’s starting to bother me.

Then I was praying with my wife this morning, and we were talking about some relatives we would love to be able to show love to, but we are physically separated from them and we can’t. My prayer was that you would raise up people in their lives who could love them for us. Then I thought to pray (Holy Spirit nudging?) that you make us those proxies to love others around us who can’t be loved by their loved ones.

Father, help me to be your ambassador. Help me to love well. Help me to celebrate you and then share that celebration with others. Help me to represent a life that is reconciled to you, and please make that life attractive so that others might be drawn into being reconciled to and in relationship with you as well. Do all of this for your glory and for my neighbors. And show me the cost that I must pay to do this, and help me to be willing to joyfully pay that cost.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 4, 2026 in 1 Chronicles

 

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Proverbs 15:1

03 Jun

15 A gentle answer turns away wrath,
    but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 15:1

Dear God, of course, this is great advice from Proverbs (Solomon?). I’ve gotten myself into trouble when I’ve hastily confronted someone instead of taking a beat, calming down, looked for ways to assume better of them and give them the benefit of the doubt, and then talked to them in a way that communicates I want the best for everyone involved. I can think of a few instances when I spontaneously decided to nip a problem in the bud and was confrontational. It NEVER went well.

The St. Francis Prayer includes the line, “Make me an instrument of your peace.” Yes. I want to be an instrument of your peace. I know Jesus talked about NOT being an instrument of your peace. The be willing to confront. That we might have to sacrifice relationships for you.

34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household.

Matthew 10:34-36

And while I still don’t totally understand what he was saying there, I can appreciate the idea that, at some point, my values will simply conflict with the world around me and you will call me to stand up.

I was talking to the guys at Christian Men’s Life Skills the other night about “ego,” and how it can be bad, but we also need a certain amount of it to establish our ow standards and who we are. It’s how we resist peer pressure. It’s how we determine who we are in our core. It’s where we get our self-esteem. The trick on ego is to not let it stand for “Edging God Out.”

Father. I wan tto be your man today. I will have opportunities to love, advise, and help. I will also have opportunities to receive love, advice, and help. Make me a great giver and also, for your glory’s sake, a great receiver.

I pray all of this in Jesus and iwth your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 3, 2026 in Proverbs

 

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“Mary Picked the Roses” by Andrew Peterson (Rich Mullins)

02 Jun

“Mary Picked the Roses” by Andrew Peterson (Rich Mullins)

Mary picked the roses
Early in the morn
Mary picked the roses
As the day was being born
Mary picked the roses
To smell their sweet perfume
Mary picked the roses
But Jesus made them bloom

Joseph carved a table
From a piece of wood
Joseph carved a table
It was his livelihood
Joseph carved a table
Where kings could sit to eat
Joseph carved a table
But Jesus made the tree

And I write songs
These songs I sing (Hey, la la la)
I’d have none if not for Him
And I know whence came the tunes (Hey, la la la)
Because Jesus made the roses (Jesus made the roses)
Jesus made the roses bloom

I will soon be leaving
I will soon be gone
I will soon be leaving (I will soon be leaving)
But I leave for you my songs
Though this life is fleeting
And time is no one’s friend
I will soon be leaving (I will soon be leaving)
Jesus never ends

So I’ll write songs
These songs I sing (Hey, la la la)
I’d have none if not for Him
And I know whence came the tunes (Hey, la la la)
Because Jesus made the roses (Jesus made the roses)
Jesus made the roses (Jesus made the roses)
Jesus made the roses bloom
Made the roses bloom
Made the roses bloom

Written by Rich Mullins, Andrew Peterson and Gabe Scott

Dear God, I was talking to the guys in Christian Men’s Life Skills last night about “ego” and how it can get in the way. How it can “Edge God Out” (E.G.O.). We talked about accomplishments and who gets the credit. We talked about David and Goliath and David giving you all of the credit while everyone else put their trust in the idols of armor or other people.

Then I heard this song this morning. There’s an intro that Andrew Peterson gives at the beginning of the included video, and he mentions that a young, early 20-something Rich Mullins wrote this song but never recorded it. I imagine Rich might have started with the concept of the chorus. I see him sitting and praying and writing songs and wondering about this unique gift he had. In that moment, he was able to take a beat and recognize it was from you. Then he probably started looking for parallels in the Bible. Mary and roses aren’t necessarily in the Bible, but the idea is certainly part of Catholic tradition. His mind linked Mary and roses, Joseph and wood, and then himself and songwriting to the same idea: none of it would exist without its creator.

Now it’s time to look at my life and wonder where I might be trying to take credit for things I shouldn’t. How do I look for glory for myself? Compliments for things that should only point to you and glorify you? I was talking Sunday in Sunday school about the angel talking to Manoah and his wife in Judges 13 and how the angel always deflected glory to you. Do I really do that?

Father, help me to direct all glory to you. I my thoughts and in my words. In what I do and what I don’t do. Please, Father, use it all to bring glory to your name regardless of what it costs me. May my life be about your glory and your glory alone.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 2, 2026 in Hymns and Songs

 

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Revelation 21:1-8

01 Jun

21 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

5 And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” 6 And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. 7 All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.

8 “But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

Revelation 21:1-8

Dear God, as I read this passage this morning (verse 2-4 were the verses of the day for Bible Gateway), I thought about all of the teaching that has been done on the afterlife, the second coming, and even the rapture. Some of it has been based on this very passage. Some of it out of Thessalonians. Some from Peter. Some from what Jesus said in the gospels. Then I wondered, what would our theology be without this book? What if you hadn’t given John this “revelation,” and what if it hadn’t been preserved for us today? How much does our anticipation of an unknown future depend on all of this?

I also noted the “second death” mentioned in verse 8. I’ve learned in recent years about “annihilationism” or “conditional immortality.” They are basically the idea that it is possible to kill a soul. Eternal life in worship and service of you and a second death in the lake of fire. I honestly hope that’s true.

But I’m incredibly ignorant. There is so much I don’t understand. I was teaching the Sunday school class yesterday and Manoah and his wife (Samson’s parents) out of Judges 13, and one of the things the angel tells them is that his name is too beautiful for them to understand. Just his name is too beautiful for them to understand! How much more ignorant am I beyond that?

Father, Thank you that you are in charge. Thank you that, one day, I have serving and worshipping you n a more pure way to look forward to. I pray that you would have mercy on those I love, heal their hearts, and draw those who are running from you to you. As I teach Christian Men’s Life Skills tonight, help me to do it in a way that will draw the men to you. Prepare their hearts today for what they will hear from Jay, Larry, Joe, and me tonight. Prepare our hearts to share with them and love them.

I pray all of this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on June 1, 2026 in Revelation

 

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1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

31 May

13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.

15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died. 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words.

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Dear God, I’m not one to sit here and pine for heaven or the afterlife, but that is probably because I am a comfortable American Christian who doesn’t really understand suffering. I don’t appreciate wanting this life to be short so I can get on with your perfect afterlife.

I was thinking this morning about estranged parent/child relationships. I’ve known people who had prents die when they were estranged from each other. I’ve known people who have lost children to suicide and, at least to some extent, blamed themselves. I think the good news for all of these people is that, if there is eternity with you to be anticipated by all parties, these few years on earth will be but a blip on their existence. I think part of the appeal of heaven isn’t the paradise it will be, but the idea that it will render the pain experienced in this life practically non-existent.

Father, help me to be a source of comfort for others who suffer by offering them you and your comfort. And help me to rest in the comfort of the knowledge that the pain I experience is only temporary. And I would be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to at least consider the people in the world who DO know what suffering means. They are attacked, threatened, and killed for their faith in you. They are denied an opportunity to support themselves. They helplessly watch their families and friends be tortured. They have governments or mobs attacking them. Oh, Father, please help. Raise up your people or raise up someone who will come to their aid. If there is someone I should support in that, please show me and let me know. And as I get ready to teach this morning about Manoah and his wife, give me your words to say. Speak through me.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on May 31, 2026 in 1 Thessalonians

 

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Psalm 56

30 May

Psalm 56

For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time the Philistines seized him in Gath. To be sung to the tune “Dove on Distant Oaks.”

1 O God, have mercy on me,
    for people are hounding me.
    My foes attack me all day long.
2 I am constantly hounded by those who slander me,
    and many are boldly attacking me.
3 But when I am afraid,
    I will put my trust in you.
4 I praise God for what he has promised.
    I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
    What can mere mortals do to me?

5 They are always twisting what I say;
    they spend their days plotting to harm me.
6 They come together to spy on me—
    watching my every step, eager to kill me.
7 Don’t let them get away with their wickedness;
    in your anger, O God, bring them down.

8 You keep track of all my sorrows.
    You have collected all my tears in your bottle.
    You have recorded each one in your book.

9 My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help.
    This I know: God is on my side!
10 I praise God for what he has promised;
    yes, I praise the Lord for what he has promised.
11 I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?
    What can mere mortals do to me?

12 I will fulfill my vows to you, O God,
    and will offer a sacrifice of thanks for your help.
13 For you have rescued me from death;
    you have kept my feet from slipping.
So now I can walk in your presence, O God,
    in your life-giving light.

Dear God, would this be a psalm of disorientation or reorientation? I am grateful we get the context for it in the introduction. When did the Philistines seize David in Gath? 1 Samuel 21 after he took Goliath’s sword from Ahimelech when David was running from Saul and escaped to Gath:

10 So David escaped from Saul and went to King Achish of Gath. 11 But the officers of Achish were unhappy about his being there. “Isn’t this David, the king of the land?” they asked. “Isn’t he the one the people honor with dances, singing,

‘Saul has killed his thousands,
    and David his ten thousands’?”

12 David heard these comments and was very afraid of what King Achish of Gath might do to him. 13 So he pretended to be insane, scratching on doors and drooling down his beard.

14 Finally, King Achish said to his men, “Must you bring me a madman? 15 We already have enough of them around here! Why should I let someone like this be my guest?”

I never read this story before and thought about the fact that they had “seized” David as they brought him to King Achish, but that’s how the introduction describes the psalm so I’ll go with that image. I can’t wait until I teach this story from 1 Samuel to the guys in Christian Men’s Life Skills in a couple of weeks. Adding this psalm will be something fun. Wow! The Bible has so many layers and hyperlinks between the texts. For an uneducated man, it feels almost impossible to get my head around them. I guess that’s kind of how it is with you. There’s just so much to you! How can any of us think we’ve cornered the market on your truth or wisdom.

This is a different topic, but I was curious about a Christian singer I used to love in the early 90s so I looked him up this morning. What I found made me sad. He seems to have gotten angrier. He was pretty dogmatic and challenging back then, but what attracted me to him was being challenged to love you more and love others more. Kind of a Keith Green vibe. But now he just seems angry and, frankly, a bit deluded. I didn’t get any fruits of the Spirit vibe from what I read about him (and I read it direclty from his personal website, so I went to the source). He released a new album in 2024. I tried listening to some of it. Even the instrumentation sounded angry. I wondered if he thought these were the kinds of songs Jesus would sing along to if he were here in the flesh today. They seemed more like the kind of thing Moses would have written in his fury toward the Israelites coming down from the mountain. And yes, there is a place for the anger Moses had, but that anger seems to have completely permeated this man. His head shots showed an intense face, not a smiling, compassionate face. His description in his about page railed against the Christian music complex, but was self-aggrandizing at the same time. It was just a sad mess that left me…well, at first it just repulsed me. Now as it has soaked in over the last couple of hours, it makes me concerned for him. I was a real fan back in 1990. I bought his CDs in a time when I couldn’t really afford CDs. I went and saw him once in concert about 40 miles from where I lived while I was still in college. I remember featuring his music in the record club I managed, even when he was past his musical prime and the things being produced were greatest hits collections.

Okay, I really went down that rabbit hole, but maybe there was purpose to it. David was teetering here, trying to figure out how to survive moment to moment and still worship you. This psalm is David calling on you for help to escape both Achish, and, presumably, Saul, and yet he is lying and deceiving Achish for his survival. Is that much different than Peter lying in the garden? I mean, yes, I know Peter was denying knowing Jesus and being a disciple while Davis was only pretending to be crazy, but still…deception to save their own skin is a common thread between them. But that’s one of the things I love about David. He sinned. He sinned A LOT. But he was seeking you as well. He was imperfectly, pitifully, but earnestly seeking you. I love that about him.

Father, I am completely imperfect. I fail. I sin. I lie. I cheat. I lust. I hate. I judge. I’ve made mistakes as a husband, father, boss, friend, and community member. I just pray that you have also found me earnest in my seeking of you and pursuit of you. And I pray for this Christian artist. His current state of heart has touched mine. I know my current faith is imperfect and people could come to me and criticize any number of things, so I don’t sit here in judgment of him. Oh, I was judging him earlier this morning, and I am sorry for that. But my current thoughts are revolving around finding a way to love him and pierce a darkness I think he’s grown comfortable in. Help me know what to do, and if there is a role you would like me to play in his life. This is the second time he’s been on my heart in the last year or so. Maybe this is you nudging me. Guide me.

I pray this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen

 
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Posted by on May 30, 2026 in 1 Samuel, Psalms

 

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