Perceive: This psalm is a hymn of praise to Yahweh as the savior and protector of His people. David bases the theme on God’s mighty deeds in bringing Israel to the promised land.  The first fifteen verses of this psalm are like 1 Chronicles 16:8-22. This psalm is divided into five main sections: A call to thank and praise God (1-7), a description of God’s covenant actions in the early days of Israel (8-15), and a reminder of their slavery in Egypt (16-24). A description of His redeeming actions and resulting freedom (25-38), a recap of how He chose them and led them to keep His laws (39-45). David recognized that God’s people often fail to learn from the past, so it was important to start off with a history lesson and a call to stay the course for the future.
 
Practice:  It is important to remember His miracles and guidance on our behalf because it encourages us to keep living close to Him. The closer we live with Him, the more vibrant and obedient our lives. Unfortunately, far too many men fail to learn from the past and easily plunge back into sinful living. Prayerfully reread this psalm and think about your biggest struggle and place your trust in His sovereign control. Meditate on the way He acted on their behalf and pray for Him to act on your behalf.
 
Pray: O mighty God, with Your outstretched arm and the power of Your being, please act on my behalf in ________________________. 
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This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: Here is another short psalm. David begins this psalm with a rhetorical question in essence as “What kind of person may enjoy close fellowship with God?” (1). This kind of question was asked by pilgrims as they stood in front of the gates of the temple in Jerusalem. The Temple was also considered the Tent which housed the Ark (Psalm 27:4-5) and now rests in Jerusalem. In the rest of the psalm David lists some of the attributes of the person who has close fellowship with the Lord. His character is true (2), his words are controlled (3), he honors those who fear the Lord (4), his financial dealings are proper (5), and his footing in life is firm.
 
Practice:  As David was aware, words are powerful and how you use them reflects on your relationship with the Lord and the kind of relationships you have with others. Speaking godly words and living with moral guidelines define us as separate from the world. We’re not to allow bad doctrine, trickery, or deceit to affect our lives. Instead, we need to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:14-15). The world is a dark place and needs to hear the truth of God’s Word and the offer of His forgiveness. Sharing Christ is one of the greatest ways you can speak the truth in love.
 
Pray: O Lord, help me to stay between the lines of Your Word. Give me an opportunity today to share Your truth in love. ​

This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive:  The hard work of preparation results in completing the mission of restoring the ark of God at the capital of a united kingdom. Upon arrival, David carefully places the ark in the tent and begins to offer burnt and peace offerings followed by blessing the people with food for feasting and celebrating. Next, he appoints Levites to celebrate with thanks and praise. Succeeding this is a group of talented musicians using harps, cymbals, and trumpets to worship the Lord. On this day, David assigns Asaph as the chief musician and his relatives to set the example by giving thanks to the Lord. Asaph also penned twelve psalms (Psalms 50, 73-83).
 
Practice: Regardless of whether you can sing or not, everyone who belongs to the kingdom of Christ should sing and praise the Lord. A man’s worship should happen individually as well as in corporate settings. Some people say worship is so personal that whether alone or with others, enjoying God is the heart of individual reverence. At the heart of biblical worship is the glory of God and how that glory changes lives. Those who see and experience His glory progress in their service and sanctification. Those who seek recognition from the world grow in sin and selfishness. Men who come before His throne and revel in His glory are men who change the world. They help transform others as they transform into the image of Christ.
 
Pray:  O mighty God, let me see and revel in Your glory, and if I need protection, please hide me in the cleft of the rock. ​

This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: Wow, what a magnanimous celebration as the people are honoring God. Starting at the house of Obed-edom, the elders and leaders properly secure the ark and begin the journey to Jerusalem. Because God is helping them to complete this task, they sacrifice and celebrate like nothing ever seen in Israel before. The priests wore the ephod during worship (Exodus 28:6; 1 Samuel 2:18). Beneath it, David wore a robe of white linen, but in his enthusiastic devotion, dancing and celebrating with all his might before the Lord, he seemed to have removed an outer garment and uncovered himself in a way that his wife Michal considered improper for a king. Not only did she despise David, but she lacked any joy over the ark’s return. Like her father, Saul, Michal had no appreciation for the things of God.
 
Practice:  David was willing to undress and risk looking foolish to express an unabandoned heart of thankfulness. Michal could not rejoice in the ark’s return to Jerusalem. Under her father’s watch, true worship deteriorated. It was probably ritualistic and stale. On this day, David was spontaneous in his praise and worship. We should not be afraid to stand, dance, or sing out loud when we are praising God with a free and unabandoned heart.
 
Pray: Praise, glory, and honor be to You oh Lord. May the praise that comes from my lips reflect a grateful heart. Help me to sing with joy so that all the world may hear. 

This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: David initiates the final stage of preparation by ordering the priests and Levites to consecrate themselves. Consecration involved certain prescribed ritual washings and the avoidance of any form of ceremonial defilement (Exodus 19:10, 14–15; Leviticus 11:44). Tyndale Bible Dictionary defines Consecration as, “Separation of persons, utensils, buildings, or places from everyday secular uses for exclusive dedication to holy or sacred use.”[i] Next, David organizes the worship music and singing for the celebration to raise sounds of joy. The band consists of harps, lyres, loud cymbals, and singers. What an amazing line up of talent in preparation for a spectacular event.
 
Practice:  The priests consecrated themselves so they would be prepared to carry the ark. It was intended to purify them in preparation for sacred purposes. It is a symbolic way of separating sin and evil. As New Testament believers, we are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s possession who are called out of the darkness and placed into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).  We can purify ourselves by spending time in God’s Word, confessing our sins, knowing the blood of Christ washes away our sinfulness. If you are toying with or fully engaging in something that is sinful, get help today. A man reaps what he sows.
 
Pray: O mighty God help me meditate in Your word on a daily basis. Fill me with Your inward abiding presence, so I am a consecrated man usable for Your service.

This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

[i] Elwell, W.A., & Comfort, P.W. In Tyndale Bible dictionary (p. 310). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers​​

Perceive: The setback at Perez-Uzzah delayed the return of the ark to Jerusalem but didn't stop David from his plans. Regardless of whether David spent time researching or consulting with high priests, he corrects his previous mistakes and puts them to work as appropriate. They were to carry the ark and to serve the Lord (Deuteronomy 18:8; 18:5). David’s actions are to prepare a place for the ark, prepare the Levites to carry the ark, and then gather all Israel once again to bring the ark to Jerusalem. He has done his homework and now steps out in faith with all the people of Israel once again looking to their leader.
 
Practice: Real freedom and happiness happen when we begin to care about the things God cares about. It is one of the indicators that a man is someone after God’s own heart. Having a heart for God doesn’t mean you’re perfect, it means you’re sensitive to the things of God. A sensitive man considers every detail of God as important. Take some time to think about your plans and make sure you govern them by the light of Scripture.
 
Pray:  O Lord, help me become a man who cares about the things You care about. Give me an undivided heart that I may fear Your name (Psalm 86:11). 

This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: Here is David and almost all of Israel with the ark of the covenant. The worship music and joyful celebration fill the air with excitement. Suddenly in a providential act, the oxen stumble which causes the ark to tip. Thinking it is about to tip over, Uzza reaches out and steadies the holy relic violating a clear mandate from God, and the Lord struck him down. David’s celebration comes to a complete halt. He turns from experiencing great joy to being full of anger and then to being afraid. He stops transporting the ark and places it in Obed-Edom’s home for three months. During these three months, the presence of God blessed his household and everything he owned.
 
Practice:  Although David was a man of war, he was also a man of deep worship. His desire to solidify worship for the nation was a worthy goal. Unfortunately, he neglected to read the Scriptures concerning the proper procedures for moving the ark. Like so many of us, he was quick to act and get the job done and may have relied on the previous circumstance regarding its movement (1 Samuel 6:7-16). All of us should take some time seeking guidance from Scripture and the Lord’s presence before undertaking anything that would impact our family or advance the kingdom of God.
 
Pray:  Great and mighty God may all my plans be accomplished in a way that is pleasing to Your will especially in regard to Your holiness and majesty. ​

This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: Having removed the primary threat of the Philistines, David knows the work of restoring Israel’s national treasure, the ark of the covenant, would please God. The ark was the holiest object in the whole system of Mosaic worship, for it served primarily as a symbol of the presence of God (Exodus 25:22). So, David consults with his key leaders and secures their approval for his plan of action. Having a united team with a clear objective and a mission from the Lord, he seeks to build up the national restoration of worship in Israel. It’s a great idea and the people are excited and supportive. David and all of Israel gather for this magnanimous occasion starting out at Kiriath-Jearum. There they put the ark of the covenant on an ox-driven cart guided by Uzza and Ahio, sons of Abinadab.
 
Practice: A great leader takes the time to listen to his key influential leaders. Before his national campaign, he seeks their opinion of his idea and receives unanimous support. When we are responsible for leading a team, sometimes it is tempting to make a tactical decision that will save us time or money and bypass their input or buy-in. Sometimes it is easier to be more autocratic than democratic, especially when people have multiple opinions and an unwillingness to settle on one idea. Effective leaders will overcome this scenario by carefully listening to the opinions of others.
 
Pray: O Lord, thank You for the men and women who share their hearts and wills regarding my life and the ministry You have called me to complete. Help me hear, understand, and take them seriously. ​
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This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: As soon as David became king of all Israel he became too powerful to be trusted, so the Philistines took action and mounted a military campaign to eliminate a growing threat. Most likely using the high priest, Urim, and Thummim as a means of talking to God, David inquires of the Lord and seeks His guidance. God gives him an affirmation which leads him to a solid victory. In the Philistines hasty retreat, they abandon their idols. David and his men took these trophies of war and burned them (1 Chronicles 14:12). After regrouping the Philistines launched another military operation. David once again seeks guidance from the Lord. This time the Lord gives him a new plan that requires listening for marching in the treetops. It is clear from the text that the Lord is acting on Israel’s behalf.  
 
Practice:  We see David continuing to grow spiritually, territorially, and militarily. At this point in his life, he is fighting his battles the way God instructs him, day-by-day and battle-by-battle. For every battle, we fight we should follow a similar pattern. First, ask the Lord if this is a battle we should fight. Second, follow the instructions very carefully. Saul failed to do this, and it cost him the kingdom. Third, make sure the Lord gets the glory. It is a great danger for anyone to relax in the sunlight of success or to do what we want without considering what God wants.
 
Pray: O mighty God, show me where I act using my self-will in making lifetime decisions without seeking Your will and Your way. 

This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: As David’s reign grows as a regional leader, his allies help him with the resources to build a new palace. His new home helped David realize that the Lord had exalted his kingdom.  Further evidence of David’s increasing power, success, and divine blessing was the growth of the royal family. By marrying into the various families and then bringing the newly acquired wives to Jerusalem, he was giving influential families throughout the nation a stake in his success. A natural result of more wives is more children. His increased blessings in the new city suggest that God is pleased with his actions and this new location. Unfortunately, the phrase “David took more concubines and wives” (v. 13) indicates more troubles may be in store for the future.
 
Practice:  David realized that it was the Lord who established him as king in his united kingdom. He knew his greatness came only from the Lord, and that staying great meant staying close to God personally and nationally. God was first place in his life, and he wants to make God first place in the nation's life. In your drive for success, income, and position, remember to seek first His kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Matthew 6:33).
 
Pray:  O Lord, convict me when I worry about income and security. Help me grow closer to You in my daily life. 
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​This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com