Perceive: Once again Israel was at war with Ammon and it’s during springtime. Rather than leading his men, David was home enjoying time away from the stress of war. Unfortunately, he allowed himself to get isolated from his mighty men and band-of-brothers. When he should have been on the battlefield, he is home lying on his bed. Instead of setting a strong example on the front lines, he is indulging his flesh with 2000 BC porn on top of his roof. After seeing a naked woman his mind gives birth to lust, and his lust leads him to sin. He inquires about who she is, sends for her, and then sleeps with her. Unfortunately, for him, she ends up pregnant.
 
Practice: David should have left his rooftop and fled this temptation. He was careless in allowing his eyes to wander and then yield to the lust of his flesh. All men must learn to control the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life (1 John 2:15-16). Otherwise, their evil desires drag them away into a world of enticement and slavery. After a desire is ill-conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown gives birth to death (James 1:14-15). If you have never developed a sexual purity plan, this story is a great example of why men need accountability, community, and spiritual locks on their eyes. A sexual purity plan puts all three in place. You can find a sample plan at the back of the printed book or click this link...
 
Pray: O great and mighty God, give me strength and courage to flee the lusts of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. ​

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

Perceive: Realizing that David will be greatly offended, Hanun and the Ammonites set about hiring mercenaries from Mesopotamia, Maacah, and Zobah. This military force comprises Aramean troops as well as Ammonites, who are all prepared for battle. One group fights from the city while the other from the field. Realizing they needed a good plan and the presence of God, Joab, and Abishai prepare to fight on two fronts. Joab enacts a flexible battle plan where one brother would come and help the other depending on how the battle progressed, and then he committed the outcome to God. Joab leads and wins this battle, but the war is not over. The Ammonites massed together another coalition of soldiers using nearby troops. In this battle with the Ammonites, David leads his nation to a sound victory. Unfortunately, some remain alive.
 
Practice:  Hanun spent an enormous amount of money in reacting to a horrible mistake rather than admitting he blew it, ask for forgiveness, and hope for mercy. David was clearly the mightier of the two countries. Like Hanun, it often costs us more to execute a cover-up for errors than to humbly admit our wrongs. A godly man seeks forgiveness and reconciliation when he knows he is in the wrong or makes a mistake. Seeking forgiveness, reconciliation, and where necessary restitution, will save you a lot of heartache and pain.
 
Pray: O Lord, I know admitting my mistakes is humbling. Help me to do justice and love kindness and to walk humbly with You.
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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: There are all sorts of opportunities for men to demonstrate kindness to others including national leaders. In this case, David seeks to maintain diplomatic relations with the son of a loyal neighboring leader. The friendship between David and Nahash, the Ammonite king, most likely occurred because of a common hostility toward Saul (1 Samuel 11; 14:47). After receiving David's delegation, Hanun was suspicious that this act of kindness was a cover for some future military action. Furthermore, his young and unseasoned nobles interpreted the visit as an attempt to gather intelligence to (or “intending to”) attack Ammonite territory. Consequently, they humiliate these men by cutting off clothes and removing beards. This act was a huge insult in near eastern culture.
 
Practice:  Clearly Hanun and his nobles misread David’s intentions. David acted in kindness, while Hanun acted out of suspicion. When we have a track history of bad experiences, it may make it easy to be overly suspicious of others. Consequently, we end up questioning every move and second-guessing every motive. Jesus said, “So be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16). Do you assume the best or the worst in people?
 
Pray:  Great and mighty God, give me eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to understand the people You bring into my life. I want to see them as You see them.
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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: Having a bit of rest, he remembers his promise to his best friend Jonathan and asks his cabinet if there is anyone alive in Jonathan’s household. After learning that his best friend had a son who was crippled early in life, he has him brought from his home in Lo Debar to the palace. Not only does he put Mephibosheth at ease, but he turns over the entire estate of King Saul and all the dead descendants over to his only living grandson. Ziba, the servant, is given the role of administrating on behalf of Mephibosheth. From then on Jonathan’s son lived in Jerusalem near to David’s home so he could be part of the family and eat at the king's personal table. It was quite an honor and turn of fortune.
 
Practice: David’s behavior toward Mephibosheth demonstrates the kind of leader who keeps his word and honors his commitments. He continues to prove himself worthy to be the king by his kindness. Kindness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). David recognized that kindness to others is rooted in God’s kindness to His people. As the Holy Spirit flows in our lives, He motivates us to love others and to practice good deeds. How are you at showing kindness to others in your sphere of influence or with someone who cannot profit you in any way?
 
Pray: O Lord, help me to see where You would have me act and lead me in showing kindness to others.

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

Perceive: David wrote this psalm after he and Joab struck down thousands of Edomites in the Valley of Salt (2 Samuel 8:13). The exact meaning of the term miktam of David is not known. Some scholars think it may have meant teaching. Apparently, Israel lost a previous battle and is looking for God to restore and lead them to victory (10-12). David’s lament contains five parts: It opens with a description of the nation under God’s judgment (1–4) and then gives a prayer for His salvation (5). These thoughts lead to an assurance that God reigns (6–8), before listing the nation’s complaint (9–10), and then ends with a prayer for help (11–12). Although this psalm complains of God's seeming abandonment, it is also a prayer for victory.
 
Practice: Real help and real healing come from God alone. The closer we get and the deeper we know the Lord, the more our enemies will attack us physically and spiritually. Men and women who are strong in their faith can become threatening to people who are evil and self-seeking. Do not let the enemies of the Lord, hinder you from doing what God has called you to do. If you know strong and courageous people, hang out with them. You become like the people who spend time with you. Resolve today to spend more time with courageous friends.
 
Pray: O Lord show me where I allow the world, the flesh, and the devil to hinder me from wholly serving You. Strengthen me in the battles of life and help me seek out godly relationships. 
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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: The theme of this psalm is to praise God after a victory in battle. David sets a great example for us. Every time God answers our prayers for victory, we need to thank Him for His help.  The psalm contains two main sections. The first section regards David and the way God worked in his life (1-6). The second section tells how God will work to capture and destroy David's enemies (7-12). It ends with a verse that exalts the Lord and gives Him praise. 
 
Practice: Having an attitude of gratitude may sound like a platitude, but it’s still true. As God’s people, we need to be thankful for all He provides. This kind of thankfulness includes our home, position, wealth, and talent. The important aspect is to recognize God has you at this point and place in your life. He has given you time, talents, and treasure to reinvest in His kingdom. When you are thankful for what He provides, you will use them for His glory.
 
Pray: Father in heaven, forgive me for all the times I take Your provision for granted. Thank You for all the blessings You have poured into my life.
Psalm 21
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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: Allies are great to have and especially when the enemy of my enemy is my friend. In this case, Toi king of Hamath is elated with David’s growing power over their mutual enemy Hadadezer, and sends his son with gifts of silver, gold, and bronze, all which David dedicates to the Lord. As a warrior king, he kills more Arameans, puts up strongholds in Edom, and continues to have God’s presence and influence wherever he goes. The early reign of David showed his exemplary administration of justice over all Israel and opened the way for the Lord’s blessing to fall on the land.
 
Practice:  As David operated to please God, he also pleased the people he ruled. In far too many instances those who seek popularity seldom achieve it at the level they want. When you do what is true before God and before men, you are doing the right thing. In this way, you will earn respect for your beliefs.
 
Pray: Great and mighty God, help me to continue to live and work as though I am living and working for You and not men. ​

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

Perceive: David’s power as king and warrior continues to grow. After his military victories, he takes control of the cities and the land, thereby expanding his kingdom. At one point, he had peaceful relations with Moab, but at this point in his story, he puts to death a significant number of people. Tradition holds that he reacted to the killing of his aging parents. He further conquers Rehob of Zobah and the Arameans which give him ongoing taxes. Furthermore, he acquires horses for chariots, gold for more wealth, bronze for metal work and shields. No doubt the metal could be used for increasing weapons for warfare and materials for working the land. Throughout all his expansion campaigns, the Lord helps him wherever he goes.
 
Practice:  Part of God’s covenant with David included the promise that the Israelites enemies would be defeated if the nation stayed on course. God helped David defeat Israel’s enemies, and He will help us with our battles as well. One way is to seek His power and presence daily. We all have battles, and we all need to feel God is with us in the things we face.
 
Pray:  O Lord, my God, fill me with Your presence today and help me with my battle of ____________________________.

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

Perceive: After hearing an oracle from the prophet Nathan, David goes in and sits before the Lord where he pours out a heartfelt response that is one of the most moving prayers in Scripture. In some ways, it has a hint of a psalm. His prayer revolves around three aspects of the Lord's reign over Israel. The first is an expression of gratitude for the present time (18-21). The second is an expression of praise for God's actions and work in the past (22-24). The third is a request for fulfillment of the promises in the future (25-29). David's response shows how much he recognized the greatness of God.
 
Practice: David realized the Lord God gave him and his descendants all these blessings so that all of Israel would benefit from them. The Davidic covenant would also fulfill the promises given to Abraham that all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3). Find some time today to sit and listen to the Lord. During your break, read these passages and pray them back to God. If you think about it, we have an abundance of blessings and God is deserving of Thanksgiving now and forever.
 
Pray: O great and mighty God, thank You for the life of Christ and rich abundance of blessings You have poured out to everyone who worships the Lord Jesus Christ. 
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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: The Lord reminds David that He has raised him from being a shepherd of sheep to the ruler of His people, He has been the source of all his military victories and is Lord over all the history and existence of Israel. And though God tells David no to the physical temple, he says yes to an eternal dynasty with several distinct promises. Going once again through the prophet Nathan, the Lord lays out the Davidic covenant. This covenant contains three parts: a dynastic line though David's family, an everlasting kingdom, and someone to sit on the throne for eternity. This covenant gave the people of Israel hope in a greater David. All these promises will be fulfilled in and through the life of Christ, a descendant of David who now sits on the throne.
 
Practice: Sometimes our plans are small when compared to God’s plans. David wanted to build a temple; God wanted to create an eternal dynasty. His promise of a greater temple that lasts for eternity must have made David’s heart fill with joy. As we know, Jesus Christ ultimately fulfilled these promises. He will reign for eternity now in a spiritual kingdom and eventually in a new Jerusalem. As reigning Lord, He offers the gift of eternal life to all who truly repent and believe. If God is saying no to something you are asking, take a look around you and see what may be a greater yes. Accepting God’s no takes as much faith as it does to fulfill His yes.
 
Pray: Help me O Lord to accept Your will for my life, no matter what it involves.
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This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com