Perceive: The exact date for writing this psalm is not known; however, based on the content this is a good time frame in the life of David for him to pen these words. David displays devoted trust during times of deep trouble. His life is in jeopardy, and he pours his heart out before the Lord and prays for relief (1-10). He can't see immediate relief in sight, so he acknowledges the greatness of God, asks for lessons in the right way to live (11-13), and prays for a sign of God's goodness (14-17). He knows God answers prayer.
 
Practice: Sometimes the troubles in life are so great that all we can do is cry out to God for mercy, forgiveness, relief, and restitution. When relief is slow to come, we can acknowledge the goodness of God and wait for His answers. He will always answer prayers, but not always in our desired time frame or in our desired way.  Peter's words echo this principle, "Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." What anxieties do you need to cast on Him? What troubles are you facing that need heartfelt prayer?
 
Pray: O mighty God, You are always good and right when You act or delay an act when it is in my best interest.

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

Perceive: Perceiving that Absalom and his army would soon arrive, David numbers his troops and then divides them into three companies.  He places his three top leaders Joab, Abishai, and Ittai as their commanders. Whatever tactic Absalom and Amasa used in their approach, David’s men would be able to respond and help one another. David wanted to lead from the front, but the people told him to stay in the city where he was somewhat safe behind its walls. They knew that Absalom’s soldiers would make going after the king their top priority. If David stayed in the city, he would be somewhat safe, and he could send out support if it were needed. David accepted their conclusions, he didn’t want to fight his son, but neither did he want the army to kill a rebellious Absalom!
 
Practice: Once again David is reminded of his failures as a man and as a parent. He knows this is God’s divine will for his life, and it breaks his heart. In serving the body of Christ in a local church, we need to do things, sometimes tough and difficult things, for the King’s sake and glory. Doing tough things include administering church discipline to those who are clearly sexually immoral, filled with anger, spite, gossip, or lie, cheat, and commit adultery. God’s will often require His servants to do tough work (2 Timothy 2:1-7).
 
Pray: My Lord and my God, strengthen me for the battles of life. Enable me to see You in the midst of everything I face. 

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

Perceive: David and his entourage arrive at Mahanaim. Mahanaim is where Ish-bosheth was crowned king (2 Samuel 2:8-9), and centuries earlier, it is where Jacob saw the army of angels God sent to protect him (Genesis 32:1-2). This time, it is a place where more good friends of David provide very much needed supplies, which include beds for rest, food for the people, and food for the herds of animals. No doubt the trek through the wilderness made them all hungry, weary, and thirsty. Back in Jerusalem, Absalom places Amasa as head of the army of Israel. He is Joab’s cousin (1 Chronicles 2:16-17), and David’s nephew. On the march, the king and his new army set up camp in Gilead. The stage is set for the final conflict.
 
Practice: In a scene much like the US civil war, we find family members pitted against each other in this fight for life. It is a sad day when a son, an uncle or cousin raises a weapon, and intentionally seeks an opportunity to kill a blood relative. No doubt David felt his situation was horrific. What a blessing it must have been to look up and see three of his friends bringing a massive amount of desperately needed supplies. When was the last time you expended some resources for a brother or sister in dire need?
 
Pray: Great and mighty God, enable me always to watch for others who need help and to allow Your will and influence to show me where to look and act as a generous servant.​

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

Perceive: Hushai immediately exercises the spy network that David had put in place by sharing his advice. The two runners are dispatched with a critical message to keep moving. If Absalom changed his mind and took Ahithophel’s advice, the situation would be disastrous.  No doubt with tensions high and the new kingdom just getting established, anyone seen leaving the city would be suspicious. A young man eager to gain points with the new king, tells Absalom and he sends guards to find them. Finding refuge in a well, they wait until the situation is clear and then report all Hushai’s intelligence to David. David acts on the info and immediately crosses the Jordan. Meanwhile, Ahithophel recognizes Absalom would be defeated, so rather than face the consequences for his treason, he kills himself.
 
Practice: Throughout the history of King David, we see God working in the complexities of life including conspiracies, revolutions, and betrayals. It is a strange and marvelous attribute of God that He uses everything to accomplish His will. He can influence the mind of any person or change the heart of someone evil. There is a fine line between the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man. It is a marvelous mystery. How are you allowing Him to influence your mind, will, and emotions?
 
Pray: Heavenly Father, heal me of my wounds, help me in my distress, and fill me with Your inward abiding presence. I know You are at work in all the complexities of my life. ​

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

Perceive: Apparently, Hushai was not in the room when Ahithophel gave his sound advice. After being called into the new king’s presence, Hushai is quick to think on his feet and gives Absalom a plan of action that appeals to the young man’s ego while giving David and his men time to rest. First, he rebuts Ahithophel’s counsel. Then he reminds them all that David was a great tactician, a mighty warrior, and fearless. His men were all seasoned combat veterans, ready to attack enemies and defend David. It would be better for the new king to assemble a new large army and lead it himself. No doubt Absalom visualized the military might and his great victory. Fortunately, God was in the business of hearing prayers and answering them according to His will. The council accepted Hushai’s plan as their best option.
 
Practice:  Pride is the downfall of many individuals. Absalom’s life wreaked of pride. He had fifty men run before his horse driven chariot and he boasted of being a better judge than anyone else. He was handsome from head to toe. Hushai knew this and gave him advice that flattered his vanity. Solomon would later write, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” If Satan were to look at your life, what areas of pride would he flatter?
 
Pray: O Lord, my God, help me see myself as You see me. If You need to humble me, please be gentle and apply Your corrections in small increments. Help me stay in Your word and sense Your presence in my life. ​

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

Perceive: Psalm 3 was a morning song. Psalm 4 is an evening song. Both psalms tend to deal with similar situations in David’s life. David is in distress over his foes who are numerous (1, 6). He wants a correct mind, will, and emotions when he lays down at night (4, 8). The overall psalm contains four sections. The first section is his supplication (1, 6). The second section describes his shame, concerns about his reputation, and his desire for God’s protection (2-3). The third section describes his exhortations. In your anger do not sin (4). Offer right sacrifices and trust in the Lord (5). The fourth section describes his faith in God who enables him to have joy and peace (7).
 
Practice:  It is easy to contemplate the bad things of a day at the end of an evening. When we focus on the negative, we often forget the positive which includes His Spirit filling us with joy and happiness. Happiness is sometimes an elusive thing to grasp but not thankfulness. In counseling circles, people are encouraged to write down four to five different things daily that make them feel thankful. Even during his struggles, David identifies actions taken and attributes revealed of the Lord his God. Take a few minutes to consider how God worked in your life today, write them down, and give Him thanksgiving. We have much to be thankful for.
 
Pray: Awesome God, You have done so much in my life. Thank You for Your grace and mercy. Thank You for touching my life. Thank You for filling me with Your presence.​

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

Perceive: Having established himself as the king by taking over the royal residence, Absalom turns his focus to making sure his father and his followers would never return and take back the kingdom. Having fed his flesh, he now feeds his thirst for blood by seeking, finding, and then killing his father. So, he turns to his counselors for help. Knowing that David and his men were skilled and seasoned combat veterans, Ahithophel gives advice that would maximize the potential for a military victory. There were three parts to his plan. Part one – deploy an overwhelming show of force using twelve thousand troops. Part two – seek this opportunity while there is an element of surprise. Part three – once the people scatter, kill King David. The survivors would be led back to Jerusalem. It was a good plan that pleased Absalom and all the elders.
 
Practice: Plans are good when you base them on a solid understanding of Scripture and when they achieve a godly purpose. Humanly speaking, if Absalom followed Ahithophel’s plan, the life and reign of his father were over. It is a good plan to have an abundance of counselors, but those counselors need to have a biblical basis and godly motives for their advice. Paul writes, “Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” (1 Corinthians 15:33).
 
Pray: O Lord, You are the greatest friend a man can have. Help me to see those brothers who are my true friends who have godly character. Help us to become better men who serve You. ​

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

Perceive: As soon as possible Hushai seeks access to the new king’s office, and there pledges a fake fealty. Being in Absalom’s court was Hushai’s time to be God’s man with the sole purpose to frustrate the wise counsel of Ahithophel. Being satisfied with Hushai’s pledge of loyalty, he lets him enter the court. Absalom then seeks the advice of his key advisor, Ahithophel. When a new king took over, it was normal and somewhat expected to receive the previous king’s wives and harem, so Absalom took Ahithophel’s advice and slept with David’s ten concubines. Through this act, he was letting his followers know there was no turning back with this revolution. He also fulfilled Nathan’s prophecy given during his rebuke for David’s sins (2 Samuel12:11-12).
 
Practice: Anyone who slept with a king’s wife or concubine was, in essence, making their claim to the throne. It was considered an act of treason. Absalom in his quest for power, did not hesitate to sleep with his father’s concubines. Sleeping with his father's concubines was his first act of power in letting the people know he was the new king. Again David who sowed the wind is now reaping a whirlwind. David was on a roof when he eyed Bathsheba and committed adultery in the palace. Now Absalom is on the palace roof having unlawful sex with David’s concubines. Oh, how God is not mocked, a man reaps what he sows (Galatians 6:7).
 
Pray: Father, show me where I need to stop my sin before I reap the consequences.​

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

Perceive: This is the first time we see the word psalm in the content of a psalm. Psalms are poems set to musical accompaniment originally on the harp an instrument that David was talented in playing (1 Samuel 16:23). Scripture credits David as the author for all but three of the psalms in book 1 (1-44). Exceptions include 1, 10 and 33. As the title reveals, David wrote this when he fled from Absalom, his son. He may have written while he was refreshed and worshiped, or the next morning when he awoke after a long tiring evening. It is in three sections. The first section describes his feelings about this rebellion and betrayal (1-2). The second section affirms his trust and faith in God’s sovereignty and answers to his prayers (3-4). The third section describes the time he may have written this psalm and his anticipated salvation and victory (5-8).
 
Practice: David wrote this psalm while he was running for his life and the life of his subjects. His son was out for blood, along with a host of other traitors. These were dire circumstances. When our situation goes from safety to danger, right to wrong, or lifting us up to putting us down, it is tempting to think God is also against us. In this psalm, David reminds the reader that when everything seems to go against you, God is still for you. If your fortune and favor have turned out for the worst, seek God don’t blame Him. He is always available in your day of trouble.
 
Pray: O great and mighty God, thank You for who You are in all my circumstances and situations in life. 

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

Perceive: Continuing with his escape plans, David and his entourage encounter Shimei. Shimei, a member of the house of Saul, displays severe hatred and abhorrence for David by cursing his life and pelting his body. It is interesting to note that Ziba told lies, and Shimei threw stones, both made the situation worse. The ever so brash warrior Abishai was ready and willing to kill Shimei, but David restrained him. David believed God was speaking through Shimei as he was reaping the consequences of the sins he had sown in the past. Although in a difficult spot at this point in his life, David was trusting that God would deliver justice to the likes of his rebellious son Absalom, and the loudmouth Shimei.
 
Practice: David’s attitude was one of submission when he allowed Shimei to call him names and throw things at him. Surrounded by his mighty men, he lives out what he previously shared that he would accept anything the Lord sent to him (15:26). His behavior is a wonderful testimony of a man who trusts in the Lord. In a Christ-like manner, he restrains from retaliation, and entrusts his situation into the hands of God. In the New Testament, Peter writes, “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.” (1 Peter 2:23). So should all of us.
 
Pray: Great and Mighty God, enable me to be a man who rightly sees when to act and when not to react to insults from my enemies. 

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