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

Perceive: After bringing the ark back to Jerusalem and establishing the worship of Yahweh to the national level, David’s realm feels secure and at peace on every side. During this time of physical and spiritual rest from war, David begins to reflect on the ark, the Tent, and his dreams for the future. Thinking this was a great and lofty idea, David shares his vision with his friend and leading prophet Nathan. Like most good friends, Nathan encourages the king to move ahead with his grand idea. Unfortunately, it was his idea and not God’s will, at least for the moment. That night God speaks to Nathan and clearly says no to this plan. God reminds David that even in the absence of an impressive building His people could see and visit, the Lord’s existence amongst Israel was noticeable.
 
Practice:  Considering David was a man after God’s own heart makes this an interesting part of the whole story. David’s job was to unify the tribes and lead Israel in destroying her enemies. This assigned task by the Lord would require David to shed a lot of blood (1 Chronicles 28:3). As history will prove, the Israelites built each temple during a period of peace by a leader who was not a warrior. David’s role is to prepare the way. As we will see in later sections, he is instrumental in helping Solomon finish the project. What are you working to build that is clearly an assignment from the Lord?
 
Pray: Great and mighty God, forgive me for my desire to achieve without first seeing if my actions and plans are part of Your divine calling on my life and ministry. Lead me with an undivided heart.
​​
This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: Continuing to be inspired by the Tent of Meeting and the national surge in worship, David may have penned this psalm during the early days after bringing the ark to Jerusalem. The main theme is that everything belongs to our glorious and eternal King. All who come before Him need to worship and welcome His sovereign rule and reign. The people would sing a psalm of Ascents as they ascended the hill of the Lord (3). The psalm contains three main sections. The first section focuses on God as the creator (1-2). The second section describes the kind of person who can ascend into the temple and presence of God (3-6). The third section focuses on giving the King the rightful glory and worship (7-10). Tradition has it that the people sang this psalm on the first day of each week in the temple services.
 
Practice:  Just like the original readers, we should read and sing the psalms for inspiration, comfort, and correction. If your church records the worship service, consider buying a CD and listening to some praise music and messages in the word while driving in your car or getting ready for work. Another great option is to visit Youtube and listen to psalms set to music. The important point is to connect with the Lord and let the words and songs affect your mind, will, and emotions.
 
Pray:  Thank you mighty God for the psalms of ascent. Help me to ascend to Your throne daily where I can find help in time of plenty and grace in time of need (Hebrews 4:16). ​

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

Perceive: This psalm of David contains two main divisions. The first is to set the standards for kings and leaders (1-4). The King sings of loving kindness, justice, and praises. He seeks an audience with God and walks with integrity. He keeps his eyes pure and his heart from evil. He will remove people who are slanderous, proud, and arrogant. The second section describes the standard for supporters, friends, and followers (5-8). They love their neighbors, live in humility, are faithful to Israel, their walk is blameless, they speak the truth and abhor wickedness. To live and walk in integrity includes human effort and divine influence.
 
Practice:  As king, David would constantly be on the lookout for people who were faithful to Israel as a nation that represents the Lord to the world and sets the example for all of the other nations in life and conduct. His friends and associates were models of godliness and fruitfulness. Paul writes about this need in his letter to the Corinthians where he states, “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Friends and associates can have a profound influence on our lives and character. It is a fact that we become like the people we frequently and increasingly spend time with. If your friends are not faithful to the Lord and His kingdom, get some new friends who love God and are faithful to His word.
 
Pray: O mighty God thank You for my friends in ministry and those at work. Help me to see people as You see them and help us speak into each other's life. 
​
​This devotional challenge comes from The Heart of a Lion - King David of Israel and is available on Amazon.com

Perceive: From the beginning, David’s relationship with Michal is tainted with difficult situations. His wedding dowry should have been a valuable gift. Instead, it was two hundred foreskins (1 Samuel 18:27). His wife should have been a true Israelite. Unfortunately, she was an idol worshipper (1 Samuel 19:13). His first wife should have been his only wife. Instead, he had a harem (2 Samuel 3:2-5). He used his position of power to reclaim their marriage, instead of leaving her in a second relationship where apparently, she was happy with her new husband (2 Samuel 3:14-16). Not being satisfied with multiple wives, David acquired concubines for sexual pleasure (2 Samuel 5:13-16). After she publicly attacks David for his dancing before the Lord, David defends himself. It may seem unfair to the original reader, but Michal's unproductive womb is the result of a curse rather than a husband's neglect.
 
Practice: Michal’s outward actions of anger and disrespect for David underline her lack of respect for the things of God. It is easy to feel empathy for her. She is angry and bitter about the way her life turned out. Bitterness cannot change our circumstances and in fact, makes things worse. If you are in a situation that is a mess, give it to God. As difficult as it may seem, forgiveness is the solution. Let God take the mess and turn it into a miracle.
 
Pray: Lord, I lift to You _________________ and my feelings of anger and growing bitterness. Please take this mess and turn it into a miracle. I cast all my anxiety upon You (1 Peter 5:7).

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

Perceive: In this section of Scripture we see a concluding view and summarization regarding the magnanimous worship service telling who and how they worshiped in the Tent and the tabernacle. Asaph and his relatives were left before the ark to minister there regularly as each day’s work required. Obed-Edom and his sixty-eight relatives ministered with them as gatekeepers. Zadok and his relatives were at the tabernacle at Gibeon to attend to the morning and evening burnt offerings. Heman and Jeduthun and their relatives to give thanksgiving in song and instruments. It ends with everyone dispersing each to his home. Having finished blessing the house of God, David returns home to bless his family household.
 
Practice: In addition to the religious services, each of these people worked as required. Their roles included support and logistical tasks. The composition of Christ's body includes all sorts of people with a varied set of talents and spiritual gifts. For the body to function, all the body parts need to work together (1 Corinthians 12:12). Each of us needs one another. God can use you in ministry regardless of whether you are a preacher, teacher, evangelist. His kingdom needs people who like cleaning, serving, cooking, planning, singing, playing instruments, and praying. Everyone in Christ’s kingdom has a role in the worship and care of the local church.
 
Pray: Thank you Almighty God for creating a team of people in Your kingdom who are required to work together to advance Your will. Help me serve in all the ways You have designed me to live. ​

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

Perceive: Although the author mentions David at the beginning, Aspah may have authored this psalm. He was the leading Levite priest and musician who had firsthand knowledge regarding the ark’s entrance into the Tent and the promotion of national worship. Scholars have several views on what is meant by ascents. The term means to go up. It may be a required song by those who go up to Jerusalem to visit the Temple and confirm their faith in the God who had chosen Zion for his dwelling place. It contains four main sections: David has great desire to promote worship to the Lord (1-5), and emphasizes the need to worship by coming before the Lord, (6-9).  Then he gives the promise that David's sons shall reign before the Lord forever (10-12), and he reminds the reader of God's provision, presence, purpose, and power (13-18).
 
Practice: Although there is never a guarantee of prosperity, it is true that when you honor God, He will honor you. There are numerous ways to honor God. Here are five to consider applying to your life. First, spend time reading and applying God’s Word. Second, consider what you read and pray it back to God, share your heart and soul with Him. Third, seek ways to love the people around you both those in His family and those who need to help to enter His kingdom. Fourth, be productive and wholeheartedly work as though Christ employs you. Fifth and most important, put Christ first (Matthew 6:33).
 
Pray:  O Sovereign Lord, help me to stay faithful and true to Your word and love those You put into my sphere of influence. ​

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

Perceive: This hymn of praise is attributed to David, since it closely resembles his song in 1 Chronicles 16:23-36 when the ark returns to Jerusalem. Most likely David penned this to help the people learn how to praise God and remind them of their need to share truth with other nations. This psalm is divided into four main parts. Worshipers should sing and proclaim the Lord’s salvation and glory (1-3), they are to fear and worship Him in His splendor (4-6) and they are to credit and acknowledge the Lord’s strength and magnificence. They bring Him offerings (7-10), and they recognize His ultimate authority and rule (11-13). Even in the Old Testament, God's people were to worship a majestic God and to witness His salvation.
 
Practice:  Thankfully, all the previous Old Testament forms of worship represented the final sacrifice of Christ. He is now the only way, truth, and life. No one can go to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). True worship begins with individual devotion at the time a man seeks to put Christ on the throne of his heart. If Christ is not supreme in a man’s life all the pomp, flair, sacrifice, and service will not matter. Putting Christ first is the beginning of all true worship that is in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24).
 
Pray:  Great and mighty God, show me when I dethrone You and seek my self will. Help me worship You in spirit and truth.​

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