2 Samuel 22:21-31 - The Righteousness of David

2 Samuel 22:21-31

The Lord has treated me in accordance with my righteousness;

In accordance with the cleanliness of my hands He has repaid me.

For I have kept the ways of the Lord,

And have not acted wickedly against my God.

(verse 21-22)

Message: The Righteousness of David

Time: Second Samuel is set in the land of Israel during the reign of David and follows the course of his forty years as king of Israel (1011–971 BC). It chronicles the establishment of the Davidic dynasty and the expansion of Israel under God’s chosen leader. 

What the Lord is Saying: I continue to study this song of deliverance as the author of 2 Samuel describes it in verse 1 - “David spoke the words of this song to the Lord on the day that the Lord had saved him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul." Yesterday the words were directed to God on what he had done in delivering Saul from his enemies. It is all about what God has done for those he has called. The Lord is my refuge. I call upon him. The Lord of great power works and comes to me and rescued me. 

I studied this yesterday in great detail, looking up each line on this site: https://biblehub.com/study/2_samuel/22-2.htm and seeing what it said about the verse. I did this and yet at the same time there was a little disconnect because I have not experienced being victorious in a battle of flesh and blood and then coming out the victor. I appreciate the psalm or song. I resonate with the words. But their is a lofty-ness to them that is sort of unrelatable to me. 

David spends much time speaking of how great God is in rescuing David from his enemies. 

As I now turn to this section - verse 21 to 31 - I see how David responds to the Lord. It reminds me of Ephesians 2:8-10: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”

God gives us a great gift of being on our side. He extends to us grace. And then in response to saving us - extending the righteousness of His son to us so that we can be declared righteous by God - we then respond to God with works of righteousness. And with deeds of righteousness we see good outcomes and not so good outcomes. 

David here in these verses is responding to the Lord with works of righteousness. David has not been perfect by any means. He has had selfish moments - taking peoples lives and committing adultery — and yet this doesn’t disqualify him of any form of living righteous and seeing the fruit of that good behavior. 

When I live righteous and live a clean life (verse 21) keeping God’s ways (verse 22), not deviating from His commands (verse 23) keeping myself from wrongdoing (verse 24), God repays me according to my righteous living (verse 25). 

I have been studying Proverbs and Solomon contrasts living in a righteous way to living wicked and with each kind of living there are results and consequences or repayments. 

In Verses 26 - 27 David summarizes this about God - live in a way that honors God and be honored. 

Verse 28 reminds us that God saves His people. But for those that are not His will receive His wrath. 

Verse 29 — “For You are my lamp, Lord;
And the Lord illuminates my darkness” 

God has a covenant relationship between God and His people. He lights my way. God transforms me from darkness to light. Hope, deliverance, and God’s presence in times of trouble.  

Because of God my foes are defeated and weakened (verse 30). 

God is perfect.  He is blameless (verse 31). praise God for the refuge we have in Him. He protects those who trust in Him. 

Summary: David continues his song to God showing how his righteous living results in good outcomes. 

Promise. God promises to be faithful to faithful people. 

Prayer: Lord you have saved me. I see this Lord though at times I really don’t understand it that in your divine grace you choose me to be your representative on this earth. I think you for this life that you have given me. I am grateful for the riches of blessings that you provide, the entertainment choices, the beautiful scenery in nature that is pleasing to her eye, the joy of being with others, but also the joy of working in ways that you have gifted me, and seeing the good results of that labor. Keep teaching me how to honor you with good works and walk in those good works. You deliver me from sin. you are a great guide, and your power is known throughout this land, and I recognize it and see it. Help me to see it more. And help me to know how to extend it to others and extend your message of hope to others. Help me to be more vocal.

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Deuteronomy 29:29 - Defining the Will of God

Deuteronomy 29:29 - “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law."

Message: Defining the Will of God

Time: Moses wrote the Book of Deuteronomy. It is a collection of sermons given during the 40-day period prior to Israel’s entering the Promised Land. He restates the Law to a new generation and provides a discourse on how to live a blessed life in the Promised Land. The year was 1406 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying: Last night, a friend asked me, "Why do things happen the way they happen on earth?" It was an interesting question and yet a question I responded we should ask right now. It speaks to today's lesson about the will of God on earth. Man looks at life and ponders. Why do things happen like they do? Is it all random? Or is there a plan or order? When the God dilemma is mention, most people tend to look at God and his/her own life with this idea of "what have you done for me?" It is natural. We are on this earth, living, and breathing. We are working and doing. But we are very "me" focused on this earth. And the question of God is much of the time about how He interacts with me and helps me. So when life messes up my life or works in a way I don't understand, we respond with, "Why?" 

The more I live life, the more I see that life is about God rather than life being about self. And yet we live in a very self-centered world. Often, we are fine with God as long as all of our needs are met. It is like there are two lines, one line being our life and another line our life with God and at various times those lines may intersect but overall we are living two lines. As I grow, I see that the lines should be on top of one another and the line of God should be on top at all times which means who He is and what He wants is of most important. 

In this passage of scripture, Tabletalk distinguishes between revealed will and secret will. The verse mentions "secret things" and "things revealed." More specifically, the will of God overall is being referenced here. Things revealed are things we know from scripture: God's commands, His gospel, His Law, His promises. In other words, what He has told us in Scripture. I need to always run back to scripture for it is God's letter to me. He has placed in the letter instructions and what I need to know. But I need to remember, it is all about Him so what He describes to Me is what is pleasing to Him. Yet He created me and this world, so I can trust in Him. 

Psalm 119:105 - Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
Psalm 143:10 - Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!

The key to these verses is these ideas of God. His Word defines my path and the light. And my focus is to be on His will. And also the great promise that the Spirit will lead me. So life and living is from the framework of God - my lamp for my path led by the Spirit. He defines me. 

Beyond "things revealed," there are "secret things" or what God is doing throughout History or His eternal plan for creation. 

Ephesians 1:11 - In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will

God has a purpose and it His job to work all things according to His will. I think the hard part is His will includes things that He does not find pleasing. I think this is a hard thing for man to reconcile, that God allows suffering and evil to occur. To man, this is unfair. And also it is hard when good people don't do well at times in live while bad people prosper. Or why do two good people have different outcomes? Again, we stop and stare and wonder why does it seem to not make sense to me. Yet, God says in His word He has a purpose. He ordains these things throughout life so that He can work in and through them for our good and His glory, both of which He does find pleasing in themselves. 

In these verses, notice what is not mentioned: "what I want" or "my will." See, I think the important thing in life is over time to push out my desires so that my desires become what He wants. And then I am more than willing to trust Him for what I don't know. As a father and mother, we lead and provide a lamp to our children, but we are mostly their guide. They don't need to know all the details of how dad and mom earn and manage the household. They need to simply take care of that which has been revealed to them. At various times, the will of the child gets in the way and the father and mother will need to correct the child. The child is getting off course and must be steered back. The child is often in discovery mode and asking a lot of questions. Sometimes the parent will answer and provide explanations, but at other times, the parent will respond with, "Because I said so." As children we need to be able to trust all of these replies. Parent, "Do what I say and let me take care of the overarching plan." God says the same thing. 

One thing to remember is we are people focused on information. We want to know, but we must remember always we are God's children as His children what is important is our path. This is why I always go back to Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

Summary: God has two wills in a way - a revealed will or what we can know for the path we walk on and his secret will, what He knows and we can trust Him. 

Promise: The right way to pursue the will of God for our lives is to ask, what is pleasing to Him? 

Prayer: O God, thank you again for the clarity of your word. Keep reminding me that I am always your child, at times only needing to know the path and the light of it, at times understanding, but always trusting. Keep my focus on You and help this world be defined by You, not me. You will still give me things I need and want and will provide me lots of enjoyment. There is so much goodness of this world that you have provided for me. Help me to others focus on what I have, never on what I don't have. Be glorified always. 

Mark 4:21-23 - Secrets Made Manifest

Mark 4:21-23
21 And He was saying to them, “A lamp is not brought to be put under a basket, is it, or under a bed? Is it not brought to be put on the lampstand? 22 For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it would come to light. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”

Message: Secrets Made Manifest

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Following the explanation of the parable of the sower, Mark provides words from Jesus that emphasize the seed (the Word) that the sower drops. He calls to mention the Lamp and in Psalm 119:105 it says Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet. Jesus here remarks on the purpose of the lamp - Is it not brought to be put on the lampstand? It's purpose is to light our way. It is placed in our life and meant to light our way throughout each day. The sun provides us light during the day, the lamp during the night, thus we have a light with us all day. A lamp is brought to us. The Word of God has been carried to us, passed on through generations and has a valuable place in our lives.

As Jesus did in the parable of the sower, he presents the sower, but doesn't name the sower. And here in these verses he also doesn't name any person specifically but instead makes a general statement and then concludes with if anyone has ears to hear, let him hear. That last statement seems to mean that this is a statement that is meant for all people. It doesn't just explain Jesus' mission on earth.

This is second time he mentions the phrase he who has ears, let him hear. As I remarked previously, some peoples ears are there to respond, to defend, to correct, but here Jesus says specifically some ears are there to hear.

Verse 22 is a verse that has been dissected over the years and taking a very full meaning. It says For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it would come to light. I believe I have heard different religions teach that this means we are to understand every tit and tattle, every word of our Bible and they have worked to do this. But Solomon said that everything is appropriate in its own time and I think there are times and seasons for the understanding of God's word. As Jesus speaks of the lamp shining our way I think this verse speaks to the fact that God's word has application to every area of our life. We often will say, "The Bible doesn't speak on that subject" and yet I think that is wrong. Everything has something that will come to light through the reading of the Word. The Word can be trusted.

And also the Word of God is not meant for just a few, but for all. It is not to be a secret book for certain people, but application for all of our lives. I think there is a reason the 10 commandments were put up before our courts at the beginning of our country - because they realized that even with the separation of Church and State, the Word of God, it's commandments have application to every human person. The breakdown of society is intensified as those commandments are ignored.

We can also be thankful for the way in which the Word of God has been translated throughout our globe, often by Wycliffe Bible Translators, into so many different languages, because it is to be revealed to all people. It is not a secret to certain groups. But the rich help the poor and give them greater understanding. How exciting to see that the Word of God continues to have an impact on people's lives.

11.16.2022 - I also see another application possibly for this verse. As we are sharing truth, the gospel with people, people that have ears to hear will hear. This message will result in people following it. We don't need to be concerned that it won't. But we also have a responsibility to study and understand it. 

Promise: Jesus is the lamp that has entered the world in order to preach the gospel and provide illumination to the people - everywhere.

Prayer: Lord, help me to never think that I never graduate from the reading of Your Word. There is always something new to behold. Thank you for the way in which your Holy Spirit speaks through the Word and provides Christian authors insight concerning it. I want to always be a tutor of Your Word.

Psalm 132:11:18 - A Throne and Temple in Zion

Psalm 132:11:18

¹¹ The Lord has sworn to David a truth from which He will not turn back: “Of the fruit of your body I will set upon your throne.
¹² “If your sons will keep My covenant and My testimony which I will teach them, their sons also shall sit upon your throne forever.”

¹³ For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His habitation.
¹⁴ “This is My resting place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it.
¹⁵ “I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her needy with bread.
¹⁶ “Her priests also I will clothe with salvation, and her godly ones will sing aloud for joy.
¹⁷ “There I will cause the horn of David to spring forth; I have prepared a lamp for Mine anointed.
¹⁸ “His enemies I will clothe with shame, but upon himself his crown shall shine.”

Message: A Throne and Temple in Zion

Time: Based upon authorship and subject matter, Psalms cover a range of centuries. David is mentioned 73 times, Solomon 2, Moses 1, and 50 designate no specific person. It is believed they were compiled around 537 BC. The psalms deal with such subjects as God and His creation, war, worship, wisdom, sin and evil, judgment, justice, and the coming of the Messiah.

What the Lord is Saying: I enjoyed the first 10 verses of this chapter, thinking about worship and the sacrifice of David took in his life of building a temple and taking an oath to focus on a place of worship. Now, as a move through these verses, using the Phillips books I have on the Psalms, there are 4 Promises: Regarding the Scepter, the Sanctuary, the Saints, and the Site. 

The Scepter (the Lord will govern righteously and enforce righteous behavior)
The Lord has sworn to David a truth from which He will not turn back. Hezekiah had taken care of the temple, now he mentions the promise or oath the Lord had made to David's dynasty. It was a bold statement, for Hezekiah was making it at a time he was childless. 

Of the fruit of your body (David) I will set upon your throne. If your sons will keep My covenant and My testimony which I will teach them, their sons also shall sit upon your throne forever. Hezekiah's father was not a good man (Ahaz). Ahaz reigned over Judah from 741-726. Ahaz was a man of idolatry. Hezekiah would reign for 29 years over Judah. In 2 Samuel 7:16, God's promise to David and his throne was unconditional, meaning David didn't have to do anything to get it. God made a promise to him without any work required of David, "Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever." (David was the 2nd king of Judah around 1000). After David was Solomon from about 970 to 931 BCE. Solomon's promise was conditional - And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life. - I Kings 3:14. Did Hezekiah wonder about this? David had 2 surviving sons from Bathsheba - Solomon and Nathan. Solomon's descendants included Hezekiah. Hezekiah's sons included Jeconiah (also called Jehoiachin and his name later shortened to Coniah). Jeconiah had 11 sons but none of them took on the throne and thus, the royal line to Christ though Solomon came to an end. Solomon's line is traced to Joseph. But David's other son Nathan, the legal line, is traced to Mary.

Could it be that Hezekiah, knowing what kind of father he had, wondered if the promise of God was still unconditional?

The Sanctuary
For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His habitation. Zion is the final resting place of the Ark, in Moriah. This is My resting place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it. God's resting place, as he states is Zion, not in a Muslim mosque. I will abundantly bless her provision; I will satisfy her needy with bread. The result of this place will be abundant and complete satisfying (possibly pointing to the Messiah). 

The Saints
Her priests also I will clothe with salvation, and her godly ones will sing aloud for joy. Here is a promise to the priests and that they would be made righteous, or have salvation. Before ministering, a man must be right with God and man. Again, these are now words from the Lord. Hezekiah makes this switch in verse in verse 14 and it continues to the end of this Psalm. God will make man righteous. He clothes them with salvation. And the response of man is singing with joy. 

The Site
There I will cause the horn of David to spring forth; I have prepared a lamp for Mine anointed. These verses continue to speak of the product of the temple residing in Zion, God residing in Zion: The Horn of David (The Messiah) will spring forth. A light or a lamp will shine forth for the anointed. I wonder what Hezekiah thought. He may have thought this would come from his seed. But, his seed would actually end this. Manasseh would come from his seed and Manasseh was not good. So these are words of confidence from the Lord, the Lord has prepared a lamp for His anointed.  

His enemies I will clothe with shame, but upon himself his crown shall shine. The dreadful things said of the Lord's enemies will be exposed and judged. There will be shame. Yet Jesus, the Lord, will be crowned. 

Promise:  This Psalm chronicles the Davidic covenant, as seen through Hezekiah and what Hezekiah put his hope and trust in. And it what I put my hope and trust in.

Prayer: Thank you Lord for your promises, that they never end. You fulfill them, even if at times, we think they may come about in our own way. Thank you for salvation and making us right before You, making us righteous and clean. Thank you for your promise and how it is interwoven throughout time. Thank you for the anticipation of the Messiah, to take away the sin of the world. There is hope in You. 

Psalm 119:105-112 - A Lamp to Our Feet

Psalm 119:105-112

¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.
¹⁰⁶ I have sworn and I will confirm it,
That I will keep Your righteous ordinances.
¹⁰⁷ I am exceedingly afflicted;

Revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.
¹⁰⁸ O accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord,
And teach me Your ordinances.
¹⁰⁹ My life is continually in my hand,
Yet I do not forget Your law.
¹¹⁰ The wicked have laid a snare for me,
Yet I have not gone astray from Your precepts.
¹¹¹ I have inherited Your testimonies forever,
For they are the joy of my heart.
¹¹² I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes
Forever, even to the end.

Message: A lamp to our feet

Time: The psalms were written by many different people across a period of a thousand years in Israel's history. They are thought to have been compiled and put together in their present form by some unknown editor shortly after the captivity ended about 537 B.C.

What the Lord is Saying:

I am reminded always of Amy Grant's song, "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path. Nothing will I fear, as long as you are near. You are right beside me." Its a fitting verse for this passage, reminding me that the intent of God's word is to give me a personal lamp and then to light my path. As I walk, I can continue to trust Him (v. 105).

As I walk on the path I will keep Your righteous ordinances (v. 106). This is important. This is my pledge to God that he lights and I walk according to his ways. Keep training and those near me to walk in this manner.

The Psalmist writes in v. 107 that he is greatly afflicted. This could be pain and suffering and it could be something affecting his health. Revive me, O Lord, according to Your word. I am revived according to God's word. It keeps me in check. The Word of God encourages me and and revives me, pulling me up from the state of affliction. 

Verse 108 says O accept the freewill offerings of my mouth. Every week, they take up an offering at church. It is an opportunity to take that which is mine and offer it to the Lord for his service. In the way, my mouth can do this as I offer glory, praise, adoration, thanksgiving to God. And once again, the verse says And teach me Your ordinances. Verse 106 says I will keep your ordinance and now it says to teach me. The ordinances of God are always to be on my mind. 

My life is continually in my hand as it reads in verse 109 which means my life is constantly in danger. The Psalmist writes that the reality is his life is in danger. I tend to just coast along and don't see life as being in danger, and yet it is. I am can be at any moment be swept away. Yet I do not forget Your law, so God's word is always on my mind. 

And in verse 110, the wicked have laid a snare for me, The world is laying a snare for me, trying to get me off course, trying to trap me, trying to bring me down. Yet I have not gone astray from Your precepts. This is a message that just keeps getting repeated. His precepts are near and I'm committed to staying close to them. He continues in verse 111 with I have inherited Your testimonies forever, God's testimonies of things that he has done remind me continually. For they are the joy of my heart. God's testimonies is what keeps me going. 

This isn't a momentary thing, but an everlasting part of my life. In verse 112 - I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes forever, even to the end. I will not give up.


Promise: Grant us grace to do what You command God, even when it is difficult.

Exodus 26 - The Role of Beauty

Exodus 26
¹ “Moreover, you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen and blue and purple and scarlet yarns; you shall make them with cherubim skillfully worked into them. ² The length of each curtain shall be twenty-eight cubits, and the breadth of each curtain four cubits; all the curtains shall be the same size. ³ Five curtains shall be coupled to one another, and the other five curtains shall be coupled to one another. ⁴ And you shall make loops of blue on the edge of the outermost curtain in the first set. Likewise you shall make loops on the edge of the outermost curtain in the second set. ⁵ Fifty loops you shall make on the one curtain, and fifty loops you shall make on the edge of the curtain that is in the second set; the loops shall be opposite one another. ⁶ And you shall make fifty clasps of gold, and couple the curtains one to the other with the clasps, so that the tabernacle may be a single whole.
⁷ “You shall also make curtains of goats' hair for a tent over the tabernacle; eleven curtains shall you make. ⁸ The length of each curtain shall be thirty cubits, and the breadth of each curtain four cubits. The eleven curtains shall be the same size. ⁹ You shall couple five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves, and the sixth curtain you shall double over at the front of the tent. ¹⁰ You shall make fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in one set, and fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that is outermost in the second set.
¹¹ “You shall make fifty clasps of bronze, and put the clasps into the loops, and couple the tent together that it may be a single whole. ¹² And the part that remains of the curtains of the tent, the half curtain that remains, shall hang over the back of the tabernacle. ¹³ And the extra that remains in the length of the curtains, the cubit on the one side, and the cubit on the other side, shall hang over the sides of the tabernacle, on this side and that side, to cover it. ¹⁴ And you shall make for the tent a covering of tanned rams' skins and a covering of goatskins on top.
¹⁵ “You shall make upright frames for the tabernacle of acacia wood. ¹⁶ Ten cubits shall be the length of a frame, and a cubit and a half the breadth of each frame. ¹⁷ There shall be two tenons in each frame, for fitting together. So shall you do for all the frames of the tabernacle. ¹⁸ You shall make the frames for the tabernacle: twenty frames for the south side; ¹⁹ and forty bases of silver you shall make under the twenty frames, two bases under one frame for its two tenons, and two bases under the next frame for its two tenons; ²⁰ and for the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side twenty frames, ²¹ and their forty bases of silver, two bases under one frame, and two bases under the next frame. ²² And for the rear of the tabernacle westward you shall make six frames. ²³ And you shall make two frames for corners of the tabernacle in the rear; ²⁴ they shall be separate beneath, but joined at the top, at the first ring. Thus shall it be with both of them; they shall form the two corners. ²⁵ And there shall be eight frames, with their bases of silver, sixteen bases; two bases under one frame, and two bases under another frame.
²⁶ “You shall make bars of acacia wood, five for the frames of the one side of the tabernacle, ²⁷ and five bars for the frames of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the frames of the side of the tabernacle at the rear westward. ²⁸ The middle bar, halfway up the frames, shall run from end to end. ²⁹ You shall overlay the frames with gold and shall make their rings of gold for holders for the bars, and you shall overlay the bars with gold. ³⁰ Then you shall erect the tabernacle according to the plan for it that you were shown on the mountain.
³¹ “And you shall make a veil of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen. It shall be made with cherubim skillfully worked into it. ³² And you shall hang it on four pillars of acacia overlaid with gold, with hooks of gold, on four bases of silver. ³³ And you shall hang the veil from the clasps, and bring the ark of the testimony in there within the veil. And the veil shall separate for you the Holy Place from the Most Holy. ³⁴ You shall put the mercy seat on the ark of the testimony in the Most Holy Place. ³⁵ And you shall set the table outside the veil, and the lampstand on the south side of the tabernacle opposite the table, and you shall put the table on the north side.
³⁶ “You shall make a screen for the entrance of the tent, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns and fine twined linen, embroidered with needlework. ³⁷ And you shall make for the screen five pillars of acacia, and overlay them with gold. Their hooks shall be of gold, and you shall cast five bases of bronze for them.


Message: The Role of Beauty

Time: The date of Exodus has been subjects of scholarly debate and their is no consensus on its time nor of the historicity of the exodus of Israel from Egypt as is mentioned in the book as well as in Acts and Romans.

What the Lord is Saying:

In this chapter, the design and structure of the Temple is clearly laid out, including the placement of parts of the Temple, such as the ark, the lampstand, pillars, cherubim, and the most Holy place.

In the history of building churches and decorating them, there have been two very distinct thoughts, one is adorning the church with images of Mary, saints, and maybe other statues or decorations, including stained glass windows and paintings, while others have thought to have a very plain structure with very little adornments. Those without the adornments are concerned about idolatry and bringing in media that gets our focus off of God. Yet, here in this chapter 26 of Exodus is a picture of the beauty that encompasses the tabernacle - with beautiful colors and images of cherubim and other things in creation. Beautiful imagery seems okay as long as our motive for those things is decoration and not worship.

Promise: God is supremely beautiful. He alone can satisfy our need for beauty.

Jesus Calling: February 29

    You are on the right path. Listen more to Me, and less to your doubts. I am leading you along the way I designed just for you. Therefore, it is a lonely way, humanly speaking. But I go before you as well as alongside you, so you are never alone. Do not expect anyone to understand fully My ways with you, any more than you can comprehend My dealings with others. I am revealing to you the path of Life day by day, and moment by moment. As I said to My disciple Peter, so I repeat to you: Follow Me. 

Psalm 119:105
English Standard Version

Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.

John 21:22
English Standard Version

Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”
My Prayer
Lord, how I need that daily confirmation from you to let me know that You are in control and have me going in the right direction. You are the lamp and light to my paths. It is like I am a car and you are my headlights, showing me where to go. I can't travel without lights. You are the light. I don't think I really get this. I think that I think that I can go throughout life without your light. But, as a Child of God, you are there with me. But, sometimes I don't acknowledge it. It's not like I am giving you permission to work. You are working. My issue is I am not trusting and taking care of the things you have asked me to care of. It is simple: Follow.

And thank you for giving me your Holy Spirit to show me and direct me on your path. Your Word is my rule book, my lamp, and the light that shines forth from it lights my path. Lord these truths are wonderful from Sarah Young each day, but they are not meant to replace the reading and studying of Your Word. As the Psalmist says, it is Your Word that is my lamp. I thank  you that Jesus Calling can supplement my life and offer encouragement to my soul.

As Young says, I need to expect that those that do not embrace you and have not accepted you will not fully understand Your ways with me. I am not to conform to the world and its ways, but I am to stand as an alien and separate from their ways. So Lord, as I embark this day, there will be other voices - perhaps friends, perhaps the media, perhaps even a message from a TV or movie - that is not about You, but keep me close to You. listening to your Spirit as he speaks to me, lives in me, for I want to stay on your path.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.