Daily Archives: May 9, 2026

Turning Point

Turning Point; David Jeremiah – May Mothers: The Courage of Abigail

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Now when Abigail saw David, she dismounted quickly from the donkey, fell on her face before David, and bowed down to the ground.
1 Samuel 25:23

Recommended Reading: 1 Samuel 25:2-42

Women of wisdom and courage are noted often in the Old Testament—see the stories of Deborah and Jael (Judges 4) and the woman of Abel Beth Maachah (2 Samuel 20:14-22). Abigail belongs on that list for the way she prevented David from committing a massacre.

Before King Saul died and David became king, David and his army were a paramilitary force in the land. After David protected the servants of a wealthy man named Nabal (“fool”), David asked Nabal for provisions for his men (1 Samuel 25). When Nabal refused, David gathered his army and went to attack Nabal. When Nabal’s wife, Abigail, heard of David’s plan, she gathered provisions and intercepted David and his army—without telling Nabal. She apologized for Nabal’s behavior and begged David to avoid needless bloodshed. David accepted her gifts and her courageous counsel and called off the attack. David was so impressed with Abigail’s wisdom and courage that after Nabal’s death he took Abigail as his wife.

Sometimes life calls for bold moves like Abigail’s. Wisdom plus courage will often bring godly results.

Courage is fear that has said its prayers.
Anonymous

 

 

https://www.davidjeremiah.org

Our Daily Bread

Our Daily Bread – Putting On God’s Armor

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In the spring, at the time when kings go off to war. . . . David remained in Jerusalem. 2 Samuel 11:1

Today’s Scripture

2 Samuel 11:1-5

Listen to Today’s Devotion

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Today’s Devotion

Nafi and Kamran joined a military coup. They fought for years and, when their side won, were given desk jobs in the capital. It’s not going well. There’s little to do, so they go online. Nafi says that many of his comrades, “including me, are addicted to the internet, especially Twitter.” Kamran adds, “The real test and challenge was not during the [war]. Rather, it’s now. At that time, it was simple, but now things are much more complicated.” Citing the various temptations he found on the Web, he added, “Many . . . have fallen into these seemingly sweet, but actually bitter traps.”

Kamran’s right that we’re most vulnerable to let down our guard when we’re at ease, just as he was after a war. In Scripture, we find a similar caution in the story of David’s adultery with Bathsheba. It all began when he sent others off to war but remained behind in the capital. Like an undisciplined man scrolling the internet, David “got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace” (2 Samuel 11:2). He put himself in harm’s way. And when “he saw a woman bathing,” he didn’t turn away (vv. 2-3).

We avoid the postwar letdown by remembering we’re still at war. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but . . . against the spiritual forces of evil.” So, as He helps us, we “put on the full armor of God” and prepare to “stand [our] ground” (Ephesians 6:12-13).

Reflect & Pray

What is your present battle? How can you win? (See Ephesians 6:10-20.)

Dear Jesus, I fight today in Your power and by Your Spirit.

Today’s Insights

In Eastern cultures—both in ancient times and today—a high value was placed upon honor versus shame. The events following David’s sin with Bathsheba are described in 2 Samuel 11 as an honor/shame contest between David and Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband and one of David’s mighty men. This would explain why Uriah so publicly refused the king’s command to go home when recalled from the battlefield (v. 8). Instead, he slept on the king’s porch in full view of David’s servants (v. 9). This would also explain why after Bathsheba is named in verse 3, she’s then referred to as the wife of Uriah (12:9, 10, 15) until after the death of the child she bore (v. 24). Ultimately, Nathan’s public accusation of David (vv. 1-15) exposed David’s sin and shame, and he repented (v. 13; see Psalm 51). Today, we’re still fighting a war against sin. Believers in Jesus have been given the “armor of God” (Ephesians 6:11) to help us fight our spiritual battles.

Winning takes strategy. Learn how to battle the ultimate Enemy of all believers.

 

 

http://www.odb.org

Denison Forum

Denison Forum – Does God establish nations?

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In 1908, Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer wrote “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” though neither had attended a game before writing the song. Today, it is considered one of the three most-recognized songs in the US, along with “The Star Spangled Banner” and “Happy Birthday.”

The first known time it was played at a ballpark was in 1934 at a high school game in Los Angeles. It was played later that year during the fourth game of the World Series. Over time, it became a beloved and universal baseball tradition for fans to sing the chorus during the seventh-inning stretch of baseball games.

Then came 9/11.

When Major League Baseball games resumed six days later, stadiums began playing “God Bless America” during the seventh-inning stretch, replacing or supplementing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.” They still do the same on Sundays and holidays, and during postseason games, though Yankee Stadium plays it at every game.

Continue reading Denison Forum – Does God establish nations? →

Greg Laurie

Harvest Ministries; Greg Laurie – A Matter of Quality, Not Quantity

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 For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. 

—Ecclesiastes 3:1–2

Scripture:

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 

Reflecting on the passing of human life, ethicist Michael Josephson wrote, “Ready or not, someday it will all come to an end. There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours or days. . . . So what will matter? How will the value of your days be measured? . . . Living a life that matters doesn’t happen by accident. It’s not a matter of circumstance but of choice.”

The author of Ecclesiastes wrote, “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest” (Ecclesiastes 3:1–2 NLT). The psalmist wrote, “My future is in your hands” (Psalm 31:15 NLT). And Job said to God, “You have decided the length of our lives. You know how many months we will live, and we are not given a minute longer” (Job 14:5 NLT).

Contemplating how short life is and how powerless we are to change that can trigger anxiety in some people. It magnifies the importance of being proactive in the choices you make, not to mention the importance of starting to make those choices as early as possible. To put it another way: The evening of your life is determined by the morning of your life.

If you start prioritizing healthy eating and exercise as a young person and continue the practice throughout your life, you will enjoy the benefits for years and years. Likewise, if you start prioritizing the things of God as a young person and continue the practice throughout your life, you will reap unimaginable blessings for as long as you live.

The author of Proverbs touched on this principle when he wrote, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6 RSV).

If you’re in the morning of your life—if, statistically speaking, you likely have many years ahead of you—now is not the time to sow your wild oats or to do the things you plan to repent for later. Now is the time to establish the habits, practices, and principles that will guide your life. Now is the time to study God’s Word, to memorize and apply it to every area of your life. Now is the time to begin the discipline of prayer, to set aside time every day to speak and listen to the Lord. Now is the time to develop and sharpen your skills when it comes to sharing your faith. If time is on your side, don’t let that advantage slip away.

If you’re in the afternoon or even in the evening of life, the same principle applies, just in a different time frame. It’s never too late to adopt God-honoring disciplines. And right now, you’re as young as you’ll ever be.

Reflection question: How can you prioritize and embrace God-honoring disciplines in your life? Discuss this with believers like you on Harvest Discipleship!

 

 

Harvest.org | Greg Laurie

Days of Praise

Days of Praise – Jesus Is the Word

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by Henry M. Morris III, D.Min.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. . . . And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” (John 1:1, 14)

Most of us are familiar with the Greek term used by God to convey this unique title of the Lord Jesus: logos. Its basic meaning is “that which can be communicated.” Sometimes it is used to embrace a collection of ideas expressed in a speech, a thought in the sense of an idea, or the logic behind a concept.

Jesus is all of that. “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him” (John 1:18). Not only did the Lord Jesus declare what the Father said but what the Father was like. It is obvious that Jesus was the spokesperson: “Whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak” (12:50). “Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life” (6:68).

Much of the active ministry of the Lord Jesus was doing what God would do. His healing, His preaching, His gracious ministry to the poor and needy were all a picture of what God was like. But the miracles, the works of creation, were absolutely the declaration of God. Turning water into wine, feeding the 5,000, creating a new hand and new eyes—only the Creator could do that. In fact, Jesus said, “Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake” (14:11).

Jesus is the Word of God in every sense that can be spoken, understood, seen, and experienced (Colossians 2:9). HMM III

 

 

https://www.icr.org/articles/type/6

Joyce Meyer

Joyce Meyer – Stand Firm in the Face of Trials

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Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren, whenever you are enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.

James 1:2–3 (AMPC)

One of the mistakes many Christians make is that, when trials come, they pray for their troubles to stop. I believe that, instead, we need to pray for strength and endurance; we need to ask God to make us steadfast. If the enemy is aiming his best guns at us—doing everything he can to upset our lives, ruin our businesses, tear apart our families, or otherwise steal our peace—and we stay steadfast and patient, he will be exceedingly frustrated, and ultimately defeated, because we are not cooperating with him.

Philippians 1:28 (AMPC) says: And do not [for a moment] be frightened or intimidated in anything by your opponents and adversaries, for such [constancy and fearlessness] will be a clear sign (proof and seal) to them of [their impending] destruction, but [a sure token and evidence] of your deliverance and salvation, and that from God.

This verse encourages us not to be frightened or intimidated when the devil comes against us, but to remain steadfast. As we do, we not only show the devil that he cannot handle us, we also demonstrate to the Lord that we have faith in Him. The fact that our actions affirm our trust in Him is God’s signal to release His power into our situations and deliver us. I believe God wants you to hear Him telling you to stand firm and not be afraid.

Prayer of the Day: Lord, help me remain steadfast in every trial. Give me strength, patience, and courage to stand firm, trusting You to bring victory and deliverance in every situation, amen.

 

http://www.joycemeyer.org

Today in the Word

Today in the Word – Moody Bible Institute – When God Moves

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Read Numbers 10

On June 6, 1944, over 150,000 Allied troops launched the largest seaborne invasion in history at Normandy. D-Day’s success depended on precise coordination. Each unit knew its position and role. If any moved too early or too late, the entire invasion could fail catastrophically. Victory required perfect unity, as each soldier trusted and obeyed the supreme command.

Chapter 10 records a similar moment when God’s people finally began their journey from Mount Sinai toward the Promised Land—their first major movement as an organized nation. It was time to march under divine command. “When a trumpet blast is sounded, the tribes camping on the east are to set out” (v. 5).

God established silver trumpets as the communication system: “Make two trumpets of hammered silver, and use them for calling the community together and for having the camps set out” (v. 2). Each type of trumpet call had a specific meaning—one blast gathered the leaders, two blasts signaled everyone to move (vv. 3–4). The marching order was divinely appointed, with each tribe having its designated position (vv. 11–28).

Verse 35 wasn’t just a prayer—it was a declaration that God Himself would lead the charge. The specific words that Moses chose reveal deep theology. “Rise up, LORD!” acknowledged God’s active leadership; “May your enemies be scattered” recognized that Israel’s battles were ultimately God’s battles. Moses understood that their success would not depend on military strategy or human strength but on God’s presence going before them. The ark of the covenant would lead the way, symbolizing that the Lord was their commander-in-chief.

Go Deeper

Do you realize that God has a specific role and timing for you in His kingdom advance? What do we learn from this passage that helps us trust God’s timing and His ways? How can we wait for His command to move forward?

Pray with Us

Lord, so often we grow frustrated with waiting. We fail to trust Your perfect timing. Help us to have listening hearts, ready to “rise up” and move only at Your command.

Rise up, LORD! May your enemies be scattered; may your foes flee before you.Numbers 10:35

 

 

https://www.moodybible.org/