How Indeed

Daily Reading: 2 Samuel 6

Scripture Focus: And David was afraid of the Lord that day, and he said, “How can the ark of the Lord come to me?”(2 Samuel 6.9-7.)

Devotional Thought: The ark represented the holy presence of God with his people. When David was king, the ark had been disregarded. The regulations for handling it were forgotten. Careless, Uzzah - a servant of the king - was struck down by the Lord for his irreverence when bringing the ark to Jerusalem. David lamented, “How can the ark of the Lord come to me?”

I’m like David. I want “the ark” with me and my church! I desire God’s presence and blessing upon me, and in the midst of his people! How can “the ark” of the Lord come to me?

· Faith: "Whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." (Hebrews 11.6)

· Resolve: "You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29.13)

· Humility: "This is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word." (Isaiah 66.2)

· Holiness: "I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty." (2 Corinthians 6.16-18)

· Prayer and Unity: "Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them." (Matthew 18.19-20)

Come, Lord Jesus!

Prayer: "Holy Spirit, you are welcome here. Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere. Your glory, God, is what our hearts long for, to be overcome by your presence, Lord." Amen. (Katie Torwalt / Bryan Wilson)

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 101.1-8

1 I will sing of steadfast love and justice; to you, O Lord, I will make music. 2 I will ponder the way that is blameless. Oh when will you come to me? I will walk with integrity of heart within my house; 3 I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. 4 A perverse heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil.

5 Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy. Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure.

6 I will look with favor on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he who walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to me.

7 No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes.

8 Morning by morning I will destroy all the wicked in the land, cutting off all the evildoers from the city of the Lord.