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Tuesday, March 19, 2024 Just A Simple Question Scripture: Psalm 51:1-2 (NLT Life Application Study Bible) – “Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin.” Message: It was during the men’s bible study, where the leader starts each week with an ice breaker that he posed the question. But this week’s question went down a rabbit hole nearly robbing us of the scheduled lesson on integrity. What’s more, as I continue today to ponder the responses, I find myself reading, and yes enjoying, the Psalms….previously one of my least favorite books. The question? Who in the bible contributes more to your understanding and relationship with God? David or Paul. Really! David? The boy who 1,000 years before Jesus, killed the Philistine giant with his sling versus Paul who wrote nearly half of the New Testament? The books of Samuel give us the story of David with a bit more than just a boy and his sling. But it is in the Psalms where you feel David come alive. In the Psalms, David reveals his inner-self while running for his life from King Saul and becoming a masterful, yet sinful, king himself. As a result of this simple question, I now read the Psalms daily and see my own insecurities in David’s writings. Today, rather than skip the Psalms, I find comfort in praying them as David likely did. Still we must carefully consider Paul, given the breadth and the depth of his spiritual life and work. So, the question still stands, “Who contributed more to your understanding of, and your relationship with God? David or Paul? How about you, David or Paul (or both)? As our journey continues, help us as we explore the contributions of David and Paul as they reveal truths of Your character and Your love for mankind through the gift of Your Son. Prayer: Dear Father in Heaven, have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin that I may become more like Your Son. Make my path clear, Lord, so others will see You in me, and not me. In the name of Your Son, and my Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen. John Berry |
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