DAY 122    Read Psalm 3 through 6; 61; 84.

Today's reading:  David wrote these psalms during the dark days and nights when his own son almost succeeded in overthrowing the aging king.

Memory gem:  "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety"  (Psalm 4:8).

Thought for today:
In the night, when there are no distractions, we can commune with God, we can get in touch with the eternal world through faith.  Then we think of God's Word and meditate upon it.  In the night seasons His Spirit can speak to our hearts.

This is also true of times of trouble.  It is then, often, that we are brought nearer to God than at any other time.  As in the daytime there are too many distractions for us to see the great truths of God's purpose for us, so when things are going well we are often too busy to see His will in our lives; but when we enter into some deep distress, then we begin to know God's truth.

This was true in the experience of David.  Take that wonderful third psalm.  Notice what the Hebrew inscription at the beginning of the psalm says--"A psalm [or song] of David, when he fled from Absalom, his son."  When he rose that morning he was the king over a great kingdom, with thousands of willing subjects.  He had the praise and glory of the world.  That night he was sleeping with fugitives there on the desert sand by the Jordan River.  Absalom, his spoiled son, had risen up against him, willing to take his father's life, and with a great army was seeking him at that very moment.

Just read the song that David could sing in the night.  In spite of this trouble, in spite of his broken heart, with the majority of those whom he had helped and befriended on the side of the enemy, and those he had benefited turned traitor against him, still he could say, "I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me....I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me"  (Psalm 3:4, 5).

It is a wonderful thing to be able to sleep in time of trouble.  We need an experience like that.  This man who could sing in the night gives us a wonderful lesson, a marvelous example.

DAY 121    Read 2 Samuel 15 through 17.

Today's reading:  David flees for his life from his rebellious son.  In his time of distress he finds loyal supporters who provide shelter and food.


Memory gem:  "Thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield"  (Psalm 5:12).

Thought for today: 

When Robert Bruce was fleeing from the English army that had invaded Scotland, he came to a poor Highland woman's cottage and asked for a night's lodging.

"Who are you?" she asked.

"I'm a stranger, a traveler, and need a place to sleep."

"All strangers and travelers are welcome here," she said, "for the sake of one."

"Our good King Robert, Robert the Bruce," she replied.  "He is hunted with hounds and horns, yet I acknowledge him to be the rightful king of Scotland."

This poor woman could not enthrone him except in her heart, but she would if she could.  Even in his rejection, she acknowledged him as her rightful king.

Jesus was certainly a king incognito, as someone as said--a king in disguise.  This was because people did not recognize Him as king.  They were looking for someone who would come in the glory of military power and all the trappings and robes of royal authority; but Jesus was the King of truth, the King of holiness, the King of love.

When Jesus comes as King of kings, the glory of the Lord will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea (see Isiah 11:9; Habakkuk 2:14).  What is the secret of it all? It is the King, the King of glory crowned with thorns.  Do you recognize Him?  Is He your king?  It means something to receive Him as king now.  It often means trial, tribulation, and even danger--sometimes death.  It means sacrifice and service, but all springing from the love of God in Christ Jesus.