Take and Read

Read the story of Israel asking for “a king to judge us like all the nations” in 1 Samuel 8:1-22. Reflect on our rejection of God as our king and asking others to rule over us. Read the retirement speech of Samuel the prophet found in 1 Samuel 12. Reflect upon Samuel’s counsel to God’s people.
Read the narrative of David and Nathan found in the Old Testament book of 2 Samuel. Read chapters 11 and 12 to enter the story. Remember David is called “a man after God’s own heart” and was his chosen King (see 2 Samuel 7). What happened to David? How does he initially respond to Nathan?
Read Psalm 51 to see how David came to his senses. How did he see the character of God through all of this?

Meditate and Memorize

In light of our own sin and God’s promised grace in Jesus, reflect upon these Scriptures:

²⁰ And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. ²¹ And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. ²² For the LORD will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the LORD to make you a people for himself.

1 Samuel 12:20-22

¹ Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. ² Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!

Psalm 51:1-2

²⁸ “Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter,

Mark 3:28

Song and Celebration

If at work or on a lunch break somewhere, put in the headphones and listen to these songs. In listening to these, singing or reading the lyrics, reflect upon the great gift of repentance, faith and the full forgiveness in Christ found by God’s grace

I’m Coming Back by Rebecca Elliot

(Click here to listen to audio)

Iʼve wasted all I have
On things that will not last
Iʼve run so very far away from you

Iʼve tried to forget
Everything you said
My stubborn feet have walked the way of fools
But I canʼt escape from you

Iʼm coming back
Iʼm turning back to you
You loved me first
And now my soul thirsts for you… alone

The way Iʼve walked is death
All my strength is spent
Chasing after wind and fools gold

But my gold has turned to dust
And all my idols rusted over
I’ve gained the whole world but I’ve lost my soul

Iʼm coming back
Iʼm turning back to you
You loved me first
And now my soul thirsts for you…alone

Jesus Paid it All original lyrics by Elvina M. Hall

(Click here to listen to audio)

I hear the Savior say
Thy strength indeed is small
Child of weakness watch and pray
Find in me thine all in all

Jesus paid it all
All to him I owe
Sin had left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow

Lord now indeed I find
Thy power and thine alone
Can change the lepers spots
And melt the heart of stone

Jesus paid it all
All to him I owe
Sin had left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow

It’s washed away! All my sin! And all my shame!

And when before the throne
I stand in him complete
Jesus died my soul to save
My lips shall still repeat

Jesus paid it all
All to him I owe
Sin had left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow
Sin had left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow

Oh praise the one who paid my debt and raised this life up from the dead (Repeated)

Jesus paid it all
All to him I owe
Sin had left a crimson stain
He washed it white as snow

Prayer

Oh holy God, we are people who have walked away from you in both word and deed. We have hurt others, we have gloried in our pride, we have neglected our heart for you and seen ourselves as better than others. We are so prone to wander away in our thoughts, our affections and in the things we do. But your magnificent mercy and grace captures us today with your marvelous love. We thank you that you welcome sinners and change us. We thank you that you give us new hope for every day. Whether we walk today in the valley of the shadow of death or sing upon the mountain tops of victory we know that you are with us. Thank you today for calling us your children, calling us to prayer and calling us by your own name. We are forgiven because we are yours. We have hope today because of your great and precious promises in Jesus our God, Savior and King.