​Save Me, O My God
A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.
3 O Lord, how many are my foes!
    Many are rising against me;
2 many are saying of my soul,
    “There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah
3 But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,
    my glory, and the lifter of my head.
4 I cried aloud to the Lord,
    and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah
5 I lay down and slept;
    I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of many thousands of people
    who have set themselves against me all around.
7 Arise, O Lord!
    Save me, O my God!
For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;
    you break the teeth of the wicked.
8 Salvation belongs to the Lord;
    your blessing be on your people! Selah
 
Meditation
Do you have dysfunction in your family? Growing up we used to laugh as we said our family wanted to keep the “fun” in dysFUNctional. It was never a laughing matter. No one was laughing in 2 Samuel 15, the crown jewel of family dysfunction for King David’s family. David’s son Absalom was seeking his father’s throne and his life, a reaction to David’s absentee parenting in response to the sexual assault of Tamar (David’s daughter and Absalom’s sister).  Psalm 3 was written as David was on the run from his son Absalom.
 
Dysfunction and division do not rule, no matter how difficult the circumstances. This Psalm teaches us that God rules in the midst of our failure and family dysfunction. For those whose faith is in God, He remains a shield and lifter of our head (3). He answers our cries (4). He sustains us, giving us rest (5). He removes our fears and will save (6-7). God possesses salvation and will deal with the perpetrators of the conflict (1-2, 8). We can be at peace in Him, finding our welfare through Him.
 
God’s word reminds us that the difficulties of dysfunction may not disappear in our timing, but as we see in the dysfunction of Joseph’s family in Genesis, what the enemy intends for evil God is working for good (Genesis 50:20).  God is sovereign and we can take our eyes off our circumstances and ourselves and look to Him in faith. God is our shield and lifter of our head!
 
Richly Dwelling
-How would your engagement of family and relational dysfunction be more helpful if you believed God was ruling over the difficulty, working His purposes?
 
-Focusing on the Lord and finding our welfare in Him frees us to focus on the issues needing to be addressed.  The temptation is to see people as the problem. How will your relationships be more fruitful if you are free to love people and address the root issues of dysfunction?
 
-God is your shield, sustainer, and salvation. Do you trust Him in the midst of your dysfunction? Do you have peace? If not, ask Him for the promises of this passage.
 
Key Verse
3 But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.

​The Philistines Capture the Ark
​And the word of Samuel came to all Israel. Now Israel went out to battle against the Philistines. They encamped at Ebenezer, and the Philistines encamped at Aphek. 2 The Philistines drew up in line against Israel, and when the battle spread, Israel was defeated before the Philistines, who killed about four thousand men on the field of battle. 3 And when the people came to the camp, the elders of Israel said, “Why has the Lord defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord here from Shiloh, that it may come among us and save us from the power of our enemies.” 4 So the people sent to Shiloh and brought from there the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts, who is enthroned on the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.
5 As soon as the ark of the covenant of the Lord came into the camp, all Israel gave a mighty shout, so that the earth resounded. 6 And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shouting, they said, “What does this great shouting in the camp of the Hebrews mean?” And when they learned that the ark of the Lord had come to the camp, 7 the Philistines were afraid, for they said, “A god has come into the camp.” And they said, “Woe to us! For nothing like this has happened before. 8 Woe to us! Who can deliver us from the power of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with every sort of plague in the wilderness. 9 Take courage, and be men, O Philistines, lest you become slaves to the Hebrews as they have been to you; be men and fight.”
10 So the Philistines fought, and Israel was defeated, and they fled, every man to his home. And there was a very great slaughter, for thirty thousand foot soldiers of Israel fell. 11 And the ark of God was captured, and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died.
The Death of Eli12 A man of Benjamin ran from the battle line and came to Shiloh the same day, with his clothes torn and with dirt on his head. 13 When he arrived, Eli was sitting on his seat by the road watching, for his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city and told the news, all the city cried out. 14 When Eli heard the sound of the outcry, he said, “What is this uproar?” Then the man hurried and came and told Eli. 15 Now Eli was ninety-eight years old and his eyes were set so that he could not see. 16 And the man said to Eli, “I am he who has come from the battle; I fled from the battle today.” And he said, “How did it go, my son?” 17 He who brought the news answered and said, “Israel has fled before the Philistines, and there has also been a great defeat among the people. Your two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been captured.” 18 As soon as he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell over backward from his seat by the side of the gate, and his neck was broken and he died, for the man was old and heavy. He had judged Israel forty years.
19 Now his daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant, about to give birth. And when she heard the news that the ark of God was captured, and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she bowed and gave birth, for her pains came upon her. 20 And about the time of her death the women attending her said to her, “Do not be afraid, for you have borne a son.” But she did not answer or pay attention. 21 And she named the child Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel!” because the ark of God had been captured and because of her father-in-law and her husband. 22 And she said, “The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.”
Meditation
Do you ever treat God like a good luck charm? After the Philistines won in battle the elders of Israel treated the Ark of the Covenant in such a fashion (3). The nation shouted with anticipation of using God to defeat their enemies (5).
 
Interestingly, the Philistines understood the ark better than Israel shown by their equating it with God entering Israel’s camp (7). The ark was the vehicle for God to meet, speak, and show mercy to His people (Exodus 25:22) not a rabbit foot used to change fortune. The Philistines knew the power of God from the mighty works of defeating the Egyptians (8). Israel wanted to use God for their own military prowess.
 
Nothing goes well when we use God for our own purposes- Thirty thousand Israelites were slaughtered, including Eli’s sons (10-11). Eli, a beloved national leader, died (18). Eli’s daughter-in-law prematurely went into labor, costing her own life, giving birth to the ultimate revelation of the chapter- The glory of God had departed from Israel (20-22).
 
As soon as Samuel’s leadership gains national influence (4:1) everything seems to fall apart. And rather than returning to God in humility and repentance the people sought to change their circumstances by using God. In the process, God’s glory departed from them, His presence was removed.  Things are not supposed to be this way.
 
Richly Dwelling
-How do you use God as a good luck charm or rabbits foot? How does this make you miss God Himself, your Creator who wants relationship with you?
 
-Rather than seeing God as a tool to manipulate your circumstances, how might God be using your circumstances to bring you back to Him or to know Him more intimately?
 
Key Verse
22 And she said, “The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.”

The Healing at the Pool on the Sabbath
​After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. 3 In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. 5 One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” 7 The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” 9 And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.
Now that day was the Sabbath. 10 So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.” 11 But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’” 12 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 13 Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” 15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. 16 And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. 17 But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”
Jesus Is Equal with God18 This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
The Authority of the Son19 So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father[e] does, that the Son does likewise. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. 22 For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
25 “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.
Witnesses to Jesus30 “I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. 31 If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true. 32 There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true. 33 You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. 34 Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. 35 He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. 36 But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. 37 And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, 38 and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. 39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, 40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. 41 I do not receive glory from people. 42 But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. 43 I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. 44 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope.46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. 47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”
 
Meditation
Jesus says we can search the Scriptures, read the Bible, for our own purpose and miss the main purpose of God’s revelation- Jesus Himself (39).  We study the Word of God to know the God of the Word more intimately. Jesus teaches us how not to miss the main thing- believing the word of God. Jesus wants you to know Him.
 
The invalid man heard the word of Jesus and made excuses before he obeyed (7-8), not knowing the healing came from Jesus (13) until Jesus found Him and revealed Himself (14). It is God’s grace that seeks us and enables us to believe, seeing Jesus.
 
The Pharisees had Jesus before their eyes but never believed the words from His mouth. They wanted to kill Jesus (18).  In God’s amazing grace He continues to point the way to life- Believe! If I were Jesus I would have been solely focused on how to protect myself from those that wanted to kill me. Jesus had another sole focus, to show the Father’s love and continue His journey to the cross where He would die that those who believe can find life. Jesus was killed for those who oppose Him.
 
You move from death to life when you believe the Word of Jesus (24). The Father sent the Son to save (34) and with urgency Jesus pleads for you to believe, to have His word abide in your flesh (38).  And through believing the Word you will come to know the Word made flesh, the whole point of His revelation.
 
Richly Dwelling
-Where do you look for life? Friends, experiences, finances, family, or your own ability? Jesus says His word gives life because it points to Him. How is your day different if you believed His word, looking to Christ alone for full life?
 
-Jesus draws a parallel between His word “abiding” in us and “believing” in Him (vs 38).  Jesus wants you to know Him more! The creator of the universe wants to be more intimate with you.  This is AMAZING! Will you take Him up on the invitation?
 
Key Verse
24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes Him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

Adam's Descendants to Noah
​This is the book of the generations of Adam. When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God. 2 Male and female he created them, and he blessed them and named them Man when they were created. 3 When Adam had lived 130 years, he fathered a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth. 4 The days of Adam after he fathered Seth were 800 years; and he had other sons and daughters. 5 Thus all the days that Adam lived were 930 years, and he died.
6 When Seth had lived 105 years, he fathered Enosh. 7 Seth lived after he fathered Enosh 807 years and had other sons and daughters. 8 Thus all the days of Seth were 912 years, and he died.
9 When Enosh had lived 90 years, he fathered Kenan. 10 Enosh lived after he fathered Kenan 815 years and had other sons and daughters. 11 Thus all the days of Enosh were 905 years, and he died.
12 When Kenan had lived 70 years, he fathered Mahalalel. 13 Kenan lived after he fathered Mahalalel 840 years and had other sons and daughters. 14 Thus all the days of Kenan were 910 years, and he died.
15 When Mahalalel had lived 65 years, he fathered Jared. 16 Mahalalel lived after he fathered Jared 830 years and had other sons and daughters. 17 Thus all the days of Mahalalel were 895 years, and he died.
18 When Jared had lived 162 years, he fathered Enoch. 19 Jared lived after he fathered Enoch 800 years and had other sons and daughters. 20 Thus all the days of Jared were 962 years, and he died.
21 When Enoch had lived 65 years, he fathered Methuselah. 22 Enoch walked with God after he fathered Methuselah 300 years and had other sons and daughters. 23 Thus all the days of Enoch were 365 years. 24 Enoch walked with God, and he was not, for God took him.
25 When Methuselah had lived 187 years, he fathered Lamech. 26 Methuselah lived after he fathered Lamech 782 years and had other sons and daughters. 27 Thus all the days of Methuselah were 969 years, and he died.
28 When Lamech had lived 182 years, he fathered a son 29 and called his name Noah, saying, “Out of the ground that the Lord has cursed, this one shall bring us relief from our work and from the painful toil of our hands.” 30 Lamech lived after he fathered Noah 595 years and had other sons and daughters. 31 Thus all the days of Lamech were 777 years, and he died.
32 After Noah was 500 years old, Noah fathered Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Meditation
Genealogies show us the Bible is a story going somewhere. Central to this chapter is the faithfulness of God seen through the revelation of the continuation of the seed of His promise (from 3:15). The echoes of Eden will travel through the DNA of humanity, created in His image, and God will remain faithful to His promise.
 
We are puzzled by the longevity of life revealed in this genealogy, and more so we are fascinated by someone like Enoch who was “taken up” by God and did not see death! How can humanity not taste death in a fallen world? Scripture teaches us in Hebrews 11:5-6 it is through faith in God and His word.  This mercy is a greater puzzle than great numbers of age.
 
By the end of the genealogy the camera focuses on Lamech and leads us to Noah and his three sons. Through this family God will further His faithfulness. Yes, it is baffling to consider how a 500 year-old man could have three sons- Ham, Shem, and Japheth (32). But more astounding is how an eternal, holy, God can remain committed to a finite, unholy people! God’s faithfulness carries the story of redemption forward.
 
Richly Dwelling
-God is faithful to His promises despite the unfaithfulness of His creatures.  This means His covenant love for you is not based on your performance. How does His faithfulness fuel your love for Him?
 
-Faith in God is described by the life of Enoch as “walking with God.” What does it look like for your faith in God to be manifest by walking with God through your day?
 
-Scripture is a story going somewhere. The revelation of God shows the purposes and plan of God. How can His promise keeping purposes be part of your plans today, shown in love, grace, and mercy to others?
 
 
Key Verse
32 After Noah was 500 years old, Noah fathered Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

Mem
97 Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. 98 Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me. 99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the aged for I keep your precepts. 101 I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word. 102 I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me. 103 How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.
Nun
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. 106 I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules. 107 I am severely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to your word! 108 Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O Lord, and teach me your rules. 109 I hold my life in my hand continually, but I do not forget your law. 110 The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from your precepts. 111 Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart. 112 I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end.
Samekh
113 I hate the double-minded, but I love your law. 114 You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word. 115 Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God. 116 Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope! 117 Hold me up, that I may be safe and have regard for your statutes continually! 118 You spurn all who go astray from your statutes, for their cunning is in vain. 119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross, therefore I love your testimonies. 120 My flesh trembles for fear of you, and I am afraid of your judgments.
 
Meditation
Our prayer is for you to grow in love for the Lord of the Word shown by a more intimate love for the Word of the Lord. How do you know if you love the law, the word of the Lord (97, 113)? The Psalmist offers two categories for diagnosis, namely meditation and joy. What do you meditate on  (97)? What is the joy of your heart (111)?
 
“Meditation” is a constant surrounding with the affections of our hearts by way of reminder and reflection. Our culture meditates on money matters, celebrity status, news, sports, image, and experience. The heart of joy for our culture is personal comfort and pleasant circumstances.  How can we meditate on God’s word and have the joy of our heart be His law?
 
The doorway for a deeper love for the Word is relationship with “the Word made flesh” (John 1:14) and the One who is the “fulfillment of the law” (Matthew 5:17-20), Jesus Christ. He is the One who for “the joy” set before Him endured the cross (Hebrews 12:1-2). His joy is you, the Church. When we know the Lord and His love more intimately we will more richly engage His word through meditation, finding Him to be the joy of our heart.
 
These sections offer many benefits for walking in the word of God: wisdom (98), understanding (99, 104), heritage (111), hope (114), and safety (117).  There are also several memorable images for the word of the Lord: a path (102), a light for our feet (105), and life support (107). We should celebrate these benefits and images but never see them as the goal- God is the goal and relationship with Him is the doorway for more faithful and fruitful love for His word. 
 
Richly Dwelling
-How does the unconditional love of the Lord for you, demonstrated in His covenant faithfulness on your behalf, change your affections for Him and His word?
 
-The Psalmist describes God’s word as “sweeter than honey.” (103) What is the sweetest love of your life? How can Christ Himself and His work grow your affection for His word? Often times our loves follow our feet. By this I mean we learn to love what we begin to practice. Spend time practicing meditation through reading, reflecting on, and reminding yourself of God’s word and watch your heart follow! Begin with the verses below, asking the Spirit to change your heart.
 
Key Verse
111 Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart. 112 I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end.

Judgment on Judah and Jerusalem
3 For behold, the Lord God of hosts is taking away from Jerusalem and from Judah support and supply, all support of bread, and all support of water; 2 the mighty man and the soldier, the judge and the prophet, the diviner and the elder, 3 the captain of fifty and the man of rank, the counselor and the skillful magician and the expert in charms. 4 And I will make boys their princes, and infants shall rule over them.
5 And the people will oppress one another, every one his fellow and every one his neighbor; the youth will be insolent to the elder, and the despised to the honorable.
 
6 For a man will take hold of his brother in the house of his father, saying: “You have a cloak; you shall be our leader, and this heap of ruins shall be under your rule”;
7 in that day he will speak out, saying:  “I will not be a healer; in my house there is neither bread nor cloak; you shall not make me  leader of the people.” 8 For Jerusalem has stumbled, and Judah has fallen, because their speech and their deeds are against the Lord, defying his glorious presence.
 
9 For the look on their faces bears witness against them; they proclaim their sin like Sodom; they do not hide it. Woe to them! For they have brought evil on themselves.
10 Tell the righteous that it shall be well with them, for they shall eat the fruit of their deeds. 11 Woe to the wicked! It shall be ill with him, for what his hands have dealt out shall be done to him.
12 My people—infants are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, your guides mislead you and they have swallowed up the course of your paths. 13 The Lord has taken his place to contend; he stands to judge peoples.
14 The Lord will enter into judgment with the elders and princes of his people: “It is you who have devoured the vineyard, the spoil of the poor is in your houses. 15 What do you mean by crushing my people, by grinding the face of the poor?” declares the Lord God of hosts.
 
16 The Lord said: Because the daughters of Zion are haughty and walk with outstretched necks, glancing wantonly with their eyes, mincing along as they go, tinkling with their feet, 17 therefore the Lord will strike with a scab the heads of the daughters of Zion, and the Lord will lay bare their secret parts.
18 In that day the Lord will take away the finery of the anklets, the headbands, and the crescents; 19 the pendants, the bracelets, and the scarves; 20 the headdresses, the armlets, the sashes, the perfume boxes, and the amulets; 21 the signet rings and nose rings; 22 the festal robes, the mantles, the cloaks, and the handbags; 23 the mirrors, the linen garments, the turbans, and the veils.
24 Instead of perfume there will be rottenness; and instead of a belt, a rope; and instead of well-set hair, baldness; and instead of a rich robe, a skirt of sackcloth; and branding instead of beauty. 25 Your men shall fall by the sword and your mighty men in battle. 26 And her gates shall lament and mourn; empty, she shall sit on the ground.
 
Meditation
Many people read the Old Testament and believe God is angry, blood thirsty, and hateful; different than the New Testament where we see Jesus full of love, service, and life. Chapters such as today’s reading in Isaiah 3 are used to support these un-informed judgments.  We must allow the Bible to speak for itself, letting Scripture interpret Scripture, as we keep reading.  For example, you only need to read Isaiah 4 to know the difficult judgment of Isaiah 3 is not the end of the story. God is faithful to His promise and He will remove the reproach from His people. The work of Jesus Christ anchors our hope.
Judgment is good news for those who long for the power of sin to be removed, the penalty of sin to be paid, and the presence of sin to be eradicated.  Israel had rejected God’s word, defied his presence, and done evil on the level of Sodom (8-9). God is Holy and just and must bring judgment on sin.
Our sins separate us from God (Isaiah 59:2) as they arouse His anger and call for justice. Romans 3:21-26 reveals how a holy and just God can show mercy to an unholy and unrighteous people, a love centering on the person and work of Jesus Christ.  As promised in Genesis 3:15 and reinforced throughout the Old Testament, In Christ (the offspring of the woman) the power of sin is removed, the penalty of sin is paid for, and the presence of sin can be eradicated because Jesus Christ experienced the judgment of sin for those who believe!  Jesus became sin to make us righteous (2 Corinthians 5:21).
 
Richly Dwelling
-What descriptions of rebellion of Israel do you observe in this chapter?  Do you think “defying God’s presence” (8), sinning like Sodom (9), or devouring and crushing the poor for personal gain (15) deserves punishment?
 
-God is Holy and Just but He is loving and merciful. He restores His presence with His people through paying the price for our sins and purifying us from all unrighteousness. God has done all the work to restore His presence with His people. How does this merciful love shape you and propel you to serve Him today?
 
-Do you love others this faithfully?
 
Key Verse
8 For Jerusalem has stumbled, and Judah has fallen, because their speech and their deeds are against the Lord, defying his glorious presence.