May 1st
Today’s reading
1 Chronicles 14,15
Psalms 132
Matthew 18
Scripture Focus
“So David asked God, “Should I go out to fight the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” The Lord replied, “Yes, go ahead. I will hand them over to you.””
1 Chronicles 14:10 NLT
“And once again David asked God what to do. “Do not attack them straight on,” God replied. …..
1 Chronicles 14:14 NLT
“So David did what God commanded, ……
1 Chronicles 14:16 NLT
“Because you Levites did not carry the Ark the first time, the anger of the Lord our God burst out against us. We failed to ask God how to move it properly.””
1 Chronicles 15:13 NLT
Reflection
✨ Reflection
My sisters, these two chapters in Chronicles are so exciting to read because we see, after all these years and after everything David went through, he is finally settled in what God told him—that he would be king—and we see God faithfully fulfill that promise.
Think about it… how many years did he wait?
How many trials did he endure?
Being hunted, hiding, rejected, tested… and yet through it all, he remained faithful to God.
Now here he is—established, victorious, experienced in war, trained, and powerful. If anyone could rely on themselves, it would be David. But that’s not what we see.
Instead, we see a man who has learned something deeper:
He does not rely on his strength…
He does not rely on his experience…
He does not rely on past victories…
He relies on God.
Before every battle, he asks.
Even when the same enemy comes again, he asks again.
He refuses to assume that yesterday’s instruction will work for today.
My sisters, this is powerful—because many of us would say,
“I already know what to do.”
“I’ve been here before.”
“I’ve handled this situation.”
But David shows us:
A heart that truly depends on God will ask Him every time.
And not only that—David learned from his mistakes.
He remembered what happened when they did not properly honor the Lord with the Ark. When they moved it their way instead of God’s way, it cost them. It brought correction instead of blessing.
But now… things are different.
Now they are going to do it God’s way.
The Ark is carried the way God commanded.
The people are consecrated.
Worship is restored with reverence and joy.
David learned that it’s not just about doing something for God…
it’s about doing it God’s way.
Not partially.
Not emotionally.
Not based on what seems right.
But according to His Word, His instruction, and His design.
And this is the lesson that stands out so clearly:
👉 Victory comes when we seek God.
👉 Blessing comes when we obey Him fully.
David learned that every battle, every decision, every step—
it all belongs to the Lord.
And my sisters, that is where peace comes from.
Not in having all the answers…
But in knowing Who to go to for them. 🙌
🌿 Lesson for Me
It doesn’t matter how long I’ve walked with God, how much I’ve learned, or how many victories I’ve seen—
I still need to seek Him every time.
I cannot rely on yesterday’s strength, yesterday’s wisdom, or yesterday’s answers.
God wants a living, active relationship with me—one where I ask, listen, and obey in real time.
I also see that good intentions are not enough.
David wanted to honor God before, but doing it the wrong way brought correction.
This reminds me:
👉 God is not looking for me to just try—He is calling me to follow His way.
👉 Partial obedience or doing things “my way” can cost more than I realize.
👉 When I humble myself, ask Him, and obey Him fully—that’s where blessing flows.
And I love this… David didn’t stay stuck in failure.
He learned, corrected, and moved forward in obedience.
So for me:
I will ask God in every situation.
I will not assume—I will seek.
I will honor Him not just with my heart, but with my obedience.
⸻
🔍 Examine My Heart
* Do I truly seek God before making decisions, or do I move ahead based on what I think is right?
* Where in my life am I relying on past experience instead of present dependence on God?
* Have I become comfortable doing things “my way” instead of asking what God’s way is?
* Is there an area where God has already shown me the right way, but I haven’t fully obeyed?
* When I realize I’ve made a mistake, do I humble myself and correct it like David did?
⸻
🙏 Prayer
Father God,
Thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You that just like You fulfilled Your promises to David, You are faithful to fulfill every promise You have spoken.
Lord, teach me to seek You in everything.
Help me not to rely on my own understanding, my past experiences, or what feels right—but to come to You first.
Give me a heart that asks… and waits… and listens.
Forgive me for the times I have moved ahead without You, thinking I knew what to do. Forgive me for the times I have tried to do things my way instead of Yours.
Lord, I don’t just want to have good intentions—I want to walk in true obedience.
Show me Your way in every area of my life.
Give me the humility to follow it fully, even in the details.
And when I fail, remind me that I can come back, correct it, and continue forward in obedience—just like David.
I want my life to honor You.
I want Your presence to rest on everything I do.
So today, I choose to seek You… to trust You… and to obey You.
In Jesus’ name, amen. 🙏
⸻
📝 Journaling Reminder
Sit quietly before the Lord and listen for His voice. Let the Holy Spirit speak to your heart. Begin writing whatever He places on your heart, and continue until your thoughts begin to slow.
Then go back and read what you wrote, and ask Him to confirm and deepen what He is showing you.
You can begin like this:
“My little lamb…”
or
“Dear daughter…”
And let Him speak to you. 💛
Today’s reading
1 Chronicles 14,15
Psalms 132
Matthew 18
Scripture Focus
“So David asked God, “Should I go out to fight the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” The Lord replied, “Yes, go ahead. I will hand them over to you.””
1 Chronicles 14:10 NLT
“And once again David asked God what to do. “Do not attack them straight on,” God replied. …..
1 Chronicles 14:14 NLT
“So David did what God commanded, ……
1 Chronicles 14:16 NLT
“Because you Levites did not carry the Ark the first time, the anger of the Lord our God burst out against us. We failed to ask God how to move it properly.””
1 Chronicles 15:13 NLT
Reflection
✨ Reflection
My sisters, these two chapters in Chronicles are so exciting to read because we see, after all these years and after everything David went through, he is finally settled in what God told him—that he would be king—and we see God faithfully fulfill that promise.
Think about it… how many years did he wait?
How many trials did he endure?
Being hunted, hiding, rejected, tested… and yet through it all, he remained faithful to God.
Now here he is—established, victorious, experienced in war, trained, and powerful. If anyone could rely on themselves, it would be David. But that’s not what we see.
Instead, we see a man who has learned something deeper:
He does not rely on his strength…
He does not rely on his experience…
He does not rely on past victories…
He relies on God.
Before every battle, he asks.
Even when the same enemy comes again, he asks again.
He refuses to assume that yesterday’s instruction will work for today.
My sisters, this is powerful—because many of us would say,
“I already know what to do.”
“I’ve been here before.”
“I’ve handled this situation.”
But David shows us:
A heart that truly depends on God will ask Him every time.
And not only that—David learned from his mistakes.
He remembered what happened when they did not properly honor the Lord with the Ark. When they moved it their way instead of God’s way, it cost them. It brought correction instead of blessing.
But now… things are different.
Now they are going to do it God’s way.
The Ark is carried the way God commanded.
The people are consecrated.
Worship is restored with reverence and joy.
David learned that it’s not just about doing something for God…
it’s about doing it God’s way.
Not partially.
Not emotionally.
Not based on what seems right.
But according to His Word, His instruction, and His design.
And this is the lesson that stands out so clearly:
👉 Victory comes when we seek God.
👉 Blessing comes when we obey Him fully.
David learned that every battle, every decision, every step—
it all belongs to the Lord.
And my sisters, that is where peace comes from.
Not in having all the answers…
But in knowing Who to go to for them. 🙌
🌿 Lesson for Me
It doesn’t matter how long I’ve walked with God, how much I’ve learned, or how many victories I’ve seen—
I still need to seek Him every time.
I cannot rely on yesterday’s strength, yesterday’s wisdom, or yesterday’s answers.
God wants a living, active relationship with me—one where I ask, listen, and obey in real time.
I also see that good intentions are not enough.
David wanted to honor God before, but doing it the wrong way brought correction.
This reminds me:
👉 God is not looking for me to just try—He is calling me to follow His way.
👉 Partial obedience or doing things “my way” can cost more than I realize.
👉 When I humble myself, ask Him, and obey Him fully—that’s where blessing flows.
And I love this… David didn’t stay stuck in failure.
He learned, corrected, and moved forward in obedience.
So for me:
I will ask God in every situation.
I will not assume—I will seek.
I will honor Him not just with my heart, but with my obedience.
⸻
🔍 Examine My Heart
* Do I truly seek God before making decisions, or do I move ahead based on what I think is right?
* Where in my life am I relying on past experience instead of present dependence on God?
* Have I become comfortable doing things “my way” instead of asking what God’s way is?
* Is there an area where God has already shown me the right way, but I haven’t fully obeyed?
* When I realize I’ve made a mistake, do I humble myself and correct it like David did?
⸻
🙏 Prayer
Father God,
Thank You for Your faithfulness. Thank You that just like You fulfilled Your promises to David, You are faithful to fulfill every promise You have spoken.
Lord, teach me to seek You in everything.
Help me not to rely on my own understanding, my past experiences, or what feels right—but to come to You first.
Give me a heart that asks… and waits… and listens.
Forgive me for the times I have moved ahead without You, thinking I knew what to do. Forgive me for the times I have tried to do things my way instead of Yours.
Lord, I don’t just want to have good intentions—I want to walk in true obedience.
Show me Your way in every area of my life.
Give me the humility to follow it fully, even in the details.
And when I fail, remind me that I can come back, correct it, and continue forward in obedience—just like David.
I want my life to honor You.
I want Your presence to rest on everything I do.
So today, I choose to seek You… to trust You… and to obey You.
In Jesus’ name, amen. 🙏
⸻
📝 Journaling Reminder
Sit quietly before the Lord and listen for His voice. Let the Holy Spirit speak to your heart. Begin writing whatever He places on your heart, and continue until your thoughts begin to slow.
Then go back and read what you wrote, and ask Him to confirm and deepen what He is showing you.
You can begin like this:
“My little lamb…”
or
“Dear daughter…”
And let Him speak to you. 💛
Type your new text here.