Scripture2 Samuel 24:10 (NIV)David was conscience-stricken after he had counted the fighting men, and he said to the Lord, “I have sinned greatly in what I have done. Now, Lord, I beg you, take away the guilt of your servant. I have done a very foolish thing.”ReflectionOne of the clearest signs of spiritual growth is not perfection but responsiveness to conviction.Earlier in David's life, Nathan h...

Scripture2 Samuel 24:1-4 (NIV)Again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.” So the king said to Joab and the army commanders with him, “Go throughout the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba and enroll the fighting men, so that I may know how many there are.” But Joab replied to the king, “May the Lord yo...

Scripture“Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart. I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end.” — Psalm 119:111–112ReflectionBy the end of this passage, the psalmist no longer speaks about the Word as merely instruction. He speaks about it as joy. The Word has moved from being something he simply obeys to something he treasures. He calls God’...