The scripture says, “Satan incited David to number Israel.” This implies the enemy’s ability and method of deviousness was directed toward the heart and mind of the leader. He played on the pride factor in David’s life.

In the New Testament, we remember that Peter rebuked Ananias when he stated, “Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Ghost.” Again, the devil targets a leader and tempts him on a point of personal pride and advancement. Ananias had sold property and deceitfully kept back part of its value for himself after implying the entire profit would go to the Lord.

PRAYER: Father, keep us vigilant against the wiles of the devil. Hold back Your servant from besetting pride and self-preservation.

READING: 1 Chron. 21-23

As David was expressing his desire to build God a house to dwell in, Nathan intervened with a prophetic word predicting that Christ, David’s descendent, would build Him a house, one not made with hands, but from the hearts of His people.

Ps. 87 clarifies this truth when God declares through the king, “This (Zion, the city of God) is My resting place forever, here will I live, for I have desired it.”

PRAYER: Lord, keep us mindful that Your true dwelling place is the hearts of men, and deliver us from misdirecting our focus to buildings.

READING: 1 Chron. 18-20

The use of instruments and singing to worship the Lord reached its zenith in David’s reign. His Psalms and those of other Levite leaders are still used today to provide appropriate lyrical expression to sincere worshipers. Contemporary worship leaders are wise to carefully study this period of Israel’s history to form a doctrinally healthy approach to the use of singing and instruments in today’s churches.

God wants and deserves more worship, not less.

PRAYER: Lord, we still come before Your presence with singing and thanksgiving. Thank You for the richness of the Psalms to provide wording to worship You in Spirit and Truth.

READING: 1 Chron. 13-15

David’s close relationship with God produced a leadership aura that attracted strong men to the cause. They were drawn to him and lent their strength to his leadership of Israel. Because of this solidarity of leadership, strength, and unified purpose, God gave Israel a great peace.

God adds strong, insightful men to ministries and efforts He is endorsing. At the core will be a leader that has a heart for God like David did.

PRAYER: Father, show forth Your might and power in the earth through Godly leaders and mighty men who heed the call to spiritual conquest.

READING: 1 Chron. 10-12

Chronicles records the men available to fight from the different families who fled Egypt. The Bible pays attention to these significant numbers as Israel’s ability to defend itself relied upon its men who were ready for war.

Today, we again find ourselves in a time where God’s fighting men are significant. Only, the weapons of our warfare are not carnal … guns, swords etc. … but they are spiritual … things like prayer, faith, preaching, praise. Now is a critical time for the Church to engage our enemies and press into God for spiritual conquest. God loves people. He wants them in His family.

PRAYER: Lord, You have equipped us with mighty spiritual weapons that can topple the enemy’s strongholds. Stir us to use them effectively.

READING: 1 Chron. 7-9

Pain played a principle role in shaping the life and spiritual success of Jabez.

The Message Bible sums it up well:

Jabez was a better man than his brothers, a man of honor. His mother had named him Jabez (Oh, the pain!), saying, “A painful birth! I bore him in great pain!” Jabez prayed to the God of Israel: “Bless me, O bless me! Give me land, large tracts of land. And provide your personal protection—don’t let evil hurt me.” God gave him what he asked.

Don’t resent pain. Pray the “Prayer of Jabez” as a springboard to spiritual blessing and conquest.

PRAYER: Father in Heaven, forgive us for having such narrow, limiting sight when we experience pain in this life. Stir us to pray boldly like Jabez did, and grace us to begin walking in fresh, expanded blessing and spiritual conquest … all in the name of Jesus.

READING: 1 Chron. 4-6

Significant are the initial chapters of Chronicles to identify the distinctive bloodlines of Israel’s early families. Your name and place in a bloodline determined your estate in life and the qualification for inheritance etc.

When we take Christ as our Lord and Savior, we also take His name. In being baptized in the Name of the Father, Son, And Holy Ghost, the name is JESUS. Being called by His name makes us co-inheritors with Him of all God has promised.

We have a bright future.

PRAYER: Lord, I have given You my life and future.  I trust You to provide all that I really have need of. I will thereby concentrate on serving You with all my heart and not worry about the material things of life.

READING: 1 Chron. 1-3

The Israelites had established many other gods to worship including the sun and moon. Pointing to the idiocy of worshiping the moon, what beneficial powers can one derive from it? Maybe it helps romance?!?

Many today worship little pieces of paper with numbers on them … $1, $100.  Many worship groups of grown men in colorful outfits, trying to hurt each other if they have an egg-shaped brown leather ball in their hand. Others bow down to their modes of transportation, or buildings they live in. On and on.

“You shall have NO OTHER GODS before Me.” [Ex. 20:3]

PRAYER: Father, forgive us for our dependencies upon anything or anyone other than YOU. You alone are God.

READING: 2 Kings 23-25

When he heard the reading of God’s law, the young king wept because he was now aware of how grievous the sins of the nation had been against the Lord.

Saints in the earth now are wise to take up this concern about the grievous practices nations are involved in. God hears those prayers and will mix them with His wrath and pour it out upon those who reject Him.

These are critical days of prayer for our nation and the Lord’s Work in the earth.

PRAYER: Father, hear our prayer. Forgive us of our sins and bring a great revival. We prayer in Jesus’ name.

READING: 2 Kings: 20-22

Hezekiah trusted the Lord when Sennacherib laid siege to the cities of Judah. Sennacherib taunted them by saying he was operating on orders from God. Hezekiah cried out to the Lord. God sent His angel who in one night took the life of 185,000 Assyrian army soldiers. God came through.

We can always trust the Lord to be our defense when our enemies attack. The enemy is like a toothless, roaring lion.

PRAYER: Lord, as Hezekiah trusted in Your provision and protection, so we cry out to Your Holy name.

READING:2 Kings 18,19