Living Stones Bible Devotionals

Forgiveness is not free. There is always something exchanged for it. When the forgiven person owns neither repentance nor thankfulness for their new state, they become arrogant and entitled seeing forgiveness as their "right" and engaging in ever increasing offenses with no expectation of punishment.

2 Samuel 14:18-33 "Mocking Mercy"

"There are six things that the LORD hates, 
seven that are an abomination to him: 
haughty eyes, a lying tongue, 
and hands that shed innocent blood, 
heart that devises wicked plans, 
feet that make haste to run to evil, 
false witness who breathes out lies, 
and one who sows discord among brothers." 
Proverbs 6:16-19

"There are six things that the LORD hates,
seven that are an abomination to him:
haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
and hands that shed innocent blood,
heart that devises wicked plans,
feet that make haste to run to evil,
false witness who breathes out lies,
and one who sows discord among brothers."
Proverbs 6:16-19

2 Samuel 11:13-27 "Displeasing Matter"

God shows David great mercy by bringing him face to face with his sin, reminding him through the example of his servant what it looks like to be faithful to God and those around him.

2 Samuel 11:6-13 "Contrasting Character"

We must not succumb to the pressure to rush toward a solution thinking that through speed or strength of action we can attain victory. Inquire of the LORD, wait on the LORD, obey the LORD.

2 Samuel 5:17-25 "Shall I Go Up?"

Both unchecked anger and calculated pragmatism can be tools in the hand of The Enemy; sowing disobedience and division, leading to strife among kinsmen and unnecessary deaths.

2 Samuel 2:12-32 "Competition and Pursuit"

Even after all that Saul put David through, David refused to rejoice in his downfall. He honored Saul and his position in death as he did in life, but he was truly distressed over the death of Jonathan.

2 Samuel 1:17-27 "The Mighty Have Fallen"

Even when David's family are taken from him and the people he leads turn on him, he is not hopeless, he is not alone. David strengthens himself in the LORD his God.

1 Samuel 30:1-15 "Strengthened in the LORD"

David saw God's judgement upon Nabal as vindication, an act of justice on his behalf. He also recognized the great mercy God had shown him by keeping him from sinning through avenging his own honor.

1 Samuel 25:36-44 "Avenged and Protected"

"A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly." 
Proverbs 15:1-2

"A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly."
Proverbs 15:1-2

1 Samuel 25:18-35 "A Voice of Reason"

True repentance doesn't come from flattering the person you've wronged, or acknowledging they are morally superior and wishing them well; it comes from a heart that is broken over the sin committed against a Holy God, asks for forgiveness, and then commits to not sinning again.

1 Samuel 24:16-22 "More Righteous than I"

David demonstrates great patience as he waits for God's timing and reliance upon God's justice as he trusts the LORD to be his judge and avenger.

1 Samuel 24:1-15 “Judge and Avenger”

Saul chose to shame his true servants and kill those who would speak truth to him. He became the inverse of what a king should be.

1 Samuel 22:6-23 "Servants of the King"

There is no greater blessing than to have the LORD's presence and favor in your life. It is a torment to the wicked to see God bless His people.

1 Samuel 17:55-18:16 "The LORD Was With Him"

For not in my bow do I trust, nor can my sword save me. 
But you have saved us from our foes and have put to shame those who hate us. 
In God we have boasted continually, and we will give thanks to your name forever. Selah 
Psalms 44:6-8

For not in my bow do I trust, nor can my sword save me.
But you have saved us from our foes and have put to shame those who hate us.
In God we have boasted continually, and we will give thanks to your name forever. Selah
Psalms 44:6-8

1 Samuel 17:41-54 "The LORD Saves"

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 
1 Peter 2:9

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
1 Peter 2:9

1 Samuel 17:12-30 "Battle Lines, War Cries"

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." James 1:17

1 Samuel 15:24-35 "The LORD Regretted"

Even in the midst of rejecting God as their king, Israel shows themselves to be totally dependent upon God to the point that they need Him to provide the one they want to replace Him with.

1 Samuel 10:17-27 "Whom the LORD has Chosen"

It is impossible to overstate the importance of Jesus Christ and His work. It's not simply that the whole of the Bible and all of human history points to Christ, it all depends entirely on Christ without exception.

John 20:11-12 "The Atoning Cover"

"Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption." Psalm 16:9-10

John 20:1-10 "The Mostly Empty Tomb"

As the Jewish leaders serve their own self interests and seek to retain earthly power, they are unwittingly putting Jesus' authority and divinity on display. God's plans to glorify His Son are only moved forward by their opposition to Him.

Living Stones Bible Devotionals Videos