In today’s reading, we dive into the Chronicler’s account of David’s military victories in 1 Chronicles 20, including the capture of Rabbah and battles with the Philistines. At first glance, it may seem like something is conspicuously absent: the Chronicler does not mention David’s grievous sins with Bathsheba and Uriah, nor the tragic fallout that followed. These omissions could raise questions: Is the Chronicler trying to whitewash David’s story? Does this retelling distort the reality of David’s reign? With insight garnered from the Grace and Truth Study Bible notes, let’s explore these questions and see how the Chronicler’s approach reveals deep truths about God’s redemptive purposes.

“The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.”
— Zephaniah 3:17

God’s love often defies explanation, yet it is a reality we can rest in and experience. Tozer’s reflections on the love of God in Chapter 20 of The Knowledge of the Holy invite us to stretch our hearts toward this vast and eternal truth, not in an attempt to fully comprehend it, but to marvel at its beauty and receive it as the gift it is.

“Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
— Ephesians 4:31-32

Forgiveness is one of the clearest expressions of living in the grace of God. It requires us to step out of the patterns of the “old man” and embrace the kindness, tenderheartedness, and mercy of the “new man” in Christ.

Richard Kuykendall, in Living in the Garden of Grace, thoughtfully highlights the transformative nature of forgiveness. Through forgiveness, we release bitterness and resentment, restore broken relationships, and reflect God’s love and grace to the world around us. It’s not always an easy process, but it is essential for living in the freedom and unity that Christ has made possible for us.

"Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak." – Matthew 26:41

In today’s devotional from Days of Heaven on Earth, A.B. Simpson invites us to consider the importance of wisdom and discernment in our prayers. It’s not enough to simply pray; we must also ensure that our prayers align with God’s promises and guidance. Misguided prayers can lead to disillusionment and even spiritual darkness, as Simpson illustrates through the story of his friend.

"Clouds and darkness are round about Him." – Psalm 97:2

In today’s devotional from My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers draws our attention to the mystery and majesty of God’s presence. For those who have yet to encounter the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, the teachings of Jesus may appear straightforward and easy to grasp. Yet, for those who have been baptized by the Spirit, a deeper reality emerges—one where "clouds and darkness are round about Him."

"In Him we have our redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace…that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus…To me, who am less than the least of all saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable [unfathomable] riches of Christ." – Ephesians 1:7; 2:7; 3:8

Today’s devotional from Day by Day by Grace draws us into the vastness of God’s grace. How often do we underestimate the magnitude of His grace and the limitless supply He extends to us?

"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him." – 2 Chronicles 16:9

This morning’s devotional, sourced from Abide Above, reminds us of the relentless purpose of God in our lives. Every thought God has concerning us is grounded in His Son, Jesus Christ, where He has placed us. His plans are "thoughts of peace, and not of evil" (Jeremiah 29:11), working even the harm done to us by others for our good, all for Jesus’ sake.

The story of Thomas, often called "Doubting Thomas," in John 20:24–29 offers a profound insight into the nature of faith and belief. Thomas’ journey from doubt to faith reminds us that Christianity is not about blind acceptance but about trust and relationship that go beyond mere evidence.

As Revelation 17 unfolds, we are given a vivid and symbolic portrait of Babylon—represented as a woman drunk on the blood of God’s people and seated on a seven-headed beast. This chapter provides a more detailed look at the events briefly described during the bowl judgments (Revelation 16). It peels back the layers of Babylon’s identity, unveiling her as a representation of worldly, ungodly values: political power, economic excess, and spiritual corruption.

Matthew 17 is a rich chapter that reveals both the glory of Jesus Christ and the deep lessons about faith and obedience that He imparts to His disciples. From the mountaintop to the daily struggles of ministry, this passage encourages believers to trust in Jesus’ divine nature and His provision for every need.

Jeremiah 34 offers a sobering glimpse into the consequences of faithlessness and broken promises. This chapter, set during Nebuchadnezzar's siege of Jerusalem around 588 BC, revolves around King Zedekiah and his people. It demonstrates the weight of breaking covenant with God and failing to show compassion to others.

Proverbs 30, written by Agur son of Jakeh, offers deep insights into the human condition, wisdom, and God's design for life. Drawing on the Grace and Truth Study Bible, let’s explore how this section of Proverbs challenges us to seek God’s wisdom, embrace contentment, and marvel at His creation.

The events of 1 Chronicles 19 give us a vivid picture of honor, humiliation, and ultimate vindication under God’s sovereign hand. David’s genuine act of kindness toward Hanun, the newly crowned king of the Ammonites, is met with paranoia and a cruel response. This rejection not only insults David’s envoys but ignites a war that ends in a resounding victory for Israel. Through this account, the Grace and Truth Study Bible highlights how divine favor and confidence in God’s purposes secure victory for David’s army.

God's grace is an awe-inspiring attribute that offers hope and transformation to all who receive it. As A.W. Tozer so eloquently writes in The Knowledge of the Holy, grace is not merely a concept or occasional action from God—it is an intrinsic aspect of His nature. This infinite and eternal grace flows from the very heart of God and reaches us through Jesus Christ, the ultimate channel of grace.

In 2 Peter 3:18, we are urged to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” David Kuykendall’s reflection on this verse reminds us of God’s deep desire for His children to grow—not just in knowledge or understanding, but in grace itself.

Growth in grace is the very heart of our Christian journey. Just as earthly parents delight in seeing their children mature, our heavenly Father takes pleasure in our growth. Yet, how often do we miss out on the joy of bringing Him pleasure when we stall in our spiritual development?

Ezekiel 36:27 gives us a wonderful promise: “I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes and to carefully observe My ordinances.” This verse paints a picture of a life immersed in God’s Spirit—a life where obedience flows naturally, much like the waters in Ezekiel's vision.

This spiritual life isn't about struggle or self-effort but about surrender and trust. As we yield to God, He leads us into rhythms of living that become natural extensions of His divine life within us. However, these rhythms often start with deliberate choices, repeated faithfully until they become habits infused with the Spirit’s power. Let’s explore additional insights from today's Days of Heaven devotional by A.B. Simpson.

“He went out, not knowing whither he went.” (Hebrews 11:8)

Oswald Chambers’ thought-provoking devotional reminds us of the radical trust demonstrated by Abraham when he obeyed God’s call, venturing into the unknown without any detailed explanation or roadmap. Abraham’s story is not merely ancient history—it’s an invitation for us to live with the same unreserved dependence on God.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father; full of grace and truth…And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for [upon] grace.” (John 1:14, 16)

The grace of God is more than a concept or a doctrine; it is a person. Jesus Christ embodies the fullness of God's grace. As John 1:14 reveals, when the Word became flesh and lived among us, He demonstrated divine grace and truth perfectly. His life, His words, and His actions were a living message from the Father—a message brimming with transformative grace. Let’s explore this beautiful message with guidance from today’s Day by Day by Grace devotional.

Our Christian journey often circles back to one central truth: we are not self-sufficient. The life we are called to live, one of bearing fruit for God’s glory, is not something we produce through our own effort or striving. Instead, it is the natural outcome of abiding in Christ, our Vine, who provides everything we need.

A.J. Gordon’s words in today’s Abide Above devotional beautifully illustrate this principle: “The vine furnishes the branches, not only with the principle of life, but with the type of life.” As branches, we are not responsible for creating the fruit or even shaping it—we are merely vessels through which the life of the Vine flows. Just as the root determines the branch’s form, taste, and fragrance, so too does Christ’s life within us shape every detail of our spiritual growth.

The problem of evil is one of the biggest questions we face as believers. If God is good and all-powerful, why does He allow evil and suffering? This isn’t just a philosophical puzzle—it’s personal. We’ve all seen pain up close, and we’ve all asked why.

To make sense of this, we turn to two perspectives that have helped believers across the ages: the Free Will Defense and what I like to call the Christ-Centered Redemptive View. Together, these ideas don’t just explain the existence of evil—they show how God works through it to bring about something far greater than we can imagine