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Devotions for Week 2: David: Finding Peace When We Are Troubled (WATCH HERE)

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Colossians 3:15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

In Colossians 3 Paul gives us a simple yet searching template for living with peace. These verses do not promise a life without trouble, but they do show us how to recognize when our hearts have drifted and how to return to a place of rest in Christ.

Often we notice our lack of peace before we understand its cause. Anxiety rises, irritation lingers, joy feels distant. These moments are invitations to pause and ask honest questions. When my heart is not at peace, the first question is this: Who or what is ruling my heart in this moment? Something always is. It may be fear of the future, the opinions of others, unmet expectations, or the desire to control outcomes. Jesus says in John 14:27, “My peace I give you.” But his peace rules only when he rules. If peace is missing, it may be because something else has taken the seat of authority in my heart.

The second question follows closely. What word of God and promise of God is not dwelling in me? Paul urges believers to let the message of Christ dwell in them richly. A heart empty of truth will quickly be filled with lies. When we forget God’s promises, we begin to rehearse worst case scenarios instead. Psalm 119:165 tells us that great peace belongs to those who love God’s law. Peace grows where truth is allowed to live abundantly. Singing psalms and hymns is not just worship. It is a way of reminding our souls of what is true when emotions are unreliable.

The third question is perhaps the most confronting. Am I living to the glory of God or myself? Paul brings everything into focus with verse 17. Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus. A self-centered life will always be restless. When life revolves around my comfort, my success, or my recognition, peace becomes fragile. But when my aim is God’s glory, even difficult circumstances can coexist with deep calm. Jesus himself lived this way, and Hebrews 12:2 reminds us that for the joy set before him, he endured the cross.  And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Paul weaves gratitude through all three verses. Thankfulness is both a fruit and a guard of peace. It shifts our attention from what is lacking to who is present. It anchors us again in grace. When peace is missing, gratitude often follows close behind.

These verses invite us into a daily practice. Notice the unrest. Ask the questions. Recenter on Christ. Peace returns not because life changes, but because our hearts realign under the loving rule of Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, let your love, grace and peace always fill my heart.  AMEN.

Devotions for Week 2: David: Finding Peace When We Are Troubled (WATCH HERE)

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1 Samuel 16:18 One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the LORD is with him.” 

19 Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” 20 So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul.

21 David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. 22 Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”

Certain people have a calming presence.  There are moments when peace enters a room not because circumstances have changed, but because a person has arrived. In 1 Samuel 16, Saul is a troubled king. The Spirit of the Lord has departed from him, and his inner life is marked by fear, restlessness, and torment. Into that unsettled space God brings David, not yet as king, not yet as warrior, but simply as a faithful servant whose presence brings relief.

While David has skill with the harp and is noted for his courage and his appearance, the most important phrase comes at the end of the description: “The Lord is with him” (1 Samuel 16:18). That single sentence explains why David’s presence matters. David does not bring peace because of talent alone. He brings peace because he lives before God with a heart shaped by trust, humility, and obedience. God chooses to use that kind of godliness as an instrument of calm in a troubled soul.

We see something similar throughout Scripture. Proverbs tells us that a gentle answer turns away wrath. Paul urges believers to let the peace of Christ rule in their hearts and then to live that peace out within the body of Christ. God often brings his peace into anxious situations not through dramatic intervention but through the steady presence of people who walk closely with him.

David does not fix Saul’s heart. He does not remove Saul’s deeper spiritual problem. But God still uses David to provide relief. When God uses us bring peace, he does not require perfect conditions or perfect outcomes. Faithfulness is enough. God takes care of the rest.

You can be a David to someone.  God may place you in the presence of someone who is anxious, grieving, angry, or spiritually unsettled. You may not have answers or solutions. You may not even know the full story. Yet God can still use your godliness, your patience, your prayerful presence, and your quiet trust to bring peace into that space. The call is not to fix people, but to be faithful people through whom God works.

Reflect: How do you think your presence affects the emotional or spiritual atmosphere around you? Where might God be inviting you to be a quiet source of peace for someone else this week?

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for using ordinary people to carry your peace into troubled places. Shape my heart to reflect your presence more clearly. Help me walk closely with you so that others may sense your peace through my words, actions, and spirit. Use me as you used David, not for my glory, but for yours. Amen.

Devotions for Week 2: David: Finding Peace When We Are Troubled (WATCH HERE)

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1 Samuel 16:15 Saul’s attendants said to him, “See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. 16 Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the lyre. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes on you, and you will feel better.”

17 So Saul said to his attendants, “Find someone who plays well and bring him to me.”

18 One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him.”

 

Here in 1 Samuel 16, we are given a quiet yet profound glimpse into the power God has placed within music. Saul is tormented in his inner soul. Scripture describes his distress as a troubling spirit, and his attendants recognize that the turmoil of his soul needs more than advice or command. They discern that music can bring relief. Their solution is simple: Find someone who can play the lyre so that peace may return to the king’s heart.

This moment reminds us that God often uses gentle means to accomplish deep healing. Music does not argue with the soul. It does not demand explanations. It reaches places words cannot touch. When David plays, Saul feels better. The sound of strings becomes a channel of grace. Though Saul’s problems are far from resolved, the music brings a pause in the torment. In that pause, mercy is felt.

Music throughout Scripture carries spiritual weight. In 2 Kings 3:15, Elisha asks for a musician, and as the music plays, the hand of the Lord comes upon the prophet. Many of the psalms were sung prayers, shaping faith through melody. Music has always been a companion to God’s people in moments of fear, sorrow, and praise.

David is not chosen only because of skill. The servant describes him as brave, articulate, and favored by the Lord. The presence of God in David’s life is as important as the music he plays. The power of music is not merely technical. When it flows from a heart aligned with God, it brings greater blessing to the ones listening.  In fact, Colossians 3:16 urges believers to let the word of Christ dwell richly among them as they sing psalms and spiritual songs. Music becomes a vessel for truth when it is rooted in God’s word.

We can picture Saul sitting in his palace, the noise of anxiety filling his mind. Then David begins to play. The room changes. Breathing slows. Thoughts settle. This is a picture many of us recognize. We live in a loud and restless world. Our souls are often troubled by fear, regret, or uncertainty. God still today uses music to bring calm. A worship song in a hospital room, a hymn remembered in grief, or a quiet melody during prayer can open space for the peace of God which surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7).

Use music intentionally. Choose songs that point your heart toward God when anxiety rises. Sing even when you do not feel strong. And like David, allow your life to be shaped by God’s presence so that what flows from you brings peace to others. Music offered to God becomes ministry to wounded hearts.

Reflect: Where do you see your soul needing calm and how might worshipful music invite God’s peace into that space? How can you use music to encourage and bring healing to someone else this week?

Prayer: Lord God, you know the places where our hearts feel troubled and restless. Thank you for the gift of music and for the way it carries your comfort into our lives. Teach us to turn toward you in song and to let your truth dwell richly within us. Use our worship to calm our souls and to bless those around us. May your peace reign in our hearts today. Amen

Devotions for Week 2: David: Finding Peace When We Are Troubled (WATCH HERE)

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1 Samuel 16:23 Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.

In 1 Samuel 16 we see Saul tormented by an evil spirit from the Lord. His heart is restless and troubled, yet God provides a remarkable solution. David, the youngest son of Jesse, is brought to Saul to play the harp. As the music flows, Saul experiences relief. The torment is lifted, and peace fills the room. Yet nothing has fundamentally changed in Saul’s relationship with God. The peace is genuine but incomplete. God allows David’s presence to restrain the torment, even while Saul remains unaware of the true source of his calm. The Spirit of the Lord is not yet fully at work in Saul’s heart, but God still provides relief.

Scripture shows that this pattern is not unique to Saul. In Judges 8, we read that Midian was subdued and the land enjoyed peace for forty years during Gideon’s lifetime. The people experienced calm and security, yet this peace was temporary. Their hearts would drift later, and they would again turn from God. God often grants seasons of relief and stability not as a reward, but as a gracious gift. Jesus reminds us of the same principle in Matthew 6. “Do not worry about tomorrow,” He says. “Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Daily peace is a gift, not a guarantee earned by understanding or merit. God meets us in ways we sometimes do not recognize.

Many of us have experienced something similar. Peace can come in unexpected forms. Music, a quiet walk in nature, or the rhythm of a daily routine can calm our spirits without our even noticing God behind the moment. Like enjoying warmth without acknowledging the sun, we receive a real benefit even when the source is overlooked. Saul felt relief, and the nation under Gideon enjoyed calm, yet neither fully recognized the hand of God granting it.

This temporary peace is an invitation. It points us to a greater reality. God often meets us with relief before we are ready to name Him as the giver. The question is whether we will stop at relief, enjoying the moment as an isolated blessing, or allow it to draw us deeper into a relationship with Him. When God grants calm, He invites our hearts to see beyond the moment, to recognize His presence and trust Him more fully. Peace is a signpost, not the destination. It points to the ultimate source, the one who alone can satisfy the restless heart.

Reflect: Where have you felt calm, security, or relief even when you did not recognize God’s role? How might He be drawing you deeper through those experiences, inviting you into trust rather than settling for a fleeting sense of ease? These moments are not accidents. They are glimpses of the God who longs to make His presence known, who offers the quiet assurance that carries us through the next trial, the next uncertainty, the next restless night.

Prayer: Gracious God, thank you for the peace you give even before we understand it. Open my eyes to recognize you as the source of every good gift. Draw me beyond relief into trust, beyond fleeting calm into a deeper awareness of your presence. Help me to follow where you lead, even when the path is not yet clear, and to find rest in the assurance that your Spirit works in my life in ways I may not yet see. Amen.

Devotions for Week 2: David: Finding Peace When We Are Troubled (WATCH HERE)

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Is today one of those days you didn’t feel like getting out of bed?  Do you felt discouraged or despondent?  Perhaps worried or anxious?  Maybe you are struggling to see meaning and purpose in your day or life.  Maybe a sin in your life is creating guilt and shame that you don’t feel like God can do something about. Your spirit is downcast.

No one likes these moments or seasons.  At times you can “push through it.”  You can embrace the motto, “Just keep moving” (even when you don’t feel like it).  The sun will come out tomorrow…seems like the only positive perspective you can carry.

Is it possible that these moments or seasons where our hearts lack peace have a divine purpose?  Would God allow them…let alone send them for a reason?

1 Samuel 16:14 says this, “Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him.”

You might be able to understand the phrase, “the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul.”  He had chosen to disobey the word of the Lord and act in a way contrary to the Lord’s direction when he fought against and defeated the Amalekites. It was the final straw that God rejected Saul and his family as future kings of Israel. 

We can understand a pattern of pseudo obedience and half-hearted following of the Lord’s words would lead the Lord to anoint David as the next king.  Saul’s heart had drifted from the Lord.  

But the second phrase is more challenging.  “…an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him.”  Thoughts first might turn to the question, “Did God send a demon to Saul?”  No, this is not demon possession.  However, it is a bad spirit that manifested in discouragement, despair and a depressed soul.

Saul’s spiritual condition was manifesting in a physical way.  

When we drift from the Lord and his word of truth, the Lord allows a troubled spirit to torment us.  Deuteronomy 28:58 If you do not carefully follow all the words of this law, which are written in this book, and do not revere this glorious and awesome name—the Lord your God— 59 the Lord will send fearful plagues on you and your descendants, harsh and prolonged disasters, and severe and lingering illnesses. …64 Then the Lord will scatter you among all nations, from one end of the earth to the other. …There the Lord will give you an anxious mind, eyes weary with longing, and a despairing heart. 66 You will live in constant suspense, filled with dread both night and day, never sure of your life. 67 In the morning you will say, “If only it were evening!” and in the evening, “If only it were morning!”—because of the terror that will fill your hearts and the sights that your eyes will see.

God had warned Israel hundreds of years before that when hearts drifted and deserted the Lord and his word, the Lord would send an anxious mind, despairing heart, and minds filled with dread…an evil spirit.

So today is an opportunity to sit with the emotions and ask, “What is God revealing about my heart?”  Am I drifting from the Lord?  Am I neglecting his word or ignoring it?  Am I putting someone or something else as priority in my life?

Knowing God is good and everything he does is for our eternal good, perhaps his purpose in allowing an evil spirit to come to Saul and to us at times is to pause to understand where our heart is out of alignment with the Lord and take time to reorient all to the Lord.

For only there will the despair and despondency be replaced with peace and hope.

 

Reflect: What emotions have you felt recently?  What do they communicate about your relationship with the Lord and his Word?

Prayer: Lord, when you send an evil spirit into my heart, allow me to see it as a gift to address what is out of alignment and with your Spirit’s power align all of my life to you.  Grant me your forgiveness, power and peace in the process.  AMEN.