When you feel trapped or under threat, worried or afraid, overwhelmed or powerless: be strong; face the situation head-on; do what needs to be done; trust God to do what is best. No amount of worry or fear can change your situation. But God has the power to help. So, give it over to Him. There is no one better to trust with your life.

David was an unselfish ruler. He gave God the plunder due Him for victory, and he gave Mephibosheth his family’s inheritance because of his love for Jonathan and took him in as a part of his family. God does the same thing for us. Because of our relationship with God's Son, God takes us into His family, and like David, we owe Him everything.

While David lived in a luxurious, stable home, God’s Spirit dwelt in a tent. David wanted to build God a house, but the Lord said He would rather build up David’s house. Through him would come all the kings and eventually the King of the World. God’s Spirit no longer hovers over the mercy seat of the ark. Instead, He lives in the hearts of believers. We are the temple that houses His Spirit, now.

God is holy and deserves to be treated with reverence, but that may look different than you think. God thinks Uzzah is being irreverent and Michal thinks David is. What is your initial reaction? Do you feel differently after studying the lesson?.

Even before David was anointed as their king, people wanted to follow Him. Many left their country and their king and risked their lives for Him. But the greatest testament to David’s worthiness as their king, was the number who came to anoint him and the three men who risked their lives just to provide him with a taste of home. Men will fight for a cause. But when they choose to follow a man who has no authority over them and they will do anything to please him, then you know they have found a great leader.

Sometimes when people try to help, they just make things worse. But God never messes up or hurts innocent people in His efforts. His plans are perfect and they always accomplish what He intends. He can be trusted!

Do you take joy in the defeat or pain of those who have hurt you? Do you respect God’s choices and timing? Do you trust Him to raise and remove the leaders He chooses, in the time and manner He determines? Will you respect and follow those people until the Lord removes them from leadership? Are you able to set aside your own personal issues with your leaders and see the good they may have done for others? Can you look past the negative things and remember the good in them? Are you willing to praise them publicly while keeping the negative things to yourself? Do you desire the best for everyone rather than selfishly seeking what is best for yourself?

Do you look to God for answers, understanding, or for fulfillment of your needs and wants? Or do you turn to other things? Do you seek to please Him first? Or do you first seek to take care of yourself, leaving Him as an afterthought?

Sometimes, when things aren’t quickly resolved in our own lives and the trials seem to linger on, we may be tempted to think that God has deserted us and turn away from Him. But, if we will remain faithful, refusing to desert our God, He will prove Himself faithful to us. His protection, favor, victory, or way out may not come as quickly as we wish or in the way we want, but that shouldn’t cause us to doubt Him. We can’t always see what’s happening behind the scenes or understand all His ways. But that doesn’t mean He isn’t there or He isn’t working.

It is hard not to defend ourselves or be mean to people who are being mean to us. But if we will treat them the way we want to be treated and do what is right, then God will fight for us.