On the seventh day the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, “Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spoke to him, and he did not listen to us. How then can we say to him the child is dead? He may do himself some harm.” But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David understood that the child was dead. And David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” They said, “He is dead.” Then David arose from the earth and washed and anointed himself and changed his clothes. And he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. He then went to his own house. And when he asked, they set food before him, and he ate. Then his servants said to him, “What is this thing that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive; but when the child died, you arose and ate food.” He said, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, ‘Who knows whether the LORD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.”

Look at this passage as an example of guidance during a season of difficulty. As the sickness of his child progressed, David humbled himself before the LORD, trusting in His ultimate goodness, but praying for a different outcome.

When the child died, his first act was to prepare himself for worship and go to the house of the LORD. He went in acceptance of the LORD's will, acknowledging the authority of the LORD, God, the Almighty.

Today's readings in the Psalms:

Morning: Psalm 129

Mid-day: 119:145-152

Evening: Psalm 54

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