2 Samuel, Week 11

Day 4: Flee, Don’t Fight
Devotional
Not all temptations are created equal. While we’re called to resist many forms of sin, Scripture gives us different instructions when it comes to sexual temptation: flee. Don’t strategize, don’t negotiate, don’t try to manage it - run.
This isn’t because sexual sin is unforgivable, but because it’s uniquely destructive. It attacks the very temple of the Holy Spirit - your body. It creates bonds that God intended only for marriage and leaves scars that affect every area of life.
David’s story shows us how quickly a glance can become a gaze, and a gaze can become a devastating choice. The moment he chose to look again rather than look away, he stepped onto a path that would lead to adultery, murder, and the death of his child.
The good news is that God always provides a way of escape. But we have to take it. We have to be willing to be “rude” to temptation, to cut off access, to flee rather than flirt with danger.
This might mean changing your route to work, installing accountability software, or having uncomfortable conversations about boundaries. It might feel extreme, but the alternative - the destruction that sexual sin brings - is far worse.
Your purity isn’t just about you. It affects your relationship with God, your family, and your future. It’s worth fighting for by running away.
Bible Verse
Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. - 1 Corinthians 6:18
Reflection Question
What specific steps do you need to take to flee from sexual temptation rather than trying to manage or resist it?
Quote
You cannot treat it like any other sin. Every other sin, but not this one. This one is against your body. The temple of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer
God, give me the wisdom to recognize sexual temptation early and the courage to flee immediately. Help me value purity more than convenience or comfort.

2 Samuel, Week 11

Day 3: Fill the Vacuum

Devotional
Nature abhors a vacuum, and so does the spiritual realm. When we create empty space in our lives by neglecting God’s purposes, that space doesn’t remain empty - it gets filled with something else, and it’s rarely something good.
David’s idle time in Jerusalem wasn’t just unproductive; it was spiritually dangerous. Without the structure and purpose of his kingly duties, he became vulnerable to temptations that would have been impossible if he’d been where God intended him to be.
The same principle applies to us. When we’re not actively pursuing God’s calling, when our schedules lack holy pursuits, when we create space for boredom and aimlessness, we’re essentially sending an invitation to temptation. The enemy is always prowling, looking for unguarded moments and unstructured time.
This doesn’t mean we can never rest or have leisure time. But it does mean we need to be intentional about filling our lives with God’s purposes. When we’re walking in obedience, pursuing His plans, and staying connected to His calling, there’s simply no room for destructive patterns to take root.
The best defense against temptation isn’t just saying no to bad things - it’s saying yes to God’s good plans for your life. When your life is full of His purposes, there’s no vacuum for the enemy to fill.
Bible Verse
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. - 1 Peter 5:8
Reflection Question
How can you more intentionally fill your schedule and thoughts with holy pursuits rather than leaving empty space for temptation?
Quote
“If you are not cultivating a schedule in your life filled with holy pursuits, you create a vacuum for Satan to fill with wickedness.”
Prayer
Lord, help me structure my life around Your purposes rather than my comfort. Fill every area of my life with Your calling so there’s no room for the enemy’s schemes.

2 Samuel, Week 11

Day 2: The Sin of Omission
Devotional
We often think of sin as the bad things we do, but Scripture reveals another category that’s equally dangerous: the good things we fail to do. These are called sins of omission, and they can be just as destructive as any moral failure.
When we know what’s right but choose not to act, we’re not just missing an opportunity - we’re actively sinning. That conversation you know you should have, the forgiveness you should extend, the service you should offer - avoiding these isn’t neutral territory. It’s disobedience that creates fertile ground for greater temptations.
The tragedy is that sins of omission often feel safer than sins of commission. We tell ourselves we’re not hurting anyone by staying silent or inactive. But this passive disobedience weakens our spiritual defenses and makes us vulnerable to more obvious sins.
David’s story shows us how neglecting our calling creates space for devastating choices. When we’re not actively pursuing what God has asked of us, we become sitting targets for the enemy’s schemes.
Consider the good you know you should be doing but aren’t. That neglect isn’t harmless - it’s preparing the way for greater spiritual danger. God’s calling on your life isn’t just about productivity; it’s about protection.
Bible Verse
So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. - James 4:17
Reflection Question
What good thing do you know you should be doing but have been avoiding, and how might this omission be affecting your spiritual health?
Quote
“When you commit the sin of omission, you cultivate the environment for which is going to be ripe for you to commit the sins of commission.”
Prayer
Father, convict me of the good I’ve failed to do. Help me see that my calling isn’t optional but essential for my spiritual protection and growth.

2 Samuel, Week 11

Day 1: The Danger of Spiritual Drift
Devotional
King David’s greatest failure didn’t happen in a moment of weakness - it began months earlier when he chose comfort over calling. While other kings led their armies into battle, David stayed home in Jerusalem, creating dangerous space in his life. This wasn’t just a scheduling decision; it was a spiritual one that would cost him dearly.
When we step back from what God has called us to do, we don’t just create empty time - we create a vacuum that temptation rushes to fill. Maybe you’ve been avoiding that difficult conversation, neglecting your spiritual disciplines, or putting off the hard work God has placed before you. These aren’t small compromises; they’re the breeding ground for bigger failures.
God has given each of us specific responsibilities and callings. When we abandon these for the allure of ease and comfort, we’re not just being lazy - we’re opening ourselves to spiritual danger. The enemy loves nothing more than a believer who has stepped away from their post.
Bible Verse
In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel. And they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. - 2 Samuel 11:1
Reflection Question
What God-given responsibility or calling have you been avoiding, and how might this be creating dangerous space in your spiritual life?
Quote
“If you cease to take responsibility for what God has called you to take responsibility for, you are creating a vacuum in your life that temptation to sin will seek to fill.”
Prayer
Lord, help me recognize where I’ve chosen comfort over calling. Give me the courage to step back into the responsibilities You’ve given me, knowing that obedience is my protection.

Converge, Week 5

Day 5: Prepared for the Mission
Devotional
Cultural engagement isn’t something we stumble into unprepared - it requires intentional preparation and courage. Just as a soldier trains before battle and an athlete prepares before competition, we must equip ourselves for the conversations and challenges ahead. This preparation involves three key areas: knowing Scripture deeply, developing our ability to articulate truth clearly, and building courage for difficult moments. First, we must be students of God’s Word, understanding not just what the Bible says but why it says it. Second, we need to practice explaining biblical concepts in ways that make sense to people who don’t share our worldview. Third, we must cultivate courage, knowing that standing for truth will sometimes cost us comfort, popularity, or even relationships. The mission is clear: we’re called to represent Christ faithfully in every sphere of influence He’s given us. This isn’t about winning arguments - it’s about winning hearts by demonstrating the beauty and truth of God’s design. When we’re prepared, we can engage with both grace and truth, offering hope to a world that desperately needs to know their Creator. The harvest is ready, and God has positioned you exactly where you are for such a time as this.
Bible Verse
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. - Matthew 5:16
Reflection Question
What specific steps will you take this week to better prepare yourself for faithful cultural engagement in your sphere of influence?
Quote
Who will define your mission? Jesus or sinful man?
Prayer
Father, prepare my heart and mind for the conversations ahead. Give me wisdom, courage, and love as I represent You in this world.

Converge, Week 5

Day 4: Reality Points to the Creator
Devotional
There’s something powerful about acknowledging reality as God designed it. When we affirm biblical truth about gender, marriage, family, and moral order, we’re not just making cultural statements - we’re pointing people toward their Creator. Reality itself is evangelistic because it reveals the character and design of the One who made all things. Every time we help someone see God’s design clearly, we create an opportunity for them to encounter the Designer. When we explain why marriage between a man and woman reflects God’s covenant love, we’re sharing the gospel. When we affirm the beauty of biblical gender roles, we’re revealing God’s intentional creativity. When we stand for the sanctity of life, we’re declaring the value God places on every human being. This is why cultural engagement isn’t separate from evangelism - it’s a form of evangelism. People who learn to acknowledge reality in one area of life become more open to acknowledging the ultimate reality: that God exists, that He loves them, and that He offers them salvation through Jesus Christ. Our faithful witness to God’s design in everyday matters prepares hearts to receive the greatest truth of all.
Bible Verse
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. - Genesis 1:27
Reflection Question
How can you use conversations about God’s design in everyday life as opportunities to point others toward their need for a relationship with their Creator?
Quote
People who acknowledge reality lead people to God, who created reality.
Prayer
Lord, help me see every conversation about Your design as an opportunity to share Your love. Use my witness to draw others to You.

Converge, Week 5

Day 3: True Kindness Tells the Truth
Devotional
Our culture has confused kindness with niceness, but they’re not the same thing. Niceness avoids difficult conversations to maintain comfort. Kindness engages difficult conversations to promote genuine wellbeing. A nice person tells you what you want to hear. A kind person tells you what you need to hear. When we speak biblical truth about God’s design for life, relationships, and morality, we’re often accused of being harsh or unloving. But consider this: is it more loving to affirm someone in a path that leads to destruction, or to lovingly point them toward life? Is it kinder to let someone believe a lie that feels good temporarily, or to share the truth that brings eternal freedom? Real love sometimes wounds in order to heal. A surgeon’s scalpel causes temporary pain to remove what threatens life. Similarly, biblical truth can initially sting because it exposes our need for God’s grace and transformation. But this momentary discomfort leads to lasting healing and hope. When we choose truth over temporary comfort, we offer the greatest kindness possible - the opportunity for someone to know their Creator and find their true purpose.
Bible Verse
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy. - Proverbs 27:6
Reflection Question
Think of a relationship where you’ve been choosing ‘niceness’ over ‘kindness’ - how might speaking truth in love actually serve that person better?
Quote
Advocating for reality is kindness.
Prayer
God, give me wisdom to know when to speak and courage to choose kindness over mere niceness. Help me love others enough to tell them the truth.

Converge, Week 5

Day 2: Salt and Light in Action
Devotional
Salt preserves what’s good and adds flavor to what’s bland. Light exposes what’s hidden and guides what’s lost. Both create noticeable change in their environment. Too often, we’ve misunderstood our calling to mean we should blend in seamlessly with the world around us. But salt that doesn’t preserve has lost its purpose. Light that doesn’t illuminate serves no function. Our distinctiveness isn’t meant to make us arrogant - it’s meant to make us useful. When we engage our culture with biblical truth, we’re not being divisive for the sake of division. We’re fulfilling our God-given purpose. The world needs what we carry - the truth that brings life, hope, and genuine transformation. This requires courage because salt stings wounds and light can be uncomfortable to eyes accustomed to darkness. But without our faithful engagement, society loses the very elements that preserve and guide it toward flourishing.
Bible Verse
You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. Matthew 5:13-15
Reflection Question
In what specific areas of your life is God calling you to be more distinctly ‘salty’ and ‘bright’ rather than blending in?
Quote
The biblical vision would have us understand that to build a biblical culture inside of the walls of the church necessitates that we engage in unbiblical culture outside of the walls of the church by challenging them with the Bible and with all that the Bible entails.
Prayer
Father, give me courage to be the salt and light You’ve called me to be. Help me preserve what’s good and illuminate what’s true in my community.

Converge, Week 5

Day 1: Everything Belongs to Him
Devotional
When we look around at our world today, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the cultural shifts happening around us. Yet there’s a foundational truth that anchors our perspective: everything belongs to God. From the smallest atom to the grandest galaxy, from every human heart to every cultural institution - all of it exists under His sovereign rule. This reality changes how we view our role in society. We’re not outsiders looking in, hoping to find our place. We’re stewards of God’s truth in God’s world, called to represent His character and values wherever He places us. When we understand that our workplace, our neighborhood, our children’s school - all of it belongs to Him - we approach these spaces with both humility and confidence. The culture around us may reject this truth, but that doesn’t change the reality. God’s ownership isn’t dependent on human acknowledgment. His standards aren’t negotiable based on popular opinion. This gives us tremendous peace and purpose as we navigate challenging conversations and cultural pressures.
Bible Verse
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth’ - Genesis 1:1
Reflection Question
How does knowing that everything belongs to God change the way you approach your daily interactions in secular spaces?
Quote
Everything that exists belongs to God. And everything and everyone in creation is responsible to Him, regardless of what they think about him or regardless of what we think about his nonexistence.
Prayer
Lord, help me remember that You are sovereign over all creation. Give me confidence to represent You well in every space You’ve placed me.

Converge, Week 4

Day 5: Disciples Make Disciples

Devotional
There’s something amazing about watching a parent teach their child to ride a bike. First, they run alongside, holding on tightly. Then they let go for just a moment, ready to catch them if they fall. Eventually, they watch with pride as their child rides confidently on their own, and someday, that child will teach their own children to ride. This is the natural progression of discipleship. After being faithfully discipled for several years, learning to feed yourself spiritually and growing in maturity, you reach a point where you’re ready to help others on their journey. This isn’t about having all the answers or being perfect. It’s about being willing to share what you’ve learned and walk alongside someone else as they grow. Just as you once needed someone to encourage you, answer your questions, and help you navigate challenges, others need that same investment from you. The multiplication principle is crucial—if disciples don’t make disciples, the mission stops with us. But when we embrace our calling to pour into others, the impact multiplies exponentially. The person you disciple will disciple others, who will disciple others, and the kingdom continues to grow. This might feel intimidating, but remember that God doesn’t call the equipped; He equips the called.. You just need to be faithful with what you know and willing to learn alongside those you’re helping.

Bible Verse
‘Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.”’ - Matthew 9:37

Reflection Question
Who in your life might God be calling you to invest in as a disciple, and what’s one small step you could take this week to begin that relationship?

Quote
Disciples make disciples.

Prayer
God, thank You for those who invested in my spiritual growth. Help me to see the opportunities You’re placing before me to disciple others. Give me wisdom, patience, and love as I seek to help others grow in their faith.