Day 141 of My 6th Bible Study Journey

Day 141, 21 May 2026

1) 2 Samuel 24:1-9, 1 Chronicles 21:1-6, 2 Samuel 24:10-17, 
1 Chronicles 21:7-17, 2 Samuel 24:18-25, 1 Chronicles 21:18-30,
1 Chronicles 22 , Psalms 30

2 Samuel 24
David's Census of Israel and Judah
1Ch 21:1-17
1 (1Ch 27:23-24; 21:1) Again the Lord became angry against Israel,
and He incited David against them, saying,
"Go and count the people of Israel and Judah."
2 (2Sa 3:10; Jdg 20:1) The king said to Joab the commander of the army
who was with him, "Go throughout all of the tribes of Israel,
from Dan to Beersheba, and muster the people so that I may know
the number of the people."
3 (Dt 1:11) Joab said to the king, "May the Lord your God add to the people
however many they are one hundred times over in the sight of my lord the king.
But why does my lord the king so desire this thing?"
4 However, the king's word prevailed against Joab and the commanders
of the army. So Joab and the commanders of the army went out
from before the king to register the people of Israel.
5 (Dt 2:36; Jos 13:9) They crossed the Jordan and camped at Aroer,
south of the city, in the middle of the ravine of Gad toward Jazer.
6 (Jos 19:28) They went toward Gilead to the land of Tahtim Hodshi.
Then they went toward Dan Jaan and around to Sidon.
7 (Jos 19:29; 11:3) They went to the fortress of Tyre and all of the towns
of the Hivites and Canaanites. They went to the Negev and Beersheba.
8 They went throughout the entire land, and after nine months
and twenty days, they came to Jerusalem.
9 Joab gave the count of the census of the people to the king.
There were 800 000 capable men who could draw
a sword in Israel, and the men of Judah were 500 000.

[1] And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and he moved
David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah.
[2] For the king said to Joab the captain of the host, which was with him,
Go now through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, and
number ye the people, that I may know the number of the people.
[3] And Joab said unto the king, Now the LORD thy God add unto the people,
how many soever they be, an hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord the
king may see it: but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing?
[4] Notwithstanding the king's word prevailed against Joab, and against the
captains of the host. And Joab and the captains of the host went out from
the presence of the king, to number the people of Israel.
[5] And they passed over Jordan, and pitched in Aroer, on the right side of
the city that lieth in the midst of the river of Gad, and toward Jazer:
[6] Then they came to Gilead, and to the land of Tahtim-hodshi; and they
came to Dan-jaan, and about to Zidon,
[7] And came to the strong hold of Tyre, and to all the cities of the
Hibites, and of the Canaanites: and they went out to the south of Judah,
even to Beer-sheba.
[8] So when they had gone through all the land, they came to Jerusalem at
the end of nine months and twenty days.
[9] And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king: and
there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword;
and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men.

1 Chronicles 21

The Census of Israel and Judah

2Sa 24:1-25

1 (Job 1:6-12; 2:1) Now Satan stood against Israel
and incited David to number Israel.
2 (1Ch 27:23-24)Then David said to Joab and the leaders of the people,
"Go count Israel from Beersheba to Dan and bring me a report,
that I may know their number."
3 But Joab said, "May the Lord increase the number of His people
one hundred times more. My lord the king, are not all of them my lord's
servants? Why then should my lord require this?
Why should it bring guilt on Israel?"
4 Nevertheless, the king's word prevailed against Joab, so Joab departed
and went throughout all Israel. Then he returned to Jerusalem.
5 (2Sa 24:9) Joab gave the results of the census of the people to David:
All Israel had 1 100 000 men who drew the sword,
and in Judah 470000 men drew the sword.
6 However, he did not include the Levites and Benjamin
because the word of the king was abhorrent to Joab.

A Cause of Trespass

1 And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked David to number Israel.
2 And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel
from Beer-sheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, 
that I may know it.
3 And Joab answered, The LORD make his people an hundred times so many more
as they be: but, my lord the king, are they not all my lord's servants?
why then doth my lord require this thing?
why will he be a cause of trespass to Israel?
4 Nevertheless the king's word prevailed against Joab. Wherefore Joab departed,
and went throughout all Israel, and came to Jerusalem.
5 And Joab gave the sum of the number of the people unto David.
And all they of Israel were a thousand thousand and an hundred thousand men
that drew sword: and Judah was four hundred threescore and ten thousand men
that drew sword.
6 But Levi and Benjamin counted he not among them:
for the king's word was abominable to Joab.

2 Samuel 24

Judgment for David's Sin

10 (2Sa 12:13; 1Sa 13:13; 24:5) Now the heart of David struck him
after he had counted the people. David said to the Lord,
"I have sinned greatly by what I have done. Now may the Lord
take away the iniquity of your servant, for I have behaved very foolishly."
11 (1Sa 9:9; 22:5) When David arose in the morning, the word of the Lord
came to the prophet Gad, the seer for David, saying,
12 "Go and speak to David: Thus says the Lord: Three options
I am laying before you. Choose for yourself one of them,
and I will do this to you."
13 (1Ch 21:12; Lev 26:25) So Gad came to David and told him. He said to him,
"Shall seven years of famine come to you in your land?
Or shall you flee three months before your enemies while they pursue you?
Or shall there be three days of plague in your land?
Now consider and advise what answer I shall return to Him who sent me."
14 (Ps 51:1; 119:156) David said to Gad, "I am very distressed. Let us fall
by the hand of the Lord, for His mercy is great. May I not fall
by the hand of man."
15 (1Ch 21:14; 27:24) So the Lord sent a plague upon Israel from the morning
until the appointed time. Seventy thousand men from the people died,
from Dan to Beersheba.
16 (Ge 6:6; Ex 12:23) When the angel stretched out his hand toward Jerusalem
to destroy it, the Lord relented from the calamity. He said to the angel
who was annihilating the people, "Enough! Now stay your hand."
The angel of the Lord was at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.
17 (Ps 74:1; 2Sa 24:10) On seeing the angel who was striking down the people,
David said to the Lord, "I am the one who has sinned
and I am the one who has done wrong. These sheep, what have they done?
Please, let your hand be against me and against the house of my father."

[10] And David's heart smote him after that he had numbered the people. And
David said unto the LORD, I have sinned greatly in that I have done: and
now, I beseech thee, O LORD, take away the iniquity of thy servant; for I
have done very foolishly.
[11] For when David was up in the morning, the word of the LORD came unto
the prophet Gad, David's seer, saying,
[12] Go and say unto David, Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee three things;
choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee.
[13] So Gad came to David, and told him, and said unto him, Shall seven
years of famine come unto thee in thy land? or wilt thou flee three months
before thine enemies, while they pursue thee? or that there be three days'
pestilence in thy land? now advise, and see what answer I shall return to
him that sent me.
[14] And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let us fall now into
the hand of the LORD; for his mercies are great: and let me not fall into
the hand of man.
[15] So the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the
time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beer-sheba
seventy thousand men.
[16] And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it,
the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the
people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by
the threshingplace of Araunah the Jebusite.
[17] And David spake unto the LORD when he saw the angel that smote the
people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these
sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, be against me, and
against my father's house.

1 Chronicles 21

7 Now this thing was evil in the sight of God, and He struck Israel.
8 (2Sa 12:1) 3So David said to God, "I have sinned greatly in doing
this thing. Now, please, take away the iniquity of your servant,
for I have acted very foolishly."
9 (1Sa 9:9; 1Ch 29:29) And the Lord spoke to Gad, David's seer, saying,
10 "Go and speak to David, 'Thus says the Lord: Three things I offer you;
choose one of these for yourself that I may do to you.'"
11 So Gad came to David and said to him, "Thus says the Lord,
'Select for yourself, 12either three years of famine, or three months
of being swept away before your foes while the sword of your enemy
overtakes you, or three days of the sword of the Lord, even pestilence
in the land, with the angel of the Lord destroying throughout
all the territory of Israel.' Now then consider what answer
I shall return to Him who sent me."
13 (Ps 130:7; 86:15) David replied to Gad, "I am in great distress.
Let me fall into the hands of the Lord, for His mercies are very great,
but do not let me fall into the hand of man."
14 So the Lord sent a plague throughout Israel, and 70000 men of Israel fell.
15 (Ge 6:6; Ex 32:14) And God sent an angel to Jerusalem to destroy it,
but as he prepared to destroy it, the Lord looked and relented
from the calamity. And He said to the angel bringing the destruction,
"It is enough. Remove your hand." The angel of the Lord was then standing
by the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.
16 (Nu 14:5; 1Ki 21:27) David lifted up his eyes and saw the angel of the Lord
standing between earth and heaven with his sword drawn in his hand stretched
out over Jerusalem. So David and the elders, covered in sackcloth,
fell on their faces.
17 David said to God, "Was it not I who gave the command to number the people?
I am the one who has sinned and surely done evil. But these sheep,
what have they done? O Lord my God, I pray, let Your hand be against me
and my father's house, but do not let Your people be plagued."

7 And God was displeased with this thing; therefore he smote Israel.
8 And David said unto God, I have sinned greatly, because I have done this
thing: but now, I beseech thee, do away the iniquity of thy servant; for I
have done very foolishly.
9 And the LORD spake unto Gad, David's seer, saying,
10 Go and tell David, saying, Thus saith the LORD, I offer thee three things:
choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee.
11 So Gad came to David, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Choose thee
12 either three years' famine; or three months to be destroyed before thy foes,
while that the sword of thine enemies overtaketh thee; or else three days
the sword of the LORD, even the pestilence, in the land, and the angel
of the LORD destroying throughout all the coasts of Israel. Now therefore
advise thyself what word I shall bring again to him that sent me.
13 And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let me fall now into
the hand of the LORD; for very great are his mercies: but let me not fall
into the hand of man.
14 So the LORD sent pestilence upon Israel: and there fell of Israel
seventy thousand men.
15 And God sent an angel unto Jerusalem to destroy it: and as he was
destroying, the LORD beheld, and he repented him of the evil,
and said to the angel that destroyed, It is enough, stay now thine hand.
And the angel of the LORD stood by the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.
16 And David lifted up his eyes, and saw the angel of the LORD stand between
the earth and the heaven, having a drawn sword in his hand stretched
out over Jerusalem. Then David and the elders of Israel, who were clothed
in sackcloth, fell upon their faces.
17 And David said unto God, Is it not I that commanded the people to be
numbered? even I it is that have sinned and done evil indeed; but as for
these sheep, what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee,
O LORD my God, be on me, and on my father's house;
but not on thy people, that they should be plagued.

2 Samuel 24

David Builds an Altar

1Ch 21:18-26

18 Gad came to David that day and said to him, "Go up and erect an altar
to the Lord on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite."
19 So David went up according to the word of Gad, as the Lord commanded.
20 When Araunah looked and saw the king and his servants coming toward him,
he went out and bowed low to the king with his face on the ground.
21 Araunah said, "Why has my lord the king come to his servant?"
David replied, "To purchase the threshing floor from you in order to build
an altar to the Lord, so that the plague may be averted from the people."
22 (1Ki 19:21; 1Sa 6:14)Araunah said to David, "Let my lord the king take
and offer up what seems good to him. Here are the oxen for the burnt offering
and the threshing sledges and yokes of the oxen for wood.
23 (Eze 20:40-41) Everything, O king, Araunah gives to the king."
Araunah also said to the king,
"May the Lord your God be favorable toward you."
24 (1Ch 21:24-25) However, the king said to Araunah,
"No, for I will certainly purchase from you for a fair price.
I will not offer up to the Lord burnt offerings that cost me nothing"
So David purchased the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels
[About 1.25 pounds, or 575 grams.] of silver.
25 (2Sa 21:14; 1Sa 7:17) David built an altar to the Lord there and offered
burnt offerings and peace offerings. Then the land pleaded with the Lord,
and the plague was averted from Israel.

[18] And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear an altar
unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite.
[19] And David, according to the saying of Gad, went up as the LORD
commanded.
[20] And Araunah looked, and saw the king and his servants coming on toward
him: and Araunah went out, and bowed himself before the king on his face
upon the ground.
[21] And Araunah said, Wherefore is my lord the king come to his servant?
And David said, To buy the threshingfloor of thee, to build an altar unto
the LORD, that the plague may be stayed from the people.
[22] And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up
what seemeth good unto him: behold, here be oxen for burnt sacrifice, and
threshing instruments and other instruments of the oxen for wood.
[23] All these things did Araunah, as a king, give unto the king. And
Araunah said unto the king, The LORD thy God accept thee.
[24] And the king said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee
at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of
that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshing floor and the
oxen for fifty shekels of silver.
[25] And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt
offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD was intreated for the land, and
the plague was stayed from Israel.

1 Chronicles 21

David Builds an Altar

18 (2Ch 3:1) Then the angel of the Lord commanded Gad to tell David
that David should go up and raise an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor
of Ornan the Jebusite.
19 So David went up at the word of Gad which he delivered in the name
of the Lord.
20 (Jdg 6:11) Now Ornan turned and saw the angel, but his four sons who were
with him hid themselves as Ornan threshed the wheat.
21 As David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David
and went out from the threshing floor and bowed down before David
with his face to the ground.
22 Then David said to Ornan, "Give me the site of the threshing floor so
that I may build an altar on it to the Lord. Sell it to me at full price so
the plague on the people may be restrained."
23 So Ornan replied to David, "Take it for yourself, and let my lord the king
do whatever seems good in his eyes. Look, I will give the oxen for the burnt
offerings, the threshing wagons for wood, and the wheat for the grain offering.
I will give it all."
24 Then King David said to Ornan, "No, for I will surely acquire it
for the full price, for I will not take what is yours for the Lord nor
offer burnt offerings that cost me nothing."
25 So David gave Ornan six hundred shekels
[About 15 pounds, or 6.9 kilograms.]
of gold by weight for the site,
26 (Lev 9:24; Jdg 6:21) and David built there an altar to the Lord
and offered up burnt offerings and peace offerings.
He called on the Lord, and the Lord answered him
by fire from heaven on the altar of burnt offering.
27 So the Lord spoke to the angel, and he put away
his sword in its sheath.
28 At that time, when David saw that the Lord had answered
him at the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, he sacrificed there.
29 (1Ch 16:39; 2Ch 1:3) For the tabernacle of the Lord and the altar
of burnt offering that Moses had made in the wilderness were
in the high place in Gibeon at that time.
30 But David was unable to go before it to inquire of God,
because he was terrified by the sword of the angel of the Lord.

18 Then the angel of the LORD commanded Gad to say to David, that David
should go up, and set up an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor
of Ornan the Jebusite.
19 And David went up at the saying of Gad, which he spake in the name
of the LORD.
20 And Ornan turned back, and saw the angel; and his four sons with him
hid themselves. Now Ornan was threshing wheat.
21 And as David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David, and went
out of the threshingfloor, and bowed himself to David with his face
to the ground.
22 Then David said to Ornan, Grant me the place of this threshingfloor,
that I may build an altar therein unto the LORD: thou shalt grant it me
for the full price: that the plague may be stayed from the people.
23 And Ornan said unto David, Take it to thee, and let my lord the king
do that which is good in his eyes: lo, I give thee the oxen also for burnt
offerings, and the threshing instruments for wood, and the wheat
for the meat offering; I give it all.
24 And king David said to Ornan, Nay; but I will verily buy it for
the full price: for I will not take that which is thine for the LORD,
nor offer burnt offerings without cost.
25 So David gave to Ornan for the place six hundred shekels of gold by weight.
26 And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings
and peace offerings, and called upon the LORD; and he answered him from
heaven by fire upon the altar of burnt offering.
27 And the LORD commanded the angel; and he put up his sword again
into the sheath thereof.
28 At that time when David saw that the LORD had answered him in the
threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite, then he sacrificed there.
29 For the tabernacle of the LORD, which Moses made in the wilderness,
and the altar of the burnt offering, were at that season in the high place
at Gibeon.
30 But David could not go before it to enquire of God:
for he was afraid because of the sword of the angel of the LORD.

1 Chronicles 22
1 (2Ch 3:1; 1Ch 21:18-28) Then David said,
"Here shall be the house of the Lord God
and here the altar of the burnt offering for Israel."

Plans to Build the Temple

2 (1Ki 5:17-18; 9:20-21) So David gave instructions to gather together
those sojourning in the land of Israel, and he appointed stonemasons
to cut hewn stones for building the house of God.
3 (1Ch 22:14; 1Ki 7:47) David also provided large quantities of iron
for nails for the doors of the gates and for the clamps as well as
an abundance of bronze beyond measure,
4 (1Ki 5:6-10) and cedar logs without number, for the Sidonians
and the Tyrians brought much cedar wood to David.
5 (1Ki 3:7; 1Ch 29:1) Now David said, "Solomon my son is young
and inexperienced, and the house that is to be built for the Lord must be
exceedingly magnificent, of fame and glory throughout all the lands.
Therefore I will make preparation for it now."
So David made extensive preparations before his death.
6 Then David called Solomon his son and commanded him to build
a house for the Lord, the God of Israel.
7 (Dt 12:5; 12:11) David said to Solomon, "My son, I had it in my heart
to build a house for the name of the Lord my God,
8 (1Ch 28:3; 1Ki 5:3) but the word of the Lord came to me, saying,
'You have shed much blood and waged great wars. You shall not build
a house for My name because you have shed much blood on the earth before Me.
9 (1Ki 4:20; 4:25) A son shall be born to you who shall be a man of rest.
I will give him rest from all his enemies all around. Solomon will be his name,
and I will give peace and tranquility to Israel in his days.
10 (2Sa 7:13-14; Heb 1:5) He will be the one to build a house for My name.
He shall be a son to Me, and I will be a father to him, and I will establish
the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.'
11 (1Ch 22:16) "Now, my son, may the Lord be with you, and may you have
success in building the house of the Lord your God just
as He has spoken concerning you.
12 (1Ki 3:9-12; 2Ch 1:10) Only may the Lord give you insight and understanding
and give you charge over Israel so you may keep the law of the Lord your God.
13 (Jos 1:6-9; 1Ch 28:7) Then you will prosper if you carefully observe
the statutes and the judgments which the Lord commanded Moses for Israel.
Be strong and of good courage. Do not be afraid or dismayed.
14 (1Ch 22:3) "With great difficulty I have prepared for the house of the Lord
100000 talents [About 3,750 tons, or 3,400 metric tons.] of gold and 1000000
[About 37,500 tons, or 34,000 metric tons.] talents of silver as well as
innumerable quantities of bronze and iron, beyond measure. I have also
prepared timber and stone to which you may add even more.
15 Moreover you have an abundance of workers: stonecutters, masons,
carpenters, and men skilled in all kinds of work,
16 (1Ch 22:11) craftsmen in gold, silver, bronze, and iron without number.
Rise up and work, and may the Lord be with you."
17 (1Ch 28:1-6) Then David commanded all the leaders of Israel
to assist Solomon his son, saying,
18 (1Ch 22:9; 23:25) "Is not the Lord your God with you?
Has He not given you rest all around? For He has given the inhabitants
of the land into my hand, and the land is subdued before the Lord
and His people.
19 (1Ki 8:6; 1Ch 22:7) Now dedicate your heart and your soul
to seek the Lord your God. Rise up and build the sanctuary of the Lord God,
so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord along with the holy
vessels of God into the house which is to be built for the name of the Lord."

1 Chronicles 22

Plans for the Temple

1 Then David said, This is the house of the LORD God,
and this is the altar of the burnt offering for Israel.
2 And David commanded to gather together the strangers that were in the land
of Israel; and he set masons to hew wrought stones to build the house of God.
3 And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors
of the gates, and for the joinings; and brass in abundance without weight;
4 also cedar trees in abundance: for the Zidonians and they of Tyre brought
much cedar wood to David.
5 And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that
is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnifical, of fame
and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation
for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death.
6 Then he called for Solomon his son, and charged him to build an house for
the LORD God of Israel.
7 And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build
an house unto the name of the LORD my God:
8 but the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Thou hast shed blood
abundantly, and hast made great wars: thou shalt not build an house
unto my name, because thou hast shed much blood upon the earth in my sight.
9 Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will
give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon,
and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days.
10 He shall build an house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be
his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel
for ever.
11 Now, my son, the LORD be with thee; and prosper thou, and build the house
of the LORD thy God, as he hath said of thee.
12 Only the LORD give thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge
concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the LORD thy God.
13 Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes
and judgments which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel:
be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed.
14 Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD
an hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents
of silver; and of brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance:
timber also and stone have I prepared; and thou mayest add thereto.
15 Moreover there are workmen with thee in abundance, hewers and workers
of stone and timber, and all manner of cunning men for every manner of work.
16 Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number.
Arise therefore, and be doing, and the LORD be with thee.
17 David also commanded all the princes of Israel to help Solomon
his son, saying,
18 Is not the LORD your God with you? and hath he not given you rest
on every side? for he hath given the inhabitants of the land into mine hand;
and the land is subdued before the LORD, and before his people.
19 Now set your heart and your soul to seek the LORD your God; arise
therefore, and build ye the sanctuary of the LORD God, to bring the
ark of the covenant of the LORD, and the holy vessels of God,
into the house that is to be built to the name of the LORD. 

Psalms 30
A Psalm of David. A Song at the dedication of the temple.

1 I will extol You, O Lord, for You have drawn me up,
and have not caused my foes to rejoice over me.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) O Lord my God, I cried to You,
and You healed me.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) O Lord, You have brought up my soul from the grave;
You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) Sing to the Lord, O you saints of His,
and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) For His anger endures but a moment,
in His favor is life;
weeping may endure for a night,
but joy comes in the morning.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) In my prosperity I said,
"I will never be moved."
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) Lord, by Your favor
You had set me strong as a mountain;
You hid Your face,
and I was terrified.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) I cried to You, O Lord,
and to the Lord I made supplication:
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) "What profit is there in my death,
if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust give You thanks?
Will it declare Your truth?
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) Hear, O Lord, and be gracious to me;
Lord, be my helper."
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) For You have turned my mourning into dancing;
You have put off my sackcloth and girded me with gladness,
12 so that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.

Psalms 30
[1] I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made
my foes to rejoice over me.
[2] O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.
[3] O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me
alive, that I should not go down to the pit.
[4] Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the
remembrance of his holiness.
[5] For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may
endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
[6] And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.
[7] LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou
didst hide thy face, and I was troubled.
[8] I cried to thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication.
[9] What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the
dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?
[10] Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.
[11] Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my
sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;
[12] To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O
LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

2) Our Daily Bread for 21 May 2025 titled <a href="  
https://www.odbm.org/en/devotionals/devotional-category/longing-for-home2"> 
Longing for Home </a> by Matt Lucas

Psalm 137:1-6 

1 By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down and wept
when we remembered Zion.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) We hung our harps
upon the poplars.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) For there our captors made us sing
and our tormentors made us entertain,
saying, "Sing us one of the songs of Zion."
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) How shall we sing the song of the Lord
in a foreign land?
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) If I forget you, O Jerusalem,
let my right hand forget its skill.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) If I do not remember you,
let my tongue stick to the roof of my mouth,
if I do not have Jerusalem
as my highest joy.

Psalms 137
[1] By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we
remembered Zion.
[2] We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.
[3] For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and
they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs
of Zion.
[4] How shall we sing the LORD's song in a strange land?
[5] If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning.
[6] If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth;
if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy. 

Ethel and Ed live in the high desert area of the Rocky Mountains. As our 
family visited them on their ranch filled with memorabilia, the conversation 
turned to childhood stories of riding horses on the grasslands of North 
Dakota and herding cattle in Montana. They're on in years now, and I could 
hear in their voices a longing for home.

Psalm 137 captures a similar emotion. The Israelites had been forced into 
captivity and longed for home. "By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept,"
they said. "There our captors asked us for songs" (vv. 1, 3), prompting 
the Israelites to ask, "How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in 
a foreign land?" (v. 4).

The longing to return from exile is a common theme throughout the Old 
Testament prophets. Eventually the Israelites did return. They rebuilt 
Jerusalem and resettled in the land, but it was never the same. When the 
temple was rebuilt, those who remembered its former glory wept because 
it was a shadow of the first (Ezra 3:12).

Old age may feel as if we're in exile from our former selves as time 
takes a toll on mind and body. For those who know Jesus, this longing 
points not to the past but the future. That's where my conversation 
turned with Ethel and Ed - a longing for our future home, 
where everything is made right and is far better than anything 
we can imagine.

Reflect & Pray

What do you miss from the past? 
How might this longing help you anticipate the future?

Father in heaven, thank You that You're with me in every 
stage of life and that You're preparing a bright future for me.
<a href="https://www.odbm.org/en/spiritual-beliefs/salvation
/hunting-for-resurrection-hope">
For further study, read Hunting for Resurrection Hope.</a>

3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation

Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools

Week 4 - The Blessings of Grace Day 5 - 1 John 1:9

9 (Ps 32:5; Pr 28:13) If we confess our sins, He is faithful
and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive
us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

"If God already knows everything about me, everything I've done,
then why do I need to confess it?" Grant struggled with a common
dilemma for many Christians. Indeed, God, knew all his sin - much
better than Grant did himself. But Grant needed to confess,
not for God's benefit, but for his own. Grant needed to agree with God
that his sin was wrong, and put himself in a position to receive God's
grace in forgiveness.
1 John 1:9 make the process quit clear. We confess,
and God forgives and cleanses. Many of us, however, want to take on
God's part as well. We confess, agreeing with God that our sin is wrong.
But then we proceed to try to 'clean up our act,'bargaining with God,
promising that if he will forgive us just this once,
we won't ever to it again.
The problem is, we can never keep such a promise.
We probably will do it again, and then we are back where we started,
begging for forgiveness, and trying once more to cleanse
ourselves for our unrighteousness.
God offers freedom from such futile performance. He says, "Just confess.
Agree that you sinned. Submit yourself to me. Then I'll take over from there."
God's grace does not give us freedom to keep on sinning, of course - we need
to cooperate with the work of his Spirit in our lives and do all we can
to avoid sin. But we do not have to beg God for forgiveness - forgiveness
is offered to us freely.
We do not have to clean up out act before God will accept us; God can make
the necessary changes in our lives. When we confess, submit ourselves to God,
and allow him to work within us, he is able both to forgive us and to cleanse
us from unrighteousness.

Application

a) In what ways have I bartered with God and tried to "Clean up my act"
in order to deserve his forgiveness?

b) What is my part in confession? What is God's response?
Why it is important for me to recognize God's part in my
confession and forgiveness?

4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland

2 Cor 8:9

9 (Mt 20:28; 2Co 6:10; 13:14) For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor,
that through His poverty you might be rich.

9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich,
yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:

God's Freeing Forgiveness

Eph 1:3-8a

Spiritual Blessings in Christ

3 (2Co 1:3; Eph 6:12; 2:6) Blessed be the God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual
blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
4 (Eph 5:27; Col 1:22) just as He chose us in Him
before the foundation of the world, to be holy
and blameless before Him in love;
5 (Ro 8:29-30; Eph 1:11) He predestined us to adoption as sons
to Himself through Jesus Christ according to the good pleasure
of His will,
6 (Mt 3:17; Eph 1:12) to the praise of the glory of His grace
which He graciously bestowed on us in the Beloved.
7 (Ro 3:24; Ac 2:38; 20:28) In Him we have redemption through His blood
and the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of His grace,
8 which He lavished

3 Blessed be the God and Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual
blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4 according as he hath chosen us in him
before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy
and without blame before him in love:
5 having predestinated us unto the adoption of children
by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure
of his will, 
6 to the praise of the glory of his grace,
wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood,
the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
8 wherein he hath abounded

Remember God's promises when You pray

The Lord's prayer

Matthew 6:9-13


9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."

9 After this manner therefore pray ye: 
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 
11 Give us this day our daily bread. 
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: 
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)

Ontario

Quick facts on Muslims in Ontario

Ontario 2015 population  13 687 7000

est Muslim Population     1 001 542

CNMM Networks:  Ottawa, Durham, York, Toronto, Mississauga, Halton, Hamilton,
                                   Niagara, Kitchener, London, Windsor

Ontario has 55% of all of Canada's entire Muslim population. This means that 
the whole of the Muslim world is represented somewhere in this province. Most
Muslims are understandably located along the southern border stretching
from Windsor eastward all the way up to Ottawa. Yet Muslims are constantly 
resettling in more and more suburban and even small towns of Ontario. Mosques 
are springing up, and where there are enough gathered, Islamic schools 
are starting.
And they're not complacent, either. Many Islamic leaders are energetic in their
advancement of Islam in Canadian society. Recently in the Niagara Region,
the local mosque distributed via Canada Post as many as 50000 full-colour 
brochures on Islam. An that mosque's Facebook page proudly show pictures of 
"reverts", or white Canadians who have converted to Islam as a result of
receiving the flier and engaging with the mosque community.  Another town 
reports  Muslims going door-to-door evangelism.
Agree in prayer for:

- net network leaders - the need is great
- the development of network leadership teams
- good connections with local pastors, congregations and individuals 
  whom God is calling into this ministry.
- wisdom facilitating outreach and training activities for mobilising 
   believers
- new full and part-time workers among Muslims throughout all these areas
- for pastors and churches to respond not in fear, but full of faith and love
  towards Muslims, sharing Jesus with them.

Adding further

30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020 

Under the Keep Praying page

When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid  celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that 
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.

For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.

You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"

Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you 
know, and Muslims around the world:

- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 :  17 "In the last days it shall be," says God,
"that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; 
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, 
your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
18 Even on My menservants and maidservants 
I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy. 
19 And I will show wonders in heaven above and signs on the earth below: 
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke.  20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
and the moon into blood, before that great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
21 And whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."[a]

Footnotes
	Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32.
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15  : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under 
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the 
house."

Ideas for prayer

- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people - 
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims 
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days! 

And 

Thank you for praying through the
5 Days of Prayer for Sikhs.

"My name is Kam. I'm 29 years of age, and I grew up Sikh. As a teenager, 
I struggled with depression, brokenness, and addiction to
cannabis. I didn't know how to stop or how to get help.

Then a friend invited me to church. As I spent time with Christians 
and heard the message of the Gospel, I experienced the
love of Jesus Christ, and it was like nothing I'd known before. 
One night I had a dream where I saw Him - a figure surrounded by
light who I knew was Jesus, the light of the world.

As I began to understand the gospel message, I encountered a reassuring and
confident solution to the problem of sin. I knew that I needed a solution 
to my sin problem, and I gave my life to Christ.

Slowly, God began to heal my broken heart and my addiction. 
Nine years have passed, and I am a devoted husband and a father
to two beautiful boys. I grow deeper in love with Jesus each day.

I ask you to continue praying with me, and others around the world, for Sikhs.
God is the only one who can draw people to Himself. He works in and through 
the prayers of His people. I want Sikhs to know the freedom 
and healing that is only available through Jesus Christ."

13 (Ro 14:17; 12:12) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy 
and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope, 
through the power of the Holy Spirit.

[13] Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that
ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. 

ROMANS 15:13

My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .

7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada

http://www.ehc.ca

21st Day of the Month

a) Pray for the leaders our educational system, that they would
have wisdom and make God honouring decisions

(

1 Therefore I exhort first of all that you make
supplications, prayers, intercessions,
and thanksgivings for everyone,
2 for kings and for all who are in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life
in all godliness and honesty,

)

b) Pray that those who serve in law enforcement will have the resources
they need and the vigilance their work requires.

Conclusion:


Pray to the Lord and pray to the Lord to make righteous decisions.

Pray to the Lord: "Father in heaven, thank You that You're with me in every 
stage of life and that You're preparing a bright future for me."

Pray to the Lord and pray for Jesus Christ to forgive your sins. 

Pray to the Lord and pray to know His loving sacrifice.

Pray to the Lord and pray to know unending love.

Agree in prayer for Ontario:

- get network leaders - the need is great
- the development of network leadership teams
- good connections with local pastors, congregations and individuals 
  whom God is calling into this ministry.
- wisdom facilitating outreach and training activities for mobilising 
   believers
- new full and part-time workers among Muslims throughout all these areas
- for pastors and churches to respond not in fear, but full of faith and love
  towards Muslims, sharing Jesus with them.

- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people - 
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims 
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days! 

Pray continually for Sikhs to find Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.

Pray for the leaders our educational system, that they would
have wisdom and make God honouring decisions

Pray that those who serve in law enforcement will have the resources
they need and the vigilance their work requires.

Pray for training designed to help tribal Christians persevere through 
persecution and share Christ 
in <a href="https://www.vomcanada.com/laos.htm">Laos.</a>

Fast one meal; ask God where you are still "borrowing"
Matthew 6:16

16 (Mt 6:2; Ps 35:13) "Moreover, when you fast, do not be like
the hypocrites with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces
so they may appear to men to be fasting. Truly I say to you,
they have their reward.

16] Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance:
for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast.
Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness

Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God
-- 
Member - Liberal International This is [email protected] Ici [email protected]
Yahweh, King & country!Never Satan President Republic!Beware AntiChrist rising!
Look at Psalms 14 and 53 on Atheism ;
Go for the Double Arsenal and Vote LDem 7 May 2026 !