1SAMUEL 23-24:As David fled from Saul, he went for help to Ahimelech the priest. He needed food and wanted to consult with the Lord, and it happened that Ahimelech also gave him Goliath's sword. This resulted later in Ahimilech's death and the deaths of all of Ahimilech's family— except one, Abiathar.

PSALM 104b:This psalm starts and ends with the same refrain, and it is the same refrain as in Psalm 103. This psalm expounds on the majesty of God— especially as seen in His creation.

ROMANS 8b:The power behind the new lives that God wants us to live is the Holy Spirit. A side observation here: We can see that the Holy Spirit can equally be called the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ (vs. 9-11). He is the power for transformation in our lives. But having God's Spirit in our lives does not mean that we will not suffer. In the second half of today's reading, note the Holy Spirit's role for us in the midst of our sufferings. Then at the end of the chapter, note the wonderful promises given to us!

Four times in Romans 8 Paul refers to us as God's 'sons'. Both NLT and GNT have translated 'sons' as 'children'. That would normally be deemed an acceptable translation, but this time translating using the word 'sons' is better, as long as there is a footnote that will give an explanation. So let me give a footnote now. Just as men feel a bit squeamish about being included in the 'bride of Christ' in Ephesians, I am sure there are some women who will not feel comfortable being included as sons. But look for the treasure here! Both Romans 8 and Ephesians 1:5 show that we are given legal status as adopted sons. Paul shows this by using a legal term for 'sonship' in those two chapters, which would have reminded his readers that in Roman law, the adoption of a son could not be undone. That's the treasure! God has made the unchangeable decision that we would be his legally adopted sons and have all the rights and privileges of that status. Thank the Lord for our union with his Son, Jesus! In the middle of the references to 'sons' in Romans 8, Paul also used the Greek word that means 'children'. The alternation between 'sons' and 'children' is part of the reason that I think the use of 'sons' was important to Paul.

NLT Translation notes:Ps. 104:21 Then the young lions roar for their prey,stalking the food provided by [You, O] God.34 May all my thoughts be pleasing to [You, O God//him],for I rejoice in [in You, O Lord//the LORD].====Rom. 8:5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature [just] think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature [any longer]. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) 10 [0/And] Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.