May 13th, 25: Wrestling with Contradictions: David’s Census and the Merciful God

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• TODAY'S SCRIPTURE: 2 Sam 24; 1 Chron 21; Ps 30; 1 Thess 2
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One Year Bible Podcast: Join Hunter and Heather Barnes on 'The Daily Radio Bible' for a daily 20-minute spiritual journey. Engage with scripture readings, heartfelt devotionals, and collective prayers that draw you into the heart of God's love. Embark on this year-long voyage through the Bible, and let each day's passage uplift and inspire you.

TODAY'S EPISODE:

Welcome to the Daily Radio Bible! In today’s episode, host Hunter takes us through a pivotal moment in the scriptures—from David’s controversial census in 2 Samuel 24 and 1 Chronicles 21 to a heartfelt Psalm of thanksgiving, and Paul’s encouraging message in 1 Thessalonians 2. As we navigate the sometimes tricky waters of biblical contradictions and the stories that shape our faith, Hunter reminds us that the Bible’s deeper purpose isn’t just to serve as a reference book, but to invite us into relationship with the God of love and mercy. Together, we’ll explore how these ancient accounts challenge, inform, and ultimately root us more deeply in God’s goodness. Plus, we’ll close with a time of prayer, drawing strength for the day ahead and remembering the life-changing truth: you are dearly loved by God. Let’s dive in and continue our journey through the Bible, one day at a time.

TODAY'S DEVOTION:

The Bible is not a divine reference book. In today's reading from 2 Samuel and 1 Chronicles, we encounter a moment that many readers might find troubling: two different accounts of the same story, each assigning the cause for David's census in a different way. In one, it is the Lord who incites David to take the census; in the other, it is Satan. This is a clear contradiction, and it might prompt us to question the authority or reliability of the Bible. But instead of fearing these inconsistencies or trying to explain them away, we are invited to read the Bible on its own terms.

The authority of Scripture does not come from its factual consistency or its ability to function as some sort of flawless encyclopedia. Instead, the power and authority of the Bible flow from its ability to point us to the living God, who is love. Both versions of this story ultimately direct us toward the character of God—a God who is merciful in the end, whose purposes are rooted in love and relationship rather than in legalistic precision.

We aren't called to follow a chain of perfectly linked facts; we are called into a story, a history, and a relationship. God’s people, throughout the ages, have recognized the Bible’s authority because its words and its stories reveal who God is and invite us to share in his life. Even when confronted with differences, the unified message is this: Christ is our authority, and through the Scriptures, we are drawn deeper into his story of love.

So do not be afraid when you find the Bible’s rough edges. These don't disqualify its witness—they deepen the story and invite us to wrestle hones