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At David’s altar on Araunah’s threshing floor, the sacrifice is made, and the plague stops. But this isn’t just a moment of relief—it’s a pointer to a greater story. This same plot of land will become the foundation for Solomon’s Temple. And long before that, Abraham nearly sacrificed Isaac here, only to have God provide a substitute.

In every case—Abraham, David, Solomon—the message is the same: judgment is real, but God provides a substitute. He stays the knife. He relents from the plague. He makes a way.

But on Good Friday, God did not stay His hand. On a hill just outside this area, the Father unleashed His wrath on His own Son. Jesus became the final, sufficient sacrifice. No more temporary relief—eternal redemption.

Every time David looked back at Araunah’s threshing floor, he could say, “That’s where mercy met misery.” And every time we look back at the cross, we can say the same thing.

Prayer Points:

• Thank You, Father, that You provided a final, perfect substitute in Jesus.

• Help me to live in daily awe of the mercy You have shown.

• Make me bold to tell the story of mercy to others who are still under the weight of judgment.

2 People To Pray For Angel De Jesus, our National Changemaker in Puerto Rico The Ekinyambo Lifeword broadcast for the people of Tanzania & Congo

David, despite his flaws, points us to something greater. His humility after failure, his intercession for the people, his costly worship—all these highlight why he was a good king.

Yet David’s goodness has limits. He sins. He fails. He needs mercy himself.

This final chapter of Samuel whispers for something more: a greater King. One who would not just intercede but bear the full penalty. One whose obedience would be perfect, whose mercy would be unending.

Jesus is the better David. Where David sinned, Jesus obeyed. Where David offered symbolic sacrifices, Jesus became the sacrifice. Where David's mercy spared a city, Jesus' mercy spares the world.

Prayer Points:

• Jesus, thank You for being the flawless King David could only foreshadow.

• Teach me to treasure Your mercy and walk daily in Your grace.

• Let my life reflect the kind of kingdom You are building—one of mercy and truth.

2 People To Pray For Rigoberto Jimenez and his family, our National Changemakers in El Salvador The Dagaare Lifeword broadcast for the people of Burkina Faso & Ghana

David builds the altar, offers burnt offerings and peace offerings—and God responds. The plague is averted. Mercy wins the day.

This mirrors an earlier story in 2 Samuel 21 where famine was halted after an act of intercession. God responds to heartfelt repentance, to true worship.

Our God is not distant. He hears. He moves. His mercies are not stingy. They are vast, immediate, and rich for those who cry out to Him.

This is the God we pray to. The God whose heart is tender toward the broken. The God whose ear is tuned to the humble.

Prayer Points:

• Lord, remind me that You hear and respond when I cry out to You.

• Give me the faith to believe Your mercy is always near to the repentant.

• Help me worship You with a heart full of gratitude for Your nearness.

2 People To Pray For Jairo Bonilla and his family, our National Changemakers in Costa Rica The Creole-Capeverdean Lifeword broadcast for the people of Cape Verde

In this groundbreaking episode, Jake McCandless speaks with Dr. Jim Wilder, a pioneer in the intersection of neuroscience and faith. Dr. Wilder, the co-author of The Other Half of Church, introduces the concept of neurotheology, showing how our brains are wired for joy, connection, and relational transformation—exactly what biblical discipleship calls for.

Dr. Wilder reveals how the church has unintentionally focused on performance rather than identity formation, leaving many believers stuck in surface-level spirituality. He unpacks how brain science affirms Scripture, showing that joy and peace fuel lasting faith, while gratitude rewires the brain for spiritual and emotional resilience.

For parents, this episode offers practical insights on raising children with a faith that lasts. When joy is missing in the home, kids associate faith with pressure rather than delight. But when families intentionally cultivate joy and relational connection, they build spiritual endurance that carries into adulthood.

Dr. Wilder also shares one powerful practice to start integrating faith into daily life: expressing gratitude multiple times a day. This simple shift activates the brain’s relational circuits, keeping believers emotionally healthy and spiritually strong.

In this compelling episode of Stand Firm Parents, host Jake McCandless sits down with Joel Richardson, a New York Times bestselling author and internationally respected teacher and filmmaker. Known for his deep understanding of Bible prophecy and global missions, Joel turns our attention toward the underground church in Iran—a place where the gospel is flourishing against all odds.

Joel explains how a movement of everyday believers—not professional pastors—is fueling explosive disciple-making in one of the most dangerous regions on earth. Through simple obedience, Discovery Bible Study, and an unwavering focus on the Holy Spirit’s leading, this underground church has become the fastest-growing expression of Christianity in the world.

The conversation unpacks how Western Christians—and especially parents—can learn from these first-century-style movements. Joel emphasizes that revival doesn't require comfort or polish. It requires humility, repentance, and authentic living. A fully integrated faith isn’t something we attend on Sundays—it’s something we model and multiply every day in our homes.

🛠 Key Takeaways:

• Iran’s underground church thrives by embracing disciple-making and suffering.

• The movement is led by laypeople, not clergy—with an emphasis on Holy Spirit-led obedience.

• Parents in the West must model authenticity, humility, and mission to pass on a lasting faith.

• The model of evangelism isn’t debate—it’s invitation.

📚 Books by Joel Richardson:

• Sheep Among Wolves II (Documentary)

• The Mystery of Catastrophe

• Explore more at Joel’s site: Joelstrumpet.com

🎥 Also follow Joel on Twitter/X

When David approaches Araunah to buy the threshing floor for an altar, Araunah generously offers it all for free—land, oxen, wood. But David refuses. "I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing."

David understood something many today miss: worship without sacrifice is hollow. Real worship requires something costly. It mirrors the costly mercy we have received. Worship that doesn’t cost me something—comfort, convenience, pride—isn't worship; it’s self-congratulation.

David’s purchase and offering were tangible acts that said, “God, You are worth everything to me.” Today, the cost might look different: forgiving someone who hurt you, giving generously even when it pinches, surrendering a dream, obeying when it hurts. Each costly act says to God, “You are worth it.”

This threshing floor becomes sacred space. Solomon would later build the Temple here. The small cost David paid points forward to the infinite cost Christ paid—His life for ours.

Prayer Points:

• Jesus, teach me to give You my best, not my leftovers.

• Show me today what costly obedience looks like.

• Fill me with gratitude that counts no sacrifice too great in light of Your cross.

2 People To Pray For Oscar Gaitan and his family, our National Changemakers in Nicaragua The Duruma/Chiduruma Lifeword broadcast for the people of Kenya

You get advice all the time—sometimes from your mom, your best friend, or even TikTok. But have you ever stopped to ask: Is this really the best advice for me? In this episode, we’re getting real about how to handle advice, who to trust, and why you need to go to God first before anyone else.

You’ll laugh with us (and maybe feel a little called out) as we talk about childhood lessons, awkward college moments, and learning to trust God’s timing—even when you don’t feel like waiting.

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