Our Sin Can Be Destructive In Many Ways

Today's Reading
1 Samuel Chps 20-22

Clearly, Saul's sin of jealousy and rage is destructive as he strikes down even men of God and their entire families:

 ¹⁸ The king then ordered Doeg, “You turn and strike down the priests.” So Doeg the Edomite turned and struck them down. That day he killed eighty-five men who wore the linen ephod. ¹⁹ He also put to the sword Nob, the town of the priests, with its men and women, its children and infants, and its cattle, donkeys and sheep. 

Yet even words themselves can be equally as destructive.  I know for myself as I am harsh with my own son Zach and even with my own wife Lisa.  Although I have heard God's words here - I have not yet fully taken them to heart.

⁴ Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:4).

 My Prayer: Lord, you have shown me mercy with my sin and you continue to do so - thank you God for your love, compassion, forgiveness and mercy.  Your love abounds!  Help me Lord avoid sin with my children - help me not exasperate my children and family with my sharp rebukes.  Help me Lord.  Help me point them to you and help me show them your love through me.

What Does It Take To Get That God is Talking to You

Today's Reading
1 Samuel Chp 19

The Lord was clearly with David as is described in this chapter.  Saul repeatedly tries to kill David as his jealousy grew strong over David.  Jonathan, David's wife Michal, and Samuel all protected David.

As well, God came upon both Saul's men and even Saul himself:

"the Spirit of God came on Saul’s men" (verse 20)

...

^"So Saul went to Naioth at Ramah. But the Spirit of God came even on him..." (verse 23)

God is clearly intervening on David's behalf and speaking directly to Saul, yet Saul's jealousy and anger are so strong that he cannot hear God talking directly to him in terms that are both loud and clear.

Satan's work is powerful.

My Prayer: Lord, you have protected me often from harm and you continue to keep me from harm.  You are my rock and thank you for your protection.  Forgive me for my sinful nature and forgive me when I neglect you and allow sin to separate myself from you.  Please help me draw closer to you and protect me from sin and from Satan's powerful hand.

What Is God's Idea of Intimacy Between Two Men

Today's Reading
1 Samuel Chp 18

Many who know me know that I am a strong advocate for men to growth in their faith alongside other men.  This is clearly what God intends.  Here in 1 Samuel, there is greater clarity and definition of this intimacy.

Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself.

This one speaks for itself.  Yet there is more...

And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.

This last one above is less instinctive.  Above and beyond any natural connections or areas of life where there is common ground that we share with another man, there needs to be an explicit "unnatural" step of a covenant that cements any bond.

For me, I see:

(1) Oneness
I am in someone else's life and someone else is in my life - to the point where one life is indistinguishable from another.  The common denominator is faith and love of God.

(2) Love
This love builds on the common bond of faith and love of God and extends into natural connections where earthly life is shared.

(3) Covenant
This is a commitment that pushes us to support each other through thick and thin, much like a marriage.  When it does not feel natural, we do it anyway - the it being love someone as you love yourself and to support each other even when you don't feel like it.

My Prayer: Lord, you have placed men in my life that have proven to be brothers, in Christ and otherwise.  I am in awe of how you designed this and your plan for me played itself out in terms of their blessing for my life.  Thank you for these men.  Forgive me if I put too much faith in my own plan and if I am not the brother you want me to be.  Help me create brothers for other men, for me to be a brother and help me submit to your will for me to have brothers in my life.

God is to Shine Through Us - For HIS Glory

Today's Reading
1 Samuel Chp 17

God calls us out to be separate, to be bold and to be a light onto others.  Yet this means different things depending on the occasion.

Notice here how David talks and acts tough as he has been called by God to take on Goliath.

⁴⁵ David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. ⁴⁶ This day the LORD will deliver you into my hands, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. This very day I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds and the wild animals, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. ⁴⁷ All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 

 Earlier in 1 Samuel 16 - he is a humble servant. 

¹⁸ One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the LORD is with him.”

  

¹⁹ Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” ²⁰ So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul.

 ²¹ David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. ²² Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”

 ²³ Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.

Whatever the role we play in life, the response from others should be consistent as it is with Saul.

After David slays Goliath in chapter 17, Saul's response is consistent:

 ⁵⁵ As Saul watched David going out to meet the Philistine, he said to Abner, commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is that young man?” 

What is interesting here is that Saul forgets David's name - David loses his identity, yet God shines through him anyway and all that he does is for God's glory not his own.

My Prayer: Lord I have seen your work in my own life and it is amazing.  Praise that I can be part of your plan.  Forgive me when I take glory for my own work or when I seek my own plan.  Please help me lose myself, focus on you, and let you shine through me for your glory. 

"The LORD does not look at the things people look at."

Today's Reading
1 Samuel Chp 16

As Samuel mourns over the disappointment of Saul in the Lord's eyes, the Lord comes to Samuel and indicates that He has chosen a new king and sets Samuel on the path to find and anoint the new king - David.

Without telling Samuel who the new king is, he reveals what is the most important component in the new king...and in us:

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 

My Prayer: You have transformed my heart and ways that I have not imagined possible - you are so powerful and I am thankful for your work in me.  Forgive me for my neglect and disobedience.  Further penetrate my heart and help me be more like you.

Partial Obedience is NOT Obedience and Nothing Can Compensate!

Today's Reading
1 Samuel Chps 13-15

Although God is in control, He does give us free will to do what we wish.  Against His wishes He gives the Israelites a king in Saul.  Unsurprisingly, Saul disappoints.  In response to Saul's partial obedience (with a sacrifice to "compensate" for this partial obedience), Samuel says to Saul:

 “Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
   as much as in obeying the LORD?
To obey is better than sacrifice,
   and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
²³ For rebellion is like the sin of divination,
   and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the LORD,
   he has rejected you as king.” (1 Samuel 15:22)

This scenario plays out in my own life as I may read and study God's word some of the time but not daily, or I may pray some of the time but not daily, etc.


I say things to myself that I am fairly consistent or I am doing better than I used to...but all of this is not good enough, certainly not good enough in God's eyes.  Who am I to rationalize my behavior as obedience - is this NOT arrogance to the highest degree?


My Prayer: Lord, you are a God of mercy and of grace.  In spite of my shortcomings and arrogance you bless me.  How great you are!  Thank you for my blessings, your love, and your grace.  Forgive me for my arrogance.  Please help love and obey you with 100% of my heart and soul.

Lift Up to the Lord That Which is "Hopeless"

Today's Reading
1 Samuel Chp 12

As Samuel grows old he appears before the Israelites with a farewell speech.  He confronts them with their evil both past and present and he reminds them that God has always shown mercy, grace and forgiveness. 

²⁰ “Do not be afraid,” Samuel replied. “You have done all this evil; yet do not turn away from the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart. ²¹ Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless. ²² For the sake of his great name the LORD will not reject his people, because the LORD was pleased to make you his own. ²³ As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. ²⁴ But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. ²⁵ Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will perish.” 

Lately, I have been frustrated about my own son's lack of desire about both the church and God. 

Samuel's life and his actions/words here serve as powerful guidance for me.
(1) It is critical that I see my own son's life and direction in God's hands that I am a steward and instrument of God.  As part of this I must pray to God for God's direction and for my son (verse 23)
(2) Continue to teach, and find new and innovative ways to teach the Lord to those in my care - my family (verse 23)
(3) Live a life worthy of imitation (verse 24)
(4) Maintain a pure heart - while it is expected that we will always have a sinful nature, we must always repent, seek forgiveness, and draw closer to him.

My Prayer: Lord, you have blessed me beyond imagination and you have also always shown me great mercy. How great you are!  Thank you for the blessing of my children.  Forgive me for my critical nature both to my wife and to my children.  Help me rid myself of this, pray to you for guidance and protection for my family, and for their faith and walk with you/love of you.

God Often "Pulls" Us Up

Today's Reading
1 Samuel Chps 9-11

This week a frequent topic among my Christian brothers is how God calls us up.  Noah, Moses, Joshua, Caleb, and now Saul.  While initially Saul does not express any resistance or worry, when the time comes to be publicly called out for the role God intends - King of Israel - Saul hides.

¹⁷ Samuel summoned the people of Israel to the LORD at Mizpah ¹⁸ and said to them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I brought Israel up out of Egypt, and I delivered you from the power of Egypt and all the kingdoms that oppressed you.’ ¹⁹ But you have now rejected your God, who saves you out of all your disasters and calamities. And you have said, ‘No, appoint a king over us.’ So now present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and clans.” 

 ²⁰ When Samuel had all Israel come forward by tribes, the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot. ²¹ Then he brought forward the tribe of Benjamin, clan by clan, and Matri’s clan was taken. Finally Saul son of Kish was taken. But when they looked for him, he was not to be found. ²² So they inquired further of the LORD, “Has the man come here yet?”

And the LORD said, “Yes, he has hidden himself among the supplies.”

And later after he is appointed King, there are those who are doubtful and Saul lacks the confidence to step into the role to prove his worthiness.

²⁶ Saul also went to his home in Gibeah, accompanied by valiant men whose hearts God had touched. ²⁷ But some scoundrels said, “How can this fellow save us?” They despised him and brought him no gifts. But Saul kept silent. 

Ultimately, Saul routs the Philistines in chapter 11 and perhaps his confidence was there already and he was the strong silent type...regardless, for me I see that God call us up and often times this is a matter of being "pulled" up and maybe even dragged along if the resistance is great.   Sometimes God has to take clear explicit steps to make us aware of our calling.

My Prayer: Lord, I have seen how you have shaped and molded me to serve for your glory.  Your design and your plans are awesome!  Forgive me for my doubt and concern.  Help me trust you more that I can be an instrument of greatness in your hands.

We Do Not Need An Earthly King!

Today's Reading
Samuel Chp 8

When we feel our God is not sufficient, we seek alternatives as the Israelites do here. 

⁴ So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. ⁵ They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.” (Verses 4-5)

God correctly saw this not as a rejection of Samuel's sons but a rejection of God.

⁷ And the LORD told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. (Verse 7)

The Lord then instructs Samuel to let the Israelites to have their way - to let them have an earthly King.  And he instructs the Israelites to warn them of the consequences of an imperfect earthly king that will rule over the Jews.

(1) What about God is not sufficient - God has and continues to do so many awesome things for us corporately and personally.  When was the last time I listed all my blessings?
(2) Why don't we bring our grievances to God - he listens to us and he is merciful.  We may not get what we want but rest assured if we are close to God through prayer and study, He will make His will known and his will and plans for perfect.

My Prayer: Lord, I know your ways, your works, and your plans are great!  It is just inspiring that you can use me as part of your glorious plans.  Forgive me when I stop listening to you and stop obeying you.  Help me love you more, seek you out, trust you more, and follow you more - help me be bold!

Truth Is Everywhere - If Yor Are Listening

Today’s Reading

1 Samuel Chps 2-7

“In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.

In the OT, the ten commandments existed and while God had spoken directly to the Israelites at the foot of Mt Sinai, from that point forward due to fear, the Israelites did not have God speak to them directly. Instead they did so through prophets.  Samuel became one of those prophets.  With Christ we have the Lord our God, through Him he can talk directly through prayer and other means, we also have the Word itself, pastors, our Christian brothers and sisters – all of whom serve as means for us to understand the Lord’s word for us. 

My Prayer: Your word for me is beyond wisdom – it is Truth.  Thank you for how you have provided Truth in my life. Forgive me when I neglect or do not listen to any one of the ways that you can talk to me.  Help me focus on ALL the ways that you speak to me. 

NOTE: Transcription of offline study from 03DEC.

Struggle or Submit – Or Both?

Today’s Reading

1 Samuel Chp 1

Although Hannah’s womb was closed (v5),  she prays (v10-11) to the Lord who in turn gives Hannah a child (v20).  The interesting question here for me is whether Hannah should have submitted to God’s will regarding her infertility.  Since God caused (v5) her infertility, should Hannah not have peacefully submitted to His will and understood how she was to be used regarding His purpose if she was not to be a mother?  Instead she struggled with this – see v7, 10, and 15-16.

As it sometimes is, this is not a black and white issue.  Of course, we are to submit, find peace and joy with how God blesses us.   While God wants us to faithfully submit and serve Him based on what we have, struggle is OK as long as it does not get in the way of us being faithful to God or walking away from God?  Struggle and back and forth with God is a healthy sign of a relationship with God.

My Prayer:

Lord, I have seen how you use all of my blessings and experiences for your glory and your plan is perfect.   Thank you for how you have helped me protected me, overcome and how you have blessed me. Forgive me when I disobey you, when I don’t follow you, and when I don’t trust you.  Help me stay close to you, help me understand how my current circumstance is by your design and that I should stay near to you so I can be part of your perfect plan.

NOTE: Transcription from offline study 30NOV.