And he became more and more powerful, because the Lord God Almighty was with him.

2 Samuel 5

And he became more and more powerful, because the Lord God Almighty was with him. v10

We must remember that we are not powerful because of our own efforts - it is because God is with us and we lean on His strength and power.  Paul writes of this power:

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. 

That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.  Ephesians 1:18-21

Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20

The question then might be - how can I have such faith?  It is only by cultivating and maintaining a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Come near to God and he will come near to you. James 4:8

See also post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who provides life...and to the full!  You are amazing and my cup overflows.  Thank You Jesus for the many blessings that You pour out to me.  I am undeserving.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself strength and wisdom.  Heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years.

2 Samuel 5

David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned over all Israel and Judah thirty-three years. v4-5

I believe patterns in the bible are important because God wants us to see connections.  In this case, we see David as similar to Jesus in that David reigned over Israel and Judah as long as Jesus lived.  See also blog post here (and there are others).  God wants us to see David's life as important and worthy of study.  Of course, David is not perfect (and we aren't either).  Yet even with David's faults we can study his life as someone with humble beginnings and as someone with a heart for God, and as someone who trusted and had confidence in God.

God has a plan for us just as He did for David. 

God, please help me rest in You, and to have trust and confidence in You.

My Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who has provided Your Word and the Holy Spirit so that I can walk with You and spend time with You.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love because I am harsh - with my own family!  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then the king said to his men, “Do you not realize that a commander and a great man has fallen in Israel this day? And today, though I am the anointed king, I am weak, and these sons of Zeruiah are too strong for me. May the Lord repay the evildoer according to his evil deeds!”

2 Samuel 3

Then the king said to his men, “Do you not realize that a commander and a great man has fallen in Israel this day? And today, though I am the anointed king, I am weak, and these sons of Zeruiah are too strong for me. May the Lord repay the evildoer according to his evil deeds!” v38-39

After Saul dies, the commander of Saul's army, Abner - initiates a power struggle with David to determine who should rule over both Israel and Judah.  However, ultimately Abner determines that he should not fight the Lord's anointed.

May God deal with Abner, be it ever so severely, if I do not do for David what the Lord promised him on oath and transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and establish David’s throne over Israel and Judah from Dan to Beersheba.” v9-10

David and Abner strike an agreement to peaceably transfer power of Israel from Saul's house (Abner) to David.  Abner then leaves David in peace.

Joab - who was not present to the agreement - feels that Abner is an enemy and he cannot be trusted so he - on his own accord - makes the decision to kill Abner.  David makes his displeasure known.  

For us, a key lesson here is to avoid our impulsive nature and to seek the Lord's guidance - explicitly with regard to significant actions and decisions that will have lasting consequences.  

Contrast this with David's repeated inquiries of the Lord with another one in 2 Samuel 2:

In the course of time, David inquired of the Lord. “Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?” he asked.

The Lord said, “Go up.”

David asked, “Where shall I go?”

“To Hebron,” the Lord answered. v1

My sense is that we should be in a daily relationship with Jesus so that in the little things we know what to do (see also Romans 12:2) and go to Him explicitly with the bigger things.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are!  You are Truth and I am lost without You.  Thank You for your guidance.  I am not worth such love.  I often neglect my relationship with You. Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

So I stood beside him and killed him, because I knew that after he had fallen he could not survive.

2 Samuel 1

So I stood beside him and killed him, because I knew that after he had fallen he could not survive. v10

In 1 Samuel 31, we learn that Saul takes his own life as he was mortally wounded but alive enough to know that should he be captured he would be abused and/or tortured.  Yet the Amalekite who reported the news of Saul and Jonathan's death to David lied to David that he killed Saul when he did not.  

I can only speculate why this man would lie to David, perhaps it was bragging - who knows.  Yet the simple truth is that he lied and he should not have.  For this lie, he ends being killed by David:

David asked him, “Why weren’t you afraid to lift your hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?”

Then David called one of his men and said, “Go, strike him down!” So he struck him down, and he died. For David had said to him, “Your blood be on your own head. Your own mouth testified against you when you said, ‘I killed the Lord’s anointed.’” v14-16

The lesson for us is that people lie for all kinds of reasons - to hide things, to think they are making people feel better, to brag, etc.  Yet even innocent lies - and I've done them myself - are sinful.  I tell my son Zach that if you can lie about the small things you can lie about the big things - you become comfortable with a life of sin.  We should be uncomfortable with a life of sin because "the wages of sin are death (Romans 3:23)", and our discomfort should drive us into the arms of our Savior Jesus who came to rescue us from our sin and to provide us eternal life in Heaven with Him. 

See also this post from a few days ago.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has transformed my heart and life and protected me from great harm - including harm done by myself due to sin.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I am selfish and I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

David replied, “No, my brothers, you must not do that with what the Lord has given us. He has protected us and delivered into our hands the raiding party that came against us. Who will listen to what you say? The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike.” David made this a statute and ordinance for Israel from that day to this.

1 Samuel 30

David replied, “No, my brothers, you must not do that with what the Lord has given us. He has protected us and delivered into our hands the raiding party that came against us. Who will listen to what you say? The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike.” David made this a statute and ordinance for Israel from that day to this. v23-35

Greed and selfishness drive much of what all of us do.  In this case some of David's men felt that not everyone deserved a share of David's plunder:

But all the evil men and troublemakers among David’s followers said, “Because they did not go out with us, we will not share with them the plunder we recovered.” v22

Yet David - as a man after God's heart - steps in and provides not only for those that stayed behind to watch supplies but also to other parts of Israel - see v23-31.

God wants those of us in the church to not just care for each other in the church but also for those outside the church who are in need.

"And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” Matthew 10:42

There are many people in need in our community and in the world and John challenges us to meet people where they are - to help.  Not just in prayer or words but in action - to give.

 

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.  If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:16-18

Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice. Psalm 112:5

Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. Matthew 5:42

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 

One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
    another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

A generous person will prosper;
    whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:24-25

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done. Proverbs 19:17

The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern                  Proverbs 29:7 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who gave everything away so that I could be rescued from sin and have eternal life.  Thank You Jesus. I am not worth such love as I am often selfish.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.

1 Samuel 30

David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God. v6

There will be days when it seems the world is against you and it can be overwhelming.  David, from his days as a younger man when he slayed Goliath, finds his confidence in the Lord, not in others, and not in things of this world.  

You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely. Psalm 59:17

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26

 

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. Ephesians 1:18-21

 

See also post here. 

 

Lord Jesus, help me stay near to You in good times and bad so that when the bad times do come - and they will - I can find my strength in You alone.

 

My Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who strengthens me daily through Your Word, the Holy Spirit, and through others where You work in them - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth how You love me - I am broken and my sin continues.  I am often harsh with my words and actions.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and others as You do. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Samuel said, “Why do you consult me, now that the Lord has departed from you and become your enemy? The Lord has done what he predicted through me. The Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hands and given it to one of your neighbors—to David. Because you did not obey the Lord or carry out his fierce wrath against the Amalekites, the Lord has done this to you today. The Lord will deliver both Israel and you into the hands of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me.

1 Samuel 28

Samuel said, “Why do you consult me, now that the Lord has departed from you and become your enemy? The Lord has done what he predicted through me. The Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hands and given it to one of your neighbors—to David. Because you did not obey the Lord or carry out his fierce wrath against the Amalekites, the Lord has done this to you today. The Lord will deliver both Israel and you into the hands of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. v16-19

Saul is bent on killing David, even though he tells David that he will not.  Saul's life becomes what James predicts when we follow sin down the slippery slope: 

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. James 1:13-15

 

Lord Jesus, please help me stay near to You.

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has protected me from many sins - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, “Praise be to the Lord, who has upheld my cause against Nabal for treating me with contempt. He has kept his servant from doing wrong and has brought Nabal’s wrongdoing down on his own head.”

1 Samuel 25

When David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, “Praise be to the Lord, who has upheld my cause against Nabal for treating me with contempt. He has kept his servant from doing wrong and has brought Nabal’s wrongdoing down on his own head.” v39

Evil has been in the world since the very beginning - see Genesis 3.  Evil not only exists but it is pervasive.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 1 Peter 5:8-9

 

David nearly succumbs to temptation by killing Nabal but he realizes that this is wrong and that justice belongs to God alone.

 

We must repay evil with good.

 

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.  Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3:8-9

 

Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs. Proverbs 10:12

 

Seek good, not evil, that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say he is. Hate evil, love good; maintain justice in the courts. Perhaps the Lord God Almighty will have mercy on the remnant of Joseph. Amos 5:14-15

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed a great God who sees my evil and pays me back with good.  I know that I don't get what I deserve but I do get what I don't deserve - grace.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love.  I often fail to come to You with my first fruits.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.” With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way.

1 Samuel 24

The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.” With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way. v6-7

Although he is not perfect, David is a man after God's heart.  He seeks God's will in his life, not his own - see 1 Samuel 23 verses 2, 4, and 10.  Here in this morning's verses David also demonstrates that it is not his role to stand in the way of God's plan - God anointed Saul King and far be it from him to strike Saul down.  This is for God to do - should it be His will.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the way, the truth, and life and I know that I cannot come to God without accepting You as my Lord and Savior....and I do.  You came to save me and I need saving.  Thank You for saving me Jesus.  Yet I am not worth such efforts because I am harsh with my words and actions.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

So he pretended to be insane in their presence; and while he was in their hands he acted like a madman, making marks on the doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard.

1 Samuel 21

So he pretended to be insane in their presence; and while he was in their hands he acted like a madman, making marks on the doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard. v13

David is certainly a man who has a heart for the Lord - yet he was not perfect.  Just as Moses or anyone before David or anyone after David (Paul, Peter, etc.), we must recognize that God alone is pure and sinless.  Jesus lived a sinless life and did not deserve to die, yet He willingly submitted to God's will (John 3:16).

While we, from time to time, place faith in other people to give us hope, encouragement, etc., we must recognize that God alone is source for all and He will provide for all of our needs.

But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today. Deuteronomy 8:18

 

 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who provides for all of my needs.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worthy such love.  I often worry and I place my hope in people or earthly things - I know this is sinful.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Please give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Saul’s anger flared up at Jonathan and he said to him, “You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don’t I know that you have sided with the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of the mother who bore you? As long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Now send someone to bring him to me, for he must die!”

1 Samuel 20

Saul’s anger flared up at Jonathan and he said to him, “You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don’t I know that you have sided with the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of the mother who bore you? As long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Now send someone to bring him to me, for he must die!” v30-31

Saul's anger stems from his selfishness and greed to be in control and to have everything according to his will vs God's will.  Note Saul's statement where he implies he is control over who will reign as King.  Of course, we all know that God reigns supreme and if there is to be an earthly king it will someone that God anoints - just as God anointed Saul and David.

We should not be so arrogant that we place our will above God's nor should we be so arrogant that we can stop God's will.

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

 

See also this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God, full of love and compassion for me...patient and forgiving.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love.  I worry and I am harsh with words and actions, including gossip.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

When Saul realized that the Lord was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days. The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known.

1 Samuel 18

When Saul realized that the Lord was with David and that his daughter Michal loved David, Saul became still more afraid of him, and he remained his enemy the rest of his days. The Philistine commanders continued to go out to battle, and as often as they did, David met with more success than the rest of Saul’s officers, and his name became well known. v28-30

Envy and jealousy are powerful forces - driven by selfishness, greed, etc.  I have often felt these forces myself - particularly around other believers because I see them in positions in ministry that I covet for myself or I covet other people's faith (or my perception of it), etc.  Over time, God however has worked on this I while these forces are still at work within my, I do believe that God has helped me recognize that there is no competition and that if work on my relationship with God, He will bless me - and HOW God blesses me is up to Him.

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 2:1-3

 

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who has worked miracles in my heart and life - thank You Jesus.  Yet I am not worth such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

“Whose son are you, young man?” Saul asked him.

1 Samuel 17

“Whose son are you, young man?” Saul asked him. v58

What I noticed this morning is how all of David's brothers and Saul himself failed to accept and acknowledge the anointing of David as Saul's successor, anointed by God Himself, and to accept David as someone with God's spirit.

In 1 Samuel 16, all of David's brothers are present when David is anointed by God through Samuel.

So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. v13

Notice also how "the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David". 

Even Saul's servants recognized how the Spirit was with David as they recommended David to Saul to play Lyre for Saul.

He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him.” v18

Yet in 1 Samuel 17, David's brothers (at least Eliab) act as if David is nothing special - see v28.  And Saul forgets who David is - my sense is that at least speaking for myself, if I found someone where it was apparent that "the Spirit of the Lord [was] powerfully [with them]", I would certainly not forget them and would want to remain in their presence.

We must recognize that God appears in forms that we may not recognize or value (in an earthly sense), and that it is important that we have relationships with such people in our own lives because God designed us to walk through life together (Proverbs 27:17).

He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:10-11

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are that have already provided Godly men in my life so that I could be sharpened! Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love.  I worry, and I am harsh with my words.  Please forgive me!  Help me overcome such sin and turn from it towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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.

1 Samuel 16

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. v23

Many in the world suffer - believers and non believers alike.  We are to reach out and encourage people.

See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.  Hebrews 3:12-14  

Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.  The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value. The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of sense. Proverbs 10:19-21

The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. Proverbs 15:4

 

And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 1 Thessalonians 5:14

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You encourage me, provide for me, soothe me, heal me, etc.  What a great God You are!  Thank You for adopting me as Your child and for sealing me for eternity and for keeping me from being enslaved by sin!  I am not worth such love and efforts because I worry, gossip, and am harsh with others.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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.”

1 Samuel 16

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.” v7

After the Lord rejects Saul as King, Samuel is sent to Bethlehem to anoint one of Jesse's son's as the new king.  The Lord guides Samuel to look not at outward appearances but inward to one's heart condition.

Jesus echoes a similar sentiment when he admonishes the Jewish leaders for focusing too much on the law vs one's heart:

Jesus said to them, “I did one miracle, and you are all amazed. Yet, because Moses gave you circumcision (though actually it did not come from Moses, but from the patriarchs), you circumcise a boy on the Sabbath. Now if a boy can be circumcised on the Sabbath so that the law of Moses may not be broken, why are you angry with me for healing a man’s whole body on the Sabbath? Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.” John 7:21-24

As a parent, I must focus on Zach and Dustin's heart condition and too often I don't.  Thank You Jesus for prompting to me refocus on their hearts.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, full of love and compassion for me. You provide many, many second chances.  You provide for me. You heal me.  You forgive me...thank You for the many blessings You pour out for me.  Yet I am undeserving - I continue to worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself strength and wisdom.  Heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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. 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

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. 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. v22-23

Just as the Lord gave instructions to Saul to "attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys" (v3), God wants us to follow His instructions.  We should not attempt to justify sin (even by saying God will forgive us) nor do we get to hold back parts of our lives where we don't submit to God fully and completely. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, full of love, patience, compassion, etc. for me.  Thank You Jesus - I am not worth such love, patience, and compassion.  I worry - I must trust You with 100% faith in all areas of my life.  Please forgive me and help me turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself strength and wisdom.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

"You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.”

1 Samuel 13

"You have done a foolish thing,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him ruler of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command.” v13-14

According to the John MacArthur Study Bible, Saul's sin was not that he made a sacrifice but that he made one without "priestly assistance" and that he sought to rule "with absolute power in civil and sacred matters".  Saul's arrogance proved costly here and I can learn from Saul's mistake as my arrogance is not only a sin and of itself, but it leads to other sin - this I know.  

Samuel tells Saul that God wants leaders "after His heart" - someone who seeks God's will over and above his/her own.

Lord Jesus please help me be humble and seek Your will alone.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and full of love and compassion for me - despite my arrogance, You came to rescue me and You plucked me from sin's grip - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  My worry, harshness, and arrogance continues.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will perish.

1 Samuel 12

But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. Yet if you persist in doing evil, both you and your king will perish. v24-25

Samuel anoints Saul as King - doing what the Israelites wanted and what the Lord allowed.  God is in control - but we are not puppets - He gives us free will and He wants us to willingly love and devote ourselves to the Lord.  Here Samuel warns the Israelites that they should not stray from the Lord.  

This warning applies to us just as well.  We may want an earthly king (or any kind of idol) but we must remember that first and foremost we must serve the King of Kings and Lord of All.   


You shall have no other gods before me.

You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.  Exodus 20:3-6

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God worthy of my full attention - You deserve to be the highest priority in my life.  You are all powerful, all knowing, and You love me and provide for everything I need.  I don't need anything else but You.  Thank You Jesus for how You provide for all of my needs.  I am grateful.  Yet I often worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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. As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.”

1 Samuel 8

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. As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you. Now listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will claim as his rights.” v7-9

When we cry out to the Lord because of troubles we experience we must be mindful of what God is doing - the Israelites turned away from God and God either punished them or allowed difficult circumstances to befall them.  Here the Israelites sought an earthly King - essentially admitting that God alone is insufficient.  

I must be mindful that when I complain or worry - it is that I don't believe that God alone is sufficient.

Please forgive me Jesus!

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You alone are sufficient for me for I know that provide for all things and You steady my feet during times of difficulty.  Thank You for seeing me through hard times and providing for me during all times and for the overwhelming blessings You pour out for me.   I am not worth such love and blessings.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as Your Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

1 Samuel 3

Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” v10

I need to be listening to God - He is always talking to me through His Word, through others, and through my circumstances.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.  Romans 12:2

Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors[.] Proverbs 8:34

 

Give us each day our daily bread. Luke 11:3 

 

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Psalm 68:19

 

I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word. My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promises. Psalm 119:147-148

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has done amazing things in the world, for others, and for me - I have seen Your work many times.  I would be lost without You for You are daily guiding me and steadying my feet.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

It is not by strength that one prevails; those who oppose the Lord will be broken.

1 Samuel 2

It is not by strength that one prevails; those who oppose the Lord will be broken. v9-10

The Lord blessed Hannah with a son and her response is appropriate - she willingly submits Samuel to the Lord, recognizing that God has great plans for Samuel; and in chapter 2 she praises God for what He has done in this amazing prayer.

I am touched this morning by verse 9-10 because I often rely on my own strength to see myself through difficult situations.  I must recognize that it is through faith alone that we draw strength.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26

 

 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

 

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Psalm 68:19

 

The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. Habakkuk 3:19

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, full of love, patience, understanding, compassion, etc. - slow to anger and abounding in love - INDEED!  I am grateful for You God - that You would love me and rescue me - just as I am.  Yet I know I am undeserving.  I am full of worry and harshness for others - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

As surely as you live, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the Lord. I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there.

1 Samuel 1

As surely as you live, I am the woman who stood here beside you praying to the Lord. I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there. v26-28

Whatever God provides for us - including our family - these blessings belong to the Lord and are to serve His purpose and glory.  We exist to glorify God.

So as much as Hannah loved her new son Samuel - she knew that He existed to glorify God and that God had a plan for Samuel.  Hannah felt led to bring Samuel to Eli - as difficult as it was.  She willingly surrendered to God's plan not just for Samuel's life, but for her life as well.

We must be prepared to willingly surrender what God has placed in our trust - including our children.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, full of love and patience for me - thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love because I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.”

1 Samuel 1

I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.” v15-16

God wants all of us - during good times and bad times.  We must remember him in good times - knowing that God produces the harvest and all of its blessings.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  James 1:17

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:16-17

Once we recognize and live with this in mind - we can also recognize that He is all we need.

Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. Psalm 16:5

We can come to Him during the bad times once we know who He is during the good times.  This is our faith - that God exists and is always there for us.  Hannah knows this.  We should too.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are - You provide for all things in my life and I am not in want.  Thank You Jesus.  Yet I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind, and love others as You do. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then Naomi took the child in her arms and cared for him. The women living there said, “Naomi has a son!” And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.

Ruth 4

Then Naomi took the child in her arms and cared for him. The women living there said, “Naomi has a son!” And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David. v16-17

When Ruth agreed to travel with Naomi - Ruth had no idea what God had in store for her.  None of us do - all we know is that God has plan.


For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 

Yet Ruth's family line includes not just David but Jesus.

Reminder that if we feel led, we should go and if we submit our hearts and minds to Him - He WILL do big things.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I love You - I have seen how You have done big things in my life and in the lives around me.  Amazing!  Thank You Jesus for how You bless me.  I am not deserving.  I worry - far too much.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn from it towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help her understand Your will for her life.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before.

Ruth 2

I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. v11

Ruth decision to follow Naomi does not go unnoticed - not only by Naomi, but also by others, including Boaz.  We must all understand that we are to be a living sacrifice for others to see.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.  Matthew 5:14-16 

 

But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:16

 

Lord Jesus, help me draw others to You by helping me be a light, not just in my actions but also with my words.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God, full of love and blessing for me - in fact I am blessed beyond what I deserve. Thank You Jesus - but I am weak and I neglect my relationship with You.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.

Ruth 1

But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me. v16-17

God desires us to live together - to support and encourage one another, to assist us with physical needs, to pray with others, and to sharpen others.  This is God's intent from the beginning.

The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” Genesis 2:18

God sent Moses with Aaron to rescue the Israelites - see Exodus 4.

David had his mighty warriors.

Luke provides us with a picture of the church as God intends for us in Acts 2:42-47.

See also posts here. 

Lord Jesus, please help me be another for someone else and find another for myself.

My Prayer: You are an awesome God who has delivered me from my own sin, redeemed me, rescued me, and blessed me beyond what I deserve.  Thank You Jesus.  Yet I am not worth such efforts because I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself strength and wisdom.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  You have done so already - praise Jesus!  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.