Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice.

1 Samuel 15

Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned, for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord and your words, because I feared the people and obeyed their voice. 1 Samuel 15:24

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at Saul and how his obedience to men came at the price of disobedience to God. In 1 Samuel 15:3, Samuel - as God's messenger - gives Saul specific commands about how to go to war with Amalek: "devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey."  However, we learn in v9 that Saul does not do this and then in v10-11 we see God's response, followed by Samuel.  "The word of the Lord came to Samuel: “I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned back from following me and has not performed my commandments.” And Samuel was angry, and he cried to the Lord all night."  John Piper points us to Isaiah 51:12 where we see additional text that reminds us not to fear man but to fear our Maker.   Isaiah 51:7-8 is even more pointed:

“Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear not the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their revilings. For the moth will eat them up like a garment, and the worm will eat them like wool, but my righteousness will be forever, and my salvation to all generations.” 

In an age of cancel culture, where there is widespread "fear of man" with regards to faith and expressing one's views consistent with scripture, we must stand firm in the faith.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are good...You protect me from harm and seal me - forever...thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You provide such refuge.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  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 love me.  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.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  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 you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.

John 17

As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. John 17:18

This morning, my focus is DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, where John Piper seeks for believers to prepare our hearts for Christmas.  Today's Solid Joys daily devotion marks day 18 of Advent, and today John Piper focuses on how Christmas is a model for missions. The Great Commission in Matthew 28 calls believers to go out and make disciples of all nations.  Regardless of whether we as believers are personally engaged in the global mission field, we are called to support - through prayer, financial assistance, etc. - missions.  Missionaries often place themselves in harm's way by venturing deep into places where sharing the gospel is a known danger based on previous persecution of Christians. For those facing this danger, Piper quotes mid-16th century missionary Francis Xavier (1506–1552) and encourages missionaries to avoid "distrust[ing] the mercy of God."  Piper then goes on to share that if this "danger is avoided, then all other dangers lose their sting. In the end God makes every dagger a scepter in our hand. As J.W. Alexander says, 'Each instant of present labor is to be graciously repaid with a million ages of glory.'"  This serves as an encouragement for all believers to live fearlessly as whatever fear of man we may have, pales in comparison to the danger many missionaries face every day. Be bold!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of compassion and grace for me.  You are my refuge and so much more....thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You protect and provide refuge.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  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 love me.  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.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  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 this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

Matthew 26

"But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled. vm56

As a follow up to my post a couple of days ago, we now see not just Judas betraying Jesus but all of the other disciples as well.  Once again we see how even those closest to Jesus fall prey to the demons of this world, likely fear of authorities.  I wonder how I might falter if confronted with the threat of physical harm as the disciples and many others face.

While we may fear physical harm, we should have a greater fear - separation from God.

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28

My Prayer: What an awesome God who has saved me and sealed me for eternity - 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 love me.  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.  Please help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  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.