Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.

1 Samuel 28, 31, 1 Chronicles 10:13-14, and 2 Samuel 1, 4 

Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse. 1 Chronicles 10:13-14

Day 93 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on Saul and Jonathan's death, as well as David's reaction.  1 Chronicles 10:13-14 states the reason for Saul's death.  On the other hand, we have David who is a "man after God's heart" (see 1 Samuel 13:14, and Acts 13:22).

Saul sought affirmation and satisfaction from others.  Instead, God wants us to seek Him out and to gain satisfaction from Him.

This reference includes many verses about how God cares about a heart for Him.

We are all longing for something and too often we seek satisfaction from creation, not the creator. We should hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6) as ONLY God will satisfy and fill the longing we all have. See John Piper on this.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who HAS filled me...well beyond what I deserve!  Thank You Jesus for satisfying my longing and then some!  I am not deserving of such love.  I sin...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.

I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.

Ezekiel 11

I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. v19

Israel and Judah's hearts had hardened towards God as they worshiped other gods before and above God.  God wants our heart above anything else from us.  He does not want us to follow His commands as an end in itself - our actions and life should be a manifestation of our love of God.  Our love of God and our desire to be more like Him WILL result in a changed heart and as a result we will love others and serve others - just as Jesus did.

For God is not looking for those who cut their bodies in actual body circumcision, but he is looking for those with changed hearts and minds. Romans 2:29 TLB

John 15 - The Vine and the Branches

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has given me a new heart - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I miss the mark.  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.

The oppressor will come to an end, and destruction will cease; the aggressor will vanish from the land. In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it—one from the house of David—one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness.

Isaiah 16

The oppressor will come to an end, and destruction will cease; the aggressor will vanish from the land.  In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it—one from the house of David—one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness. v4-5

We all seek something of the world - that is our sinful nature.  The Israelites sought a king (1 Samuel 8) because God alone was not sufficient.  God ultimately gave us His Son Jesus Christ as the King of Kings...and He did so just as Isaiah 16:4-5 indicates.  He did so out of love.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

We don't need to ask for anything of this world, certainly not for a king.  God loves us and He will provide what we need and what we ask for given we ask in the name of God. 

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14:14

Jesus, give me a heart not after this world, but after You.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me - this I know.  You gave me Your Son Jesus Christ!  Thank You!  I am not worth such love.  I worry and I am lazy.  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.  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.