"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.