September 30 -- "The Lord Looks on the Heart"

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 16

"The Lord Looks on the Heart"

Appearances can be deceiving. The outward appearance doesn’t reveal what people are really like. Physical looks don’t show us a person’s value or character or integrity or faithfulness to God. Outward qualities are, by definition, superficial. Moral and spiritual considerations are far more important to God.

The Lord is about to reveal to Samuel the next king of Israel.  The Lord told him that He has chosen a new king from among the sons of Jesse in the town of Bethlehem. After some initial hesitation, Samuel heads down to Bethlehem and begins to look over Jesse’s sons.  He is most likely looking for a strong warrior-type individual to lead the nation.  Someone who looks strong and able who can muster the support of the people.

So, one-by-one, Jesse’s sons come and present themselves to Samuel.  And, one-by-one, God rejects them, because they are not His chosen leader. God, told Samuel, “Looks aren’t everything. Don’t be impressed with his looks and stature. God judges persons differently than humans do. You tend to look at the outward appearance, but I look into the heart.” 

People tend to judge the character and worth of others by looking at outward appearances. If a person is tall, good-looking, well-built, well-spoken, and tastefully dressed, then he or she possesses physical qualities that humans generally admire and respect. Often these are the physical qualities we seek in a leader. But God has the unique ability to see inside a person. God knows our true character because he “looks at the heart.”

God was looking for someone who had a faithful heart. David, Jesse’s youngest son, whom they had not even bothered to call, was out tending the sheep. After Samuel passed over the other sons, they sent for David, and the Lord told Samuel, “This is the one.”  David was God’s choice.  He was not perfect, but he was humble and faithful, a man after God’s heart. In his time alone in the fields, shepherding the flocks, David had come to know God as his Shepherd.

There are two important lessons for us in this passage.  First, if we desire to be used of God and chosen by Him for ministry, we must focus on the inner person and cultivate a faithful heart. The Lord is looking for those whose hearts and humble are faithful to place into positions of service.  Second, we must be careful not to look at appearances when making choices in life.  We must humbly seek God’s view of a person and rely fully on His wisdom to help us choose wisely.

 

September 29 -- "Obedience Trumps Religion"

 Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 15

"Obedience Trumps Religion"

A lot of people make the same mistake as Saul.  They think that their religious activities will cover-up their life of disobedience to God.  Tragically, this never works.  God is not impressed with our religious acts, nor does He give us credit for our religiosity or dutiful sacrifices. To put this another way, we could say, behold, to obey is better than “going to church,” and to listen to Him is better than “taking communion.”  To obey is better than “working as a volunteer” on the church committee, and to listen to Him is better than “donating to the church offering.”

It is an ugly characteristic of human nature to believe that we can “be good enough” or do enough “good works” to somehow make ourselves pleasing and acceptable to God.  But this is never the case.  There is no amount of human goodness that could ever be enough to satisfy a holy God, because there is no way to cover all of my sins and acts of disobedience.  The goodness that God demands is perfection and our religiosity will never, ever, achieve it.

Saul disobeyed God.  He failed to utterly destroy the flocks and herds of the enemy as he had been clearly commanded to by God.  And then, to make matters worse, he attempted to placate God by offering sacrifices on the altar.  When Samuel arrived, God’s decision to replace Saul for his disobedience had been sealed.  He would no longer be king.  Why?  Because he carelessly handled the word of God and thought he could justify himself by performing “religious activities.”

Oh, how we need to be so careful about this.  We, as followers of Christ are, of course, saved by grace through faith.  There is nothing more we can do to make ourselves acceptable to God than to believe in the sacrifice of His Son on the cross for our sins.  Once cleansed of our sin by faith, we are to embark on a life of obedience to God, listening to His voice, and following His word.  When we fail in our obedience (and we will), we must never make the same mistake as Saul by trying to cover our sins with religious activities, going to church, paying our tithes, reading our bible, etc.  We must return to Him in humility and repentance and be cleansed by the ONLY thing that can truly make us right with God – the blood of Christ – for “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

If only Saul had learned the value of obedience over religiosity.  The outcome of his life would have turned out dramatically different.

September 28 -- "Impaired Decision Making"

 Todays’ Reading: 1 Samuel 14:24-52

"Impaired Decision Making"

We can see from today’s reading that king Saul is beginning to become impaired in his thinking and decision making.  At the beginning of his reign, he had been humble and filled with the Spirit of God.  And the Lord gave him many victories over Israel’s enemies. But slowly the spirit of pride started to grow in his heart which led him to rebellion and disobedience to God’s commands.  This ultimately led to the loss of his ability to make sound judgments. 

Saul arbitrarily issued an order that his soldiers were not allowed to eat any food that day on penalty of death.  This, in itself, was an impaired decision as any military commander would want his troops to be well nourished and strong before entering battle.  But Saul’s mind wasn’t right.  He just couldn’t see the error of his command.  (Now, some believe that the bread in Israel had been contaminated with some sort of toxic substance, and that Saul was simply protecting his troops from sickness.  If that were the case, a command to abstain from the contaminated bread would have sufficed.  There was no rational reason to mandate abstaining from all food). Saul’s judgment was impaired.

When Saul found out that Jonathan had disobeyed his command and ate some honey (even though he had done it unintentionally), he ordered his execution.  This was another sign of Saul’s cognitive decline.  He had reached a point in his mental state where he just couldn’t reason things out rationally and sensibly.  Fortunately for Jonathan, the people rallied around him and rescued him from Saul’s rash sentence.

It has been noted that Saul’s prideful departure from God led to his mental deterioration.  Because God was no longer ruling in his mind, he became disassociated with reality.  It is known that some of the signs of manic depression are “exaggerated optimism and self-confidence,” “aggressive behavior,” “inflated sense of self-importance,” “poor judgment, distractibility,” and “reckless behavior.”  Saul was experiencing all of these symptoms.

Tragically, this is often the result of anyone who allows the spirit of pride to grow in their heart and it leads to rebellion and disobedience to God.  The human mind is a delicate thing.  This is why God has given us the “mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16), to protect us from such folly.  “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)  A sound mind is a terrible thing to waste!

September 27 -- "By Many or By Few"

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 14:1-23 

"By Many or By Few"

Vastly out-numbered and out-armed, Jonathan decides to take the battle to the Philistines—but in a very God-dependent way. 

Jonathan, Saul’s son, rightly understood the greatness of God.  He recognized that if the LORD was fighting on his side, it didn’t matter how big his army was, or how strong his arsenal was, or how brilliant his battle strategy was.  He rightly acknowledged that nothing can hinder the LORD from saving when it was His will to do so.

He got to thinking "You know, there's a whole army of the Philistines over there. Maybe God wants to give Israel the victory over that army of the Philistines today. Now if the Lord wants to give the victory to Israel over those Philistines, He doesn't need a whole army. He can give the victory to one man as well as six hundred or to two. It really doesn't make any difference to God whether we have a huge army, or whether we just have a few if God wants to give the victory to Israel, He will.

There’s no rule that says God can only deliver by using a big army. No one can stop God from saving when He sets His mind to it.  Unlike human strength, which has limitations and requires substantial resources, God’s strength knows no limitations.

What ministry has God called you to?  What battle does the Lord want you to win? Has He called you to take His word to a hostile world?  Has He called you to stand up for the innocent?  Has He called you to take the Gospel into uncharted waters or to an unreached people? Do you feel inadequate for the challenge? While it may seem to be an insurmountable challenge from a human standpoint, God is not limited by human frailty or inadequacy. 

It has been said, “Me plus God is a majority.”  You alone will outnumber armies of thousands, if God is with you.  You can accomplish great victories if you take your battle to the enemy in a very God-dependent way.  This doesn’t mean to be cocky or foolish.  It means to make certain God is leading you and, if He is, He will work powerfully on your behalf.  Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.

September 26 -- "Saul's Folly"

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 13 

"Saul's Folly"

For Saul to presume that he could improve on God's ways was sheer foolishness. Saul thought his way was better than God’s way. What folly!

Saul, the king of Israel, disobeyed the LORD on at least three different counts.  First, under the Law of Moses, kings weren't supposed to offer sacrifices on behalf of the community. Kings could offer sacrifices for themselves, but never for the nation. That was to be done only by priests. Saul acted foolishly by ignoring this holy precept of God.  Second, he was explicitly commanded by the LORD to wait for Samuel to come before offering the sacrifice. But he didn’t wait.  He got nervous about his dwindling army and decided to take matters into his own hands.  Rather than waiting upon God, he felt it would be more expedient to rush into the sacrifice.  To him it was a matter of utmost “expediency” in order to bolster his own position. Third, and most important, Saul made the foolish decision to trust himself and his “common sense” rather than trust in the LORD whose ways are not man’s ways.

Saul’s decision may have looked very pragmatic and practical in the moment.  After all, he really couldn’t afford to lose any more support from his people and his armies.  Many may have looked and thought, this was a good practical decision (from a human standpoint).  But the reality is that obedience to God, although it may not look practical or pragmatic to others, is always the right thing to do.  Even if it looks foolish.  Even if it looks like it is against your own best interest.  Even if another course of action would improve your position.  Obedience to God is always the right course of action.

Saul’s punishment may appear excessively severe at first. Stripped of his kingdom. However, the king of Israel was the Lord’s lieutenant. Any disobedience to his Commander-in-Chief was an act of insubordination that threatened the whole administrative organization of God’s kingdom on earth. Saul failed to perceive his place and responsibility under God. 

Remember, any time you think you can improve your position by disobeying God, that's sheer folly.  It may seem the right course of action to your “common sense,” but God’s sense is not always common, and His way is always the right way.

September 25 -- "Empty Things"

 Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 11 & 12

"Empty Things"

The Hebrew word translated as “empty” in this verse is “tôû.” This word comes from a root word which means “to lie waste.”  It literally means “empty; void; hollow; worthless.”  Samuel, here, exhorts the Israelites to be careful about turning their lives over to empty things that cannot profit or deliver.  Tragically, it is a symptom of the human condition to seek after anything that will fill the empty longing in our hearts.  Even if that “thing” is empty, void and hollow.

People have been known to seek fulfillment in personal pleasure, philosophy, popularity, relationships, riches, education, fame and other vain pursuits.  But the truth of Scripture is that none of these things can (or ever will) bring satisfaction and contentment to the human heart.  None of these empty things can make us complete.  True contentment can only be found in the LORD!  It is only when we turn to Him to satisfy the longing of our hearts that we discover the Holy Spirit and the thirst in our soul is quenched by His living water.

There is only one place to find “completeness” for your human heart.  And that is in Christ. “For in Him [Christ] dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power” (Colossians 2:9-10).  Watch out for people who try to dazzle you with big words and intellectual double-talk. They want to drag you off into endless arguments that never amount to anything. They spread their ideas through the empty traditions of human beings rather than pointing you to Christ, who is the Only One who can fill the emptiness of the human heart.

In today’s chapter, Samuel is addressing the people of Israel and exhorts them not to turn aside after “empty” things.  Why? Because they cannot profit or deliver. No amount of following emptiness will ever fill the void in the human heart. Worship and serve the LORD heart and soul! Don’t chase after false-gods. There’s nothing to them. They can’t help you.  True fulfillment and spiritual rest come only through the true and living God.

September 24 -- "Hearts Touched By God"

 Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 10

"Hearts Touched By God"

We all have “special” days in our lives.  Days which stand out as being unlike any other.  Usually, those days are marked by special occasions – the day we got engaged, our wedding day, the birth of a child, and other events.  At the top of this list for most of us is the day we met Jesus and our hearts were touched by Him.  On that day we became “new creatures” – our old life passed away and all things became new (2 Corinthians 5:17). We seem to remember these types of days for the rest of our lives.  In today’s passage, Saul has one such day.  A day in which his heart was touched by God.  A day he will never forget!

What a day for Saul, Israel’s newly found king.  First, he is approached by Samuel and told that he is to become king.  Then he is anointed with a flask of oil as Samuel inaugurates him into his new office. Then two men approach him and tell him his father’s lost donkeys have been found.  Next, a group of prophets arrive with their harps, tambourines, flutes, and lyres, prophesying over him.

Then, in arguably the most momentous event of the day (and of Saul’s life), the Spirit of God rushes upon him, he begins to prophesy, and is turned into a “new man.”  Verse 9 tells us that “God gave him another heart.”  As this amazing day nears the end, Saul is publicly proclaimed as the new king and the crowds of people shout, “Long live the king!”

As night falls, Saul heads for home.  He has just experienced a day like no other in his life.  When the morning began, he was just a boy looking for some lost donkeys.  As the day comes to an end, he is a man with a new heart and has become Israel’s first king.

Take note of verse 26, where we are told that when Saul heads for home, he is accompanied by “men of valor whose hearts God had touched.” This scripture always excites me because of its potential. There is nothing more exciting and fraught with possibility than to get a bunch of men and women together whose hearts have been touched by God. To me the potential of a band of people, hearts touched by God, is just incomprehensible. What God can do when He touches the hearts of men and women!

These are the kind of people you want surrounding you.  People who have been in contact with God.  People who will stick by you and endeavor always to support you in your life and ministry.  People who will pray for you and challenge you and walk with you into adventures for God.  Oh, how we need our hearts to be touched by God.  And oh, what a blessing it is when our lives are encircled by others whose hearts God has touched.  Nothing can stop a band of Christ followers who have had their hearts touched by God.

September 23 -- "A Promising New Leader"

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 9

"A Promising New Leader"

The Israelites insisted on having a king “like the other nations” around them.  God directed Samuel to give in to their request, although He delineated many of the hardships they would experience under the rule of such a king.  That’s when we meet Saul, a Benjaminite from the family of Kish.  Saul was a tall and very handsome young man. There was none finer—he literally stood head and shoulders above the crowd!  Samuel and Saul met one day when Saul was out looking for some of his dad’s donkeys who had wandered off.

The day before their meeting, the LORD had revealed to Samuel that He heard Israel’s cries for help and that He was sending a man from the land of Benjamin to meet him. “You’re to anoint him as king over my people Israel.”  So, when Saul arrived in town, Samuel was not surprised.  The moment Samuel laid eyes on him, God said, “He’s the one, the man I told you about.”

Saul appears to be a good choice for king.  He was strong, yet humble. He expressed sincere humility when he said to Samuel, “But I’m only a Benjaminite, from the smallest of Israel’s tribes, and from the most insignificant clan in the tribe at that. Why are you talking to ME like this?”  It seems that Saul was genuinely taken aback at Samuel’s words.

As Israel’s King, Saul was a great success!  At least, at first.  Saul’s chief contribution as king would be to defend Israel against its many enemies, especially the Philistines.  He was a very strong military leader and would lead the Israelites to many victories during his reign.  Together with his courageous son Jonathan and an army composed largely of volunteers, Saul would win significant victories over the Philistines and would succeed in driving them out of the central hills of Israel.

We will see in the following chapters, however that Saul’s humility was gradually replaced with pride and self-reliance.  His dependence upon God and obedience to His will would deteriorate into a self-serving and self-willed lifestyle.  Saul’s story will become that of someone who “started out well” but did not “finish well” as he let his successes inflate his heart with pride and arrogance.

It is so important that all of us take inventory of our own hearts and lives.  That we dedicate our entire lives, from start-to-finish, to a full life that ends well for the glory of God.  We too, are susceptible to the same weaknesses as Saul, so we must be constantly on guard against the pride and self-sufficiency that can bring us down.  Those who finish well maintain an ongoing and humble lifelong relationship with God by His Holy Spirit.

 

September 22 -- "Give Us A King"

 Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 8

"Give Us A King"

When Samuel heard their demand—“Give us a king to rule us!”—he was crushed.  So, Samuel prayed to God, who answered him and said, “Go ahead and do what they’re asking. They are not rejecting you. They’ve rejected ME as their King. From the day I brought them out of Egypt until this very day they’ve been behaving like this, leaving me for other gods. And now they’re doing it to you. So let them have their own way. But warn them of what they’re in for. Tell them the way kings operate, just what they’re likely to get from a king.”

So Samuel told them in no uncertain terms what it will be like when they have a king.  He said, “Your king will take your sons and make soldiers of them and force them into dangerous battles.  He’ll put some of you to forced labor on his farms, plowing and harvesting, and others to making either weapons of war or chariots in which he can ride in luxury. He’ll put your daughters to work as servants and slaves. He’ll confiscate your best fields, vineyards, and orchards and hand them over to his special friends. He’ll tax your harvests and vineyards to support his extensive bureaucracy. Your prize workers and best animals he’ll take for his own use. He’ll lay a tax on your flocks and you’ll end up no better than slaves. The day will come when you will cry in desperation because of this king you so much want for yourselves. But don’t expect the LORD to answer.”

It is remarkable that they want to be “like all the other nations,” when no other nation has had such an amazing opportunity as Israel.  No other nation had ever been chosen by the LORD to be His special people.  No other nation had ever had the unimaginable privilege of entering into a covenant with their Creator.  No other nation had been promised the coming of the Savior of the World!  No other nation was the object of God’s special care and protection and provision.  No other nation had the LORD, Himself as their King.  Yet, the people were blind to all of these incredible privileges and decide to settle for a human king.  Tragically, as humans often do, they settle for “second best.”  Nevertheless, the LORD told Samuel, “Do as they request. Give them a king.”

So often we, too, settle for "second best."  We seek comfort and success in this world's systems when we have the incredible privilege of being God's chosen people.  If we insist long enough, the LORD will allow us to have our way.  But beware, you will regret not staying the course with God's perfect plan for your life.

September 21 -- "Remember His Faithful Acts"

 Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 6 & 7

"Remember His Faithful Acts"

“Ebenezer” means “stone of help.”  Many times in the Bible a stone, or a pile of stones, has been used as a reminder of how God has helped someone. The stories of Noah, Jacob, Joshua, and Samuel are just a few.  Here, Samuel sets up this stone of help so the people will remember all the times the LORD had helped them in the past.  Samuel knew that remembering God’s help in the past would build up the people’s confidence in His help for the future.

Memories of God’s faithfulness enable us to bring the joys and victories of yesterday into today.  If God has done it before, He will do it again.  As we recall God’s faithfulness, we remained centered on Him and we can move forward with a sense of God’s sure promises for our present and future circumstances.  It has been said that God’s past acts are a prophecy of His future acts.

There are things that the Scripture admonishes us never to forget.  We are to “not forget the works of God” (Psalm 78:&); “forget none of His benefits (Psalm 103:2); we are to “remember His covenant forever, the word which He commanded to a thousand generations” (1 Chronicles 16:15). The Psalmist said, “I will not forget your word” (Psalm 119:16); and, “you shall not forget the covenant that I have made with you” (2 Kings 17:38).

In the midst of difficult and heartbreaking times, it can be challenging to remain confident in the future.  That’s one of the reasons God has exhorted all of us to remember His faithful acts in the past.  What are some of the times when God has come through for you?  When has He provided for you, protected you, or enabled you to conquer your rough times?  Remember, since He has done it in the past, He will continue to do it in the future.  His past acts are a prophecy of His future acts.

Have you set up your own “Ebenezer” - some tangible reminder of God’s faithfulness?  Something that you can look at and be reminded of God’s faithfulness?  It’s probably not a pile of stones (though it could be), but I would encourage you to find a tangible article you can look back at.  Perhaps it is a note in your journal, or a poster on your wall, or a stone on your nightstand.  Perhaps it is a Facebook post from years ago that you see and it makes you say, “I will not forget; God has helped me in the past, and I know He holds my future.”

September 20 -- "Misplaced Faith"

 Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 4 & 5

"Misplaced Faith"

The Philistines killed about four thousand men on the battlefield that day (1 Samuel 4:2).  Afterwards, the Israelites retreated and began to assess their losses.  As they ponder the situation, they reach an unusual and unfounded conclusion: “We lost because the Ark of the Covenant wasn’t with us.  If we bring it here from Shiloh, surely it’s power and protection will save us from our enemies.”

This is an example of misplaced faith.  Rather than turning to Yahweh, Himself, the Living God, to deliver them, they turn to a lifeless artifact. It is true that God had given them the Ark of the Covenant.  And it is also true that God told them to place it at the center of their worship. But it had no power in and of itself.  It was there as an instrument meant to turn their hearts and minds to the True and Living God.  It is not wrong to respect the things of God, but it is wrong to place our faith and trust in those things.

This is why we should never place our faith or trust in “Christian trinkets” or manmade symbols of faith. Bible keychains, necklaces, crosses, beads, prayer cloths, medallions, statues, faith-stones, WWJD bracelets, and the like do not and can not produce any power or victory in our lives and we should never place our faith and trust in them.  There are so-called “preachers” who will send you a “prayer-hanky” which they have purportedly “anointed” with God’s healing power.  They tell their unsuspecting viewers to just send in their donation, and they will receive God’s mighty power through their hanky.  Tragically, many are drawn away after these types of things. It is wrong to place our faith and trust in anything or anyone other than our God, Yahweh, Himself.

The Israelites learned this lesson the hard way when their plan to bring victory through the Ark was soundly defeated.  Not only did they lose the ensuing battle, but the Ark of the Covenant was captured and taken by the Philistines.  Spiritual defeat is the inevitable outcome of misplacing our faith.

September 19 -- "Tuned In To God"

 Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 3

"Tuned In To God"

In 1 Samuel 3:19, we witness the divine confirmation of Samuel's prophetic calling. The phrase "let none of his words fall to the ground" signifies God's commitment to ensuring that Samuel's words, inspired by Him, were fulfilled and carried weight in the lives of the people.

Not just when he was a child, but throughout his adult life, God spoke to Samuel. And Samuel heard Him clearly. Samuel then spoke the words of God and, as He spoke the words of God, God could move through those words to bring them to pass.  Samuel came to be recognized by all of Israel as being a prophet of God, and all of Israel had witnessed that when Samuel speaks, what he speaks comes to pass.  A mark of Samuel’s life was that God preserved his words so that they would not waste away.

Back in Deuteronomy 18, Moses had taught the people of Israel how to recognize a true prophet from God.  The first test was this, “And I will put my words in his mouth.”  In other words, when a prophet speaks, He speaks not from his own whims or intellect, but he speaks the words given to him by God.  Anyone who claims to be speaking for God must speak words that are given to him/her and that are consistent with the already revealed Scriptures.  God will not contradict Himself.  When He speaks, His words are true. 

Secondly, when a so-called prophet speaks in the “name of other gods,” he/she is a false prophet. 

Finally, the Law said that when a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the Lord has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. This is the “acid test” of prophecy.  Did it come to pass?  Or did the “prophets” words fall to the ground and waste away? 

Samuel was a prophet in tune with God.  When God spoke to him, he heard His voice.  And when Samuel spoke in the name of the LORD, none of his words fell to the ground.  As we continue our journey through Samuel’s life, we will see that he was a man in tune with God and who was used mightily by God to speak forth His words.

If you are called to speak for God, make certain you are speaking only the words God puts in your mouth; that you are not speaking in the name of other “gods;” and then allow God to work.  If the words were from Him, they will come to pass.

September 18 -- "The 'Otherness' of God"

 Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 2

"The 'Otherness' of God"

In Chapter 2, the Holy Spirit records for us the prayer-song of Hannah after the birth of her son, Samuel. Hannah’s prayer begins on a high note with personal expressions of pure joy and enthusiastic delight in the Lord and His salvation.  In verse 2 she declares, “there is none holy like the LORD.”  By these words, she is declaring the distinct and utter uniqueness of God. 

The root word for “holy” in the original Hebrew language is, “qodesh.”  It means “apartness” or “set-apartness.” It is a word that describes the matchlessness and exclusiveness of God.  Someone has rightly said that this word means “otherness,” thus describing the total exceptionalness of God.  This word applies to God because He is – in His person and substance – totally “other than” anyone or anything else.  The Oxford Dictionary defines “otherness” as “the quality or fact of being different.”  The LORD is exceptionally rare – in fact, so rare that He is other than anything or anyone else.

Hannah goes on in her prayer-song to point out some of the rare qualities of God that make up His “otherness.”   For the Lord alone is a God of knowledge - God knows what’s going on. He alone takes into account everything that is going on. Even mighty people can be defeated – and their weapons destroyed, but not the LORD, who is not feeble in any way. God is the only One who can bring life out of barrenness.  He alone has the power of life and death.  The LORD is the One who controls poverty and wealth.  He makes some poor and some rich. He alone can put poor people on their feet again. He rekindles burned-out lives with fresh hope. 

Hannah goes on to say the “otherness” of God extends to His creative acts and His care for His faithful ones.  The very structures of earth are within the realm of God, and God alone. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and on them he has set the world.  He will guard the feet of his faithful ones but will leave the wicked to stumble in the dark.  The strength of the mighty warriors in insufficient to defeat God’s purposes - for not by might shall a man prevail.

God is not like any human.  He is other than us.  God is not like any “superhero” or “champion.”  He is other than them in every way.  God is not like any so-called “god” or “deity” which has been fabricated in the minds of men.  He is other than them.  He is holy.  He is apart.  He is other than anyone or anything ever conceived. There is none holy like the LORD; for there is none besides You; there is no rock like our God!

September 17 -- "On Loan to God"

 Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 1

"On Loan to God"

In deep distress, Hannah cried to God, asking him to give her a son. She promised that if God answered her prayer, she would give her son back to God to serve him as a Nazirite for life.  The priest Eli encouraged Hannah to believe that God would answer her prayer. And sure enough, in due course, she gave birth to a son, whom she named Samuel.  The Hebrew name Samuel, was “Shaulme’El” – a contraction of “shaul” (lent) and "meEl" (to God). When the child was two or three years old, Hannah took him to Shiloh, where she dedicated him to God for life.

When verse 28 says she “lent” him to the LORD, it doesn’t mean that she ever expected to receive him back again. This was no temporary “loan.” She “gave” her son to God.  Whatever we give to the Lord may said to be lent to him, because, though we may not get it back, yet he will certainly repay it to our unspeakable advantage.   Hannah realized this truth and gladly gave her son to God in deep appreciation for the blessing He had bestowed upon her.  In reality, Hannah realized that Samuel belonged to God and it was God who had “lent” him to her for a brief period.

As Christian parents, it should be our number one priority to “lend” (give) our children to the Lord.  We are exhorted throughout Scripture to bring our children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.  To impart God’s truth into their hearts and minds.  To guide them to lives devoted to the service and worship of their Creator.  It is wonderful when parents put their children’s welfare ahead of their own.  It is wonderful when parents sacrifice their time and resources to support their child’s intellectual, emotional, and physical growth.  But it is a tragedy if, while doing so, they neglect their spiritual development. This should never be.

As parents, we must always keep in mind that our children are God’s and they are on loan for us to raise for His Kingdom purposes.  If you are a parent, know that you were created, called, for this task. Probably the single most important thing you can do for your children is to constantly pray that they would have a personal encounter with God, Himself, and wholeheartedly dedicate their life to serving and worshipping Him. Never underestimate the power of your prayers on this matter.

As the Apostle John said, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” (3 John 1:4) The inverse of this is also true, “I have no greater sorrow than to hear that my children don’t.”  Hannah could live her life in blessed peace knowing that her “loan” to the Lord was reaping eternal dividends.

September 16 -- "Bitter Weeping at Beth'el"

 Today’s Reading: Judges 21

"Bitter Weeping at Beth'el"

It was a sad and bitter end for the period of the Judges. The people came to Bethel and wept before God.  Weeping over the moral degeneracy that had invaded their land.  Weeping over the loss of so many lives in the battle with the Benjaminites.  Weeping over the shattered condition of their nation and their fellow tribesmen from Benjamin.  Weeping is the inevitable end for a people that disregards the Lord and builds a society where everyone does “what is right in their own eyes.” (Judges 21:25)

The nation came together at a national historic site, known as Bethel.  This was a place in Israel located about 10 miles north of Jerusalem.  It seems that every nation on earth has its own historic sites and national monuments. Places where decisive battles were won.  Places where monumental decisions were made.  Places where people banded together and forged a new country.  The United States has many of these historic sites that have become national monuments.  Places that stand to tell the story of our founding as a nation.  Places like the Battlefields of Gettysburg, Independence Hall, Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg, the Alamo, and many others.  It is in these places that we remember the battles, the struggles, the countless lives lost, and the hand of God enabling the birth our nation.

For Israel, one of these places was Bethel.  The word “Bethel” is the contraction of two Hebrew words, “Beth” meaning “house” and “El” meaning “God.”  Thus, Beth’el was the “house of God.”  The history of Bethel goes all the way back to Abram who, when he entered Canaan, formed an encampment between Bethel and Hai (Genesis 12:8 ); and on his return from Egypt he came back to it, and again "called upon the name of the Lord."  Later on, Jacob (Abram’s grandson) had an encounter with God at this same place.  Genesis 35:15 tells us that “Jacob called the name of the place where God had spoken to him, Beth’el.”

At times of national tragedy, it is not uncommon for the people of a nation to reach back to their history.  Perhaps this is humanity’s way of attempting to find its roots and returning to a more glorious day.  For Israel, the nation had been struggling for 400 years to find its way in their new Land.  For 400 years they had repeatedly gone through the cycle of falling away from God, being defeated by their enemies, then returning to God in tears of repentance.  Now, after 400 years, they are weeping bitterly before God once again as they have drifted so far from Him.

It is time for all of us to get “back to Beth’el” and weep bitterly before our God.  We need to recognize the shattered condition of our nation and return to the House of God and seek His forgiveness.  Our nation – without God – is not invincible.  If we don’t return to Him in weeping and repentance, we cannot long stand. Jesus said, “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand.” (Luke 11:17)  A society without divine blessing cannot prosper; a nation without faith cannot endure because justice, goodness, and peace cannot prevail without the glory of almighty God.

September 15 -- "Holy Tears"

 Today’s Reading: Judges 20

"Holy Tears"

The people of Israel were rightly offended by the atrocities of rape and murder that had occurred within their borders.  Brutal acts performed by their own countrymen from the tribe of Benjamin.  They weren’t going to stand for it any longer. They knew something had to be done. So, they gathered together and considered the situation, took counsel with one another, and sought the LORD.  They confronted the tribe of Benjamin and demanded an explanation for the great evil that had taken place. They insisted that the men guilty of this crime be brought forward and punished.  But the people of Benjamin refused. Instead they mustered their armies and gathered to battle their fellow tribes.

That’s when the people of Israel went up and wept before the LORD. They fell on their faces and sobbed about sin and evil and the terrible predicament they now faced. Their prayer meeting lasted all day and into the evening. 

There are many times in Scripture that we find people weeping before God in an act of intense prayer and questioning. Weeping – the shedding of tears – is a uniquely human method of expressing emotions such as pain, despair, remorse, and disappointment.  In this case, the people are weeping for three reasons: (1) because of the moral degeneracy of the men of Gibeah; (2) because of the division that has occurred between their fellow countrymen; and, (3) because they are acutely aware that more blood is about to be shed.  They don’t take this situation lightly or enter into it impetuously.  They fall on their faces before the Lord and inquire of Him. They wanted to make sure that going up against their fellow countrymen was the correct action to take.

These were holy tears. Tears of remorse. Tears of repentance. Tears of heartfelt dependence upon God. The God of all comfort keeps watch over your weeping. He gathers up all your tears and “puts them in his bottle” (Psalm 56:8).  God marks every cry of discomfort and pain. No matter how much of your anguish has gone unnoticed by others, not one moment has escaped the attention of the God who neither slumbers nor sleeps. In 2 Kings 20:25, God says to Hezekiah, “I have heard your prayer; I have seen your tears.”

Many of us feel ashamed of our tears, especially if others see them. In a culture that prizes strength and grows uncomfortable with prolonged grieving, many of us respond to our own tears with a hasty wipe of the sleeve and a quick, “Get over it.”  Not so with God, whose fatherly compassion compels him to draw near to the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds (Psalm 147:3). The God who said, “Blessed are you who weep now” (Luke 6:21) will not reproach you for the tears you shed as you walk through the ruins of our broken world.

September 14 -- "Atrocities!"

 Today’s Reading: Judges 19

"Atrocities!"

There is really no way to soften the hard ugliness of this chapter.  The Bible is not a book of “fairy tales” and “unicorns.”  It tells of real human struggles and tragedies.  And it never hides the truth about sin.  Judges 19 describes clearly and graphically the horrible atrocities and violent consequences of human behavior when “everybody does what is right in their own eyes.”  We don’t like reading of such things, but the reality is that human nature is corrupt and perverted. Left to our own impulses, human beings are capable of the lowest forms of evil and violence.

As followers of Christ, we look around at a human race which is not following after God and we are sometimes shocked and dismayed at the atrocities we see.  Murder. Terrorist beheadings. Mass shootings. Suicide bombings. Murder of innocent babies. Genocide. Political corruption. Rape and sexual abuse. Drug trafficking. Homosexual perversion. Human trafficking. Racial hate crimes. Abuses of human rights. Ethnic cleansing. All of this is real, and the list goes on.

What should be our response to such horrendous things?  Should we simply shrug our shoulders and say, “O well. There’s no way to fight such things”?  Or, should we do something to curtail such atrocities?  In verse 30 of Judges 19, the people who saw the atrocities of rape and murder in Israel came to the consensus that something must be done.  Collectively, the people concluded that the Nation must “consider it” and “take counsel” and “speak.”

To “consider it” means to deeply contemplate the evil in our society.  Don’t ignore it or pretend it isn’t there. Think about it!  Pray about it.  Seek God’s wisdom about it.  To “take counsel” means to consult with others about what to do. Ask one another, what should we do about this?  And to “speak” means to stop your silence and speak up and fight against such horrible behavior. Think about it! Talk it over. And do something!

The global fight against atrocities is long and hard. Fighting it requires courageous engagement by God’s children who believe that genocides and crimes against humanity are not behaviors that should be tolerated and allowed to pass unchallenged.  While it is true that evil will never be fully eradicated from our world until the Son of God comes and establishes His kingdom, it is also true that we should not tolerate such horrible atrocities without speaking out against them.  God knows that standing for truth is not easy.  But He promises to stand with His people. So, Think about it! Talk it over with others. And speak out!

September 13 -- "Israel: The Land of No Lack"

 Today’s Reading: Judges 18

"Israel: The Land of No Lack"

Today’s Israel, the only Jewish nation in the world, is a small country on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. For its relatively small size, the country has played a large role in global affairs. The country has a strong economy, vibrant farming, and is still known to this day as a land of plenty.  It truly has “no lack” of anything that is in the earth.  This is no mistake or chance happenstance.  This is by the design and hand of God. God has blessed this Nation above all others – just as He said He would.

Israel is the only country in the world that has succeeded in reviving a dead language (Hebrew) and using it as a national language. Because their land produces so bountifully, Israelis consume more fruits and vegetables relative to the population than any other nation in the world.  Israel is the only country in the world that has more trees today than it had 50 years ago.  Life expectancy in Israel is among the highest in the world at 82 years.  Coffee and cafés are so good in Israel that it’s the only country where Starbucks failed trying to break into the local market.

Despite the tough neighborhood they live in, numerous studies rank Israelis among the happiest people among the nations of the world. If you mail a letter addressed to “God”, it will be forwarded to Israel and placed in the Western Wall where over one million notes are placed every year.

Israel is also a fertile place for human achievement.  Cell phone technology was invented in Israel.  So was voice mail. The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) has the most sophisticated technology in the world and is a leader in saving people trapped by natural and man-made disasters including earthquakes, train wrecks, collapsed buildings, and terrorist attacks. Israel’s “Iron Dome” missile defense system is the most advanced military defense system in the world.

This amazing country has something for everyone.  Israel offers scenic desert landscapes, lush forests, breathtaking beaches, majestic rivers, and some of the most important Biblical and historic sites in the world.  Travelers from around the world visit Israel every year, visiting such places as Old Town Jerusalem, Via Dolorosa, Bethlehem, Masada, Caesarea, the Jordan River, the Dead Sea, The Ein Gedi Nature Reserve, and the Sea of Galilee.

Today’s Israel is confirmation of the words in Judge 18:10, that it is a place where there is “no lack of anything that is in the earth.”  God’s word is truth and can be trusted.  God does not change and His word does not change. Because it comes from God, who Himself is Truth, His word is true.

September 12 -- "A Broken Moral Compass"

Today’s Reading: Judges 17 

"A Broken Moral Compass"

The ways of the LORD are right.  When we follow His ways, we are right and we are doing rightly.  The prophet Hosea told us, “Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them; for the ways of the Lord are right, and the upright walk in them” (Hosea 14:9).  Psalm 19:8 says, “The precepts of the Lord are right.”  And Psalm 33:4 says, “For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. ... the King of heaven, for all His works are true and all His ways are just.”

Those who follow the word of the LORD are right.  Inversely, those who follow the ways of man or humanity are not always right.  Even when those ways may “seem” right in their own eyes. Rather than following the moral compass presented in God’s word, they follow the wrong moral compass: their own opinion. Tragically, the Israelites had forsaken the word of the Lord and everyone began doing what was right in their own eyes.  And, tragically today, this is the story of so many who choose the ways of humanity rather than the ways of God.  Our society has brainwashed millions/billions of people into thinking that everyone has “their own truth” and can decide for themselves what is “right for them.”  They teach that there is no real objective standard of right and wrong.  There is not a single “right way.”  Sadly, their moral compass is broken.

Jesus vigorously disagreed with this “existential” philosophy when He said, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”  Judges 17:6 is an insightful verse, giving us a look behind the scenes of Israel’s failure as a nation.  This verse is an insight into the moral degeneracy of a Nation. They had lost the fact that God was to be their king. They had lost the consciousness of that fact that God’s ways were the right ways. And everyone, rather than being ruled by God, was doing that which was right in their own eyes. It was a period of anarchy. And this was what led to Israel’s downfall and defeat at the hands of their enemies. And, if our society doesn’t reverse course, it will lead to the same for us. 

How about you?  Is there an area of your life where you have let humanity set the standard of “right” rather than letting God’s word prescribe the true standard.  Is there some attitude in your heart or action in your life that is “right in your own eyes” but truth be told, God is not on board?  Take some time today and seek God on this matter. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you any area of your heart or life that needs to be brought under His rulership.  Give that area to Him.  Turn from it.  Always keep in mind that God’s ways are not man’s ways.  “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” (Proverbs 14:12) Be sure to rid yourself of any such way.  

September 11 -- "When The Spirit Departs"

Today’s Reading: Judges 16

"When The Spirit Departs"

Yesterday, we read of the amazing moment when the Spirit of God miraculously and powerfully came upon Samson. Today, we read of the tragic moment when that same Spirt left him.

In spite of Samson’s amazing gift from God, he had little respect for either his Nazirite vow or the Israelite law. He handled a dead lion, married a Philistine woman and joined in the customary wine-drinking feasts of the Philistines. As a result of his carelessness with the things of God, the Spirit’s power was removed from him.  “But he did not know that the LORD had left him.”  He was blind to the departure of God’s Spirit.  And it ended tragically for him.

This presents us with a powerful life lesson about presumption - a self-confidence that can cause a person to presume that God is still with them when, in fact, He has departed. There is a spiritual kind of a blindness that afflicts people especially if they are fooling around in the enemy's territory, trying to play around with sin, playing games on the enemy's field. It is possible for you to stray from God and to get out and isolated, away from God. You can get so caught up in your activities that you're not really aware of the fact that anointing, that power of God is no longer upon your life.

Samson was blind to his own spiritual state. It is possible to be self-deceived about your own spiritual state. Samson had the potential of going down in the history books as one of the mightiest and most glorious of all the deliverers of Israel. His name could've been alongside of David's and Samuel's, the marvelous deliverers of Israel. But he could not conquer his own passions, his own lust.  And it led to the LORD removing His anointing.

This is why we are exhorted repeatedly in Scripture to humble ourselves before God and constantly be on the lookout for pride and presumption creeping into our lives. “Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23) Never presume upon God.  And never handle the gifts and callings of God carelessly.

September 10 -- "When The Spirit Rushes In"

 Today’s Reading: Judges 15

"When The Spirit Rushes In"

Verse 14 says, “The Spirit of the LORD rushed upon him.”  In other translations, this phrase “rushed upon” is translated as “came powerfully upon” (NIV); “came mightily upon” (KJV); “took control of” (HOL); “came over” (GW).  No matter how you say it, this was a phenomenal and powerful move of God’s Spirit upon Samson granting him astounding physical strength.

When the Spirit of the Lord rushes upon someone, some pretty amazing things begin to happen.  Here in Judges 15, the Spirit enabled Samson to break the ropes off his hands like they were powder and strike down an army of Philistines with a donkey’s jawbone.  Elsewhere in Scripture, we see the Spirit’s rushing power enabling people to do amazing supernatural feats: Saul mustered three hundred thousand Israelites for battle (1 Samuel 11:6-8); David was anointed as Israel’s king (1 Samuel 16:13); Azariah preached a powerful sermon (2 Chronicles 15:1); Balaam prophesied (Numbers 24:2); Jahaziel pronounced great words of encouragement (2 Chronicles 20:14). Every one of these actions were beyond the “natural” abilities of the person. Every one of these actions were enacted by a supernatural power that can come only from God.

Everywhere in Scripture where we read of the Holy Spirit coming upon people, we see unusual and unexplainable events take place.  In the New Testament we read, “And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” (Acts 2:2-4)  Unusual and unexplainable - the sound of rushing wind. Wildfire. Speaking in tongues. And an unexpectedly bold Gospel presentation by a coward, the Apostle Peter.  Wow! What unusual and unexplainable phenomenon. 

That’s what happens when God’s Spirit comes upon a person.  They are enabled to do things that they could not do in their human strength.  This is how God enables people to accomplish His great purposes. And when His Spirit rushes in – watch out!  Unusual and unexplainable events will arise.

What is that “thing” that God has put on your heart to accomplish for His kingdom? What ministry is calling you? Don’t attempt that thing in your own strength or human effort.  Instead, listen to what Jesus told you to do, “wait for the promise of the Father.”  Wait upon Him and in His perfect timing “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you” (Acts 1:8). You, too can experience the Spirit rushing upon you resulting in unusual and unexplainable power happening in your life.

September 9 -- "Clueless Parents"

 Today’s Reading: Judges 14

"Clueless Parents"

His father and mother had no idea that God was behind Samson’s attraction to a young Philistine girl.  His parents very “properly” opposed Samson’s marriage to this Pagan woman. "Aw come on, Samson, there are plenty of beautiful Israeli girls around here, why do you have to go down and fall in love with a Philistine?"  But the Scriptures tell us that God was in it and Samson’s parents had no clue.  The Lord had an agenda to achieve and He would use Samson’s marriage to this Philistine girl to further His plan.

It is not unusual for God to leave parents “out of the loop” when He begins to move in their children’s lives.  And sometimes the child’s actions may seem “improper” to the parents when they don’t recognize the hand of God in the situation. 

I know someone who was raised in a “proper” church setting. Her parents were devoted church-goers and they always attended the same denominational church.  They were heavily involved in the life of their church – volunteering for many ministries and participating in virtually every church activity.  When their (now 18-year old) daughter came home and told them she was now attending another church in a nearby city, they were shocked and dismayed. They had no idea that God was behind this.  It all seemed so “improper” to them. Especially because this church was new in town and didn’t follow all of the prescribed doctrines and practices of their denomination. They did their best to discourage this change in their daughter’s life, but God was up to something and they just couldn’t see it.

As their daughter attended this new church, her life changed dramatically as the Holy Spirit began a new work in her life. She was “born again” after accepting Christ (a practice her parents’ church frowned on).  She began to study the Scriptures.  She got involved in ministry.  And she got to be part of what we now call “the Jesus movement” – one of the greatest moves of God in our generation. God was behind this girl’s decision to “change venues.”  But her parents had no idea. So stuck in their “proper” ways, they failed to see the handiwork of God right before their eyes. 

Parents, it is indeed your job to raise your child in the ways of the Lord and to protect them from being led astray. But don’t put God in a box and falsely believe that He will always work the “proper” way you’re used to. Sometimes He does new things – in a new way. It may just be His plan to keep you “out of the loop” as He begins an amazing work in your child.  So, if you’re a parent - engage in prayer asking for God’s discernment.  You may just find that God is on the move.  And if you’re the child – don’t be afraid to move in the direction God is leading, even if your parents may find it improper.  Just be sure you are following the leading of the Spirit of God.