October 4 -- "Astounded and Confounded"

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 19 

"Astounded and Confounded"

When Samuel first anointed Saul as the king of Israel, he predicted that Saul would prophesy, saying, “The Spirit of the LORD will come powerfully upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be changed into a different person” (1 Samuel 10:6).  The word “prophesy” means to speak out a message from God under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Prophecy at its most basic definition is “a message from God.” So, to prophesy is to proclaim a message from God. The one who does this is, therefore, a prophet.

Years later, as king, Saul sent three different groups of servants who prophesied to David. When Saul personally traveled to this location, he also prophesied: “Saul went to Naioth at Ramah. But the Spirit of God came even on him, and he walked along prophesying until he came to Naioth. He stripped off his garments, and he too prophesied in Samuel’s presence. He lay naked all that day and all that night. This is why people say, ‘Is Saul also among the prophets?’” (1 Samuel 19:23–24).

At this point in his life, Saul has become a mean, angry man.  He has let jealousy eat at his soul and devour him.  He has repeatedly ordered the execution of David and has personally attempted to murder him on at least two occasions.  He is old, bitter, and corrupt.  So, we find it strange that God would use him to prophecy.  Yet, we are told that the Spirit of God came upon him and he began prophesying.

This is an astounding and confounding moment.  It is astounding to witness as God’s supernatural power comes upon this king of Israel.  It is confounding because it seems like Saul is the last person in the world through whom God would choose to speak His message.  That’s one reason the people around him said, “Is Saul also among the prophets?”  They were a bit confounded by God’s choice to use this corrupt, evil king to speak forth His words.

This is where we must rely on the wisdom and sovereignty of God.  We may be confounded at times by the people God uses.  But in His wisdom, He uses them anyway.  He is sovereign and gives His gifts to whomsoever He chooses.  We must not question God’s wisdom or sovereignty.  We must simply maintain a right heart with Him and be astounded and confounded when He uses us for His divine purposes.  After all, there is no goodness or qualities within any of us for which God chooses to use us.  

October 3 -- "The Secret to Success"

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 18

"The Secret to Success"

David prevailed over the Philistine champion with a sling and with a stone. This event marks the first recorded success of David’s life.  And as soon as David returned from striking down the Philistine, Abner (Israel’s military commander) took him, and brought him before Saul, the king. Saul recognized David’s success and put him into service to the kingdom.

Verse 5 of today’s passage says that, “David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him, so that Saul set him over the men of war.”  Whatever Saul gave David to do, he did it—and did it well. Tragically, as David’s reputation for success increased, so did Saul’s anger toward him.  Saul began to fear David and his popularity. It was clear that God was with David and had left Saul. So, Saul got David out of his sight by making him an officer in the army. David was in combat frequently. But even there, he had great success.

Everything David did turned out well. We are told in verse 14, the singular reason for his success: “For the LORD was with Him.”  Everything that David accomplished was because God was with Him and was granting him success. And his success does not end here.  Eventually, David will ascend to the throne and become the king of Israel because God, in His sovereignty, decided to make him king.

Often, when we look at a person who is “successful” by the world’s standards, we point to their individual characteristics to explain their success.  Perhaps he/she was particularly astute and clever.  Or cunning and charming.  Or ruthless and determined.  Or had outstanding skills.  Or, perhaps, he/she was just lucky and success fell into his/her lap.  But it was none of these things that led to David’s success.

There is but one reason for David’s success. Only one way to explain his rise from an obscure shepherd boy to the leader of a dynasty.  And that is, “the LORD was with him.”  Whatever direction your life is taking, whatever course you are on, it is imperative that you look up and ensure that God is with you.  Don’t rely on your ingenuity or your determination or “luck” to find success.  Turn to the Lord.  Seek His direction for your life and rely solely on Him for your successfulness.  “Seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)

 

October 2 -- "The Battle Belongs to the Lord"

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 17:31-58

"The Battle Belongs to the Lord"

“♫ In heavenly armour, we’ll enter the land. The battle belongs to the Lord.

No weapon that’s fashioned against us shall stand.  The battle belongs to the Lord.

We sing, glory and honor, power and strength to the Lord.

The power of darkness comes in like a flood. The battle belongs to the Lord.

He’s raised up a standard, the power of His blood.  The battle belongs to the Lord.

We sing, glory and honor, power and strength to the Lord.

When your enemy presses in hard, do not fear. The battle belongs to the Lord.

Take courage my friend, your redemption is near. The battle belongs to the Lord.

We sing, glory and honor, power and strength to the Lord.

The battle belongs to the Lord.♫" *

These are the lyrics of a great worship song written some forty-plus years ago.  In these lyrics, the writer expresses the same sentiment as David in today’s passage.  Confronted by a strong enemy, Goliath, the mighty warrior of the Philistines, David defiantly tells him that “the Lord will give you into our hand.”  David wasn’t being boastful or arrogant with these words.  He wasn’t expressing confidence in his own abilities or the abilities of the Israelite armies. No, he was expressing his total confidence in the Lord.

David recognized the awesome truth that, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). To put this truth another way, with God on our side like this, how can we lose? The reality is that the battle always belongs to the Lord.  We must always remember this truth and whenever we face darkness, fear, temptation, or attacks, it is imperative that we look to the God who is for us and sing, “glory and honor, power and strength to the Lord.” 

Don’t defy your enemies in your humanity. Don’t rely on your own strength or resources to battle life’s battles. Instead, look confidently to Him and recognize that the battle belongs to the Lord.

 * © Maranatha! Music

October 1 -- "When Your God is Big Enough"

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 17:1-30 

"When Your God is Big Enough"

The Philistines were an intimidating people.  They had a strong military and had defeated Israel on numerous occasions.  Truth be told, the Israelites, were terrified of this army and its soldiers.  And now, the Philistines “rub salt in the wound” by sending forward one of their greatest warriors. This giant of a man, nearly ten feet tall stepped out from the Philistine line into the open, Goliath from Gath. He had a bronze helmet on his head and was dressed in armor—126 pounds of it! He wore bronze shin guards and carried a bronze sword. His spear was like a fence rail—the spear tip alone weighed over fifteen pounds. His shield bearer walked ahead of him.

Goliath issued a defiant challenge to Israel, “Send out a man to battle with me. Let us fight it out together!”  The Israelites, to a man, fell back the moment they saw the giant—totally frightened.  Except one.

David, the shepherd boy from Bethlehem arrived that day to hear the arrogance and defiance of Goliath and the Philistines.  David was blown away that this man openly and defiantly challenged Israel, which he saw as a challenge of Israel’s God.  To speak like this to God’s people was something David just could not comprehend nor tolerate.

Why was David not afraid like the rest of the Israelites?  Because he saw how big his God was and knew in his heart that this defiant Philistine was no match for the God of gods and Lord of Lords.  Yes, Goliath was big.  But David’s God was bigger.  David’s God was big enough

Whenever we face big problems in life, it is so important to remember that our God is bigger than our problem.  It has been said that “the difficulty of any task is always measured by the agent doing the work.”  If your “agent” is puny and weak, the task will always look insurmountable.  But if your “agent” is God, then every challenge pales in comparison to His unlimited power and resources.  David’s God was big enough to conquer this defiant Philistine.  Is your God big enough to conquer your problem?  

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!