October 24 -- "He Started Out So Well"

 Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 31

"He Started Out So Well"

The story of king Saul, the first king of Israel, is fascinating and disturbing. It is a story that started out so well, with Saul being chosen and anointed as Israel’s first king. In his early days as king, Saul lived an exemplary life of trust in God and obedience to God’s will and he was blessed with peace and prosperity. Saul began his kingly career with a number of advantages. He was from the right tribe, from a wealthy family, looked like a king, had access to God's word through Samuel, and was led by the Holy Spirit. Moreover, God used Samuel to give Saul specific instructions on how Saul should act. Saul had every opportunity to succeed.

He started out so well. Living a life of trust and obedience.  Until the day his heart began to be lifted up with pride and he began to seek his own will and his own comfort which resulted in restlessness, fear, and irrational thinking. He valued his own agenda over God's agenda. Saul had done foolishly, not obeying the commandments of the Lord. From that day on, it was just a matter of time for Saul.

In chapter 31, we read of Saul’s tragic ending. In the heat of battle with the Phillistines, Saul’s sons were struck down by the enemy, and he was badly wounded by an archer’s arrow. Even in this moment, we don’t read of Saul calling out to the Lord. No, instead we read of Saul taking his own life by falling on his sword. Saul and his sons were dead and Israel’s cities were occupied by enemy forces.

Saul’s life teaches us a critically important life lesson – trust and obey God from beginning to end. A life of arrogance, self will, and stubbornness will only lead us to destruction. God’s grace will eventually time out and judgment will set in like king Saul if we choose a life of pride and self-will.  It didn’t have to be this way for Saul. At any time, he could have repented and turned back to a life of trust and obedience, but his thirst for power stifled his ability to humble himself before the Lord.

Think of how this principle applies to you. How many advantages has God given you? How has God blessed you? Be careful not to take His blessings for granted. Stay committed to Him. Stay the course of a life of trust and obedience.

“Trust and obey, for there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey!”

(Songwriters: Louisa M. R. Stead / John H. Sammis)

October 23 -- "Time for a Self-Talk"

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 30 

"Time for a Self-Talk"

All of the people were distressed. They had just returned home to find that while they were gone, an enemy had raided their city, burned it down, and had taken all of the women and children captive. David’s men were so distraught that they began to blame David for the horrible situation and they began to talk of stoning him. The people were greatly distressed. David was understandably greatly distressed as well.

But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. There are times in life when the only place you can get encouragement and strength – is in the Lord.  David encouraged himself in the Lord. How did he do that? Basically, he had a “self-talk.” He began to talk to himself and ask, ‘why am I so distressed if the Lord is with me? Why am I cast down?’ In essence, David gave himself a “pep talk” to remind himself of God’s presence. Perhaps this is when he uttered the words in Psalm 43:5, “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.”

When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary doesn’t come to me as the Beatles allege. No, when I am in distress, it is the Holy Spirit who comes to me and moves me to rekindle my strength in the Lord. Like David, I begin to ask myself, ‘why am I so bummed out? If God is on my side, why am I in such distress?’ It is so important in those moments to turn our eyes off of our problems, off of the world, off of ourselves, and back onto our Mighty God!

Are you in distress over something in your life? Is your soul cast down? Then it’s time to take a few moments and strengthen yourself in the Lord. Have a self-talk. Ask yourself why you’re so down. And then speak to yourself words of encouragement, hope, and exhortation. God has not forsaken you. He has not left you to handle your problems on your own. He is with you and has promised to be with you until the end. Rekindle your confidence that “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).

David took the time to strengthen himself in the Lord. The reality is that the strengthening didn’t really come from within himself. He didn’t “pull himself up by the bootstraps.” His strengthening really came when he turned his focus back onto God and let God’s mighty power infuse divine strength back into his soul. When we do that, our troubles are diminished and our hearts receive strength and courage. The troubles of this life will “grow strangely dim” as we turn our eyes upon Jesus.

October 22 -- "Saul's Unanswered Prayer"

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 28 & 29

"Saul's Unanswered Prayer"

Saul received no answer. The Lord didn't say "yes." The Lord didn't say "no." Not even “maybe.” Just silence. The Lord did not answer him. King Saul was terrified of the Phillistine armies which had gathered in great numbers to fight against Israel. He recognized that he needed God’s help to defeat this strong enemy. So he prayed. He inquired of the Lord. But the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets. The Lord was silent.

Saul, as we have seen, was far from God. After starting out well with humility and the anointing of the Holy Spirit, Saul had drifted away from God. He let pride and selfishness cloud his relationship with God. He no longer sought God or worshipped Him. But now he is in trouble, so his first instinct is to turn back to the Lord and inquire of Him. So often we see people who have not submitted themselves to the Lordship of Christ and have no relationship with Him turn to Him in times of crisis. It seems to be a natural human instinct in times of great distress to seek God’s help. Yet, the stark reality is that many of these prayers go up toward God but He does not listen.

The Lord did not answer Saul. Why? I think we can find the answer to this in Psalm 66:18, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” Saul had built up a wall between himself and the Lord – a wall of sin, pride, and disobedience. This wall was blocking his communication channel with the Lord. In reality, his prayers never made it to God’s ears. He did not hear.  “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.” (Isaiah 59:1-3)

There are many reasons for unanswered prayer. Sometimes God simply wants us to wait. Other times, He has an alternative plan to reveal to us. Still other times, His answer is simply “no.” But in this case, there was no answer at all because Saul’s sins prevented God from hearing him. Tragically, instead of dealing with the sin and pride issues in his heart, Saul made the sad mistake of turning elsewhere for answers. He turned to the dark spirits, calling on mediums and necromancers (a conjurer who supposedly communicates with the dead).

For the follower of Christ, when our prayers seem to be unanswered, we must make sure that our hearts are right with God. That we are not harboring any unconfessed sin or pride or iniquity in our heart. Having confessed and forsaken our sins, we must trust fully in God’s timing for His answers to our inquiries. As he promised, “Call on me in the day of trouble: I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” (Psalm 50:15)

 

October 21 -- "What is Better than Life?"

Today’s Reading: Psalm 56 & 63 

"What is Better than Life?"

What is better than life itself? After all, without our life, we cannot experience or appreciate anything in the created universe. Life is the most precious thing, right? Well, actually, David here tells us that God’s “steadfast love” is BETTER than life. Because, without God’s love, life would be empty and meaningless.  It is the love of God that makes life worth living.  It is the love of God that brings joy and satisfaction to our spirit. It is the love of God that causes our hearts to sing with rejoicing and praise. Nothing is better than God’s steadfast love!

This is why followers of Christ praise Him. Because we have discovered something far greater than life itself. We have discovered God’s steadfast love and that’s why our lips praise Him. If you don’t yet know Jesus as your Savior and Lord, then you are missing out on the very purpose and essence of life – to know God and be known by Him and to experience His steadfast love in your life. If you’re searching for the answer to the hollowness in your heart, look no further than to Jesus. Turn to Him, call on Him, put your faith in Him, confess your sins to Him, receive His forgiveness and His gift of eternal life. Only by doing so will you understand that His love is better than life.

Jesus once said, “I have come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). With those words, Jesus revealed that there is a plane of existence that is deeper than just living a physical life of body, mind, and emotions. Life is more than biology. There is an “abundant” form of life where our spirit is made alive and we experience what David refers to as “better than life.” Only in Him can we find this deeper and more meaningful abundant life.

Because His steadfast love is “better than life” something happens to our lips, our hearts, and our hands. Our lips praise Him, speaking and singing out words of admiration and worship. Our hearts bless him “as long as we live,” bringing honor and devotion from the depths of our spirit. And, our hands lift upward to express our thanks and celebrate His steadfast love. This is the posture of a true believer: lips that praise Him, hearts that bless Him, and hands lifted up to Him.

In this posture, we find “The Message” paraphrase of these verses most helpful… “In your generous love I am really living at last! My lips brim praises like fountains. I bless you every time I take a breath; My arms wave like banners of praise to you.”

© Eugene H. Peterson by NavPress Publishing

October 20 -- "Shout for Joy!"

 Today’s Reading: Psalm 35

"Shout for Joy!"

Our Lord delights in the welfare of his servant! This thought alone should cause us to “shout for joy and be glad!”  Psalm 35 is a song by David where he is rejoicing in the work of God turning the tables on those who are pursuing him without a cause. He prays that the Lord will continue to contend with those who fight against him.

Throughout this joyful Psalm, David uses words of rejoicing and praise: “rejoice in the Lord”; “exulting in His salvation”; “I will praise you”; “shout for joy”; “be glad”; “great is the Lord”. David acknowledged the hand of God upon his situation and it brought his heart to a place of shouting for joy.

The word “shout” in this verse is the Hebrew word “rānan” which means to give a ringing cry, to address in a loud tone, to triumph, to shout, to still, to command, to glory. This is a shouting praise. You don’t sing it, you shout it! A shout commands our victory. It stills the enemy. This kind of praise is a battle cry; a cry of victory. Sports fans may recognize this as similar to the shout of victory they express when their team makes the final out of the ninth inning in a decisive victory. Shout for joy! Loudly!

When was the last time you “shouted for joy” to the Lord? I mean really let loose and gave a ringing cry of praise to our God? In today’s Psalm, David is calling for all those who delight in his vindication (“righteousness”) to give a mighty shout of praise to God. In the same way, God calls all of us who love His workings in our lives to shout for joy unto Him.

In the words of the song by Hillsong, we are exhorted to shout our praise to God, “Shout to the Lord all the Earth, let us sing. Power and majesty, praise to the King. Mountains bow down and the seas will roar at the sound of Your name. I sing for joy at the work of Your hands. Forever I'll love You, forever I'll stand. Nothing compares to the promise I have In You.” *

So, take a moment today to SHOUT for JOY like David to the Lord. Praise Him for delighting in your welfare and defending you from your enemies.  Remember, we are commanded in Psalm 100:1 to “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.” 

 

* “Shout to the Lord” lyrics © 1993, Wondrous Worship, admin. Music Services.

October 19 -- "Awaking in His Likeness"

 Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 27 & Psalm 17

"Awaking in His Likeness"

David lived his life with an overriding hope and expectation – that one day he would awaken in God’s very presence and “behold” Him face-to-face. In that moment – and not until that moment – he would be FULLY satisfied, fulfilled, and contented.

Nothing but God Himself can satisfy the wishes of the human spirit. He made us with infinite capacities and desires for spiritual fulfillment. He alone, the infinite God, can meet and gratify these desires. No soul has ever been fully satisfied except the soul that finds God and is satisfied in Him. During this life, we are granted a “taste” of God’s satisfying presence by the work of the Holy Spirit in our human spirits. But, until we see Him face to face, we will not be fully satisfied to the full depths of our spirit. But that day is coming!  And, oh, what a day that will be!

When we arrive in His presence, He will satisfy our soul by fully restoring us to His image, which because of sin and the fallen nature of mankind, had been lost.  During this life, the Holy Spirit is constantly at work within us to make us into the likeness of Jesus Christ.  He is molding and shaping us to be more and more like Him each day.  This is the goal and purpose of our life – to become just like Jesus. The Apostle Paul said, "And we with open face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are changed from glory to glory into the same image by His Spirit in us” (2 Corinthians 3:18). Think of it – our spirits are being changed step-by-step, day-by-day, “from glory-to-glory” into the image of our Creator.  "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, it does not yet appear what we are going to be, but we know that when He appears we are going to be like Him for we shall see Him as He is." (1 John 3:2 )

One day, the Holy Spirit’s work in us on earth will be completed and we will finally enter into eternity. Whether by rapture or death, on that day, we will experience two amazing and astounding events: we will see God’s glorious face, and we will be fully formed into His magnificent likeness and image!  WOW! Think of it!  We will see our Maker in His holy presence, and we will resemble Him!

While we are satisfied with the Spirit’s immediate presence and work in our lives, we shall be fully satisfied only when we awake in the likeness of our God. Nothing can meet the wants of our nature; nothing can FULLY satisfy the aspirings of our soul, until that occurs.

October 18 -- "Righteousness Rewarded"

Today’s Reading: 1 Samuel 26

"Righteousness Rewarded"

David has just spared Saul’s life (for the second time). David now confronts Saul with the fact that he did him no harm when he had the perfect opportunity to end his life. Surely David would have done himself a great favor by getting rid of Saul, who was making his life miserable. Or, would he?

David, in his words to Saul, explains why he did not jump at the opportunity to harm him – because the “Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness.” David refused to better his own life if it meant compromising his convictions. He weighed out the situation and came to the conclusion that eternal rewards from the hand of God were far more important than the instant gratification he would’ve gained by killing Saul. He chose eternal gratification over instant gratification because He knew that His Lord was a God who rewards righteous acts.

It isn’t hard to understand what the Lord wants from us.  It’s not complicated. To gain His blessing and reward we don’t have to go through some complicated series of actions or religion. No, the Lord blesses us and rewards us for two actions – righteousness and faithfulness.

Righteousness means to act rightly and in accordance with God’s moral guidelines. That means He wants us to live in accordance with His holy word. When faced with a dilemma, we must do as David did and weigh the consequences of our actions against God’s moral law. We must choose obedience to His word over instant gratification.

Faithfulness means to be firm in your allegiance to God and His expressed purpose for your life. When we came to Christ, we made a promise to be faithful to Him and His calling upon our lives. Faithfulness involves remaining true to that promise and carrying out His plan (to the best of our ability).

The Lord rewards every one of us for our righteousness and our faithfulness. His rewards come in many forms. Sometimes He rewards us instantly with temporal blessings. Sometimes His rewards wait until we enter His eternal kingdom. But you can be sure of one thing – the Lord will reward you for your righteousness and faithfulness. Especially when your action or reaction comes from a decision to choose His ways and His truth over your own benefit and gratification.

David spared Saul’s life because his desire for God’s rewards far outweighed his need for temporal advantage.