What a beautiful story, the anointing of David. Anointing of oil was symbolic of setting a person apart for God’s service. “…from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power”.
We too have been anointed.
2 Cor 1:21-22
Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
David was anointed king, yet he had to wait to be king, even though he was empowered by the Lord’s Spirit. Think about all the things that David learned while waiting. How often does God choose to have us wait? Do we use our waiting time wisely?
Why did God allow an evil spirit to torment Saul? (see 1 Kings 22:19-23 and Job 1:6-12)
What faith David had! He acknowledged that his deliverance from wild animals came from God and he had no doubt that God would deliver him from Goliath.
How is it with our faith? Do we trust God to deliver us from our “Goliaths”? Remember the entry from yesterday?
1Ch 5:20
And when they prevailed over them, the Hagrites and all who were with them were given into their hands, for they cried out to God in the battle, and he granted their urgent plea because they trusted in him.
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
The eastern tribes of Israel wage war against the Hagrites.
1Ch 5:20
And when they prevailed over them, the Hagrites and all who were with them were given into their hands, for they cried out to God in the battle, and he granted their urgent plea because they trusted in him.
What an amazing little verse that is! Can we claim that verse today? Can we cry out to God in the middle of our "battles" and trust Him to grant our plea?
As we read the story of his life, it is simply amazing how often King Saul compromised, transferred blame, and rationalized....Oops…guess we do that too don’t we?
“I am grieved that I have made Saul king…”
God doesn’t make mistakes, at least that's what our four old granddaughter Addy told us last Saturday. He doesn’t regret any actions. And He doesn’t change His mind. “He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind…”
He is simply grieved that Saul is doing what he is doing. Do we grieve the Lord by some of the things we are doing?
Again, that pride in Saul surfaces. He builds a monument in his own honor. And again, Saul does not obey the Lord completely when he says he has saved the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the Lord. He wasn't supposed to save anything. Then Samuel gives Saul a stinging rebuke. Saul rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord rejected Saul.
Even with Saul's repentance, he transfers blame to the people, saying he was afraid of them and so he gave in to their wishes. HA! Reminds us of Aaron and the golden calf incident.
A very interesting word is written in 1Sa 15:30.
Saul replied, "I have sinned! Now please honor me in front of the leaders of my people and in front of Israel. Come back with me, and let me worship the LORD your God."
Saul says "the Lord your God", not the Lord our God. Hmmm...does that mean that Saul has rejected the Lord as the Lord rejected him?
1Ch 5:20
And when they prevailed over them, the Hagrites and all who were with them were given into their hands, for they cried out to God in the battle, and he granted their urgent plea because they trusted in him.
What an amazing little verse that is! Can we claim that verse today? Can we cry out to God in the middle of our "battles" and trust Him to grant our plea?
As we read the story of his life, it is simply amazing how often King Saul compromised, transferred blame, and rationalized....Oops…guess we do that too don’t we?
“I am grieved that I have made Saul king…”
God doesn’t make mistakes, at least that's what our four old granddaughter Addy told us last Saturday. He doesn’t regret any actions. And He doesn’t change His mind. “He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind…”
He is simply grieved that Saul is doing what he is doing. Do we grieve the Lord by some of the things we are doing?
Again, that pride in Saul surfaces. He builds a monument in his own honor. And again, Saul does not obey the Lord completely when he says he has saved the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the Lord. He wasn't supposed to save anything. Then Samuel gives Saul a stinging rebuke. Saul rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord rejected Saul.
Even with Saul's repentance, he transfers blame to the people, saying he was afraid of them and so he gave in to their wishes. HA! Reminds us of Aaron and the golden calf incident.
A very interesting word is written in 1Sa 15:30.
Saul replied, "I have sinned! Now please honor me in front of the leaders of my people and in front of Israel. Come back with me, and let me worship the LORD your God."
Saul says "the Lord your God", not the Lord our God. Hmmm...does that mean that Saul has rejected the Lord as the Lord rejected him?
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Saul's pride begins to rear its ugly head. His son Jonathan attacks a Philistine outpost. Saul claims the victory as his own.
Then, to his credit, Saul prepares burnt offferings to the Lord - a good thing, right? Sure, it was a good thing, but... Saul gets impatient waiting on Samuel to arrive to offer up the burnt offering to God and he does it himself - not a good thing. What Saul did was in a good way, but not God's way...big difference! Many times we as a church and as individual Believers, do good things, but not always Godly things. Again, there's a big difference!
After this act God removed the kingdom from the hand of Saul and gave it to "a man after his own heart."
Saul's son Jonathan again comes forward, stepping out in faith to attack the Philistines. God gave the Philistines into the Israelites' hand.
So, how is it with us as Believers, do we step out in faith, and do God's will even if it seems as if we are going against impossible circumstances?
Then, to his credit, Saul prepares burnt offferings to the Lord - a good thing, right? Sure, it was a good thing, but... Saul gets impatient waiting on Samuel to arrive to offer up the burnt offering to God and he does it himself - not a good thing. What Saul did was in a good way, but not God's way...big difference! Many times we as a church and as individual Believers, do good things, but not always Godly things. Again, there's a big difference!
After this act God removed the kingdom from the hand of Saul and gave it to "a man after his own heart."
Saul's son Jonathan again comes forward, stepping out in faith to attack the Philistines. God gave the Philistines into the Israelites' hand.
So, how is it with us as Believers, do we step out in faith, and do God's will even if it seems as if we are going against impossible circumstances?
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
A sad commentary concerning Samuel’s two sons, “They turned aside after dishonest gain and accepted bribes and perverted justice.”Sounds a bit like some of our leaders today, doesn’t it?
In Samuel's day, the people wanted a king. God warned them that they wouldn’t like having a king. But did they listen? Of course not! They wanted to be like the other nations. They wanted to be like the world. The people were rejecting any spiritual leader. They wanted God out of their lives. God let them exercise their free will just as He does now. He warned them just as He warns us. The connections with ancient Israel and current events is spelled out in an amazing book, The Harbinger by Jonathan Cahn. We highly recommend it!
Here's their reasoning as to why they wanted a king:
“Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.”
What a stupid statement! Why do they need a king to fight their battles? THEY HAD THE LORD!!!
Interesting that Saul used the same lame excuse that Gideon used, that he was of the least of all the clans of the tiny tribe of Benjamin. Also interesting that Saul/Paul of the New Testament was from the tribe of Benjamin. They both had a “change of heart”.
“Now then, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes!”
Another great lesson for us today. We just need to stand still, trust Him, and watch what He does.
Can we sin against the Lord by failing to pray for people? Samuel thought so.
1 Sam 12:23
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.
“…consider what great things he has done for you.”
What a great verse to contemplate!
In Samuel's day, the people wanted a king. God warned them that they wouldn’t like having a king. But did they listen? Of course not! They wanted to be like the other nations. They wanted to be like the world. The people were rejecting any spiritual leader. They wanted God out of their lives. God let them exercise their free will just as He does now. He warned them just as He warns us. The connections with ancient Israel and current events is spelled out in an amazing book, The Harbinger by Jonathan Cahn. We highly recommend it!
Here's their reasoning as to why they wanted a king:
“Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.”
What a stupid statement! Why do they need a king to fight their battles? THEY HAD THE LORD!!!
Interesting that Saul used the same lame excuse that Gideon used, that he was of the least of all the clans of the tiny tribe of Benjamin. Also interesting that Saul/Paul of the New Testament was from the tribe of Benjamin. They both had a “change of heart”.
“Now then, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes!”
Another great lesson for us today. We just need to stand still, trust Him, and watch what He does.
Can we sin against the Lord by failing to pray for people? Samuel thought so.
1 Sam 12:23
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.
“…consider what great things he has done for you.”
What a great verse to contemplate!
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Hannah's little boy Samuel grew up under the watchful eye of the priest Eli.
In those days the word of the Lord was rare. Was that because the people were so evil?
One night Samuel was lying down in the temple when the Lord spoke to him.
“Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord. The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.”
God was speaking. Samuel was listening. Samuel was more than willing to respond to Eli’s voice, and just as willing to respond to the voice of God.
“The Lord came and stood there…”
The word of the Lord (the pre-incarnate Son of God) had just been revealed to Samuel.
“The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.”
Israel's age-old enemy the Philistines appear once more on the scene and soundly defeat the Israelites in battle. Then the elders of Israel make a very bad judgment call! They take the Ark of the Covenant out of the Holy Place and into battle with the Philistines. They put their trust in the ark of the Lord, instead of the Lord of the Ark. The result? The Israelite army was defeated and the ark was captured. But read 1 Samuel 5 and see what happened to the Philistines. The ark brought nothing but trouble with a capital T.
After crying out to the Lord, Israel then defeats the Philistines, but not in their own power, only through the power of God. Good reminder for us Believers today.
Phil 4:13
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
In those days the word of the Lord was rare. Was that because the people were so evil?
One night Samuel was lying down in the temple when the Lord spoke to him.
“Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord. The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.”
God was speaking. Samuel was listening. Samuel was more than willing to respond to Eli’s voice, and just as willing to respond to the voice of God.
“The Lord came and stood there…”
The word of the Lord (the pre-incarnate Son of God) had just been revealed to Samuel.
“The Lord continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word.”
Israel's age-old enemy the Philistines appear once more on the scene and soundly defeat the Israelites in battle. Then the elders of Israel make a very bad judgment call! They take the Ark of the Covenant out of the Holy Place and into battle with the Philistines. They put their trust in the ark of the Lord, instead of the Lord of the Ark. The result? The Israelite army was defeated and the ark was captured. But read 1 Samuel 5 and see what happened to the Philistines. The ark brought nothing but trouble with a capital T.
After crying out to the Lord, Israel then defeats the Philistines, but not in their own power, only through the power of God. Good reminder for us Believers today.
Phil 4:13
I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
Monday, March 26, 2012
In the midst of all the spiritual apostasy going on around them, both Hannah and Elkanah were devout enough to go to Shiloh to worship and sacrifice at the prescribed times. And yet, Elkanah had two wives. Did he take Peninnah as his second wife because Hannah was barren?
Contrast the devotion of Elkanah to the actions of Eli’s sons.
Hannah wanted something so much (a son) that she was willing to give it up. Check out Hannah's prayer. She relates a great contrast between godliness and corruption. This great insight from Hannah was uncommon in the biblical record.
Even though, Hannah gave up her son in service to the Lord as soon as he was weaned, she still was a typical mother in many ways. She made him a special little robe each year.
The two sons of Eli, the priest were corrupt. In fact the entire priesthood seemed to be corrupt. Look at what the two sons did concerning the Lord's offering. And Eli benefited from his son's sins.
“Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord.” What does it mean to grow up in the presence of the Lord?
There is mention of "faithful priest" who will minister before the Lord's anointed. . This faithful priest is Zadok. His descendants will serve before the Messiah in the millennial kingdom.
Ezek 44:15-16
"'But the priests, who are Levites and descendants of Zadok and who faithfully carried out the duties of my sanctuary when the Israelites went astray from me, are to come near to minister before me; they are to stand before me to offer sacrifices of fat and blood, declares the Sovereign LORD. They alone are to enter my sanctuary; they alone are to come near my table to minister before me and perform my service.
These descendants of Zadok will be given this high honor because Zadok was faithful in carrying out his duties in the sanctuary.
How are all of us as Believers doing in carrying out our duties in the midst of spiritual apostasy? Are we as faithful as the priest Zadok?
Contrast the devotion of Elkanah to the actions of Eli’s sons.
Hannah wanted something so much (a son) that she was willing to give it up. Check out Hannah's prayer. She relates a great contrast between godliness and corruption. This great insight from Hannah was uncommon in the biblical record.
Even though, Hannah gave up her son in service to the Lord as soon as he was weaned, she still was a typical mother in many ways. She made him a special little robe each year.
The two sons of Eli, the priest were corrupt. In fact the entire priesthood seemed to be corrupt. Look at what the two sons did concerning the Lord's offering. And Eli benefited from his son's sins.
“Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord.” What does it mean to grow up in the presence of the Lord?
There is mention of "faithful priest" who will minister before the Lord's anointed. . This faithful priest is Zadok. His descendants will serve before the Messiah in the millennial kingdom.
Ezek 44:15-16
"'But the priests, who are Levites and descendants of Zadok and who faithfully carried out the duties of my sanctuary when the Israelites went astray from me, are to come near to minister before me; they are to stand before me to offer sacrifices of fat and blood, declares the Sovereign LORD. They alone are to enter my sanctuary; they alone are to come near my table to minister before me and perform my service.
These descendants of Zadok will be given this high honor because Zadok was faithful in carrying out his duties in the sanctuary.
How are all of us as Believers doing in carrying out our duties in the midst of spiritual apostasy? Are we as faithful as the priest Zadok?
Sunday, March 25, 2012
REMINDER - DISCUSSION SESSION
Come prepared to share with others what God's Word has revealed to you this past month. We all want to hear what you have to say. This is the time for comments, questions, clarifications, etc. Even if you have gotten a little behind in the reading, come anyway! We will meet at our home on Monday night, March 26 at 7:00 pm. Please let us know if you plan to attend. Email us if you need directions. Hope you will be able to join us.
Come prepared to share with others what God's Word has revealed to you this past month. We all want to hear what you have to say. This is the time for comments, questions, clarifications, etc. Even if you have gotten a little behind in the reading, come anyway! We will meet at our home on Monday night, March 26 at 7:00 pm. Please let us know if you plan to attend. Email us if you need directions. Hope you will be able to join us.
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