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The Fear of God

Daily Reading

2Samuel 1-3

Daily Thought

The second book of Samuel begins where the first ended, the death of Saul, but the stories disagree. In both accounts, the Philistine victory over Saul is imminent. Saul, wounded with arrows, instructs his armor-bearer to finish the job. “Kill me,” he says. But his armor-bearer would not, for he feared greatly. Therefore Saul took his own sword and fell upon it (1Samuel 31:4). However, turn the page and an Amalekite soldier tells it differently. When Saul said, “Kill me,” according to the Amalekite, “I stood beside him and killed him, because I was sure that he could not live after he had fallen. And I took the crown that was on his head and the armlet that was on his arm, and I have brought them here to my lord” (2Samuel 1:10). 

Which is it? How did Saul die?

Here’s the situation: while Saul and his army were fighting the Philistines, the Amalekites had attacked the city where David lived. The Amalekites were a sworn enemy of Israel. They had plundered the city and taken the women and children. David and his men pursued them, caught them, and killed them. It was not a good day to be an Amalekite. The second story-teller is an Amalekite.

It is likely this Amalekite knew both David and Saul had claim to the throne and believed the death of Saul would be the delight of David. He did not, however, know David’s God. If he had, he would not have boasted of killing God’s anointed. He inserted himself into the story of Saul’s death anticipating a happy David and a possible reward. Instead, “David took hold of his clothes and tore them, and so did all the men who were with him. And they mourned and wept and fasted until evening for Saul and for Jonathan his son and for the people of the Lord and for the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword” (2Samuel 1:11-12). The surprised Amalekite was rewarded with execution because by his own mouth he claimed, “I have killed the Lord’s anointed.” He changed the story because he feared David. He should have feared David’s God.

Daily Prayer

Lord God Almighty, You are on the throne. Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth, in my life, here and now, and forever. May Your Name be known, may every knee bow and confess You Lord. God, you are most terrifying to those who do not fear You.

God, I serve You and only You. May my love for You be seen in my obedience to Your ways, my allegiance to Your will. May I see sin as You do, and may it grieve me, as well. May I find no pleasure in it. Rather, when I serve You, I serve the highest good, so may I delight in Your pleasure. May I never lose sight of who truly is my God and my Savior. May I keep my eyes on You.

Amen

Daily Question

What does it mean to fear God?

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Enough

Daily Reading

1Samuel 28-31

Daily Thought

“In those days the Philistines gathered their forces for war, to fight against Israel” (1Samuel 28:1), marching by hundreds and by thousands according to chapter 29. Saul would lose all. By war’s end, he and his three sons were dead. Saul was afraid, so he turned where he seldom turned, to the Lord, but “the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets” (1Samuel 28:6).

In Chapter 30, David and his men came to Ziklag, the Amalekites had made a raid, and David found the city burned with fire, and the wives and sons and daughters taken captive, including David’s two wives. David had lost all. He was distressed, so he turned where he always turned, to the Lord, and “David strengthened himself in the Lord his God” (1Samuel 30:6).

Saul spoke of “your God,” David of “my God.” Each had lost all, but Saul had none left because he had not God to begin with and wallowed in empty silence. From David was taken his city, his family, his possessions, but none could take his God. “David strengthened himself in the Lord his God,” turning from earth’s ruin to the riches of heaven. Whatever else I might lose, as long as I have my God I have enough.

He restores my soul.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me. ~A Psalm of David 23:3-4

Daily Prayer

Everlasting Father, all of hope rests in You. Away from You can only lead to despair and darkness. You are the light of the World. Your Word shines a light on my path and makes my way straight.

God, daily I will spend time in Your Word. I will put it in my mind and deep in my heart so that it stays with me throughout the day. Thank You for the truth. Your truth. I will build my house on solid ground.

Amen

Daily Question

When have you found God’s comfort in the midst of great loss?

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Forgo the Fools

Daily Reading

1Samuel 25-27

Daily Thought

David showed kindness to the shepherds of Nabal and expected kindness in return. Instead, Nabal “was harsh and badly behaved” (1Samuel 25:3). He was stingy, rude, and insulting to David. Nabal, whose name means fool, was one. David decided a proper response would be to kill Nabal and every last man who belonged to him. 

God’s law of retribution was well known, “If there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe” (Exodus 21:23-25). An eye for an eye is just, it is due punishment, giving an offender what they deserve, but not more. David, angered and offended, wanted much more.  

A man after God’s own heart must understand justice and mercy and David was due a lesson. When Jesus said, “Instead, turn the other cheek” (Matthew 5:38-39), it was not because “an eye for an eye” was unjust or cruel. Jesus was teaching mercy, forgiving and forgoing a due punishment. So God sent Nathan’s wife, Abigail, to instruct David, “Please forgive the trespass of your servant. For the Lord will certainly make my lord a sure house, because my lord is fighting the battles of the Lord, and evil shall not be found in you so long as you live” (1Samuel 25:28). David got distracted by a personal slight and Abigail refocused him. Sometimes a fool is a danger to be fought, sometimes a distraction to be ignored. Wisdom knows the difference. David relented, at last, and chose to forgo the fools like Nabal, for there are real battles to be fought, the battles of God.

Daily Prayer

Yahweh, “I Am That I Am,” the First and the Last, Alpha and Omega, Beginning and the End, God Almighty, King of kings and Lord of lords. Your Name declares Your glory. May we declare Your Name. God is good. God is just. God is love.

God, I am known as a Christian, a follower of Jesus. I wear Your Name. Because of this, my actions give Your Name meaning in a world that does not know You. I pray, God, that my actions are true to Your Name, that I fight Your battles, that I love the way You love, that I stand for righteousness and justice, that I show mercy and kindness. 

Amen

Daily Question

How do you determine which battles are worth fighting and which to pass on?

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Every Reason But One

Daily Reading

1Samuel 21-24

Daily Thought

King Saul threw a spear at David, attempting to pin him against the wall. Twice he threw it according to 1Samuel 18:10-11. Once again in chapter 19, verse 10. David was well aware the king wanted him dead. Jonathan thought better of his dad, King Saul, until Jonathan challenged him by defending David, “Why should he be put to death? What has he done?” (1Samuel 20:32). This time Saul hurled his spear at Jonathan, and “Jonathan knew that his father was determined to put David to death” (1Samuel 20:33). David was a better man than Saul; a better warrior, too. Saul tried to kill David three times and Jonathan for coming to David’s defense. Saul was a disgrace as king. David should be king, and David will be king, a better king. 

Sometime later, while pursuing David, “there was a cave, and Saul went in to relieve himself” (1Samuel 24:3), and the men of David saw this and said to him, “Here is the day of which the Lord said to you, ‘Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you’” (1Samuel 24:4). Saul was alone, distracted, and David could kill Saul and he had every reason to. Every reason but one–“The Lord forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the Lord’s anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the Lord’s anointed” (1Samuel 24:6). 

If David ignored God’s plan and gained the throne by blood, then he’d become like Saul. Israel did not need another king like Saul. Israel needed a better man, a better king, and they got one.

Daily Prayer

God, my Savior, I offer myself, body, soul, and spirit, as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to You. I love You, heart, soul, mind, and strength. Not my will, but Yours, O God. Transform me God, to reflect Your glory, to resemble Your Son. Keep me humble and good.

You would rather I obey than play at religion. My obedience is not a demonstration of my righteousness, but a measure of my love. I want to know Your Word, follow Your ways, and live in Your love.

Amen

Daily Question

When have you made a tough choice to do what God wanted you to do rather than what you wanted to do?

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Who’s In Charge?

Daily Reading

1Samuel 18-20

Daily Thought

Jonathan and David had many reasons not to be friends. Jonathan’s loyalty to his father, King Saul, tops the list. As his oldest son, Jonathan was next in line, but David was a popular alternative. Sure, David had killed his ten thousands (1Samuel 18:7), but Jonathan was a fierce warrior in his own right, leader of a third of the army, and had his share of victories. Jonathan, who had claim to the throne, had a choice to make: Who would be king?

Saul had become king because he appealed to man. He looked the part of king, handsomely standing head and shoulders above all others. David appealed to God. He had God’s heart. Jonathan could take the throne and continue the reign of Saul, of man, of me-on-the-throne. Instead, “Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt” (1Samuel 18:4). Like Jesus, he “emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant” (Philippians 2:7). God was on the throne of Jonathan’s life, therefore, David, the man after God’s heart, would be king.

Daily Prayer

God, as I wake up this morning, the first question I will answer is “Who is in charge of my life today?” You are. You are my King of kings and Lord of lords. There are all sorts of competitors to the throne, but none bring the peace, purity, righteousness, justice, and love of the one true God of heaven and earth. Thank You for putting my life in order, providing peace and contentment in a world of chaos.

May I follow Your ways closely and confidently, knowing they lead to a life of overflowing joy. My decisions in life reflect the one choice I have to make: who will be king? I choose to follow You, to give you my allegiance, my devotion, my worship. Each morning, I awake to a day that You have made and set before me. I shall live this day displaying the banner of my King.

Amen

Daily Question

Who is on the throne of your life? How can you tell?

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Obedience

Daily Reading

1Samuel 15-17

Daily Thought

Chapter 15 is the turning point in the life and reign of Saul, as Samuel declares, “Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king” (v 23). The chapter ends with tears and regret, “Samuel grieved over Saul. And the Lord regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel” (v 35).

Saul’s last chance hinged on his obedience to a clear command, a command Saul heard and understood and disregarded. Saul’s own words convict him, “I have obeyed the voice of the Lord. I have gone on the mission on which the Lord sent me. I have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and I have devoted the Amalekites to destruction. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the best of the things devoted to destruction, to sacrifice to the Lord your God in Gilgal” (vv 20-21). Saul is passing the blame to the people, but Saul is king, and it was he who kept “the best of the sheep and of the oxen and of the fattened calves and the lambs, and all that was good” (v 9).

When God devoted the Amalekites to destruction, God meant everything. The Amalekites were a particularly wicked people, avowed enemies of Israel (see Deuteronomy 25:17-19). God’s covenant with Abraham to make him a great nation included the promise, “I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse” (Genesis 12:3). The command to Saul was God keeping his promise to Israel. It was a just God dealing with a wicked and evil enemy.

Saul turned God’s justice into plunder for profit. Saul would destroy what was not worth keeping and keep the best. He knew exactly what God commanded, but he thought better and did less. The nation of Israel is called to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5). Saul bargained for a percentage, “I’ll give you 80%, God.” The 20% Saul kept was his way of showing who was really king. It exposed his heart, and Saul now spoke of the Lord as “your God” (1Samuel 15:21), not his.

Partial obedience is disobedience, and Saul served at God’s pleasure. God was no longer pleased, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice” (1Samuel 15:22).

Daily Prayer

Almighty God, You are awesome. I use that word too often for other things and diminish the word. It belongs to You. I am in awe of Your creation, Your mighty power, Your majesty, Your holiness, and in the midst of all that, Your patience with me.

You are powerful and loving, strength under control, gentle and mighty. You are amazing, and it is You and You alone I worship and follow, fully and always.

Amen

Daily Question

Does God have 100% of your life? If not, how much and why less than 100%?

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In His Time

Daily Reading

1Samuel 13-14

Daily Thought

Have you noticed how often God is late? God and I have this disagreement–I think now would be a good time, but God thinks later. Later is usually better, but that’s not how I calendared it. God has an agenda, and all too often it’s not the same as mine, and that’s my problem.

I’m not alone in this. Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus that their brother Lazarus was dying. Hurry, they urged him. Instead, he waited two days. Both sisters accused Jesus, “If you had been here…”; but Jesus had a better plan, “I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe” (see John 11:1-44).  Peter observes that the whole world thinks God is late and scoffs, “Jesus said he would return. Where is he?” But God has a better plan, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (see 2Peter 3:1-9). The writer of Hebrews calls God’s people to be “imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Hebrews 6:12).

King Saul had little patience, and thus showed less faith. Saul was anxious to fight the Philistines, but Samuel was yet to offer sacrifices to God before the battle. Seven days passed and Samuel, and therefore God, was late. It was time for war, so Saul wrongly offered the sacrifices himself. Then Samuel showed up and said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the Lord your God, with which he commanded you. For then the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought out a man after his own heart” (1Samuel 13:13-14).

Unless we learn to trust God and wait on his timing, we will never experience his better plan. Being obedient is more important than being on time. Saul failed to learn this, but a couple kings later, a wise King Solomon observed, “God makes everything beautiful in its time” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Not ours.

Daily Prayer

God, Your ways are not man’s ways. By faith, I follow You. I trust You and I will jump when You call. I will also wait until You say, “Go.” I know if it is according to my strength and my wisdom, I am in danger of taking credit. Therefore, God, not by my strength, my wisdom, nor my timing, I submit to You my heart and my soul, and I will follow You in faith.

And You get the glory.

Amen

Daily Question

When have you seen God’s timing was better then your timing?

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No Excuses

Daily Reading

1Samuel 9-12

Daily Thought

Saul looked the part of king. Israel’s Charlton Heston, “there was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people” (1Samuel 9:2). He was the right man for the job, because the people were looking for a king “like all the nations” (1Samuel 8:5). Saul was a king after man’s heart.

It is not on the outside what makes the man, however, and though Saul looked the part, he proved a coward. The signs were evident early, had the people looked–“behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage” (1Samuel 10:22). Courage is not the absence of fear, so Saul might be excused for cowering at the start. We, too, hide ourselves among the baggage. We have our excuses. “I’m really not sure I can do that”; but God responds, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2Corinthians 12:9). We point out others more qualified. “On the contrary,” says God, “the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable” (1Corinthians 12:22). We have this other obligation at the moment, but when it’s over, call me. A disciple tried that one, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” His dad wasn’t dead; he just wanted to wait until he was. Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead” (Matthew 8:21-22). “Sports! Band! The job! The vacation in Italy! Homework! Laundry! Life!” All excuses, we hide in the baggage. “Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them” (Matthew 13:7-8).

Courage is not the absence of fear, it is answering the call, responding despite our fear, doing the right thing no matter what, and Saul never rose to the task. Saul could stand tall, taller than any in Israel; but he didn’t.

Daily Prayer

What a wonderful Creator. I look around at the world, the skies and the land, filled with marvelous works of Your hand. I cannot help but stop and marvel. This is the world You made for me.

Then I read from Your Word, “Let us make man in our own image, male and female. Let them rule over land and sea and air.” God, I pray that I rule well the kingdom you put in front of me. I pray that I courageously and boldly display Your wisdom in all I say and do. I pray I step up, not down. God, I am willing and I need Your help.

Amen

Daily Question

What are your best excuses that keep you from following God as fully as you should?

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Lucky Charms

Daily Reading

1Samuel 4-8

Daily Thought

Jericho was the fortress city Israel first battled as they began to take possession of the Promised Land. Israel’s faith in God is reflected in the fearful cries of her enemy, “Our hearts melted, and there was no spirit left in any man because of you, for the Lord your God, he is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath” (Joshua 2:11). And the walls came down!

But as the books of Samuel begin, something is different, something changed. Israel was no longer following their God, they were carrying him, “Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord here from Shiloh, that it may come among us and save us from the power of our enemies” (1Samuel 4:3). To Israel, God was no longer in the heavens above and on the earth beneath, he was in a box. God had become an “it,” an object. When the Philistines learned that the ark of the Lord had come to the camp, they were afraid, for they said, “A god has come into the camp.” And they said, “Woe to us! Who can deliver us from the power of these mighty gods?” (1Samuel 4:6-8). A god? These mighty gods? The Philistines were not terrified of a people possessed by the great and mighty Creator of the heavens and the earth, as Jericho feared. Rather, the Philistines feared an enchanted lucky-charm god in the possession of Israel. God is no lucky charm we carry in our pockets. He is God Almighty, creator of the heavens and the earth. He carries us. 

Israel’s once powerful faith in their Almighty God had become little more than bumper-sticker superstition, but God will be no lucky charm. Israel was defeated.

Daily Prayer

Awesome God, mighty Creator, I worship You and give myself fully to Your possession.   You bought me with a price, the blood of my Savior, Your Son, Jesus Christ. I am a temple of Your Holy Spirit. God, my faith must be seen in more than a cross around my neck, a fish on my car. It must be evident in my life, my actions, my speech, my walk.

God, teach me to walk in Your ways, to obey Your commandments, to follow Your path which leads to life, a wonderful, abundant, overflowing life. I love You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  You are my all, and all I am is Yours.

Amen

Daily Question

What is the difference between believing in a religion called Christianity and having a personal relationship with your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?

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A Rare Word

Daily Reading

1Samuel 1-3

Daily Thought

“Now the sons of Eli were worthless men”–God’s Word speaks bluntly–“they did not know the Lord” (1Samuel 2:12). A terrible resume for priests, and Hophni and Phinehas did terrible things for which they both would die on the same day and be replaced by “a faithful priest who shall do according to what is in my heart and in my mind” (1Samuel 2:35). God raises up this faithful priest, Samuel, in the next chapter.

Chapter 3 begins, “the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision” (v 1); and ends, “and the Lord appeared again at Shiloh, for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord” (v 21). The Hebrew reads literally, “the Lord appeared increasingly.” There is movement in Israel; God is beginning to visit again. What prompted this is found in the verses between 1 and 21–“Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground” (v 19). Samuel, yet a boy, displays a heart for God’s Word. He listens for it, he receives it, and he faithfully and fully passes it along to others. “And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the Lord” (v 20).

Daily Prayer

Eternal God, You have made me a temple of Your Spirit. You live in me! I pray my words, my actions, my every thought reflect Your character so fully that Your kingdom is made evident to the world, that You are praised because others glimpse heaven. Let not a Word you speak to me fall to the ground.

By Your grace and Your goodness, by Your righteousness and the Holy Spirit who indwells me, may I be filled with Your love. May I listen to Your words, know Your thoughts, follow Your heart, because hearing without doing is not listening. And so in my doing what You say, may others hear Your voice, think your thoughts, and give you their heart.

Amen

Daily Question

How can you best make God’s Word known by the way you live?