1 Samuel 27; 1 Chronicles 9; 1 Corinthians 10; Psalm 141

A strength of mine, when it comes to my walk with God, is worship. I had forgotten part of the employment of Levites were singers. I am not saying I can sing, but rather that I like singing as part of my worship to God.

 Now these are the singers, heads of fathers’ households of the Levites, who lived in the chambers of the temple free of other duties; for they were engaged in their work day and night. – 1 Chronicles 9:33 NASB

I see worship as a way to take my mind off of my troubles and issues that rob me of my joy. I also turn to worship as a way of avoiding temptation. I learned not to fear temptation as long as I did not embrace it. Worship allowed me to face it and overcome it.

No temptation has overtaken you except something common to mankind; and God is faithful, so He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. – 1 Corinthians 10:13 NASB

As a guy, there is the enduring temptation in the area of sexuality. I remembered a sermon when I was sixteen on how to worship God for the amazing creation He created. That worship would not allow the temptation to go any further. I was thinking about King David going to the roof – was he going there to have some time alone with God? The idea of being alone with God was quickly changed with a moment of temptation. If David was going to write a new song or to pen a new poem to God, look how easily it was thwarted. I do not take lightly the gift of worship in my spiritual walk.

My alone time with God and the victory obtained there with worship bring me the strength I need during times of temptation.

Lord, I call upon You; hurry to me!
Listen to my voice when I call to You! – Psalm 141:1 NASB

Worship is not only singing, it is also prayer. “Hurry to me” expresses the immediacy of my temptations and needs. Help cannot come too late.

May my prayer be counted as incense before You;
The raising of my hands as the evening offering. – Psalm 141:2 NASB

With a combination of singing, prayer and a posture of raising my hands to give and receive, I express my earnest and expectant thoughts in worship.

For my eyes are toward You, God, the Lord;
In You I take refuge; do not leave me defenseless. – Psalm 141 :8 NASB

My eyes are focused only on God, in Him I find my expressions of worship and He does not fail me.

 “In all times, in all places, on all occasions, I will cleave unto the Lord, and put my whole confidence in him.” – Clarke

Father, I love spending time in worship. Thank you for this wonderful gift that connects me with the Holy Spirit.

Erwin (evanlaar1922)

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1 Sam. 24; 1 Chr. 8; 1 Cor. 8; Ps. 57,58

“May the Lord judge between us. Perhaps the Lord will punish you for what you are trying to do to me, but I will never harm you. As that old proverb says, ‘From evil people come evil deeds, So you can be sure I will never harm you. May the Lord therefore judge which one of us is right and punish the guilty one. He is my advocate, and he will rescue me from your power!” 1 Samuel 24:12-16 NLT

Saul was hunting down David to kill him, but when David had the opportunity to take revenge on Saul he didn’t. He still respected Saul as God’s anointed King. And David had the courage to stand up to the group that was urging him to kill Saul. He knew who his advocate was. He placed his trust in the Lord for justice. Do I?

“When David had finished speaking, Saul called back, “Is that really you my son David?” Then he began to cry. And he said to David, “You are a better man than I am, for you have repaid me good for evil. Yes, you have been amazingly kind to me today, for when the Lord put me in a place where you could have killed me, you didn’t do it. Who else would let his enemy get away when he had him in his power? May the Lord reward you well for the kindness you have shown me today.” 1 Samuel 24:16-20 NLT

When have I am wronged or betrayed, how do I react? It might not be as severe as David, but it hurts just as much. I’m thankful for a God that understands. And that I can go to him with all of my emotions and feelings.

“The godly will rejoice when they see injustice avenged. They will wash their feet in the blood of the wicked. Then at last everyone will say, “There truly is a reward for this who live for God; surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth.” Psalms 58:10&11 NLT

Dear Father, I pray that my heart would be moved to compassion for others. And that I would seek forgiveness. I pray that like David, I will trust you to make things right. Help me to have a posture of humility. And to truly love others like you love me. I have a very real enemy who is after me. But, you already have the victory, Jesus. Amen.

“Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until the danger passes by. I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.” Psalms 57:1&2 NLT

Amy(amyctanner)

1 Samuel 4-5; Galatians 4; Psalms 77

“And Samuel’s word came to all Israel. Now the Israelites went out to fight against the Philistines. The Philistines deployed their forces to meet Israel, and as the battle spread, Israel was defeated by the Philistines, who killed about four thousand of them on the battlefield. When the soldiers returned to camp, the elders of Israel asked, “Why did the Lord bring defeat on us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark or the Lord’s covenant from Shiloh, so that he may go with us and save us from the hand of our enemies” 1 Sam. 4:1-3 NIV

The Israelites believed that the ark itself was their source of power. They expected it to protect them from their enemies. When the ark was captured, they thought Israel’s glory was gone and that God had deserted them. They believed that the ark would bring them victory, but when they trusted God for the victory they always won.

What am I putting my trust in?

“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his son, born of a woman, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.” Galatians 4:4-7 NIV

I am God’s child. I am an heir.

“I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands, and I would not be comforted. I remembered you, God, and I groaned; I meditated, and my spirit grew faint. You kept my eyes from closing; I was too troubled to speak.” Psalms 77:1-4 NIV

Sometimes disappointment creeps in and it’s hard to not give up hope. I can cry out to him like David. He is near to me in my doubts. I remember His past faithfulness.

“Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand. I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” Psalms 77:10-12 NIV

Dear Father, Thank you that even when I feel far from you, you are close. Thank you that your presence and power does not dwell in anything that can be taken from me. I have nothing to fear. In You, I already have the victory. You are holy. I praise you. Amen.

Amy(amyctanner)

1 Samuel 20-22

”David fled from Naioth in Ramah and found Jonathan. ”What have I done?” he exclaimed. “What have I done?” he exclaimed. ”What is my crime? How have I offended your father that he is so determined to kill me?” ”That’s not true!” Jonathon protested. ”You’re not going to die. He always tells me everything he’s going to do, even the little things. I know my father wouldn’t hide something like this from me. It just isn’t so!” Then David took an oath before Jonathan and said, “Your father knows perfectly well about our friendship, so he has said to himself, ’I won’t tell Jonathan-why should I hurt him?’ But I swear to you that I am only a step away from death! I swear it by the LORD and by your own soul!” ”Tell me what I can do to help you,” Jonathan exclaimed.” 1 Samuel 20:1-4 NLT

Jonathan was put in a tough position, between his dad and best friend. But, his loyalty was with God first. That gave him the wisdom and courage to do what was right. He was loyal to his dad who was King and to his friend. I can’t help but to wonder what I would do in the same situation. Am I letting God’s word guide my decisions? Am I a loyal friend?

“Show me this loyalty as my sworn friend-for we made a solemn pact before the Lord-or kill me yourself if I have sinned against your father. But please don’t betray me to him!” ”Never!” Jonathan exclaimed. “You know that if I have the slightest notion my father was planning to kill you, I would tell you at once.” 1 Samuel 20:8&9 NLT

Jonathan was a faithful friend. I can get weary of praying the same prayer or showing up when it doesn’t seem to make a difference. But, God has been speaking the importance of faithfulness in my life. It reminds me of His faithfulness to me.

“And may you treat me with the faithful love of the Lord as long as I live. But if I die, treat my family with faithful love, even when the Lord destroys all your enemies from the face of the earth.” So Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, saying, ”May the Lord destroy all your enemies!” And Jonathan made David reaffirm his vow of friendship again, for Jonathan loved David as he loved himself.” 1 Samuel 20:14-17 NLT

Do I know how fully loved I am by God, that I can love others well? Jonathan loved David well. With a love that could only come from God. They had genuine sadness when they left each other. It was a bond that could not be broken.

“Both of them were in tears as they embraced each other and said good-bye, especially David. At last Jonathan said to David, ”Go in peace, for we have sworn loyalty to each other in the Lord’s name. The Lord is the witness of a bond between us and our children forever.” Then David left, and Jonathan returned to the town.” 1 Samuel 20:42 NLT

Thank you Father for never giving up on me. Thank you for being my closest friend. Help me to be a good friend and love others well. Amen.

Amy(amyctanner)

1 Samuel 12:19-14:42

I do not believe that the end justifies the means. I have seen too many means manipulated to make it so. Saul’s life had so many moments where God’s hand showed up. He could easily have declared his own righteousness based on the results of his actions, but none of that had to do with him, it was all God.

There have been moments in my life, critical times, that I needed to make a decision that held tremendous importance. Then I read about Jonathan. Mine were nothing compared to his – his was about life and honour or disgrace and death.

The pass that Jonathan was planning to cross over to the Philistine garrison was flanked on either side by sharp rock outcroppings, cliffs named Bozez and Seneh. The cliff to the north faced Micmash; the cliff to the south faced Geba (Gibeah). – 1 Samuel 14:4-5 MSG

When faced with the impassible, Jonathan showed up with decisiveness and courage but he also showed up with God who gave him the strength to persevere.

Saul can only mess things up again. He calls for God to talk to him, immediately throws that decision away in order to join in a fight.

God saved Israel! What a day! – 1 Samuel 14:23 MSG

Saul did not get the honour of winning this fight, God did. It was God who made a covenant with Abraham that He wanted to honour, it was God honouring Jonathan’s love and gifting of himself to God that moved Him to action. Saul was shut out of honour and blessing because he shut out God. How can he turn to God, to honour Him by seeking His counsel, and then seconds later, irreverently discontinues in order to be part of the pursuit not regarding whether God wanted that course of action?

I have a few takeaways. I want to do a study of leadership who have honoured God and how He has honoured them. I want to be aware to avoid the gain of earthly honour or other advantages at the cost of leaving God out of my everyday decisions. I want to be aware that it is not about me or what I want, but only God’s honour. So I will not seek His help to move my own self-interest forward. I aim to seek His will above mine.

Father, I think it is easier to be a Saul than a Jonathan and I can sense the temptation to move forward on my own in so many areas of my life. Help me seek You first, remind me when I do not.

Erwin (evanlaar1922)