1 Samuel 23-24; 1 Chronicles 6; Psalm 54; Acts 16

Another’s betrayal.

¹¹ Will the leaders of Keilah betray me to him? And will Saul actually come as I have heard? O Lord, God of Israel, please tell me.”

And the Lord said, “He will come.”

¹² Again David asked, “Will the leaders of Keilah betray me and my men to Saul?”

And the Lord replied, “Yes, they will betray you.” 1 Samuel 23:11-12, NLT

A king’s twisted thoughts and unbelief.

²¹ “The Lord bless you,” Saul said. “At last someone is concerned about me!” 1 Samuel 23:21, NLT

David’s integrity.

⁹ Then he shouted to Saul, “Why do you listen to the people who say I am trying to harm you? ¹⁰ This very day you can see with your own eyes it isn’t true. For the Lord placed you at my mercy back there in the cave. Some of my men told me to kill you, but I spared you. For I said, ‘I will never harm the king—he is the Lord’s anointed one.’ ¹¹ Look, my father, at what I have in my hand. It is a piece of the hem of your robe! I cut it off, but I didn’t kill you. This proves that I am not trying to harm you and that I have not sinned against you, even though you have been hunting for me to kill me.

¹² “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. ¹³ As that old proverb says, ‘From evil people come evil deeds.’ So you can be sure I will never harm you. ¹⁴ Who is the king of Israel trying to catch anyway? Should he spend his time chasing one who is as worthless as a dead dog or a single flea? ¹⁵ May the Lord therefore judge which of us is right and punish the guilty one. He is my advocate, and he will rescue me from your power!” 1 Samuel 24:9-15, NLT

David didn’t kill Saul when the opportunity presented itself. He respected the Lord in his appointment of Saul, and he knew the Lord is just and would have the final say between them.

Paul and Silas were singing praises when the prison doors opened, but they didn’t run off when the opportunity presented itself. They stayed, and because they did, they were able to comfort and witness to the guard and others. They knew of a greater purpose than the one at hand.

²⁵ Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. ²⁶ Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! ²⁷ The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. ²⁸ But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!”

²⁹ The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. ³⁰ Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

³¹ They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” ³² And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. (Acts 16:25-32, NLT)

These scriptures speak of integrity, faith and purpose. It wasn’t that long ago David stood in front of a giant, and now he stands before a king and his army. He is able to keep God his focus. I don’t have to fight the way the world fights–and I don’t want to. I want a life of integrity, faith and purpose.

God is just. Do I trust him with the outcome? Do I believe he will do what’s right?

Lord, when an enemy lashes out, hunts and harms me, help me to do what’s right because of my trust in you. When troubles come, help me to know peace in your sovereignty. I will praise your name, O Lord, for it is good.

Courtney (66books365)

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1 Samuel 3-5; Psalm 23; Acts 6

Samuel heard God’s call. He spoke boldly, calling out the sin in Eli’s family.

Stephen was chosen too, known as a man full of faith and Spirit, God’s grace and power.

⁸ Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people. ⁹ But one day some men from the Synagogue of Freed Slaves, as it was called, started to debate with him. They were Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia, and the province of Asia. ¹⁰ None of them could stand against the wisdom and the Spirit with which Stephen spoke.

¹¹ So they persuaded some men to lie about Stephen, saying, “We heard him blaspheme Moses, and even God.” ¹² This roused the people, the elders, and the teachers of religious law. So they arrested Stephen and brought him before the high council. (Acts 6:8-12, NLT, emphasis mine)

Oh, the dangers of manipulation. Crowd rousing. Judgment, unjust.

Eli and Stephen were known by God. One man and his family faced the judgment of God. One godly man faced the judgment of man.

There is only one I stand before in the end, whose knowledge of me is all that matters. The One who gives me all I need; leads, renews, guides, protects, comforts, honors; His unfailing love and goodness pursue me, surely, even in the darkest valley.

¹ The Lord is my shepherd;
    I have all that I need.
² He lets me rest in green meadows;
    he leads me beside peaceful streams.
³     He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
    bringing honor to his name.
⁴ Even when I walk
    through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
    for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
    protect and comfort me.
⁵ You prepare a feast for me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
    My cup overflows with blessings.
⁶ Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
    all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
    forever. (Psalm 23, NLT)

The Lord is my shepherd.

I have all that I need.

My cup overflows with blessings.

Thank you, Father.

Courtney (66books365)

 

Leviticus 17, Psalm 20, Psalm 21, Proverbs 31, 1 Timothy 2

 The Lord spoke, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.” Leviticus 17:11

 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, 1 Timothy 2:5-6

Read – http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Lev.%2017;%20Ps.%2020,21;%20Prov.%2031;%201%20Tim.%202&version=NKJV

              How grateful I am for You Lord God! You clearly tell me what is required to be clean in Your Presence! “blood atonement for my soul” And You provided it for me by the Sinless Life, torturous Death and Victorious Resurrection of Your only begotten Son Jesus!

              Thank You for sharing the Gospel with me! Thank You for making it irrefutable that I was sinful and deprived of True Life and Love – and Undeniable that Your Son Jesus took the full Wrath of God that I deserved for everything I have ever said, done, felt, and thought that was against You and Your Word!

            Lord God, I am soooo grateful that I am Your daughter! (1) Oh, thank You my God and Savior! I could never provide for myself the One Mediator Sacrifice! Yet You did this for me!

Psalm 20       Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God. v.7 

            I had trusted in “chariots, and horses” by running from You! I had been fleeing from Your Presence, Truth, and Your Ways. I chose to trust my own mind, heart, emotions, and flesh – deceiving myself and manipulating others. I was in the dark, though the world saw me as a very “good girl”. I am glad I couldn’t fool You Lord God – for You see into my heart always! (2) And because of Your Great Love, You came to rescue me from my sin and death!

Psalm 21       Your hand will find all Your enemies; Your right hand will find those who hate You.You shall make them as a fiery oven in the time of Your anger; The Lord shall swallow them up in His wrath, And the fire shall devour them. v.8-9

             This was me! I was Your enemy! Yet You DID do Justice! You poured out all of Your Anger, Wrath and Vengeance for all of my sin!  You exercised Your Powerful Love and Mercy through the Lord Jesus Christ. You placed all the condemnation for sin upon Him so that I would not have to bear it forever in hell! (3)

Proverbs 31             Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. v. 30

            I shall not to be fearful about my appearance but shall choose to live in the Fear of the Lord daily! Teach me, guide me, grow me, show me – fill me with Your Holy Spirit that I would live for you and please You here on earth and always!

            Lord God – Help me to show others that True Beauty is purity of heart. Not the things that I have nor portraying a persona, but living every moment conscious of You as my Savior and Lord. That Truth brings me enough Joy to set my sails billowing full, to propel my ship through all sorts of waters!  (4)

Be exalted, O Lord, in Your own strength! We will sing and praise Your power. Psalm 21:13

 Bible Insights – 

1 –  2 Corinthians  5:17, John 1:12-13, 1 Peter 1:23, 1 John 3:1

2 – 1 Samuel 16:7

3 – Romans 3:10-26, Romans 5:6-11, Romans 8, Exodus 20

4 – 2 Peter 1:1-11

Crystal (PsalmThirty4)