Sun.’s Devo - Today is Pentecost

Read: 2 Samuel 17:1-29; John 19:23-42; Psalm 119:129-152; Proverbs 16:12-13
After Absalom slept with David’s concubines, he met with his advisor, Ahithophel to decide what to do next. He advised Absalom to rally a big army of men and go after David immediately. Absalom decided to ask Hushai what he thought they should do. Hushai, David’s spy, advised him to rally an even bigger army from all over Israel and then go after David. This would give David more time to escape.
Absalom decided that the bigger army sounded the better and decided to follow Hushai’s advise. Ahithophel was so distraught that his advise didn’t get taken that he went home and hung himself.
The priest’s sons, Jonathan and Ahimaaz were to take the word to David. They were seen by a small boy who told on them. A man hid them in his well and his wife covered it with cloth and grain to hide the well. They were not discovered and were able to continue their journey to tell David the plan. They also brought supplies for him and his men.
In John, I noticed something I have not noticed before. No matter how many prophecies Jesus fulfilled in his death to prove that he was indeed the Messiah, they were bound by their schedules and traditions. As the lamb of God was hanging on a cross, the Jews were hurrying home to prepare for the Passover week and Shabbot the next day. Life was going on as before.
Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus honored Jesus in his death and provided his tomb and ointments but no one was prepared for the day after next when he would rise from the dead.
This reminds me of us and how we are so programmed in our daily lives that we often miss the miraculous things God is doing all around us.
Today is the day the Jews celebrate Pentecost and it is going to mark a Pentecost season where we are going to witness and do the very miracles that Jesus did. We are also going to face the persecution that the apostles faced and fellowship in the sufferings of Christ. But, the great news is that a fresh new rain of God’s Spirit is falling on his people and we are going to speak with new tongues and boldly proclaim the risen Lord. God is coming to earth to celebrate this Pentecost with us and he is bringing the gift of his Holy Spirit.
Lord, may we prepare our hearts for what you are going to be doing on the earth. May we be willing vessels for your Spirit to move in us.

Sat.’s Devo - The Crucifixion of the Kings

Read: 2 Samuel 15:23-16:23; John 18:25-19:22; Psalm 119:113-128; Proverbs 16:10-11
The people who loved David wept as he left Jerusalem carrying the Ark of God. Zadok and the priests went with David but as soon as they were out of Jerusalem, David had a change of heart. He told Zadok to return to the palace with the Ark and be his eyes. David’s councilor, Ahithophel had abandoned David and was now following Absalom. David needed Zadok to stay and find out Absalom’s plans and send his sons Ahimaaz and Abiathar to meet David with the intel.
Hushai, another of David’s friends was asked to go and give Absalom bad advise to counter Ahithophel’s. David prayed that Ahithophel would give foolish advice.
David was also met with Ziba, the servant of Mephibosheth. Ziba had brought food for David and his army. When David asked about Mephibosheth, Ziba lied and said that he had deflected to Absalom. David gave Ziba the land of Saul’s that he had given to Mephibosheth.
Absalom marched into Jerusalem with pomp and pride as David was slipping out in shame. Hushai went immediately to see Absalom and had to convince him that he was now loyal to him instead of David. Absalom asked Ahithophel first what his advice was. He told Absalom to go and sleep with David’s concubines in front of all Israel so they would know that there was no way he and David would ever be reconciled. So he did fulfilling prophecy.
In John, Jesus had spent the night being harassed and questioned by the religious Jews and they decided he needed to die. Since their law wouldn’t allow crucifixion, they had to involve the Romans. They took Jesus to Pilate. When he asked them what they were charging Jesus with the only answer they gave him is “We wouldn’t have handed him over to you if he were’t a criminal.” In other words, they had nothing on Jesus.
Pilate questioned Jesus and couldn’t find anything either. So Pilate though he had found a way out. He brought out Barabbas and made the people decide which one, thinking they would choose to set the innocent Jesus free and crucify the guilty Barabbas. The people didn’t make it easy for him because they chose Jesus to die and Barabbas to be set free.
Pilate had Jesus flogged, placed a robe on him and a crown of thorns on his head and mocked him. Then Pilate presented Jesus to them and said that he found him “not guilty”. A strange way to treat an innocent person.
When Pilate heard that Jesus had proclaimed to be the Son of God he was really frightened. He brought Jesus back into his chambers and asked him where he had come from. When Jesus refused to answer him he said, “Don’t you realize that I have the power to release you or crucify you.” Jesus made sure he knew that he had no power over him that his Father, God hadn’t given him.
Pilate went back out and sat at the seat of judgment and told the Jews that they would have to crucify him. The frenzied crowd led Jesus to Golgatha and nailed him to the cross. Pilate posted a sign that read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” The leading priests wanted to change the sign to “He said, he was the king of the Jews” but he refused.
Lord, it is hard to read of how the world treated your kings. David and Jesus left Jerusalem in dishonor only to return to receive their kingdoms. Help us to remember when it looks dark and gloomy, it is because the day is about to break forth. Hope is always rising.

Fri.’s Devo - The Cup of Suffering

Read: 2 Samuel 14:1-15:22; John 18:1-24; Psalm 119:97-112; Proverbs 16:8-9
Joab knew that David longed to see Absalom but just couldn’t break through to act on it so Joab devised a plan to help him. He hired a wise woman to present her case similar to David’s so he could see it from a different perspective. David needed to see a picture of forgiveness and second chances.
He got the message and agreed to let Absalom come back to Jerusalem but he was never to me into his presence. That was not forgiveness; that was a dangerous compromise.
It backfired on David, because Absalom used his access to the people to gain popularity and deceitfully stole the hearts of the people away from David. He did this for four years and when he thought he had the support of the people, he asked David if he could go to Hebron to fulfill a vow he had made to the Lord. David let him go, not knowing Absalom was going to proclaim himself as the king. Absalom took 200 unsuspecting guests with him.
When Absalom got to Hebron he sent secret messengers to all the tribes of Israel to stir up a rebellion against David. He told them that as soon as he blew the ram’s horn, they were to proclaim him as the king of Israel. Many others joined him. Some of the ones who didn’t agree, ran back to Jerusalem and told David what was happening. David gathered all his people and 600 men and they fled on foot. He left his concubines to look after the palace. There was a man named Ittai, a Philistine who had been exiled from his own country. He had followed David during his days of running from Saul and the 600 men were men under him. David told him to go back and live peacefully in Israel but he refused. He told David that he would follow him even to death.
In John, we see the power Jesus had. They came to arrest Jesus and when he proclaimed who he was, they fell to the ground. They had no power to arrest Jesus, he willingly gave up his life and allowed them to take him because he knew this God’s plan to bring salvation to the world.
Peter, in his zeal, drew a sword and slashed off the ear of Malchus, the high priest’s slave. Jesus just reached down and picked it up and put it back on. He was in total control of the chaotic situation. He is also in total control of our chaotic situations.
Funny that when Jesus asked who he was he answered, “I am he.” When Peter was asked who he was, he said, “I am not.” Peter’s confession would drastically change once he was filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.
Meanwhile, Jesus was led to his mock trial before the religious leaders. He was questioned and abused all night.
Both Jesus and David gave up their kingdoms so that God might build a greater kingdom built on truth.
Lord, thank you that you loved not your life unto death but willingly drank the cup of suffering that your Father gave you so that we might drink the new wine of the Holy Spirit and be filled with joy.

Thurs.’s Devo - The Wrath of Men Worketh Not the Righteousness of God. James 1:20

Read: 2 Samuel 13:1-39; John 17:1-26; Psalm 119:81-96; Proverbs 16:6-7
Today we see the power of lust. The source of lust is rejection. Even though Amnon was the king’s son he thought he was not worthy to have Tamar. Verse 2 says that she was beautiful and a virgin and Amnon thought he could never have her. The problem would have been so easy to solve. All Amnon had to do was ask his father, David for her. She even told him he would say ‘yes’, but his rejection kept him from following the right channels and do it the right way. His lust drove him to rape her, then hate her and himself for doing it.
David found out what had happened and did nothing. Absalom found out and when he saw that nothing was being done to discipline or punish Amnon, he grew bitter in his soul. Two years went by with the problem unresolved.
Absalom saw his opportunity for revenge and went for it. It was sheep-shearing time when everyone would get together and sheer the sheep then throw a big feast to celebrate. Absalom invited all of his family to his house for the party. David bowed out, but allowed all his sons to go. Absalom had plotted Amnon’s death and when he gave the command, his servants killed Amnon. The other sons fled in fear and word came to David that all his sons were killed. David was painfully sorrowful. Then word came that it was only Amnon that had died because of the rape of Tamar.
David’s sons returned and they all mourned Amnon’s death while Absalom fled to stay with his grandfather. After three years, David had reconciled with Amnon’s death and longed to see Absalom.
In John, Jesus is still with his disciples having his last words with them. He has finished talking to them and starts talking about them to his Father. He wants them to hear his prayer for them. He prays that his ministry would continue through these men. He prays for their protection from the evil, for his joy to fill them, for them to be made holy by God’s truth. He prayed all of this not only for them but for all who came after them. He gave us the glory he had been given that God might be in us and that we might experience perfect unity. Jesus promised to continue to reveal the Father to us so that God’s love would be in us and Jesus would be in us.
Lord, may your love be in us in a way that shows the world who you are and how much you love them.

Wed.’s Devo - God Has Overcome the World

Read: 2 Samuel 12:1-31; John 16:1-33; Psalm 119:65-80; Proverbs 16:4-5
Be sure your sins will find you out (Numbers 32:23). David learned that. He had gotten so puffed up and deceived that he didn’t even feel convicted when he heard the story that Nathan gave him. That is easy to do when you have put yourself before God. Nathan had to explain the parable for him to see that he had sinned. He must have justified it all in his mind. But, once David saw his sin, he was quick to repent.
His sin brought a curse upon himself, Bathsheba and his whole household. Absalom would be the son who would rebel against him and sleep with his concubines in full view of his nation. His sin cost him and Bathsheba the life of their son.
David fasted and prayed for mercy for the child until it died, then he ate. When he servants asked him why he was now eating instead of mourning for the child, David’s answer was so good. He told them that he fasted to save the child’s life, but since it died, he didn’t need to fast anymore. He couldn’t bring him back from the dead and he would one day be with him. David had the right attitude towards death. Death is our reward for our lives we live here, yet we fear death and mourn people’s passing. We should celebrate people’s passing if they know Jesus. (Many people do that very thing and their funerals are celebrations.) From the death of that child, God blessed Bathsheba with another child - Solomon which means “peaceful” but when Nathan heard it he called him Jedidiah which means “beloved of the Lord” to show that God had forgiven David and returned his blessings on him.
In the meantime, Joab was fighting David’s battles for him. To bring honor back to David’s name, he called David to join him at the end of the battle so he could have the glory of the victory. Together they defeated Rabbah, the royal city of the Ammonites. David put the crown of the king on his head.
In John, Jesus explained to his disciples that he now spoke to them in parables and figures of speech but the time was coning when he would speak plainly to them. They got the part about Jesus being from God but Jesus had so much more to tell them which the Holy Spirit would do when he came. He would convict the world of sin, and of God’s righteousness and of the coming judgment.
On May 31st it will be Pentecost. We can expect the Holy Spirit, our lawyer and Advocate to start teaching us and fighting our cause in the world. I am expecting an outpouring of God’s Spirit to fall on the world like we have never seen before which will begin on this Pentecost. We are headed for some great days ahead but be sure the devil will be there to fight us all the way. Jesus said that then we will use his name and will will receive and have abundant joy. We will have peace because he has overcome the world.
Lord, thank you for giving us your Holy Spirit to be our lawyer and bring truth to all that is going on in the world. Help us to choose to have your peace and assurance that you have overcome the world.

Tues.’s Devo - Nothing is Done in Secret

Read: 2 Samuel 9:1-11:27; John 15:1-27; Psalm 119:49-64; Proverbs 16:1-3
David wanted to carry out his vow to Jonathan so he found Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth and brought him in. He was the son that had become crippled when his nurse dropped him trying to save his life. David gave him all of the land that Saul owned and gave Ziba and his fifteen sons and twenty servants the job of working Mephibosheth’s land. Mephibosheth and his son lived in Jerusalem where they ate with David every day as a member of his family.
The Ammonite king, Nahash died and David wanted to send his condolences to his son, Hanun. Nahash had been kind to David when he was running from Saul. Hanun unwisely listened to the advise of his commanders who accused David’s men of being spies. They took David’s ambassadors and shaved off half of each man’s beard, cut off their robes exposing their rears and sent them home in shame.
When David heard what had happened, he had them stay in Jericho until their beards grew out and rallied an army to fight.
The Ammonites hired the Armenians to fight with them against David. Israel’s army was attacked from in front by the Ammonites and behind by the Armenians. They ended up winning both fronts and killing the Armenian commander. The Armenians left vowing never to fight Israel again.
Next, we have the sad story of Bathsheba who was happily married to Uriah, one of David’s valiant men listed in 2 Chronicles 11:41. David should have gone with his men to war, but instead stayed home. He was tempted with a beautiful woman’s body, took her and used her. When he found out she was pregnant he did everything to cover up his sin. God didn’t let him get away with it. With honor comes responsibility.
Uriah proved to be worthy of David’s list in every way. His integrity only made David’s lack of integrity come to light.
David had some branches that needed to be pruned like Jesus was talking about in John.
Jesus explained that if you are a branch in his vine you will be loved by him and the Father, but the world will hate you. Then he promised them again of the gift of the Holy Spirit which would be the Advocate. In John 14:16, Jesus said that the Advocate would never leave us but lead us into all truth. In John 14:26 it says that the Advocate would be his representative and he would teach them everything and remind them of everything Jesus had told them.
In 15:26 it says that the Advocate is the Spirit of truth and he will testify all about Jesus and he will help us testify about Jesus also.
Lord, thank you for the Advocate who is truth. Thank you that you see everything done in secret and you expose it on the hilltops. May your Spirit of truth cause us to reverently fear you and testify of your greatness and salvation.

Mon.’s Devo - Our Advocate

Read: 2 Samuel 7:1-8:18; John 14:15-31; Psalm 119:33-48; Proverbs 15:33
David got it in his heart to give God what had blessed him. He now lived in a beautiful palace and he wanted God to be honored the same way. Nathan approved until God spoke to Nathan and told him to tell David that he had never been confined to a “house”. He had always traveled with his people in a tent. David was not to build this house, but his son would build him a house and through him God would establish His kingdom. It would be a dynasty of kings that would continue forever. It would be an eternal blessing.
David went to defeat the Philistines taking their largest town and only allowing one third to live to be his servants and pay him tribute. He also defeated the forces of Hadadezer, the Syrian king. The Armeaneans came to help the Syrian so he took their capital, Damascus, and they became subject to him and paid him tribute also. Other nations brought David gold and silver in honor of his greatness. The Edomites were also defeated and they fell subject to David and brought him tribute.
David reigned over Israel and did what was just and right for his people. He appointed holy men to lead his army, write their history, serve as priests and serve as his personal body guard. His own sons served as priestly leaders. When righteous people reign, the nation is exalted (Proverbs 14:34).
In John, Jesus explained the characteristics of the Holy Spirit. He is another Advocate who will never leave us. An advocate is a lawyer who pleads another man’s cause. According to Webster’s it means the transfer by a superior court to itself of an action pending in an inferior court. In other words, Holy Spirit is our lawyer who takes our prayers of what is going on earth up to heaven and he advocates for us in Heaven’s courts. He is truth, so he knows what the truth is of everything hidden or exposed.
It was Holy Spirit’s mission to remind the disciples everything that Jesus had said so they could write it down for them and for all who would read it afterwards.
Jesus left them with the gift of peace of mind and heart. He was going away but they would never be alone. He wanted them to know that what was about to happen to him was the Father’s will and he was bowing to his will. The world was not taking his life, he was laying it down for his Father and for them.
Lord, thank you for Holy Spirit, our Advocate who knows everything that is going on in our world and knows how to fight for us in your court. We gladly lay down our lives for your cause.

Sun.’s Devo - Securing a Kingdom

Read: 2 Samuel 4:1-6:23; John 13:31-14:14; Psalm 119:17-32; Proverbs 15:31-32
Saul’s family ended in shame. Ishbosheth, Saul’s son means “man of shame”. Once Abner was killed, Ishbosheth was paralyzed in fear and later killed by Recab and Baanah. Jonanthan’s sons name was Mephibosheth which means “breathing shame”.
Recab and Baanah had hoped for a reward from David but they got judgement and were killed instead.
David was made king at Hebron at the age of 30, the same age Jesus entered into his ministry. He reigned in Hebron for 7.5 years but his reign over Israel and Judah was 33 years, the same age Jesus was when he died.
David had to take Jerusalem from the Jebusites and was successful because the Army of God fought with him. King Hiram of Tyre sent cedar and carpenters and stonemasons to build David a palace. There he married more women and had 11 more sons.
David was attacked by the Philistines and God gave him a mighty victory in which they confiscated their idols.
David gathered 30,000 of his best soldiers to go and bring back the ark of God. They carried the ark on a cart, the way the Philistines had carried it. When the oxen stumbled and the priest put out his hand to keep the ark from falling, God killed him. This frightened David so much that he took the ark to the house of Obed-edom where it stayed for three months while David sought the Lord as to why this happened. He must have taken out the law and read that the ark was to be carried on the shoulders of the priests because when he came to get the ark, that is how he had it carried. He offered sacrifices every six steps and danced before the Lord with all his might wearing a priestly garment.
Michal, his wife, looked out her window and saw him dancing as he entered the city and was embarrassed. When he got home, she told him how undistinguished he looked in front of his servant girls. David replied that he was willing to look even more foolish than this and be humiliated in his own eyes and as for his servant girls, he looked distinguished to them. Michal was barren and never bore a child because of her pride.
In John, Jesus told his disciples that he would only be with them a short time because God was about to show his glory through him. Jesus had told the Jewish leaders that they would not be able to go where he was going but he told his disciples that they would be following him later. Peter said he was willing to die for him but Jesus told him that he was not ready yet. In fact, he would deny him three times. (When he received the Holy Spirit he would be laying down his life daily for him.) Jesus was going to prepare heaven for them and when it was ready he would call them up.
Jesus gave them a new commandment to love others as he had loved them and lastly he told them that they had seen God through him. Now, they would be showing both the Father and the Son through their lives. We are to do even greater works because Jesus went to heaven and now operates there through his body here.
Both David and Jesus were securing and establishing a kingdom with God’s presence.
Lord, may we pray your heart and see the results of your power here on earth.

Sat.’s Devo- The Clashing of Kingdoms

Read: 2 Samuel 2:12-3:39; John 13:1-30; Psalm 119:1-16; Proverbs 15:29-30
The “Field of Swords” makes no sense to me, but then there are a lot of things in the scripture that I don’t understand. Both sides were God’s people. Maybe it was just to show that God cared equally for both sides. Twelve men stood head to head and killed each other the same way. The battle didn’t end that even. David’s men killed 18 times the number of Abner’s men. But Abner killed Joab’s youngest brother, Asahel even though he tried to give him every opportunity to give up first.
Joab held that against Abner and could not forgive him even though it was all in the name of war and nothing personal.
Joab ended up killing Abner when Abner came in peace causing David to put a curse on his family for every generation. He proclaimed that there would always be a member of Joab’s family that had open sores or leprosy, or crippled, or died in battle or begged for food. That was a horrible curse.
David mourned the death of Abner and all Israel knew that he had nothing to do with his death. David got his wife, Michal back. Saul had promised David one of his daughters when he went against Goliath. He was now recovering all that had been stolen from him - the kingdom, his wife, and his honor.
In John, Jesus was eating the Passover seder with his disciples. He washed their feet telling them that if their walk was clean then all of their body would be clean. He told them one of them would betray him and even made it clear who it was, though they didn’t get it at the time. He told him out right that he was the Messiah and anyone who believed in him also believed in God which was the opposite of what he had said to the people. He told them that if he believed in God, then believe the one he had sent. Jesus could say it this way to his disciples because they did believe in him.
We are in a battle right now of kingdoms and it is becoming more and more obvious what those kingdoms are and who is on what side. I pray that the Body of Christ will not be naive but also not afraid of the enemy and his tactics. We already know the outcome and we are on the winning side!
Lord, we pray that you would speak clearly to us as the ones who believe in you and believe in God. Help us to be keenly aware of what you are doing and only follow your voice.

Fri.’s Devo - The King Comes to His Kingdom

Read: 2 Samuel 1:1-2:11; John 12:20-5-; Psalm118:19-29; Proverbs 15:27-28
David was returning from his victory while Israel was returning from their defeat. One of the soldiers from Saul’s army saw an opportunity for advancement so he tried to scam David and tell him that he was the one who killed Saul. We read yesterday that even Saul’s own armor-bearer wouldn’t kill Saul; he ended up killing himself. This scammer’s plan back-fired on him and it didn’t help that he had defected from the Amelekites, the very ones that David had just fought. This man had loyalty to no one but himself. David killed him instead.
David wrote a beautiful song to honor Saul and Jonathan and thanked the people of Jabesh-gilead for burying them.
Saul’s army commander, Abner joined with Ishbosheth, Saul’s son and proclaimed him king over Israel while Judah proclaimed David their king. David made Hebron his capital and thus the kingdom was divided. He ruled from Hebron for 7 and a half years.
In John, it was the time of the Passover and Jesus was about to die. He explained that he was the kernel of wheat that had to die so that his seed could produce new kernels. Jesus started praying out loud for God to save him from this hour but he knew that he came into this world for this very moment. So he told his daddy to glorify his name. God answered back in an audible voice and said, “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.” The people heard it - some heard it as thunder and others thought an angel had spoken to Jesus. Jesus explained that he was saying it to them.
The people were so confused became they thought the Messiah would live forever and Jesus was talking about his coming death. Jesus answered them in his riddle about the light that didn’t make any sense to them then but is crystal to us now. They didn’t understand eternal life, resurrection or heaven because their hearts were hardened. Some believed, but because they loved the praises of men more than the praises of God, they didn’t admit it. How sad!
Lord, may we stand and boldly profess our total commitment and love to you.

Thurs.’s Devo -God’s Ways are Higher

Read: 1 Samuel 29:1-31:13; John 11:55-12:19; Psalm 118:1-18; Proverbs 15:24-26
Have you ever wondered why God didn’t allow you to be a part of something that, in your eyes, was a good thing? I look at this story with David and see God’s foresight and wisdom. David wanted to fight in the battle with the Philistines against Saul and his army. If he had fought in that battle where Saul and his sons all died, everyone in Israel would have blamed him for Saul’s death. He would have never been able to rule over a nation he had fought against.
God made a way of escape for David even if he might not have seen it that way at the time. Also, he needed to go home and save his family. God needed him to fight a different war.
David honored the king of Achish and left. If he had waited he might not have been able to save his town.
When all of David’s men blamed him for losing their families and possessions, David found strength in the Lord. He called for the ephod and the priest and asked God if they would find their families and restore their possessions. God said they would so he took 400 of the men who were willing to go and left 200 exhausted men to watch their equipment. They found a slave who had been left by the raiding party. They fed him and he led them to the Amalekite’s camp. David and his men were able to win back everything that had been taken from them and the Philistines. He returned to his 200 men and shared it with them. David made a lasting law that those on the front lines and those in the background helping all get the same reward. That is a good concept to remember when you feel insignificant when “all you do is pray”. It takes everyone!
In John, Jesus was on his way to the cross. He stopped by Mary and Lazarus’ house on the way. Mary anointed his feet with expensive perfume while Judas complained that she should have sold it and used the money for the poor. He didn’t care for the poor, he just saw a missed opportunity to have stolen it for himself.
The next day, Jesus entered Jerusalem with praises and palms as the passover lamb. He rode a donkey to fulfill the prophecy in Zechariah 3:15. Jesus was at the pinnacle of his popularity at that moment because everyone was talking about how he raised Lazareth from the grave. How quickly they would turn on him.
Lord, help us to remember that everything on this earth is temporal; only what we do for you is eternal. Help us not to waste our energy on things that are going to burn but sow our energy into things that can not be burned. Your faithful love endures forever!

Wed.’s Devo - Life From Death

Read: 1 Samuel 26:1-28:25; John 11:1-54; Psalm 117:1-2; Proverbs 15:22-23
David must have had some men in Ziph hated him as much as Saul because they were the same ones who turned David into Saul in 1 Samuel 23:19. Saul had his most elite soldiers with him looking for David, but instead, David found him.
David and Abishai snuck into Saul’s camp at night while everyone was asleep. (I wonder who had watch that night?) They stole Saul’s spear and his water jar. When they had gotten a safe distance away, David woke Abner up. Abner was Saul’s commander of his army. David taunted him with questions about his ability to keep the king safe.
Saul recognized David’s voice and they had the same conversation they had last time. Saul repented of trying to kill him and David returned his spear and water jar. Saul blessed David and prophesied that he would do many heroic deeds and surely succeed.
They parted, but David knew he would never be safe as long as Saul lived and as long as he lived in Israelite land. He decided to go to live with the Philistines. He went to Achish, the royal city of the king of Gath. Achish, also known as Abimelech, welcomed him and he brought his two wives with him. David asked to be moved out of the royal city to a place in the country so he was given Ziklag. He and his family lived among the Philistines for about a year and four months.
From Ziklag, David would take his army and attack neighboring enemies of Israel and leave no one living to give him away. He told the Philistine king that he was fighting cities in Israel. King Achish believed David so much that when he was about to go to battle against Israel, he invited David and his men to fight with him. He promised that David would emerge his armor-bearer, the most prominent position.
Saul had banned all mediums from Israel, but when he faced the vast Philistine army without Samuel or the ephod, he caved and sought for a medium. He found one in Endor who immediately perceived that he was Saul and that her life might be quickly over. He assured her that she wouldn’t die so she brought Samuel up from the grave. He scolded Saul for disturbing his sleep then told him he had lost his kingdom to David and become an enemy of God’s. He and his sons would die the next day in battle and the battle would end in defeat. Needless to say, Saul was distraught. He ate his last supper of unleavened bread just like Jesus did the night before he died.
In John, Jesus woke Lazareth up from his sleep of death, but he walked out of his grave and lived. He was under a much better covenant than Samuel was under.
I love what Thomas said when he learned they were going back to Judah where Jesus was a wanted man. He said, “Let’s go, too and die with Jesus.” I don’t know if he was being sarcastic or what but it makes me laugh. It reminds me of the scripture: “They overcame by the blood of the lamb, and the word of their testimony and that they loved not their lives unto death.”
I think that Jesus reaction at the tomb of Lazareth was God’s reaction at the tomb of his son’s. He was both sad, that the people had no faith and mad that Satan had killed him.
This left the religious leaders with an even greater problem - Jesus had raised a man from the dead! Instead of making them believers, it made them more determined to kill him and stop his miracles. Sin is so blinding.
Lord, may our eyes be open and may we see life from death!

Tues.’s Devo - God’s Protection

Read: 1 Samuel 24:1-25:44; John 10:22-42; Psalm 116:1-19; Proverbs 15:20-21
God arranged that David and Saul would be in the same cave. God wanted Saul’s men to see David’s loyalty since Saul had filled them with lies about him. Everyone had heard that Samuel had anointed David to be the next king. Saul, especially knew and was filled with jealousy. Saul was a fragmented man. Part of him knew what was right and loved David and the other part hated him so much it wanted him dead. That second part ruled his life most of the time.
But, today, face to face with David and the fact that David had spared his life, Saul was humbled for the moment.
Saul prophesied that David would be the next king and had him swear to have mercy on his family when that happened. David promised.
Saul went back home but David continued to hide out. He had seen over and over how fickle Saul could be.
Samuel died and all of Israel mourned his death.
David and his men stayed was near the home of a wealthy man named Nabal which means “foolish”. David’s men had been a wall of protection for his shephards in the fields. It was sheep-shearing time where all the town would hold a festival to celebrate their harvest. They would invite all who had anything to do with helping make the harvest a success. David’s men qualified and David knew it. He sent word asking if they could attend so his men could be fed. Nabal, foolishly refused to let them come and had some pretty ugly things to say about David and his men. When his wise wife, Abigail found out what he had said and who he had said it to, she quickly came to the rescue of her household. She knew David would come and kill them so she prepared a feast and took it to David. David was impressed and grateful. He repented of what he had intended to do to Nabal and his household. When Nabal found out, he had a stroke and died 10 days later. David sent messengers to Abigail to ask her if she would become his wife. She quickly left and became his wife. David also married Ahinoam while Saul gave Michal (who was David’s wife) to another man.
God doubly blessed David for his loss.
In John, once again they were questioning Jesus authority. This time it was because he claimed to be the son of God. Jesus quoted Psalm 82:6 which says, “I say, you are gods; you are all children of the Most High.” Jesus pointed out that the scripture calls men “gods” and “children of the Most High” so why were they getting so upset that he claimed to be Gods’ son. If they couldn’t believe what he said, at least believe what he did. Many did and many remembered what John the Baptist said about him. But, despite his evidence, the religious leaders tried to arrest him…again. And, again, he escaped and hid out by the Jordan.
Today’s reading proves that God protects those who trust in him. There will be blessings and rewards on earth but the greatest reward is waiting for us in heaven.
Lord, thank you that nothing escapes your notice. You are writing down everything victory and every hurt. It is not in vain. You are the rewarder of the righteous and no good thing will you withhold from those who walk uprightly. (Psalm 84;11)

Mon.’s Devo - God is Our Stronghold and Defense

Read: 1 Samuel 22:1-23:29; John 10:1-21; Psalm 115:1-18: Proverbs 15:18-19
After David escaped Saul, 400 other men joined him who were discontented with Saul’s leadership. David went to Mizpeh in Moab and asked the king if his father and mother could live there in safety. Mizpeh was a stronghold with a watchtower which means that it was like a military base. The king allowed them to stay there.
God sent the prophet, Gad to tell David to go back to the land of Judah. Saul found out that David was in Judah and accused is army of keeping this information from him. He reminded them of the reward he had promised them of land and position. Doeg which means “fearful” stepped forward and confessed that he had seen David in Nob with Ahimelech, the priest. He had seen the priest pray for David and give him food and Goliath’s sword. Saul immediately sent for Ahimelech and refused to believe his confession of innocence. Saul commanded his men to kill Ahimelech and his priests but his men refused. Doeg volunteered and killed 65 priests and then went and killed their families. That is a lot of blood on one man’s hands because of his fear of Saul!
One of the priests, Abiathar escaped and told David. David told him to stay with him and he would keep him safe.
David learned that the Philistines were attacking Keliah and stealing their harvest. He went and defeated the Philistines for them and stayed there until they heard that Saul was on his way to fight him and destroy the city of Keith because of him. David called for Abiathar who inquired of the Lord. God said that the men of Keliah would turn him over to Saul so they left Keliah and escaped to the mountains in Ziph.
Saul didn’t attack Keliah so David saved them twice even though they were going to betray him.
Jonathan found David and told him not to fear, because David would indeed be the next king over Israel and he, Jonathan would be his right hand man. Even Saul knew this to be true. Jonathan and David made another covenant of friendship, then Jonathan left and went home.
The Ziphites came to Saul and told Saul where David was. Saul and his men had surrounded David’s hide-out, but God saved him. Saul got a message that was needed at home where the Philistines were attacking. (I would bet that Jonathan sent that message to save David.)
In John, Jesus explained the spiritual realm as being like a sheepfold. Many can come into that realm but those who don’t come through the door of Christ are thieves and robbers and work for money. They won’t protect their sheep because they are only merchants peddling wares. Their sheep are their customers, not their family. Jesus is the true shepherd who will not only lead his sheep but will protect them and lay down his life for them.
Lord, you are our stronghold and our defense. We trust in you as our great and loving Shepherd.

Sun.’s Devo - Status with God

Read: 1 Samuel 20:1-21:15; John 9:1-41; Psalms 113:1-114:8; Proverbs 15:15-17
Jonathan couldn’t believe that his father had fallen so far that he would want to kill David. He and David made a pact of friendship and Jonathan told David that he prayed that God would be with him like He used to be with his father. He also asked David to treat him with the love of the Lord as long as he lived but if he died to treat his family with this love after God had destroyed all his enemies off the face of the earth. Jonathan was prophesying his future. Jonathan was in line to be the next king, but he somehow knew that he would never be the king.
Jonathan got to see just how much he hated David. He reunited with David warned him and they hugged in tears and departed to never see each other again after that day. Their friendship was a glimpse into the tender hearts to two warriors.
From that moment on, David’s life looked much like James Bond’s. He had to lie to the priest to get food and Goliath’s sword which he had laid down his life to earn. He also lied to the priest so the priest wouldn’t have to wrestle over whether to help him or not. He was trying to save him, but it cost him his life.
David ate the bread of the priest’s that would have killed anyone else, but since David was both priest and king, he lived.
He fled to Gath which was one of the five royal cities of the Philistines. It had been the city that Goliath was from. (That’s irony for you!) David had to act like a crazy man to save his life.
There were three miracles that had never been done before and the religious leaders claimed that only the Messiah would be able to do. They were:
1 - heal a Jewish leper (God had healed the Syrian leper, but it had to be a Jewish leper).
2 - Heal a deaf and dumb man.
3 - Heal a man born blind.
This man was born blind for this testimony to the Jews. That is why they went to such details to find out if he was really born blind or not. Their discovery only made them more blind. His own parents wouldn’t defend him for fear of being thrown out of the synagogue but the man who now could see was thrown out of the synagogue.
That was okay because he went back to Jesus and had his spiritual eyes opened also and received salvation which was better than being a social member of the synagogue.
Following Jesus will cost us popularity, status in the world and sometimes even status in the church, but it will gain us total status in heaven and with God and isn’t that where we want to be known?
Lord, thank you that you always honor those who truly follow You. Thank you for your protection and healing during such vulnerable times. May we live like David who knew that status with You was worth it all.

Sat.’s Devo - Heavenly Places

Read: 1 Samuel 18:5-19:24; John 8:31-59; Psalm 112:1-10; Proverbs 15:12-14
David walked in the favor of God and there was nothing Saul could do. Saul couldn’t kill David, make the people like him less or defeat him. Saul couldn’t even turn his own family against David. His own son, Jonathan defended him and loved him. His own daughter, Michal fell in love with David. Saul was in a boat without a paddle.
Saul stood for the devil and when we walk in God’s favor, there is nothing the devil can do against us. No weapon can be forged against us. No virus can come near us and we will not carry it.
When David had to flee for his life he went to Samuel, his spiritual father and they hid out in Naioth in Ramah which means “abodes” in “the heights”. That is hiding in “heavenly places”. We, who are in Christ are seated with Him in heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6).
Saul was tossed around between two opinions. One day he was tormented by an evil spirit from the Lord and the next day he is prophesying under the Spirit of the Lord. That had to be confusing.
In John, Jesus talked to those who are in his family and those who weren’t. Those in his family would always be free but those who weren’t would always be children of their father the devil. Jesus was the only way to the Father and they couldn’t buy that. They accused him of being from Satan.
Jesus was becoming more and more bold. He told them that before Abraham was even born, I AM! As they were picking up stones to stone him, Jesus slipped away to his heavenly place in God.
Lord, may we walk with you today in heavenly places.

Fri.’s Devo - Walking By Faith

Read: 1 Samuel 17:1-18:4; John 8:21-30; Psalm 111:1-10; Proverbs 15:11
How many times have we heard the story about David and Goliath and it is still one of the most exciting stories to read. The Philistines were camped on one hill while the Israelites were camped on the other. Everyday was the same; the giant, Goliath came and challenged Israel to send out a person to fight him. King Saul was the giant of Israel. (Remember he was head and shoulders taller than any one.) But, King Saul was afraid.
David entered the scene and summed it up really quickly. He learned that the one who defeated Goliath would receive tax exemption for his whole family, be given Saul’s daughter in marriage and be given a huge reward. David went to Saul and told him that he would fight him using his past victories of killing lions and bears with his club to convince Saul. Saul had no other volunteer and something had to be done. After trying to give him his own armor so he would get some kind of glory from this if he actually succeeded, Saul let David go out with with no covering except his faith in God.
David apparently approached Goliath with this same club he had used with the lion and the bear because Goliath said, “Am I a dog, that you come at me with a stick?” Ironically, he didn’t use that stick at all. He used his sling which tells me he didn’t have a plan beforehand, just a lot of faith. He used his words. He told Goliath exactly what was going to happen. He was going to kill him, cut off his head and then kill his men and God was going to win this victory for Israel.
That was exactly what happened.
He met Jonathan that day, who you would think would be jealous of him and see him as a threat, but instead, Jonathan loved him. He made a pact with him and gave him his robe, his tunic, sword, bow and belt. He handed him the right to become the next king.
When we act in faith for God, he gives us the same authority and power that he gave Jesus. He gives us the right to become a son of God.
In John, Jesus refrained from cursing the ones who condemned him because God didn’t condemn them. He told them they would understand when he was lifted up on the cross. Life comes from death.
Lord, may our words proclaim what you want us to create on earth. May we be filled with faith and our mouth pour forth your will.

Thurs.’s Devo - New Light is Coming

Read: 1 Samuel 15:1-16:23; John 8:1-20; Psalm 110:1-7; Proverbs 15:8-10
When Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt they came to Rephadim and there was no water. They cried out to the Lord and he gave them water from the rock that Moses was commanded to strike. The Amalekites came out to fight them…probably for their water. Israel fought all day and Moses had to have Aaron and Hur hold his hands up in order to win (Exodus 17). God had said that he would one day destroy the Amalekites from off the face of the earth and now he was asking Saul to do just that. He was to kill all their people and all their animals.
Instead, Saul killed all the people but took their king, Agag, as a prisoner and allowed his men to keep any of the animals and spoils they wanted. Samuel was not happy and neither was God. Saul, defensively said they kept the animals to sacrifice them. Samuel cut Agag to pieces himself. This cost Saul his kingdom which Saul was more interested in how he looked before his men than the fact that he had displeased God.
Samuel mourned Saul’s rebellion like a father would mourn over his own son, but God told him it was time to stop mourning Saul, and go and anoint his successor. David was chosen who was the least in his family. When Samuel anointed him, God’s spirit left Saul and a spirit from Satan came to torment him. Ironically, David was sent to ease his suffering with worship and music. David gained authority in the spiritual realm before he could rule in the natural.
In John, it was the day after the Feast of Tabernacle which is known as Simbat Torah, the celebrating of the ending of reading the law for the year and the first day of beginning to read it again. Jesus was bringing a new law and it was time to see the law with spiritual eyes. Yes, the law said to stone the woman caught in adultery, but it also said to stone the man also (Leviticus 20:10). Jesus was bringing in the law of grace and forgiveness. Adultery was still a sin, but God was to be the punisher.
Jesus wrote in the dust until all the people had left. The day before, they had rejected Jesus, the fountain of living waters. In Jeremiah 17:13 it says, “ O Lord, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living waters.” Now we know what Jesus wrote in the dust!
Jesus said he was also the light of the world which was the term used for Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles. They had these huge lights that lit up the whole city at night and everyone referred to Jerusalem as being the light of the world because everyone for miles around could see the light.
Jesus gave us his light so now we are his light in the world.
Lord, may our light shine so brightly that others may see it and come to you.

Wed.’s Devo - Faith Over Fact

Read: 1 Samuel 14:1-52; John 7:31-53; Psalm 109:1-31; Proverbs 15:5-7
Jonathan was an independent soul. He was also fearless and strong. He took his armor bearer and faced 20 Philistines alone. He also knew to ask God for help. He would have made a great king, but Saul was responsible for losing the kingship for his family.
Because of Jonathan’s courageous act, the whole Philistine army was thrown into confusion and fear. The Israelites were able to chase them and save Israel. Saul had foolishly put a curse on any soldier who ate anything and since Jonathan hadn’t been there to hear the curse, he ate some honey and was cursed. If the army hadn’t come to Jonathan’s rescue, Saul would have killed him.
Israel won a great victory over the Philistines that day, but fought them constantly throughout Saul’s whole lifetime.
Philistines stands for “self-pity and regret”. Those were the enemies that Saul and Israel constantly fought against.
In John, it was the Feast of Tabernacles and everyone was talking about whether Jesus was the Messiah or not. The Jewish leaders sent Temple guards to arrest Jesus, but he told them he would not be with them much longer. I find it a miracle that he just spoke and they couldn’t arrest him.
On the last day of the feast they were doing their Water Libation ceremony where a third of the priests would go down to the pool of Siloam with a pitcher and get water to bring up to the Temple and pour on the altar. The Pool of Siloam was known as the “living water” which was suppose to bring healing when it was stirred. Jesus spoke and said that He was the living water and if anyone believed on him, they would have this living water flowing out of their heart also.
One of their big stumbling blocks was the fact that they thought Jesus was born in Nazareth and they knew that the Messiah had to be born in Bethlehem. I wonder if after he died, Mary didn’t tell them the truth. It was a simple matter that Jesus could have cleared up, but he chose not to. He wanted them to believe him by faith, not by fact. When we don’t understand the facts, it is our faith that carries us.
Lord, thank you for faith. Thank you that you have opened our eyes to see the truth and given us a heart to believe.

Tues.’s Devo - We Need Discernment

Read: 1 Samuel 12:1-13:23; John 7:1-30; Psalm 108:1-13; Proverbs 15:4
Samuel had lived a guiltless life himself, even though his sons had not. The people could find no fault in Samuel either, but they had wanted a king, and a king was what they would get. Samuel made it clear to them that this was the king that they had chosen and asked for.
It had been God’s heart to give them a king but his king wasn’t born yet. His king would be David, a man after God’s own heart. They wanted it now so they got Saul, a man after man’s heart. Saul’s fear of man would be his downfall though he started out well.
It was the wheat harvest when it usually didn’t rain, but Samuel said that if God sent rain and thunder it would be a sign of how wicked their request had been. It rained and thundered scaring the people and causing them to repent. Samuel told them to let it remind them of their sin and be a warning not to go back to worshipping their worthless idols.
Saul was 30 at the time and reigned for 42 years. Saul led an attack against the Philistines but it wasn’t going so well and they were hiding out in caves waiting for Samuel to show up to offer the sacrifice. On the last day at the end of the day, Saul’s army was dwindling so he decided to offer the sacrifice himself. Samuel appeared and rebuked Saul for doing this and told him that his kingdom would be turned over to someone else who would be a man after God’s heart.
Saul’s army had diminished to 300 men and only Saul and Jonathan had weapons other than their own hands. They were going up against a multitude of Philistines. Cliff-hanger. We will find our tomorrow what happens.
In John, Jesus and the disciples were on their way to Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. Jesus’ disciples wanted Jesus to prove himself to the crowds with all his miracles, but Jesus knew better. He came after them to the feast and went straight to the Temple to teach. They questioned his authority and his miracles on the Sabbath. His response was, “Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly.”
I think this is the word for today. The world is crying out their views very loudly, but the truth is hidden beneath the surface. We must have discernment to see the truth.
Lord, give us discernment to live on this earth and see through your eyes and know your ways.

Mon.’s Devo - A New Man and Another Heart

Read: 1 Samuel 10:1-11:15; John 6:43-71; Psalm 107:1-43; Proverb 14:1-3
Samuel had taken Saul aside to talk to him alone. He had already told him that him and his family were the focus of all of Israel’s hopes. Then he took a flask of olive oil and poured it over Saul’s head and appointed him ruler over Israel.
He then gave him a snapshot of his day. He would meet two men besides Rachel’s tomb that would tell him his donkeys had been found and now his father is worried about him.
Next he would come to the oak of Tabor and see three men on their way to worship God at Bethel. They would be carrying three goats, three loaves of bread and three wineskins of wine. They will offer you two of the loaves of bread and he was suppose to receive them.
Next, he would come to Gibeah where the Philistines’ army was stationed. There he would meet a band of prophets coming down from the place of worship. They would be playing a harp, a tambourine, a flute, and a lyre and be prophesying. The Spirit of the Lord would come on him and he would prophecy with them. At that point, Saul would be turned into a new person. In seven days, he was to meet Samuel at Gilgal and receive further instructions.
As he turned to leave Samuel, God gave Saul another heart. It all happened just as Samuel had said. Samuel called a meeting in Mizpah and introduced Saul as the king.
Nahash, the king of the Ammonites had been oppressing the people east of the Jordan by gouging out the right eye of all the men. He had offered a treaty with the town of Jabesh-gilead. He would allow them to live, but all the men there would have their right eye gouged out. The men of the city cried out for help and Saul called on all of Israel to come and fight for them. He raised an army of 330,000 men and led an attack on the Ammonites. They saved them and everyone recognized Saul as their king. He then went to Gilgal to meet with Samuel where he had a ceremony and made Saul their king officially. All of this happened in a week!
In John, Jesus was teaching things they had never heard before and it was hard for them to grasp. Jesus wasn’t just teaching them, he was teaching everyone who would live for ages after that. He was the bread sent from heaven and he would return to heaven though none of them understood this. How could they? This was such a new concept. But, Jesus had chosen 12 disciples, knowing one of them was a devil, and eleven of them would stay even though they didn’t understand what he taught.
Following Jesus is all by faith. We keep believing because everything we do is by faith and sometimes it is easier to live by faith than by sight.
Lord, help us to live by both faith and sight. May our faith be of heaven and our walk here on earth reflect that. May we live as new creatures with another heart.

Sun.’s Devo - Scattering Seed

Read: 1 Samuel 8:1-9:27; John 6:22-42; Psalm 106:32-48; Proverbs 14:34-35
Samuel’s sons didn’t turn out much differently than Eli’s. They took bribes and perverted justice. The people realized that Samuel was getting old and they didn’t want his sons to be their judge. Israel was being oppressed by the Philistines and they needed a military judge; they wanted a king.
Samuel took their request to the Lord and he told them to give them what they wanted because they were not rejecting Samuel, they were rejecting God. God told Samuel to warn them just what a king would do.
A king would impose a draft for soldiers and officers, force others to be his farmers, manufacturers, cooks, perfumers and impose taxes to pay for this operation. He would also take the best of their fields, a tenth of their harvests, their slaves, and the best of their cattle. He would demand a tenth of their flocks and eventually they would all become his slaves.
All the people could see was that this king would judge them and lead them in battle. So God gave them their first king - Saul. His name means “people’s choice” and that is what he was. He was from a wealthy, influential family and he was handsome and tall so he looked like a king. His father’s name was Kish which means “a snare”, and that summed up Saul. He became a snare to Israel.
He met Samuel when he was looking for his father's lost donkeys. Samuel told him that his donkeys had been found, he was the hope of Israel, and that he was to stay and have lunch with him. Tomorrow we will hear what Samuel told him.
In John, Jesus had sent his disciples across the sea in their only boat. Now, the people find Jesus across the sea also. They asked him how he got across and he told them that they didn’t come for him because they understood what he had done by feeding them but because they wanted to be fed again.
It was almost time for Passover and Unleavened Bread so Jesus explained to them that he was the bread sent down from heaven that they celebrated every year. He had multiplied himself to show them that he was enough for all of them. He was the hope of Israel. Of course, they didn’t get it but he told them so that after he was gone, they could remember. Jesus was scattering seed. It didn’t look like it was taking root but some of it would so he just kept scattering it.
Lord, help us to remember this when we feel like no one is listening to the truth. It is our job to tell the truth, it is the job of the Holy Spirit to change the heart.

Sat.’s Devo - The Return of the Presence

Read: 1 Samuel 5:1-7:17; John 6:1-21; Psalm 106:13-31; Proverbs 14:32-33
The Philistines had captured the Ark, but what was a blessing to Israel was a curse to them since they didn’t serve the God it represented. Their god, Dagon bowed three times to the Ark that contained the presence of God. The third time it lost its head and its hand which stands for its authority and power.
A plague came on all five towns that housed the ark until it became obvious that the ark needed to go home. They put it on a cart with five golden tumors and five golden rats and let the cows pulling it go wherever they wanted. They abandoned their new born calves and walked straight to Beth-shemesh (“house of the sun”) which was the first Israelite town.
It came to Joshua’s land and stopped beside a rock. Joshua means “savior” and the rock represents Jesus also. The people tore the cart apart and made fire with it for a sacrifice. Sadly, 70 men from Beth-shemesh died because they looked into the ark. They, like the Philistines wanted it out of their town so they called out to the people of Kiriath-jearim to come and get it. They did, and left the ark at the home of Abinadab who ordained Eleazar to be in charge of it. Abinadab means “father of the willing giver” who stands for God. His son, Eleazar (which means “god of help”) stands for the Holy Spirit. It stayed there for 20 years and the people didn’t hear from God during that time. That reminds me of the 200 years from the Old to the New Testament where God wasn’t speaking also. God stops talking when the people stop have stopped obeying.
Samuel had the people repent and turn back to the Lord and when they did, it made the enemy in hell mad. He stirred up the Philistines to come and fight them. The people had Samuel intercede for them as they fought. God showed up and fought from heaven with frightening thunder which confused the Philistines and gave Israel the victory. The Philistines didn’t attack them again as long as Samuel was alive.
In John, Jesus fed the 5,000 with a boy’s lunch. When his mom packed his lunch that morning, she had no idea that she was really preparing lunch for a multitude. I wonder if he was embarrassed to be the only one there whose mom had made his lunch. Whatever his story was, I am sure that he was glad his mom packed his lunch for him and he went home with the greatest story. I wonder how that one day affected the rest of his life. I wonder if he went home with one of the baskets of left-overs or all twelve of them!
That was a day the disciples saw the abundant provision of the Lord. They got into their boat and were immediately faced with a storm. But, Jesus met them and once in their boat, they immediately arrived at their destination.
In both of our readings we see how the devil comes as soon as there is a victory. He wants to steal the “thunder” and rob us of our victory, but Jesus is always there with us.
Lord, remind us of this principle when we feel attacked for no reason and can’t figure out what is happening. You are the good God and the devil is the bad one.

Fri.’s Devo - Prophecy Fulfilled

Read: 1 Samuel 2:22-4:22; John 5:24-47; Psalm 106:1-12; Proverbs 106:1-12
God warned Eli himself, through an unnamed prophet and through a child, Samuel, but it didn’t change his actions. He talked to his sons about their sins but refused to discipline them or remove them from their office. Eli was told by the prophet that his family would no longer serve as priests and that the few that did serve would go blind and have their hearts broken and both of his sons would die a violent death on the same day. His offspring would be poor and die young.
Samuel added that the sins of Eli and his sons would never be forgiven by sacrifices.
True to the prophecy, Eli died blind. His heart was broken when he heard that the ark had been captured and was told that both of his sons had died in battle.
The Philistines attacked Israel, took the ark and killed 30,000 Israelite soldiers in a day.
Eli’s daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas went into labor and died bringing her son into the world. She named him Ichabod to mourn the capturing of the ark and the death of her husband. Poor boy! I hope someone renamed him.
In John, the Pharisees were accused of the same thing Eli was accused of. They had the truth right in front of them but they refused to see it. They were responsible for handling the Torah and teaching it to the people but they didn’t understand it in their hearts, so they totally missed the living Word standing in front of them.
They claimed to believe in Moses, but if they had truly believed in what Moses said, they would have recognized who He was. They didn’t so it revealed their true hearts.
Those who believe in Him would never face the wrath of God or condemnation for their sins. They will be raise to eternal life but those who do not believe in him will be raised to the judgment seat of Christ. All will be raised, but not all will stay. Some will be rewarded and others condemned.
Lord, thank you that your judgments are just and fair. Thank you for eternal life in your son. Thank you that you do bring us hope in the midst of despair.

Thurs.’s Devo - Hope in the Midst of Despair

Read: 1 Samuel 1:1-2:21; John 5:1-23; Psalm 105:37-45; Proverbs 14:28-29
It is amazing how many women who were barren went on to have extraordinary men of God. Hannah was one of these women. She finally reached her breaking point and made a vow to God that if he would give her a son, she would give him back to Him and never cut his hair.
God heard her cry though Eli thought she was drunk. Their conversation would be marked on his memory so that when Hannah returned, Eli would know who she was. Little did Eli know when he granted her her miracle that he would be the recipient of this miracle.
Eli had two undisciplined sons: Hopni and Phineas who cheated God and the people out of their meat sacrificed to God.
Hannah had a son named Samuel and when he was about four years old, she presented him to Eli so he would grow up in the service of the Lord.
Instead of being sad, Hannah prophesied to all Israel of a transfer of honor and wealth. She proclaimed the power of God to protect and fight for his people. Mary would quote some of Hannah’s prayer when she found out she was to bear the Messiah.
Hannah returned home to be blessed with three sons and two daughters while Samuel grew up in the presence of the Lord and became a great comfort and blessing to Eli and all of Israel.
In John, Jesus healed the man at the pool of Siloam. Crowds of people that were blind, lame or paralyzed lay there waiting for the waters to ripple. There had been a legend about an angel that would heal when the waters stirred. Jesus was the one who could heal them and he chose this man to heal who had been sick for 38 years.
The Pharisees found out and came for Jesus because he had changed a man’s whole life on the Sabbath! Such irony! They questioned Jesus’ authority and he told them that his authority came from God and he had also given him the authority to judge. Anyone who honored him would be honoring God and anyone who didn’t honor him would not be honoring God. I bet that went over well.
Thank you, Lord, that in the midst of so much sickness and wrong, you are the judge and you are still healing and reigning over us.

Wed.’s Devo - Our Kinsman Redeemer

Read: Ruth 2:1-4:22; John 4:43-54; Psalm 105:16-36;Proverbs 14:26-27
Ruth is read by the Jewish people every year at Pentecost which is the 28th of this month. It is more for the Gentiles than the Jews because it shows how Jesus, our Kinsman Redeemer chose to marry Ruth, the Gentile. Their marriage would bring in the Messiah three generations later.
Pentecost is all about multiplication and salvation. Both Ruth and Boaz were childless and started with nothing but in the end they had a son named Obed which means a “servant”. Boaz’s mother had been a Gentile named Rahab who saved the spies who came into the promised land years before this. Boaz and Ruth both had Gentile blood which means that Jesus had both Jewish and Gentile blood making him the perfect redeemer for all mankind.
In John, Jesus had just left Jerusalem after celebrating the Passover, making it the same season that we just read about in Ruth. Jesus came to Cana where he had turned the water to wine and met a government official who begged him to heal his son who was dying. Jesus asked the crowd if they would ever believe him unless they saw miraculous signs. All the man could think about was his son. Jesus healed his son and his whole house did believe.
Lord, may we believe you even when we don’t see the signs. May our faith be built on trust more than proof.

Tues.’s Devo - “In Their Own Eyes”

Read: Judges 21:1-Ruth 1:22; John 4:4-42; Psalm 105:1-15; Proverbs 14:25
I can relate to the way Israel reacted before thinking out the consequences. I have done that many a time. If they had asked God, I bet he would have had a better way to do all of this, but that was not their choice. They killed all of Benjamin’s women leaving hundreds of men without wives and no way for Benjamin to procreate since they had sworn they would not give their wives to them.
They got creative and found out that the people of Jabesh-gilead had not come to fight, so they had not made the vow. They attacked them because they hadn’t come to help. They killed all the men and every woman that was a not a virgin and brought the 400 virgins to the men at Benjamin. I bet that made for some happy marriages!
They needed more women, so they remembered that the people of Shiloh held a festival where all the virgins would perform in dance. So, like Kentucky hill-billy’s they told the wifeless men of Benjamin to go and grabbed a woman right off the dance floor and run. They figured they could bargain for them when their daddies protested.
This says it all: “In those days Israel had no king and all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.”
Next we have the great story of Ruth, the daughter-in-law to Naomi who was married to Elimelech. When famine came to Bethlehem (because everyone was ‘doing what was right in their own eyes’) they went to Egypt to survive. Their two sons met Moabite women and got married. One of the wives was Ruth. All the men died leaving Naomi, Ruth and Orpah. Naomi heard that the famine had lifted and that there was bread in Bethlehem and wanted to go home. Both Ruth and Orpah begged to go with her. Ruth had nothing to offer them and convinced Orphah to stay, but Ruth was determined to go and become a Jew.
They came to Bethlehem at the time of Pentecost.
In John, Jesus met the woman at the well. The two people that Jesus had the longest conversations with, that were recorded, were this woman and Nicodemus. She was a Samaritan and he was a Pharisee. Jesus came to save both the Jew and the Gentile. Both of his conversations with these two were about being born again. What is so interesting about his encounter with the woman was that it wasn’t a miracle that got her attention and the attention of the town, it was what he said. They were so hungry for the Messiah to come that they came out to hear him, not just see a miracle show. They had faith and it brought them salvation.
Lord, help us to grow in our faith and may we speak your words that will change people’s lives for eternity. Help us not to live according to what we think is right in our eyes, but what you think is right in Your eyes.

Mon.’s Devo - We Need a Savior

Read: Judges 19:1-20:48; John 3:22-4:3; Psalm 104:24-35; Provers 14:22-24
This is my least favorite story in the Bible to read. Everything in me cries out “UNJUST”! This is what happens in a nation that has no leader and no standard. Their leader was suppose to be God and the Levites, and their standard was suppose to be the law, but they had long abandoned both. This guy is actually a Levite that should have been the spiritual leader and known the law.
Yesterday we read about a lone Levite and today we read about another one. I don’t know what they were teaching in their Levitical school but these two left on their own. This Levite had no backbone to stand up against his “father-in-law”. He didn’t even call his daughter his wife. He called her his concubine which is a woman used to make sons. He finally pulled himself away from partying with her father and left at the end of the day. He made it as far as Gibeah where an older man offered him and his concubine a place to stay. When threatened, he threw his concubine out for them to rape all night long. When he found her dead, he defiled her body even further by cutting it into pieces and sending it to the other tribes as a summons to fight for her. (That one will leave you scratching your head.) All I can say is that I hope he died in the battle also.
I need to calm down after reading this one every year. Women were just property. This event led to a huge battle where the tribe of Benjamin was almost snuffed out. Twenty-five thousand of them were killed.
In John, we get to retreat to the river and get baptized and cleansed from reading the first story. John’s disciples were upset that Jesus was now baptizing more people than John but John explained to them that it was never about being popular. His mandate was to introduce the Messiah to the world. Now it was time for him to take the stage and for John to stand aside in total support. (John was a Levite who was trained right!)
Lord, there is always injustice in the world. Help us to know how to pray and how to deal with what we see. Forgive our nation and cleanse our land and start with your church. Start with us.

Sun.’s Devo - In Their Own Eyes

Read: Judges 17:1-18:31; John 3:1-21; Psalm 104:1-23; Proverbs 14:20-21
As a mother, I can’t help but see the error of Micah’s mother. She had put a curse on whoever stole her 1,100 pieces of silver. Her son stole money from her and lied to her. When he confessed his error and gave it back, instead of punishing him or taking away the curse, she honored him, making one of his son’s her personal priest. She made an idol of some of the silver.
They had no king which also meant they had no one to enforce a standard, so they did whatever they thought was right.
This idol became Dan’s downfall which is probably why the tribe of Dan is left out in the book of Revelation when they are listing the tribes. Dan was the first tribe to fall into idolatry in the promised land and build their own idol.
When a young Levite passed through, Micah asked him to stay and be their priest, just because he was a Levite. I want to know why he had left Bethlehem and why he was traveling alone.
When the scouts from the tribe of Dan discovered him and all his priestly things, they asked him if their journey would be successful. He didn’t offer a sacrifice or even stop to ask God, he just answered “Go in peace, for the Lord is watching over your journey.” It sounded more like the reading of a fortune cookie.
They didn’t go in peace. They took 600 men and returned, robbing Micah of his priest and his idol, so his mothers curse found him. The men of Dan went down to the town of Laish and killed everyone, burning the town to the ground.
Interestingly, they didn’t appoint Micah’s priest to be their priest but instead appointed Jonathan, a Gershomite, as their priest and worshipped Micah’s idol.
Both of our scriptures in the Old and New Testament begin with, “There was a man named…” But, the lives of Micah and Nicodemus ended much differently. Nicodemus was a leader of the Pharisees who realized Jesus was a Rabbi and anointed by God. Jesus explained to Nicodemus that it wasn’t enough to know the law, but you must be born again in your spirit.
Jesus saw the hunger in Nicodemus and spent time teaching him about the kingdom of God. Jesus is the good Shepherd who knows whose are his and he knew that Nicodemus was his even if Nicodemus didn’t know at the time.
Lord, thank you for the patience you have for your children. You lead us in our ways of righteousness for your name sake. Thank you that you are our perfect High Priest. Help us to see things through Your eyes.

Sat.’s Devo - Strength in Weakness

Read: Judges 15:1-16:31; John 2;1-25; Psalm 103:1-22; Proverbs 14:17-19
Remember the woman who gave away Samson’s answer to his riddle to save her family from being burned by the Philistines? Today that same woman along with her whole family was burned alive.
Samson came back for her only to find that her father had given her to his best man. So Samson took 300 foxes and tied their tails together in pairs and sent them through their wheat fields. Their vineyards and olive groves were also destroyed. They sent 3,000 men to get Samson. He killed 1,000 of them with the jawbone of a donkey.
This is all happening during the season of Pentecost so we see the multiples of 3 since the Holy Spirit is the third of the Trinity and he does things in multiples. On the day he introduced himself to the world, in Acts, he saved 3,000. The Holy Spirit brings his fire and burns up all the chaff in our lives and gives us a new start.
What was a defeat for the enemy, became a fountain of living water for Samson.
Then Samson fell for Delilah which means “bringing low” and she was the one to bring him down. She wore him down trying to find the secret to his strength. She betrayed Samson and they cut his hair and apprehended him, gouging out his eyes so he would never be able to see another woman. They put him in prison but never understood the covenant of God on Samson’s life. His strength was given in his hair and in prison, they allowed his hair to grow.
At a festival to Dagon, God showed up in Samson and brought the whole house down killing 3,000 of them. (It must have been Pentecost!)
Samson was a picture of what God can do with a person empowered by the Holy Spirit. God used Samson’s weakness to show his great power. God uses our weaknesses to be strong.
In John, Jesus did his first miracle in Cana. Mary forced Jesus to enter into his destiny. I wonder if Jesus had thought about the day he would come out and start his ministry. I bet he didn’t plan on doing it at a wedding making drunk men drunker but that was exactly how God wanted him to announce himself. I can only imagine that he was already doing miracles at home and Mary knew he could turn the water to wine. Maybe he had done that for her before. But, mothers always know best (lol) and he obeyed.
Doing this one thing empowered Jesus to go to the temple and, like Samson, he showed his strength in the Lord. He whipped the merchants and chased them out of the temple, overthrowing their tables. The Jewish leaders wanted Jesus to give them a sign that he had authority to do this and Jesus said, “destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” That left them scratching their heads in wonder.
Lord, it is wonderful to see how you use normal people to show yourself strong. Use us today to raise up your Kingdom on earth.

Fri.’s Devo - God’s Power

Read: Judges 13:1-14:20; John 1:29-51; Psalm 102:1-28; Proverbs 14:15-16
The story of Samson is a riddle in itself. God raised up Samson to deliver Israel from the Philistines and he used Samson’s weakness with women to be strong for Israel. Samson chose a woman from the Philistines to marry then, according to tradition, he proposed a riddle with a consequence. The woman was threatened with the life of her family if she didn’t find out the answer to his riddle. You can’t blame her for tricking Samson, but it wouldn’t go well for her or her family in the end. We will read about that tomorrow. Today, Samson found out how the spirit of God worked in his life with the lion and experienced it again with the thirty men in Ashkelon. Samson was discovering his super-power.
David and Samson both discovered their strength when they came face to face with a lion. We will too.
This is how we learn our spiritual gifts; we are put in situations where we need them to operate and they do. Everyone wants a miracle, but none of us want to need a miracle, but that is how we are stretched and realize the power that God has put in us. We are stronger than we think because God is strong in us.
In John, we find John talking to two of his closest disciples. One of them is Andrew. John pointed out Jesus telling them that he was the Messiah and how God had told him to baptize people with water. One day, he would see the Holy Spirit come down like a dove and remain on a man and that man would be the Messiah. Jesus was that man. When Andrew heard that he immediately left John and went to follow Jesus. Then he went and got his brother Peter. Jesus picked up Philip to follow him and Philip went and got his friend Nathanael. Nathanael was skeptical because he was told that Jesus was from Nazareth. Talk about prejudice! Jesus gave him a word of knowledge that he had seen him under the fig tree. I can imagine that Nathanael had prayed a specific prayer under that fig tree and Jesus was the answer. It changed Nathanael’s whole perspective.
Jesus, You are the answer to everything. It is so comforting to know that You prayed, “let your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.” We know that your prayer will be answered.