Wed.’s Devo - God’s Hidden Blessings

Read: 1 Samuel 29:1-31:13; John 11:55-12:19; Psalm 118:1-18; Proverbs 15:24-26 The Philistine armies met at the fortress at Aphek to fight Israel who were camped at Jezreel. The other Philistine commanders saw David and his army and asked why they were there. King Ashish told them how loyal David had been to them and how he could find no fault in him. The commanders didn’t care what King Achish said, they refused to let David and his men fight with them. What if David decided to change sides in the middle of the battle and fight against them? They would be in a heap of trouble. *** They sent David home which was a huge blessing because then David wouldn’t be charged with killing Saul and his sons. It was also a blessing because when they got home they found their houses raided and their wives and children taken. *** God led them to an Egyptians slave who was able to tell them who had attacked Ziklag and where they were. They were able to overtake the Amalekites and recover all and more. They had so much plunder they were able to share with the exhausted men who had stayed with the supplies, and had enough to bless towns they had visited throughout their travels. *** Meanwhile, back at the battle between Israel and the Philistines Saul and his sons were killed, just like Samuel had predicted. The Philistines came in and took their towns. They took Saul and his sons bodies and fastened them on the wall in Bethshan. The Israelites in Jabesh-gilead traveled all night and took their bones and buried them at Jabesh and fasted for 7 days. *** Jabesh means “dry” and Gilead means “a heap of witness, an everlasting witness”. Could this be the place where Ezekiel was brought in the Spirit to prophecy over - the valley of dry bones of those who had fallen spiritually and fatally. Ezekiel was asked if these bones could live again. It was like asking if the vilest sinner could be saved. Only God knows. But, he raised them, breathed his life into them and they did rise to live. They became an army. We must never lose hope in praying for the lost. *** In John, it was the time of Passover and any one who saw Jesus was to report to the religious leaders so they could arrest him. Six days before the Passover, Jesus was at Lazarus’s house at a dinner in his honor. Mary anointed his feet with perfume for his burial. We find out that Judas is a thief who stole money from Jesus. *** The next day, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey while the crowd paved the way with palm branches and praises. He was fulfilling Zechariah 9:9. The Pharisees saw that this was not a good time to arrest him since he was so popular and was surrounded with people. *** Lord, thank you that while we might see hopelessness, you see rebirth. May we have faith to believe that you can rebuild ruined places, you can raise dead people to life, and bring freedom and hope to nations.