Read: 1 Samuel 29:1-31:13; John 11:54-12:19; Psalm 118:1-18; Proverbs 15:24-26
God has a way of saving us when we don’t even know we need saving. David was about to enter into a battle on the side of the Philistines against Israel. That could have sabotaged David’s kingship. Since Saul was destined to die in the battle, David would have been held responsible. God knew what he was doing in keeping David from being a part of that battle.
David and his men were offended that they were not trusted to fight but they were able to go home and rescue their own families from the Amelekites. This is such a picture of disappointment turned into a victory. God sees our lives from heaven’s viewpoint. He sees the past and the future so his ways are so much better than ours. We live in the moment but God lives in eternity.
David ended up saving his reputation with his own people, recovering his family and the families of his men and gaining so much spoil from the Amelekites that he was able to share it with 13 cities in Judah. That is a lot of spoil! God was increasing David’s favor with his people.
In the meantime, Saul and his sons were killed on the battlefield just as Samuel had prophesied. David’s long awaited time had come.
So had Jesus’ time come. In John he was six days away from Passover, the day he would give his life for the world. He was keeping a low profile because he knew the Jews were looking for him. He stopped in Bethany to visit with Lazareth and Mary and Martha one last time. Mary anointed him for his burial and used very expensive perfume. Judas objected because he saw it’s worth and wanted the money himself. Judas, like Satan, was a thief and a liar. He would betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver.
I find it funny that the Jews wanted to try to kill Lazareth again. They were so jealous of the people following Jesus and now even more because he had raised Lazareth from the dead. Everything Jesus did was fulfillment of prophecy. He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey which was prophesied in Zechariah 9:9.
The people shouted the words of Psalm 118:26 which was the hallel or the hallelujah verses sung at that festival. The Pharisees were quickly losing control of the people and didn’t know what to do.
Lord, you are in total control of this world and our lives. Help us to blindly trust your goodness and your plan because it is the perfect plan.
Tuesday, May 21, 2019
Monday, May 20, 2019
Mon.’s Devo - Resurrection!
Read: 1 Samuel 26:1-28:25; John 11:1-53; Psalm 117:1-2; Proverbs 15:22-23
Once again Saul was bent on killing David. Jealousy doesn’t just die if left unattended: it grows. This time David knew where Saul was and went with his volunteer, Abishai to Saul’s camp. Everyone in Saul’s camp had been put into a deep sleep from the Lord so David was able to go right up to where Saul was sleeping and steal his sword and his water jug. David waited till he got far enough away for his own safety then called out to Saul’s bodyguard, Abner. He accused him of not doing his job. Saul awoke and recognized David’s voice and once again realized that he could not fight God. Again God had delivered his life into David’s hand and David had chosen not to kill him. His reputation would be shot if he killed David now. That would be so dishonorable. So they parted and David knew for certain that the only place he would be safe was out of Israel. David deflected to the Philistines.
There he had favor with Maoch, king of Gath who gave David the city of Ziklag to settle his men and their families. David and his men would go out and kill Israel’s enemies which were a part of Maoch’s kingdom. He would tell Maoch that he had raided the land of Judah. He would cover his tracks by killing everyone in the places he raided so no one could tell on him. The king believed David’s story and felt he was totally loyal to him and had abandoned his own people. Nothing could be further from the truth.
When it came time to fight Israel, Maoch wanted David to be his body guard because he so trusted David’s loyalty. In the meantime, Saul was not so certain about this battle. He had consulted all his means of hearing from God and God wasn’t answering him. He resorted to finding a medium to bring Samuel up from his grave so he could ask him. When Samuel came up, he was angry with Saul and told him that Israel would not win and he and his sons would die in the battle. His kingdom would be handed over to the Philistines.
In John, another man is brought up from his grave. It was Lazarus, who was the brother of Mary and Martha and a close friend of Jesus’. Jesus waited four days till Lazareth was good and dead before he returned. Jesus wanted to prove to them that he was the resurrection and the life so he resurrected Lazareth to give them evidence.
Some of the blind on-lookers went and told the Pharisees that Jesus had raised Lazareth from he dead as if he had done something terribly wrong. They had a meeting and were afraid that everyone would believe in Jesus and the Romans would come and take their place and their nation. Caiphas, the high priest said, “you know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” He meant that they needed to kill Jesus then their problem would be solved, but God meant that killing Jesus would bring salvation to all. They didn’t realize that they were falling right into God’s plan for the nation.
Lord, help us to realize that what we do matters to not only us, but for generations to come. We are planting good seed or bad seed and it is our choice. Help us to plant good seed. Thank you that you are the resurrection and the life!
Once again Saul was bent on killing David. Jealousy doesn’t just die if left unattended: it grows. This time David knew where Saul was and went with his volunteer, Abishai to Saul’s camp. Everyone in Saul’s camp had been put into a deep sleep from the Lord so David was able to go right up to where Saul was sleeping and steal his sword and his water jug. David waited till he got far enough away for his own safety then called out to Saul’s bodyguard, Abner. He accused him of not doing his job. Saul awoke and recognized David’s voice and once again realized that he could not fight God. Again God had delivered his life into David’s hand and David had chosen not to kill him. His reputation would be shot if he killed David now. That would be so dishonorable. So they parted and David knew for certain that the only place he would be safe was out of Israel. David deflected to the Philistines.
There he had favor with Maoch, king of Gath who gave David the city of Ziklag to settle his men and their families. David and his men would go out and kill Israel’s enemies which were a part of Maoch’s kingdom. He would tell Maoch that he had raided the land of Judah. He would cover his tracks by killing everyone in the places he raided so no one could tell on him. The king believed David’s story and felt he was totally loyal to him and had abandoned his own people. Nothing could be further from the truth.
When it came time to fight Israel, Maoch wanted David to be his body guard because he so trusted David’s loyalty. In the meantime, Saul was not so certain about this battle. He had consulted all his means of hearing from God and God wasn’t answering him. He resorted to finding a medium to bring Samuel up from his grave so he could ask him. When Samuel came up, he was angry with Saul and told him that Israel would not win and he and his sons would die in the battle. His kingdom would be handed over to the Philistines.
In John, another man is brought up from his grave. It was Lazarus, who was the brother of Mary and Martha and a close friend of Jesus’. Jesus waited four days till Lazareth was good and dead before he returned. Jesus wanted to prove to them that he was the resurrection and the life so he resurrected Lazareth to give them evidence.
Some of the blind on-lookers went and told the Pharisees that Jesus had raised Lazareth from he dead as if he had done something terribly wrong. They had a meeting and were afraid that everyone would believe in Jesus and the Romans would come and take their place and their nation. Caiphas, the high priest said, “you know nothing at all! You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” He meant that they needed to kill Jesus then their problem would be solved, but God meant that killing Jesus would bring salvation to all. They didn’t realize that they were falling right into God’s plan for the nation.
Lord, help us to realize that what we do matters to not only us, but for generations to come. We are planting good seed or bad seed and it is our choice. Help us to plant good seed. Thank you that you are the resurrection and the life!
Sunday, May 19, 2019
Sun.’s Devo - Humility is the Road to Promotion
Read: 1 Samuel 24:1-25:44; John 10:22-42; Psalm 116:1-19; Proverbs 15:20-21
God set it up where David and Saul were in the same cave together. David and his men were deep in the cave when they heard voices and upon investigation found them to be Saul and his men. David’s men saw this as a divine set-up to kill Saul. Saul and his men had gone to sleep and it was the perfect time to kill them and be free of running. They could return to Israel and David could be the king.
Although this sounded good in theory, David knew in his heart that this looked more like a test, than an opportunity to usurp Saul’s kingdom. He aced the test. Instead of killing Saul, he gave Saul an opportunity to repent. He humbled himself before Saul and put his life in Saul’s hands. All of Saul’s men got to see David’s integrity because one day they would be under David’s command. It was a perfect way for David to prove that his heart was pure.
Saul had no recourse but to repent. He realized that David could have easily killed him but chose not to. Saul returned home and David stayed in the stronghold. In the meantime, Samuel died and all Israel mourned for him.
David’s men lived in the desert and were respectful of the one’s living there. There was a wealthy man, Nabal whose shepherds watched their sheep in the same area David’s men were staying. David’s men were a wall of protection for them and no robbers took their sheep. When it was time for shearing the sheep, the town would celebrate and everyone who worked with the sheep would be invited to the celebration. There would be plenty of food for all. David’s men were hungry and had every right to be invited to the party. David sent word to Nabal to ask if his men could come and Nabal, who was wicked and a bully, said, “no”.
David’s men were about to come and crash the party and kill Nabal and his men but Abigail, Nabal’s wife heard about the whole thing. She took matters into her own hand and brought the party to David. She packed up enough food to feed his whole army and went and met David herself. She apologized for her husband’s rudeness and begged the life of her town.
David accepted her food and her apology. Abigail returned to her drunk husband and waited till he was sober to tell him what she had done. When she told him, he had a stroke and died 10 days later. When David found out, he sent for her and became her husband. Abigail’s name means “father of joy”. David also married Ahinoam which means “brother of pleasantness”. The king was gathering a fruitful family.
It is hard for us to understand the culture of the Bible but the king always has many wives. Jesus as our king has many wives also. It was a sign of his compassion and care that he took Abigail, a woman who had been married to such a foolish boor, to be his wife.
In John, it was the celebration of Hanukkah. Hanukkah celebrated the time when the temple was rebuilt and there was only enough sacred oil to keep the menorah lit for a day. It took a week to make the oil but miraculously, the menorah stayed lit for the seven days until they could make new oil. I believe that Jesus was conceived on Passover and born on Hanukkah becoming the manifested light of the earth.
The Jews were still arguing with Jesus about his identity. They were about to stone him when he asked which of his miracles were they stoning him for. His acts proved who he was but they would never understand because they weren’t his sheep.
Lord, help us to understand that our identity is found in you only. We are all a part of this great family called the Body of Christ. May we learn to live together in unity.
God set it up where David and Saul were in the same cave together. David and his men were deep in the cave when they heard voices and upon investigation found them to be Saul and his men. David’s men saw this as a divine set-up to kill Saul. Saul and his men had gone to sleep and it was the perfect time to kill them and be free of running. They could return to Israel and David could be the king.
Although this sounded good in theory, David knew in his heart that this looked more like a test, than an opportunity to usurp Saul’s kingdom. He aced the test. Instead of killing Saul, he gave Saul an opportunity to repent. He humbled himself before Saul and put his life in Saul’s hands. All of Saul’s men got to see David’s integrity because one day they would be under David’s command. It was a perfect way for David to prove that his heart was pure.
Saul had no recourse but to repent. He realized that David could have easily killed him but chose not to. Saul returned home and David stayed in the stronghold. In the meantime, Samuel died and all Israel mourned for him.
David’s men lived in the desert and were respectful of the one’s living there. There was a wealthy man, Nabal whose shepherds watched their sheep in the same area David’s men were staying. David’s men were a wall of protection for them and no robbers took their sheep. When it was time for shearing the sheep, the town would celebrate and everyone who worked with the sheep would be invited to the celebration. There would be plenty of food for all. David’s men were hungry and had every right to be invited to the party. David sent word to Nabal to ask if his men could come and Nabal, who was wicked and a bully, said, “no”.
David’s men were about to come and crash the party and kill Nabal and his men but Abigail, Nabal’s wife heard about the whole thing. She took matters into her own hand and brought the party to David. She packed up enough food to feed his whole army and went and met David herself. She apologized for her husband’s rudeness and begged the life of her town.
David accepted her food and her apology. Abigail returned to her drunk husband and waited till he was sober to tell him what she had done. When she told him, he had a stroke and died 10 days later. When David found out, he sent for her and became her husband. Abigail’s name means “father of joy”. David also married Ahinoam which means “brother of pleasantness”. The king was gathering a fruitful family.
It is hard for us to understand the culture of the Bible but the king always has many wives. Jesus as our king has many wives also. It was a sign of his compassion and care that he took Abigail, a woman who had been married to such a foolish boor, to be his wife.
In John, it was the celebration of Hanukkah. Hanukkah celebrated the time when the temple was rebuilt and there was only enough sacred oil to keep the menorah lit for a day. It took a week to make the oil but miraculously, the menorah stayed lit for the seven days until they could make new oil. I believe that Jesus was conceived on Passover and born on Hanukkah becoming the manifested light of the earth.
The Jews were still arguing with Jesus about his identity. They were about to stone him when he asked which of his miracles were they stoning him for. His acts proved who he was but they would never understand because they weren’t his sheep.
Lord, help us to understand that our identity is found in you only. We are all a part of this great family called the Body of Christ. May we learn to live together in unity.
Saturday, May 18, 2019
Sat.’s Devo - God’s Protection
Read: 1 Samuel 22:1-23:29; John 10:1-21; Psalm 115:1-18; Proverbs 115:1-18
David begins his life of running from Saul. He left Gath which means “a winepress” and went to the cave at Adullam which means “a testimony to them”. The cave at Adullam would be a place David and his men hid in often. It was here that David formed his army against Saul. Four hundred men that were unsatisfied with the consequences of having a king came and joined David.
God sent his word to lead David and keep him alive. A prophet from Gad told David not to stay there but to go to the land of Judah. David obeyed and went to the forest of Hereth in Judah.
Saul met with his officers to discuss David. Doeg remembered that he had seen David talking to the priest at Nob. He told Saul that Ahimelech had fed David and given him Goliath’s sword. Saul sent for Ahimelech and all his family. He sentenced them to die for treason even though Ahimelech pled he was innocent. No one would kill the priests so Doeg did it himself. He killed 85 priests and only one, Abiathar escaped to tell David. This was a fulfillment of Eli’s descendants that none of them would live to be old (1 Samuel 2:31-33). God was keeping his promise.
Abiathar had brought with him the ephod that has the Ummin and the Thummin to ask God questions. David used these to know what to do during this time of his life. He asked God if he should go to Keilah and help the town who was being attacked by the Philistines. God said, yes, so he went and fought for them. When Saul found out where he was, David asked God if the people of Keilah would turn him over to Saul and God said, yes. David’s men left before Saul arrived.
David’s men grew from 400 to 600. They wandered through the wilderness running from Saul and fighting for Israel when they could. God protected David and his men. When Saul’s army would find out where David was, God would shield David with a mountain, a word, or a diversion.
If we could see our lives from heaven’s perspective we would see this same pattern in our own lives. God protects us from the enemy all our lives and we never know it. One day, we will get to see a movie of our lives and all the times the Lord delivered us when we had no idea we were in danger.
In John, Jesus explains the kingdom of God like being a sheep-pen. Those who enter by the door, Jesus, are his true disciples. The ones who try to get in some other way are the thieves and robbers and they won’t be allowed to stay. It seems harsh to unbelievers that we as Christians are so elite in saying there is only one way to heaven: through Jesus, but that is exactly what Jesus was explaining. There is only one way and that is through Jesus. Anyone and everyone is invited but they have to come God’s way, not theirs. The way is narrow and few there be which find it. Jesus tried to explain that he was the good shepherd. They should want to come his way because he loved them and would take care of them. He was the only one who could give them an abundant life. They couldn’t see it because of their stubbornness and rebellion.
Lord, help us to trust in your protection and plan for our lives. Thank you for your unfailing love for us. We are so grateful!
David begins his life of running from Saul. He left Gath which means “a winepress” and went to the cave at Adullam which means “a testimony to them”. The cave at Adullam would be a place David and his men hid in often. It was here that David formed his army against Saul. Four hundred men that were unsatisfied with the consequences of having a king came and joined David.
God sent his word to lead David and keep him alive. A prophet from Gad told David not to stay there but to go to the land of Judah. David obeyed and went to the forest of Hereth in Judah.
Saul met with his officers to discuss David. Doeg remembered that he had seen David talking to the priest at Nob. He told Saul that Ahimelech had fed David and given him Goliath’s sword. Saul sent for Ahimelech and all his family. He sentenced them to die for treason even though Ahimelech pled he was innocent. No one would kill the priests so Doeg did it himself. He killed 85 priests and only one, Abiathar escaped to tell David. This was a fulfillment of Eli’s descendants that none of them would live to be old (1 Samuel 2:31-33). God was keeping his promise.
Abiathar had brought with him the ephod that has the Ummin and the Thummin to ask God questions. David used these to know what to do during this time of his life. He asked God if he should go to Keilah and help the town who was being attacked by the Philistines. God said, yes, so he went and fought for them. When Saul found out where he was, David asked God if the people of Keilah would turn him over to Saul and God said, yes. David’s men left before Saul arrived.
David’s men grew from 400 to 600. They wandered through the wilderness running from Saul and fighting for Israel when they could. God protected David and his men. When Saul’s army would find out where David was, God would shield David with a mountain, a word, or a diversion.
If we could see our lives from heaven’s perspective we would see this same pattern in our own lives. God protects us from the enemy all our lives and we never know it. One day, we will get to see a movie of our lives and all the times the Lord delivered us when we had no idea we were in danger.
In John, Jesus explains the kingdom of God like being a sheep-pen. Those who enter by the door, Jesus, are his true disciples. The ones who try to get in some other way are the thieves and robbers and they won’t be allowed to stay. It seems harsh to unbelievers that we as Christians are so elite in saying there is only one way to heaven: through Jesus, but that is exactly what Jesus was explaining. There is only one way and that is through Jesus. Anyone and everyone is invited but they have to come God’s way, not theirs. The way is narrow and few there be which find it. Jesus tried to explain that he was the good shepherd. They should want to come his way because he loved them and would take care of them. He was the only one who could give them an abundant life. They couldn’t see it because of their stubbornness and rebellion.
Lord, help us to trust in your protection and plan for our lives. Thank you for your unfailing love for us. We are so grateful!
Friday, May 17, 2019
Fri.’s Devo - Seeing
Read: 1 Samuel 20:1-21:15; John 9:1-41: Psalms 113:1-114:8; Proverbs 15:15-17
David knew Saul’s intent to kill him but Jonathan was oblivious to it. David trusted Jonathan so they agreed to test Saul’s heart. Sadly, David was right and Saul indeed wanted to kill David. David and Jonathan made a pact that no matter what happened, David would always be kind to Jonathan and his family. David would keep that promise. Jonathan knew that David’s friendship might hinder his ascension to the throne but he was willing to chance it.
Jonathan was a beautiful example of the Holy Spirit and how he has no agenda of his own. He will do anything he can to get us where we are suppose to be. He is always working for our Heavenly Father to promote the kingdom of God on the earth.
Digging deeper: David was suppose to eat with Saul on the New Moon festival which is Roshashana or the Feast of Trumpets. It is the feast that Jesus will return for his bride known as the Rapture. David was taken from the presence of Saul and never ate at his table again. He met Jonathan at a stone called the Stone of Departure. The bride will depart from this earth on that day and never eat at the world’s table again!
David fled to Ahimelech, the priest’s house and ate bread that was illegal for a non-priest to eat. Normally, this would have cost him his life, but he was in a new kingdom and it gave him life instead. When we go to heaven we will eat of the mysteries of God that were not given to us before and it will be new life - eternal life.
David lied to Ahimelech about his mission in order to protect him and keep him innocent. It didn’t help that one of Saul’s head shepherds, Doeg saw Ahimelech give David the bread and Goliath’s sword. David went from there to Gath where he had to act like a crazy person to save his life.
In John, Jesus healed a man born blind. This was a big deal because the Jews believed that only the Messiah would be able to do that, and they also believed that any birth defect was due to the parent’s sin. Jesus specifically denied this to be true in this case.
The now-seeing man and his parents were interrogated by the Pharisees. The man declared that Jesus was a prophet and later he told them that he believed that Jesus was from God. His parents were not so strong. They cared more about their social standing and didn’t want to be thrown out of the synagogue. They put it back on their son. There son answered truthfully and was thrown out of the synagogue. Jesus found him later and invited him into his kingdom where he was accepted freely by grace.
Jesus explained that he was blind, but now he could see. The Pharisees could see, but were blind. This offended the Pharisees greatly.
Lord, help us to be bold like you are. Thank you for giving us eyes to see and believe. Help us to walk out our belief so that others can see.
David knew Saul’s intent to kill him but Jonathan was oblivious to it. David trusted Jonathan so they agreed to test Saul’s heart. Sadly, David was right and Saul indeed wanted to kill David. David and Jonathan made a pact that no matter what happened, David would always be kind to Jonathan and his family. David would keep that promise. Jonathan knew that David’s friendship might hinder his ascension to the throne but he was willing to chance it.
Jonathan was a beautiful example of the Holy Spirit and how he has no agenda of his own. He will do anything he can to get us where we are suppose to be. He is always working for our Heavenly Father to promote the kingdom of God on the earth.
Digging deeper: David was suppose to eat with Saul on the New Moon festival which is Roshashana or the Feast of Trumpets. It is the feast that Jesus will return for his bride known as the Rapture. David was taken from the presence of Saul and never ate at his table again. He met Jonathan at a stone called the Stone of Departure. The bride will depart from this earth on that day and never eat at the world’s table again!
David fled to Ahimelech, the priest’s house and ate bread that was illegal for a non-priest to eat. Normally, this would have cost him his life, but he was in a new kingdom and it gave him life instead. When we go to heaven we will eat of the mysteries of God that were not given to us before and it will be new life - eternal life.
David lied to Ahimelech about his mission in order to protect him and keep him innocent. It didn’t help that one of Saul’s head shepherds, Doeg saw Ahimelech give David the bread and Goliath’s sword. David went from there to Gath where he had to act like a crazy person to save his life.
In John, Jesus healed a man born blind. This was a big deal because the Jews believed that only the Messiah would be able to do that, and they also believed that any birth defect was due to the parent’s sin. Jesus specifically denied this to be true in this case.
The now-seeing man and his parents were interrogated by the Pharisees. The man declared that Jesus was a prophet and later he told them that he believed that Jesus was from God. His parents were not so strong. They cared more about their social standing and didn’t want to be thrown out of the synagogue. They put it back on their son. There son answered truthfully and was thrown out of the synagogue. Jesus found him later and invited him into his kingdom where he was accepted freely by grace.
Jesus explained that he was blind, but now he could see. The Pharisees could see, but were blind. This offended the Pharisees greatly.
Lord, help us to be bold like you are. Thank you for giving us eyes to see and believe. Help us to walk out our belief so that others can see.
Thursday, May 16, 2019
Thurs.’s Devo - Have Faith
Read: 1 Samuel 18:5-19:24; John 8:31-59; Psalm 112:1-10; Proverbs 15:12-14
Jealousy is what moved Lucifer to rebel against God thus becoming Satan. We see that same emotion causing Saul to become obsessed with killing David. What was worse ,is that every plan he had to get rid of David only ended in promoting him. It was so obvious that God was driving David’s life and it scared Saul. He saw what he could have had if he had obeyed God.
Saul thought that his daughter Michal would be the one to bring David down. Saul had married wives from other nations who brought their own gods and idolatry and Michal was one of the offspring of one such union. She had her own gods and didn’t worship the Lord God. Surely, she would be David’s weakness. But, she protected David against her own father so that backfired also.
Saul hoped the Philistines would kill David, but he had success every time he went into a battle. The cards were stacked against Saul and there was nothing he could do. He couldn’t even kill him in his own bedroom with a spear. David finally had to flee to Samuel, his only hope.
Saul eventually found out where David was hiding and sent men to bring him back. The Spirit of God would hit them and all they could do was to prophesy. Saul came and the same thing happened to him. Don’t say that God will do something to you against your will because it did it over and over in the Bible. He will never cause you to accept him beyond your will but he can do whatever he wants to with you. He is the potter and we are the clay.
In John, Jesus was still speaking with the unbelieving Pharisees and teachers of the law. The argument was over Jesus’ identity. They believed he was from Satan and he told them that he was from God and they were from Satan. They accused Jesus of lying and he accused them of the same. It was a stand-off, but some of these people actually believed after the resurrection. I’m sure they remembered arguing with God and had to be full of regret.
Satan will always challenge our identity and he is ruthless and mean. We have to know who we are and stand unwavering like Jesus did. Jesus never backed down or let them intimidate him. Our enemies are usually our thoughts and our emotions. We can talk to them just like Jesus talked to the religious leaders.
Thank you Father that we are your children and have every right to stand before you in righteousness because of the blood of Jesus. Help us to be bold and unwavering in our faith.
Jealousy is what moved Lucifer to rebel against God thus becoming Satan. We see that same emotion causing Saul to become obsessed with killing David. What was worse ,is that every plan he had to get rid of David only ended in promoting him. It was so obvious that God was driving David’s life and it scared Saul. He saw what he could have had if he had obeyed God.
Saul thought that his daughter Michal would be the one to bring David down. Saul had married wives from other nations who brought their own gods and idolatry and Michal was one of the offspring of one such union. She had her own gods and didn’t worship the Lord God. Surely, she would be David’s weakness. But, she protected David against her own father so that backfired also.
Saul hoped the Philistines would kill David, but he had success every time he went into a battle. The cards were stacked against Saul and there was nothing he could do. He couldn’t even kill him in his own bedroom with a spear. David finally had to flee to Samuel, his only hope.
Saul eventually found out where David was hiding and sent men to bring him back. The Spirit of God would hit them and all they could do was to prophesy. Saul came and the same thing happened to him. Don’t say that God will do something to you against your will because it did it over and over in the Bible. He will never cause you to accept him beyond your will but he can do whatever he wants to with you. He is the potter and we are the clay.
In John, Jesus was still speaking with the unbelieving Pharisees and teachers of the law. The argument was over Jesus’ identity. They believed he was from Satan and he told them that he was from God and they were from Satan. They accused Jesus of lying and he accused them of the same. It was a stand-off, but some of these people actually believed after the resurrection. I’m sure they remembered arguing with God and had to be full of regret.
Satan will always challenge our identity and he is ruthless and mean. We have to know who we are and stand unwavering like Jesus did. Jesus never backed down or let them intimidate him. Our enemies are usually our thoughts and our emotions. We can talk to them just like Jesus talked to the religious leaders.
Thank you Father that we are your children and have every right to stand before you in righteousness because of the blood of Jesus. Help us to be bold and unwavering in our faith.
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
Wed.’s Devo - The Fate of Satan
Read: 1 Samuel 17:1-18:4; John 8:21-30; Psalm 111:1-10; Proverbs 15:11
The story of David and Goliath is told in locker rooms around America. It is probably the most repeated story in the Bible because it is such a picture of the victory of the under dog.
The name of the place where the showdown took place was called Shochoh which means “his branch”. It was in Judah. How interesting that Jesus was The Branch from the same tribe and David was a type of Jesus. Even Goliath called David “sticks”.
We have a detailed description of the great outward appearance of Goliath. Not only was he nine feet, nine inches tall but he was covered with so much metal there was no place for a spear to even touch him. The only thing exposed was his face.
David had been sent to the battle field to bring his brothers some food and see how the battle was going. There was no battle because it had been at a stand off for 40 days while Goliath taunted the army of Israel and challenged a dual. The outcome of the dual would determine the fate of Israel.
David arrived and stirred up the soldiers with his great faith in God to deliver them. Finally his words reached Saul and having no other volunteer or recourse, he sent David out with no covering and no weapon except a sling and a stone. The contrast of David and Goliath was undeniable.
Goliath thought David was a joke and told him what he was going to do to David. David knew that Goliath was all hot air and told him what God was going to do to him. David felled Goliath with the first stone. He cut off his head with Goliath’s own sword and that was the end of the battle.
Goliath stands for our enemy the devil. He is loud, proud and looks big and ferocious. He is intimidating and uses fear to take our strength away, but he is only a smoke screen. David put his trust in the Lord making him so much more powerful than any giant. His rock stands for the Word of God and that is all we have to have in our arsenal: faith and the Word. It will fell all our fears and uncertainties.
Jonathan had a heart like David’s so he was instantly drawn to David. The kingdom would have been Jonathan’s but Saul had already blown that for Jonathan. Jonathan was a picture of John the Baptist who recognized he was in the presence of someone greater than him. Instead of fighting God’s plan like Saul did, Jonathan joined with God’s plan. I know that Jonathan’s reward in heaven will be great.
In John, Jesus was having yet another discussion with the Jews about who he was. He told them he was going away but they would not be able to come where he was going. They thought that maybe he was going to commit suicide. Jews believed that it was against God’s law to take their own lives or even harm themselves. Anyone who did was to be buried outside the city walls in a special place.
Jesus wasn’t talking about suicide. He came out and told them: he was from heaven and they were from the world. If they did not believe in him and who sent him, they would die eternally. If they did believe, they could live eternally. Our fate has always been handed to us to decide. We choose where we spend eternity. God is a good God but he gives us the choice.
Lord, thank you that you are gracious and compassionate. You remember your covenant forever. To you belongs eternal praise.
The story of David and Goliath is told in locker rooms around America. It is probably the most repeated story in the Bible because it is such a picture of the victory of the under dog.
The name of the place where the showdown took place was called Shochoh which means “his branch”. It was in Judah. How interesting that Jesus was The Branch from the same tribe and David was a type of Jesus. Even Goliath called David “sticks”.
We have a detailed description of the great outward appearance of Goliath. Not only was he nine feet, nine inches tall but he was covered with so much metal there was no place for a spear to even touch him. The only thing exposed was his face.
David had been sent to the battle field to bring his brothers some food and see how the battle was going. There was no battle because it had been at a stand off for 40 days while Goliath taunted the army of Israel and challenged a dual. The outcome of the dual would determine the fate of Israel.
David arrived and stirred up the soldiers with his great faith in God to deliver them. Finally his words reached Saul and having no other volunteer or recourse, he sent David out with no covering and no weapon except a sling and a stone. The contrast of David and Goliath was undeniable.
Goliath thought David was a joke and told him what he was going to do to David. David knew that Goliath was all hot air and told him what God was going to do to him. David felled Goliath with the first stone. He cut off his head with Goliath’s own sword and that was the end of the battle.
Goliath stands for our enemy the devil. He is loud, proud and looks big and ferocious. He is intimidating and uses fear to take our strength away, but he is only a smoke screen. David put his trust in the Lord making him so much more powerful than any giant. His rock stands for the Word of God and that is all we have to have in our arsenal: faith and the Word. It will fell all our fears and uncertainties.
Jonathan had a heart like David’s so he was instantly drawn to David. The kingdom would have been Jonathan’s but Saul had already blown that for Jonathan. Jonathan was a picture of John the Baptist who recognized he was in the presence of someone greater than him. Instead of fighting God’s plan like Saul did, Jonathan joined with God’s plan. I know that Jonathan’s reward in heaven will be great.
In John, Jesus was having yet another discussion with the Jews about who he was. He told them he was going away but they would not be able to come where he was going. They thought that maybe he was going to commit suicide. Jews believed that it was against God’s law to take their own lives or even harm themselves. Anyone who did was to be buried outside the city walls in a special place.
Jesus wasn’t talking about suicide. He came out and told them: he was from heaven and they were from the world. If they did not believe in him and who sent him, they would die eternally. If they did believe, they could live eternally. Our fate has always been handed to us to decide. We choose where we spend eternity. God is a good God but he gives us the choice.
Lord, thank you that you are gracious and compassionate. You remember your covenant forever. To you belongs eternal praise.
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