May 15, 2015
Saul appraised David’s chances at success based on outward appearance and worldly wisdom. He couldn’t see David’s heart. For if he could, he would’ve seen the heart of a lion, one who was after God’s own heart. Besides, it pleases God to take the small to overcome the great. In this, God receives greater praise. God cares more for your availability, than your ability. David made himself available. And God did the rest.
May 14, 2015
Saul’s true character is revealed. Saul led Israel to attack the Amalekites as God commanded, but he did not utterly destroy them, sparing the king and the best of the spoils. Not only did he take spoils, but he “set up a monument for himself” in Carmel, taking credit for God’s victory. Saul’s character was revealed in this. Although he started out exhibiting low self-esteem, he now shows his true heart of pride and desire for man’s approval. This is often true. Low self-esteem is really the flip side of the same coin: pride. Instead of esteeming “self,” we should esteem God. Those who esteem God over self, have a right and healthy view of self.
May 12, 2015
When Saul failed to wait on the prophet Samuel to make the burnt offering and instead offered it himself, Samuel corrected him. I must admit, I relate to Saul’s impatience. After all, Samuel was running late and Saul’s army was getting restless, with many of them going AWOL. Saul was worried about winning the upcoming battle when he should have been focused on being obedient to God. Be careful not to put God’s work before His worship, nor fear of man, rather than God.
May 9, 2015
Samuel called the Israelites to Mizpah for an assembly of repentance and recommitment, but the Philistines heard about their gathering and attacked. God fought for Israel and they overcame for the first time in a generation. There, Samuel set up a large stone to remind them of God’s help, calling it Ebenezer or “stone of help.” Samuel understood that we are a forgetful people and need reminders. Some of us journal, writing it down when God rescues. Some carry a chip to commemorate their years of sobriety. Others compose a song, like “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” singing: “Here I raise mine Ebenezer; hither by thy help I’m come; and I hope, by thy good pleasure, safely to arrive at home.” Do you have an “Ebenezer” to remember what God as done for you?
May 19, 2014
David and his six hundred men hid in the caves of En Gedi while Saul’s troops searched for him. This was a difficult wilderness experience for David, but an important and formative season for him as well. He wrote many of his psalms during this time. He learned to lead his men and himself through difficulty by depending on the Lord. He experienced trial, hunger and suffering, yet God provided for him and his followers. This trial also revealed David’s heart of integrity, as he refused to murder the Lord’s anointed, Saul, when he found him vulnerable in a cave. David’s days in the caves of En Gedi prepared him for his days on the throne in Jerusalem.
May 15, 2014
What David said to Goliath as they closed for battle revealed his heart and passion for God’s Name. It was this same David who inspired of the Holy Spirit wrote, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:7). We can depend on God’s Name for victory in our lives too. The Name of Jesus is given to us to call upon. We can ask anything in Jesus’ strong Name and the Father hears us. What giant are you facing today? Call upon Jesus. “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe” (Proverbs 18:10).
May 13, 2014
It’s difficult to read the stories about King Saul, Israel’s first king. Although he reigned for 40 years, his leadership style was fraught with short-sighted and ill-conceived tactics, blustering, macho-inspired dictates, people-pleasing priorities, and most of all – a failure to seek God first in all things. In spite of this, God used Saul to lead Israel and in many ways he was one of its better kings. It’s just so tragic to watch from a distance though, because Saul may have been one of Israel’s greatest kings if only he would’ve feared God more than man. And sought God’s pleasure more than pleasing people. Saul’s kingship is a study in leadership failure.
May 8, 2014
While young Samuel was sleeping in the Tabernacle he was awakened a fourth time by the voice of the Lord calling him. The first three times he ran to Eli, thinking his old master was calling him. He didn’t yet recognize God’s voice. After the third time old Eli realized that God must be calling to Samuel, so he instructed him on how to answer. When Samuel replied as Eli instructed, God spoke to him. From that day forward Samuel was confirmed as a prophet. Throughout Israel he was respected as a prophet of God whose word was reliable. Samuel had to learn to hear God’s voice and respond. Have you learned to hear from God? Are you willing to get up in the middle of the night to hear from Him?
May 7, 2014
In contrast to Eli’s grown sons, young Samuel served the Lord. Samuel was given to Eli to raise as his own by his mother Hannah. She had been barren and promised to give the Lord her firstborn son if He allowed her to conceive. Eli was a permissive and passive father. His sons were evidence of his parenting failure. Yet, like many today, he was a better grandfather to Samuel than he was a father to his own sons. Hannah gave her son to the Lord. He grew up in God’s presence. From his youth until his death, Samuel was faithful to God. He was the last of Israel’s judges. He was a transitional figure who acted with all three titles of prophet, priest and judge, before anointing the first two kings of Israel.
May 16, 2013
When David burst onto the scene in Israel’s history, everything he did succeeded. All the people loved him, but King Saul was jealous. It’s hard for an older man who has labored for years to see such success come to one so young. For those of us who are closer to Saul’s age, how can we begin to mentor and bless the “Davids” of our generation, rather than belittle their youth? Who knows. Perhaps the Lord is with them. And so, shouldn’t we be with them too?