by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
I Samuel 30-31
The divergent paths of David and Saul are totally exposed in these chapters.
David and his experiences at Ziklag are legendary in encouraging people who have been through trials. When he returns with his men to the camp at Ziklag, he discovers that all of the families and goods have been taken, and the camp has been burned to the ground. So his men want to stone him. Things couldn’t get much worse than that!
But David sets an example for us all. He weeps, and then he “encourages himself in the Lord.”(v.6). Finally he inquires of the Lord what to do. When the Lord says “pursue,” he does, recovering all that was taken.
There are times when all of us have encountered battles which seem too much for us. That’s when we need to “encourage ourselves in the Lord.” We need to set aside time to praise, pray, read the Word, and remind ourselves of God’s goodness and His greatness. The devil is no match for our God. When we are trusting Him, He will have an answer.
The opposite end is in store for Saul and his sons. As the Philistines overtake the Israelites, the sons are killed, and Saul is mortally wounded. He pleads for his armor-bearer to end the pain, and he does.
Saul displays such a sad path for a man. He was small in his own eyes when he was chosen as king, but the appointment went to his head, and he fell out of favor with God. The end of his life is years of jealousy, frustration, anger, and bitterness as he chases David continually.
All of this makes me want to stay humble and trust in my Father. His end is the better one for me, and I will continue to pursue that end. There may be a few years in a cave, but that’s okay. The end is worth it.
Luke 13:22-35
Jesus says something very interesting in verses 31-33. He is approached by some Pharisees who say that Herod wants to kill Him, and He calls Herod a fox. (Jesus has a reason for that word in particular).Then he says, basically, tell the fox that I will continue to grow and I will reach my goal.
This passage is special to me. There was an incident in my life when I thought God was telling me something – and it turned out not to be so. Young in the Lord, I felt very discouraged that I hadn’t heard him properly, so I ran to Him for answers. He gave me several clues in His Word. One of them was in Song of Solomon 2:15, “Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that are ruining our vineyards while our vineyards are in blossom.” Then he showed my how Jesus used that verse here.
At that time, He began to show me that the “foxes” are false prophecies – as born out in Ezekiel 13:3-4. The false prophets are seeing things out of their own spirits and are like “foxes among the ruins.”
When you are growing and blossoming in your walk, false words – from yourself or others – can ruin your vineyard, or spoil your growth. They can stop God’s plan if you listen to them.
So back to what Jesus says here. He knows that He will be put to death, but not by Herod, and not now. He will be put to death by the high priest as God’s perfect Lamb, and at the appointed time – Passover. So He proclaims, “This word is a fox, a false prophecy. It will not stop my blossoming and fulfilling God’s plan. I will continue to cast our devils and heal the sick and I will reach my goal. This vine will not be spoiled by a false word or plan from the enemy.”
I’m sure that Herod doesn’t need to hear that detail, but the devil does. That word denounces the devil’s plan to take Jesus’ life before the time and in the improper way.
As we proceed with our walk, it’s important not to just listen to every word that pops into our minds – or from others. We must measure everything by God’s Word. only then can we be sure that we are hearing properly.
God has a plan for you and me – a perfect plan. As we stick close to Him and listen carefully, He will direct our paths.
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
I Samuel 27-29
David’s journey continues with discernment and intrigue, and God’s hand is upon him so that he is protected. This man has to have tremendous courage to go into the land of the Philistines and seek protection from his king. It has become obvious that Saul will not relent in his commitment to kill David.
This reminds me of stories I have heard from missionaries in foreign lands. Sometimes deception is necessary for their protection when they are among adversarial governments. This is what David encounters here.
In the meantime, Saul’s condition goes from bad to worse. When people turn from God, they are worse off than those who have never known Him. He is tormented to the point where he turns to a witch for his answers. He no longer hears from God.
There is always room for repentance, but I have known people over the years who begin a walk with God and then stop. They become like sitting ducks for the devil and his imps. There is a mark on their heads, with no ability to combat the onslaught. Very sad, indeed.
I say, Lord, I want to be on fire and stay on fire! I want every day of my life to be lived with You and for You!
I know you say that, too.
Luke 13:1-22
When Jesus came to the earth, God planted His Son, the seed – the holy seed – into the earth so that His Kingdom could spring forth. That’s why the kingdom is like a mustard seed…It’s also like leaven. As Christians grow in numbers and authority, the kingdom grows and spreads – as leaven does in three pecks of meal.
These illustrations help us to understand the power of the Kingdom, and God’s plan for its increase. He didn’t send a Kingdom with force, as many of the Jews had expected. He sent a Kingdom – hidden in the hearts of men. As they go into the world, they take this hidden Kingdom with them and quietly spread it to those around them, affecting all of His creation.
That’s the plan. Now we have to get in on it. We have to decide that we will be part of the expansion of His Kingdom.
All around us there are those who have never heard the truth about this Kingdom. They may have heard bits and pieces – and often distorted accounts of it. If we will think of ourselves as the leaven which needs to spread, or the seed bag which needs to plant more seed, we will be part of what our Father desires for our lives.
Freely we have received. Freely we must give. That’s the plan – the Divine plan, bringing the love of God to all those around us.
Oh, I so want to fulfill my part of it!
by Suellen | Project 2013: Read The Bible
I Samuel 25-26
We see the natural side of David as he wants to avenge himself for Nabal’s refusal to help him. This rich man, whose herdsmen had been well treated when they were around the places David was hiding, turns a deaf ear to David’s request for help.
Nabal’s wife Abigail, discerning and beautiful, saves her husband’s life and saves David from bloodshed, as she honors the request for provision. A wise woman, indeed. Her reward: she becomes David’s wife as soon as her husband suffers sudden death.
Then we move on to one more encounter with Saul. After David had saved Saul’s life the first time, the king had promised to stop his pursuit. Yet wicked men don’t honor their word. The demons continue to drive King Saul
As Saul and 3000 men once again seek to kill him, David’s honor once again rises to the fore. He says to Abishai, “Do not destroy him (Saul), for who can stretch out his hand against the Lord’s anointed and be without guilt?”(26:9)
Let me add patience to David’s character traits. He knows that he has been anointed king, and he knows that Saul has lost the anointing. He also knows that Saul is driven by demons, seeking to kill him. Yet as long as Saul is alive, he is king. Until his death, David will wait patiently to come out of hiding and receive his God-given position.
Today we see people pushing and shoving, trying to establish their own positions. It seems that we could take a cue from David and let God establish our times and seasons of promotion.
There is such a rest which comes to those who truly wait for God’s timing in their lives. I’ve done it both ways. At times I’ve run out ahead of God and at other times I have waited on Him.
Waiting on God’s timing is so much better. When we do things His way, we know that He is with us, and He will never forsake us in our endeavors.
Luke 12:32-59
Stay ready! That’s a special Word from the Lord to all of us.
When the church gets into a slumber, the Lord’s work never gets done. People are going through the motions and may seem busy going to meetings, but their hearts aren’t on fire for His purposes. As the church gets into a slumber, people get very worldly – only consumed with their own ideas and desires.
When we are awake, we continue to spend time with our Savior, allowing Him to speak to us. His Words will encourage us, strengthen us, sometimes convict us to move forward in His plan.
When we are awake, we are consumed with the reality of our Father and His plans. No time for worry or fear. No time for doubt. Only faith and conviction to pursue His desires.
Lord, my prayer today is that everyone reading this word will have a fresh revelation of You – Your goodness and Your faithfulness. Touch all of our hearts so that we will be sold out to You in every respect.
And let us be about Your business.
