“Reckless Faith” – 1 Samuel 13-14
1 Samuel 14.6 – “Jonathan said to his young armor-bearer, ‘Come, let’s go over to the outpost of those uncircumcised fellows. Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf. Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.’”
I love this story about Jonathan, King Saul’s son. The Israelites were at war with the Philistines. Jonathan decided to sneak away with just his armor-bearer to go take the war to them. He says, “Perhaps the Lord will act in our behalf.” I love that Jonathan took the initiative to act for God’s glory. In fact, he took the initiative to embark on a task that was pretty reckless and unwise. Who in their right mind would take just one other man and climb up a cliff to meet your enemy who is waiting there for you in order to attack those who outnumber you 10 to 1? No one. But, Jonathan had reckless faith. He was not afraid to take a risk for the Lord. He trusted that God would reward His risk because it was taken for Him. I love his bold statement about the Lord: “Nothing can hinder the Lord from saving, whether by many or by few.”
When was the last time you took a chance for the Lord? When did you last try a new ministry, speak to someone about Jesus, or stand out from the crowd because of your faith? From a human and practical point of view, what Jonathan did was like suicide. It was foolish. Paul wrote that the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom (1 Corinthians 1). What Jonathan did seemed foolish, but it was faithful. He was willing to take a huge risk because He trusted God. Are you willing to do that?
Friday, April 10, 2009
April 11-12 - 1 Samuel 6-13 - "King"
“King” – 1 Samuel 6-13
1 Samuel 8.7 – “It is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.”
All the peoples living around the Israelites had a king. Israel had no king. They didn’t need a king. The Lord was King in Israel. He protected, governed, and guided the people. However, the people clamored for a king. They wanted to be like the rest of the nations who had a king to lead them into battle. As God says in the verse above, this represented a rejection of Him as their King. As we will see as we read on, having a human king as opposed to the King of kings was not a great choice.
While on earth, people wanted to make Jesus king (John 6.15). He didn’t allow them because He was not the kind of king for which they were looking. He is a king. In fact, He is the King of all kings who will reign forever. However, the people didn’t understand what His kingdom was all about. The same people who wanted to make Him king were among those who shortly thereafter were crying out, “Crucify Him!”
In the same way, we can choose to make Jesus King of our heart and life or not. Many choose to let other things, including our own selfishness, reign in our hearts and lives. We can choose earthly kings to follow and devote our lives to. We can reject the true King as the Israelites did when they asked for a king. God will even allow us to place a different and lesser king on the throne of our lives. But, He desires to be the King of our hearts. One day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2.9-11). It is just a matter of whether we do so willingly or not.
1 Samuel 8.7 – “It is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.”
All the peoples living around the Israelites had a king. Israel had no king. They didn’t need a king. The Lord was King in Israel. He protected, governed, and guided the people. However, the people clamored for a king. They wanted to be like the rest of the nations who had a king to lead them into battle. As God says in the verse above, this represented a rejection of Him as their King. As we will see as we read on, having a human king as opposed to the King of kings was not a great choice.
While on earth, people wanted to make Jesus king (John 6.15). He didn’t allow them because He was not the kind of king for which they were looking. He is a king. In fact, He is the King of all kings who will reign forever. However, the people didn’t understand what His kingdom was all about. The same people who wanted to make Him king were among those who shortly thereafter were crying out, “Crucify Him!”
In the same way, we can choose to make Jesus King of our heart and life or not. Many choose to let other things, including our own selfishness, reign in our hearts and lives. We can choose earthly kings to follow and devote our lives to. We can reject the true King as the Israelites did when they asked for a king. God will even allow us to place a different and lesser king on the throne of our lives. But, He desires to be the King of our hearts. One day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Philippians 2.9-11). It is just a matter of whether we do so willingly or not.
April 10 - 1 Samuel 2-5 - "Renewal"
“Renewal” – 1 Samuel 2-5
1 Samuel 2.35 – “I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who will do according to what is in my heart and mind. I will firmly establish his house, and he will minister before my anointed one always.”
Again we see the sinfulness of not only the people, but also the priests, as Eli’s sons were robbing God and sleeping with the women who attended at the tabernacle. It is a sad story of those who were supposed to be serving the Lord. But, God had a plan. He was preparing a faithful priest who would serve before the Lord’s anointed king.
Samuel was another “miracle baby.” He was given to Hannah in answer to her prayers and her vow to give him back to the Lord. God answered and Hannah made good on her vow. The boy Samuel served at the tabernacle. And at a time when Eli was becoming physically blind to go with his spiritual blindness, God began to reveal Himself to Samuel. Samuel listened and he answered God’s call. He would be a faithful priest who would serve before God’s anointed king, David.
Here we begin to see God’s renewal of the priesthood and of His people. Samuel became the catalyst behind this renewal. This was a turning point as Israel began to be drawn back to the Lord. God renews the hearts and lives of those who seek Him just as He did the nation of Israel.
1 Samuel 2.35 – “I will raise up for myself a faithful priest, who will do according to what is in my heart and mind. I will firmly establish his house, and he will minister before my anointed one always.”
Again we see the sinfulness of not only the people, but also the priests, as Eli’s sons were robbing God and sleeping with the women who attended at the tabernacle. It is a sad story of those who were supposed to be serving the Lord. But, God had a plan. He was preparing a faithful priest who would serve before the Lord’s anointed king.
Samuel was another “miracle baby.” He was given to Hannah in answer to her prayers and her vow to give him back to the Lord. God answered and Hannah made good on her vow. The boy Samuel served at the tabernacle. And at a time when Eli was becoming physically blind to go with his spiritual blindness, God began to reveal Himself to Samuel. Samuel listened and he answered God’s call. He would be a faithful priest who would serve before God’s anointed king, David.
Here we begin to see God’s renewal of the priesthood and of His people. Samuel became the catalyst behind this renewal. This was a turning point as Israel began to be drawn back to the Lord. God renews the hearts and lives of those who seek Him just as He did the nation of Israel.
April 9 - Judges 14-16 - "Samson"
“Samson” – Judges 14-16
Judges 16.20 – “But he did not know that the Lord had left him.”
The story of Samson is an amazing yet sad one. An angel foretold his birth (sound familiar?). He was born a “miracle baby” to “sterile” and “childless” parents. He was set apart to God from before he was born. He was given great strength and gifts. However, his character was weak. He married a Philistine woman (the very people from whom he was to deliver the Israelites). He had a terrible temper (14.19). He was led by his loins most of the time (16.1, 4). He was not a godly example for anyone to follow. God had given him strength to be His deliverer, but Samson did not even realize when God had left him (16.20). He had become confident in himself, not in the Lord. Nevertheless, God still used this flawed man, even in death, just as He still loved and used His flawed people, Israel.
The truth is that if we are honest with ourselves, we see a lot of Samson in ourselves. At times, we act impulsively, recklessly, fleshly and with way too much confidence in ourselves instead of in the Lord. Nevertheless, God can and does still use us – flawed as we are. The story of Samson is a story of God. It is a story about God’s persistence and patience with us. It is a story about His love and desire to use us for His purposes. If God could use Samson, surely he can use you and I.
Judges 16.20 – “But he did not know that the Lord had left him.”
The story of Samson is an amazing yet sad one. An angel foretold his birth (sound familiar?). He was born a “miracle baby” to “sterile” and “childless” parents. He was set apart to God from before he was born. He was given great strength and gifts. However, his character was weak. He married a Philistine woman (the very people from whom he was to deliver the Israelites). He had a terrible temper (14.19). He was led by his loins most of the time (16.1, 4). He was not a godly example for anyone to follow. God had given him strength to be His deliverer, but Samson did not even realize when God had left him (16.20). He had become confident in himself, not in the Lord. Nevertheless, God still used this flawed man, even in death, just as He still loved and used His flawed people, Israel.
The truth is that if we are honest with ourselves, we see a lot of Samson in ourselves. At times, we act impulsively, recklessly, fleshly and with way too much confidence in ourselves instead of in the Lord. Nevertheless, God can and does still use us – flawed as we are. The story of Samson is a story of God. It is a story about God’s persistence and patience with us. It is a story about His love and desire to use us for His purposes. If God could use Samson, surely he can use you and I.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
April 8 - Ruth 1-4 - "Faithful Love"
“Faithful Love” – Ruth 1-4
Ruth 1.16 – “Ruth replied, ‘Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God my God.’”
The story of Ruth is set in the times of the judges when there wasn’t much good or right going on. In contrast to the sinful times she lived in, Ruth is an example of faith, love, and devotion. As her sister-in-law did, she could have easily left Naomi, her mother-in-law, after her own husband died. After all, she was from Moab so why would she want to go back to Israel with her?
But, Ruth was “a woman of noble character” (3.11). She made a commitment to Naomi, this widow whose husband and sons had both died. Ruth left her own family in order to take care of Naomi. In the process, we see God’s blessings and provision for both Ruth and Naomi. We also see that God used Ruth, a foreigner, to become the great-grandmother of the great King and redeemer David.
We live in a time not unlike the times of the judges when faithfulness is hard to find. People change husbands and wives as easily as changing their clothes. In the midst of godlessness, we find Ruth as a shining example of one who loved the Lord and served Him and His people with integrity and faithfulness. May it be our prayer and desire that we would do the same.
Ruth 1.16 – “Ruth replied, ‘Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God my God.’”
The story of Ruth is set in the times of the judges when there wasn’t much good or right going on. In contrast to the sinful times she lived in, Ruth is an example of faith, love, and devotion. As her sister-in-law did, she could have easily left Naomi, her mother-in-law, after her own husband died. After all, she was from Moab so why would she want to go back to Israel with her?
But, Ruth was “a woman of noble character” (3.11). She made a commitment to Naomi, this widow whose husband and sons had both died. Ruth left her own family in order to take care of Naomi. In the process, we see God’s blessings and provision for both Ruth and Naomi. We also see that God used Ruth, a foreigner, to become the great-grandmother of the great King and redeemer David.
We live in a time not unlike the times of the judges when faithfulness is hard to find. People change husbands and wives as easily as changing their clothes. In the midst of godlessness, we find Ruth as a shining example of one who loved the Lord and served Him and His people with integrity and faithfulness. May it be our prayer and desire that we would do the same.
April 6-7 - Judges 19-21 - "Everyone Did As He Saw Fit"
“Everyone Did As He Saw Fit” – Judges 19-21
Judges 21.25 – “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.”
The verse above is the last verse of the book of Judges. It summarizes very well the theme of the book. Apparently, the generations after Joshua did not do a very good job of telling their children about the Lord. Even though Joshua renewed the covenant before his death and the people said, “We will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24.21), it didn’t take long for each person to live as they saw fit.
As a consequence, we see the wickedness described in Judges. Today we read about men who fight over a priest and the idols, ephods, and false gods he leads them to worship. When Micah’s idols were stolen, he said, “What else do I have?” This was an accurate statement because he certainly didn’t have the Lord. We see the men of Gibeah behaving like the men of Sodom. We see the whole tribe of Benjamin defending these vile men. As a consequence, the whole tribe was nearly wiped out. Things were messed up because the people all did as they saw fit.
Were things then really much different from the world we live in? Don’t most people do as they see fit? Everyone has his or her own “belief system” – one that is self-serving and convenient. Everything is relative. No one thinks they could possibly be a “bad person” or be destined for hell. In a way, people have become their own god, creating their own moral code for what fits their life and desires best. We live in the time of the judges. Nevertheless, there are still God-seekers out there. Just as we will see a return to the Lord through Samuel and David, there are those who still seek the Lord today. We must not let the depravity of our generation stain us and drag us down. We must rise above and be those who live not according to what we see fit, but according to the Word of the Lord.
Judges 21.25 – “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.”
The verse above is the last verse of the book of Judges. It summarizes very well the theme of the book. Apparently, the generations after Joshua did not do a very good job of telling their children about the Lord. Even though Joshua renewed the covenant before his death and the people said, “We will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24.21), it didn’t take long for each person to live as they saw fit.
As a consequence, we see the wickedness described in Judges. Today we read about men who fight over a priest and the idols, ephods, and false gods he leads them to worship. When Micah’s idols were stolen, he said, “What else do I have?” This was an accurate statement because he certainly didn’t have the Lord. We see the men of Gibeah behaving like the men of Sodom. We see the whole tribe of Benjamin defending these vile men. As a consequence, the whole tribe was nearly wiped out. Things were messed up because the people all did as they saw fit.
Were things then really much different from the world we live in? Don’t most people do as they see fit? Everyone has his or her own “belief system” – one that is self-serving and convenient. Everything is relative. No one thinks they could possibly be a “bad person” or be destined for hell. In a way, people have become their own god, creating their own moral code for what fits their life and desires best. We live in the time of the judges. Nevertheless, there are still God-seekers out there. Just as we will see a return to the Lord through Samuel and David, there are those who still seek the Lord today. We must not let the depravity of our generation stain us and drag us down. We must rise above and be those who live not according to what we see fit, but according to the Word of the Lord.
Monday, March 30, 2009
April 5 - Judges 10-13 - "Cry Out"
“Cry Out” – Judges 10-13
Judges 10.15-16 – “The Israelites said to the Lord, ‘We have sinned. Do with us whatever you think best, but please rescue us now.’ Then they got rid of the foreign gods among them and served the Lord. And he could bear Israel’s misery no longer.”
Have you noticed a pattern in Judges? It’s quite obvious, isn’t it? The people turn away from God and serve other gods. God allows them to be oppressed and defeated by the Canaanites. They cry out to the Lord. He sends a judge to deliver them. They follow the Lord for a while. Then the cycle repeats again. You would think they would learn. But, they don’t. They really weren’t that different from us.
However, this cycle in Judges 10 is a little different. God said that He would no longer save them. He said, “Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you when you are in trouble!” The Israelites continued to plead with the Lord and ask for rescue. Then they did something that was key to God’s merciful response. It says, “Then they got rid of the foreign gods among them and served the Lord.” At this, God delivered them. However, I don’t think He would have saved them if they had not turned their backs on their false gods and began again to serve the Lord.
Sometimes we cry out to God for help and deliverance. We wonder where He is and why he isn’t answering. Sometimes we ask for His help while we are serving our own idols and gods. We are asking for God’s help while we are living in habitual sin with no intention of changing. We cannot expect God to answer our cries for help when we are clinging to our sin and idols. We must first turn from our sin just as the Israelites “got rid of the foreign gods among them and served the Lord.” Jesus said, “unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13.3). To repent means to do a 180 turnaround. It means to turn away from our sin and turn toward God. Until and unless we do that, we cannot expect God to help. But, when we repent, we can be certain that He will forgive and help.
Judges 10.15-16 – “The Israelites said to the Lord, ‘We have sinned. Do with us whatever you think best, but please rescue us now.’ Then they got rid of the foreign gods among them and served the Lord. And he could bear Israel’s misery no longer.”
Have you noticed a pattern in Judges? It’s quite obvious, isn’t it? The people turn away from God and serve other gods. God allows them to be oppressed and defeated by the Canaanites. They cry out to the Lord. He sends a judge to deliver them. They follow the Lord for a while. Then the cycle repeats again. You would think they would learn. But, they don’t. They really weren’t that different from us.
However, this cycle in Judges 10 is a little different. God said that He would no longer save them. He said, “Go and cry out to the gods you have chosen. Let them save you when you are in trouble!” The Israelites continued to plead with the Lord and ask for rescue. Then they did something that was key to God’s merciful response. It says, “Then they got rid of the foreign gods among them and served the Lord.” At this, God delivered them. However, I don’t think He would have saved them if they had not turned their backs on their false gods and began again to serve the Lord.
Sometimes we cry out to God for help and deliverance. We wonder where He is and why he isn’t answering. Sometimes we ask for His help while we are serving our own idols and gods. We are asking for God’s help while we are living in habitual sin with no intention of changing. We cannot expect God to answer our cries for help when we are clinging to our sin and idols. We must first turn from our sin just as the Israelites “got rid of the foreign gods among them and served the Lord.” Jesus said, “unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13.3). To repent means to do a 180 turnaround. It means to turn away from our sin and turn toward God. Until and unless we do that, we cannot expect God to help. But, when we repent, we can be certain that He will forgive and help.
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