Monday Thought – February 29, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“They set the ark of God on a new cart and brought it from the house of Abinadab. Uzzah and Ahio, sons of Abinadab, were guiding the cart with the ark of God on it. David and the whole house of Israel were celebrating with all their might before the Lord, with songs and with harps, lyres, tambourines, sistrums and cymbals. When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled. The Lord's anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down and he died there beside the ark of God.” (2 Samuel 6:3-7)

David wanted the ark of God in his new city, Jerusalem. Until this time it had been kept at the house of the high priest. David had a new cart built just for the purpose and oxen to pull the cart. Uzzah and Ahio walked along with the ark. As they were walking, the oxen stumbled and it looked as if the ark might be thrown off the cart and damaged. Uzzah reached out to protect the ark.

God had made it clear that no man was ever to touch the ark. When it was moved, as it was often during the days wandering in the desert, the Levites put long poles through rings on the ark and four men carried it.

Two things were wrong when David moved the ark.

1. A new method was chosen for moving the ark. It was easier to put the ark on a cart than to have it carried by four Levites. They could move faster. But that was not the way God had instructed for the ark to be moved.

2. Uzzah didn’t trust God to take care of the ark. When it was in danger, he reached out to steady the ark. He thought protecting the ark was more important than following God’s instructions.

Those same problems arise in our lives. We ave a better way than God’s idea. We may do it out of good motives and with worship … but if we ignore God’s way we do so at great risk. Sometimes we think God needs our help to protect His work. We take matters into our own hands.

God knows what He is doing and He wants us to listen to Him and follow His instructions.

His, by Grace, Steve

Friday Thought – February 26, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

After Saul was killed, David became king in Jerusalem. The people knew that the Lord had declared David king, “All the tribes of Israel came to David at Hebron and said, ‘We are your own flesh and blood. In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military campaigns. And the Lord said to you, “You will shepherd my people Israel, and you will become their ruler.”’” (2 Samuel 5:1-2)

The mark of David’s reign as king was his relationship with the Lord.

The Lord established and strengthened David’s leadership, “He became more and more powerful, because the Lord God Almighty was with him.” (2 Samuel 5:10)

David acknowledged the Lord’s hand in making him king, “David knew that the Lord had established him as king over Israel and had exalted his kingdom for the sake of his people Israel.” (2 Samuel 5:12)

When enemies came to attack, David did not respond with pride in his own strength, but by inquiring of the Lord about how to respond. David understood that he was strong, only as he followed the Lord, only as the Lord provided strength.

“The Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; so David inquired of the Lord, ‘Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?’ The Lord answered him, ‘Go, for I will surely hand the Philistines over to you.’ So David went to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them.” (2 Samuel 5:18-20)

“The Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim. David inquired of the Lord, and he answered, ‘Do not go straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the balsam trees.’ … David did as the Lord commanded him.” (2 Samuel 5:22-25)

David --

     Acknowledged the Lord.

     Trusted the Lord.

     Inquired of the Lord.

     Obeyed the Lord.

God blessed David and his kingdom because of David’s faithfulness to Him. The primary mark of David’s life was his relationship with God. What is the primary mark of your life?

His, by Grace, Steve

Thursday Thought – February 25, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

Saul and his army waged a battle against the Philistines. The Lord had withdrawn His hand of blessing from Saul because of his wickedness and the army of Israel was defeated. Three of Saul’s sons were killed and Saul was severely wounded. He was so severely wounded that he knew he could not survive and so he took his own life. The army was defeated, the king and his sons were dead.

David and his men were not involved in the battle because Saul was still angry with David and threatening to kill him. David had found refuge in the land of the Philistines. Word of Saul’s and Jonathan’s deaths and of the defeat of the army of Israel came to David. Here’s how David reacted to the death of the man who was trying to kill him.

“Then David and all the men with him took hold of their clothes and tore them. They mourned and wept and fasted till evening for Saul and his son Jonathan, and for the army of the Lord and the house of Israel, because they had fallen by the sword.” (2 Samuel 1:11-12)

David did not rejoice in the death of his enemy. David found no pleasure in what happened to Saul. Although Saul was set on killing David, David still wanted no harm to come to Saul.

All of us encounter those who oppose us sometimes in life. They may not be bitter enemies who seek our deaths, like Saul was to David. But we encounter people whose personalities clash with ours, those who treat us with great unkindness, those who do damage to our careers. In those senses, we encounter enemies. David teaches us how to react to them -- not to seek their harm, but even for enemies to seek their good.

That’s what Jesus said, too. “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:44-45)

What a novel concept? What a foreign idea to the normal ways of the world? What a way to change the world?

Love your enemies!

His, by Grace, Steve

Wednesday Thought – February 24, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

David and the men who were with him found refuge in the land of the Philistines. They were allowed to live in peace in the town of Ziklag. But while David and his men were with the army of the Philistines, the Amalekites attacked Ziklag and carried all of the wives and children and property of David and his men away as plunder.

When David and his men returned to Ziklag and found what had happened they were greatly troubled. 1 Samuel 30:6 says that “David was distressed” and that his men were “bitter in spirit.” Those are natural and understandable feelings. Those that they loved had been taken away as captives and they didn’t know if they would ever see them again.

When difficult things happen, it is natural to be distressed and in great anguish. But the question is … How will you handle your distress and anguish?

David’s men handled it one way, they talked of stoning David because he had let them down as a leader. (1 Samuel 30:6) They had trusted David enough to follow him and leave their families behind. Now, it had cost them their families.

But David handled his distress in a way that is different from the way his men handled theirs. The Bible says, “But David found strength in the Lord his God.” (1 Samuel 30:6) David turned to the Lord in his distress. He sought the Lord’s direction about how to handle the distress and what to do in response to it. He trusted God even in the midst of one of the most difficult seasons of his life.

Most of us find it pretty easy to trust God and to express our faith in Him when things in our lives are going well. The question is … Will you trust Him and express faith in the difficult seasons of life? David did.

His, by Grace, Steve

Tuesday Thought – February 23, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“When Saul saw the Philistine army, terror filled his heart. He inquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets. Saul said to his attendants, ‘Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her.’ ‘There is one in Endor,’ they said. So Saul disguised himself, putting on other clothes, and at night he and two men went to the woman. ‘Consult a spirit for me,’ he said, ‘and bring up for me the one I name.’" (1 Samuel 28:5-8)

Sometimes God doesn’t answer when you want Him to. The Philistine army came to do battle against Israel. When Saul came out to face them, he saw the size and power of the Philistine army and was afraid. Saul turned to the Lord in his fear. He inquired of the Lord about how he should respond to the Philistines. Should he negotiate a peace, flee in fear, or stand and fight? God did not answer Saul.

Would Saul wait patiently for direction to come from the Lord? Would he make his own decision without the Lord? Would he seek direction from another source?

Rather than wait for the Lord and trust Him, Saul sought direction from a medium. Saul asked her to bring Samuel back from the dead to ask for direction.

Most of us would never turn to a medium or have anyone try to consult with the dead for us. But when the Lord is silent, are there other places you turn for direction?

Saul should have sought why the Lord was silent and dealt with whatever was revealed. The Lord was silent because of Saul’s sin and rebellion against him. The silence might have been lifted if Saul had repented. Saul was unwilling to consider that the problem might have been his. He determined it was the Lord’s problem that kept Him silent and he turned to others for direction.

When God seems silent in your life:

(1) Consider if there is anything in your life that hinders the Lord from providing the direction you seek.

(2) Wait patiently for the Lord to provide direction.

(3) Refuse to seek direction from any other source that would be displeasing to the Lord.

His, by Grace, Steve

Monday Thought – February 22, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

Saul pursued David and his men, intent on killing David. David fled from place to place seeking safety. He stayed for a time at En Gedi near the Dead Sea and Saul came pursuing him. An easy opportunity to kill Saul was presented to David.

“A cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were far back in the cave. The men said, ‘This is the day the Lord spoke of, “I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish.”’ David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul's robe. Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. He said, ‘The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.’ David rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. Saul left the cave and went his way.” (1 Samuel 24:3-7)

David did not take advantage of the opportunity to kill Saul. He was unwilling to take matters into his own hands. David refused to be the one who would remove Saul from the position to which God had appointed him. David called out to Saul from a distance,

“‘My lord the king!’ When Saul looked David bowed down with his face to the ground. He said, ‘Why do you listen when men say, “David is bent on harming you”? This day you have seen with your own eyes how the Lord delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, “I will not lift my hand against my master, because he is the Lord’s anointed.” Look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. Recognize that I am not guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion.’” (1 Samuel 24:8-11)

David would not use ungodly means to save his life. He chose to trust God to deal with Saul and to protect him.

At times people are intent on doing something wrong to us. The question is, How will we respond to their wrong? David responded to ungodliness with righteousness. Will we?

His, by Grace, Steve

Friday Thought – February 19, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“David answered Ahimelech the priest, ‘Give me five loaves of bread, or whatever you can find.’ The priest answered David, ‘I don't have any ordinary bread; however, there is some consecrated bread here – provided the men have kept themselves from women.’ David replied, ‘Indeed women have been kept from us, as usual whenever I set out. The men's things are holy even on missions that are not holy. How much more so today!’ So the priest gave him the consecrated bread, since there was no bread there except the bread of the Presence that had been removed from before the Lord.” (1 Samuel 21:2-6)

There were strict rules about the consecrated bread in the tabernacle of God. It was holy and only to be eaten by the priests. David and his men were very hungry and no other food was available. Ahimelech the priest gave David and his men the consecrated bread to eat.

How did God feel about that act of disregard for His commands and regulations?

Jesus points back to this incident in His teaching and makes God’s opinion clear. His disciples were criticized for taking handfuls of grain from the field on the Sabbath day and Jesus responded by talking about what David did. “One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain. The Pharisees said to him, ‘Why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?’ He answered, ‘Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? He entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. He also gave some to his companions.’ Jesus said to them, ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. The Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.’” (Mark 2:23-28)

God’s attitude toward what David did speaks of God’s heart: God loves people more than ritual and regulations. David was in need, when nothing else was available, God was not displeased when David ate the consecrated bread. The regulations were from God, but God loves people more. He always has – He always will.

His, by Grace, Steve

Thursday Thought – February 18, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“David fled from Naioth and went to Jonathan and asked, ‘What have I done? How have I wronged your father, that he is trying to take my life?’ ‘Never!’ Jonathan replied. ‘You are not going to die! Look, my father doesn't do anything without confiding in me. Why would he hide this from me? It's not so!’ David took an oath and said, ‘Your father knows very well that I have found favor in your eyes, and he has said to himself, “Jonathan must not know this or he will be grieved.” As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, there is only a step between me and death.’ Jonathan said to David, ‘Whatever you want me to do, I'll do for you.’" (1 Samuel 20:1-4)

Jonathan was Saul’s oldest son and heir to the throne. When Saul died Jonathan would become king. Jonathan should have been threatened by David. Instead of being threatened by David’s popularity and the evidence of God’s hand upon him, Jonathan was drawn to David as his closest friend. Jonathan puts his friendship with David above his relationship with his father. He promises David that he would protect him from his father and warn him about his father’s secret plans. Jonathan was promising to betray his own father!

Family relationships are important. The honor and respect a son is to give his father and mother is so important to God and critical society that God included that instruction in His Ten Commandments. God commands children to honor parents.

But doing what is right supersedes doing what parents want. Saul’s plotting to kill David was wrong. It would have been wrong for Jonathan to join in the conspiracy or to sit idly by and allow his father’s conspiracy to go forward without warning David.

Jonathan made the right choice, though it must have been difficult. He chose to do is right instead of what his father wanted him to do.

We hope never to be faced with that choice. Parents should lead us toward God, not away from Him. They should instruct us in right and discourage us from wrong. But when parents lead their children toward wrong – the right choice is to say “no”.

His, by Grace, Steve

Wednesday Thought – February 17, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“When David made his escape, he went to Samuel at Ramah and told him all that Saul had done to him. He and Samuel went to Naioth and stayed there. Word came to Saul:  ‘David is in Naioth at Ramah’; so he sent men to capture him. When they saw a group of prophets prophesying, with Samuel standing there as their leader, the Spirit of God came upon Saul's men and they also prophesied. Saul was told about it, and he sent more men, and they prophesied too. Saul sent men a third time, and they also prophesied.” (1 Samuel 19:18-21)

David had done nothing to harm Saul and had remained loyal to him, yet Saul sought to kill him. David made his way to Samuel to seek guidance. When Saul found out where David was hiding he sent his men there with instructions to kill David. Three times Saul sent men and all three times the Spirit of the Lord came upon Saul’s men and they were stopped from killing David. Saul himself then came to where David was and the same thing happened to him. The Spirit of the Lord came upon Saul and he began prophesying and was unable to kill David.

David did not recruit an army to fight Saul to protect himself. He could have done that. Under David’s leadership the army had won great battles against the Philistines. There would have been many men willing to follow David against a king they knew was wrong. David did not seek protection in that way.

David did not become a traitor to Israel and go to their enemies. It would have been a great victory for the Philistines to have David come to their side. Perhaps they would have allowed David to join them in the fight to overthrow Saul. David did not seek such protection.

David sought protection in an unlikely place. He sought protection from Samuel, the prophet of God. The only protection Samuel had to offer to David was the Lord. It was the Lord who provided the protection David needed.

Where do you turn in times of trouble? Do you turn to places of human help or do you turn to the Lord? David turned to the Lord and found what he needed. So will we!

His, by Grace, Steve

Tuesday Thought – February 16, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“David successfully did what Saul gave him to do so Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased the people, and Saul's officers. When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with tambourines and lutes. They sang: ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.’ Saul was very angry; this refrain galled him. ‘They have credited David with tens of thousands,’ he thought, ‘but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?’ From that time on Saul kept a jealous eye on David.” (1 Samuel 18:5-9)

Saul gave in to pride and jealousy and his sins led him down a path of self-destruction. Saul could have lived a life that would have been respected during his lifetime and honored after his death. Saul’s character was so marred by his own self-interest that he ended life as a psychotic man, ridiculed and feared by the people he led.

Saul’s jealousy of David led him to distrust the man who would have been his most loyal follower. David proved himself over and over in Saul’s service, and his payment was distrust. Later, Saul would attempt to personally kill David, a goal he continued to pursue for years. Saul was never able to accomplish that goal because the Lord protected David.

Saul’s jealousy was not only harmful to his reign, his reputation, it was also harmful to his emotional health. He lived in fear of David. (1 Samuel 18:12) He was constantly afraid that David would be able to wrest the kingdom from him. That was an unfounded fear. Samuel had already anointed David as the next king, but David never sought to overthrow Saul. Saul’s emotional distress was all in his head, not based in a real threat from David.

Saul’s experience has been mirrored by millions through the years. Their jealousy and pride has marred their accomplishments, destroyed their emotional health, and left them without respect from those around them.

Say “no” to pride and jealousy. Say “yes” to trusting the Lord.

His, by Grace, Steve

Monday Thought – February 15, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

The battle lines were drawn between Israel and the Philistines – across the valley of Elah. Goliath, champion from among the Philistines marched into the valley to challenge Israel. "Choose a man and have him come down to me. If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us." (1 Samuel 17:8-9) Why should whole armies fight and many die, let the matter be settled with just a man to man fight between the best of each army.

No one from Israel would face Goliath, not even King Saul who stood a head taller than any Israelite. “Saul and all the Israelites were terrified.” (1 Samuel 17:11)

A young delivery boy came into the camp. David brought food for his soldier brothers. When David heard Goliath’s challenge, David offered to be the one to fight. With no one else willing to be sent, Saul agreed to send the boy David.

Goliath mocked David because he was such a youth. He was convinced that David would be a quick victim to his strength. David’s confidence was not in his own strength or experience, but in the power of the Lord his God.

“David said, ‘You come against me with sword and spear, but I come in the name of the Lord Almighty, whom you have defied. The Lord will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. The whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give all of you into our hands.’" (1 Samuel 17:45-47)

The battle was the Lord’s. With a sling and a stone, David killed the giant. Israel triumphed because of a boy sent against a giant. Not because the boy was a superhero, a military prodigy, but because the boy trusted the Lord.

David and Goliath is a story of faith. It’s a story of trusting God rather than ourselves for our most difficult challenges.

You and I have never faced a giant, but we have all faced challenges. Do we face them with faith?

His, by Grace, Steve

Friday Thought – February 12, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

After rejecting Saul God sent Samuel to anoint the man who would become king upon Saul’s death. God led Samuel to Bethlehem, to the family of Jesse to anoint one of his sons as king. God promised Samuel, “I will show you what to do.” (1 Samuel 16:3)

Samuel was immediately impressed with Jesse’s oldest son, Eliab. He said, “Surely the Lord's anointed stands here before the Lord." The Lord replied to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:6-7)

God and man have different ideas about what is impressive! Consider the men and women the world admires. The men carry themselves with confidence, they exude leadership, they have style, and they are handsome. Outward appearance is the defining feature of women who are admired by the world. Beauty attracts the world. God is much less concerned about what a person looks like, about outward characteristics. He is much more interested in what it going on inside the person’s heart. Character matters most to God!

Samuel looked at the seven oldest sons of Jesse and none of them was chosen by God to be king. Samuel asked if there was another and Jesse indicated that only the youngest remained. He was out in the fields taking care of his father’s sheep. When young David arrived before Samuel, the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; he is the one.” (1 Samuel 16:12) When Samuel had anointed David, the scripture says, “And from that day the Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power.” (1 Samuel 16:13)

God had identified the next king. Not a tall, powerful, man of impressive physical features, but one whose heart was right before Him. That’s the kind of person God calls to leadership for Him. That’s the kind of person we should seek when we look for leaders to follow. Outward appearances can be deceiving, it’s the heart that matters – it matters to God and it should matter to us, too. Character counts most!

His, by Grace, Steve

Thursday Thought – February 11, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

What God promises He will fulfill!

Samuel reminded Saul, “He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a man, that he should change his mind." (1 Samuel 15:29)

These were not words that Saul wanted to hear. Samuel had just rebuked Saul for disobeying the Lord and told Saul that because of his disobedience God was removing the kingship from Saul and his family. Samuel said, "The Lord has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors – to one better than you.” (1 Samuel 15:28)

Saul seemed to repent, but God’s mind would not be changed. In his repentance you can see that Saul doesn’t really get it. Listen to what he says: "I have sinned. I violated the Lord's command and your instructions. I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them. I beg you, forgive my sin and come back with me, so that I may worship the Lord." (1 Samuel 15:24-25)

Saul continued to justify his sin, to lay the blame at the feet of others. He said he had sinned because of his fear of the people. His reason for sinning was that he gave in to them. Saul admitted he had been wrong, but he wanted to believe that the people had been more wrong than he was. They were the impatient ones.

God’s mind was set and would not be changed. Through Samuel, God made a declaration – the kingdom would be removed from Saul and his family. Another man would be declared king and it would be his family through which the true kings of Israel would come. That was a declaration that you could count on – it came from God.

Think of some of the declarations God has made about your life. Here are just a handful:

“I will come again.”

“I have prepared a place for you.”

“You will be with me forever.”

“Your sins are forgiven.”

“I declare you my child.”

Every one can be counted on – and many more! God has declared them, and He does not lie or change His mind!

His, by Grace, Steve

Wednesday Thought – February 10, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

Samuel gave clear instructions from the Lord to Saul. “This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt. Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that belongs to them.’” (1 Samuel 15:2-3)

Saul went out to do battle against the Amalekites and God gave him a great victory. But Saul was unwilling to completely follow God’s instructions. “But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs-everything that was good. These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed.” (1 Samuel 15:9)

When confronted by Samuel, Saul had an answer for his disobedience to the instructions. “Saul answered, ‘The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the Lord your God, but we totally destroyed the rest.’" (1 Samuel 15:15)

Saul had two excuses for his disobedience:

1. It wasn’t his fault, it was the soldiers who kept the sheep and cattle.

2. It was for a good reason, not to keep, but to make a great sacrifice to the Lord.

“But Samuel replied: ‘Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.’” (1 Samuel 15:22-23)

Samuel’s word for Saul was simple: God desired obedience more than ritual and ceremony. He still does!

His, by Grace, Steve

Tuesday Thought – February 9, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

Saul and the army were waiting to do battle with the Philistines. The Philistine army was much larger than the army of Israel and much better armed. There seemed no way that the army of Israel could prevail. Then Jonathan, Saul’s son, took matters into his own hands, secretly climbing the cliff up to the Philistine camp with just his armor-bearer. When they arrived at the top of the cliff, God did a miracle and sent panic among the Philistine army and they turned on each other and a rout was begun.

Saul saw the Philistine army in a rout and called his men to destroy them. God gave Israel a great victory, not because of their superior strength, but because of His miraculous presence. In the midst of the battle, Saul did something foolish. He made a vow to the Lord, saying “Cursed be any man who eats food before evening comes, before I have avenged myself on my enemies.” (1 Samuel 14:24)

As the day progressed, the army grew weak with hunger. They were fighting a fierce battle and moving at great speed to pursue the Philistines. They needed the strength that food would have provided them. But they were faithful to Saul’s vow, all except Jonathan. Jonathan had not been told of the vow. Seeing honey on the ground, Jonathan ate of it.

When evening came, Saul wanted to continue the pursuit. He asked the priest to inquire of the Lord if it was right to continue the battle. God would not answer the inquiry. God had gone silent because the vow had been broken. Saul discovered it was Jonathan who had broken the vow and was ready to kill him. The intervention of the men of Israel saved Jonathan’s life.

The battle did not go as well as it could have because the army grew weak; the Lord went silent and Jonathan nearly lost his life … because of a foolish vow.

God takes vows seriously. “When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.” (Ecclesiastes 5:4-6)

His, by Grace, Steve

Monday Thought – February 8, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“Saul remained at Gilgal, and the troops with him were quaking with fear. He waited seven days, the time set by Samuel; but Samuel did not come to Gilgal, and Saul's men began to scatter. He said, ‘Bring me the burnt offering.’ Saul offered up the burnt offering. Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him.” (1 Samuel 13:7-10)

Saul was preparing for battle against the Philistines. The army of Israel had been assembled. The Philistines were gathered, ready to attack. Saul waited at Gilgal because he wanted to seek God’s favor by sacrificing and praying to Him. Samuel had instructed Saul to wait for him at Gilgal and he would come to offer the sacrifice on behalf of the army. Samuel was delayed and Saul grew impatient. Saul was afraid the Philistines would attack before Samuel came. So Saul took matters into his own hands. He disregarded Samuel’s instruction to wait for him and made the sacrifice himself.

It seemed like the right thing to do. Saul was afraid. He knew he needed God’s favor to do battle against the Philistines. The Philistine army was larger and better armed. Victory would only come from the Lord. Even though it seemed right and Saul was acting out of a desire to receive God’s favor, he was disobedient to God’s instructions. He acted out of fear and not faith.

When Saul told Samuel what he had done Samuel responded: "You acted foolishly. You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. Now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought out a man after his own heart and appointed him leader of his people, because you have not kept the Lord’s command." (1 Samuel 13:13-14)

It was fearful, foolish and disobedient. Because of his unwillingness to obey the Lord, Saul’s family would be removed from the kingship of Israel.

It’s an illustration of how important faith, respect, and obedience are to the Lord. Say “no” to fear, to doing what you want, to disobedience. Say “yes” to faith, to respecting God’s instructions, to obedience.

His, by Grace, Steve

Friday Thought – February 5, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. I will teach you the way that is good and right.” (1 Samuel 12:23)

Samuel was disappointed with the people of Israel. They had asked for a king, instead of being content to continue just to follow the Lord. Samuel had advised against it and told the people the danger of having a king. Still the people did not change their minds and continued to ask for a king. God had Samuel give in to this request of the people and anoint Saul as king of Israel. Now Samuel stands before the people again to warn them of the danger of a king and the danger of turning away from the Lord.

Samuel opens up his life to the people of Israel and invites them to bring witness against him for anything wrong he has done among them. They offer no testimony of Samuel’s sins, instead they affirm that he has led them and served them in righteousness.

Now at the end of this speech, his farewell speech to the nation, the people ask Samuel to serve them by praying for them. Samuel answers with the above response – he would not sin against the Lord by failing to pray for them.

He was disappointed with them. He was worried for them. But he would not turn his back on them. He loved them and despite their problems, he wanted to see God’s best for them.

Samuel was a good man and provides a good example for us. People around us, our family and friends, will disappoint us. We’ll see evidence in their lives at times of directions they are heading that are dangerous and despite our warnings they will continue down that path. How will we respond? Will we stand idly by waiting to be able to say “I told you so!”? Will we be pleased to see them reap the harvest they deserve by going down a dangerous path? Or, like Samuel, will we stand by supporting them in prayer, asking for God’s grace, mercy and tender care for them?

His, by Grace, Steve

Thursday Thought – February 4, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

"They forgot the LORD their God; so he sold them into the hand of Sisera, the commander of the army of Hazor, and into the hands of the Philistines and the king of Moab, who fought against them. They cried out to the LORD and said, 'We have sinned; we have forsaken the LORD and served the Baals and the Ashtoreths. Deliver us from the hands of our enemies, and we will serve you.' The LORD sent Jerub-Baal, Barak, Jephthah and Samuel, and he delivered you from the hands of your enemies on every side.” (1 Samuel 12:9-11)

Samuel stood before the people and gave them a brief history lesson. He recounted for them just a few times that God had rescued them. He mentioned several of the men God had raised up to lead them in defeating their enemies. Samuel’s history lesson was a reminder to Israel of the work of the Lord among them. When they cried out to God, He came to rescue them. As long as they followed the Lord, they lived in peace and security in their land.

The reason Samuel recounted this history was that Israel’s memory was short. They easily forgot how God had worked among them and turned their backs on God. The story of Israel is the story of a people who forgot God. When they were in great distress they would remember Him and cry to Him for help and He would respond with help. Soon they forgot Him again. They seemed incapable of keeping their eyes on the Lord when they were living in peace. Trouble was required for them to turn to the Lord.

There is a history of God working in your life, too. God has shown compassion and power in your life multiple times. He has in each of our lives. It is good to remember how God has acted in the past so that you do not forget Him in the present!

Is your history similar to Israel’s? Are you guilty of forgetting the Lord in times of peace and crying out to Him only in times of distress?

Remember the Lord – in times of distress and in times of peace.

His, by Grace, Steve

Wednesday Thought – February 3, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

Israel wanted a king and God granted their desire God chose for king a man who would be what they thought a king should be, impressive to look upon and from a respected family. “There was a Benjamite, a man of standing, whose name was Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah of Benjamin. He had a son named Saul, an impressive young man without equal among the Israelites - a head taller than any of the others.” (1 Samuel 9:1-2)

Saul had other characteristics that also fitted him to be king. Saul was a humble young man. When told that Israel wanted him Saul answered, “But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why do you say such a thing to me?” (1 Samuel 9:21) Saul did not consider himself, his family, or his tribe worthy of that kind of honor. He did not expect to be chosen for such a task.

Saul knew that Israel was asking for a king but he was not seeking the position. Samuel had to convince Saul that God had chosen him through signs. The prophet predicted three specific things that would happen as Saul traveled back toward his home. “And all these signs were fulfilled that day.” (1 Samuel 9:9)

Saul was still hesitant to accept the position. When the ceremony to select a king was held and all Israel was gathered, the tribe of Benjamin was chosen, then Saul’s clan was chosen, and finally Saul was chosen. When they sought Saul he could not be found until Samuel told them, “He has hidden himself among the baggage.” (1 Samuel 9:22)

Humble and hesitant, yet Saul was finally willing to accept what God had chosen and he was anointed king. The people rejoiced, “Long live the king!” (1 Samuel 9:24) They got what they desired.

Saul would have great difficulty as king. He started humble, but he would grow arrogant. He began with hesitancy, but he would cling tenaciously to his crown. He started well, but would forget that it was God’s choice that made him king, not his worthiness.

His, by Grace, Steve

Tuesday Thought – February 2, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

“The elders of Israel came to Samuel at Ramah and said, ‘You are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.’ When they said, ‘Give us a king to lead us,’ this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD. The LORD told him: ‘Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. … Listen to them; but warn them solemnly and let them know what the king who will reign over them will do.’" (1 Samuel 8:4-9)

The nations around Israel had a kings. Israel relied on a judge appointed by God for to lead them. Samuel was growing old and would soon be replaced by his sons, Israel grew tired of the kind of leadership they had. They wanted to be like the nations around them.

They wanted a king because Samuel’s sons were not honest men who served out of a desire to help. They served for what they could get out of it. Israel didn’t want Samuel’s sons as judges. But it really wasn’t about Samuel’s sons. It was about Israel’s unwillingness to trust God. They did not trust the Lord to deal with Samuel’s sons. They did not trust the Lord to raise other leaders who would follow Him.

God understood what was at the heart of Israel’s request for a king. He understood that they were turning their backs on Him.

Sometimes the grass looks greener on the other side. Israel thought the kings around them looked better than the leaders God provided. They wanted what the other nations had. God granted their request. Israel didn’t realize the price they would pay for a king! There was a high price for not following the Lord.

The same choice is set before us. We can trust the Lord and His direction and follow it. Or, we can follow the ways of the world, which may seem better. When we reject the Lord there is a high price to be paid. That price will affect our lives, our children, and others around us.

God will allow us to make that choice, just as He did Israel.

His, by Grace, Steve

Monday Thought – February 1, 2016

Good Morning Friends,

There is an old hymn … Come Thou Fount … that contains a strange phrase in it. It says, “Here I raise mine Ebenezer.” It’s a phrase that comes out of 1 Samuel 7.

“Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, ‘Thus far has the LORD helped us.’ So the Philistines were subdued and did not invade Israelite territory again.” (1 Samuel 7:12-13)

Ebenezer literally means “stone of help.” It was a memorial marker that Samuel erected to remind the Israelites of the deliverance the Lord had provided them. The Philistines had come to attack the Israelites while Israel was gathered to worship the Lord and thank Him for the return of the Ark of the Covenant. But the plan of Philistines was thwarted by the intervention of God. The Philistines never got the opportunity to attack, God threw them into a panic and Israel was able to defeat them soundly that day.

God came to Israel’s help and Samuel didn’t want the people of Israel ever to forget that.

Are there any Ebenezer’s in your life? Certainly there have been times when God has come to your help. Are there any markers that remind you of those times when God has helped you?

Our memories are so poor. We so easily and quickly forget when God has come to our aid. Next time He does, raise an Ebenezer, establish a marker that will remind you of it.

His, by Grace, Steve