Posted by Charlie on Apr 12, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: 1 Samuel 13; 1 Chronicles 2, 3; 2 Corinthians 12
Then he waited seven days, according to the time set by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. So Saul said, “Bring a burnt offering and peace offerings here to me.” And he offered the burnt offering.
1 Samuel 13:8–9
Observation
Saul is faced with a thorny dilemma in this passage. He has been instructed by Samuel to wait for him to arrive and offer a sacrifice before proceeding into battle. Samuel is delayed, and Saul’s soldiers are steadily deserting. After seven days of watching his army dwindle, Saul is faced with a choice. Should he continue to wait while he appears increasingly weak and inept to his subjects, or should he take matters into his own hands, offer the sacrifice himself, and then move ahead into battle without Samuel? He weighs the situation and opts to offer the sacrifice, only to have Samuel arrive as the coals are still smoldering. Samuel rebukes Saul for his disobedience to God, and declares that the kingdom will go to someone more worthy.
Application
What would I have done had I been there in Saul’s place? It’s easy, from the comfort of my home in 21st century America, to say that I would have waited for Samuel. In the heat of the moment, with soldiers deserting, no ability to communicate with Samuel, who is days overdue, and a hostile Philistine force breathing down my neck, the sacrifice would have looked like a tempting option.
Saul didn’t have the benefit of a look into chapter 14 to discover that God would miraculously deliver the Philistines into Jonathan’s hands. My circumstances are a bit different from Saul’s, yet I find there are times when God’s help seems overdue. How often do I pull the trigger on the sacrifice and miss the blessing of God’s response to patient obedience?
Prayer
Father, thank you that you can deliver by many or by few. I entrust my life’s circumstances into your hands today, and ask you to be God over all that concerns me. Please grant me eyes to see where you are at work today, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: choices, disobedience, obedience
Posted by Charlie on Apr 10, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: 1 Samuel 8, 9, 10; 2 Corinthians 10
So when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said to him, “There he is, the man of whom I spoke to you. This is one shall reign over my people.”
1 Samuel 9:17
Observation
For me, one of the great mysteries of biblical history is that God, who knows the end from the beginning, more than once chooses people who wind up taking a nose dive. Saul starts out with a sense of humility, but as he gets into his rule as king he makes increasingly abysmal decisions and ends up in the last ten years of his life focusing all his energy on a psychotic illusion that David is a threat to him. Other examples of similar disasters who are specifically chosen by God are Jeroboam and Judas Iscariot. In the case of Judas there is even prophecy in the Hebrew scriptures that predicts he will betray Jesus.
Application
I guess this means there is good news and bad news. The good news is that God doesn’t call perfect people because there aren’t any. God chooses to work with ordinary people who have the choice and potential to follow him or not. In other words, God can use me, which is really good news.
The bad news is that every one of us has the potential to go sideways if we aren’t paying attention to the right things. What right things? It’s about God, and not about me. It’s about his strength, so my weakness is okay as long as I submit it to him. I’ve got a daily responsibility to put him first. I’ve got to pursue godliness, and be proactive in seeking his healing, deliverance, and fellowship. Set my hope fully on the grace that will be given me when Jesus Christ is revealed (1 Peter 1:13).
Prayer
God, I recognize that history is the story of the collective choices of the people who live on this planet. I know that I have choices before me today as my history is being written. Please help me to make wise decisions today. Please lead me in your wisdom and grant that I would grow in the grace and knowledge of God today so that I might know you better and live in a way that pleases you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: choices, God's will, growth
Posted by Charlie on Apr 3, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Judges 17, 18; Psalm 89; 12 Corinthians 3
Then the five men who had gone to spy out the country of Laish answered and said to their brethren, “Do you know that there are in these houses an ephod, household idols, a carved image, and a molded image? Now therefore, consider what you should do.”
Judges 18:14
Observation
This verse is a set-up. Not long ago I was reading the law of Moses and it made it clear that the thing these men should consider and do is stone Micah and the Levite because of the blatant idolatry they were practicing. However, when the Danites arrive at Micah’s house they do exactly the opposite—they steal the carved and molded images, make off with Micah’s illegitimate priest, and set up a forbidden place of worship in the city they conquer.
Application
Years ago we bought a book for our children called I Always, Always Have Choices. The point of the book is that no matter what the circumstances, I always have the opportunity to choose how I am going to respond, and that internal choice makes all the difference.
I am presented with myriad opportunities to choose God’s way or the world’s way every day. Sometimes the world’s way seems more attractive, convenient, or safe than God’s way. However, only God’s way leads to life. Jesus said it well in Matthew 7:13-14. “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
Prayer
Father, thank you for opening up the way of righteousness to me today. I want to make choices today that will make you rejoice over me. Please lead my by your Spirit, and enlighten my heart by your Word, that I might make really wise choices today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: choices, wisdom
Posted by Charlie on Mar 16, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Deuteronomy 30, 31; 1 Corinthians 1
When I have brought them to the land flowing with milk and honey, of which I swore to their fathers, and they have eaten and filled themselves and grown fat, then they will turn to other gods and serve them; and they will provoke Me and break My covenant.
Deuteronomy 31:20
Observation
Chapters 30 and 31 of Deuteronomy reveal that God never had any wild delusions about Israel faithfully following his laws and commands. Chapter 30 begins by saying, in essence, “When you have forsaken me and you are driven into captivity, remember….” Yet, because of his promises to Abraham, God promises that he will still bless them and their descendants.
Application
God doesn’t have any wild delusions about my life either. He chose and called me knowing the most intimate details about my life. I have the advantage of is Spirit indwelling—the circumcised heart he promises in 30:6. It’s comforting to know that the promise of God is the foundation of his provision for my life, not my own righteousness.
Bonus thought in chapter 30: I’ve always loved the way God lays out the choice of life and death to Israel, and then, as if the choice might be confusing, in verse 19 he says, “By the way, you might want to choose life….”
Prayer
Thank you for your provision of righteousness in Christ Jesus! I want to know you and walk with you today, Father God. I choose life! In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: choices, life, promises
