163rd Week, I Samuel Chapters 25-28 (Clink on Title for Video Introduction)

 

Click on Title for Video Intro

Monday, I Samuel Chapter 25

I Samuel 25

Verse 24

Heather Williams

Verse 24:  She fell at his feet and said: “My lord, let the blame be on me alone. Please let your servant speak to you; hear what your servant has to say.”

THOUGHT

I know that sounds like a weird verse to pick, but it’s more the point behind it and David’s reaction. David was not in any type of mood to stop and listen to this woman. He was upset and angered and ready to avenge this man. However, he stopped and listened to this woman. If he had ignored her, he would have been guilty of taking vengeance into his own hands. 

No matter how upset, emotional, or right we think we are, we must be careful to stop and listen to others. This extra effort can save us pain and regret.

PRAYER

Patient and Merciful Father, thank You for putting up with us, Your children, even when we aren’t listening. You remain faithful and loving to us despite our faults and failures. Lord, help us to wait on You and listen to hear Your voice as we walk this earth. AMEN

Tuesday, I Samuel Chapter 26

I Samuel 26

Verse 23

Heather Williams

Verse 23:  The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness. The Lord delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed.

THOUGHT

Is this story starting to sound familiar? Saul follows David into the desert; Saul waits and tries to kill David; David sneaks up and resists the opportunity to kill Saul; Saul hears about it and retreats. Talk about stress! My stress in my move fails in comparison to David’s stress. 

The reason I picked this verse is because it’s a good reminder to us all. We must live righteous and faithful lives, and God will reward us. Our reward may not be attained on this earth, but it will definitely be worth the wait for heaven! David’s faithfulness and obedience to God amazes me. I don’t know if I was put in his situation that I would be able to restrain myself as he did and remain faithful and righteous to the Lord.

PRAYER

Righteous and Faithful God, we bow in humble obedience to You. Help us to live our lives after You, Lord. May we be obedient, righteous, and faithful toward You. Lord, all of us are faced with various difficulties and challenges in life. However, I pray that each of us would make good decisions and remain faithful to You. We love You, Lord! May our lives reflect our love for You. AMEN

Wednesday, I Samuel Chapter 27

I Samuel 27

Jeanie Boldt

October 16, 2005

THOUGHT

How did you feel when you read this chapter? I really wasn’t very proud of David. I realize that the tribes he raided were known for their surprise attacks and cruel treatment of innocent people. These desert tribes were a danger I guess not just to the Philistines but especially to the Israelites, the people David would one day lead. Knowing this I still didn’t really like the actions of David. He killed innocent women, men, and children in the surprise attacks.  He fled from Saul, not asking for protection and direction from the Lord. Instead he had to lie about his actions and make foolish decisions because he did not pause to inquire of the Lord. He stopped serving God and started thinking about survival. 

I can’t help but think of the short cuts we take each and every day with sin in them. Is it speeding, is it a little lie to make the day go smoother, is it a bad word when our temper flares, is it an unkind action to get ahead, is it a judgment call we make when we have no authority, or is it thinking we are better than the person we work or live with?  Is there a little David in us all that shows up when we are afraid and forget to ask the one who is the authority of “Guidance” for some direction for this tough world?

PRAYER

Father God, the One who is the strand that holds us all together, help us to seek You out when we are discouraged, afraid or on attack at tough times. May we seek Christian support who will help guide us in the right direction as together we ask for Your Will to be done. Help us to think through the decisions that we make so that we gain a clearer perspective of what You would want of us. May we remember to “Wait on the Lord, be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart.” Be our strength this week.  AMEN

Thursday, I Samuel Chapter 28

I Samuel 28

Verses 5-6b

Jeanie Boldt

Verses 5-6b:  When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid; terror filled his heart. He inquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him.

THOUGHT

Saul had been fighting the wrong enemy for so long that when the real enemy appeared, the king was unprepared. God was not with him, and prayer was not answered. How many times in life do we continue to do wrong and take the Lord for granted?  Then when we have finally reached the end of our rope, it is then that we call out to Him. He is a gracious God and will be there for us but why not go to Him right away at our point of need and not keep Him out. 

Rory and I have had some financial dealings this fall with household improvements and expenses. I was really faithful in praying this time for guidance and a means to take care of this. I did not shut Him out. Gosh, did I see Him work for us. We saw signs all over - the total was way less than thought, the cable that was messed up was fixed at NO CHARGE (unheard of), my phone (3 years old) went on the blink which they tried to fix and later had to replace (no charge), Rory’s car needed some work done on it which was going to be close to $350 to $400 - it was covered by our purchasing contract. I kept seeing Him come through for us over and over again. WE CAN NOT AFFORD TO SHUT HIM OUT! 

Let life’s difficulties and obstacles push you in God’s direction and make you depend upon Him. As we see from Saul’s story, turning to anything or anyone else leads only to disaster. God gave him opportunities to repent; he ignored them. He did not “seek the Lord while He may be found.”  Let us not lose sight of God our Father.

PRAYER

Father God, thank You for always being there and forgiving us over and over again when we hurt You, reject You, not go to You, deny You and lose faith in You. Please forgive each of us for each of those sins. Help us to realize that the only way to overcome fear and problems is to turn towards You and not away from You. May we realize that You answer all prayers if we only ask and see Your help. Help us to realize that we must fulfill the responsibilities that You give us so that further guidance can be sought by You. Father God, may we keep You King of our lives and our hearts. AMEN

Friday, Review about Samuel

Samuel was born as a result of God's answer to Hannah's fervent prayer for a child.  In fact his name means "heard of God".  God shaped Samuel from the start.  The roles he played were judge, priest, prophet, counselor, and God's man at a turning point in the history of Israel.  God worked through Samuel because he was willing to be one thing, God's Servant.  Samuel showed that those whom God finds faithful in small things will be trusted with greater things. Although he had these successful areas in his life, he was unable to lead his sons into a close relationship with God.   

Samuel grew up assisting the high priest (Eli) in the tabernacle until God directed him to other responsibilities.  He was able to use this man because he was genuinely dedicated to God.  Success came to his life because he was listening to God.  Samuel anointed the first two kings of Israel and was the last and most effective of Israel's judges.   

We all need to to turn over both the control and destination of our lives to God and then do what he requires of us. Finally, we need to listen for further direction from His Word - God's map for life.